Lelie's route leads out of town

[dragondawg]

Lelie's route leads out of town
No. 2 wide receiver wants upgrade or trade
By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer


Ashley Lelie's absence from the Broncos' offseason program may be the beginning of the end in Denver for the wide receiver.

Lelie, who is in the final year of his contract, would like to play where he has an opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver, according to two NFL sources. He doesn't think that is possible in Denver, where he has played since being the 19th pick in the 2002 draft. It appears likely that if he is not traded, this will be his final season here.

Lelie's representatives are gauging interest for a trade. Players with only one year remaining on their deals rarely have high trade value, and the Broncos may prefer to keep Lelie rather than dispatch the playmaker for a low-round pick.

With the venerable and reliable Rod Smith entrenched in the No. 1 receiver spot, Lelie is unlikely to move up the depth chart.

Lelie made 42 catches, one for a touchdown, in 2005. His best season came in 2004 when he had 54 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns. He has been inconsistent, but his deep-threat ability has kept opposing teams honest.

Denver's offseason workout program began April 3, but Lelie is working out on his own at a performance center in Tempe, Ariz. He could have earned a $100,000 bonus by participating in 90 percent of the voluntary workouts. Most Broncos players have participated in the program during the Mike Shanahan coaching era.

Denver needs help at receiver and likely will add one in the draft's early rounds. The Broncos are bringing in several receivers for visits, including probable first-rounders Santonio Holmes, Chad Jackson, Sinorice Moss and Maurice Stovall. Denver has the Nos. 15 and 22 picks in the first round. Even if the Broncos draft a receiver, they would likely have a spot for the speedy Lelie in 2006.
The Broncos also have discussed the possibility of trading for disgruntled Green Bay receiver Javon Walker, who could be dealt before or during the draft. Lelie and a midround pick might be enough to entice Green Bay to part with Walker.

Teams that might have interest in Lelie include San Francisco, Philadelphia, New England and Seattle. There were rumors early in February that Lelie could be traded to the 49ers, but Shanahan said at the Pro Bowl the speculation was unfounded. In addition to Walker and Lelie, receivers Donte' Stallworth of New Orleans and Charles Rogers of Detroit reportedly have been shopped this offseason.

Footnotes

Former University of Colorado receiver and kick returner Jeremy Bloom said he will visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. ... LenDale White underwent an MRI when he visited the Steelers. The test revealed a minor hamstring tear, confirming his first MRI taken last week, his uncle and professional adviser Herman White said. White, a Chatfield High School graduate, is visiting Dallas.

[SoCalBronco]

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3725256


Farewell to Ash. Its not really news.

I hope he does very well whereever he ends up. I will always root for him. I hope he can go somewhere where he is more involved in the offensive system.

[meangene]

A No. 1 receiver? What a joke! He's barely a No. 2.

[watermock]

This conversation has been going on for two weeks and someone kicked Burger Bill to write something.

He''s obviously clueless what is happening around him.

[Florida_Bronco]

I'm just not seeing this happen UNLESS we make a major upgrade to the WR corps at the same time.

[BroncosMT]

I think Lelie is packaged with a pick to get Javon Walker. It makes sense.

[clint7]

"Lelie...would like to play where he has an opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver...

As long as a #1 WR doesn't have to play against physical CBs, beat bump coverage, and muscle for the ball in the redzone...ol' Ash will get his wish one day.

[BroncoBen]

Lelie, who is in the final year of his contract, would like to play where he has an opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver.

What is that old adage ‘What have you done for me latley’ ?

If Lelie thinks he is good enough to be a no. 1 WR in the NFL, then he must be smoking something with Ricky Williams.

Ashlee has shown the league nothing to suggest he should be a no.1 WR, sure like burger bill suggests ‘his deep-threat ability has kept opposing teams honest’, but that is about it.

I can count on one hand how may TDs this has resulted in.

[toad]

I think Lelie is packaged with a pick to get Javon Walker. It makes sense.

Agreed....hello, Javon Walker.

[Requiem]

Lelie can be a #1 somewhere else in the league. Farewell bud. Brandon Lloyd netted a third and a future fourth -- maybe Ashley could get the same.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Lelie can be a #1 somewhere else in the league. Farewell bud. Brandon Lloyd netted a third and a future fourth -- maybe Ashley could get the same.

Lloyd- 105 1510 14.4 13 (3 seasons)
Lelie- 168 3007 17.9 12 (4 seasons)

Only thing Ashley doesn't have is TDs, but he's got a much higher average and Ashley has never been a #1 while Lloyd was this year. I'd hope they could get the same, if not more.

[eddie mac]

Lloyd- 105 1510 14.4 13 (3 seasons)
Lelie- 168 3007 17.9 12 (4 seasons)

Only thing Ashley doesn't have is TDs, but he's got a much higher average and Ashley has never been a #1 while Lloyd was this year. I'd hope they could get the same, if not more.

How long did Lloyd have left on his contract??? That could be a telling factor.

[eddie mac]

I think Lelie is packaged with a pick to get Javon Walker. It makes sense.

IMO they have equal value. Both 1 year left on their rookie contracts, Walker has been the more productive but that levels off when you consider both Green Bay and Denver's systems plus Walker's injury. If we give up a pick and Ash for Javon I'll be gutted. A pick should be coming the other way.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

How long did Lloyd have left on his contract??? That could be a telling factor.

He was an RFA with a 1st round tender

[epicSocialism4tw]

Walker would be a much better fit here.

Lelie is an awesome talent, and needs to play somewhere where the QB can hurl the ball 70 yards. His talent wont be maximized here. I tell you what, the Clots should have been smart enough to see this coming. He would have been ideal there, and more so than Reggie Wayne.

I'll miss having Lelie. I think that he's due for a big season. Hopefully it will be here.

[El Guapo]

chokeland or KC would love to have him.

[Beantown Bronco]

Ashlee has shown the league nothing to suggest he should be a no.1 WR, sure like burger bill suggests ‘his deep-threat ability has kept opposing teams honest’, but that is about it.

I can count on one hand how may TDs this has resulted in.

You have 12 fingers on one hand?!?

[Beantown Bronco]

chokeland or KC would love to have him.

Which is precisely why he is being shopped to the Pack. Better to face a bitter "ex" once every 4 years than twice a year. Ash is waaaaay better than Quitterson, yet look what that fool has done to us since he went to KC.

It's pretty much common sense. If the Broncos have no intention of keeping Ash long-term, then they should get value now from a team like GB as opposed to letting a division rival sign him at the end of the season....

[dbfan4life]

I'd really hate to see Ash go, but I'd rather get something for him now than nothing for him later. This will be one of the most exciting draft days we have ever experienced!

[Broncojef]

What will we ever do to compensate for the TD he had last year or the consistent production he brings every week should he leave?

[brncs_fan]

Lelie's route leads out of town
No. 2 wide receiver wants upgrade or trade
By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer


Ashley Lelie's absence from the Broncos' offseason program may be the beginning of the end in Denver for the wide receiver.

Lelie, who is in the final year of his contract, would like to play where he has an opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver, according to two NFL sources. He doesn't think that is possible in Denver, where he has played since being the 19th pick in the 2002 draft. It appears likely that if he is not traded, this will be his final season here.

Lelie's representatives are gauging interest for a trade. Players with only one year remaining on their deals rarely have high trade value, and the Broncos may prefer to keep Lelie rather than dispatch the playmaker for a low-round pick.

With the venerable and reliable Rod Smith entrenched in the No. 1 receiver spot, Lelie is unlikely to move up the depth chart.

Lelie made 42 catches, one for a touchdown, in 2005. His best season came in 2004 when he had 54 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns. He has been inconsistent, but his deep-threat ability has kept opposing teams honest.

Denver's offseason workout program began April 3, but Lelie is working out on his own at a performance center in Tempe, Ariz. He could have earned a $100,000 bonus by participating in 90 percent of the voluntary workouts. Most Broncos players have participated in the program during the Mike Shanahan coaching era.

Denver needs help at receiver and likely will add one in the draft's early rounds. The Broncos are bringing in several receivers for visits, including probable first-rounders Santonio Holmes, Chad Jackson, Sinorice Moss and Maurice Stovall. Denver has the Nos. 15 and 22 picks in the first round. Even if the Broncos draft a receiver, they would likely have a spot for the speedy Lelie in 2006.
The Broncos also have discussed the possibility of trading for disgruntled Green Bay receiver Javon Walker, who could be dealt before or during the draft. Lelie and a midround pick might be enough to entice Green Bay to part with Walker.

Teams that might have interest in Lelie include San Francisco, Philadelphia, New England and Seattle. There were rumors early in February that Lelie could be traded to the 49ers, but Shanahan said at the Pro Bowl the speculation was unfounded. In addition to Walker and Lelie, receivers Donte' Stallworth of New Orleans and Charles Rogers of Detroit reportedly have been shopped this offseason.

Footnotes

Former University of Colorado receiver and kick returner Jeremy Bloom said he will visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. ... LenDale White underwent an MRI when he visited the Steelers. The test revealed a minor hamstring tear, confirming his first MRI taken last week, his uncle and professional adviser Herman White said. White, a Chatfield High School graduate, is visiting Dallas.
ZZZ... :deadhorse

[broncsyanks]

if he goes thats ok i just wish we dont have to trade a 1st rounder with him to get that high up and also i would like us to have 2 more sure set of hands to compliment the immortal rod smith

[Paladin]

What will we ever do to compensate for the TD he had last year or the consistent production he brings every week should he leave?

You know, that's about the same idea I had about Pryce. Maybe the non-producers are pricing themselves out of Denver.....

[listopencil]

Lelie made 42 catches, one for a touchdown, in 2005.

Is this true? That's pretty damn lame for a #2WR complaining about wanting to be #1. Are those even decent #3WR stats?

[bendog]

What's funny is that Lelie's production isn't all that off of EMac's. If Lelie goes and catches 75 for 1200, you know all the lelie haters will turn to shanny sucks. LOL

[hades]

What will we ever do to compensate for the TD he had last year or the consistent production he brings every week should he leave?


LMAO!

[12th man]

What the hell. Lelie going to leave us cause he thinks he can be a number one somewhere else. First of all, we drafted Lelie to take over the number one spot. Has he been consistant enough to do that? no, he hasn't. I know it would be hard to take Rod's spot but he didn't even come close the years he has been here to show he can be a number one. the year he had seven td's was a pretty good season, but then this year, he dropped off the face of the planet, till the end of the season. So, he needs a reality check, that if he thinks a change of a team is going to make him better, he's mistaken. It's not going to change the fact that he is inconsistant. and he is inconsistant against number two corners, does he think he will be magicaly better going against number one corners?. whatever. I realy like lelie and kind of don't want him to leave, because he is a great deep threat, and once in a while he does have pretty good games. Maybe one day he can be that #1 wr, I just hope it's here. he has the potential, and with heimerdinger here, im sure it is realy going to help. maybe next year he will start kickin ass, wich I really think he will, and stay here.

[listopencil]

Ed:

RECEIVING

Year Team G GS No Yards Avg Lg TD 20+ 40+ FD
1991 New York Giants 16 0 16 146 9.1 26 0 1 0 0
1992 New York Giants 16 3 49 610 12.4 44 5 8 1 27
1993 New York Giants 16 1 27 335 12.4 31 2 4 0 20
1994 San Francisco 49ers 16 0 11 131 11.9 32 2 2 0 9
1995 Denver Broncos 16 5 39 477 12.2 35 2 4 0 25
1996 Denver Broncos 15 15 48 553 11.5 39 7 8 0 32
1997 Denver Broncos 15 15 45 590 13.1 35 8 9 0 32
1998 Denver Broncos 15 15 64 1053 16.5 48 10 19 5 41
1999 Denver Broncos 15 15 71 1018 14.3 78 7 17 4 46
2000 Denver Broncos 16 16 101 1317 13.0 61 9 19 4 68
2001 Denver Broncos 1 1 6 94 15.7 28 1 1 0 3
2002 Denver Broncos 16 16 69 903 13.1 69 2 11 3 44
2003 Denver Broncos 12 7 19 195 10.3 23 0 1 0 12
TOTAL 185 109 565 7422 13.1 78 55 104 17 359



Ash:

RECEIVING

Year Team G GS No Yards Avg Lg TD 20+ 40+ FD
2002 Denver Broncos 16 1 35 525 15.0 48 2 9 3 24
2003 Denver Broncos 16 10 37 628 17.0 60 2 11 5 25
2004 Denver Broncos 16 16 54 1084 20.1 58 7 21 5 40
2005 Denver Broncos 16 13 42 770 18.3 56 1 12 5 30
TOTAL 64 40 168 3007 17.9 60 12 53 18 119

[listopencil]

This might help:

[Ballhawk]

It amazes me that Denver fans actually do not believe he can be a 1200 yard guy. My guess he is thrown to less than most #2 WRs in the league. We have all seen jake miss him a dozen times when he has a good 2-3 steps on the closest defender when he is thrown at. Jake hits him 1/2 of those times he has anoth 250 yards, Shanny runs more than Fly patterns for the guy he would have another 250 and be around 1200. Does anyone here really believe his stats would be this low if he had been in GB the last 3 years?

Please dont confuse being mismatched with a QB best suited to roll out and throw a 7 yard pass to not being able to play. Jake doesn't even throw the deep sideline pass that well. Jake is Jake and Ash is Ash and they never have complimated each other.

[listopencil]

Compare to:

[bendog]

2 of Eds 1000plus seasons came with SOB, and post TD's knee, in years Den passed for 544 and 577 times, compared to 466 last year. Put him in Philly, and he'd have fine stats. He's not going to make the tough catches Smith makes, though. I'm not against trading him, assuming there's a WR without nerve damage or a rehabiliting knee in the deal.

[watermock]

Ash is only hurting his trade value and costing himself an easy 100k. He really fell off the apple cart last year considering he had zero injuries. 1 TD?

I smell smoke in the distance on draft day....

[eddie mac]

Is this true? That's pretty damn lame for a #2WR complaining about wanting to be #1. Are those even decent #3WR stats?

But what if he was only thrown to 50 odd times??? If it wasn't illegal I'd let both Lelie and Rod wear No80 this season then we can assess his production.

[bendog]

I dunno. He might play in his contract year. If Shanny want's to really play hardball, he can franchise tag him and force him to work out his own trade next year, though Lelie's hardly worth franchise tag bucks.

[Ballhawk]

I dunno. He might play in his contract year. If Shanny want's to really play hardball, he can franchise tag him and force him to work out his own trade next year, though Lelie's hardly worth franchise tag bucks.

Or Shanny could Drfat VY or Cutler and convince Ash that times are a changing. So many thing can happen in a year, but there is no reason to get rid of a talented WR for peanuts.

[Popps]

Lelie, who is in the final year of his contract, would like to play where he has an opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver, according to two NFL sources. He doesn't think that is possible in Denver

Well, Ashley... if Rod got hit by a bus, you'd be the #1 guy. Outside of that, you're the second most talented WR on the team, so why would anyone want to make you the #1 receiver?

Oh, wait... I forgot, the staff is holding him back, right? This, the same staff that told Jerry Rice he wasn't going to crack the starting lineup.
Guess they had it in for Jerry, too.

Whatever. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Hopefully we'll get someone more in our mold in here, and Ashley can go play for a turf/dome team.

[ludo21]

Wow, we all knew this was coming.

Ash will break out in a nother system, too bad it wont be ours.

[Popps]

Wow, we all knew this was coming.

Ash will break out in a nother system, too bad it wont be ours.

Yea, he's the next Eddie Kennison.

[bendog]

Or Shanny could Drfat VY or Cutler and convince Ash that times are a changing. So many thing can happen in a year, but there is no reason to get rid of a talented WR for peanuts.
But given the choice, Shanny will ALWAYs throw fewer than 500 times, and run as much as he can. Even with the duke he only threw 466 in the first Lombardi year. Blaming Plummer, and Lelie, for their inability to connect on the same deep throws they did in 05 - I agree with. Blaming Plummer for Lelie not getting as many touches as EMac did with SOB, and no TD and just MA w/o Bell - I don't agree.

[Ballhawk]

But given the choice, Shanny will ALWAYs throw fewer than 500 times, and run as much as he can. Even with the duke he only threw 466 in the first Lombardi year. Blaming Plummer, and Lelie, for their inability to connect on the same deep throws they did in 05 - I agree with. Blaming Plummer for Lelie not getting as many touches as EMac did with SOB, and no TD and just MA w/o Bell - I don't agree.

This is really not about blame. If I was to blame anyone it would be Shanny for drafting a vertical WR to play in his WCO. I have been suggesting trading Lelie for a couple years because he does not fit our O.

Oh well what will be will be, I just do not believe that Lelie is a bad WR and I think the mantra around here in two years will be, "Why didnt he play like that for us?"

[listopencil]

But what if he was only thrown to 50 odd times??? If it wasn't illegal I'd let both Lelie and Rod wear No80 this season then we can assess his production.



Maybe so, but what exactly does he want? Does he think he should supplant Rod Smith? If you want to be the man you have to beat the man.

[bendog]

This is really not about blame. If I was to blame anyone it would be Shanny for drafting a vertical WR to play in his WCO. I have been suggesting trading Lelie for a couple years because he does not fit our O.

Oh well what will be will be, I just do not believe that Lelie is a bad WR and I think the mantra around here in two years will be, "Why didnt he play like that for us?"
I agree. Though at the time he was drafted, I'm not sure whether one could tell he isn't that great a YAC guy.

[Popps]

Eddie Mac was a completely different receiver. It's not all about stats, though Eddie's were better.

Eddie made the tough catches, over the middle...etc. He kept drives alive. He was a crucial cog in our offense.

Lelie has a place, but to compare him to Eddie is just silly.

[bendog]

I didn't compare them. I COMPARED TOUCHES. If Den throws between 450 and 475 times, the no 2 guy will get around 45 to 55, depending on the TE and RB mix.

Actually, R Smith was running the deeper routes back in EMacs day.

[toad]

In 2005:

Rod Smith was targeted 126 times.

Ashley Lelie was targeted 88 times.

Jeb Putzier was targeted 58 times.

88 is right along the lines as most #2 WRs. Obviously, pass-happy teams (such as Indy) produce more numbers for the their #2.

[Popps]

In 2005:

Rod Smith was targeted 126 times.

Ashley Lelie was targeted 88 times.

Jeb Putzier was targeted 58 times.

88 is right along the lines as most #2 WRs. Obviously, pass-happy teams (such as Indy) produce more numbers for the their #2.

Add to that the fact that Lelie had a huge YPC average, and you wonder what all the fuss is about.

He's not a good as Rod, plain and simple. He's not as talented. It's not our system... he's just not as good, and likely never will be. Maybe Lelie can find a team where there's no other talented WRs and he can be the #1 guy.
But, good luck. How many teams in the league are there were Ashley would be the most talented receiver? A small handful, at best.

He's not going to "break out," folks. He's a one-trick, straight line runner with some speed. He'll likely put up similar numbers elsewhere.

[Traveler]

Damn! He's not even gone yet and folks are turning on him. Is he a #1 receiver? Jury is still out on that. Can he become one? Probably, but not in our system. I'll always follow his career wherever that may be.

But if it's not going to be with us, then let's get whatever can can for him before he just walks away.

[eddie mac]

Maybe so, but what exactly does he want? Does he think he should supplant Rod Smith? If you want to be the man you have to beat the man.

I dont agree with him running his mouth and staying away from the offseason workouts but I dont think we should ditch the kid just yet. As I said in a previous thread if he sticks around this year and Jake can get him the ball he will be trying 150% because it's his contract year.

I'd hate to see a similar thing happening here that happened with Walker in Green Bay just hope Ash and his agent are a lot smarter than Javon and his.

[Taco John]

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=31748

[ludo21]

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=31748


:thumbsup:

so who we going to draft o wise one?:~ohyah!:

[Macnut]

I dont agree with him running his mouth and staying away from the offseason workouts but I dont think we should ditch the kid just yet. As I said in a previous thread if he sticks around this year and Jake can get him the ball he will be trying 150% because it's his contract year.

I'd hate to see a similar thing happening here that happened with Walker in Green Bay just hope Ash and his agent are a lot smarter than Javon and his.
I just hope he is traded. I pity him if he stays one more year. He will most likely see even less balls thrown his way no matter how hard he plays.

[Sodak]

What the hell does Burger Bill do for a living? He obviously does not work.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Vindication!

[Clockwork Orange]

Vindication!

Speaking of people who don't work.....