Texans may be interested in Nalen

[Jens1893]

www.denverpost.com

When did Nalen become a Free Agent? I thought he still was under contract as he didn´t show up in any FA list? Or did his contract void due to playing time? Herc? Anyone else who can become a FA except for Lepsis?


Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the notes column? ...

We already know Gary Kubiak, like the Broncos' Super Bowl hopes, is gone. Question is, will Tom Nalen go with him?

Nalen, whose five Pro Bowl appearances are the most in Broncos history among offensive linemen, is an unrestricted free agent. He hopes to return to the Broncos for three more seasons, but is leaving his options open.

"I feel great," said Nalen, breaking his usual vow of silence toward the media. "I hope the Broncos re-sign me."

Herein lies the rub: Nalen has accepted pay cuts in recent years to remain in Denver, but could get better money from Houston, where one of Kubiak's first orders of business will be to patch up the Texans' offensive line. What better way to start than to sign Nalen?

So, does Nalen plan to check out the market?

"If it gets to March, yes," he said.

Would he specifically look to follow Kubiak to Houston?

"Yes, if it gets to that point."

OK, so that's not saying much, but considering it was Nalen doing the talking, his comments speak volumes. As in, his future in a Broncos uniform is anything but secure. ...

[Hercules Rockefeller]

His deal voids

[ludo21]

He will go if we dont want him. But i want him, and i think the team does too. He had a Pro Bowl type season and is going on the decline but he has one more season in him, maybe 2.

[Jens1893]

His deal voids

Does Warren´s deal void, too, or what´s the scoop there?

[TheDave]

Texans are also going to make a play for Lepsis... This Kubiac thing could get expensive

[OrangeShadow]

this is the exact thing we DONT need. o line is a aspect were we are solid and just need a tad bit of depth. i really dont want to lose lepsis or nalen. more so lepsis though

[elsid13]

If Shanahan wants Lepsis and Nalen to stay, he will ensure they stay. Does anyone know what the Texans cap situation is like?

[ludo21]

this is the exact thing we DONT need. o line is a aspect were we are solid and just need a tad bit of depth. i really dont want to lose lepsis or nalen. more so lepsis though


The onus is on us, if we extend a deal to them, they will stay.

I agree on Lepsis tho, i want him to stay more so than Nalen, Myers looks like he could be a bright spot at G or C next year (depending on what they do with Hamilton)

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Does Warren´s deal void, too, or what´s the scoop there?

Whatever he needed to hit to allow him to void the final year of his deal was achieved before the Broncos traded for him.

[Bronco Billy]

Our O-line has been strong for so long in part because there has been little turnover. I hope that everyone stays. Our O-line is essential to our offense.

[Mtbrncofn]

Hmm, this doesn't sound like a good deal at all. Hopefully they both stay.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Why would Nalen want to spend his last year or so with the worst team in the NFL? If it's just purely for financial reasons he could probably get a nice offer somwhere else also. Second, I'm I'm Kubiak, I"m not looking to build an offensive line with a center who has 1 or 2 years left. So Nails would be a temporary move. I gotta think he'd like to see if he can get one more ring and he's got no shot doing that in Houston.

[SoCalBronco]

we arent going to pay him his 6 million base just to keep him away from Houston or anyone for that matter.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Nalen and Lepsis are here. The "Kubiak factor" does not hold water. Thye aren't going to blindly follow him there. They both want to stay with theBroncs and unless the money is crazy they will be Broncs.

[12th man]

Why would Nalen want to spend his last year or so with the worst team in the NFL? If it's just purely for financial reasons he could probably get a nice offer somwhere else also. Second, I'm I'm Kubiak, I"m not looking to build an offensive line with a center who has 1 or 2 years left. So Nails would be a temporary move. I gotta think he'd like to see if he can get one more ring and he's got no shot doing that in Houston.
my thoughts exactly. Nalan's not the type to leave at the end of his career, with a chance to win the super bowl, to go to a POS team. But what do I know. He's the quite type, and money talks, but I just don't see him leaving and he will retire as a Bronco and get on the ring of fame, and probabley be snubed from the hall of fame like every other bronco.

[SoDak Bronco]

I love Nales, and hope he returns. BUT I think Lepsis is one of the TOP tackles in the league, and will continue to improve. The guy is a stud and goes unnoticed, and at his position is a good thing. Plus he is one of my favorite Broncos and my adopt-a-bronco. I think Ben Hamilton will be a pro-bowl caliber center if he replaces Nales, but for now I think Denver will concentrate more on Lepsis.

[anthonypacino]

I remember a interview at the start of the season with Nalen and he indicated that if Denver didn't resign him the only other team he would consider playing for would be the Patriots because Boston is his hometown. Other than those two he said he would more than likely retire. Of course that was before the season started and Kubiack became a HC but I think the friendship between Shanny and Kubes is too tight for Kubes to start picking apart his former team.

[fontaine]

Enough of this Houston BS. Our OL is the heart and soul of this offense.

Can you imagine Bell trying to run inside with any holes or Anderson for that matter? How about Jake? How well will he play without Lepsis and Nalen anchoring that line?

If Mike Shanahan allows some green O-Coordinator who just fell from the apple tree to punk him out and take two of his best OL then Shanahan needs to go back to coaching 101. I don't think we lose these guys because we can't afford to. The window of opportunity of this team is only going to be open for the next year or so unless we magically replace Nalen, Rod, Lynch and you just don't replace those Hall of Fame types in one offseason.

Just go ask Putzier.

I keep hearing that Denver wants to win it now, that we can make another run. Well we won't be doing that without Lepsis and Nalen like it or not.

I mean what the hell is this? Expansion Draft part two? Kubes and Houston can go to hell.

[GreatWhiteBronco]

Enough of this Houston BS. Our OL is the heart and soul of this offense.

Can you imagine Bell trying to run inside with any holes or Anderson for that matter? How about Jake? How well will he play without Lepsis and Nalen anchoring that line?

If Mike Shanahan allows some green O-Coordinator who just fell from the apple tree to punk him out and take two of his best OL then Shanahan needs to go back to coaching 101. I don't think we lose these guys because we can't afford to. The window of opportunity of this team is only going to be open for the next year or so unless we magically replace Nalen, Rod, Lynch and you just don't replace those Hall of Fame types in one offseason.

Just go ask Putzier.

I keep hearing that Denver wants to win it now, that we can make another run. Well we won't be doing that without Lepsis and Nalen like it or not.

I mean what the hell is this? Expansion Draft part two? Kubes and Houston can go to hell.


well said... it seems totally bizarre that Shanny would let either of those guys go at this point.

[Broncoman13]

The Texans will overpay for Lepsis. His stock is soaring right now and they likely will give him a deal that we can't match. Him getting attention on different panels as an all-pro doesn't help our cause. The Falcons and Texans runs the exact same running scheme. This could easily turn into a bidding war.

Nalen probably stays though. I doubt the Falcons or Texans (or anyone else for that matter) pony up too much for a Center that is near the end of the road. However, Kubiak knows how important he is to our offense. The adjustments, line calls, and overall attitude starts with Nalen. He may only have a couple years left in the tank, but Kubiak being a new HC isn't looking to just build for the future. He's interested in winning now in addition to building for the future... otherwise he won't be a HC for long!