eddie mac
03-11-2006, 03:56 AM
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_4533533,00.html
Deal for Warren might be reached today
Money apparently secondary issue for Broncos defender
Gerard Warren's desire to remain with the Denver Broncos might soon become reality.
Joel Segal, Warren's agent, maintained there was a possibility that the deal could still get done today.
"I think there's a chance," he said. "We've made very good progress, things are moving in the right direction."
Negotiations on a new contract for the defensive tackle continued Friday, and there were indications the sides were finding common ground with free agency opening later in the evening.
Many NFL teams are flush with salary-cap room given the new labor agreement, and Warren had figured to generate substantial interest on the open market given that $7.5 million boost per club. But he has been steadfast in his desire to remain with the Broncos, who acquired him last off-season.
Warren still figures to command a significant contract with Denver, probably in the range of $5 million to $6 million annually with guarantees in the area of $8 million to $10 million. But that deal perhaps could have been trumped had he allowed other suitors to bid on him.
Yet money appears to be only a secondary concern to the comfort level of Warren, who played three- quarters of the team's defensive snaps last season, more than any other defensive lineman.
"You get tired of losing," Warren said earlier this week, alluding to his first four pro seasons with the Cleveland Browns. "It's not always about the dollar value. Keep us with respectable money. But it's being in coach (Mike) Shanahan's system and winning that's really luring us to stay in Denver, Colorado."
If, as expected, Warren re-signs, he will be the latest core player agreeing to return to the Broncos.
Expected to soon add to that list is long-snapper Mike Leach. A four-year contract that includes a $300,000 signing bonus is only missing Leach's signature, which he's expected to provide today.
Stability also is important for Leach, because he recently became a first-time parent. And he wanted to stick around, too.
"I think they realize I've done a good job for them, and they wanted to reward me and make sure I'm here for a few years," said Leach, who doubles as a tight end. "It's not a lottery deal, but I'm happy with it."
The team continues working through issues of structure and length in negotiating with running back Ron Dayne.
"We've been pretty much butting heads on the same stuff," Dayne's agent, Len Rowe, said after the latest round of negotiations Friday night.
Still, there was hope that either a two- or three-year contract could be hammered out quickly with free agency looming and Dayne intent on returning to possibly take on a large workload.
Those deals, and securing the return of special-teams captain Keith Burns, probably will leave the Broncos to make one other big-ticket deal. The acquisition of John Abraham from the New York Jets has been discussed.
Deal for Warren might be reached today
Money apparently secondary issue for Broncos defender
Gerard Warren's desire to remain with the Denver Broncos might soon become reality.
Joel Segal, Warren's agent, maintained there was a possibility that the deal could still get done today.
"I think there's a chance," he said. "We've made very good progress, things are moving in the right direction."
Negotiations on a new contract for the defensive tackle continued Friday, and there were indications the sides were finding common ground with free agency opening later in the evening.
Many NFL teams are flush with salary-cap room given the new labor agreement, and Warren had figured to generate substantial interest on the open market given that $7.5 million boost per club. But he has been steadfast in his desire to remain with the Broncos, who acquired him last off-season.
Warren still figures to command a significant contract with Denver, probably in the range of $5 million to $6 million annually with guarantees in the area of $8 million to $10 million. But that deal perhaps could have been trumped had he allowed other suitors to bid on him.
Yet money appears to be only a secondary concern to the comfort level of Warren, who played three- quarters of the team's defensive snaps last season, more than any other defensive lineman.
"You get tired of losing," Warren said earlier this week, alluding to his first four pro seasons with the Cleveland Browns. "It's not always about the dollar value. Keep us with respectable money. But it's being in coach (Mike) Shanahan's system and winning that's really luring us to stay in Denver, Colorado."
If, as expected, Warren re-signs, he will be the latest core player agreeing to return to the Broncos.
Expected to soon add to that list is long-snapper Mike Leach. A four-year contract that includes a $300,000 signing bonus is only missing Leach's signature, which he's expected to provide today.
Stability also is important for Leach, because he recently became a first-time parent. And he wanted to stick around, too.
"I think they realize I've done a good job for them, and they wanted to reward me and make sure I'm here for a few years," said Leach, who doubles as a tight end. "It's not a lottery deal, but I'm happy with it."
The team continues working through issues of structure and length in negotiating with running back Ron Dayne.
"We've been pretty much butting heads on the same stuff," Dayne's agent, Len Rowe, said after the latest round of negotiations Friday night.
Still, there was hope that either a two- or three-year contract could be hammered out quickly with free agency looming and Dayne intent on returning to possibly take on a large workload.
Those deals, and securing the return of special-teams captain Keith Burns, probably will leave the Broncos to make one other big-ticket deal. The acquisition of John Abraham from the New York Jets has been discussed.