Redskins grant Bailey permission to seek trade

SirSmizzy · Post by **SirSmizzy** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:12 pm

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

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

Bailey, 25, just finished the final season of his original NFL contract and he 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 recoup draft choices it might invest in acquiring quarterback Mark Brunell from the Jacksonville Jaguars in the coming days. Or the Redskins, having recently signed strong-side linebacker LaVar Arrington to a blockbuster contract, may have decided they cannot afford to have two such highly-paid defenders on the same roster.

Arrington on Dec. 28 signed an eight-year contract worth $60 million-$68 million and the deal included 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 offers from around the league. But the fact Snyder would put a player of Bailey's stature on the trade block certainly sent ripples through the NFL on Friday afternoon.

"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."

Even before the start of the 2004 campaign, Snyder 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 offered a contract similar to the proposal the Redskins made 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 in the summer 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 agreement 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 a team and the player affected by it.

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 the 2004 campaign.

The seventh player chosen 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 NFC Pro Bowl team each of the past four seasons. The former University of Georgia 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."

hailskins666 · Post by **hailskins666** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:15 pm

good find smizzy.

SirSmizzy · Post by **SirSmizzy** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:15 pm

Redskins | Bailey Granted Speaking Permission - from www.KFFL.com
Fri, 13 Feb 2004 14:07:50 -0800

Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports the Washington Redskins have granted soon-to-be unrestricted free agent CB Champ Bailey permission to speak with other teams. Even though Bailey is set to become an unrestricted free agent, the Redskins could still limit his options until the NFL free agency period officially begins in March. Reportedly, Bailey and his agent Jack Reale have turned down a Redskins' offer in the estimated range of $55 million over nine seasons, with bonuses reaching the $14 million neighborhood - similar to the deal offered to him last season. If the team were to place the franchise tag on him, it would cost them $6.801 million against the 2004 salary cap.

skinsfaninroanoke · Post by **skinsfaninroanoke** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:15 pm

holy spit - this offseason is heating up - wonder what teams will offer for him

SirSmizzy · Post by **SirSmizzy** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:17 pm

I can't believe champ bailey will be somehwere else next season.

skinsfaninroanoke · Post by **skinsfaninroanoke** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:19 pm

I can - he had numbers going downhill and an ego going uphill - not to mention contract expectations that were escalating faster than the ego...

I would love to have the room to keep him and LA, but to be blunt if he doesn't want to talk about some daggone good money, sayonara

skins75 · Post by **skins75** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:22 pm

This is really upsetting news. I cant say I am shocked but losing a 25 year old super-star like Bailey just eats me up. There is NO ONE in the draft or FA that compares to Bailey. I dont care how he looked this year he is still the best cover corner in the game. This sucks!

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:27 pm

I'm really and truly very sorry to say this, Champ, but.....GOODBYE, ADIEU, ADIOS, AUF WIEDERSEHEN, CHEERIO,CIAO, SAYONARA, TOODLES, BON VOYAGE.

Don't let the door hit you in the wallet on the way out!

(I felt the Skins offered this guy a deal worth taking...but his greedy ass wants greener pastures! Good riddance, Chump!)

skinsfaninroanoke · Post by **skinsfaninroanoke** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:27 pm

skins75 - if we have a major pass rush as well as a line that can hold the run down, you don't need to have SUPERSTARS in all 4 positions in the secondary.

When the Skins won the 3 superbowls they did so with a great line, Darrell Green and some mediocre corners and safeties... trust me... it will help much more than you think -

Let me put it this way - without being able to stop the run or hurry the QB, the Redskins with 2 very good CBs and 2 good safeties were 22nd in pass defense this year and went 5-11... in our Superbowl eras we had guys like Wilborn across from DG, and while he was decent, he wasn't a second corner like Fred is today.

Cheer up - we get better picks, save money to get other players we need and can still pick up a better than average CB like we are talking about in another thread - there are 50+ free agents not counting Champ, and there are some good ones we can grab...

hailskins666 · Post by **hailskins666** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:28 pm

who didn't see this coming a mile away? i knew that once he rejected that contract in august, that it was not looking good as far as re-signing. i do hope we get at least a first or second rounder in return for him walking.

ANT7088 · Post by **ANT7088** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:28 pm

Tom Brady is making less money than he should be, he accepts less pay so the Pats could have more money to benefit the team. That is a team player, not Baily. Let him go, but we have to get draft picks for him!

oafusp · Post by **oafusp** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:29 pm

Ok, I am done. WHAT????????????

BEEP, BEEP,BEEP, BEEP,BEEP, BEEP,BEEP, BEEP,BEEP, BEEP,

Do you hear that????

That is the wrecking ball trucks backing up to FedEx Field and Redskin Park.

First the team gets a SHAKEUP with Patrick Ramsey, now CHAMP BAILEY? ...not that I am suprised.

Consistancy out the window, we now have a soap opera playing live in the Nations Capital.

All the GM's in the league are laughing their butts off at us.

Let's JUST HOPE THAT JOE GIBBS GETS THE LAST LAUGH.

Hold on, my hairline just receeded 3 inches and butt hair is now grey!!!!

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:29 pm

Smizzy, you should have read enough in here alone to know that it was a very real possibility.

I have honestly been saying that ian all likelihood he WOULDN'T be since about September.

Big cap number, big cry baby attitude from him... and voila! We're where we're at.

If you throw out the fact of pissing bailey off... it's a great move by the FO. The Franchise tag carries mandatory compensation in the form of draft picks, and this allows the Redskins to not only open the possibility of acquiring players AND draft picks, but also allows them to put feelers out there as to whether or not they would even get any interest if they were to franchise him.

ie... if the Redskins are to get any offers before the FA period opens, and before they were to tag him, they would certainly know from what those offers were if they would still be able to move Champ if they franchised him.

So in essence, they get to pre-franchise him and see what sort of offers they get.

Not going to make Champ happy I'm sure, and certainly guarantees that if Champ were to stay it would be at $6.8 million for 2004 and he wouldn't even try strike a deal.

oafusp · Post by **oafusp** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:32 pm

Thank God this is the best year in recent memory for FREE AGENT CORNER BACKS.

Ahmed Plummer
Chris McAllister (unlikely)
Charles Woodson
to name a few

are there any Colts CB's available, they were good last year.

SirSmizzy · Post by **SirSmizzy** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:34 pm

skins75 wrote:This is really upsetting news. I cant say I am shocked but losing a 25 year old super-star like Bailey just eats me up. There is NO ONE in the draft or FA that compares to Bailey. I dont care how he looked this year he is still the best cover corner in the game. This sucks!

You feel my pain now about coles....just wait till he pulls up that new Jersey and smiles for the cameras.

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:37 pm

If he goes to the Eagles or Cowboys, I'm gonna puke!

skins75 · Post by **skins75** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:37 pm

I know that this issue has been exhausted in many previous posts. I even stated that I wasnt shocked. I to understand that we cant keep everyone in todays game. I am just a little pissed that we are losing another star player this year (ala: Stephen Davis and yes I understand his cap ramifications). I also agree that with no pass rush even the best corners will get beat. That was not my point. I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part that we can do all that we need in FA and the draft and find a way to still keep Bailey. Im sorry if I sound a little sour. It just wont be right to say Bailey in anything other than Burgundy and Gold.

oafusp · Post by **oafusp** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:38 pm

Alright FRED SMOOT, it is time to step up a notch.

All we need is a CB with jerry curls and a jug of Soul Glow.....wait, thats Barry Wilborn, huh?

Umm, All we need is a decent CB to go with Smoot and REALLY focus on the Defensive Line and get Sean Taylor (SINCE WE NOW HAVE MULTIPLE 1ST ROUND PICKS).

YES, thats right, we can get Kevin Jones, Sean Taylor....and maybe Starks too????

Snyder? Why do you do this to me? Why?

hailskins666 · Post by **hailskins666** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:38 pm

just wait till he pulls up that new Jersey and smiles for the cameras.

it won't hurt my feelings any, cause there will be a stud d-lineman....maybe kearse, holding up a skins jersey and smiling.

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:38 pm

Wow...but your right T-6. This begins to explain a little. Joe is going to shake it up!! Man it's gonna be a wid couple of months. Can you imagine trading Bailey and Ramsey and trading the 5th pick we could end you with 4 to 5 first round picks...then what?? Anything is posible now!!

SirSmizzy · Post by **SirSmizzy** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:39 pm

BossHog wrote:Smizzy, you should have read enough in here alone to know that it was a very real possibility.

I have honestly been saying that ian all likelihood he WOULDN'T be since about September.

Big cap number, big cry baby attitude from him... and voila! We're where we're at.

If you throw out the fact of pissing bailey off... it's a great move by the FO. The Franchise tag carries mandatory compensation in the form of draft picks, and this allows the Redskins to not only open the possibility of acquiring players AND draft picks, but also allows them to put feelers out there as to whether or not they would even get any interest if they were to franchise him.

ie... if the Redskins are to get any offers before the FA period opens, and before they were to tag him, they would certainly know from what those offers were if they would still be able to move Champ if they franchised him.

So in essence, they get to pre-franchise him and see what sort of offers they get.

Not going to make Champ happy I'm sure, and certainly guarantees that if Champ were to stay it would be at $6.8 million for 2004 and he wouldn't even try strike a deal.

You have 6.4 under the cap...it will cost 6.8 to franchise tag him...you have an offer out to Mark brunell...am i missing something..how can you tag him if you dont have the money?

How does this scenario effected if brunell signs?

skinsfaninroanoke · Post by **skinsfaninroanoke** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:40 pm

Maybe Abraham from the Jets

Combine that with Kearse, Coleman from the Raiders and Washington from the Pats - can you say owie...

SirSmizzy · Post by **SirSmizzy** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:41 pm

He has Philadelphia written all over him.

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:42 pm

Philthy is just too cheap! Ain't gonna happen!

oafusp · Post by **oafusp** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:42 pm

If we stock pile enough picks we could tap into the restricted market again.

Something is cooking in Redskin Park, and I smell PORK.

PIG ROAST....all those Head Coaches (aka Assistants) are leaning back in their chairs right now?

How does Greg Williams feel about the POSSIBILTY in losing Bailey?