Redskins: Clinton Portis for Champ Bailey trade may be in the works.

cbssportsline.com ^

[jempet]

DENVER -- The Denver Broncos are discussing a trade that would send running back Clinton Portis to the Washington Redskins for cornerback Champ Bailey, a swap of two Pro Bowlers upset with their contracts, a source said Monday.

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In giving up Portis for Bailey, Denver also would receive Washington's second-round selection in the April draft, the NFL source told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Vinny Cerrato, Washington's player personnel director, said at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis: "We are talking to a number of teams and Denver is one of the teams." He wouldn't name the players.

The negotiations were first reported in the Denver Post.

The Redskins have protected Bailey, who can become a free agent on March 3, by designating him their franchise player. That means the Redskins must make him a one-year, $6.8 million tender, the average of the top five players at his position.

Portis has two years remaining on the contract he signed as a second-round draft pick in 2002. Displeased with the $300,000 he made last season, he has hinted he might be a holdout when training camp starts unless the Broncos rework his deal.

The deal would make sense because the Redskins went last season without an every-down running back, a must in the offensive system favored by new coach Joe Gibbs. Portis ran for 1,591 yards last year despite missing three games with chest and ankle injuries.

Portis' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, declined comment and the Broncos did not return a call seeking comment.

[jempet]

While I think it's a great trade, I don't think the Skins should give up a second-round pick in addition to a straight up trade. Any 'Skins fans around here?

[Therapist]

Denver has an offensive line. The Skins don't. BAD TRADE!

[jempet]

I disagree. The Redskin's line is fine. It was the COACHING of that line that was the big problem. A Joe Bugel coached O-line is not the same as a Spurrier sit-back and let your QB get killed O-line.

[BoomerBob]

Hello again Therapist.

I like this trade from Denver's standpoint for a couple of reasons:

1) Running backs tend to have shorter careers than cornerbacks (witness the brief career of Terrell Davis).

2) Denver has had a 1500 yard rusher the past three seasons with zero playoff wins to show for it--they need to improve in other areas, especially defense.

I think it will be a steal if Denver gets a 2nd round pick plus Bailey. We'll see if 'Skins take the bait.

[Paleo Conservative]

I don't think anyone named Clinton should be sent to Washington.

[leadpenny]

What is this, SportsCenter?

[stylin19a]

Denver needs linebackers more than cornerbacks (though they could use cornerbacks). They have a Portis-like runner in the wings - Quentin Griffin.

Joe Gibbs still likes to run the ball..Portis seems like a good fit there.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Hey, if I were Jerry Jones, I'd give two or three quarterbacks for Portis.

[BoomerBob]

I'm concerned about the linebacking position as well but this is a good way to pick up a shut-down corner and solve the pending Portis problem. I read today that Denver is close to a deal re-signing Al Wilson.

[SamAdams76]

They posted it to Culture/Society which includes the subtopic "sports" so this thread appears to be in compliance with the guidelines. It's not as if they made it "Breaking News" or anything.

[jempet]

Well, I know it's not sportscenter, but I seen the topic had sports in it, and have seen many other sports related postings. If we are not permitted to post anything sports related, than just say the word instead of the sarcasm please.

[SamAdams76]

Here is the official Free Republic definition of the topic "Culture/Society" under which this thread was properly posted:

Discussion of health, education, welfare, drugs, abortion, environment, housing, unions, employment, social security, religion, arts, humanity, sports, and other cultural and societal issues.

Seems pretty cut-and-dry to me. If Free Republic does not want sports posted here, that's fine by me and I'll abide by it and I'm sure you would too. But given that "sports" is an official subtopic of "Culture/Society" as defined by Free Republic, I see no problem with this thread.

[KC_Conspirator]

Clinton Portis is the bomb. Although from a view by a Chiefs fan, I like the idea of not having to see Portis twice a year.

[Sonny M]

I don't think anyone named Clinton should be sent to Washington.

Dang, you beat me to it.

[expatpat]

The irony is that the 'Skins gave up Stephen Davis only a year ago.

[jempet]

Yeah, I know. Davis was a stud, and it was sad to see him go. Thanks Spurrier/Dan Snyder. The last 10 years or so have been real painful for Washington fans. But us real fans always hope for the best.

[expatpat]

My wife worked for Snyder at Snyder Communications, and says he was an OK guy. However, he has made a ton of mistakes in running the Redskins, due to not knowing what he was doing, plus the hubris not to realize it.

[maro]

But he's made a ton of money doing it, and that's the primary game he's playing. He also learns from his mistakes. He cut his losses on Spurrier, and I think has finally gotten the right idea with the Holy Joe Gibbs, one of the best coaches in the modern era. Skins in the Super Bowl in 3 years. (Now, if you want to talk about bad DC teams, you really have to talk about the Wiz. Everybody beats the Wiz. And isn't the Detroit team, which is very good, made up mostly of ex-Wizards?)

[Therapist]

Boomer, I'm on your side. Every back that Denver tries becomes great running behind that offensive line.

Bailey would be the flypaper shutdown corner that every team wants but few have.

If Washington throws in a high draft pick, it's the biggest heist in the West since the days of Jesse James.

Good luck, Pilgrim.