Shaun Alexander a Redskin? What have you guys heard?

[Labman]

Rumor has Alexander traded to Redskins for Bailey MIKE SANDO; The News Tri bune

INDIANAPOLIS - Player-for-player trades are rare in the NFL, but this one makes too much sense to ignore. Both teams would benefit in big ways.

The Seattle Seahawks would receive a Pro Bowl cover cornerback to pair with youngster Marcus Trufant. The Washington Redskins would get the running back Joe Gibbs needs to make his offense take off, plus ample salary-cap relief to sign more players.

Champ Bailey for Shaun Alexander, straight up.

The notion sprang to life Saturday while Gibbs, in his second tenure as Redskins coach, brushed off questions about pursuing Cincinnati running back Corey Dillon.

"As to who we'd be interested in, right now that's something we want to keep to ourselves," Gibbs said during a break at the college scouting combine.

Bailey, 24, is on the trading block because Gibbs' team has salary-cap problems, too few draft choices and a glaring need at running back. He stands to collect $6.8 million as Washington's franchise player, a figure that would vanish from the payroll if Bailey were traded.

Alexander is entering the final year of his contract with Seattle. The odds of him returning in 2005 seem slim, so why not get the NFL's best cover corner in return?

The salary cap often makes such deals prohibitive, but trading Alexander would come at little cost to Seattle because so little of his contract remains on the books.

The team is already some $15 million beneath the revised cap of $80.5 million. That's more than enough wiggle room to sign Bailey to a long-term deal even if left tackle Walter Jones played for the franchise-player value of nearly $7.1 million.

Why trade a 26-year-old runner as talented as Alexander and with no history of injuries?

Let us count the reasons.

Alexander covets a stage bigger than Seattle currently offers. Never mind that Cortez Kennedy earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors on the 1992 Seattle team that finished 2-14. Alexander seems resigned to second-class status in Seattle.

What better place to shine than the nation's capital? Unable to crack 1,500 yards in any of his first four seasons, Alexander could conceivably eclipse 1,800 with Gibbs calling the plays.

"He doesn't get the credit he deserves because he's playing in the late game or at time when other games are going on with other featured backs," an NFC personnel director said late last season.

Alexander would understandably prefer an offense centered on his considerable running skills, not the pass-oriented attack coach Mike Holmgren has installed to great effect. Besides, scouts privately note that Alexander's obvious disdain for pass blocking could prove costly for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

Put Alexander in a run-oriented offense, hand him the ball 25 times a game and suddenly his blocking wouldn't matter so much. He might also become more amenable to polishing his game.

Meanwhile, the Redskins would be getting the most prolific prime-time runner in the game. Alexander's Sunday night résumé features a 266-yard game and a five-touchdown first half. In 2003, he topped 110 yards rushing four times in the final seven games as Seattle nailed down its second playoff berth in 15 years.

Only Kansas City's Priest Holmes (61) has more touchdowns than Alexander (50) since 2001.

"Everybody says, even myself, that I need 25 carries to be at my best," Alexander once said.

"Without tooting my horn or being arrogant about it, I've been blessed to make plays with less than 25 carries. But I still believe if I have 25 carries, it's going to be crazy."

Might Washington be willing to find out? On the surface, Alexander appears to be precisely the kind of marquee player Redskins owner Daniel Snyder can't resist.

Would the Seahawks explore such a trade? A chance to land Bailey would surely pique their interest, particularly because Alexander is probably gone in 2005 anyway.

The team would have to find another running back, a much simpler task than finding a shutdown corner.

[BossHog]

Don't tease me.

Can't do much better at RB than Alexander in my opinion... maybe Holmes and Tomlinson.

... unfortunately, like all sensationalism, there isn't one direct quote from anybody to think this is anything more than off-season speculation at it's peak.

[Bitter Smuggs]

The opening paragraph of this Seattle article looks very similar to the Denver Post article about Portis that was posted earlier. I am wondering if writers got together and put together a form article with, "Trading <insert your home team's stud running back here> for Champ Bailey makes sense for both teams...

[bigredskinfan63]

boy i could live with that,but the bailey deal will put the hawks way over the cap would'nt it?that is why in my view it just will not happen.but stranger things have happened.is holmgren at the combine?maybe he and gibbs can talk it thru.

[Labman]

Rumors are plentiful this time of year but the guy who wrote this article is not known for his sensationalism. He's one of the few respected writers in Seattle.

Alexander has never been able to show all his skills in Seattle due to the WCO. At 25 carries a game he would be scary!

I sure hope it's just a rumor. Being a Seahawk fan has been tough enough without watching us shot ourselves in the foot. We're finally ready offensively and with a couple of defensive adjustments will be a very serious contender the next few years.

Trading Shaun would be a huge mistake IMO!

[BringThePain!]

DO IT! DO IT!

Alexander is a much better RB than Portis (the other rumored RB we might trade for) Although, watching ESPN on the tube right now, I just heard John Clayton mention that Detroit and Denver being the top of the list in a trade for Bailey...but maybe they'll strike up a trade for Alexander.

Let us pray that this happens..

[skinsfaninroanoke]

I hope it isn't Labman - this is something I can live with and settle any issues at RB for us.

With you figuring to lose Springs this year this might be something that has merit, though I think I will wait to see before I get myself too excited... sounds great, but I wanna see it inked ::Grin::

[BossHog]

Trading Shaun would be a huge mistake IMO!

Gotta agree with you there labman.

I think that Alexander is a great back and you'd be foolish to let him go. But he's gonna get paid a lot of money to play somewhere in 2005 so maybe the Hawks just figure on it being too much and getting something while they can.

Like I said though... not one direct quote from either party about the specific issue, so it's really just speculation. If sensationalist seems too strong I understand but really, to post such an article without a quote or a valid team source is speculative at best.

I know gibbs would love to have SA in the backfield... we'll throw in Trung Canidate too if you like.

[bigredskinfan63]

there is no telling how many unsubstantiated rumours we will hear from now till the trading period begins.i could see alexander being traded before portis though.

[Redskins4Life]

Wait, do you guys honestly think Alexander is better than Portis?!?!? Get out of here! Portis is only 22 and has had 2 1,500 yard seasons already; how many has Alexander had? I'm not doubting Alexander is extremely talented, 'cuz he is, but he is not better than Portis. Portis is the fastest starting RB in the NFL (the only other that comes to mind is Michael Bennett), and he can break tackles just as well as Alexander. If I'm Dan Snyder getting offers from Seattle and Denver, I'd accept Denvers in a heartbeat. Unless Seattle throws in a draft pick.

[Labman]

Both Gibbs and Shaun are very outspoken Christians. I think it might be a mistake to under estimate the potential impact that might have in the decision making process.

You sure don't have to worry about Shaun getting arrested for a DUI and his community involvement here in Seattle is very strong.

Mike has never been a Shaun fan and Shaun continues to be frustrated with his lack of carries. There's not really bad blood between the two, just call it a love hate relationship.

Shaun having a year left on his contract is certainly not lost on Gibbs and a trade would take a lot of pressure off your cap situation. If Shaun is not traded this year then he becomes a likely target for a franchise tag should the Hawk's have a spectacular year.

If Mike lets him go, and the Hawk's slide next year, he will be looking for a job. But that probably won't stop him given his ego

As I said before, the reporter writing the article is very well informed and well respected. I just hope he's wrong!

[hailskins666]

first portis rumors, and now alexander rumors. although its just rumors, it makes me feel good about our chances of a trade. again, we are going to be the offseason champions. i just hope that we win some when it matters.

[skinsfaninroanoke]

With Gibbs in there I feel like we have someone who can utilize the talent we get - unlike the last three coaches we have had

[redskincity]

All man............That would be great. The rumors fly

That trade would also help me out in Madden next year

[BossHog]

Brunell's christian beliefs had a lot to do with his appeal to Gibbs too i'm sure.

Not denying any plausibility Labman and like all internet reports... you read them all... draw your own conclusions... and rely on your wits to evaluate their relative believability. i think you make valid points as to why this is a good deal for Washington, I'm just struggling to see the benefits for Seattle.

I think that the Hawks would be crazy to pull the trigger on that trade, so obviously, I also feel that it would be a great move for Washington.

Oh and Labman, I took the liberty of adding the Seahawks avatar under your name for you.

[Labman]

ME TOO

[owa]

Does Bailey have any control over this or is he pretty powerless in his current situation? I like the sound of this deal but I was wondering if Bailey would want to go to Seattle. I thought he wanted to go to Detroit to be with his brother? They still have to get him to agree to a contract right?

Anyway, I hope this one happens. That would be great!

[Love_them_Hawks]

Ive alway though of him as a shut down cover corner. I don't follow the skins to much. it seems to me that you guys think he has lost a step or two???

LTH

[bigredskinfan63]

i think as long as he is under contract he's powerless in the situation.if he wants to leave and he gets a boatload of cash,he'll want to go to seattle i suspect.

[skinsfaninroanoke]

according to Reale he has reached agreements with several of the teams - depends on the trade deal and who is willing to cough up what

[Champsturf]

I don't think he's lost any steps. He is just acting like he doesn't want to be a 'Skin. I would love to keep him, but his cost is a little high. What a great trade it would be if it happens, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[skinsfaninroanoke]

It's in this article too - Jake found it (as is par for the course )

http://www.thehogs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2382

[Labman]

But like me, it's a little dated

[AlexanderFan37]

To sum it up from my POV (a Seahawk fan BTW)..if this did indeed go down...

- Horrible trade for the Hawks

- And quite possibly the trade to put the Skins over the top in the NFC

[Hail2DaRedskinz]

To sum it up from my POV (a Seahawk fan BTW)..if this did indeed go down...

- Horrible trade for the Hawks

- And quite possibly the trade to put the Skins over the top in the NFC

"Horrible?"

If the Hawks gave picks to the 'Skins then it wouldn't be so bad. You could get rid of Springs who isn't as good as he used to be to play alongside Trufant and those two young safeties.

The seahawks O would still be good with Hass and your WR's who are possibly the best threesome in football.

The Skins would need to replace Bailey, but would find their solution at RB. Now we can deal Trung and Betts for picks, use Morton and Rock to spell.

So i think it would be ok for both sides, as long as seattle didnt include a 1st rounder.

And again, for the record, i want bailey.