DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos are considering a trade that would send running back Clinton Portis to the Washington Redskins in exchange for cornerback Champ Bailey and a second-round draft pick, The Denver Post reported Monday.
The newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying the deal was nearly done.
If completed, the trade would be a blockbuster, shipping two Pro Bowlers to new teams and giving the Broncos a draft pick that could be used to chose a highly rated running back to help fill the gap left by Portis.
Portis and Bailey are both skirmishing with their teams over contracts, and Washington has given Bailey permission to talk to other franchises.
Meanwhile, Denver running back Mike Anderson requested his release Sunday after the team suggested cutting his salary, the Rocky Mountain News reported.
The Broncos want to cut Anderson's scheduled 2004 salary from $1.76 million to the veteran minimum, $535,000, plus incentives, said Anderson's agent, David Canter.
The deal would help Denver meet the NFL salary cap. Canter said the team has discussed the proposal but hasn't formally offered it.
Canter said Anderson would rather test free agency than accept a significant pay cut.
"We're willing to listen to any situation. It's not dead in the water," Canter said.
Anderson, the 2000 NFL Rookie of the Year, had five touchdowns last year, with 257 rushing yards and 53 receiving yards.
Portis, who rushed for 1,591 yards and was invited to his first Pro Bowl last season, has asked the Broncos to renegotiate the last two years of a four-year contract that paid him a $1.29 million signing bonus.
Washington has offered Bailey, a four-time Pro Bowler, deals of eight and nine years worth up to $55 million, but the talks have gone nowhere.
Washington named Bailey its franchise player, which prevents him from becoming a free agent when his contract expires next month but requires the team to offer him a one-year, $6.8 million deal.
The Detroit Lions have expressed interest in Bailey.
Officials with the Broncos and the Redskins declined to comment on a possible Portis-Bailey deal.
http://www.usatoday.com
The newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying the deal was nearly done.
If completed, the trade would be a blockbuster, shipping two Pro Bowlers to new teams and giving the Broncos a draft pick that could be used to chose a highly rated running back to help fill the gap left by Portis.
Portis and Bailey are both skirmishing with their teams over contracts, and Washington has given Bailey permission to talk to other franchises.
Meanwhile, Denver running back Mike Anderson requested his release Sunday after the team suggested cutting his salary, the Rocky Mountain News reported.
The Broncos want to cut Anderson's scheduled 2004 salary from $1.76 million to the veteran minimum, $535,000, plus incentives, said Anderson's agent, David Canter.
The deal would help Denver meet the NFL salary cap. Canter said the team has discussed the proposal but hasn't formally offered it.
Canter said Anderson would rather test free agency than accept a significant pay cut.
"We're willing to listen to any situation. It's not dead in the water," Canter said.
Anderson, the 2000 NFL Rookie of the Year, had five touchdowns last year, with 257 rushing yards and 53 receiving yards.
Portis, who rushed for 1,591 yards and was invited to his first Pro Bowl last season, has asked the Broncos to renegotiate the last two years of a four-year contract that paid him a $1.29 million signing bonus.
Washington has offered Bailey, a four-time Pro Bowler, deals of eight and nine years worth up to $55 million, but the talks have gone nowhere.
Washington named Bailey its franchise player, which prevents him from becoming a free agent when his contract expires next month but requires the team to offer him a one-year, $6.8 million deal.
The Detroit Lions have expressed interest in Bailey.
Officials with the Broncos and the Redskins declined to comment on a possible Portis-Bailey deal.
http://www.usatoday.com
