NFL Broncos Clinton Portis may be heading to the Redskins

If the deal goes through Denver would get Champ Bailey.
DENVER (AP) -- If a proposed trade goes through, Clinton Portis would head to Washington to solve the Redskins' unsettled running back situation.
The Denver Broncos are discussing a deal that would send Portis to Washington for cornerback Champ Bailey in a swap of two Pro Bowlers upset with their contracts, a source said Monday.
In giving up Portis for Bailey, Denver also would receive Washington's second-round selection in the April draft, the NFL source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Vinny Cerrato, Washington's player personnel director, said at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis: "We are talking to a number of teams and Denver is one of the teams." He wouldn't name the players.
Redskins need running back
The deal would make sense because the Redskins went last season without an every-down running back, a must in the offensive 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).
Portis ran for 1,591 yards last year despite missing three games with chest and ankle injuries.
Jack Reale, Bailey's agent, said the Redskins have talked with several teams, including Detroit, the New York Jets, 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."
The negotiations with Portis were first reported in The Denver Post.
Bailey franchise player
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 $300,000 he made last season, he has hinted he might be a holdout when training camp starts unless the Broncos rework his deal.
Portis' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, declined comment and the Broncos did not return a call seeking comment.