Broncos get Sauerbrun, but contract is an issue

[Raidersbane]

Broncos get Sauerbrun, but contract is an issue

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
May 20, 2005

The deal to bring three-time Pro Bowl punter Todd Sauerbrun to the Denver Broncos finally is complete.

But there is a chance headaches that could be associated with the acquisition might only be beginning.

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Sauerbrun, sent to the Broncos on Thursday by the Carolina Panthers for a seventh-round pick in the NFL draft next year and incumbent Denver punter Jason Baker, still does not have the revised contract with an up-front payout his agent sought before the deal. So far, the Broncos are not rushing to the phone to do anything beyond picking up the final three seasons of Sauerbrun's contract.

The base salaries - $1.2 million this season, $1,295,000 in 2006 and $1.4 million in 2007 - make Sauerbrun one of the league's top-paid players at his position. Add in some touchy off-the-field issues that have landed Sauerbrun on the front pages in Charlotte, N.C., recently, and there appears to be little motivation for Denver to further reward him, particularly given his deal can be comfortably fit into its salary cap without restructuring.

On the other hand, the fact the Broncos not only were willing to give up a draft pick but also a player for Sauerbrun likely will be used as proof by his agent he is a valuable asset.

Such financial technicalities appeared to place the deal on the back burner in the past week. According to a league source, Denver's interest was rekindled when another team discussed dealing its seventh-round pick for the punter.

Sauerbrun's agent, David Canter, declined to comment. Last week, he publicly offered to drop Sauerbrun's base salaries to the minimum in exchange for a signing bonus in the $1.8 million range, representing the difference in the final three seasons of the existing contract.

The Broncos responded with silence and seemingly were willing to take their chances June 1, when Carolina was expected to release Sauerbrun.

Still, the move to add Sauerbrun is not totally surprising. The Broncos have been seeking stability since Tom Rouen's departure midway through the 2001 season.

Micah Knorr and Jason Baker had trials and Nick Harris, drafted in the fourth round in 2001, failed his training-camp audition.

Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist, addressing that aspect of the trade only, noted Sauerbrun's "consistency with his gross and net over the course of his career" as a key selling point in acquiring the 11th-year pro, who also has played for the Kansas City Chiefs (2000) and Chicago Bears (1995-99).

Sauerbrun, 32, is the Panthers' all-time leader in punts, gross punting average and punts inside the 20.

"Last year, we were ranked fifth on offense, fourth on defense and 28th in special teams. And we felt it was important to upgrade our talent on that side of the ball," Sundquist said. "Adding Darrent (Williams, the Broncos' second-round pick) will help our return game. (Seventh-round pick) Paul Ernster will help our kicking game, and to pick up a guy with the credentials of Todd's will also help enhance that kicking game."

But with Sauerbrun, there are those other issues to consider. His offbeat personality has not always endeared him to his teams. Further, he has a court date Wednesday on a charge of driving while impaired.

Perhaps most troubling to the Broncos, Sauerbrun was named in a 60 Minutes II report, along with Panthers center Jeff Mitchell and former Carolina tackle Todd Steussie, as having allegedly received a steroids prescription banned by the NFL from a West Columbia, S.C., physician.

Sauerbrun could receive a four-game suspension if it is deemed he took a forbidden substance. Yet he reportedly has cooperated in the investigation with federal authorities and league officials, which might get him off the hook.

Steussie's new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said this week the tackle will not face any league sanctions, though the NFL has denied a decision has been made.

There is little doubt Sauerbrun is among the league's best punters. He is the only player since the merger in 1970 to lead his conference in gross punting average for three consecutive seasons (2001-03). He finished fourth in the league last season with a 44.1-yard gross average and fifth with a 37.5-yard net. He has a career 44-yard gross average. Now, he will be punting in altitude.

"I think it'll be good for us," said cornerback Willie Middlebrooks, one of the Broncos' top special-teams players. "It definitely helps us with field position. But it's a sign the coaches are bringing in people to make the unit better, and you just have to take self pride in adding onto what the coaches are bringing in."

As for the headlines Sauerbrun has made, Denver long snapper Mike Leach predicted the players will base their opinions on the punter's actions in Denver instead of his past, not unlike the situation surrounding controversial rookie running back Maurice Clarett.

"I don't know much about him, only what's been in the paper, but it's like with anyone, you let them come in and prove themselves," Leach said.

rasizerl@RockyMountainNews.com

[bronco militia]

so this ***hole could still hold out?

nice "trade"

[Raidersbane]

Originally Posted by bronco militia

so this ***hole could still hold out?

nice "trade"

That's right...it's still not yet a complete deal.

[Kaylore]

I hope they end this soon.

[Ballhawk]

My money is on Ernster beating him out in camp. That is why there wont be quaranteed $$$.

All in all it will mean that Panthers will get the last pick in 2006