NFL notes: Clinton is run out of D.C.

The Associated Press

First published 10 minutes ago
Updated 1 minute ago
“Southeast Jerome” is officially gone for good. As well as “Dolla Bill” and “Sheriff Gonna Getcha.”

Clinton Portis was released by the Washington Redskins on Monday, ending a charismatic and sometimes contentious seven-year stay that, for a while at least, made him the face of the franchise.

Injuries and money led to coach Mike Shanahan’s decision. Portis had played in only 13 games over the past two seasons because of a severe concussion in 2009 and a torn groin muscle in 2010.

Portis was scheduled to make $8.3 million next season, and Shanahan made it clear Friday that the franchise wouldn’t keep the 29-year-old running back at that price.

“We’re going to let him test the market,” Shanahan said, “and see what’s out there.”

Portis told 106.7 The Fan that he was given a chance to restructure his contract, but he said it would be “hard to accept not being the go-guy.”

“It was kind of a mutual decision,” Portis said. “They could have sat and held on and played around. They gave me an opportunity to further my career and go somewhere where I can help.”

Portis is 77 yards of 10,000 career rushing yards and leaves Washington 648 shy of one of his oft-stated goals — Hall of Famer John Riggins’ franchise record.

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Bears • Chicago released veteran defensive tackle Tommie Harris on Monday, cutting loose a three-time Pro Bowl pick who had struggled in recent years with injuries. The Bears also released linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer and offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer.

Jaguars • Jacksonville has signed quarterback Luke McCown to a one-year contract, giving the team an experienced backup to David Garrard. McCown has played in 16 games, with seven starts, in seven seasons.

Avs' Peter Forsberg retires from hockey

For Avalanche fans, it will forever be known as the Valentine's Day heartbreaker.
Everybody knew Peter Forsberg was on borrowed time in his latest comeback with the Avalanche. Fans had been conditioned only cheap jerseys too well never to look very far into the future when it came to their brilliant but brittle hockey star. But two games — and none at home, with a chance to see him one last time — well, that was just a little too brief for the Avalanche faithful.

With tears in his eyes that no doubt were matched by those who were lucky enough to see him play in Denver for parts of 11 seasons, Forsberg bade farewell to his hockey career Monday, just two games into a comeback with the Avs at age 37.

"One thing is for sure: I won't be able to second-guess myself. I really tried — and I tried and I tried," said Forsberg, seated next to his fiancee, Nicole Nordin, at a news conference at the Pepsi Center.
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The Avs immediately announced a special night will be held for Forsberg at a future date, when his No. 21 will be retired.

For Forsberg, it was at lunch Sunday with Nordin at the Cheesecake Factory in downtown Denver when the words he didn't want to say nonetheless spilled out.
"He was very quiet, not talking, and I said to him, 'Peter, what are you thinking?' " Nordin said. "He finally said, 'I can't play anymore.' "

From there, the couple drove to the house of Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman, where Forsberg informed Sherman of his decision.

"It was not an easy decision," Forsberg said. "But I finally decided, with my fiancee, Nicole, that I would not put my health at risk anymore."

Forsberg retires as the NHL's fourth all-time leader in assists per game (0.90) and 10th in points per game (1.25). He won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche, in 1996 and 2001, and won two Olympic gold medals for his native Sweden. He won the NHL's Hart Trophy in 2003 as MVP.