The Downside of the 2006 Draft Goldstrike: The Summer '10 Contracts Crisis

[SoCalBronco]

I was discussing this was Jens this evening over AIM. One thing we realized was that Marshall, Doom and Scheff are ALL RFA's in the same year. This discussion might be a little premature, but not too much: Each player has only 2 more seasons bfore they all become RFAs. This is a huge problem because I do not think any of them will give up their right to test the market, nor will DEN likely make a significant offer to any of them after this season (after all its just their 2nd year and for most of them, its essentially their first full year), so that really leaves only ONE offseason where anything can get done and that would be just one year before FA, so its not like we have alot of leverage whereby we'd still have them on the hook for several more years at peanuts if they didnt take an extension. The cap is increasing almost at 10% per season. Marshall is becoming a superstar, Scheffler is becoming a very capable recieving TE and we all know that the NFL really pays people who can sack the QB on a consistent basis, even if they have other flaws. If they are all RFAs at once, as you know, only one can get a first round tender, who do you give it to? What to do about the rest? You could franchise one of them, but as between a first round tender and a franchise tag together, you've blown alot of money in the short term (for one offseason) just to stablize the situation for ONE YEAR (this is true with the other high tenders as well, its just a bandaid). It's not a long term solution. The cap is rising like heck, what do you do here? I really doubt they'll sign early and give up the market...DEN would have to really sweeten the pot in exchange for that, which would lead to other problems....this isn't the Eagles, where they take advantage of their younger guys, they know they're developing into badasses, they're not going to fall for that.

The development of Moss might help to relieve the problem, as it relates to Doom, but if he doesnt, you still have a three headed monster of a problem. I really wish they were not each given 4 year deals, this is going to be a nightmare of a problem to deal with, DEN cannot win 3 big time bidding wars in the same offseason.

What do you do?

EDIT: The situation actually appears worse than I thought. Jens informs me that UFA also applies to four "accrued" years, so you dont necessarily have to have five years to qualify for UFA...in that case, we cant even use the tenders at all if he is right.

[DB_champ24]

I think you have to take the chance and give 1 or 2 of them a contract extensions after this year is over..I personally dont think its a huge risk to give them 1 or 2 of em extensions after this yr is over cuz theyre all hard workers and wanna be good...These 3 guys wanna win and they all seem to like Denver a lot

[Ratboy]

It's simple, Marshall and Dumervil will both be getting some nice paychecks this offseason. Bowlen will make sure of it.

[tsiguy96]

cut the veterans to keep them, they are the future of this team and i think all of them will lead this team for many years to come. most everyone else is expendable to some degree

[SoCalBronco]

It's simple, Marshall and Dumervil will both be getting some nice paychecks this offseason. Bowlen will make sure of it.

We're going to pay them both large $$$ (they won't accept less....they'd rather take the risk, I assume, since their upsides are so high) after just ONE season as a starter? That's mighty risky and very unlike this FO's style of doing business. I know it would solve the problem....but if they flatline, we're dead financially. It's a high risk maneuver that's out of character for this FO.

[vailitaliano319]

I think that TE are a little more expendable these days than a solid DE and an Up-and-coming WR... so I say extensions to doom and marshall and hold out for a little with scheff, let him test the market, Im sure he will find that Denver is the best fit for him (eg...Jeb Putzier)?

[Requiem]

You do what we always do, tell our good players to **** off and sign some piece of **** garbage from the ****ing street to come in and try and pick up the slack.

If it was me, I'd give a blank check to Tim Crowder.

[Jens1893]

EDIT: The situation actually appears worse than I thought. Jens informs me that UFA also applies to four "accrued" years, so you dont necessarily have to have five years to qualify for UFA...in that case, we cant even use the tenders at all if he is right.

Disclaimer: I googled all this **** and I am quite confused myself, so take it for what it´s worth. I got the players´ contract information from rotoworld and found this on google

Question 1.5
What qualifications must be met in order for a player to become an UFA as opposed to a RFA?

Answer: When a player with five or more accrued seasons (or with four or more accrued seasons in any Capped Year) reaches the end of his contract, he becomes an UFA. A RFA is any player with three or more accrued seasons, but less than five accrued seasons (or less than four accrued seasons in any capped year) whose contract has expired during that period.

Question 1.6
OK, so what is an "accrued season"?

Answer: A player is said to have an "accrued season", when he has participated in six or more regular-season games on a club's active/inactive, reserved-injured or "physically unable to perform" lists.

So I may just as well be wrong.

[vailitaliano319]

im more confused now than I have ever been with regard to FA and RFA's

[Jens1893]

However, the way I understand this is that you can only get a not accrued season if you hold out (or if there´s an uncapped year)

Brandon Marshall
7/26/2006: Signed a four-year contract. The deal included a $420,000 signing bonus. 2007: $360,000, 2008: $445,000, 2009: $530,000, 2010: Free Agent

Elvis Dumervil
7/26/2006: Signed a four-year contract. The deal included a $399,000 signing bonus. 2007: $360,000, 2008: $445,000, 2009: $530,000, 2010: Free Agent

Tony Scheffler
7/27/2006: Signed a four-year contract. The deal included a $1 million signing bonus. 2007: $360,000, 2008: $445,000, 2009: $530,000, 2010: Free Agent

What somehow makes matters worse is that they were all given 4-year contracts on the same. Maybe it was a little short sighted on our part, but who the hell expects 4 players from one draft to pan out anyway?

[Jens1893]

im more confused now than I have ever been with regard to FA and RFA's

We have been discussing this for past 90 minutes ... my head is spinning ....

[vailitaliano319]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/teamSalary?categoryId=67044

look at this link and you will be so suprised at who gets paid the most amount of money on all teams... the fing PANTHERS have the higest payroll for '07...

[Ratboy]

We're going to pay them both large $$$ (they won't accept less....they'd rather take the risk, I assume, since their upsides are so high) after just ONE season as a starter? That's mighty risky and very unlike this FO's style of doing business. I know it would solve the problem....but if they flatline, we're dead financially. It's a high risk maneuver that's out of character for this FO.

I'm not sure how they will want the cash, but we can pay them in the affordable range with high incentives.

[Kaylore]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/teamSalary?categoryId=67044

look at this link and you will be so suprised at who gets paid the most amount of money on all teams... the fing PANTHERS have the higest payroll for '07...

A lot of the higher salary players listed there won't be on the payroll next year. We should have some room to play with.

[Ratboy]

I think that TE are a little more expendable these days than a solid DE and an Up-and-coming WR... so I say extensions to doom and marshall and hold out for a little with scheff, let him test the market, Im sure he will find that Denver is the best fit for him (eg...Jeb Putzier)?

Bull****. You do not let Tony Scheffler test the market, you pay him when the time is right and make him happy. Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Tony Scheffler are a Trio you want to keep together for their entire career.

[Jens1893]

A lot of the higher salary players listed there won't be on the payroll next year. We should have some room to play with.

Some of the numbers there are way off. Stuff that counts against the cap and total payroll are 2 entirely different things anyway. People should be able to major in capology in college. :~ohyah!:

[Crushaholic]

You do what we always do, tell our good players to **** off and sign some piece of **** garbage from the ****ing street to come in and try and pick up the slack.

If it was me, I'd give a blank check to Tim Crowder.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Oh, you were serious?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Crowder has made some good plays, but not nearly enough to warrant a huge payday. However, I agree with the original premise of the thread. Dumervil, Marshall and Scheffler need to be in Denver for a very long time...

[HEAV]

I worry about Brandon getting big money.

I say pay Dummer. Need to keep the DE that can rush!

Scheff... I'm on the fence, he's got a thing with Jay-C, but not that great of a blocker.

[bpc]

This is still so far away its hard to even consider and lots of things need to happen in between.

What is going to happen with the contracts of Javon Walker, Travis Henry, Daniel Graham, Tom Nalen, Ben Hamilton and Ian Gold?

Javon - Long term health?

Henry - Is he going to be suspended this week?

Graham - Does anybody think he is worth what we paid?

Nalen - Given a contract extension last offseason... I think it was a four year deal. With his second season ending injury under his belt, does he come back?

Hamilton - Probably will be back but at a reduced pricetag for the next season? Headcases are tough and it sounds like had a pretty bad concussion.

Gold - He's played better recently but we have not gotten our money's worth from him. Time to go in a different direction.

I think in terms of the three free agents, we have to or would love to keep them all.

Brandon will most likely drum up the most interest. We could use the franchise or transition tag for him although we haven't really ever done that. I believe this is a special situation. He should get paid first.

I predict if FA hits, New England or Pittsburgh will be coming after him hard for their 3-4 defense at OLB. We shouldn't allow this to happen either.

[Atwater His Ass]

You pay Doom and Marshall. If it comes down to it, Scheff is expendable. Marshall and Doom will command the most money if they test the market, while I believe Scheffler won't get as much in offers (relative to his position).

We just can't afford to let Doom get away and Marshall is just too explosive on a team that has question marks at WR to get away.

Hey, but at least we are in a position that we have young talent that we need to re-sign. Means we are starting to draft better.

[boltaneer]

There were posters here that were posting similar things about how the Chargers will keep all their players from the 2004 or 2005 draft, etc. Teams will find a way to keep the players they can't afford to lose. I would imagine Denver will do what the Chargers have been doing and that's to extend a player or two every year.

Also, the salary cap will continue to rise (though so will salaries). I wouldn't worry too much about this.

What somehow makes matters worse is that they were all given 4-year contracts on the same. Maybe it was a little short sighted on our part, but who the hell expects 4 players from one draft to pan out anyway?

2006 was the year with the CBA problems, if I'm not mistaken. I think the maximum number of years a player could have been signed to a contract was five not six (usually first round picks). Most non-first round picks never get as lengthy of contracts so four years sounds about right.

[400HZ]

You also have to plan ahead for it, though. I don't know all the ins and outs of the Bronco's clubhouse, but I know they entered the previous offseason with minimal cap space and still spent a ton. You have to pay the piper for that eventually. It seems like there would be a lot of deadspace in the Bronco cap too with all the roster turnover.

[RunSilentRunDeep]

Give them all six-year deals after the season. Scheffler's ability is unique for a TE and you can't put a price on the chemistry he has with Jay. Most players will take less to put some millions in bank and start investing than go 2 years risking a career-ending injury for a bigger payday. I don't want to think what Marshall would command in 2010.

[Beantown Bronco]

The cap is fictional......I can't think of a single player the Broncos wanted to keep but didn't re-sign because of the cap.

[bowtown]

We should trade them all for cornerbacks.

[rovolution]

You also have to plan ahead for it, though. I don't know all the ins and outs of the Bronco's clubhouse, but I know they entered the previous offseason with minimal cap space and still spent a ton. You have to pay the piper for that eventually. It seems like there would be a lot of deadspace in the Bronco cap too with all the roster turnover.

your situation doesnt look so great either.


Merriman will want a Freeney deal, Rivers will want a Bulger/Romo deal, Castillo will want a massive deal, Cromartie looks like he will be a player worthy of a massive deal, you still have to cough up the $$$ to Hardwick, McNeil, after you already dolled out massive extensions to Phillips, Dielman, Jammer, Chambers still has his massive contract from his Miami days...

LT, Gates, and Jamal Williams have some of the largest deals in the league for their respective positions....




AJ Smith will have to make some tough decisions in the future.

[Requiem]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Oh, you were serious?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Crowder has made some good plays, but not nearly enough to warrant a huge payday. However, I agree with the original premise of the thread. Dumervil, Marshall and Scheffler need to be in Denver for a very long time...

No I wasn't serious. That my friend is sarcasm. Tim's doing well though. As I said from the get go. ^5 :~ohyah!:

[400HZ]

your situation doesnt look so great either.


Merriman will want a Freeney deal, Rivers will want a Bulger/Romo deal, Castillo will want a massive deal, Cromartie looks like he will be a player worthy of a massive deal, you still have to cough up the $$$ to Hardwick, McNeil, after you already dolled out massive extensions to Phillips, Dielman, Jammer, Chambers still has his massive contract from his Miami days...

LT, Gates, and Jamal Williams have some of the largest deals in the league for their respective positions....




AJ Smith will have to make some tough decisions in the future.

That's why the SD has been so quiet in free agency. We actually cleared a good chunk this year letting McCardell and Donnie Edwards walk. Our big contracts will be Merriman, Rivers, and probably McNeill if he overcomes his sophmore slump. Castillo is too injury prone to risk a big contract on. Jammer is is signed through 2012 and Hardwick is through 2011...not sure why we have to be worried about them right now. They both have sweet contracts that clear cap space as they progress, too. Coming up with the money for Cromartie could be tough if he keeps progressing like he is. Chambers' deal only has like $13 mil left on it that SD has to pay, so he's not a huge burden.

You are right that AJ Smith might have some tough decisions to make in the future, but he's made things easier for himself by making tough decisions regarding free agency and contracts sooner rather than later.

[DB_champ24]

your situation doesnt look so great either.


Merriman will want a Freeney deal, Rivers will want a Bulger/Romo deal, Castillo will want a massive deal, Cromartie looks like he will be a player worthy of a massive deal, you still have to cough up the $$$ to Hardwick, McNeil, after you already dolled out massive extensions to Phillips, Dielman, Jammer, Chambers still has his massive contract from his Miami days...

LT, Gates, and Jamal Williams have some of the largest deals in the league for their respective positions....


AJ Smith will have to make some tough decisions in the future.

Going off topic, but if I were the Chargers and Rivers demanded more money id let him walk pretty easily

[yavoon]

We're going to pay them both large $$$ (they won't accept less....they'd rather take the risk, I assume, since their upsides are so high) after just ONE season as a starter? That's mighty risky and very unlike this FO's style of doing business. I know it would solve the problem....but if they flatline, we're dead financially. It's a high risk maneuver that's out of character for this FO.

you could try the eagles strategy, offer large signing bonuses but more modest yearly salaries. on the theory that their financial futures are "secured" by the signing bonus.

[Needa Pass Rush]

Lots of compensatory picks coming our way!! WooHoo!!! Ha!

[boltaneer]

The Chargers are currently one of the best at managing the cap. I'm not worried about upcoming contracts.

Rivers will get a nice contract but I don't see it being in the Bulger/Romo range unless he starts lighting it up again.

Merriman will demand a huge contract but there's no way they're letting him go. Same with Castillo.

Gates I think will get his contract redone. He's one that deserves more. I think Chambers will re-do his contract to something more attractive to the team. Cromartie and Hardwick have plenty of years left on their contracts.

I think we'll be fine.

[MechanicalBull]

Trade them all for picks right SoCal? Ha!

[Atlas]

I was discussing this was Jens this evening over AIM. One thing we realized was that Marshall, Doom and Scheff are ALL RFA's in the same year. This discussion might be a little premature, but not too much: Each player has only 2 more seasons bfore they all become RFAs. This is a huge problem because I do not think any of them will give up their right to test the market, nor will DEN likely make a significant offer to any of them after this season (after all its just their 2nd year and for most of them, its essentially their first full year), so that really leaves only ONE offseason where anything can get done and that would be just one year before FA, so its not like we have alot of leverage whereby we'd still have them on the hook for several more years at peanuts if they didnt take an extension. The cap is increasing almost at 10% per season. Marshall is becoming a superstar, Scheffler is becoming a very capable recieving TE and we all know that the NFL really pays people who can sack the QB on a consistent basis, even if they have other flaws. If they are all RFAs at once, as you know, only one can get a first round tender, who do you give it to? What to do about the rest? You could franchise one of them, but as between a first round tender and a franchise tag together, you've blown alot of money in the short term (for one offseason) just to stablize the situation for ONE YEAR (this is true with the other high tenders as well, its just a bandaid). It's not a long term solution. The cap is rising like heck, what do you do here? I really doubt they'll sign early and give up the market...DEN would have to really sweeten the pot in exchange for that, which would lead to other problems....this isn't the Eagles, where they take advantage of their younger guys, they know they're developing into badasses, they're not going to fall for that.

The development of Moss might help to relieve the problem, as it relates to Doom, but if he doesnt, you still have a three headed monster of a problem. I really wish they were not each given 4 year deals, this is going to be a nightmare of a problem to deal with, DEN cannot win 3 big time bidding wars in the same offseason.

What do you do?

EDIT: The situation actually appears worse than I thought. Jens informs me that UFA also applies to four "accrued" years, so you dont necessarily have to have five years to qualify for UFA...in that case, we cant even use the tenders at all if he is right.

I think Dumerville is getting his money. Marshall is kind of a flame job that grates on Shanny, Sheffler will get whatever he deserves to stay in Denver. It's not like he is a top 10 TE or anything.

[theAPAOps5]

I disagree Atlas. I think Shanny has to pay to extend Marshall. He is starting to display game changer type stuff consistently. That and he looks like he loves to block. Any WR in a Shanahan system who actively looks to engage a block routinely is bound to be a Shanny guy.

[Xenos]

I was discussing this was Jens this evening over AIM. One thing we realized was that Marshall, Doom and Scheff are ALL RFA's in the same year. This discussion might be a little premature, but not too much: Each player has only 2 more seasons bfore they all become RFAs. This is a huge problem because I do not think any of them will give up their right to test the market, nor will DEN likely make a significant offer to any of them after this season (after all its just their 2nd year and for most of them, its essentially their first full year), so that really leaves only ONE offseason where anything can get done and that would be just one year before FA, so its not like we have alot of leverage whereby we'd still have them on the hook for several more years at peanuts if they didnt take an extension. The cap is increasing almost at 10% per season. Marshall is becoming a superstar, Scheffler is becoming a very capable recieving TE and we all know that the NFL really pays people who can sack the QB on a consistent basis, even if they have other flaws. If they are all RFAs at once, as you know, only one can get a first round tender, who do you give it to? What to do about the rest? You could franchise one of them, but as between a first round tender and a franchise tag together, you've blown alot of money in the short term (for one offseason) just to stablize the situation for ONE YEAR (this is true with the other high tenders as well, its just a bandaid). It's not a long term solution. The cap is rising like heck, what do you do here? I really doubt they'll sign early and give up the market...DEN would have to really sweeten the pot in exchange for that, which would lead to other problems....this isn't the Eagles, where they take advantage of their younger guys, they know they're developing into badasses, they're not going to fall for that.

The development of Moss might help to relieve the problem, as it relates to Doom, but if he doesnt, you still have a three headed monster of a problem. I really wish they were not each given 4 year deals, this is going to be a nightmare of a problem to deal with, DEN cannot win 3 big time bidding wars in the same offseason.

What do you do?

EDIT: The situation actually appears worse than I thought. Jens informs me that UFA also applies to four "accrued" years, so you dont necessarily have to have five years to qualify for UFA...in that case, we cant even use the tenders at all if he is right.
Actually there is a decent possibility that they will sign for less instead of waiting for FA. It all depends on whether they are willing to take the money now and have insurance against the risk of injury (ie. Scheffler), or they feel confident enough to wait for FA. It's how the Chargers were able to sign certain players for below market value like Nick Hardwick and Shaun Phillips.

If anything, I feel that the Broncos FO should sign at least one of them this offseason and take the gamble that they'll turn into a great player.

[cmhargrove]

Wow, maybe we should win a playoff game before we decide who is indispensible...

[Xenos]

your situation doesnt look so great either.


Merriman will want a Freeney deal, Rivers will want a Bulger/Romo deal, Castillo will want a massive deal, Cromartie looks like he will be a player worthy of a massive deal, you still have to cough up the $$$ to Hardwick, McNeil, after you already dolled out massive extensions to Phillips, Dielman, Jammer, Chambers still has his massive contract from his Miami days...

LT, Gates, and Jamal Williams have some of the largest deals in the league for their respective positions....




AJ Smith will have to make some tough decisions in the future.
Hardwick signed last offseason and will be here for another four years. I'm also pretty sure all of those players contracts were frontloaded with roster bonuses instead of signing bonuses.

For example, most of Jammer's cap hit should come off the books this offseason (2008). Most of Dielman's and Phillip's money is guaranteed in the first two years, so that cap hit should come off in 2009. Gates' and Jamal's guaranteed money should have already been take care of as well.

I don't know Chamber's deal or how much it affected us, but otherwise we're in pretty good cap shape.

[Xenos]

Going off topic, but if I were the Chargers and Rivers demanded more money id let him walk pretty easily

Well, we have until the end of 2010 to see what he can do.

[eddie mac]

The cap is fictional......I can't think of a single player the Broncos wanted to keep but didn't re-sign because of the cap.


Shannon Sharpe.

[eddie mac]

The Broncos very rarely address a long-standing contract until the existing one is close to expiring. It's just the way our Front Office works and unless Shanahan doesn't feel like spending any excess $$ he has this year on other team's free-agents (Who are we kidding?) then our guys who have 2 years left wont be seeing new numbers until 09 if they're even lucky at that point.

When's the last time we gave a draft pick an extended contract when he wasn't in his final year. Portis didn't even get one and in the end he was shipped out cos of his demands.

Plus the fact nowadays every player's dream is to test the market and get paid unless they're totally in love with their existing team.

Take this upcoming offseason as an example. We've heard nothing about the possibility of long-term extensions for Paymah/Abdullah/Foxworth or Myers yet they're all RFA's and at least 2 are starting at the moment, whilst the other 2 are getting regular playing time. The Broncos will scrimp and save whatever dollars they can by keeping all 4 on 1 year deals to free up more room to go after those 1-2 players Shanahan always feels can make us elite.

Those were Henry/Graham and Bly last year or so he thought.

[DenverBrit]

Shannon Sharpe.

Don't forget Bertrand Berry.

[eddie mac]

Don't forget Bertrand Berry.

Nowhere near as valuable as Sharpe was when he left plus Shanahan was always under the impression he could plug and play DE's. Remember where Berry came from. He was a FA who'd been out of football for a while after a stint at LB with the Colts.

[eddie mac]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/teamSalary?categoryId=67044

look at this link and you will be so suprised at who gets paid the most amount of money on all teams... the fing PANTHERS have the higest payroll for '07...

That's actually 06 Payroll and they've added the players contracts from 06 from their previous teams, i.e Stokley was on over $4m with the Colts in 06 ( He's only on $1m with us).
Fox are just a bunch of lazy b*stards, copied the payroll from USA Today and changed the year to 07.

[Inkana7]

Lots of compensatory picks coming our way!! WooHoo!!! Ha!

Ironically, we should be getting a fairly nice one from Michael Myers. He's become a starter down there in Cincy and makes a play or two a game.

[DenverBrit]

Nowhere near as valuable as Sharpe was when he left plus Shanahan was always under the impression he could plug and play DE's. Remember where Berry came from. He was a FA who'd been out of football for a while after a stint at LB with the Colts.

I thought you were responding to: "I can't think of a single player the Broncos wanted to keep but didn't re-sign because of the cap".
Shanahan has often said he would have liked to have kept Berry. Ariz structured the deal so that Denver couldn't match it because of the cap.

[eddie mac]

I was discussing this was Jens this evening over AIM. One thing we realized was that Marshall, Doom and Scheff are ALL RFA's in the same year. This discussion might be a little premature, but not too much: Each player has only 2 more seasons bfore they all become RFAs. This is a huge problem because I do not think any of them will give up their right to test the market, nor will DEN likely make a significant offer to any of them after this season (after all its just their 2nd year and for most of them, its essentially their first full year), so that really leaves only ONE offseason where anything can get done and that would be just one year before FA, so its not like we have alot of leverage whereby we'd still have them on the hook for several more years at peanuts if they didnt take an extension. The cap is increasing almost at 10% per season. Marshall is becoming a superstar, Scheffler is becoming a very capable recieving TE and we all know that the NFL really pays people who can sack the QB on a consistent basis, even if they have other flaws. If they are all RFAs at once, as you know, only one can get a first round tender, who do you give it to? What to do about the rest? You could franchise one of them, but as between a first round tender and a franchise tag together, you've blown alot of money in the short term (for one offseason) just to stablize the situation for ONE YEAR (this is true with the other high tenders as well, its just a bandaid). It's not a long term solution. The cap is rising like heck, what do you do here? I really doubt they'll sign early and give up the market...DEN would have to really sweeten the pot in exchange for that, which would lead to other problems....this isn't the Eagles, where they take advantage of their younger guys, they know they're developing into badasses, they're not going to fall for that.

The development of Moss might help to relieve the problem, as it relates to Doom, but if he doesnt, you still have a three headed monster of a problem. I really wish they were not each given 4 year deals, this is going to be a nightmare of a problem to deal with, DEN cannot win 3 big time bidding wars in the same offseason.

What do you do?

EDIT: The situation actually appears worse than I thought. Jens informs me that UFA also applies to four "accrued" years, so you dont necessarily have to have five years to qualify for UFA...in that case, we cant even use the tenders at all if he is right.

IMHO we should all be happy that we're starting to hit on draft picks because during the 3-4 year deals that they're on peanuts and still on the roster performing it's gives Shanahan more $$ to bring in better vets.

For seasons we had rosters full of vets/cast-offs from other teams. This is the beginning of a new generation of Bronco rosters crammed to the teeth with former draftees whom we actually selected ourselves and didn't pick up from other teams when they busted within their first 1-2 seasons.

With the cap increasing on an annual basis and the dumping of huge contracts such as Plummer's/Wilson's/Warren's etc we only have a few vets on the roster who are on huge money over the next 2-3 years such as Champ/Dre/Javon/Matt. There isn't a big contract on the D-Line and there wont be within the LB's if we cut Gold plus 2008 will be the first season in a long time where Mike wont have to alter players deals or dump them for cap room. The only players who'll be adjusted/cut this upcoming offseason will be the underperformers and the injury issued/retirees.

Believe me when I also say that neither Shanahan or Sundqvist are naive enough to let any of these players go if they continue to develop as they have done over the last 1-2 seasons. We will test the water with them in the offseason prior to hitting the market and if they wont re-sign they'll be traded. We dont give away diamonds for nothing.

[eddie mac]

Ironically, we should be getting a fairly nice one from Michael Myers. He's become a starter down there in Cincy and makes a play or two a game.

We'll be getting nothing next year. The first pointer for compensation has always been contract worth ($$ per year) and we had more incomings than outgoings in FA so comp picks are a non-starter for 08.

The only additional draft picks we may get next year will be if anyone picks up any of our RFA's and we've tendered them.

[eddie mac]

I thought you were responding to: "I can't think of a single player the Broncos wanted to keep but didn't re-sign because of the cap".
Shanahan has often said he would have liked to have kept Berry. Ariz structured the deal so that Denver couldn't match it because of the cap.

Just as well really cos he had 1 good year then caught the injury bug. Still has it as well.

[BlaK-Argentina]

I'd hate to see any of them leave, but if I had to choose it would be Scheff.

I want Marshall and Doom in Broncos uni's for life. And I LOVE Scheffler too... I don't want to think about this yet. The idea of any of the three in another uniform makes me sick.

[Drek]

What somehow makes matters worse is that they were all given 4-year contracts on the same. Maybe it was a little short sighted on our part, but who the hell expects 4 players from one draft to pan out anyway?

I'd disagree. The 4 year deals for all three basically let us buy out their RFA seasons for less than tendering them would've cost and without letting them talk to other teams.

If we gave them three year deals and went looking to extend them after '08 a lot of other teams could talk to them, giving them some idea what the market holds. As it stands now they have two options, take whatever extension we offer them after '08 may be or play for peanuts in '09 and go into the FA market with no idea what is actually awaiting them.

I think we'll let them play out '08 before starting contract talks with any of them. If their performance levels continue to improve as expected we extend them after three seasons.

The benefits to getting a payday sooner than later is pretty significant for all three of them. Not just because it protects against injury but also because $1M today is more valuable than $1M next year, or the year after that. The kind of money they'll get paid has earning power and every agent understands this. At the same time these three will be looking at '09 salaries below $700K, so getting that money and effectively getting on the clock as a real money earner a season before they otherwise would is a pretty big set of incentives (a five year deal in '08 makes them a free agent one season sooner than a 5 year deal in '09).

I wouldn't be surprised at all if we could get all three locked up long term (4+ years) for less than $30M in combined guarantees and an AAV under $12M combined. Its the power of an exclusive negotiation period.

[rugbythug]

Could not have been stated better

[BroncoMan4ever]

i honestly think that if by week 10 next season both Marshall and the King(Elvis) are both playing how they are right now, u discuss extensions with them and lock them up long term in new deals.
Also after nextseason if Scheff is living up to the potential he has you need to lock him up too, majority of the great passing teams in the league have a strong receiving TE
I think this offseason is too soon to talk long term with any of them, and with all the older guys here nearing the end, Rod, Nalen, Hamilton, Lepsis, Lynch, Gold, Henry(he is gone whether or not he wins his case), Walker(injury risk) money will be available to lock them up,

[BroncoMan4ever]

I'd disagree. The 4 year deals for all three basically let us buy out their RFA seasons for less than tendering them would've cost and without letting them talk to other teams.

If we gave them three year deals and went looking to extend them after '08 a lot of other teams could talk to them, giving them some idea what the market holds. As it stands now they have two options, take whatever extension we offer them after '08 may be or play for peanuts in '09 and go into the FA market with no idea what is actually awaiting them.

I think we'll let them play out '08 before starting contract talks with any of them. If their performance levels continue to improve as expected we extend them after three seasons.

The benefits to getting a payday sooner than later is pretty significant for all three of them. Not just because it protects against injury but also because $1M today is more valuable than $1M next year, or the year after that. The kind of money they'll get paid has earning power and every agent understands this. At the same time these three will be looking at '09 salaries below $700K, so getting that money and effectively getting on the clock as a real money earner a season before they otherwise would is a pretty big set of incentives (a five year deal in '08 makes them a free agent one season sooner than a 5 year deal in '09).

I wouldn't be surprised at all if we could get all three locked up long term (4+ years) for less than $30M in combined guarantees and an AAV under $12M combined. Its the power of an exclusive negotiation period.

Damn dude, i know football but my god man u got the financial side of the game down too.
Ur name wouldn't happen to be Ted Sundquist would it?

[Xenos]

I'd disagree. The 4 year deals for all three basically let us buy out their RFA seasons for less than tendering them would've cost and without letting them talk to other teams.

If we gave them three year deals and went looking to extend them after '08 a lot of other teams could talk to them, giving them some idea what the market holds. As it stands now they have two options, take whatever extension we offer them after '08 may be or play for peanuts in '09 and go into the FA market with no idea what is actually awaiting them.

I think we'll let them play out '08 before starting contract talks with any of them. If their performance levels continue to improve as expected we extend them after three seasons.

The benefits to getting a payday sooner than later is pretty significant for all three of them. Not just because it protects against injury but also because $1M today is more valuable than $1M next year, or the year after that. The kind of money they'll get paid has earning power and every agent understands this. At the same time these three will be looking at '09 salaries below $700K, so getting that money and effectively getting on the clock as a real money earner a season before they otherwise would is a pretty big set of incentives (a five year deal in '08 makes them a free agent one season sooner than a 5 year deal in '09).

I wouldn't be surprised at all if we could get all three locked up long term (4+ years) for less than $30M in combined guarantees and an AAV under $12M combined. Its the power of an exclusive negotiation period.

Glad to see a fellow finance guy in this forum. lol

[Beantown Bronco]

I thought you were responding to: "I can't think of a single player the Broncos wanted to keep but didn't re-sign because of the cap".
Shanahan has often said he would have liked to have kept Berry. Ariz structured the deal so that Denver couldn't match it because of the cap.

I thought of both of those guys when I made the statement and I'll stand by it. I don't think either of those guys was truly let go because of the cap. They received offers that were viewed as "above market value" for what they were producing. They can't blame the cap when they could've gone to a number of players to either restructure or outright cut if they really wanted to keep them. Shanny thought he had some young, cheap TEs that could replace Sharpe and he didn't think Berry was worth the $ he was offered. Plain and simple.

[~Crash~]

Bull****. You do not let Tony Scheffler test the market, you pay him when the time is right and make him happy. Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Tony Scheffler are a Trio you want to keep together for their entire career.

Add Sevin Young to that list !!!!!!!!!!!:thumbsup:

[Drek]

Glad to see a fellow finance guy in this forum. lol Yeah, I didn't realize that knowing how to make a little profit off your savings made you a financial wizard.

With the salaries NFL players on a post-draft contract pull down they should be making six figures minimum from their investments annually. If not they need to hire a money manager or get a better one.

I thought of both of those guys when I made the statement and I'll stand by it. I don't think either of those guys was truly let go because of the cap. They received offers that were viewed as "above market value" for what they were producing. They can't blame the cap when they could've gone to a number of players to either restructure or outright cut if they really wanted to keep them. Shanny thought he had some young, cheap TEs that could replace Sharpe and he didn't think Berry was worth the $ he was offered. Plain and simple.

The problem with the Berry signing is that he got so much guaranteed/upfront. Its not that he wasn't wanted back, or that we couldn't afford the costs of resigning him, its that giving him the kind of up front money AZ forked over was 1. totally ridiculous and 2. not financially doable for us in that one particular year.

You can manage the cap pretty damn well and do whatever you want as long as you go into the off-season knowing where you're going. I think Shanny had the best intentions of keeping Berry, but then another (more desperate) team got involved and threw his market price out of whack with an early form of a poison pill.

[Xenos]

Yeah, I didn't realize that knowing how to make a little profit off your savings made you a financial wizard.

With the salaries NFL players on a post-draft contract pull down they should be making six figures minimum from their investments annually. If not they need to hire a money manager or get a better one.



The problem with the Berry signing is that he got so much guaranteed/upfront. Its not that he wasn't wanted back, or that we couldn't afford the costs of resigning him, its that giving him the kind of up front money AZ forked over was 1. totally ridiculous and 2. not financially doable for us in that one particular year.

You can manage the cap pretty damn well and do whatever you want as long as you go into the off-season knowing where you're going. I think Shanny had the best intentions of keeping Berry, but then another (more desperate) team got involved and threw his market price out of whack with an early form of a poison pill.

Oh it's just a little stupid joke. It's basically the first thing that they drill in your head in basic finance. That and the fact that there is a risk/return tradeoff with money and investment, which is also another duh concept.