Portis isn't likely to be cut from Redskins' roster

Judging from the comments on our recent post about probable cuts, some of you were confused/upset that we did not include running back Clinton Portis on the list.

Portis was not included because we believe he will be on the roster when the season starts. In fact, the Redskins plan to bring back Portis, Coach Mike Shanahan said during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

But Shanahan's comments aside, we don't believe Portis will be released today for one major reason: money. There are no cap ramifications to releasing a player in 2010 because the season will be uncapped.

That's not to say that Portis is a lock for next season's 53-man roster. Shanahan has scheduled a minicamp to take place before April's draft. If Shanahan doesn't like what he sees out of Portis's offseason commitment and attitude, the Redskins could try to do something at that time. (And it's in Portis's interest to show up at the voluntary workouts; his contract includes huge bonus money just for attending.)

The Redskins, however, would still owe Portis the remaining guaranteed portion of his contract - and that's the problem. Portis is one of only six Redskins believed to have guaranteed contracts for the 2010 season.

He last renegotiated his deal in March 2008, receiving a signing bonus of almost $9.4 million. Under the terms of that deal, in addition to the signing bonus, Portis was paid more than $2.35 million in salaries and bonuses by the end of the 2009 season.

Of Portis's $7.2 million base salary in 2010, $6.4 million is guaranteed. And he also is due roster and workout bonuses totaling about $507,000.

The Redskins do not want to pay Portis almost $7 million to sit at home. That's why he wasn't on our list of potential cuts.

Click here to order Clinton Portis' proCane Rookie Card.



(washingtonpost.com)