Needa Pass Rush
03-10-2006, 09:45 AM
Inside Slant
The Denver Broncos wanted to retain as much of their AFC West title team as possible, but cut loose three key contributors to help them get under the salary cap.
Running back Mike Anderson, defensive end Trevor Pryce and tight end Jeb Putzier were let go by the team, saving the Broncos almost $15 million on the salary cap. Anderson and Pryce were over 30-years-old and had bloated salary-cap numbers.
"Both of them preferred playing for the Broncos their whole career, but there are situations you can't control," said agent Peter Schaffer, who represents Anderson and Pryce.
Pryce was one of the best defensive linemen in team history but last season had his fewest tackles and sacks since his rookie season, not counting an injury-plagued 2004.
Anderson had 1,018 yards last season but wore down late in the season. The Broncos want a back that can carry the load and figured Anderson wouldn't be that player in 2006. Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne are the top options to take over at tailback, although the Broncos will almost definitely draft a tailback.
Putzier is 27 years old and is a very good receiver. He was third on the Broncos in receptions (37) and receiving yards (481). But Putzier never developed into a top-notch blocker, which held him back. He didn't start last season — Stephen Alexander did.
Putzier's contract actually was an offer sheet that he signed with the New York Jets as a restricted free agent last year. He had a $1.5 million roster bonus due in March and his base salary increased from $500,000 to $1.5 million.
Putzier's agent Joe Linta said he was willing to cut Putzier's salary cap number of $4.7 million by more than $3 million through a renegotiation, but the Broncos didn't want to retain him.
"They don't want him anymore as a football player," Linta said. "That's fine, they're entitled to their opinion. There's no hard feelings."
NOTES, QUOTES
—Denver made one more major re-signing before free agency begins, locking up left tackle Matt Lepsis to a four-year contract extension. Lepsis would have been coveted on the open market because he has had two very good seasons at left tackle. Houston, which is coached by former Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, would have likely been interested.
With Lepsis back in the fold, the Broncos have their entire starting offensive line back. Center Tom Nalen also could have been a free agent but re-signed with the Broncos shortly after the season ended.
—The Broncos were trying to re-sign defensive tackle Gerard Warren before free agency began. The Broncos like Warren's ability and how he worked in his first season in Denver, and Warren would probably have some suitors in free agency because athletic and effective defensive tackles are hard to find.
Warren has maintained he wanted to stay in Denver, as long as he got a fair deal from the team.
—With tight end Jeb Putzier released, the Broncos might need Wesley Duke to make a leap in his second season. Duke is very raw, having played basketball his entire college career. But he showed signs of potential last season, and caught a touchdown pass at Buffalo.
Duke is going to play in NFL Europe to get some much-needed experience.
—The Broncos will probably make a veteran addition at defensive end to replace Trevor Pryce. The Broncos will search free agency but probably won't draft a defensive lineman in the first round because their two picks — 22nd and 29th overall — might be too late to get an end that can play every down as a rookie.
If the Broncos can't find a replacement, veteran Ebenezer Ekuban could take Pryce's place in the starting lineup.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "To get him here I had to put my old college recruiting hat on. For him to stay here, the Denver Broncos organization and the city of Denver has done the best recruiting job of all." — Broncos assistant defensive line coach Andre Patterson on potential free agent defensive tackle Gerard Warren, whom Patterson coached in Cleveland.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
—DE Courtney Brown signed a contract extension through the 2009 season with Denver. Financial terms were not disclosed. "Courtney came to our team last season and helped solidify a defensive front that clearly became a strength of our football team," general manager Ted Sundquist said. "He proved to be an outstanding addition."
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Keith Burns; LB Patrick Chukwurah; RB Ron Dayne; TE Mike Leach; OT Matt Lepsis; DT Monsanto Pope; DT Gerard Warren; S Chris Young.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: WR Charlie Adams; LB Louis Green; DT Demetrin Veal.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: S Sam Brandon; DE John Engelberger.
PLAYERS LOST: RB Mike Alexander; DE Marco Coleman; DE Trevor Pryce; TE Jeb Putzier.
Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/broncos/home.htm
The Denver Broncos wanted to retain as much of their AFC West title team as possible, but cut loose three key contributors to help them get under the salary cap.
Running back Mike Anderson, defensive end Trevor Pryce and tight end Jeb Putzier were let go by the team, saving the Broncos almost $15 million on the salary cap. Anderson and Pryce were over 30-years-old and had bloated salary-cap numbers.
"Both of them preferred playing for the Broncos their whole career, but there are situations you can't control," said agent Peter Schaffer, who represents Anderson and Pryce.
Pryce was one of the best defensive linemen in team history but last season had his fewest tackles and sacks since his rookie season, not counting an injury-plagued 2004.
Anderson had 1,018 yards last season but wore down late in the season. The Broncos want a back that can carry the load and figured Anderson wouldn't be that player in 2006. Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne are the top options to take over at tailback, although the Broncos will almost definitely draft a tailback.
Putzier is 27 years old and is a very good receiver. He was third on the Broncos in receptions (37) and receiving yards (481). But Putzier never developed into a top-notch blocker, which held him back. He didn't start last season — Stephen Alexander did.
Putzier's contract actually was an offer sheet that he signed with the New York Jets as a restricted free agent last year. He had a $1.5 million roster bonus due in March and his base salary increased from $500,000 to $1.5 million.
Putzier's agent Joe Linta said he was willing to cut Putzier's salary cap number of $4.7 million by more than $3 million through a renegotiation, but the Broncos didn't want to retain him.
"They don't want him anymore as a football player," Linta said. "That's fine, they're entitled to their opinion. There's no hard feelings."
NOTES, QUOTES
—Denver made one more major re-signing before free agency begins, locking up left tackle Matt Lepsis to a four-year contract extension. Lepsis would have been coveted on the open market because he has had two very good seasons at left tackle. Houston, which is coached by former Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, would have likely been interested.
With Lepsis back in the fold, the Broncos have their entire starting offensive line back. Center Tom Nalen also could have been a free agent but re-signed with the Broncos shortly after the season ended.
—The Broncos were trying to re-sign defensive tackle Gerard Warren before free agency began. The Broncos like Warren's ability and how he worked in his first season in Denver, and Warren would probably have some suitors in free agency because athletic and effective defensive tackles are hard to find.
Warren has maintained he wanted to stay in Denver, as long as he got a fair deal from the team.
—With tight end Jeb Putzier released, the Broncos might need Wesley Duke to make a leap in his second season. Duke is very raw, having played basketball his entire college career. But he showed signs of potential last season, and caught a touchdown pass at Buffalo.
Duke is going to play in NFL Europe to get some much-needed experience.
—The Broncos will probably make a veteran addition at defensive end to replace Trevor Pryce. The Broncos will search free agency but probably won't draft a defensive lineman in the first round because their two picks — 22nd and 29th overall — might be too late to get an end that can play every down as a rookie.
If the Broncos can't find a replacement, veteran Ebenezer Ekuban could take Pryce's place in the starting lineup.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "To get him here I had to put my old college recruiting hat on. For him to stay here, the Denver Broncos organization and the city of Denver has done the best recruiting job of all." — Broncos assistant defensive line coach Andre Patterson on potential free agent defensive tackle Gerard Warren, whom Patterson coached in Cleveland.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
—DE Courtney Brown signed a contract extension through the 2009 season with Denver. Financial terms were not disclosed. "Courtney came to our team last season and helped solidify a defensive front that clearly became a strength of our football team," general manager Ted Sundquist said. "He proved to be an outstanding addition."
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Keith Burns; LB Patrick Chukwurah; RB Ron Dayne; TE Mike Leach; OT Matt Lepsis; DT Monsanto Pope; DT Gerard Warren; S Chris Young.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: WR Charlie Adams; LB Louis Green; DT Demetrin Veal.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: S Sam Brandon; DE John Engelberger.
PLAYERS LOST: RB Mike Alexander; DE Marco Coleman; DE Trevor Pryce; TE Jeb Putzier.
Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/broncos/home.htm