Last week the Washington Redskins did the unthinkable. They put a
25-year-old, four-time Pro Bowl cornerback on the trading block. Of course,
just because they opened the door on trade talks doesn't mean they plan on
starting 2004 without Champ Bailey. As much as anything the Skins want to
see it they can set the market for a player who just turned down a
nine-year, $55 million deal with a reported $15 million signing bonus.

The club can now take offers for Bailey and see what other teams are willing
to pay him. But the Redskins aren't making it easy. They're asking for a
first- and second-round pick and perhaps a player. That's pricey, especially
considering a team will have to sign him to a mega-deal. If
Washington can't find any team willing to meet their demands before Feb. 24
then they'll franchise him, where they'll likely still accept offers from
teams willing to trade for perhaps the premier player at one of the most
important positions.

Some of the teams that have an interest in acquiring Bailey are the Detroit
Lions, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans and Denver
Broncos.

If a deal is consummated the favorites to land Bailey are the Lions, who
have been hawking him since last season. Not only do they have his brother
as a lure but they also recently signed George Catavalos to be their
secondary coach. It may not seem like a big deal, but one of Bailey's
biggest bellyaches has been the fact he's endured five different defensive
coordinators in his five years in Washington. The idea of going to a new
team and being coached by a familiar face is a big plus.

Bailey might come to Detroit for a little less than he'd make elsewhere for
those reasons. The Lions are also $12.9 million under the cap, so they have
the room to make the addition. The Lions secondary was
decimated by injuries and gave up 26 touchdowns. On top of that, team
president Matt Millen is on his last legs because of questionable personnel
decisions so he needs to hit a home run to keep his job. There aren't any
sure things in free agency, but Bailey is as close to it as they come.
Teamed together with Dre' Bly the Lions would have one of the best tandem of
corners in the league.

Despite having the eighth-ranked pass defense in the league, the Saints are
also a team desperate for an infusion of talent. Their top two football men,
coach Jim Haslett and General Manager Mickey Loomis, survived for one more
season, but they have to make the playoffs this year or they'll be gone.

Both were high on safety Tebucky Jones last year, who was franchised by the New England Patriots. The team traded for him and gave him a
nice contract in hopes that his unmatched athleticism could overcome his
inability to tackle. It didn't. The team could really use Bailey to solidify
their back four, especially with corners Dale Carter and Ashley Ambrose on
their last legs. The Saints have the third-most available cap space with
$20.6 million.

Redskins owner Daniel Snyder was dropping hints to Falcons owner Arthur
Blank that Bailey was available before it became public knowledge. The
Falcons don't have much cap room, but Blank has shown that he's willing to
spend big to get what he needs to win, so Atlanta can't be counted out.
Bailey played college ball at the University of Georgia so it would be a
homecoming of sorts. With Michael Vick and Bailey, the Falcons would never
have to worry about selling out a game, which is very important to
Blank.

The Texans stunk against the pass last year. Only the Falcons gave up more
yards. The Broncos are also monitoring the situation, but might be wary of
taking another player off the Redskins' hands (see Daryl Gardener). But even
though a host of teams have contacted Bailey's agent Jack Reale, he could
still be in Washington when all is said and done.

The free agent market is chock full of cornerbacks. Though Baltimore's Chris McAlister will be
franchised, Oakland's Charles Woodson, Seattle's Shawn Springs,
Philadelphia's Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor, Buffalo's Antoine Winfield,
and San Francisco's Ahmed Plummer will likely be available. None of these
players are as good as Bailey, but they're all quality corners who won't
have Bailey's price tag.

I\'m against giving up our first and second round picks to get Champ. I\'d much rather pick up Rod Coleman, Eric Barton and Charles Woodson. Raid the raiders, that should be the Saints motto this offseason.