RB Musical Chairs between Division Rivals
 

Portis traded to Squirrels for 1.6, WR Woods
Shuan Alexander retained by Insects
AP

BAY AREA- What is that you hear in the West? Nothing? That response would be wrong judging from the buzz created around the league by the trade this afternoon. Figurativley, you would be dead on. The music has stopped playing and the Insects and Squirrels are fighting for the last chair that is the Western Division Crown. Amidst the cloud of dust kicked up by the activity, the Insects are set to start the 2005 season with RBs Shuan Alexander, matching his 2500 contract, and Lamont Jordan, both of whom were on the Squirrel's 2004 roster at one point, and the Squirrel Chasers find themselves with Clinton Portis, the Insects 2002 1st round pick.

The deal was struck this afternoon with GM Frank Alonzo offering to send Portis to his division rival for the 6th pick overall and 2nd year WR Rashaun Woods who was picked 13th overall in 2004. When asked about the deal Alonzo said, "What is there not to like? It's sad to see Clinton go, but with Lamont and Shaun here he was expendable."

Frank went on to elaborate, "We had no rookie picks this year, none, nada, zlich, zero and now we have the 6th overall. We found ourselves looking to our depth at WR and now we have Rashaun Woods, the 13th player drafted last year and 4th WR taken off the board. He's can be stud here behind Steve Smith and Coles."

Asked for his reaction The Squirrels GM, Joe Bao said, "Its tough to trade a potential stud WR and a top 6 rookie pick but when the #1 RB on your roster is Tyrone freakin Wheatley its really a no brainer." He then added with a smile and Rod Roddy imitation, "Clinton Portis, come on down! You're the next contestent on the BDSC franchise RB game!"

The deal make sense for both teams looking to bounce back after a troubled 2004-2005 season in which both teams finished 5-9. In need of a featured runner and with near 6k in capspace after RB Lamont Jordan signed with the Insects, the Squirrels targeted former Squirrel Chaser, Shuan Alexander, who was signed away in RFA last year by the Insects, with an contract offer of 2500. In a suprising testament of the slow and conservative RFA market this year the #2 RB in 2004 did not recieve any other tenders from other ball clubs.

"I was forced to keep Shaun at that price. That's 250 less than last season and 635 dollars less than LT, whom Shuan had a bested last year. We were really suprised there were no other bids." GM Frank Alonzo explained. "As soon as Shaun sold for that cheap we were set on trading Clinton."

And that is when the Insects contacted GM Joe Bao Tuesday afternoon after fielding offers from several clubs. With the intent to be competitive this year Squirrel Chasers could not turn down the oppourtunity to add a player who has been a Top 10 running back in his first 3 seasons. With a nucleus of Randy Moss, Matt Hasselbeck, and Clinton Portis and roughly 4500 to use in free agency the Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers have the ability to pair another stud RB such as Edgerrin James and Tiki Barber next to Portis and still have 2000 cbs to fill out the rest of their team. They have put themselves in a position to improve immensley on their 2004-2005 season.

From the Insects perspective this deal is considered a huge steal and improvment for the team. With the unexpected signing of RB Lamont Jordan the Insects found themselves with a highly talented but crowded backfield with Portis, Jordan, Bennett, and Alexander all vying for time. From that point on the writing was on the wall that the Insects would either trade Portis or let Shaun Alexander walk, but after Alexander sold for a meager 2500, it was apparent that the former would be the only option.

The Insects could keep Portis on the roster along with Alexander but they would only have 300cbs to spend between RFA Kerry Collins and filling out other team needs such at WR and on defense. So it was unlikely they would elect to keep both Portis and Alexander. So the decision was between keeping Portis, taking the 1st round comp from Alexander, and 2000cb in capspace or keeping Alexander and attempt to trade Portis to free up roughly 1600 in capspace.

"That's when I worked my magic." GM Frank Alonzo said. "The one definate option was keep Portis, let Shaun walk for a pick in the 14-16th range, and have 2000 cbs in capspace. But, I didn't like that option and I felt I could do better."

That he did. Shaun was the 2nd overall RB in 2005, Portis was number 9. The 6th overall pick is a whole lot better than the possible compensation pick to be recieved by letting SA walk. Sure 2000 cbs in capspace is more than the 1579 freed up by trading Portis, but the Insects also recieved a potential stud WR in 2nd year WR Rashaun Woods. So you can see why GM Frank Alonzo was beeming after the trade.

"Why would I let the 2nd best RB go to a division rival? No way I could do that. So I decided to give him the 9th best instead and for that I would get back a great young WR and about a 10 spot improvement in draft choice." He said with a grin at the press conference.

Then he added, "This year I'll be GM of the year."

Now that the teams seem to be taking shape we'll see when all the dust settles just who is sitting on the last chair.