Now that we’ve finally reached the final month of this decade, I wanted to spend some time each week breaking down the top ten trades from 2000-2009. Nothing makes us feel any better than reliving great (or terrible) moments in our favorite team’s history, especially when it involves a major trade.

We’ll start with #10 and work our way down to #1 throughout the entire month, with discussions on two different deals each week. I definitely want this to inspire some conversation, so feel free to post your thoughts in the comment section below each post.

With that in mind, let’s get the ball rolling with one of my favorites…

#10 – Champ Bailey for Clinton Portis

Prior to this deal in 2004, the NFL really didn’t see all that many swaps of current players, although there were plenty of deals involving draft picks each year. All of that changed when the Broncos decided they would be better served in trading away their star running back Clinton Portis to the Redskins in favor of acquiring a shutdown cornerback in Champ Bailey and a second round pick, which they later used to select RB Tatum Bell.

At the time, Denver was lambasted by the media for getting rid of such a talented runner, regardless of who they received in return, and many expected Bailey to fold under the pressure in the pass happy AFC West. But fortunately for the Broncos, that never happened as Bailey quickly became the premier cover corner in the league and Denver was able to easily replace Portis in their lineup with a committee of backs under control for significantly less money.

Portis has given the Redskins a tremendous amount of production since they acquired him, but the cost of it may prove to be too much as the seasons add up. Portis’ injury woes and other assorted issues have continuously caused him to miss playing time as of late, and he could be in jeopardy of losing his starting job before next season if the Redskins can find a reliable running back in the draft or in free agency.

Let’s take a look at each player’s stats since the trade…

Portis: 79 games played, 1,613 carries for 6,597 yards, 44 touchdowns

Bailey: 81 games played, 359 tackles, 26 interceptions, four forced fumbles, three touchdowns

Obviously, it’s difficult to compare the two as they play on opposite sides of the ball, but when you think about the kind of impact that Bailey has had upon Denver’s defense in that span with the interceptions and fumbles, it’s hard to make a case that Portis has been more valuable as a player.

Over the years since this trade took place, both players have established themselves as excellent members of their respective teams, but given the amount of injuries and issues that Portis has had in his time with Washington, I have no doubt that Denver definitely got the better end of this deal. Neither team has won a Super Bowl since, but the Broncos have certainly played much more consistent football over that span and if they could do the trade over again, they would not hesitate to pull the trigger.

What do you think? Who got the better end of this deal?

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