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A day later, Portis angrily denied Schefter's report.
"I never said that I wasn't coming to camp if my contract didn't get redone," Portis told Rocky Mountain News staffer Lee Rasizer Thursday. "I never said my contract was an issue."
Portis believes he was "suckered" into the comments that made him appear to be at odds with the organization when he isn't.
"The media's making a bigger deal of it than it is, and I don't like that," he said. "Don't use me as a scapegoat for a story line, like you got the inside scoop on something when you really didn't because I never said that."
Well. ... I'll let you be the judge.
Here's what Portis -- as quoted by Schefter -- had to say Wednesday: "My best interests are my best interests. I'm going to decide what's in my best interests on my own.
"If I don't feel like going to camp, if I don't feel like the situation is right for me, I won't be there. If I do, then I will. If I decide that things aren't going right and I don't feel like the Broncos' organization is being true to me, then that's a hard decision I'll have to make."
There you have it. Sounds pretty straight forward to me.
Schefter went on to quote the former Hurricane as saying: "I'm hoping the Broncos do work something out to where it doesn't go that far. I don't want to be a distraction to the team. I don't want it to come off as if it's I think I'm bigger than the team, because I don't.
"But at the same time, come on, man. There are players on special teams making more money than me. How long am I going to stay content with that? The Broncos know the situation. It's however they want to do it. I've given them two good years for the low-low. Why can't I be one of the top-paid players in the league?"
Whether it results in a holdout or not, the stage is obviously set for a showdown that could last well into the summer. Neither team officials nor Portis' agent, Drew Rosenhaus -- whom the running back hired this winter, have commented on the situation.
But within the past month, Portis has reportedly submitted a lucrative contract proposal to the Broncos, only to be rebuffed. The Broncos have floated counterproposals, but apparently none has come close to meeting Portis' satisfaction.
Despite missing three games because of sternum, ankle and knee injuries, Portis improved on his fantastic rookie season by running for a career-high 1,591 yards. His 5.5 yards per carry were the NFL's best. Although he was held out of the final two regular season games, Portis ran for more than 100 yards in each of the previous six weeks.
And as much as he'd like to be rewarded for his efforts, Portis realizes he doesn't hold all of the cards here.
"I have a contract, what can I do?" Portis told Rasizer. "I can't put no gun to nobody's head and make them let me out of it. I slapped my name on the dotted line. So I've got four years."
Portis wants to sit down at some point to try to rectify the situation without "blowing this situation out of proportion."
"I'm not happy. But I wasn't happy last [offseason] and what did I do? I went out and gained 1,600 yards," he said. "You never seen me pout. I gave you my all. When I get out on the field, I give you my all. So there will never be an issue where I'm proud to have been a distraction. I got on the field. I wasn't happy. It was known I wasn't happy. I'm in the Pro Bowl."
Whatever course he ultimately decides on, Portis is getting plenty of advice this week with Pro Bowl teammates openly expressing their views on his situation.
"This is what I would tell Clinton," Chiefs Pro Bowl running back Priest Holmes, who was rewarded with a four-year contract extension that included a $10 million signing bonus and a $5 million annual average just before the start of the 2003 season, told reporters. "As long as he's producing and then he makes the decision that, 'Hey, I want to make my money, I want to go ahead and get my money now,' he has to stand firm with that and not waver."
I advise keeping a close on this situation throughout the offseason. We certainly haven't heard the last of it. ...
Other notes of interest. ...
According to the Sports XChange, Shannon Sharpe is keeping everyone guessing about his future, but the best guess is that he'll call it a career after 14 years. The veteran tight end previously said his mind was made up, and that he wouldn't change it. That he helped broadcast a playoff game immediately after the season only adds fuel to that theory.
But with 62 catches for a team-high eight TDs, he showed he's still one of the best to play the game, so maybe that will bring him back.
In an article published Monday, Post beat man Patrick Saunders reminded readers that Sharpe's absence would leave a huge hole in the offense. Backup Jeb Putzier still has much to learn and must improve his blocking skills, but he has excellent hands and is deceptively fast.
Saunders added: "Putzier will get his chance, but look for the team to draft a pass-catching tight end or a big wide receiver who can be transformed into a tight end. ..."
Also according to Saunders, receiver Ashley Lelie needs to beef up this offseason. He has the speed and hands to be an impact receiver, but he must get stronger so he can fight off corners, get separation and catch the ball over the middle.
The possibility that Ed McCaffrey, who spent the better part of the season nursing injuries -- groin, quadriceps and a concussion, may have played his final game as a Bronco makes Lelie's progress even more critical. McCaffrey is scheduled to earn $4.5 million in 2004, and despite his popularity with fans, he'll either be asked to restructure or released. ...
And finally. ...
In an article published Monday, Pro Football Weekly -- noting Steve Beuerlein is likely headed toward retirement -- suggested the Broncos are likely to sign a veteran backup quarterback who won’t break the bank and/or draft a quarterback in the middle to late rounds to compete with Jarious Jackson and Danny Kanell in training camp.