Rogers deal gets nearer

[cutlerfan]

Rogers deal gets nearer

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...0101/802260373

Reports say Broncos are working hard to obtain nose tackle, who won't be released.

Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Lions are moving closer to trading Shaun Rogers, with the Broncos figuring most prominently in talks involving the massive nose tackle.

The Lions face a deadline in making a deal because of a $1 million bonus payment due if Rogers is on the roster on March 1.

President Matt Millen and coach Rod Marinelli have said Rogers will not be released, and they want to get fair value if Rogers is traded.

Reports out of Denver late Monday said the Broncos were working aggressively to acquire Rogers. Millen could not be reached for comment but said earlier Monday a number of teams were interested in acquiring Rogers.

"There has been a lot of interest in Shaun," Millen said. "Like we said from the start, we'll listen to everybody who wants to talk.

"Shaun's a good player, and you don't give good players away. You try to keep your good players. If somebody wants to talk seriously, great. I'll talk to them."

Rogers, 28, has played seven seasons in Detroit. He was drafted in the second round out of Texas in 2001 and made the Pro Bowl in 2004 and '05.

His play fell off in the second half of last season, largely because he was overweight and out of condition.

If Rogers remains with the Lions this year, he will be assigned a weight and will be fined if he is above the limit, Millen said last week. Rogers was not assigned a weight limit last year.

Cornerback Fernando Bryant was released Monday after four seasons with the Lions.

He signed as a free agent in 2004. Injuries limited Bryant's playing time. He played all 16 games in 2007 and had his only two interceptions as a Lion. He missed 26 of 48 games the previous three years.

The Lions are preparing for the start of free agency Friday but already have started talking to players who are available.

Linebacker Al Wilson, cut by Denver last year, visited two weeks ago.

Offensive tackle L.J. Shelton of Eastern Michigan, recently released by Miami, is scheduled to visit this week.

[Rohirrim]

His play fell off in the second half of last season, largely because he was overweight and out of condition.

Sounds like Shanahan's kind of player. I wonder if Shaun likes late night pancakes?

[Kaylore]

This could be the thing that makes or breaks Shanahan as a GM. He trades a second for fatty then outside of Rogers finding the gym and making the pro-bowl, his support around town is going to dry up pretty fast.

[ohiobronco2]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

This could be the thing that makes or breaks Shanahan as a GM. He trades a second for fatty then outside of Rogers finding the gym and making the pro-bowl, his support around town is going to dry up pretty fast.

That is where I'm at. I think Shanahan is a great coach, but some of his moves make me scratch my head. I don't know why we are constantly taking other teams trash and trying to make great players out of them. Rogers is a great player when he wants to be, but he spends way too much time on the bench. I'd rather roll the dice with someone in the draft who is younger and has more upside.

[rugbythug]

Shanahan Gets a Bad Rap for some of his smaller signings. Simeon Rice, ETC these are just guys to try and come in and compete and the end of their career. Every team in the NFL does it. The real problem is maners get all amped up over the name. But take a look at the contract If a guy is making a million you should expect him to be a bench situational player, not his previous all pro self.

[ohiobronco2]

I also think that he has had a lot of trades backfire on him lately. If we get back to winning, people will forget about all of the failed trades. People are currently focusing on the problems with bringing in Javon Walker, but how many people were praising the move after his first year here. Sure, Javon is a me person and we should have known how he would have acted after he forced his way out of GB, but I also think that if he was healthy this whole year and he wasn't present at the tragic death of D Williams we wouldn't be dealing with this current situation. I would just like to see us keep our picks, if not add more and go after who is available in the draft.

[SpringStein]

Is it just me - or was this non-news news?

[dbfan4life]

Originally Posted by SpringStein

Is it just me - or was this non-news news?

In other news...there is no news!

[brncs_fan]

The longer this plays out the more I hope it doesn't happen. Call it a bad feeling in my gut.

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by brncs_fan

The longer this plays out the more I hope it doesn't happen. Call it a bad feeling in my gut.

You should have a bad feeling in your gut. If we hadn't given out garbage away for Dre Bly, people would be pissed about that trade as well. Shanahan can't say no to these guys and they don't work out more often than not. I don't trust him to make decissions in free agency and I especially don't trust their defensive evaluations. We're looking more and more like the Redskins. We have a bunch of flashy offseason moves that never work out once the season rolls around.

What is completely baffling to me is how the front office doesn't learn. The only real players on the team right now were acquired in the draft. Most of our offseason moves did very little. You would think that would be a clue as to what works and what doesn't. But no, we're back out throwing our picks at teams for players past their prime with character or health issues.

[no-pseudo-fan]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

You should have a bad feeling in your gut. If we hadn't given out garbage away for Dre Bly, people would be pissed about that trade as well. Shanahan can't say no to these guys and they don't work out more often than not. I don't trust him to make decissions in free agency and I especially don't trust their defensive evaluations. We're looking more and more like the Redskins. We have a bunch of flashy offseason moves that never work out once the season rolls around.

What is completely baffling to me is how the front office doesn't learn. The only real players on the team right now were acquired in the draft. Most of our offseason moves did very little. You would think that would be a clue as to what works and what doesn't. But no, we're back out throwing our picks at teams for players past their prime with character or health issues.

I believe that you are half-right. I think that the mean factor in the deal for Rogers is price. 2nd is a bad deal, 4th is a good deal. We need the help up front.

[Traveler]

Say we do send our 2nd to the Lions, it just means that Shanny & Co aren't convinced in the advice of the Scouting Staff IMO. Thus, panick mode and possibly overpaying to get someone to fill our largest need on the DL.

If the statistics are true about the Lions run defense in 2007, we might as well draft a rookie since we'kll be getting the same return if Rogers does become a Bronco.

Of course, I'll gladly eat my words if he becomes the stud The FO thinks he is.

[Paladin]

Really, seriously, I hope this trade fades out..........

[oubronco]

I'd rather have Red Bryant of Texas A&M

[RodInCanton]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

Sounds like Shanahan's kind of player. I wonder if Shaun likes late night pancakes?

I was just thinking I'm not eating at IHOP after 10 p.m. anymore...

[chrisp]

Its possible the change of scenery might do him good. He's still youngish and only a couple of seasons away from a pair of pro bowl appearances, so he's not quite in the same category as the has-beens and never was's that we've seen in other years, all of whom were either well over 30 and a good few years away from their last pro bowl or high draft picks who had never been there in the first place.

The lack of winning in Detroit, and the faith the owner shows in a profoundly clueless GM can take its toll on players, who might find after a few seasons that they just don't have the appetite for the offseason program they used to (or in Rogers case too much).

Bottom line is, however, if this guy didn't have any question marks over him then he just would not be coming anywhere near the open market. We are desperate for D-line help and we KNOW this guy can play when he wants to - its just a question of whether he wants to or not.

If we were stacked with options at DT then I'd be more wary, but it was a gaping hole last season and if we only get one good season out of the guy then it will be job done as far as I'm concerned. Gambling a 2nd for us would make me nervous, but I'd still probably do it, a 4th would be a gimmie IMHO

What I also feel about the D-line is that having used a number of high picks on it last year its veteran help we need now. The young guys will continue to develop but we need help now to raise the standard. No one we draft this year is going to help the d-line get better. If we don't get Shaun then we need to get someone else....

[PacNW_Bronco]

Originally Posted by chrisp

Its possible the change of scenery might do him good. He's still youngish and only a couple of seasons away from a pair of pro bowl appearances, so he's not quite in the same category as the has-beens and never was's that we've seen in other years, all of whom were either well over 30 and a good few years away from their last pro bowl or high draft picks who had never been there in the first place.

The lack of winning in Detroit, and the faith the owner shows in a profoundly clueless GM can take its toll on players, who might find after a few seasons that they just don't have the appetite for the offseason program they used to (or in Rogers case too much).

Bottom line is, however, if this guy didn't have any question marks over him then he just would not be coming anywhere near the open market. We are desperate for D-line help and we KNOW this guy can play when he wants to - its just a question of whether he wants to or not.

If we were stacked with options at DT then I'd be more wary, but it was a gaping hole last season and if we only get one good season out of the guy then it will be job done as far as I'm concerned. Gambling a 2nd for us would make me nervous, but I'd still probably do it, a 4th would be a gimmie IMHO

What I also feel about the D-line is that having used a number of high picks on it last year its veteran help we need now. The young guys will continue to develop but we need help now to raise the standard. No one we draft this year is going to help the d-line get better. If we don't get Shaun then we need to get someone else....

I agree with you there. He, or according to reports, Robertson from the Jets, would help plenty. During the offseason last year, everyone was giddy about getting "Big" Sam Adams during free agency. How could sending a couple of 4th rounders and a special teamer to the Lions, who are saying that they won't give him away, but by the looks of it, you could get him for those Pancakes that everyone is talking about, be much worse than having Adams. I like the prospect of Dumervil, Thomas, Rogers, and Crowder up front. Or maybe moving Dumervil to OLB, and put in a healthy Moss.

[CHANGSTER]

The suspense is killing me! do something!

[That One Guy]

Originally Posted by oubronco

I'd rather have Red Bryant of Texas A&M

I'd rather have both Bryant and Rogers. I don't know what anyone really sees in the Jet guy who doesn't seem to play the rush or the pass particularly well yet is possibly going to draw 11 Million freakin dollars next year. Sign me up for a talented vet and a promising rookie and call the DT position fixed for a little while.

[broncogary]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

The only real players on the team right now were acquired in the draft.

Acquired via trade:
Champ Bailey-Great
Dre Bly-Pretty Good
Javon Walker-Was good, now probably gone

Acquired via free agency:
John Lynch-Still a leader
Travis Henry-Was leading the league in rushing until injured
Selvin Young-Potential
Andre Hall-I think more potential than Selvin Young
Brandon Stokely-Excellent third receiver
Daniel Graham-Great blocker
Jamie Winborn-Who knows
The always loveable Ian Gold-Probably gone without a restructure, always hustles
Montrae Holland-Solid starter
Kenny Peterson-Not bad

[Dedhed]

We should be working aggressively to swing a deal with the Jets for Robertson and Vilma. That would improve DT, ILB, OLB, and the locker room in a single trade.

Robertson is only 26, and was a stud during the only season where he got to play in a 4-3 defense when he was only a rookie. Vilma is a stud Mike if he can get and stay healthy, and this deal would get rid of Walker who is going to be gone in a week.

[Requiem]

Tomorrow's headline: "Rogers deal gets more nearerer."

[chaz]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Tomorrow's headline: "Rogers deal gets more nearerer."

[PRBronco]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Tomorrow's headline: "Rogers deal gets more nearerer."

:O Do you really think the president will comment on it??

[wabbit]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Tomorrow's headline: "Rogers deal gets more nearerer."

Yeah, really.

Facts are in short supply with these supposed trade talks.

It just seems to me this may one of several trades the Broncos are exploring and this whole notion of 'intense' negotiations may be exaggerated.

The intensity may be the fact that the Lions want a 2nd round choice in compensation, and the Broncos are offering a fourth + a player, or something similar.

It's interesting to me how the Lions seem to trying to force the hand of the Broncos with this news of 'other interest among AFC rival teams'...suggesting, in one fashion or another, the Raiders.

All the while, the Broncos are rumored to be talking to the Jets about Dewayne Robertson, perhaps forcing the Lions to back down on demands if they really do want to move Rogers.

It's almost like some kind of NFL version of a mating ritual.

In any event, expect the real fireworks over the next 4-5 days simply because contract bonuses are due and caps have to get in line as teams posture for the opening of the Free Agency period.

If all this is any hint of how active the Broncos may be this off-season, it would appear we are all in for one hell of ride.