Broncos restructure contract of Travis Henry

[montrose]

Henry returning with redone deal
Running back accepts revised contract after rough first season with Broncos
By Bill Williamson
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 02/21/2008 12:45:15 AM MST

INDIANAPOLIS — The Broncos answered one of their biggest offseason questions by agreeing with embattled running back Travis Henry on a restructured contract that will keep him in Denver.

The new deal gives Henry the opportunity to atone for a miserable first year in Denver. His agent said that was the primary reason for Henry's return.

"Travis wants to make it right in Denver," his agent, Hadley Engelhard, said Wednesday. "That is the big reason why he is back. He thinks it can work there."

Engelhard did not disclose the terms of the restructured deal. Originally, the Broncos would have owed a large portion of a $6 million option bonus to Henry on Feb. 29. Henry still has four years remaining on his contract.

Last March, Henry signed a five-year, $22.5 million deal with Denver after being a salary cap casualty at Tennessee. Henry received a $12 million bonus as part of the contract.

The marriage between Henry and the Broncos started beautifully as he led the NFL in rushing after the first four games of the season. However, things went south.

In early October, word broke of Henry's positive drug test, which could have resulted in a year's suspension. After a 54-day saga, Henry won an appeal with the NFL.

But Henry suffered a series of knee and rib injuries that ruined his season. In the final 12 games, he missed four games and didn't have more than 65 yards in a single game. He didn't have a carry in the season finale against Minnesota.

Back in August, it was disclosed in a Georgia court that Henry had fathered nine children by nine women. Late last month, Henry said his issues wore on him. He said then he wanted to come back to the Broncos to show he could be productive on and off the field. He talked to team officials this month and they were satisfied with what they heard.

"He knows Denver is a good place for him," Engelhard said. "He knows he can be a productive player there."

Henry will work in the backfield with Selvin Young, who had a productive rookie season in 2007.

Henry will likely take the role of the short-field bruising back, while Young offers Denver a breakaway threat.

The Broncos have been studying free-agent running backs and could look at some from a pool that includes Dallas' Julius Jones and Tennessee's Chris Brown. But the decision to stick with Henry makes it clear he will be a big part of the offense.

Earlier this week, the Broncos secured a deal with cornerback Dre Bly that will keep him in Denver. The Broncos now will concentrate on wide receiver Javon Walker, linebacker Ian Gold and safety John Lynch.

The team is trying to trade Walker and Gold. Lynch is considering retirement.

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_8320503

[Killericon]

Equal parts praise be to Foneco and Hixon!

The less we have to worry about in FA and the Draft, the better. RB is off the list.

[fontaine]

FWIW, when an agent doesn't want to disclose the restructuring arrangements then it's usually something that favors the team as the agent doesn't want that sort of press about him.

Usually a restructuring is just taking a signing/option bonus and turning it into guaranteed base salary to ease it on the cap but in this case it really does seem like Henry's taken some sort of paycut as there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell he would get anything near $6million in the open market with his one and done suspension status.

Now keep your d*ck in your pants, your hands off the weed, and show it on the field.

[CHANGSTER]

Sweet. Now follow him lead Javon! If Henry's smart enough to do it, you have to.

[eddie mac]

FWIW, when an agent doesn't want to disclose the restructuring arrangements then it's usually something that favors the team as the agent doesn't want that sort of press about him.

Usually a restructuring is just taking a signing/option bonus and turning it into guaranteed base salary to ease it on the cap but in this case it really does seem like Henry's taken some sort of paycut as there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell he would get anything near $6million in the open market with his one and done suspension status.

Now keep your d*ck in your pants, your hands off the weed, and show it on the field.

I'd say it's a Warrenesque type move with a big reduction of that 2nd year option bonus. Gerard reduced his from approx $6m to $2.5m or thereabouts saving the Broncos a chunk of cap room. This wont save that much room because Henry's $6m was already prorated but it will help Bowlen's pocket in cash terms much like the Bly move I'd presume.

[Hogan11]

Sweet. Now follow him lead Javon! If Henry's smart enough to do it, you have to.

Smart move on Henry's part...I'm happy with it. I'd be happy if Javon followed suit as well. Maybe the FO will con Javon into staying with the old "put up big #'s this year to make more $ next year" line....ya never know, that almost always works on the greedy.

[Traveler]

Wiht the restrcutures of Bly & Henry, how much cap space does the team have now?

[Drek]

Wiht the restrcutures of Bly & Henry, how much cap space does the team have now?

No one outside the Broncos FO and the NFL front office know, the terms haven't been disclosed.

[Killericon]

No one outside the Broncos FO and the NFL front office know, the terms haven't been disclosed.

As a Hockey fan, I am infinitely grateful for this site (http://www.nhlnumbers.com/).

[Atlas]

I think this is good. One less thing the Broncos need to do in FA and the draft.

[Drek]

As a Hockey fan, I am infinitely grateful for this site (http://www.nhlnumbers.com/).

There are sites that try to do the same with the NFL, but its such a secretive league in regards to their cap situations. I'm sure it'll come out, but Bly and Henry both restructured in only the last couple days, it'll be a little while until we know the numbers behind them.

I agree with Eddie Mac's assumption though. I think both Bly and Henry have reduced their bonus numbers due this year, costing the Broncos less out of pocket. It might be a move focused on being able to afford Javon's $5.4M payout, or it might just be that Bowlen wants to tighten the purse strings for once. We'll find out in just another two weeks.

[eddie mac]

Watch out for Jeff Legwold's column. He's the only one who ever discloses any cap info about the Broncos. He broke down Javon's contract yesterday.

[Dedhed]

This is definitely a good move for both the Broncos and Henry, and I would guess that there is a significant pay cut involved. All the FO had to do was lay out the facts for Travis's agent, and it would be clear that Travis wasn't going to get any kind of big money on the open market if the Broncos cut him. Add in that Shanahan was behind Henry through every step of this process, and this was a no brainer for Henry's camp.

I think Henry can be an 1800 yard back in Denver if he stays healthy and out of trouble. We all know that that is a giant IF, but I'm guessing that his new contract reflects just how large that if is.

Having Henry around also greatly increases the value of Selvin Young. I think Young can be an every down back in the NFL, but only once he learns the ropes of how to run like an NFL back. Young adds speed, and is already a very good receiver out of the backfield. I think they can be a very productive pair next year and give Jay the support of a great running game.

[MechanicalBull]

I think this is a good move by both sides. Now Denver doesn't have to worry about getting another rb in FA or the draft and they can focus on OL and DL. Plus before getting banged up and his legal battles Henry was having a real good year. Hopefully a good offseason and mix in Young for a few rushes and the run game should be fine.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Another stupid move by Shanahan (not getting rid of this POS). Oh well, as long as he is still controlling player personnel moves I guess this is the way it'll be.

[dragondawg]

There are sites that try to do the same with the NFL, but its such a secretive league in regards to their cap situations. I'm sure it'll come out, but Bly and Henry both restructured in only the last couple days, it'll be a little while until we know the numbers behind them.

I agree with Eddie Mac's assumption though. I think both Bly and Henry have reduced their bonus numbers due this year, costing the Broncos less out of pocket. It might be a move focused on being able to afford Javon's $5.4M payout, or it might just be that Bowlen wants to tighten the purse strings for once. We'll find out in just another two weeks.

RE-DO: A revised contract for Broncos cornerback Dre Bly will turn a $9 million option bonus into a guaranteed signing bonus, allowing the team to prorate the money during the final four years of the deal. Bly's salary-cap number will be $4.55 million.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/feb/21/broncos-ekuban-weighs-whether-to-stay-or-go/

[brncs_fan]

Did anyone else do a little fist pump when they read the title of this thread?

Now we can concentrate on areas of need in the draft.

[HEAV]

I still see a draft pick going towards the running back position. 08 draft has a deep running back selection.

[vancejohnson82]

Another stupid move by Shanahan (not getting rid of this POS). Oh well, as long as he is still controlling player personnel moves I guess this is the way it'll be.


we made it almost through a full page on a thread without a Shanahan bash....

key word being "almost"

[eddie mac]

RE-DO: A revised contract for Broncos cornerback Dre Bly will turn a $9 million option bonus into a guaranteed signing bonus, allowing the team to prorate the money during the final four years of the deal. Bly's salary-cap number will be $4.55 million.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/feb/21/broncos-ekuban-weighs-whether-to-stay-or-go/

That statement from Rasizer implies that the option bonus was hitting the 2008 cap in full. If that was the case then Bly originally had a cap number of $11.3m or so. If that's true then CBS's cap estimate in December of $17m under is a load of ****. I've done the number's over and over again and that option bonus looked already to be prorated.

BTW that means Bly got his full $9m. That's $14m in signing bonuses for a No2 CB. I love the way Shanahan realises the priorities on this team.

[fontaine]

I'd say it's a Warrenesque type move with a big reduction of that 2nd year option bonus. Gerard reduced his from approx $6m to $2.5m or thereabouts saving the Broncos a chunk of cap room. This wont save that much room because Henry's $6m was already prorated but it will help Bowlen's pocket in cash terms much like the Bly move I'd presume.

Are you sure? How can they prorate a bonus of $6million if it's been reduced? If that were true then what's stopping teams from doing the opposite and reworking/extending deals with more option/bonus money than what's actually been prorated against the cap?

[dbfan21]

Did anyone else do a little fist pump when they read the title of this thread?

Now we can concentrate on areas of need in the draft.

I did. I saw what he is capable of during the first 4 games of the season and if he stays healthy, he can be a legit 1,500-yd rusher for us next year and beyond. Plus, like you mentioned, we can now concentrate on other positions in the draft other than RB. I'm happy with this.

Go Broncos!!

[fontaine]

Smart move on Henry's part...I'm happy with it. I'd be happy if Javon followed suit as well. Maybe the FO will con Javon into staying with the old "put up big #'s this year to make more $ next year" line....ya never know, that almost always works on the greedy.

The thing with Javon is that he genuinely believes he's an all pro next season. From his interviews it's clear he doesn't believe his value is dimished even though other teams might not see it that way with his chronic knee condition.

It's happened in the past and it'll happen again. These guys refuse to back down, and get paid less.

His agent must think he can get at least a guaranteed 5 million or so in the open market and he's probably right, where as in Henry's case no team, not even Snyder would have shelled out $6million to a guy who's just got out of a one year dope suspension on a technicality.

[eddie mac]

Are you sure? How can they prorate a bonus of $6million if it's been reduced? If that were true then what's stopping teams from doing the opposite and reworking/extending deals with more option/bonus money than what's actually been prorated against the cap?

In Warren's case it was a paycut. It isn't only applicable to base salaries and they did it with Gerard's 2nd tiered signing bonus last year which was already prorated.

In answer to your second part teams can do that too. You can work the cap whatever way you please as long as it's within CBA rules and all signing bonuses are accounted for when reworking/extending deals.

Both Dan Graham and Javon Walker's option bonuses are already prorated through the terms of their deals and I was also under the impression Bly's $9m OB was as well (Rasizer has more or less stated it wasn't already prorated) considering CBS had us $17m under the cap for 2008 in December prior to Stokley signing his extension, there's no way Bly had an $11.3m 2008 hit with us being $17m under at the same time.

It's totally confusing at present because sites like CBS had us $17m under in December then Fox had us only $1m under 2 weeks ago. ESPN normally do an update just before FA so we'll see what numbers they give us.

[vancejohnson82]

yeah, i havent found a site that gives good up to the minute cap numbers ....at least at this time of year

[lex]

Disgusting.

[Popcorn Sutton]

HENRY RESTRUCTURES FOR DENVER
Faced with a looming multi-million-dollar roster bonus like the one that got him cut from the Titans a year ago, Broncos running back Travis Henry has restructured (http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_8320503) his contract and will play for the team in 2008.
Henry was due to earn a $6 million option bonus on February 29. The Broncos likely would have dumped him if he hadn't altered the deal.
Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Henry gave up the option bonus to stay in Denver. It's a small price to pay in light of the unflagging support that Henry got from coach Mike Shanahan during the tailback's 2007 travails with the substance abuse policy.
Schefter also reports that, as of Thursday morning, the Broncos were $16.7 million under the projected salary cap of $116 million, due in part to an agreement by cornerback Dre' Bly to convert the bulk of his 2008 base salary into a guaranteed payment.
Per the Denver Post, the Broncos are trying to trade receiver Javon Walker and linebacker Ian Gold.

[Smiling Assassin27]

The dude cannot stay healthy but I'm ok with having him contribute whatever he can at a lesser price tag. As for the women in the 4 Corners region, run....run fast...run away!!!

[Gcver2ver3]

this was a good move for both parties...

as people on the board have stated earlier...we can focus on other areas of need...

for the ones that don't like the move, i understand why but with all the holes we have this was a move that makes sense for now...

adding RB to the list of areas needing improvement greatly handcuffs our offseason options...

[lex]

I wonder if he's making less than Selvin Young. He should be.

[Atwater His Ass]

This isn't surprising. There really wasn't much doubt in my mind that Henry would be here next season.

[eddie mac]

So Travis gave up the whole $6m bonus. Not often you see that in this league. All he'll be getting this season then is his $730k base salary and his workout/roster bonuses.

[eddie mac]

Bly didn't do anything with his base salary cos it's only $1m. It was his option bonus that was guaranteed and changed to a signing bonus saving $6.75m on this year's cap.

[Popcorn Sutton]

So Travis gave up the whole $6m bonus. Not often you see that in this league. All he'll be getting this season then is his $730k base salary and his workout/roster bonuses.

I'm at least pleased to see Henry wasn't lying when he said he wanted to make things right in Denver.

[ayjackson]

This wont save that much room because Henry's $6m was already prorated but it will help Bowlen's pocket in cash terms much like the Bly move I'd presume.


I don't know what you mean by this statement. Salary never gets applied to a year's final cap number unless it is paid. Preliminary numbers for this past season may have included the prorated amount of the bonus (or the entire amount, depending on the nature of the bonus), but the final cap numbers for this season will certainly not include any protion of the bonus that was given up by Henry.

Thinking about it more - if it was a roster bonus, it may not be prorated at all and could hit the cap in the year earned. February 29 is in the next NFL year, so if this scenario is correct, the entire amount of the bonus would hit the books in the upcoming NFL year.

[Cito Pelon]

we made it almost through a full page on a thread without a Shanahan bash....

key word being "almost"

Did it make you cry? Should people check with you before they post so they don't post something that makes you curl up in the fetal position on your Nana's lap with your teddy bear?

[montrose]

Henry was a man of his word. I hope he has a strong season.

[eddie mac]

I don't know what you mean by this statement. Salary never gets applied to a year's final cap number unless it is paid. Preliminary numbers for this past season may have included the prorated amount of the bonus (or the entire amount, depending on the nature of the bonus), but the final cap numbers for this season will certainly not include any protion of the bonus that was given up by Henry.

Thinking about it more - if it was a roster bonus, it may not be prorated at all and could hit the cap in the year earned. February 29 is in the next NFL year, so if this scenario is correct, the entire amount of the bonus would hit the books in the upcoming NFL year.

Who said these were final cap numbers???

They are estimations based on the numbers available at the time. Shefter isn't quoting a final cap number he's quoting the numbers based on all the contracts available at present and the monies payable this year and prorated throughout the deals. Every site does that. It wasn't a roster bonus it was an option bonus and it was already prorated in terms of cap management through the contract as is Dan Graham's and Javon Walker's this offseason.

[Popcorn Sutton]

I don't know what you mean by this statement. Salary never gets applied to a year's final cap number unless it is paid. Preliminary numbers for this past season may have included the prorated amount of the bonus (or the entire amount, depending on the nature of the bonus), but the final cap numbers for this season will certainly not include any protion of the bonus that was given up by Henry.

Thinking about it more - if it was a roster bonus, it may not be prorated at all and could hit the cap in the year earned. February 29 is in the next NFL year, so if this scenario is correct, the entire amount of the bonus would hit the books in the upcoming NFL year.

Negative Ghostrider! It was an option bonus...

[vancejohnson82]

Did it make you cry? Should people check with you before they post so they don't post something that makes you curl up in the fetal position on your Nana's lap with your teddy bear?


wow....did someone take too many vitamins this morning?

Or is it the mere mention of shanahan's name that turns you into such a pleasant poster?

[cmhargrove]

This actually takes a load off the team. Hopefully, we do a good job of restocking the lines and finding another good LB and Safety.

I can't say much for Henry's character, but at least he stepped up to the plate on this one. I wish Javon could see the sense in this. We would be looking even better if we knew Javon was "on board."

[ICON]

I hope this works out !

[ayjackson]

Who said these were final cap numbers???

They are estimations based on the numbers available at the time. Shefter isn't quoting a final cap number he's quoting the numbers based on all the contracts available at present and the monies payable this year and prorated throughout the deals. Every site does that. It wasn't a roster bonus it was an option bonus and it was already prorated in terms of cap management through the contract as is Dan Graham's and Javon Walker's this offseason.

I misread your original post - I thought you said no cash savings, but you meant, but you meant not $6m in savings, just the amount prorated to each individual year. My mistake.

Do we know for sure though, the nature of the bonus? I did see it referred to as a roster bonus somewhere.

[eddie mac]

I misread your original post - I thought you said no cash savings, but you meant, but you meant not $6m in savings, just the amount prorated to each individual year. My mistake.

Do we know for sure though, the nature of the bonus? I did see it referred to as a roster bonus somewhere.

You did

The tossers who wrote the piece referred to it as a roster bonus then an option bonus.:rofl:

[CBF1]

This is a sign that we are drafting a RB early this year.

[Popcorn Sutton]

You did

The tossers who wrote the piece referred to it as a roster bonus then an option bonus.:rofl:

By george they did... LOL

[alkemical]

I'm happy he's staying. I think he's still got a few years where he can be productive. I like his toughness and i think he's a good Redzone runner.

[Houshyamama]

That statement from Rasizer implies that the option bonus was hitting the 2008 cap in full. If that was the case then Bly originally had a cap number of $11.3m or so. If that's true then CBS's cap estimate in December of $17m under is a load of ****. I've done the number's over and over again and that option bonus looked already to be prorated.

BTW that means Bly got his full $9m. That's $14m in signing bonuses for a No2 CB. I love the way Shanahan realises the priorities on this team.

Have you played EA's NFL Head Coach? You would absolutely pwn that game.

[Florida_Bronco]

we made it almost through a full page on a thread without a Shanahan bash....

key word being "almost"

You'd be better off putting him on ignore. Really, all he does is bitch.

[Fusionfrontman]

Regardless of if you like Henry's character or not, this is definitly a great move. We don;t have to worry about getting a #1 back, cuss Bell is in the doghouse and Shan said he won't use Young as a featured back. He said it himself. Say what you want, as I think Young is gonna be great receiving threat for us, but Henry is our best back.

We can hopefully with this move, concentrate on DT and OT int he draft and use a mid rounder on S for next year, and pick up a vet WR for our #2 spot if they can come cheap. Muhamed?

[Dedhed]

we made it almost through a full page on a thread without a Shanahan bash....

key word being "almost"

Slug is still mad that we let Tatum Bell go.

[Atlas]

BTW that means Bly got his full $9m. That's $14m in signing bonuses for a No2 CB. I love the way Shanahan realises the priorities on this team.

I'm not sure what that means. Bly is a #2 CB on Denver but that is only because Bailey is here. Every CB in the league would be a #2 CB in Denver. Bly would be a #1 on other teams and must be paid accordingly.

[Cito Pelon]

I did. I saw what he is capable of during the first 4 games of the season and if he stays healthy, he can be a legit 1,500-yd rusher for us next year and beyond. Plus, like you mentioned, we can now concentrate on other positions in the draft other than RB. I'm happy with this.

Go Broncos!!

That's the trouble, he won't be healthy. He's an OK back, but he won't be healthy in 2008 and won't even be in the League in 2010. So the team still has to find a stud tailback.

[Popps]

Great, so now we're stuck with this dickhead who leads the league in "limps off the field after a routine tackle?"

[Popps]

Slug is still mad that we let Tatum Bell go.

Funny, though Bell was far more productive for us than Henry... and it wouldn't surprise me if it plays out that way next year, too.

Henry is a friggin' putz.

[Punisher]

Henry was a let down i was thinking he would have a 1300 yard season last year with are zone blocking..I hope he does better this year if not trade him and week 5 or before the deadline this year.

[yavoon]

I really like travis henry's strength.

[bronclvr]

I really like travis henry's strength.

I agree with that-how many times (early in the Season) did he break through tackles without any help?

[Atlas]

Henry was a let down i was thinking he would have a 1300 yard season last year with are zone blocking..I hope he does better this year if not trade him and week 5 or before the deadline this year.

If he is a disappointment next year why in the hell would anyone trade for him???

[Punisher]

If he is a disappointment next year why in the hell would anyone trade for him???

You got a point there but there is always teams trying to trade bad players also... we can trade "Trash for trash"

[Bronco_Beerslug]

we made it almost through a full page on a thread without a Shanahan bash....

key word being "almost"Yeah, Heavens forbid anyone criticize Shanahan's brilliant personnel moves (players with top caliber character).

[lex]

Doesnt this make it easier to cut him if, say, they were to draft Mendenhall or Stewart? Its good Henry has acted in good faith and all but the Broncos went well above and beyond during the season...so basically theyre even. If the Broncos draft Mendenhall or Stewart and give Henry a shot to earn playing time, ie a roster spot, during the preseason, theyd be well with in their rights.

[SoCalBronco]

Doesnt this make it easier to cut him if, say, they were to draft Mendenhall or Stewart? Its good Henry has acted in good faith and all but the Broncos went well above and beyond during the season...so basically theyre even. If the Broncos draft Mendenhall or Stewart and give Henry a shot to earn playing time, ie a roster spot, during the preseason, theyd be well with in their rights.

As Pendejo noted several months ago, there is "no such thing as good faith in the NFL". Travis Henry did not agree to this out of "good faith". He and his agent made a calculation that given all of his issues, his market value was murky at best and it was probably at the very least a safer bet to just stick with the Broncos under the current contract sans the option bonus. If the opposite were true (i.e. he instead did it for good faith reasons), this would have been resolved far earlier in the process, not a week from March. It's likely they asked around as to his value, etc. Likewise, I don't the Broncos did what they did because of "good faith", either. They didn't back him up publicly and take on the commissioner just to "show solidarity", thats stupid, and also irrational. The Commissioner fined Shanahan for his comments and may further retaliate down the line as well. You don't do that just to be nice, there has to be some substantial countervailing benefit. I think its more likely that the Broncos felt at the time, that it might be good for future FAs to see a team be loyal to you, or for lockerroom reasons or for any other reasons they thought advanced their best interests, which is good, that is what they should always act on, I have no problem with that, but at the same time, I'm not going to put a nice "good faith" gloss over either side.

[lex]

As Pendejo noted several months ago, there is "no such thing as good faith in the NFL". Travis Henry did not agree to this out of "good faith". He and his agent made a calculation that given all of his issues, his market value was murky at best and it was probably at the very least a safer bet to just stick with the Broncos under the current contract sans the option bonus. If the opposite were true (i.e. he instead did it for good faith reasons), this would have been resolved far earlier in the process, not a week from March. It's likely they asked around as to his value, etc. Likewise, I don't the Broncos did what they did because of "good faith", either. They didn't back him up publicly and take on the commissioner just to "show solidarity", thats stupid, and also irrational. The Commissioner fined Shanahan for his comments and may further retaliate down the line as well. You don't do that just to be nice, there has to be some substantial countervailing benefit. I think its more likely that the Broncos felt at the time, that it might be good for future FAs to see a team be loyal to you, or for lockerroom reasons or for any other reasons they thought advanced their best interests, which is good, that is what they should always act on, I have no problem with that, but at the same time, I'm not going to put a nice "good faith" gloss over either side.


I agree with you but Im using the terminology of what seems to be the prevaling sentiment. I think youre on point with what you say about why Denver did this. I would also submit that if he is concerned about Young now, he was probably holding out hope that Henry might get on board with his health. But if you want to look at it that way, I dont see how you can say Denver owes Henry anything for the reasons Ive mentioned. But yeah, everything is a what can you do for me now (and how much of a cap hit is it?)arrangement in the NFL.