Is Champ worth a cap hit of approx $12.5m in 2008?

[eddie mac]

Cos that's approx what he'll be on the books for come next season.

Champ turned $4.78m of 2007 base salary into a signing bonus which prorates through the final 3 years of his deal to 2010 thus that's his new whopping figure for 2008 (includes a base salary of $7.5m).

Whilst there's no doubt this guy is the best player to wear the Denver uniform for a while is one player really worth over 1/10 of a team's cap room???

Here's some more approx cap hits for Broncos in 2008.

Champ Bailey $12.5m-base $7.5m
Matt Lepsis $7.1m-base $4.5m
Ian Gold $4.9m-base $2.75m
Dre Bly $4.8m-base $1.0m
Javon Walker $4.2m-base $2.1m
Tom Nalen $4.1m-base $1.9m
Dan Graham $4.0m-base $700k (additional $5m option bonus kicks in in 2008 which is already prorated)
John Lynch $4.0m-base $2.0m
Ben Hamilton $3.6m-base 2.81m
Rod Smith $3.5m-base 1.5m (contract is guaranteed no matter whether he returns or not)
Patrick Ramsey $3.45m-base $700k ($2m option/roster bonus due in 2008)
Travis Henry $3.4m-base $730k
Jay Cutler $3.2m-base $648k
DJ Williams $2.35m-base $850k
Alvin McKinley $2.0m-base $1.33m
John Engelberger $1.6m-base $1.33m (There's a good chance John's deal voids saving the team his base salary)
Jarvis Moss $1.5m-base $370k
Warrick Holdman $1.5m-base $1.0m


Every other player's cap hit should be below the $1m mark unless their base salary gets upgraded via the performance system the NFL operates.

Here's the poorly paid contributors

Elvis Dumervil $545k
Brandon Marshall $550k
Tony Scheffler $695k
Chris Kuper $485k
Marcus Thomas $475k
Selvin Young $370k
Andre Hall $370k

The Broncos have approx $7-$8m of dead cap room on the books for 2008 (Al Wilson and Gerard Warren)

They also should have somewhere around $20m mark in free cap space with 47 players under contract (currently between $96m-$97m) without touching any of these deals

[Broncosfreak_56]

Lepsis and gold need pay cuts, Brandon and Doom need new contracts yesterday.

[CHANGSTER]

Yep.

[orinjkrush]

man, somebody could have lots of fun algebraically modeling the churn in the salaries over time. watch em go up to the point of release, then watch em bounce around in FA.

[HEAV]

Is Champ worth a cap hit of approx $12.5m in 2008?

YES

[bpc]

Champ Bailey $12.5m
Matt Lepsis $7.1m
Ian Gold $4.9m
Dre Bly $4.8m
Javon Walker $4.2m
Tom Nalen $4.1m
Dan Graham $4.0m
John Lynch $4.0m
Ben Hamilton $3.6m
Rod Smith $3.5m
Patrick Ramsey $3.45m
Travis Henry $3.4m
Jay Cutler $3.2m
DJ Williams $2.35m
Alvin McKinley $2.0m
John Engelberger $1.6m
Jarvis Moss $1.5m
Warrick Holdman $1.5m


The Broncos have approx $7-$8m of dead cap room on the books for 2008 (Al Wilson and Gerard Warren)

Champ Bailey $12.5m - He'll redo his deal to get a better team around him. No doubt about this. He'll get his scratch from Denver, but he'll help us out too.
Matt Lepsis $7.1m - This number is laughable. This guy hasn't played up to 1/7th of that amount for this next year. Lepsis might not be here next season folks and all of you doubting OT as a big need should look at this as a huge problem for us.
Ian Gold $4.9m - Renegotiate or cut him completely. I don't care.
Dre Bly $4.8m - Overpaid but if we put a good line in front of him...
Javon Walker $4.2m - Scary proposition about what we are on the books for over the next 5 years with him IF he doesn't heal.
Tom Nalen $4.1m - Has the talent... healthy is much in question.
Dan Graham $4.0m - I still think he is better than most of us think. He's had to stay in and block though... our OT's are so poor.
John Lynch $4.0m - He'll renegotiate. Career is really winding down.
Ben Hamilton $3.6m - He's in the same boat with Nalen and Lepsis. Will he be here next year. His career is much in doubt.
Rod Smith $3.5m - ??? Doubt he plays.
Patrick Ramsey $3.45m - This number is spectacular.
Travis Henry $3.4m - Don't even feel like talking about this one but we are stuck with him.
Jay Cutler $3.2m - Worth it and more. We should spend some money to keep him upright.
DJ Williams $2.35m
Alvin McKinley $2.0m - I didn't know we spent this much money on him. He can help us. I don't know if he is worth 2 mill though.
John Engelberger $1.6m - LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!
Jarvis Moss $1.5m - I'm nervous about where he goes from here.
Warrick Holdman $1.5m - Pretty safe to assume he'll be off the books after this year.

[rbackfactory80]

Whether he deserves it and if hes worth it are very different questions. No doubt he has had a down year. His past few have been excellent. He deserves the money if he stays with Denver, but if I am Denver I am exploring all my options. If he stays he over achieved the last three years and cause of one less then stellar year you can't cut his pay, of course unless he wants to make his money more cap friendly.

[mattob14]

You know, seeing these numbers actually makes me feel a little better about our current cap situation. Guys like Holdman, Gold, Lepsis, Nalen, and Hamilton have done next to nothing this year and could be good for an extra $12 million or so in cap space.

bpc, if we did clear out most/all of the salaries listed above, I'm starting to like your idea of bringing in Jordan Gross. He'd certainly give us more next year than Lepsis/Nalen/Hamilton have and we'd still save money after releasing those three. The only thing that worries me is the lack of a veteran leader along that line then.

[Hawaii_Guy]

Champ is worth twice what he is going to make. He is a team leader and a player that will do everything to win. He is another Rod, Eddie, Elway, TD, Nalen... He will not put on another jersey other then the Broncos one he sports now.

[llayne]

I'm sure it has been explined by what happen to cap numbers if players are injured and can't play like Hamiton? How much of a cap hit do we take with Lepsis if he won't redo the contract? We can't be paying him that much money at his playing level.

[Sassy]

Yes!

[Orange_Beard]

yes

[bpc]

We should sign Gross, tender Myers, and draft Otah.

We totally remade our line into a quality one is just one offseason.

Lepsis, Nalen, and Hamilton have to understand their worth to our team this year and in the future. I'm scared for Hamilton and his future. Brain issues should not be taken light. Nalen i'm sure could come back and be solid but his career is winding down. Lepsis is just a shell of the guy that we paid a whole lot of money for just a couple of seasons ago. I'm not sure if he is fully recovered from his knee injury but he is old already. We need to propose a revised contract to him and if he goes for it, then we'll bring him back and let him compete. If not, we'll cut him. Either way we need to bring in Gross and draft and offensive tackle in this draft. That is not an option to me. Our first priority this offseason should be to find some quality blockers to keep Cutler upright.

Think Derek Anderson... it makes a world of difference to have a pocket to throw from as a young QB.

[SpringStein]

Yep.

The only one on the first list that is more qualified to be getting mucho more is Cutler - and that's cause he is on his rookie deal.

[Dukes]

Yes, but it would be great if he'd take a paycut

[lex]

Its funny someone should bring this up. The more Ive thought about this, the more I think the time is now to trade him. I know its not an idea popular with some but when you look at all factors, I think its the best move. It sucks. I feel like weve let him down but I think the value wed get from trading him would put us closer to winning again.

[rugbythug]

When was the last time Denver had a problem with the salary cap?

[broncofan2438]

Its funny someone should bring this up. The more Ive thought about this, the more I think the time is now to trade him. I know its not an idea popular with some but when you look at all factors, I think its the best move. It sucks. I feel like weve let him down but I think the value wed get from trading him would put us closer to winning again.

NO

[eddie mac]

Its funny someone should bring this up. The more Ive thought about this, the more I think the time is now to trade him. I know its not an idea popular with some but when you look at all factors, I think its the best move. It sucks. I feel like weve let him down but I think the value wed get from trading him would put us closer to winning again.

He'd cost more to trade than keeping him. Champ has a lot of outstanding bonus money. Anywhere between $13m-$15m

[CHANGSTER]

Its funny someone should bring this up. The more Ive thought about this, the more I think the time is now to trade him. I know its not an idea popular with some but when you look at all factors, I think its the best move. It sucks. I feel like weve let him down but I think the value wed get from trading him would put us closer to winning again.

No. That'll just take our defense from worst in the league to worst in history.

[CHANGSTER]

Btw. How did we go from "should we redo Champs deal cause of Clements deal" in the off season to is Champ worth what he's getting now?

[NFLBRONCO]

Redo Champ will want more money if anything.

[OrangeShadow]

yes.

[cutthemdown]

I think Lepsis is done as a Bronco.

[Northman]

He'd cost more to trade than keeping him. Champ has a lot of outstanding bonus money. Anywhere between $13m-$15m

Yea, this is the second time someone has brought this up. I dont know the specifics of his contract but if its more damaging to try and trade him i wouldnt do it. Some people are getting caught up in this "ideal" to try and trade Champ for draft picks and players but if it isnt cap friendly we should let it stay the way it is. Just try and get Champ to rework his contract and keep him longer.

[theAPAOps5]

Is gravitational pull necessary for the success of our daily lives? Rhetorical question just as this question is.

[peacepipe]

Its funny someone should bring this up. The more Ive thought about this, the more I think the time is now to trade him. I know its not an idea popular with some but when you look at all factors, I think its the best move. It sucks. I feel like weve let him down but I think the value wed get from trading him would put us closer to winning again.So you're willing to trade a great player for some "what ifs"? Trades like that never work out.

[24champ]

Its funny someone should bring this up. The more Ive thought about this, the more I think the time is now to trade him. I know its not an idea popular with some but when you look at all factors, I think its the best move. It sucks. I feel like weve let him down but I think the value wed get from trading him would put us closer to winning again.


http://a1259.g.akamai.net/f/1259/5586/5d/images.art.com/images/-/Bowl-of-Stupid--C11749983.jpeg

[Paladin]

Is gravitational pull necessary for the success of our daily lives? Rhetorical question just as this question is.

Nah. Ya just need more weight.

[TDmvp]

http://a1259.g.akamai.net/f/1259/5586/5d/images.art.com/images/-/Bowl-of-Stupid--C11749983.jpeg

Hilarious! rep
post of the day

[BlaK-Argentina]

http://a1259.g.akamai.net/f/1259/5586/5d/images.art.com/images/-/Bowl-of-Stupid--C11749983.jpeg

:rofl: :thumbs:

Great as always 24.

If Champ is not wearing a Denver jersey in the last game of his career I'll be pissed.

[PaintballCLE]

just think if we had a d-line and linebackers who could stop the run on their own........no one would be able to throw on us if we had the corners focusing on covering the recievers instead of looking back to see if they need run help. Imagine if the safetys could stay back too..........we need dline and linebackers BAD!

[eddie mac]

http://a1259.g.akamai.net/f/1259/5586/5d/images.art.com/images/-/Bowl-of-Stupid--C11749983.jpeg

That was hilariousHilarious!

[NFLBRONCO]

So everybody has ideas what to do or not do to make this team better. The key is what will Denver actually do is the question.

What moves do you think Denver needs to make to become a legit yearly SB contender that wins 11 games +. Win a SB in the next 5 years of Champs prime.

[521 1N5]

Yes

[lex]

So you're willing to trade a great player for some "what ifs"? Trades like that never work out.

We need to work on our running game. With cornerbacks there is a window of relevance that is dictated by the quality of the front 7. If the front 7 is horrid as were seeing this year, a great CB like Champ isnt even able to really contribute. Conversely, if the defensive front 7 is domninant, they can hide bad CBs and make good ones look great. So there is a window of relevance there. Most defenses fall in that window however. But then you also have to worrry about your worst cover guy on the field, especially against elite QBs. But then too, against the elite QBs its really about getting pressure. It just seems like we're wasting him. And it seems like trading him would give us the flexibilty to improve in a variety of ways. Plus the teams who could really use them are picking in a good spot. Plus this is a weak year for CBs in the draft so his value will be higher than if we wait. Plus its not like our division has these stalwart passing games...its at the feet of the front 7. Champ is more useful to teams in the AFC East and also to Dallas.

[elsid13]

You don't trade the best defense player in league for an "if". The other ways to improve without trading away a leader and HOF.

[rovolution]

We need to work on our running game. With cornerbacks there is a window of relevance that is dictated by the quality of the front 7. If the front 7 is horrid as were seeing this year, a great CB like Champ isnt even able to really contribute. Conversely, if the defensive front 7 is domninant, they can hide bad CBs and make good ones look great. So there is a window of relevance there. Most defenses fall in that window however. But then you also have to worrry about your worst cover guy on the field, especially against elite QBs. But then too, against the elite QBs its really about getting pressure. It just seems like we're wasting him. And it seems like trading him would give us the flexibilty to improve in a variety of ways. Plus the teams who could really use them are picking in a good spot. Plus this is a weak year for CBs in the draft so his value will be higher than if we wait. Plus its not like our division has these stalwart passing games...its at the feet of the front 7. Champ is more useful to teams in the AFC East and also to Dallas.

the thing is we dont have Jimmy Johnson(one of the greatest talent evaluators in NFL History) making draft selections for us, so your proposed Hershel Walker-esque deal has an equal chance of coming back and biting us in the ass.

[NFLBRONCO]

You don't trade the best defense player in league for an "if". The other ways to improve without trading away a leader and HOF.

Even IF no SB's our serious playoff runs happens in next 5 years. I see your point though? I was just asking is all.

[lex]

the thing is we dont have Jimmy Johnson(one of the greatest talent evaluators in NFL History) making draft selections for us, so your proposed Hershel Walker-esque deal has an equal chance of coming back and biting us in the ass.

How is that any different than where we are now? We have a ton of draft picks invested in the defensive line that we are hoping comes through for us. If they dont, Champ will remain outside of that window of relevance. Plus our future success rests on how well we do in this draft whether thats more/and better picks or with less because we hang on to Champ.

[mattob14]

So everybody has ideas what to do or not do to make this team better. The key is what will Denver actually do is the question.

What moves do you think Denver needs to make to become a legit yearly SB contender that wins 11 games +. Win a SB in the next 5 years of Champs prime.

Nothing new here, but Oline and defensive front 7. Sign Corey Williams, draft an OT in round 1, then grab a LB in round 2 (there's great depth there this year). If we could get into position to take Beau Bell or Dan Connor in round 2 and move DJ to Will, the front seven would be adequate (especially with Williams in the middle of the line) and still improving. With another OT, the Oline is looking decent. bpc is advocating signing Jordan Gross, which would be fine if we cut Lepsis. I'm just afraid he'll cost too much. Of course, even if he gets $6 million/year, cutting Lepsis would make that a net of about $2 million. I'll guarantee we would get $2 million worth of production in that move.

[Drek]

How is that any different than where we are now? We have a ton of draft picks invested in the defensive line that we are hoping comes through for us. If they dont, Champ will remain outside of that window of relevance. Plus our future success rests on how well we do in this draft whether thats more/and better picks or with less because we hang on to Champ.

Hershel Walker was an overrated pro player in his prime, with no reason to believe he'd even have a significantly long NFL career after spending a few seasons bumping around the USFL.

Champ has only two comparable players in recent history (valid because medicine and training has advanced significantly since the old leather helmet days). Deion Sanders and Daryl Green. Both were still productive players into their 40's. Champ is more athletically gifted than Green and he's a more all around player than Deion.

To project him in anything short of a 10 year window is ignoring the reality of the player he is. He'll be a top 3 corner for the next 5-7 years minimum, a top 10 corner for at least 3-5 years after that, and if he still wants to play he could move to safety and pro bowl from there for another 3-5 years.

Worst case scenario he's got 11 years of well above average value for us. Assuming we actually get a strong side linebacker who doesn't blow and some help on the front line and that could easily turn into 15. He's that damn rare of a talent. Why in the world would we want to ship him out for potential?

The NFL is all about teams turning on a dime. I don't see any reason to think that this Broncos team needs to tear down and rebuild, which is exactly what you're saying if you want to trade Champ.

As for the contract situation for next year, my thoughts.

Hamilton and Nails are an either/or proposition. I think it'll be Nails staying. Hamilton's injury is scary, he's an easier cap cut, and Nalen is a more versatile player without as many replacement options. Kuper, Myers, and Holland leave us pretty set at OG as it is.

Gold is gone, his contract was pretty much designed for this eventuality (him losing a step). He'll probably catch on somewhere as a lesser contributor in a tampa 2 defense.

Lepsis is probably going to be asked to take a pay cut. If he refuses its probably goodbye with OT becoming a draft priority. That scares me because even though Lepsis has been playing sub par this year and I think Pears is a better fit on the left side it'd leave us with Ryan Harris and an unknown rookie holding down the fort at RT. Not a lot of on field experience there. Maybe Kuper takes time at RT and bails us out though if it goes badly.

Stokley needs to be resigned, but I don't think it'll cost much, we just need to show him a multi-year commitment. If the medical staff has serious questions about Javon he'll be cut but I don't think that'll happen, not if they're still talking about getting him back this year. We won't drop him because of the perceived risk either though, Shanahan knows that he's got a dynamic league leading offense on his hands if we can just stay healthy.

In fact, that extends to Henry and Graham. Both are big parts of what Shanahan has in mind for this offense. Henry is just a stop gap while we determine who is better out of Hall and Young (I'm betting Young, he blocks better and has more power running the ball). Its three years and bye Travis, right when he's basically breaking down for good (another well designed contract that lets us walk when the player projects to lose it). Graham is worth his price because he covers Scheffler's inabilities as a blocker, significantly helps the running game, and is an above average receiving threat.

I personally love McKinley's deal. 4 years at $2M per. Thats chump change in today's NFL. When he starts to lose it we can also walk away with almost no cap hit. I think Engelberger is a dead man walking though. He hasn't done a whole lot to earn a spot on the team next year. Doubt he's released during the off-season but I'd be surprised if he makes it through camp.

I'd expect to see us to be looking at $25M+ come the free agent season with around 40-43 guys still on the team. Hopefully the FO is smart and earmarks the biggest portions of that to lock up Corey Williams and Boss Bailey. The former could be a bank buster but is worth the risk. He knows Bates' system and obviously excels in it. The later will probably take a pretty friendly deal as long as we show him some long term money and let him play in front of Champ ever down. We need it too because as of now we don't have a single starting quality LB for nickel downs.

We get those two the defensive makeover becomes much easier, just get an answer to DJ's situation and some beef to shore up the interior DL and we're good to go.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Is Champ worth a cap hit of approx $12.5m in 2008?

http://www.xs4all.nl/~egbg/english/images/yes.jpg

[ColoradoDarin]

Can we move Dan "bricks for hands" Graham to LT and cut Lepsis?

[Beantown Bronco]

To project him in anything short of a 10 year window is ignoring the reality of the player he is. He'll be a top 3 corner for the next 5-7 years minimum, a top 10 corner for at least 3-5 years after that, and if he still wants to play he could move to safety and pro bowl from there for another 3-5 years.

I've got Ricky Williams on the phone. He wants to know the name of your supplier.

I love Champ and all, but this flurry is a little on the crazy side IMO.

Stokley needs to be resigned, but I don't think it'll cost much, we just need to show him a multi-year commitment.

I know at least one person who missed today's news (not to mention the thread that hasn't left page one).

[bpc]

I think Lepsis is done as a Bronco.

He's had a horrible year. Between his play and Pears, we are lucky Cutler is still on the field.

We need to rectify this quickly.

[crazyhorse]

This thread was only a matter of time.

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?p=1401223#post1401223

[ColoradoDarin]

This thread was only a matter of time.

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?p=1401223#post1401223

Except for us having that $20MM in free cap space next year? I think I know who had seconds of the Bowl of Stupid this morning.

[crazyhorse]

Except for us having that $20MM in free cap space next year? I think I know who had seconds of the Bowl of Stupid this morning.

What does that have to do with Bailey and the finacial drain on your cap?

[PRBronco]

**** yes he is.

[Ratboy]

Yes. Champ is worth any money we give him.

[Drek]

I've got Ricky Williams on the phone. He wants to know the name of your supplier.

I love Champ and all, but this flurry is a little on the crazy side IMO.
Why?

Comparable players are the best projection method for baseball players and their career paths, why wouldn't it make sense to apply that model to football players?

Simple questions. Is Champ the greatest athlete to play CB in recent history? Did advances in modern medicine and training allow both Green and Deion, the later even taking breaks as a commentator, to be productive above average players in their early 40's? Is there anything either of those guys could do that Champ can't?

The only thing stopping Champ from still being a viable starter at 40 is a significant injury that causes him to lose speed, strength, or agility. Short of some external force robbing him of his health Champ, with his natural gifts, work ethic, and incredible training available will be able to cheat father time like no football player before him. He plays a fairly low contact position if we had a decent sam in front of him, so the threat of catastrophic injury is lower than most.

Its reality. If Champ wants he can easily play into his late 30's/early 40's. Mid 30's isn't even a question.



I know at least one person who missed today's news (not to mention the thread that hasn't left page one).
Its cool we got him extended, not surprised I missed it though, I poke my head in here less and less lately because all the chicken littles suck the enjoyment out of talking Broncos football. Its like someone has been taking a big **** in their cheerios every sunday this season and all they can think to do about it is cry on here with over the top melodrama. I don't need to waste my time reading that.

[FrontRowSeat1]

I know ChampLove runs deep but fact is he is probably already in decline and no, we should find someone who wants him.

[elsid13]

Even IF no SB's our serious playoff runs happens in next 5 years. I see your point though? I was just asking is all.

See, unlike some on this board I wouldn't be surprised that Denver turn it around very quickly and become a force once again in the league. IMO there are two things missing on this teams that hurt this season- lack of chemistry and a player(s) that have nasty nasty attitude. The chemistry is due to new guys and injuries - starting of 4 new offense lineman is big deal.

You keep Champ because he is difference maker and add to them. To be successfully in NFL you need a difference maker on each level of the defense. We have one emerging in Doom on DL, we have Champ in Back Field and we're missing one in LB Corp. Maybe DJ become that player have a year in the system or we need to go get one.

[Northman]

See, unlike some on this board I wouldn't be surprised that Denver turn it around very quickly and become a force once again in the league. IMO there are two things missing on this teams that hurt this season- lack of chemistry and a player(s) that have nasty nasty attitude. The chemistry is due to new guys and injuries - starting of 4 new offense lineman is big deal.

You keep Champ because he is difference maker and add to them. To be successfully in NFL you need a difference maker on each level of the defense. We have one emerging in Doom on DL, we have Champ in Back Field and we're missing one in LB Corp. Maybe DJ become that player have a year in the system or we need to go get one.


REP


Reminds me of people who were wanting to trade John. In the end we got our Super Bowl and we will again you just keep chipping away until you find the right mix. But you dont trade away your best players to make that mix.

[elsid13]

This thread was only a matter of time.

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?p=1401223#post1401223

Proof positive why you don't trade away Champ. Crackhorse thinks it good idea

[Dedhed]

I think Lepsis is done as a Bronco.

I hope so. Pears outplayed him on the left side last year.

[TDmvp]

I know ChampLove runs deep but fact is he is probably already in decline and no, we should find someone who wants him.

100 post rule .....
you all that think we should get rid of him must be a little slow or something ,
best cb in game , all heart , and a leader .... you morons are prob the same guys that wanted elway traded to the skins when we got maddox


can we maybe move this to the butt .... cuz this threads stupid in general...

[lex]

100 post rule .....
you all that think we should get rid of him must be a little slow or something ,
best cb in game , all heart , and a leader .... you morons are prob the same guys that wanted elway traded to the skins when we got maddox


can we maybe move this to the butt .... cuz this threads stupid in general...


No, whats stupid is this red herring that people keep bringing up in the form of comparing this to trading Elway.

[TDmvp]

No, whats stupid is this red herring that people keep bringing up in the form of comparing this to trading Elway.

650
post rule ...

[400HZ]

It's worth noting that Champ has taken a lot more hits than Deion did during his career due to Deion's lack of involvement in run support and the fact that he usually skipped training camp. Deion's decline began after 1998 following his 10th season.

[elsid13]

It's worth noting that Champ has taken a lot more hits than Deion did during his career due to Deion's lack of involvement in run support and the fact that he usually skipped training camp. Deion's decline began after 1998 following his 10th season.

different body types. Champ has more in common with Woodson then Deon in physical stand point

[rovolution]

It's worth noting that Champ has taken a lot more hits than Deion did during his career due to Deion's lack of involvement in run support and the fact that he usually skipped training camp. Deion's decline began after 1998 following his 10th season.

Deion played professional baseball as well.

[TDmvp]

the thread that wont die

[400HZ]

Deion played professional baseball as well.

Baseball is almost as physical as bowling.

[Triplelefthook]

champ is having a down year as a DB and he is still the best tackling LB on our team.

the answer is yes. and just wait until next year when he bounces back

[Broncos4Life]

Cos that's approx what he'll be on the books for come next season.

Champ turned $4.78m of 2007 base salary into a signing bonus which prorates through the final 3 years of his deal to 2010 thus that's his new whopping figure for 2008 (includes a base salary of $7.5m).

Whilst there's no doubt this guy is the best player to wear the Denver uniform for a while is one player really worth over 1/10 of a team's cap room???

Here's some more approx cap hits for Broncos in 2008.

Champ Bailey $12.5m-base $7.5m
Matt Lepsis $7.1m-base $4.5m
Ian Gold $4.9m-base $2.75m
Dre Bly $4.8m-base $1.0m
Javon Walker $4.2m-base $2.1m
Tom Nalen $4.1m-base $1.9m
Dan Graham $4.0m-base $700k (additional $5m option bonus kicks in in 2008 which is already prorated)
John Lynch $4.0m-base $2.0m
Ben Hamilton $3.6m-base 2.81m
Rod Smith $3.5m-base 1.5m (contract is guaranteed no matter whether he returns or not)
Patrick Ramsey $3.45m-base $700k ($2m option/roster bonus due in 2008)
Travis Henry $3.4m-base $730k
Jay Cutler $3.2m-base $648k
DJ Williams $2.35m-base $850k
Alvin McKinley $2.0m-base $1.33m
John Engelberger $1.6m-base $1.33m (There's a good chance John's deal voids saving the team his base salary)
Jarvis Moss $1.5m-base $370k
Warrick Holdman $1.5m-base $1.0m


Every other player's cap hit should be below the $1m mark unless their base salary gets upgraded via the performance system the NFL operates.

Here's the poorly paid contributors

Elvis Dumervil $545k
Brandon Marshall $550k
Tony Scheffler $695k
Chris Kuper $485k
Marcus Thomas $475k
Selvin Young $370k
Andre Hall $370k

The Broncos have approx $7-$8m of dead cap room on the books for 2008 (Al Wilson and Gerard Warren)

They also should have somewhere around $20m mark in free cap space with 47 players under contract (currently between $96m-$97m) without touching any of these deals

Come on man. Are you serious? Of course hes worth the cap hit. What a stupid question to ask.

[NYBronco]

Get rid of Henry and Sauerbum.

[DB_champ24]

Whoever thinks Champ is on decline and wants to trade him is a complete idiot...Hes the best player on the team..yaya hes not having his all pro season..Hes hurt and with how bad the run D is he has to come and help so he is unable to play like he played over the last two years..Did you guys see how champ played today when he didnt have to come and help the run every single play? He looked reallllllllly good

[eddie mac]

Come on man. Are you serious? Of course hes worth the cap hit. What a stupid question to ask.

Hardly a stupid question considering if a team wants to win it all it needs to spread the wealth about at all positions.

I'd put money on Champ having his deal adjusted again this season. It probably wont cost him a dime but we will rework those numbers again to free up more room or give him that much coveted extension.

[Garcia Bronco]

Yes Champ is worth the money

[TheDave]

Hardly a stupid question considering if a team wants to win it all it needs to spread the wealth about at all positions.

I'd put money on Champ having his deal adjusted again this season. It probably wont cost him a dime but we will rework those numbers again to free up more room or give him that much coveted extension.

He will... It might be in the teams best interest to add some years to his deal and spread the money out... again

[Popps]

No one has propped up Champ Bailey around here more than I have. He's the most complete football player we have by a mile.

That said, he obviously isn't worth that figure. He'll likely extend and restructure.

[baja]

No one has propped up Champ Bailey around here more than I have. He's the most complete football player we have by a mile.

That said, he obviously isn't worth that figure. <b>He'll likely extend and restructure.</b>

To me that is so obvious I wonder why this is even a thread.

[eddie mac]

</b>

To me that is so obvious I wonder why this is even a thread.

Not as obvious as you'd think considering his quotes when Clements got his deal. Also bear in mind when Champ signs any new deal about $15m in guarantees from his original deal are still outstanding and would need to be spread through any new deal plus he'll be looking more money than the $23.5m he's due in base salaries over the next 3 years and whatever else he's owed in roster/other bonuses.

We're talking one hell of a contract. He is worth it though. Just hope we can minimise the 1st couple of years hits like we did when he signed originally.