Redskins release Clinton Portis

By Mike Jones

Updated: 2:12 p.m.

The Redskins announced Monday that they have released running back Clinton Portis, the second-leading rusher in franchise history with 6,824 yards.

"Clinton provided excitement from the very first time he touched the ball as a Redskin and we were lucky to witness every ounce of energy, effort and passion he has given ever since," Redskins Owner Daniel M. Snyder said in a statement released by the team. "We have been through a lot both on and off of the field and we would like to wish him and his family the very best. He will always be a Redskin and go down as one of the franchise's all-time greats."

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Clinton Portis says that he expects to be released by the Washington Redskins on Monday.



Speaking with Washington Post columnist Mike Wise on his radio show with Holden Kushner on 106.7 The Fan, Portis said that the impending move "was a decision that was best for the both of us," and that he looks forward to continuing his career with another team.



The second-leading rusher in franchise history, Portis was owed $8.3 million for the 2011 season. But after Portis's past two seasons were shortened because of injuries, Redskins brass couldn't see retaining Portis at that price, Coach Mike Shanahan said Friday.

"If we're not going to sign Clinton to that high salary, I'll let him test the market out," Shanahan explained. "Not to say we don't want him, but for a lower price, and obviously we'll try to find the best deal."

Portis said he doesn't feel a need or desire to return to the Redskins, but money isn't his reason for wanting to leave.



"In Washington, it's nothing left me to prove," said Portis, who in eight years as a Redskin rushed for 6,824 yards and 46 touchdowns. "It's not about the money for me at this stage in my career. It's about winning. I hope to help a team win rings, and that's what I'm looking forward to. Going in onto someone else's team and not having to be worried about Portis, Portis, Portis, and just to be able to contribute in any way I can, that will be a wonderful thing."



Portis hasn't played a full season since 2008, when he rushed for 1,487 yards and nine touchdowns. The following season, he suffered a concussion and missed the last eight games. This past season, Portis played just five games. He started the first four, but suffered a third-degree groin pull in the first half of Washington's game at Philadelphia. Portis missed the next six weeks, attempted a comeback against Tennessee, but on his fifth carry of the game, he tore a lower abdominal muscle, which required season-ending surgery.



Portis, 29, has rushed for 9,923 yards in his career, which ranks 26th on the NFL's career list, but he refutes the notion that his days as a feature back are over.

More of the Portis interview is on The Early Lead.





"I think missing games the last two seasons provided me the opportunity to rest me up," Portis said. "Coming off the groin injury, being away from the game and being on the outside looking in, before that, I don't even think I was a fan of the game. I think the most exciting thing that I've seen in the last two years was the run [Tennessee Titans running back] Chris Johnson had. But I think it developed and gave me a passion for the game and an appreciation for the craft. A lot of people look at me now and it's a hype situation and who's the man opposed to having that grind for the game and approaching it as a craft, and that's something I want to bring back."



Portis later added, "I'll never do [a two-running back system]. I wouldn't adopt that mind-set."



Portis told Wise and Kushner that the passion he now feels is something that he has been missing since Joe Gibbs retired from his second stint as Redskins coach following the 2007 season. Gibbs' first major personnel move was the acquisition of Portis from Denver in exchange for cornerback Champ Bailey. Under Gibbs, Portis and the Redskins reached the playoffs two times in four years, but also endured the murder of Sean Taylor, the team's starting safety and Portis' best friend.



"I never seen nobody give up or with their head down with Coach Gibbs," Portis said. "As many close games as we played and came up short during his era, you can't say one time that we gave up. There was a passion and toughness amongst everybody on that field to fight until [time expired]."



Portis had said last year that the arrival of Mike Shanahn in Washington rejuvenated him. Shanahan drafted Portis in Denver and coached him two seasons. But in his interview today, Portis didn't speak as fondly of Shanahan as he did of Gibbs, and says Shanahan didn't feature him in the offense this year as he did back in Denver. He said that he still believes Shanahan will rebuild the Redskins into a contender, but "I just don't think it's right now."



It appears Portis' Redskins career will end with him standing 684 yards shy of John Riggins' franchise rushing record. At one point, Portis had said surpassing that mark meant more to him than anything other than winning a Super Bowl. But today, Portis said that that mark doesn't mean as much to him as he thought it did; otherwise, he would re-sign with the Redskins for less and go after Riggins' record.



"If John Riggins is the only one you can say did more than me as a Redskins' running back, then that's pretty good company," Portis conceded.



The Redskins now must decide if Ryan Torain and Keiland Williams give them the best opportunity to succeed at running back, or if they should pursue another back in free agency or the draft. Torain, a two-year veteran, led Washington last season with 742 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games. Williams, who just completed his rookie season, accounted for another 261 yards and three touchdowns.