eddie mac
03-31-2005, 02:31 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~86~2790600,00.html
Ekuban glad to swap Browns for Broncos
Defensive end will see familiar faces with new team
By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer
Ebenezer Ekuban has been a Bronco for a day but already knows a majority of the people he will be directly working with.
Sans the breeze from Lake Erie and the barks from the Dawg Pound, the setting remains the same for Ekuban, the main figure in Denver's trade of tailback Reuben Droughns, which became official Wednesday.
"We're becoming the Denver Browns," Ekuban said. "We're switching the blue for the brown, but the orange remains the same. There's some talent on that line that just moved there so I'm pretty happy, and I hope the Broncos will be, too."
Ekuban - who had a career- high eight sacks last season - and defensive tackle Michael Myers bring the total to four former Cleveland defensive linemen who the Broncos have added to their restructured defensive front in March.
Ekuban and Myers are joined by tackle Gerard Warren and end Courtney Brown. Warren was acquired in a trade for a fourth-round pick in next month's draft and Brown agreed to a one-year deal with options to be a five-year contract.
Brown (No. 1 in 2000), Warren (No. 3 in 2001) and Ekuban (No. 20 in 1999) are former first-round draft picks. Denver's four new defensive linemen played under Andre Patterson, now a defensive line coach for the Broncos, last year in Cleveland.
"The Cleveland connection really happened by accident," Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist said. "These are all guys we really like, no matter where they're from or who coached them before."
Ekuban is happy with the coincidence.
"This is a big reason why I'm so comfortable with this trade," said Ekuban, who visited Denver in 2004 as a free agent before signing with the Browns. "Andre Patterson is a great coach, and I know him and I'm close to him. When I saw he went to Denver, it became a place that really interested me."
With ends Reggie Hayward signing with Jacksonville and Trevor Pryce on the trading block, Denver has reconstructed its defensive line, with Brown and Warren expected to start. Myers will play in a rotation with Mario Fatafehi and Monsanto Pope, and Ekuban should get plenty of playing time.
Denver is also expected to consider a defensive lineman with the No. 25 pick.
Denver is likely done with major moves before the draft.
Ekuban was due $2 million in base salary but received the minimum salary with bonuses to make up for the remaining money. He also had his contract extended from two remaining years to three remaining years. Myers' contract was extended from one remaining year to two.
Myers' inclusion was pivotal for Denver. He was added at the Broncos' request in the event Ekuban, who had a physical with Denver on Tuesday, has issues stemming from routine knee and shoulder surgeries.
Ekuban is expected to be completely healthy by June at the latest.
"I'm fine and I'm ready to be a Bronco," Ekuban said. "There's a lot excitement from us new guys to get to Denver and be part of that winning tradition there."
You gotta love that last paragraph and the fact he's on a minimum salary instead of $2 million base!!
Ekuban glad to swap Browns for Broncos
Defensive end will see familiar faces with new team
By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer
Ebenezer Ekuban has been a Bronco for a day but already knows a majority of the people he will be directly working with.
Sans the breeze from Lake Erie and the barks from the Dawg Pound, the setting remains the same for Ekuban, the main figure in Denver's trade of tailback Reuben Droughns, which became official Wednesday.
"We're becoming the Denver Browns," Ekuban said. "We're switching the blue for the brown, but the orange remains the same. There's some talent on that line that just moved there so I'm pretty happy, and I hope the Broncos will be, too."
Ekuban - who had a career- high eight sacks last season - and defensive tackle Michael Myers bring the total to four former Cleveland defensive linemen who the Broncos have added to their restructured defensive front in March.
Ekuban and Myers are joined by tackle Gerard Warren and end Courtney Brown. Warren was acquired in a trade for a fourth-round pick in next month's draft and Brown agreed to a one-year deal with options to be a five-year contract.
Brown (No. 1 in 2000), Warren (No. 3 in 2001) and Ekuban (No. 20 in 1999) are former first-round draft picks. Denver's four new defensive linemen played under Andre Patterson, now a defensive line coach for the Broncos, last year in Cleveland.
"The Cleveland connection really happened by accident," Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist said. "These are all guys we really like, no matter where they're from or who coached them before."
Ekuban is happy with the coincidence.
"This is a big reason why I'm so comfortable with this trade," said Ekuban, who visited Denver in 2004 as a free agent before signing with the Browns. "Andre Patterson is a great coach, and I know him and I'm close to him. When I saw he went to Denver, it became a place that really interested me."
With ends Reggie Hayward signing with Jacksonville and Trevor Pryce on the trading block, Denver has reconstructed its defensive line, with Brown and Warren expected to start. Myers will play in a rotation with Mario Fatafehi and Monsanto Pope, and Ekuban should get plenty of playing time.
Denver is also expected to consider a defensive lineman with the No. 25 pick.
Denver is likely done with major moves before the draft.
Ekuban was due $2 million in base salary but received the minimum salary with bonuses to make up for the remaining money. He also had his contract extended from two remaining years to three remaining years. Myers' contract was extended from one remaining year to two.
Myers' inclusion was pivotal for Denver. He was added at the Broncos' request in the event Ekuban, who had a physical with Denver on Tuesday, has issues stemming from routine knee and shoulder surgeries.
Ekuban is expected to be completely healthy by June at the latest.
"I'm fine and I'm ready to be a Bronco," Ekuban said. "There's a lot excitement from us new guys to get to Denver and be part of that winning tradition there."
You gotta love that last paragraph and the fact he's on a minimum salary instead of $2 million base!!