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NAPA, Calif. - Disgruntled wide receiver Jerry Porter ''has lost his way'' and is free to leave, Raiders managing general partner Al Davis said in a lengthy news conference late Tuesday.
Porter has been unhappy with his standing since a face-to-face meeting with coach Art Shell in February that ended with Shell berating Porter and kicking him out of his office.
Soon thereafter, Porter demanded a trade, though he has four years left on the five-year extension he signed before last season. No problem, the Raiders said.
That is, as long as Porter pays back the $4 million bonus he received for this season, and his agent, Joel Segal, is able to find a team willing to give the Raiders suitable compensation, be it in the form of draft picks or established players, Davis said.
''He has lost his way a little bit,'' Davis said of Porter, ''but he is a good guy.''
Porter has refused most interview requests and did not speak Tuesday. He strained a calf the first day of practice July 25 and has seen limited action on the days he participates in full-team drills.