Champ who? Redskins get free agent DB Springs

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins reached a contract agreement with free agent cornerback Shawn Springs on Wednesday, the Associated Press has learned.

Highlighting a busy first day of free agency, the Redskins also signed defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, re-signed offensive lineman Lennie Friedman and welcomed running back Clinton Portis and quarterback Mark Brunell.

Portis and Brunell were acquired in previously announced trades that became official Wednesday.

Springs, Seattle's first-round choice in 1997, the third overall pick in that year's draft, was being flown to Washington late Wednesday and was to sign his contract Thursday, said an NFL source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Tight end Walter Rasby also paid a visit and the team hoped to sign the free agent before the day was done.

Springs, considered one of the top cornerbacks available, will replace four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, who is being traded to the Denver Broncos for Portis.

Shawn Springs has been plagued by injuries.(AP)

Springs went to the Pro Bowl in 1998 when he had career-high seven interceptions, but he has been hampered by injuries over the past four seasons. He missed the first four games last season after fracturing a bone in his right shoulder.

Terms of Springs' contract were not immediately available. The Redskins had no comment.

Griffin, who has played four seasons with the New York Giants, arrived early Wednesday and signed after passing his physical. Griffin had one sack in 15 games last season and has 12½ sacks in his four-year career. His best season came as a rookie in 2000, when he had five sacks even though he wasn't a starter.

Griffin and Springs became the fourth and fifth significant offseason acquisitions for the Redskins, joining Portis, Brunell and defensive lineman Phillip Daniels. Griffin and Daniels are the first steps in the overhaul of the front four on a defense that ranked 25th last season.

The Portis trade was cemented when Bailey agreed to a seven-year, $63 million contract with Denver late Tuesday. The deal includes an $18 million signing bonus and $5 million in other bonuses, making it one of the richest contracts ever for a defensive player.

Earlier this week, Portis agreed to an eight-year, $50.5 million contract with the Redskins.

The Redskins sent a third-round pick to Jacksonville for Brunell, who agreed to a seven-year, $43 million contract with the Redskins last month.

Friedman was signed as utility backup last year, but he started the final eight games of the season at center after Larry Moore was injured.

Rasby played two seasons for the Redskins before signing with New Orleans last season.

Daniels signed a five-year, $11 million contract with a $3 million signing bonus Tuesday after being flown in on owner Dan Snyder's jet. The Redskins were allowed to sign him early because he was cut Monday by the Chicago Bears.

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