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I for one didn't think it would happen but looks like it is all but official. I, for one think the Redskins will be a team to be reckon with now. Smoot is decent and I think Portis will be able to do for them what Stephen Davis never could.
Opinions please....
Bailey, Portis all but dealt
New deals for players trade focus
By Adam Schefter
Denver Post Sports Writer
Getty Images / Ezra O. Shaw
Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey could be bound for the Broncos on March 3, when the NFL trading period officially begins.
Though the blockbuster trade has its dissenters, the Broncos and Washington Redskins are not among them. They already have agreed upon compensation, according to multiple sources involved in the discussions.
Now it is up to the respective teams to do the same with the players they covet.
Denver would get Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey and Washington's 2004 second-round draft pick; the Redskins would get Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis. The focus is on whether each team can come to terms with its potential new player.
Most parties expect an agreement this week. If it becomes official, one of the biggest trades in NFL history - one some Broncos players thought was a prank - would be announced March 3, the day the NFL's trading period begins.
"It was enjoyable playing with the Broncos," Portis said on KKFN 950 AM. "If this is the end of my stay, I had a great time."
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As of Monday evening, there were no signs of any hang-ups in the contract talks. Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, is busy hammering out a contract with the Broncos, while Portis' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is busy hammering out a contract with the Redskins.
In the end, their efforts will dictate whether the deal comes to fruition. But a source directly involved in some of the contract talks stated confidently, "One way or another, it all should be worked out."
The only dissenting voices about the trade emerged from the Broncos' locker room.
"I think Champ's a great player, man," said Pro Bowl middle linebacker Al Wilson, scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. "But we're bringing all these outsiders in, and we're not taking care of the guys who have been there and been productive."
Denver will attempt to squash that complaint in Wilson's case today, and up until the free-agent signing period begins March 3.
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If Wilson does not accept by 2 p.m. today Denver's seven-year deal worth approximately $42 million, the Broncos will slap their franchise tag on the linebacker.
The tag would restrict Wilson's negotiating opportunities with other teams while paying him $5.834 million for the coming season. Wilson issued his own threat to the Broncos, saying: "If I get franchised, I'm out of there next year."
However, under the terms of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, the Broncos could opt to put their franchise tag on Wilson again, further restricting his negotiating opportunities and aggravating their defensive leader.
EXTRA
FROM THE OTHER SIDELINE
Read how the Washington Post is covering the Portis-Bailey trade (free registration is required):
- Michael Wilbon column, "If Deal Is Sealed, Redskins Will Be Left with a Big Hole"
- News report by Nunyo Demasio, "Bailey May End Up in Denver"
It is not what Wilson or Denver wants, but it is up to each side to avert the hard feelings that have built up in negotiations that were stalled as of Monday evening.
"I feel like I've been very underpaid, but I signed the contract and you have to play it out," said Wilson, who earned $350,000 and $375,000 in base salary each of the past two seasons. "So now it's my opportunity to have some say in what I want to do. They may put the tag on me. But I can tell you this: It won't be a happy situation, and they know that."
What Denver also knows is that until it resolves its talks with Wilson, it cannot fully focus on Bailey.
But the parameters of Bailey's contract are in place based on the extensive negotiations he conducted during the past season with Washington.
Bailey rejected the Redskins' offer of a nine-year, $55 million contract that included $14.75 million in bonuses. How much Bailey will receive in Denver is uncertain, but one Broncos official said the team has devised a way to squeeze the Pro Bowl cornerback into their salary cap.
CAREER STATS
- Broncos RB Clinton Portis
- Redskins CB Champ Bailey
Washington has done the same for Portis, who has sought a new deal since last season. At this month's Pro Bowl, Portis made his desire for a new contract explicitly clear, and it was that exact wish that triggered the Broncos to look into a trade for their Pro Bowl running back.
"C'mon, man," Portis said at the Pro Bowl. "There are players on special teams making more money than me. How long am I going to stay content with that? The Broncos know the situation. It's however they want to do it. I've given them two good years for the low-low. Why can't I be one of the top-paid players in the league?"
Portis said Monday he considers himself the best running back in football, and he would like to be paid as such.
Just days before last season kicked off, Kansas City running back Priest Holmes - the player Portis once viewed as the best at his position - signed a four-year contract extension that included a $10 million signing bonus and a $5 million annual average.
Paying Portis and Bailey is the last obstacle in the way of any trade. But should it bog down for some reason, other teams are waiting to pitch offers at the Redskins.
BRONCOS MAILBAG
Denver Post sports writer Adam Schefter takes your questions and responds to the pick of the litter. To submit a question, click here. The next installment is slated for Friday.
Last week, the New York Jets offered their own blockbuster proposal to the Redskins. In return for Bailey, running back Ladell Betts and Washington's second-round pick, the Jets agreed to send a package of players that included Pro Bowl defensive end Shaun Ellis, tight end Anthony Becht and running back LaMont Jordan.
However, the Broncos' offer of the best young running back in football is the front-runner.
"I didn't think there was much truth to it," said Denver defensive end Bertrand Berry, who also is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. "I thought it was hearsay. I didn't think they were serious about giving up Clinton.
"At this point, I'm just shocked. I don't know what to say. I didn't see this one coming. Wow. Wow!"
I for one didn't think it would happen but looks like it is all but official. I, for one think the Redskins will be a team to be reckon with now. Smoot is decent and I think Portis will be able to do for them what Stephen Davis never could.
Opinions please....
Bailey, Portis all but dealt
New deals for players trade focus
By Adam Schefter
Denver Post Sports Writer
Getty Images / Ezra O. Shaw
Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey could be bound for the Broncos on March 3, when the NFL trading period officially begins.
Though the blockbuster trade has its dissenters, the Broncos and Washington Redskins are not among them. They already have agreed upon compensation, according to multiple sources involved in the discussions.
Now it is up to the respective teams to do the same with the players they covet.
Denver would get Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey and Washington's 2004 second-round draft pick; the Redskins would get Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis. The focus is on whether each team can come to terms with its potential new player.
Most parties expect an agreement this week. If it becomes official, one of the biggest trades in NFL history - one some Broncos players thought was a prank - would be announced March 3, the day the NFL's trading period begins.
"It was enjoyable playing with the Broncos," Portis said on KKFN 950 AM. "If this is the end of my stay, I had a great time."
Advertisement
As of Monday evening, there were no signs of any hang-ups in the contract talks. Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, is busy hammering out a contract with the Broncos, while Portis' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is busy hammering out a contract with the Redskins.
In the end, their efforts will dictate whether the deal comes to fruition. But a source directly involved in some of the contract talks stated confidently, "One way or another, it all should be worked out."
The only dissenting voices about the trade emerged from the Broncos' locker room.
"I think Champ's a great player, man," said Pro Bowl middle linebacker Al Wilson, scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. "But we're bringing all these outsiders in, and we're not taking care of the guys who have been there and been productive."
Denver will attempt to squash that complaint in Wilson's case today, and up until the free-agent signing period begins March 3.
DETAILS
New Bronco message boards!
Discuss the prospects of a Clinton Portis-for-Champ Bailey trade, or create new Broncos and NFL topics.
Click here to log on and participate.
You will first need to create an account by clicking on 'Register Your Free Account.'
If Wilson does not accept by 2 p.m. today Denver's seven-year deal worth approximately $42 million, the Broncos will slap their franchise tag on the linebacker.
The tag would restrict Wilson's negotiating opportunities with other teams while paying him $5.834 million for the coming season. Wilson issued his own threat to the Broncos, saying: "If I get franchised, I'm out of there next year."
However, under the terms of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, the Broncos could opt to put their franchise tag on Wilson again, further restricting his negotiating opportunities and aggravating their defensive leader.
EXTRA
FROM THE OTHER SIDELINE
Read how the Washington Post is covering the Portis-Bailey trade (free registration is required):
- Michael Wilbon column, "If Deal Is Sealed, Redskins Will Be Left with a Big Hole"
- News report by Nunyo Demasio, "Bailey May End Up in Denver"
It is not what Wilson or Denver wants, but it is up to each side to avert the hard feelings that have built up in negotiations that were stalled as of Monday evening.
"I feel like I've been very underpaid, but I signed the contract and you have to play it out," said Wilson, who earned $350,000 and $375,000 in base salary each of the past two seasons. "So now it's my opportunity to have some say in what I want to do. They may put the tag on me. But I can tell you this: It won't be a happy situation, and they know that."
What Denver also knows is that until it resolves its talks with Wilson, it cannot fully focus on Bailey.
But the parameters of Bailey's contract are in place based on the extensive negotiations he conducted during the past season with Washington.
Bailey rejected the Redskins' offer of a nine-year, $55 million contract that included $14.75 million in bonuses. How much Bailey will receive in Denver is uncertain, but one Broncos official said the team has devised a way to squeeze the Pro Bowl cornerback into their salary cap.
CAREER STATS
- Broncos RB Clinton Portis
- Redskins CB Champ Bailey
Washington has done the same for Portis, who has sought a new deal since last season. At this month's Pro Bowl, Portis made his desire for a new contract explicitly clear, and it was that exact wish that triggered the Broncos to look into a trade for their Pro Bowl running back.
"C'mon, man," Portis said at the Pro Bowl. "There are players on special teams making more money than me. How long am I going to stay content with that? The Broncos know the situation. It's however they want to do it. I've given them two good years for the low-low. Why can't I be one of the top-paid players in the league?"
Portis said Monday he considers himself the best running back in football, and he would like to be paid as such.
Just days before last season kicked off, Kansas City running back Priest Holmes - the player Portis once viewed as the best at his position - signed a four-year contract extension that included a $10 million signing bonus and a $5 million annual average.
Paying Portis and Bailey is the last obstacle in the way of any trade. But should it bog down for some reason, other teams are waiting to pitch offers at the Redskins.
BRONCOS MAILBAG
Denver Post sports writer Adam Schefter takes your questions and responds to the pick of the litter. To submit a question, click here. The next installment is slated for Friday.
Last week, the New York Jets offered their own blockbuster proposal to the Redskins. In return for Bailey, running back Ladell Betts and Washington's second-round pick, the Jets agreed to send a package of players that included Pro Bowl defensive end Shaun Ellis, tight end Anthony Becht and running back LaMont Jordan.
However, the Broncos' offer of the best young running back in football is the front-runner.
"I didn't think there was much truth to it," said Denver defensive end Bertrand Berry, who also is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. "I thought it was hearsay. I didn't think they were serious about giving up Clinton.
"At this point, I'm just shocked. I don't know what to say. I didn't see this one coming. Wow. Wow!"
. They also have one of the best run blocking lines in the league that has been together for a few years. I would be intrested to see if any of their linemen will be FA this year.
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