Cugel
03-11-2017, 02:48 PM
Interview with Broncos Insider Mike Klis provided this interesting inside story on the Broncos FA negotiations:
Klis: "You know, in 2014, when the Broncos had Peyton Manning at QB, and they were able to get DeMarcus Ware, and Aquib Talib, and TJ Ward, and Emmanuel Sanders, that was a heck of a FA class that the Broncos reeled in. They haven't been able to get that kind of a class since then. And Yesterday they lost big time I thought on Calais Campbell.
And they got in a little late. I was always under the understanding when I was trying to follow what those guys were doing upstairs at their headquarters, that Calais Campbell was their #1 wish, their #1 target. They got in a little late, they had that negotiating window Tuesday and Wednesday, the Broncos didn't make the call on Campbell until Wed. night, thinking that the strategy is the earlier you get in the more the price gets driven up and that is probably true.
But, here's what the Broncos have heading into free agency. They have a team that didn't make the playoffs, and so is not necessarily the best team out there competing. You're not necessarily going to a team that's super bowl ready. That's #1.
Number #2 there's uncertainty at QB if you're Calais Campbell.
And #3 you've got a first year head coach.
With those factors you can't be $2M under the market and get guys. And that's what they had with with Calais Campbell. They wanted him at $13 M and Jacksonville got him at $15M.
Maybe the Broncos of two years ago with Peyton Manning could have gotten Calais Campbell for $2M less. But, this is not necessarily an attractive destination where the Broncos sit now. I think the Broncos have to be a million $ more to get the guys they want, not $2M less.
Q: "Did the Broncos mis-read the market once again on Russell Okung?"
Mike Klis: "Yes. Probably. I think Russell Okung was one of those guys, they wanted him. He did not have a good year last year, and I'm not sure. You know he's a player rep., and he's real smart, and sometimes management is not sure they want that guy around down in the locker-room.
So, I'm not sure. The Broncos wanted him back because they needed a LT, but I'm not sure they were all that excited about him. I think what they offered him was quite a bit less than what he got from San Diego ($13.3M a year).
Now they need a LT, and they're kinda poking around on a RT too [Menelik Watson] and now they need a 5 technique DT too. That's what they hoped for coming out of FA. But, now as we stand here today, I would bet on an OT with the #20 pick of the first round of the draft and not Christian McCaffrey."
So, instead of best player available, a real impact player with the #20 pick of the draft , insteadof Christian McCaffrey, we get a desperate reach for a LT who maybe has a late first round or maybe a second round grade, and probably won't provide an immediate starter for 2017.
Klis: "You know, in 2014, when the Broncos had Peyton Manning at QB, and they were able to get DeMarcus Ware, and Aquib Talib, and TJ Ward, and Emmanuel Sanders, that was a heck of a FA class that the Broncos reeled in. They haven't been able to get that kind of a class since then. And Yesterday they lost big time I thought on Calais Campbell.
And they got in a little late. I was always under the understanding when I was trying to follow what those guys were doing upstairs at their headquarters, that Calais Campbell was their #1 wish, their #1 target. They got in a little late, they had that negotiating window Tuesday and Wednesday, the Broncos didn't make the call on Campbell until Wed. night, thinking that the strategy is the earlier you get in the more the price gets driven up and that is probably true.
But, here's what the Broncos have heading into free agency. They have a team that didn't make the playoffs, and so is not necessarily the best team out there competing. You're not necessarily going to a team that's super bowl ready. That's #1.
Number #2 there's uncertainty at QB if you're Calais Campbell.
And #3 you've got a first year head coach.
With those factors you can't be $2M under the market and get guys. And that's what they had with with Calais Campbell. They wanted him at $13 M and Jacksonville got him at $15M.
Maybe the Broncos of two years ago with Peyton Manning could have gotten Calais Campbell for $2M less. But, this is not necessarily an attractive destination where the Broncos sit now. I think the Broncos have to be a million $ more to get the guys they want, not $2M less.
Q: "Did the Broncos mis-read the market once again on Russell Okung?"
Mike Klis: "Yes. Probably. I think Russell Okung was one of those guys, they wanted him. He did not have a good year last year, and I'm not sure. You know he's a player rep., and he's real smart, and sometimes management is not sure they want that guy around down in the locker-room.
So, I'm not sure. The Broncos wanted him back because they needed a LT, but I'm not sure they were all that excited about him. I think what they offered him was quite a bit less than what he got from San Diego ($13.3M a year).
Now they need a LT, and they're kinda poking around on a RT too [Menelik Watson] and now they need a 5 technique DT too. That's what they hoped for coming out of FA. But, now as we stand here today, I would bet on an OT with the #20 pick of the first round of the draft and not Christian McCaffrey."
So, instead of best player available, a real impact player with the #20 pick of the draft , insteadof Christian McCaffrey, we get a desperate reach for a LT who maybe has a late first round or maybe a second round grade, and probably won't provide an immediate starter for 2017.