Marc Flemming
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Registered: Jan 2003
Local time: 12:33 PM
Location: Santa Cruz
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The Denver Broncos have discussed trading Clinton Portis to the Redskins for Champ Bailey, and all indications are a deal will be consummated.
But does Portis know something others don't? Apparently he considers his departure from Denver a certainty.
"It was enjoyable playing with the Broncos," Portis told radio station KKFN-AM in an interview Monday night. "If this is the end of my stay, I had a great time."
Portis said he considers himself the best running back in football -- he rushed for 1,591 yards last year despite missing three games with chest and ankle injuries -- and he'd like to be paid as such. Portis has two years remaining on the contract he signed as a second-round draft pick in 2002. He made $300,000 last season.
The Broncos-Redskins talks amount to a swap of two Pro Bowl players upset with their contracts. In addition, Denver would possibly receive one of Washington's two first-round picks in the April draft, ESPN.com has learned.
If the trade becomes official, it would be announced March 3, the day the league's trading period begins.
Meanwhile, the Jets jumped in the act for Bailey on Tuesday, offering a package of defensive end Shaun Ellis, tight end Anthony Becht and tailback LaMont Jordan to Washington, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports.
The Portis-for-Bailey deal would make sense because the Redskins went last season without an every-down running back, a must in the run-oriented system favored by new coach Joe Gibbs. Trung Canidate led the Redskins with 600 yards rushing, followed by Rock Cartwright (411), Ladell Betts (255) and Chad Morton (216).
Jack Reale, Bailey's agent, said the Redskins also have talked with Detroit, Houston, Chicago and Arizona.
"We have had preliminary discussions with the Broncos and with other teams as well, just on the broad outlines of a contract," Reale said. "I can't go into detail until I know what team we're going to be dealing with."
Redskins director of player personnel Vinny Cerrato said Tuesday that he also is talking to four other teams concerning Bailey, including one that contacted him Tuesday morning.
The Redskins have protected Bailey, who can become a free agent on March 3, by designating him their franchise player. That means the Redskins must make him a one-year, $6.8 million tender, the average of the top five players at his position.
Portis has two years remaining on the contract he signed as a second-round draft pick in 2002. Displeased with the money he made last season, he has hinted he might be a holdout when training camp starts unless the Broncos rework his deal.
Source: ESPN
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02-26-2004 07:32 PM
