Portis, Redskins Agree to Deal

Clinton Portis agreed Monday to an eight-year, $50.5-million contract with the Washington Redskins, and cornerback Champ Bailey neared completion of a deal with the Denver Broncos that would clear the way for a Portis-for-Bailey trade this week.

Portis’ deal, one of the richest ever for a running back, includes a $17-million bonus, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Portis is set to join quarterback Mark Brunell, who will be acquired in a trade with Jacksonville, in a revamped offense in Coach Joe Gibbs’ first season back in Washington.

But the Broncos must first agree to terms with Bailey, who would go to Denver along with a second-round draft pick in exchange for Portis.

“Everything is skating right along schedule,” said Bailey’s agent, Jack Reale. “Things could be wrapped up quickly.”

Trades cannot officially take place until the off-season trade and free-agency period begins Wednesday, but they can be announced before then.

Bailey has been to four consecutive Pro Bowls, and Portis has rushed for more than 1,500 yards in each of his first two seasons.

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End Jason Taylor agreed to a six-year, $45-million contract with the Miami Dolphins, a source close to the negotiations said on condition of anonymity.

The Dolphins also are negotiating a new contract with quarterback Jay Fiedler, his agent said.

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Jerome Bettis, the sixth-leading rusher in NFL history, agreed to a one-year, $1-million contract with Pittsburgh, with a chance to earn an additional $1 million in incentives.

Bettis was to have made $3,757,000, plus a $750,000 roster bonus, as part of the $30-million, six-year contract he signed in 2001, but he agreed to the pay cut to stay with the Steelers.

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Chicago released quarterback Kordell Stewart, who had signed a two-year, $5-million deal nearly a year ago.... Receiver Steve Smith agreed to a five-year contract extension with Carolina. Contract details were not disclosed.... Atlanta released cornerback Ray Buchanan, an 11-year veteran, and linebacker Sam Rogers, a 10-year veteran.... Linebacker Mo Lewis, a 13-year veteran, and starting safeties Sam Garnes and Tyrone Carter were released by the New York Jets.... Quarterback Drew Henson had a workout with Dallas. Henson’s rights are owned by Houston, which is trying to trade the rights.... Tennessee and receiver Drew Bennett agreed to a multiyear contract.

College Football

Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) said recruiting practices at universities are “spiraling dangerously out of control” and requested congressional hearings into accusations of sexual misconduct and recruiting tactics at Colorado.

Three women filed federal lawsuits a month ago, contending they were raped by Colorado players or recruits in 2001.

Seven women have accused Colorado football players of sexual assault since 1997, but no charges have been filed.

Christopher Waddell, an 18-year-old football player at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, La., died after collapsing during a workout on campus. An autopsy will be performed.

Jurisprudence

A friend of Jayson Williams testified he saw the former NBA All-Star call a chauffeur an obscenity and flip a shotgun closed. The gun discharged into Costas “Gus” Christofi’s chest, killing him on Feb. 14, 2002.

Kent Culuko is the first witness in Williams’ manslaughter trial at Somerville, N.J., to say he saw the shooting. Williams is accused of killing Christofi and trying to make it look like a suicide.

Christofi was shot when Williams was giving friends a tour of his home in Alexandria Township. Christofi had driven the group there from a restaurant.

Jeff Garcia’s arraignment in Santa Clara, Calif., on drunk-driving charges was delayed until March 15 at the request of his attorney.

Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, faces two misdemeanor charges from his arrest Jan. 14 in San Jose.

Miscellany

The Sparks will play three WNBA preseason games. They will play host to the New York Liberty on May 8 at the Pyramid in Long Beach, then travel to Connecticut on May 13 and New York on May 15.

Texas’ Ian Crocker set a world record of 23.30 seconds in the 50-meter butterfly Sunday in the Big 12 Conference time trials, pending verification by the sport’s international federation.

Former astronaut Michael Bloomfield was hired as Air Force’s athletic director. He was an All-Western Athletic Conference linebacker there in 1980.