SoCalBronco
05-17-2006, 01:17 AM
denver broncos notes
Absence of unhappy Lelie unexcused
By Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writer
Wide receiver Javon Walker (19) stretches with teammates before the Broncos' practice Tuesday. Walker wore No. 84 with the Packers, which tight end Wesley Duke has with Denver. (Post / Cyrus McCrimmon)
If Ashley Lelie were here, he might point out that by definition, there's no reason to fuss about his absence.
The Broncos are conducting what the NFL calls a voluntary official team activity the next two weeks at their Dove Valley training complex. Lelie, the Broncos' unhappy wide receiver, has voluntarily chosen to forfeit a $100,000 workout bonus by not participating.
Unofficially, the Broncos are calling this a quarterback camp and say they want everyone to attend. Only kickers, punters and NFL Europe participants are excused.
Lelie was the only unexcused player absent from the workout that technically did not require an excuse. Not that this stopped Broncos coach Mike Shanahan from sending his missing player a message.
"I just know it's hard to be the No. 1 wide receiver when you don't compete," Shanahan said.
There is hope Lelie's offseason protest will reach an amicable resolution by the time participation becomes mandatory in late July with the opening of training camp. His new agent, Denver-based Peter Schaffer, has spoken once in the past two weeks to Shanahan and general manager Ted Sundquist.
Schaffer will try to facilitate a trade, most likely for a conditional 2007 draft pick. The other option is for the Broncos to conclude they are better off waiting out Lelie than letting him play elsewhere for what little they could get in return.
During the NFL draft last month, the Broncos offered Lelie
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to the Houston Texans and his former offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak in return for the first pick in the fourth round.
What might have been
Before the draft, the Broncos were targeting Devin Hester, a return specialist from Miami, with their 61st or 68th pick. Hester was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 57th pick.
The Broncos had hoped Hester would slide because he's considered a pure return specialist and he missed much of his junior year with nagging injuries.
The Broncos got their return specialist late in the fourth round in Domenik Hixon.
Footnotes
Less than seven months after he suffered season-ending injuries in a multiple-car crash, Broncos guard Dwayne Carswell was participating in camp. "I did not think that would be possible after watching him the last couple months," Shanahan said. "He has a big passion for the game." ... Until he can negotiate for his former No. 84 with tight end Wesley Duke, who is playing in NFL Europe, newcomer Javon Walker has taken No. 19.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3830288
Absence of unhappy Lelie unexcused
By Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writer
Wide receiver Javon Walker (19) stretches with teammates before the Broncos' practice Tuesday. Walker wore No. 84 with the Packers, which tight end Wesley Duke has with Denver. (Post / Cyrus McCrimmon)
If Ashley Lelie were here, he might point out that by definition, there's no reason to fuss about his absence.
The Broncos are conducting what the NFL calls a voluntary official team activity the next two weeks at their Dove Valley training complex. Lelie, the Broncos' unhappy wide receiver, has voluntarily chosen to forfeit a $100,000 workout bonus by not participating.
Unofficially, the Broncos are calling this a quarterback camp and say they want everyone to attend. Only kickers, punters and NFL Europe participants are excused.
Lelie was the only unexcused player absent from the workout that technically did not require an excuse. Not that this stopped Broncos coach Mike Shanahan from sending his missing player a message.
"I just know it's hard to be the No. 1 wide receiver when you don't compete," Shanahan said.
There is hope Lelie's offseason protest will reach an amicable resolution by the time participation becomes mandatory in late July with the opening of training camp. His new agent, Denver-based Peter Schaffer, has spoken once in the past two weeks to Shanahan and general manager Ted Sundquist.
Schaffer will try to facilitate a trade, most likely for a conditional 2007 draft pick. The other option is for the Broncos to conclude they are better off waiting out Lelie than letting him play elsewhere for what little they could get in return.
During the NFL draft last month, the Broncos offered Lelie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
to the Houston Texans and his former offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak in return for the first pick in the fourth round.
What might have been
Before the draft, the Broncos were targeting Devin Hester, a return specialist from Miami, with their 61st or 68th pick. Hester was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 57th pick.
The Broncos had hoped Hester would slide because he's considered a pure return specialist and he missed much of his junior year with nagging injuries.
The Broncos got their return specialist late in the fourth round in Domenik Hixon.
Footnotes
Less than seven months after he suffered season-ending injuries in a multiple-car crash, Broncos guard Dwayne Carswell was participating in camp. "I did not think that would be possible after watching him the last couple months," Shanahan said. "He has a big passion for the game." ... Until he can negotiate for his former No. 84 with tight end Wesley Duke, who is playing in NFL Europe, newcomer Javon Walker has taken No. 19.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3830288