Pryce, Broncos stick together DPO article

[SoCalBronco]

Pryce, Broncos stick together

By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer


AP / Jack Dempsey
Trevor Pryce




In a remarkable turnaround, the two-month Trevor Pryce saga ended Tuesday with the four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman staying in Denver.

After a few days of negotiations, the Broncos and Pryce's agent, Peter Schaffer, finalized a new contract that will keep Pryce with the Broncos and give the team more than $3 million in salary cap room. The deal is official, but terms were not disclosed.

Pryce, who had appeared to be on his way out of town via trade or release, has three years remaining on his contract. Before the restructuring, Pryce had a salary cap number of $9,166,000. In April 2001, Pryce signed a seven-year, $60 million contract, including an $11 million signing bonus.

Denver general manager Ted Sundquist said Tuesday that last week's meeting between Pryce and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan was the difference- maker in the agreement.


Advertisement

"The two most important people in this situation sat down and really came together," Sundquist said. "All the credit in this thing goes to Trevor and Mike. They got it done."

The Broncos were preparing to release Pryce if a trade could not be made. However, the meeting helped trigger the restructuring. As a result of the meeting, Pryce was at Dove Valley for Monday's start of the offseason workout program.

Denver allowed Schaffer to seek a trade during the off- season. However, because of Pryce's high salary cap number and the fact he missed 14 games last season because of a back injury, finding a suitor to give up a high draft choice was difficult.


"We had a lot of interest for teams wanting a trade for Trevor in the last couple of days," Schaffer said. "But at the end of the day, it was determined by everyone that this is where Trevor belongs."

Denver was hoping last week to get a low pick for Pryce instead of releasing him.

Instead, Pryce will attempt to regain his Pro Bowl form with the team that drafted him in the first round in 1997. Pryce will play the pass-rush end position with newly acquired Courtney Brown playing opposite him.

Denver needed Pryce to provide the salary cap relief to help pay for free agency. Denver already used much of the money pegged for Pryce in free agency along with help from several of the team's veterans. Including Pryce, Denver has signed or kept 17 players while losing five players this offseason.

"This was never about us not wanting Trevor," Sundquist said. "We always wanted him, but it was all salary cap. I was so excited today when everything was figured out."

[epicSocialism4tw]

Man...that's a vague article if I have ever read one.

[ro_50]

I'm so happy Pryce is back.

[wabbit]

I agree with others who ask why this couldn't have been accomplished some time ago...I don't think it was all Trevor, nor was it all Mike holding things up.

I think the hope, at least in the Pryce camp was that IF he had to go to another team, at least he would get his money.

When it became apparent that wasn't going to happen...AND teams like Cincinnati started entering the trade discussions...things became rather cordial.

Maybe the Bengals were reverse leverage; "Hey Trev, you're going to get your Benjamins...the bad news is...it'll be with the Bengals"

I'd like to think Trevor just wanted to remain with the Broncos...damn the dollars

Lets leave it at that

[SoCalBronco]

Wabbit, after this development, what do u think the Broncos draft strategy is now? Move back 5-10 spaces and pick up another first day selection? Move way up for someone they really like? Re-arrange their top 5 targets in round 1?

[wabbit]

Wabbit, after this development, what do u think the Broncos draft strategy is now? Move back 5-10 spaces and pick up another first day selection? Move way up for someone they really like? Re-arrange their top 5 targets in round 1?

Boy SoCal...Denver is hard to predict when there's no glaring need (that should draw some fire)

Fact is, 25 might be just too damned high to draft a G, and the class this year should serve up several ideal prospects in the 2nd round.

So, to answer the question; yeah, I think there IS a greater likelihood the Broncos could trade down...BUT...that's assuming two things:

1) A player they prize isn't dropping
2) There are takers for the 25 pick with suitable compensation.

Shanahan tells reporters he's talking to other teams every day this time of year about possible moves in the draft.

I think that's particularly true this year, but again, the chances of Denver trading out of the first round BEFORE the draft are pretty slim...because they want to see who drops to them.

[bpc]

plus, theres nothing like being forced to make a deal with a deadline burning at your ass.

We definitely need to trade down. We don't have any specific needs but we are looking at a older defensive line, safety, and depth issues at OL.

It feels good to not have to draft for starters as we can really take who WILL be the best players down the road. This is the perfect time to move back and take shots on players we think are going to be good pro's.

[wabbit]

plus, theres nothing like being forced to make a deal with a deadline burning at your ass...



Absolutely right.

Shanahan likes the pressure game.

I mean, the Raisins were about to give up the farm a couple years back because they just couldn't believe that Kyle Boller had fallen that far (heh, heh)

An agreement was done...faxes were...uh...in the phone lines...then, at the last second, the Raisins reneged as a slightly better deal rolled along.

The impulse buy works...ask any Supermarket how those trash mags & candy bars sell at check-out

[Odysseus]

Wabbit,

I think you are dead on the money. Bengals would have converted him to a DT fulltime, he would have never sniffed a championship, and in the end a much shorter career. It came down to pride on both sides but the good news is it's the pride that when reversed is for champions.

[fontaine]

This is the best offseason move the Broncos have made.

The 2nd being retaining Ben Hamilton.

I'm stoked about our DL now. We seem to have built up our depth and going into the draft with four first day picks, this is where Denver has a tremendous opportunity to continue to build the roster with best players available rather than reaching for certain players like we have in the in past.

A decent draft now could set us up for 2005.

I'm confident Pryce will return to his pro-bowl form, its up to larry coyer now to start turning talent and potential into performance from our DL.

[bpc]

I've said all along the best pickup we could land this offseason would be T. Pryce. Now, hopefully he is healthy and plays like he did previous to the injury. I imagine he'll be fine. We wouldn't so worried about his injury status had the team not said he was going to come back half way through the year, and then come back with a quarter left to go in the year and wait until the final week to play him, only to then have him sit out the last game of the season with the back injury.

I imagine he'll be fine but if a guy like Travis Johnson slides to #25, it will be hard to pass on him. Sure, it looks like we are deep on the front line with our current players but it only takes one or two injuries to take that away. Load up for the future and prepare for football after Pryce, Ekuban, and Brown maybe have gone their seperate ways.

[Ratboy]

We actually have a good line.. After months of complaining, everything looks pretty good (on paper)

[bloodsunday]

A decent draft now could set us up for 2005.
For that to be true, we must have a good day on day 1. No reaches, no projects; Let's get some guys that can come in and play ball like DJ did last year. We only have two day 2 picks -- both late.

[bendog]

I'm curious about reaches. I'd agree that Middlebrooks was a reach, though I thought it was a good gamble. The guy had pre-injury skills that were special. Figure somewhere around a third or a fourth of 1st rd picks are busts, take a shot for a shutdown corner. Delta was projected about even with Ahmad Plummer. Shanny couldn't buy a damn corner, LOL. But it wasn't a reach.

Pryce wasn't a reach either, but he was a project. He was the best athlete available, but he wasn't ready to play. Wilson was too small, and he still is. (-: Nash wasn't a reach, as he was the last player taken in the first. Pathon went later but so did Jacquez Green.

I am curious if anyone would agree with me. Earlier on, Shanny seemed to lock onto a postition and take a guy. Nash, Delta, Middlebrooks (though middlebrooks seems more a classic reach than locked into the corner position).

Other times he's taken the best rated (on Den's board) from a range of needs. Pryce,Wilson,DJ.

Anybody agree that that's what has happened with the 1st rd?

[bloodsunday]

I am curious if anyone would agree with me. Earlier on, Shanny seemed to lock onto a postition and take a guy. Nash, Delta, Middlebrooks (though middlebrooks seems more a classic reach than locked into the corner position).

Other times he's taken the best rated (on Den's board) from a range of needs. Pryce,Wilson,DJ.

Anybody agree that that's what has happened with the 1st rd?
I think the draft strategy has gotten better of recent. Perhaps its a philosophy change. Perhaps its because of Ted Sundquists work, although not being at Dove Valley everyday, its anyones guess how much he actually has a say in these decisions. Of course, when you always draft #15 or later, its tough to get a consensus can't miss player. Though, they don't always work out either.

I want someone that can contribute. If we want to draft for the future or project type players, then we should be making deals to get more 2nd and/or 3rd round selections. There are a ton of players that I could envision us getting here: J Campbell, D Baas, A McPherson, M Jones. Of those guys I only think Baas would be worth #25, but its a stretch, because I think he would be a quality starter for many years.

[bendog]

I too like baas the best, not just cause it's a position of need, but because the guy's measurables and attitude fit Den's scheme, AND put him next to foster and there's some serious push there. I'm not sure that 25 isn't a bit high for him. But, it'll be hard to know till the draft day itself where the final ratings put the various guys.

ps, but there will be a desire to get a WR. That could be very iffy iwht the 25 slot cause there will prolly be a run on them earlier.

[bloodsunday]

I'm not sure that 25 isn't a bit high for him.
Well #20 was too high for George Foster, according to the -- hum -- experts. If we don't have an option to move down, then I think he's a solid pick. The problem with drafting a tackle is that he wouldn't play this year. Lepsis is a solid team guy so its not a lock that he's gone next year. He may decide to take a pay cut in order to stay. Then you got a first round pick that won't play for at least 2 years.

Of all the scenarios I can imagine, I think I would be the most against drafting a tackle. Sadly, it might be the most settled position (in the near future) on the team next to QB and LB.

[watermock]

Beezlebub figures he's a lock to go no later than round 3.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images9/EgyptianMau%20Streachandturn.JPG

[Mediator12]

*Gratuitous Plug*

I really think Evan Mathis from Alabama is the G/T we should try and get in the draft. He may be available at the Comp picks and he can provide G and T Depth playing both for Alabama. I just saw his short Shuttle was 4.17 and 40 was 4.91. That is the type of Quick agile G the Broncos need to run the ball on the sweeps and pitch plays. He is stronger than people projected, most criticised his playing strength, lifting 225 for 35 reps and having a 600+ pound squat. Projected anywhere from 2-4 rounds.

[TD30]

Holy crap Mock that cat is enormous, how much does he weigh?

[watermock]

Holy crap Mock that cat is enormous, how much does he weigh?

Beezer decided to skip the combine and Pro Days. He doesn't like measurables. He simply sent out tape of his house jumping abilities.

As far as this guard Evan Mathis goes....sounds like the right kid around the right spot if he's there late 3rd.