The Redskins announced today that they have acquired Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis in a trade with Denver, sending cornerback Champ Bailey to the Broncos. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Known for his quickness and agility, Portis has proven to be a dangerous threat every time he takes the field. He earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2002, and his first Pro Bowl selection following a stellar 2003 season.
In just two short years in the NFL, Portis, 5-11 and 205 pounds, has proven that he is a tremendous force on the field, plowing through defenders week after week to become only the third player in NFL history to rush for at least 1,500 yards in each of his first two seasons. (Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James are the only other two players to accomplish this feat.)
During his two-year career, he has run for 3,099 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground, and added 71 receptions for 678 yards and two touchdowns.
Last season, Portis led all NFL running backs in yards per carry (5.5). He finished fifth in the NFL in rushing with 1,591 yards, while missing three games because of injury. Portis set personal highs with 10 100-yard rushing performances including a stretch of six straight. He posted his best performance as a pro in Week 14 versus Kansas City, with 22 rushes for 218 yards and a Denver franchise record five touchdowns. His five rushing touchdowns in one game also tied for second most in NFL history.
During his 2002 rookie campaign, Portis finished fourth in the NFL with 1,508 rushing yards, a total that set a franchise rookie record, and ranked as the fifth most prolific season for any rookie in NFL history. His eight 100-yard rushing games and 17 total touchdowns were also Denver record marks for a rookie. He tallied a career-best 228 yards rushing in the regular season finale versus Arizona.
Portis was drafted by the Broncos in the second round (51st overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft after a spectacular career at the University of Miami. He earned first-team All-Big East honors and finished third on the Hurricanes all-time single-season list with 1,200 yards during his junior year.
