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I didn't see this posted...not trying to cause trouble...



Thursday, Feb 19. The Detroit News

LIONS PURSUE CHAMP BAILEY
But Millen says it is 'unrealistic' to think they'll get cornerback

INDIANAPOLIS — The Lions plan face-to-face talks with the Washington Redskins this week about a possible trade for cornerback Champ Bailey, but the payout to acquire him — in draft choices and contract demands — makes it unlikely the teams will see eye-to-eye.

“I love the guy, but the way it is right now, it’s unrealistic,” Lions President Matt Millen said Wednesday night. “All the talk that’s going on, all the stuff that’s being said, it’s ridiculous.”

Representatives of all 32 NFL teams are in town to attend the annual combine workouts for the top college players. It’s a prime time for trade talks. Millen and Coach Steve Mariucci plan to talk to Bailey’s agent, Jack Reale.

The Redskins reportedly want first- and second-round picks for Bailey, plus another lower pick or a player. Millen would not comment specifically on what the Lions would give up, but he did not seem willing to go as high as even the Lions’ first-round pick this year.

The Lions have the sixth pick overall, and the 2004 draft is strong where the Lions need help at skill positions — defensive back, wide receiver and linebacker.

On Wednesday, the Redskins put a franchise tag on Bailey. That required a tender of a one-year contract worth $6.801 million. If Bailey had not been tendered, he could have become an unrestricted free agent March 3. It also is the first day that teams can make trades.

Without the tender, the Redskins risked losing Bailey for nothing. A player cannot be traded if he is not under contract. With the tender offer, they must carry him on the books at the $6.801 million level, and they have salary-cap problems.

Bailey, who has made the Pro Bowl the last four years, already has turned down Washington’s proposal of a long-term contract worth $55 million. It included a signing bonus of $14 million.

Coach Steve Mariucci is willing to talk to the Redskins, but he also cited the Lions’ many needs.

“In terms of the draft choices that they might be demanding, I don’t know what we’re wiling to give up because of the situation we’re in,” Mariucci said. “We have some needs to fill — several, not just one.

“We are more than one player away from being a contender. We have other needs besides corner.”

But having two Pro Bowl cornerbacks — Bailey and Dre’ Bly — is an attractive proposition.

“You’d be as good as anybody in the league,” Mariucci said. “You’d sleep well at night.”

I honestly don't think the Lions are the ones who will get Bailey anyway. They already have Bly.

It should be pointed out that it is CHAMP BAILEY's greedy ass that has started this whole soap opera.

The Redskins could not afford to deal with his GREED and the rest of the NFL will not deal with his GREED.

He wants to be paid like THE TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER in the league, not CORNER BACK.
And sorry Champ, but you are NOT the top defensive player in the league.

Get off your high horse and restructure a long-term deal with the Redskins...they are offering the same that anyone else would.

Redskins, do not budge on this one!!!

oafusp wrote:I honestly don't think the Lions are the ones who will get Bailey anyway. They already have Bly.

It should be pointed out that it is CHAMP BAILEY's greedy ass that has started this whole soap opera.

The Redskins could not afford to deal with his GREED and the rest of the NFL will not deal with his GREED.

He wants to be paid like THE TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER in the league, not CORNER BACK.
And sorry Champ, but you are NOT the top defensive player in the league.

Get off your high horse and restructure a long-term deal with the Redskins...they are offering the same that anyone else would.

Redskins, do not budge on this one!!!

Greed? Bailey is one of the best, if not the BEST corner in football. He should get paid as such. He's proven his skill and worth during the early part of his career. Now it's time for him to get some SERIOUS respect in dollars.

I hate it when people start calling players greedy.
If an ordinary joe, working on a contract has that contract expire, he takes whichever job pays the money he feels he deserves as long as the situation of the job isn't too bad.

(notice I'm not saying he'd always take the biggest offer - you'd just be a fool to take that accountants job at Enron)

ferryrich wrote:I hate it when people start calling players greedy.
If an ordinary joe, working on a contract has that contract expire, he takes whichever job pays the money he feels he deserves as long as the situation of the job isn't too bad.

(notice I'm not saying he'd always take the biggest offer - you'd just be a fool to take that accountants job at Enron)

Good point

ferryrich wrote:If an ordinary joe, working on a contract has that contract expire, he takes whichever job pays the money he feels he deserves as long as the situation of the job isn't too bad.

'Ordinary Joe' and $55 million contracts just don't belong in the same discussion.

I don't even know how someone can compare the plight of an everyday Joe to the 'plight' of a pro athlete.

I'll work 15 hours a day my whole life to not see what Champ will make in a year... I've said it before... cry me a million dollar river. Boo frickin hoo. Try dropping into the real world for 5 minutes.

Easily, I'm with Boss here. Of course, I only have my own perspective to work with. Three jobs, maybe $65,000 a year. I'm good at what I do. At one of them, I might even be in the Top Five. My main job puts me in high speed traffic with snow and ice on the road. There's my hazard that I think compares with any injury Champ might face. Statistically, my job is more dangerous than his. I have to go to training four times a year to stay up to date with the changes, so there's my "camp".
Still, I recognize that he must earn at least what the next best guy must earn.
6.8 million dollars a year ? Oh, I'd take that and run my butt off. Especially since I wouldn't want to be the "new guy" someplace else, getting the stares and the criticism that all new guys get when they "transfer", making more money than anybody else at the new job. It's hard to fit in like that.
'Course, that's only my perspective.

I've said it before, and gotten blasted before, but I'll say it again anyway.

Everyone is right in saying that comparing average Joe to Champ's situation is ridiculous. It is.

However, if you are a twenty-something year-old athelete, passing up millions and millions of dollars is VERY hard to do.

Put aside the fact most of us are diehard Redskin fans. I'm just saying I'm not sure how many of us would be any different in the same situation...

EDIT: Being the new guy in the NFL ("Not For Long") is a litte different. I don't really think Champ would really feel as out of place as you would in your scenario. But that's a minor point...

Most of the articles I've seen on this usually conclude with something along the lines of saying, these type trades usually don't end up happening (working out). The agents have even stated it's very complicated and hard to work out. So, it wouldn't surprise me if it doesn't happen.

I'm wondering if we're in a bad position on this b/c if a trade doesn't work out, it seems like that could hurt us quite a bit (if Champ takes the 1 year contract). From his standpoint, I could see him just trying to take the one year contract and if he tries to do that, I wonder what we'll do?

What about this idea? Take the franchise tag off of Champ, let him go find out what he's worth to another team, let him become their headache. Then, with the money saved, get, either through FA or the draft, some real players for the DL, and a "journeyman" CB, which is all that Champ has been playing like of late. With an improved DL, putting some pressure on the other QB for a change, you don't absolutely have to have the best CB tandem in the league (anybody else remember Darrell Green-Brad Edwards?) because it's hard for a QB to complete a pass when he's on his @ss.

BossHog wrote:

ferryrich wrote:If an ordinary joe, working on a contract has that contract expire, he takes whichever job pays the money he feels he deserves as long as the situation of the job isn't too bad.

'Ordinary Joe' and $55 million contracts just don't belong in the same discussion.

I don't even know how someone can compare the plight of an everyday Joe to the 'plight' of a pro athlete.

I'll work 15 hours a day my whole life to not see what Champ will make in a year... I've said it before... cry me a million dollar river. Boo frickin hoo. Try dropping into the real world for 5 minutes.

This is a Better point and should be applied to everysingle Champ thread

BossHog wrote:'Ordinary Joe' and $55 million contracts just don't belong in the same discussion.

I don't even know how someone can compare the plight of an everyday Joe to the 'plight' of a pro athlete.

I'll work 15 hours a day my whole life to not see what Champ will make in a year... I've said it before... cry me a million dollar river. Boo frickin hoo. Try dropping into the real world for 5 minutes.

Boss,
That is all due to the exchange rate. Are the loonies and toonies still valued less than the dollar? You should move down to DC for a while, get a job that pays more and be closer to the Skins.
What do you say? ehhh?