brunell-8

Hey gang, check this out....interesting news.....as bad as we need a CB,
this guy is young and among the leagues best....I wonder how this all
will play out in regards to the Brunell trade OR if Harris could swing
something like A Brunell plus our 3rd or 2nd in exchange for (the rights
to) Champ Bailey....


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=173
4533


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.

Arrington on Dec. 28 signed an eight-year contract worth $60 million-$68
million, including a signing bonus of $15.5 million and option bonus of
$4.5 million.

Even when players are granted permission to speak with other teams,
trades are rarely consummated, and the Redskins reserve the prerogative,
of course, to reject any offers. But the fact Snyder would put a player
of Bailey's stature on the trade block certainly sent ripples through
the NFL.

"My first reaction," said one AFC general manager, "was that it was a
joke. Once I found out it was [legitimate], I mean, how could I ignore
it? The guy is only 25 years old, is a bona fide star in the league, and
plays a 'must have' position. You've got to at least find out the price
of doing business."

Snyder already had raised the possibility with other NFL owners of
trading his star cornerback. He casually mentioned to Atlanta Falcons
owner Arthur Blank, for instance, that Bailey might be available for the
right price.
Redskins chief negotiator Eric Schaffer huddled with Reale in Atlanta
early this week and essentially made an offer similar to the team's
proposal to Bailey during training camp last summer. That proposal was
reportedly for a nine-year contract worth about $55 million and
featuring total bonus money of approximately $14 million. It was
rejected by Bailey and Reale and, sources said, was no better received
this time around.

Earlier in the week, Reale said he was "open minded" about the resumed
negotiations and termed the session with Schaffer as "cordial." It will
not be surprising, given new events, if Reale is a very popular man next
week, when general managers and even some owners convene in Indianapolis
for the annual NFL Scouting Combine workouts.

The Redskins still reserve the right to designate Bailey as a
"franchise" player, a move that would significantly limit his mobility
in the free-agency period, which begins March 3. And if Washington
cannot strike an extension with Bailey, or receive a trade offer it
considers viable, using the "franchise" tag is the strongest likelihood.

But the "franchise" designation for a cornerback carries a $6.801
million impact against the Washington salary cap and the Redskins
probably would be forced to carry that late into the summer.
Historically, at least, applying a "franchise" designation often creates
acrimony between team and player.

Or, if the "franchise" tag is exercised, Bailey could quickly accept the
guaranteed money, decline any attempts to sign a subsequent long-term
deal, and force Snyder to carry a very unwieldy cap number on the
cornerback for
2004.

The player chosen seventh overall in the 1999
draft, and universally acknowledged as one of the NFL's premier players
at one of its highest-profile positions, Bailey was elected to the Pro
Bowl each of the past four seasons. The former University of Ge****a
star has never missed a game in five seasons, making 80 straight
appearances.

Bailey has recorded 313 tackles and 18 interceptions during his career
and most talent evaluators agree he fits the term "shut-down
cornerback."

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

russ

Greg....you do not need big money FAs to improve. How many time have the
Panthers and Jaguars been burned due to big contracts? Take the mid
level, hungry players. Leave the big dollar players to Dan Synder and Al
Davis.

teal passion

At that price +?? I don't think so. The last thing the Jaguars need to do is
overspend on a free agent. Draft, draft, draft.

el guapo

No thanks. For that kind of money, the Jags could add quality depth at half
a dozen positions, or, say, lock up their young OL players and keep them
together into the future. Spend it on one player, he pops his ACL, and then
what?

fathom

I agree. Big FA contracts are inherently risky. You have to
get top production for most of the contract to get your value.
If the player gets injured, or dogs it after the big payday, it
can affect your team for years.

russ

With the type opf money Bailey will command, you can get yourself at
least 4 mid level hungry players........

brunell-8

To all:

I agree Champ Bailey's pricetag is high, probably too high...but getting
a top notch shutdown CB is one of the most critical components of a
defense, as well as top notch edge rusher & MLB. "IF" & I know this is a
big "IF - Champ Bailey continues to improve his game to what Deion
Sanders level was, that $$$ may be worth it. That probably is too big of
a risk however, given todays salary cap restraints.

Russ, you do have a point regarding the cheaper, hunrgy FA's....I guess
as long as Shack can identify the right cheaper FA players, we could be
OK. It's probably not as easy as everyone thinks however. New England
didn't just grab a whole lotta cheap nobodys from thin air and threw
them together & "voi-la" great defense...I'm sure Scott Paoli worked
hard at identifying exactly the type of player he & Belichik were
looking for.

As far as Carolina goes in this area, isn't their defense built almost
exclusively from the draft? I know they have one defensive lineman that
used to play on PGH, but I wasn't aware of a whole lotta FA's otherwise.

fathom

$60 mil is a lot to risk on an "if". Bad move. Better to draft
a CB, or keep 'Nando and make his job easier by generating a
pass rush.

charles

you are dead on about the pass rush being the key. they don't need a
shutdown corner, they need a shut down de.

brunell-8

I don't think re-signing Bryant would be a bad move, at OUR price, not
his. If they overpay for Bryant, you might as well have just paid a lil
more to get a Woodson or CB of that ilk.