Broncos with decent shot at Brown; Sundquist hints at possibility of Trevor staying

[SoCalBronco]

C. Brown visits Jaguars

Denver still seeks defensive end

By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer


AP file
The Broncos started negotiating with Brown, right, last week.




Kapalua, Hawaii - After originally deciding to scuttle other trips around the NFL, Courtney Brown - the main object of the Broncos' affections - arrived in Jacksonville, Fla., for a visit Sunday.

However, the Broncos think their chances of landing the talented but oft-injured defensive end have not been thwarted.

"We hope we're going to get him," Denver general manager Ted Sundquist said Sunday as team officials prepare for the start of the owners' meetings. "We think we still got a shot."

Sundquist said Brown decided to visit the Jaguars "to see what else is out there" but remains confident of the Broncos' chances to land him. The team started negotiating with Brown last week. He was considering going to Seattle and Tampa Bay but later decided to choose between the Broncos and Redskins before adding the Jaguars to his itinerary. Sundquist hopes Brown makes his decision soon.


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Sundquist said the Broncos are not concerned about Brown's left foot injury, which kept him out of the final 14 games last season. Brown, a former No. 1 draft pick, would start in Denver. He reportedly failed a physical with Cleveland before he was released. Still, Sundquist said the Broncos are confident he will be ready to play this season.

"The rewards far outweigh the risks," Sundquist said.

The Broncos, like Washington, have recruited Brown heavily. Among the people to give Brown a sales pitch is cornerback Champ Bailey, who came from Washington in a trade last year.

"We all want him here," Denver owner Pat Bowlen said.

The Broncos are entertaining Baltimore defensive end Marques Douglas today. The Broncos also are in contact with defensive tackles Ed Jasper of Atlanta and Tony Williams of Atlanta. All four fit into the Broncos system, as they occasionally will play the 3-4 defensive front.

Denver is $3.3 million under the salary cap after saving more than $2.6 million on the recent restructure of quarterback Jake Plummer's contract. Plummer's agent, David Dunn, said the money was switched from salary to a bonus. Sundquist said there likely won't be any more restructuring of contracts this year.

Pryce picture

The Broncos still are trying to trade defensive end Trevor Pryce for a draft pick, with creating more cap room as the main motivation. However, the deal with Jake Plummer made the immediate impact of a Pryce move less urgent. Still, Sundquist expects Pryce won't be with the team, although he is not "100 percent" certain. Dallas is one of the few teams still needing a defensive end, so finding a trade partner could be difficult.

Footnotes

According to a source close to the situation, it appears highly unlikely Denver will match Seattle's offer sheet to restricted free agent cornerback Kelly Herndon. Denver has until Thursday to make its final decision. ...

Safety John Lynch will appeal a $75,000 fine with the NFL on April 13 in New York, Dunn said. Such live appeals are uncommon. There are expected to be witnesses at the appeal. Lynch was fined for a helmet hit on Indianapolis tight end Dallas Clark on Jan. 2. Colts coach Tony Dungy said he'd go to New York for Lynch, whom he coached in Tampa Bay. Dungy said he thought the hit on Clark was illegal, but the rules are difficult for defensive backs in some situations.

Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.

[SoCalBronco]

this is the first time Ted Sundquist has used anything but totally absolute language when discussing whether Pryce may be back. I think the Plummer restructure that freed up some space...possibly for a guy like Brown, one other middle of the road FA signing and the rookie pool money may well be the determining factor in a decision somewhere down the road to just say "**** it" we'd rather just keep him for at least one more year with the cap hit to make sure Oak, KC or SD dont get their grubby little hands on him.

[wabbit]

I think you're right

I do, however, still believe there's a chance that something might get done with dallas as early as this week as Bowlen & Jerry Jones talk things out.

from what I hear, Parcells has given his approval to acquiring Pryce IF he can pass a physical AND a deal doesn't take away either of the the K'boys first two draft selections this year.

...not sure what that leaves for trade...Dallas doesn't have a lot in the way of personnel Denver would be interested in

Perhaps a high (2nd), conditional pick for next year...maybe a third this year

Then again...maybe, just maybe all these people will have to eat their 'Pryce won't be here' talk...interesting

[SoCalBronco]

I think since we are likely to get jack **** for him, we are better off keeping him. If he is still the old Trevor, than teams will come forward with real offers next year, or in the alternative we could still elect to keep him as the key engine on our DL. If he isnt the same, it doesnt matter that much, if we wait till after the draft and dump him, there isnt much on the market anyway (even the june 1st market i believe, at least so far as the DL) for us to spend our new found money on. Plus, you keep him another year, it reduces the prorated part of the bonus we would have to absorb on the books in a trade/release next year.

[CBF1]

What a tough spot to be in.... Trade your best D lineman for a middle 2nd round or middle 3 round pick this/next year. I wish TP would help out and take one for the team and restructure. I want him on the team, but wish he was not so damn proud. and concerned about himself only.

[SoCalBronco]

I think you're right

I do, however, still believe there's a chance that something might get done with dallas as early as this week as Bowlen & Jerry Jones talk things out.

from what I hear, Parcells has given his approval to acquiring Pryce IF he can pass a physical AND a deal doesn't take away either of the the K'boys first two draft selections this year.

...not sure what that leaves for trade...Dallas doesn't have a lot in the way of personnel Denver would be interested in

Perhaps a high (2nd), conditional pick for next year...maybe a third this year

Then again...maybe, just maybe all these people will have to eat their 'Pryce won't be here' talk...interesting

oh wabbit that would be perfect!!!! a conditional 2nd in 06 and a third this year. Man that would be so awesome. At this point in the process, i would have been overjoyed, absolutely overjoyed to get a fourth and a bag of pretzels. Hopefully we can get it done at the owners meeting so that we would have some flexibility going into the draft.

[wabbit]

Actually, SoCal...I have no inside info on this...only speculation from a couple of beat writers in Dallas

...and what I meant was; perhaps a conditional pick for next year...maybe a second if Pryce can pass a physical (which I'm told he can) OR a third next year...not both

..but hey, I suspect we'll take what we can get OR figure out a way that Pryce can stick around...or (to make his stock climb somewhat)...SUGGEST he will stay & play

If Jones & Bowlen don't agree to something, I'm getting them negative waves that suggest something might still get done before...or around draft day...if not draft day itself

The relationship is poisoned kids...the Broncos have villianized Pryce...making information about his non-action regarding a trade a very loosely held secret and bluntly stating he won't be here (Sundquist, Bowlen)

IF he were to play here this fall...I wouldn't be shocked, but I would be surprised

[watermock]

Wabbit, you DID mean a 3rd this year and a high second next year. Don't backpeddle dammit. Now go get it done.

And don't forget the bag of prezles either.

[wabbit]

Wabbit, you DID mean a 3rd this year and a high second next year. Don't backpeddle dammit. Now go get it done.

And don't forget the bag of prezles either.

No, no

What the Dallas writers tell me is that a 3rd might be possible in exchange for Pryce this year. If so, that would be it...all she wrote

OR (not 'and'), perhaps a second rounder next year...entirely conditional based on performance...& as low as a fourth if things don't work out as well as both teams might hope.

Point is; it's either-or...not both

[Kaylore]

No, no

What the Dallas writers tell me is that a 3rd might be possible in exchange for Pryce this year. If so, that would be it...all she wrote

OR (not 'and'), perhaps a second rounder next year...entirely conditional based on performance...& as low as a fourth if things don't work out as well as both teams might hope.

Point is; it's either-or...not both
And the pretzles?

[Hercules Rockefeller]

If Denver's goint to take a pick next year tied to performance, can't see how the pick only escalates to a 2nd and not a 1st, or at least the TS/MS braintrust would have been made to look like fools again this offseason.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

With no compensation for Kelly if they don't match, he should get lumped in with KK, Reggie, and Spragan as another player eligible for a comp pick next year for Denver. Or at least he should be if the NFL is to remain consistent since Cincy didn't match Buffalo's offer sheet to Takeo Spikes when he was a TFA and they received a 3rd in last year's draft.

[Drek]

Thats pretty sad, if Herndon does get lumped in we'd have three FAs who departed and could all reasonably net us 4th or 5th picks. Would the NFL actually give us that many?

[watermock]

I have said this before and I will say it again. Comp picks don't replace lost players. The real issue is why you are losing them in the first place.

[baja]

Actually, SoCal...I have no inside info on this...only speculation from a couple of beat writers in Dallas

...and what I meant was; perhaps a conditional pick for next year...maybe a second if Pryce can pass a physical (which I'm told he can) OR a third next year...not both

..but hey, I suspect we'll take what we can get OR figure out a way that Pryce can stick around...or (to make his stock climb somewhat)...SUGGEST he will stay & play

If Jones & Bowlen don't agree to something, I'm getting them negative waves that suggest something might still get done before...or around draft day...if not draft day itself

<b>The relationship is poisoned kids...the Broncos have villianized Pryce...making information about his non-action regarding a trade a very loosely held secret and bluntly stating he won't be here (Sundquist, Bowlen)</b>

IF he were to play here this fall...I wouldn't be shocked, but I would be surprised

And Gold was a labeled a turd last year yet this season he's a great pick up - back in the fold etc etc. Do you really think that any previous negative spin will preclude Trevor form playing for the Broncos if that is what is deemed best for the Broncos.

I think it is fairly obvious that it is in Trevor's and the Bronco's best interest at this point for Trevor to play here and with any luck he will do a modest restructure.

[Drek]

The real issue is why you are losing them in the first place. Because our FO can't manage cap?

Pretty sad really, we've been in cap hell for over half a decade now. Whenever we get a little room cleared Shanahan blows it and we go right back to being strapped year in and year out. Do they employ a cap management specialist? If not we should definately consider it, because its pretty clear no one in the organization at current knows how to handle it.

[baja]

Cap management is not the problem bad player selection and the resulting dead cap money is.