Redskins preparing to copy TD and trade a franchised Champ Bailey?

[Michael82]

In a stunning move that certainly grabbed the attention of league general managers on an otherwise serene Friday afternoon, the Washington Redskins have granted star cornerback Champ Bailey permission to initiate trade discussions with other franchises, ESPN.com has learned.

Several teams confirmed that agent Jack Reale faxed them notification of the surprising move. Reale did not immediately return phone messages on Friday but a Washington source confirmed that Redskins owner Dan Snyder agreed on Thursday night that Bailey can speak with other clubs.

Bailey, 25, just finished the final season of his original NFL contract and technically is eligible for unrestricted free agency, although the Redskins could limit his options.

The move could signal an impasse in negotiations, aimed at extending the contract of the five-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowl performer, or it might reflect any number of potential scenarios. Among them: The team could attempt to obtain draft choices to use in acquiring quarterback Mark Brunell from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Or, having recently signed strong-side linebacker LaVar Arrington to a blockbuster contract, the Redskins may have decided they cannot afford to have two such highly paid defenders.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=1734533

[juice]

Bailey at age 25 might be worth the investment, He's top three talent.

[Tatonka]

it would be bad enough to pay baileys ungodly price tag that he will demand.. to have to give up a draft pick on top of that? foget it.

[Dozerdog]

Too many FA corners and it's deep at CB as well

[juice]

Someone from Philly's Backfield might be cost efficient, and Taylor would add size, something this DB core is desperatly lacking.

[The_Philster]

Originally posted by Tatonka
it would be bad enough to pay baileys ungodly price tag that he will demand.. to have to give up a draft pick on top of that? foget it.

exactly my thoughts. Yeah, he's been one of the best out there but with this year's crop of free agent CBs, it'd be crazy to do it. Peerless was a different case, IMO as the WR free agent pool was thin. Personally, I'd rather we keep Winfield...should be cheaper than most of the other top CBs out there.

[Stewie]

Originally posted by Tatonka
it would be bad enough to pay baileys ungodly price tag that he will demand.. to have to give up a draft pick on top of that? foget it.

I disagree. If our first pick was a few spots higher, we'd be paying an enormous amount of money anyway. As it is, we'll be paying a lot with no guarantee of any success.

We should trade for Bailey, then franchise and trade Winfield.

We could sign Champ and lose our first rounder, but get a late first /early second for Winfield.

[juice]

Good point, at least you know you get a dominant all around corner in his prime. He is probably the best in the game.

[wbat27]

I like it but there is the possibilty of not being able to trade winfield. Even though winfield,baily, clements sounds fantastic. or even winfield in the freesaftey position?

[BigZ]

Bailey is definitely a fallback but putting a tag on Winfield is risky - is he worth top 5 or top 10 cornerback money? I'm not sure.

This whole situation will force TD to get moving on Winfield. My guess is that they start negotiating a new contract and that if they work one out that TD feels is fair to both sides, he'll resign Winfield. If not, then he'll look at the price/value of the free agents.

Bailey is one of the best but not the only one available that could fit in. There's Vincent, Woodson, Buckley, McAlister and a slew of others.

A good link for all the free agents is: http://www.fftoday.com/agent/agent.html

[Stewie]

Winfield at free safety...

[SABURZFAN]

we have other areas on the team that we need to spend money on.the abundance of CBs doesn't make bailey in demand just yet.

[BillsFever]

How the heck did they copy TD? Donahoe isn't the first person to ever franchise tag a player and trade them, lol

[The Spaz]

Originally posted by BillsFever
How the heck did they copy TD? Donahoe isn't the first person to ever franchise tag a player and trade them, lol

This is true but TD Franchised Peerless Price got a 1st rounder for him and after Peerless only had 1 good year.

[HenryRules]

Originally posted by paulB
Winfield at free safety...

I don't really want to see Winfield at FS ... nothing against his abilities at CB, I just long for the days when our FS's were playmakers. We already have a couple of guys who can bat passes down at FS, I'd like one that catches them.