rugbythug
03-19-2008, 02:00 PM
Bowlen keeps an eye on Elam negotiations
Kicker's possible exit could spark an intervention
It's rare Broncos owner Pat Bowlen gets personally involved in negotiations. That's why he hires personnel people.
But, in rare cases, he does step forward.
Safety John Lynch, a team captain, was one notable example last month. Bowlen personally intervened and helped talk Lynch out of leaving despite having to take a pay cut.
So with free-agent kicker Jason Elam scheduled to visit the Atlanta Falcons today and Thursday, the owner was asked whether he might get involved again, particularly if the scenario appeared likely he would be losing a player who has been splitting uprights with regularity for the franchise for the past 15 years.
"I've watched it. I haven't said anything to anybody . . . ," Bowlen said. "I'm sure our football people are watching that closely. But I can't really give you a really good answer to that question."
But Bowlen admitted the Lynch case is an apt comparison: "I think there are some parallel scenarios there."
It might take some outside involvement to maintain the status quo because the direction of Elam's negotiations appears to be heading more toward an exit than a return.
Negotiations are at a standstill with the Broncos. The Falcons are serious about upgrading their kicking game, having lacked stability there. And the Falcons wouldn't be courting the kicker if they felt they were being used as pawn in contract talks.
Elam made $2.2 million in base salary in the final year of his deal in 2007, when he made 27 of 31 field-goal attempts, including four winners.
There's a growing feeling that, while loyalty should be a consideration, there's a business element that's just as important and might ultimately win out.
WINDOW SHOPPING: The Broncos today will host center Casey Wiegmann, a starter for Kansas City since 2001 who wasn't retained as a free agent in the Chiefs' offseason youth movement.
Wiegmann, 34, would help provide some insurance for the Broncos on the interior line with the sign-and-trade Monday of Chris Myers to the Houston Texans.
Wiegmann isn't considered a mauler but physically appears to fit the Broncos' zone-blocking mold at 6-foot-2, 285 pounds. He has the quickness and ability to work off combination blocks and get to linebackers in the run game and also has a deep knowledge of opposing linemen and schemes as a 12-year NFL veteran.
The Broncos' only other experienced pivot behind starter Tom Nalen is guard Ben Hamilton, who's coming off post-concussion issues that kept him out the entire 2007 season.
JETS LINEMAN INTRIGUES: The Broncos mainly are focusing on the draft but remain intrigued by the potential acquisition of New York Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, though no deal appears imminent.
The situation is complicated by Robertson's knee issues, which necessitated a recent visit to Denver for a full checkup, and by trade compensation levels and financial outlay. Robinson is due a $3 million roster bonus in June and has two years worth $18.8 million left on his contract.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/mar/18/bowlen-could-intervene-help-keep-elam/
This perked my ears a bit. You couple this with the story about how angry John Lynch was about Sundquist questioning how much he had left. Add those together and perhaps the division was not between Shanahan and Sundquist but actually detween Sundquist and Bowlen. That would explain the timing of the firing.
Kicker's possible exit could spark an intervention
It's rare Broncos owner Pat Bowlen gets personally involved in negotiations. That's why he hires personnel people.
But, in rare cases, he does step forward.
Safety John Lynch, a team captain, was one notable example last month. Bowlen personally intervened and helped talk Lynch out of leaving despite having to take a pay cut.
So with free-agent kicker Jason Elam scheduled to visit the Atlanta Falcons today and Thursday, the owner was asked whether he might get involved again, particularly if the scenario appeared likely he would be losing a player who has been splitting uprights with regularity for the franchise for the past 15 years.
"I've watched it. I haven't said anything to anybody . . . ," Bowlen said. "I'm sure our football people are watching that closely. But I can't really give you a really good answer to that question."
But Bowlen admitted the Lynch case is an apt comparison: "I think there are some parallel scenarios there."
It might take some outside involvement to maintain the status quo because the direction of Elam's negotiations appears to be heading more toward an exit than a return.
Negotiations are at a standstill with the Broncos. The Falcons are serious about upgrading their kicking game, having lacked stability there. And the Falcons wouldn't be courting the kicker if they felt they were being used as pawn in contract talks.
Elam made $2.2 million in base salary in the final year of his deal in 2007, when he made 27 of 31 field-goal attempts, including four winners.
There's a growing feeling that, while loyalty should be a consideration, there's a business element that's just as important and might ultimately win out.
WINDOW SHOPPING: The Broncos today will host center Casey Wiegmann, a starter for Kansas City since 2001 who wasn't retained as a free agent in the Chiefs' offseason youth movement.
Wiegmann, 34, would help provide some insurance for the Broncos on the interior line with the sign-and-trade Monday of Chris Myers to the Houston Texans.
Wiegmann isn't considered a mauler but physically appears to fit the Broncos' zone-blocking mold at 6-foot-2, 285 pounds. He has the quickness and ability to work off combination blocks and get to linebackers in the run game and also has a deep knowledge of opposing linemen and schemes as a 12-year NFL veteran.
The Broncos' only other experienced pivot behind starter Tom Nalen is guard Ben Hamilton, who's coming off post-concussion issues that kept him out the entire 2007 season.
JETS LINEMAN INTRIGUES: The Broncos mainly are focusing on the draft but remain intrigued by the potential acquisition of New York Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, though no deal appears imminent.
The situation is complicated by Robertson's knee issues, which necessitated a recent visit to Denver for a full checkup, and by trade compensation levels and financial outlay. Robinson is due a $3 million roster bonus in June and has two years worth $18.8 million left on his contract.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/mar/18/bowlen-could-intervene-help-keep-elam/
This perked my ears a bit. You couple this with the story about how angry John Lynch was about Sundquist questioning how much he had left. Add those together and perhaps the division was not between Shanahan and Sundquist but actually detween Sundquist and Bowlen. That would explain the timing of the firing.