February 16, 200422 yr Lions interested in deal for Bailey BY CURT SYLVESTER FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER The Washington Redskins are talking and Lions president Matt Millen is listening, but that doesn't mean Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey will be joining his younger brother -- linebacker Boss Bailey -- with the Lions soon. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is believed to be asking for the Lions' first and second-round picks in the NFL draft, as well as an additional draft pick or player, for Bailey. Considering the Lions' many needs coming off a 5-11 season, it is doubtful Millen would be willing to give up that much, even for a four-time Pro Bowl cornerback who is only 25 years old. But Millen indicated Sunday he is willing to continue discussions with Snyder and Bailey's agent, Jack Reale. "If they want to talk, we'll gladly listen," Millen said. "And who knows where it goes? But, yeah, we'd be interested." Bailey, due to become an unrestricted free agent March 3, is considered one of the NFL's best young cornerbacks. He turned down a nine-year, $55-million offer from the Redskins last summer and reportedly rejected a similar offer last week. At that point, Snyder gave Reale permission to try to engineer a deal with interested teams and the Lions -- with an estimated $12.5 million in salary-cap room and a need for another quality cornerback -- are considered a prime candidate. Although the move can be interpreted as a negotiating tactic, the Redskins might find themselves in a tight spot if they cannot sign or trade Bailey. Their only recourse then would be to apply the franchise tag with a one-year offer of $6.8 million. Combined with linebacker LaVar Arrington's recent eight-year, $80-million contract extension, the Redskins would have little salary-cap flexibility to pursue the players new head coach Joe Gibbs needs for his rebuilding program. There is no doubt Bailey would be a good fit with the Lions. "He's as good a player as it gets," Millen said. "He's young, he's talented, he's got character. He's a lot of things. "He's also expensive. There's a lot more to it than just, 'Hey, let's go get a good player.' " If the Lions could find a way to land Bailey, however, it would be a major step in Millen's efforts to rebuild the defense. With Bailey in the same secondary as Pro Bowler Dre' Bly -- Millen's free-agent prize from last season -- the Lions would be starting two of the NFL's best young cornerbacks. They also would be starting one of the NFL's few brother combinations. Boss and Champ are extremely close and have discussed openly their hope to play together. LINK Could the Lions give up the 1st rounder giving Washington the chance to have BOTH K2 and Taylor?
February 16, 200422 yr Interesting Rumor. Will Boss and Champ become oen of the best Brother Combos ever?
February 16, 200422 yr Author every team in the league is interested, this guy is top-O-the line DB and to me the redskins are insane to not give him a deal while they overpaid for Arrington...
February 17, 200422 yr i heard on the radio that the KC Chiefs are also interested in bailey. they need him
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.