Thread: Broncos not likely to keep all of their stars in 2010

This is an old article I'm sure was posted before but it has several INFO pieces in it that may be pertinent todays thoughts.



Broncos not likely to keep all of their stars in 2010
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
POSTED: 01/01/2010 01:00:00 AM MST
UPDATED: 01/01/2010 01:06:20 AM MST





A year ago, Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Tony Scheffler early in the fourth quarter of a game at San Diego.

Who knew then it would be Cutler's final meaningful pass with the Broncos?

For NFL players and their teams, the last time can happen in no time.

Entering what could be the final game of the Broncos' 2009 season Sunday, there's a chance players such as Scheffler, who was spotted Thursday serving a demotion on the scout team, longtime starting guard Ben Hamilton, star receiver Brandon Marshall and popular defensive end Vonnie Holliday will be wearing the orange- and-blue uniform for the last time when the Broncos engage in a playoff-or-bust game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Invesco Field at Mile High.

"I know we're running an organization, and I know we've got things to think about going forward," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "But I do my job all year long trying to help this organization get to the playoffs. That's what Pat hired me for. We don't sweat and lift weights and run and go through rehab and fly across the country for no reason."

When asked about the labor contract uncertainty confronting the league and how this would affect his Broncos for the 2010 season, owner Pat Bowlen respectfully declined comment.

Which in so many ways says it perfectly.

For it would appear to so many NFL players that if nothing is said or done about the league's unsettled collective bargaining agreement, the owners prevail.

If there is no CBA deal between the owners and players union, the Broncos would have the right to bring back such star players as Marshall, sack-specialist Elvis Dumervil, quarterback Kyle Orton, starting guard Chris Kuper and Scheffler on the cheap.

As in one-year deals between $1.1 million and $3.043 million.

If that still sounds like great money to the people who will sit on the fifth level of Invesco Field on Sunday, consider what these players could make if a new CBA is reached.

For players such as Marshall, Dumervil and Orton, the difference between restricted and unrestricted free agency can be the difference between $3 million and $30 million in guarantees.

Given these enormous discrepancies, what incentive do the owners have of striking a new CBA before they have to in 2011?

"I don't think there's much uncertainty about what's going to happen," Kuper said. "It's not something I worry about."

How do players ignore their personal career livelihoods in a week when their team is confronting a win-or-done game?

"Are you serious?" said Broncos safety Brian Dawkins, who was playing on an expiring contract at this time last year — and wound up leaving his team of 13 seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles. "We're trying to win a football game. When you do what you're supposed to do for your teammates, for your team, all that stuff will take care of itself."

A proper attitude, no doubt, but even with a victory against Kansas City, the Broncos will be finished if Baltimore defeats Oakland on Sunday and the New York Jets defeat Cincinnati.

If this should be the Broncos' final game of the season, then it's fair to wonder which players are about to depart Denver. A look at six prominent Broncos players whose contracts will expire at season's end:

Elvis Dumervil, linebacker: The general belief is even if he becomes a restricted free agent, Dumervil will receive a multiyear contract extension at fair market value from the Broncos. And ordinarily that would be true.

But almost all NFL contracts are structured so the players receive the bulk of their money within the first three years of their deal. With the possibility of a lockout in 2011, teams likely would not be willing to spread their guarantee past 2010.

Which means players either would have to take less guaranteed money or wait until a new CBA is reached before pushing for a big long-term contract.

In other words, even the best of the restricted free agents may get no more than a one- year, $3.043 million tender after this season.

Tony Scheffler, tight end: As a restricted free agent, the Broncos could give him a second-round tender of $1.1 million, which would give them a second-round pick if another team tried to sign him away. Considering Scheffler apparently just landed in McDaniels' doghouse, don't be surprised if the Broncos entertain offers from other teams.

Ben Hamilton, guard/center: After nine seasons of playing mostly at the guard position, Hamilton figures to draw considerable interest as an unrestricted free agent center, the position where he was a two-time All-American at the University of Minnesota.

Chris Kuper, guard: Even though it's often said quality teams are built from the inside-out, the NFL pays players from the outside-in. Because it's more economical to pay an elite guard than an elite receiver, the Broncos may be able to work out a long-term extension for this underrated blocker.

Brandon Marshall, receiver: Given his protest the past offseason, Marshall is not expected to play on a $3.043 million deal next season. This promises to be the most intriguing saga of the Broncos' offseason.

Kyle Orton, quarterback: The price for NFL passers of his ilk start at $10 million a year for five years. Orton was arguably the NFL's greatest quarterback value at $1 million this year, and he would remain a bargain at $3 million next year.

Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com



Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14...#ixzz0jWxvr6CW

We don't need to worry about it much cuz after McD jettisons Marshall, there won't be any young stars left. Just fadding ones.

Originally Posted by turftoad

We don't need to worry about it much cuz after McD jettisons Marshall, there won't be any young stars left. Just fadding ones.

guess that means Doom is gone and lets see the rest of the roster

Current Roster
Number Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Exp. College How Acq.
31 Arrington, J.J. RB 5' 9" 212 27 5th California UFA (Arz)-'09
Atkins, Baraka OLB/DE 6' 4" 268 25 4th Miami FA-'10
56 Ayers, Robert OLB/DE 6' 3" 274 24 2nd Tennessee D1b- '09
24 Bailey, Champ CB 6' 0" 192 31 12th Georgia T(Was)- '04
75 Baker, Chris DL 6' 2" 329 22 2nd Hampton CFA- '09
35 Ball, Lance RB 5' 9" 200 24 2nd Maryland FA-'09
Bannan, Justin DL 6' 3" 310 30 9th Colorado UFA (Balt)-'10
36 Barrett, Josh S 6' 2" 225 25 3rd Arizona State D7- '08
Batiste, D'Anthony T 6' 4" 314 27 5th Louisiana-Lafayette FA-'09
17 Berger, Mitch P 6' 4" 228 37 17th Colorado FA-'09
3 Brandstater, Tom QB 6' 5" 223 25 2nd Fresno State D6- '09
85 Branson, Marquez TE 6' 2" 241 23 1st Central Arkansas CFA- '09
30 Bruton, David S 6' 2" 211 22 2nd Notre Dame D4a- '09
28 Buckhalter, Correll RB 6' 0" 223 31 10th Nebraska UFA(Phi)- '09
25 Carter, Tony CB 5' 9" 175 23 2nd Florida State CFA- '09
78 Clady, Ryan T 6' 6" 325 23 3rd Boise State D1- '08
4 Colquitt, Britton P 6' 3" 204 24 2nd Tennessee CFA- '09
20 Dawkins, Brian S 6' 0" 210 36 15th Clemson UFA(Phi)- '09
92 Dumervil, Elvis OLB/DE 5' 11" 248 26 5th Louisville D4b-'06
91 Fields, Ronald DL 6' 2" 314 28 6th Mississippi State UFA(SF)- '09
39 Fox, Vernon S 5' 10" 206 30 9th Fresno State FA- '08
Fry, Dustin C 6' 3" 326 2nd Clemson FA-'10
10 Gaffney, Jabar WR 6' 2" 200 29 9th Florida UFA(NE)- '09
21 Goodman, Andre' CB 5' 10" 184 31 9th South Carolina UFA(Mia)- '09
77 Gorin, Brandon T 6' 6" 309 31 9th Purdue UFA(Stl)- '09
89 Graham, Daniel TE 6' 3" 257 31 9th Colorado UFA(NE)- '07
Green, Jarvis DL 6' 3" 285 31 9th Louisiana State UFA (NE)-'10
58 Greisen, Nick ILB 6' 1" 242 30 9th Wisconsin FA- '09
57 Haggan, Mario OLB/DE 6' 3" 267 29 8th Mississippi State FA- '08
Hall, Bruce RB 5' 11" 205 24 2nd Mississippi FA-'10
50 Hamilton, Ben G/C 6' 4" 290 32 10th Minnesota D4a- '01
74 Harris, Ryan T 6' 5" 300 25 4th Notre Dame D3- '07
23 Hill, Renaldo S 5' 11" 205 31 10th Michigan State UFA(Mia)- '09
71 Hochstein, Russ OL 6' 4" 305 32 10th Nebraska T (NEP)-'09
99 Holliday, Vonnie DL 6' 5" 285 34 13th North Carolina FA-'09
Jones, Nate CB 5' 10" 185 27 7th Rutgers UFA (MIA)-'10
52 Kelley, Braxton LB 6' 0" 230 23 1st Kentucky CFA- '09
73 Kuper, Chris G 6' 4" 303 27 5th North Dakota D5- '06
46 Larsen, Spencer ILB/FB 6' 2" 243 25 3rd Arizona D6- '08
26 Law, Ty CB 5' 11" 200 35 15th Michigan FA-'09
84 Lloyd, Brandon WR 6' 0" 194 28 8th Illinois FA- '09
15 Marshall, Brandon WR 6' 4" 230 25 5th Central Florida D4a- '06
31 McBath, Darcel S 6' 1" 198 24 2nd Texas Tech D2b- '09
98 McBean, Ryan DL 6' 5" 297 25 3rd Oklahoma State FA- '08
60 McChesney, Matt G 6' 4" 333 27 3rd Colorado FA-'09
11 McKinley, Kenny WR 6' 0" 183 23 2nd South Carolina D5- '09
27 Moreno, Knowshon RB 5' 11" 210 22 2nd Georgia D1a- '09
94 Moss, Jarvis OLB/DE 6' 7" 257 25 4th Florida D1- '07
70 Olsen, Seth G 6' 5" 308 24 2nd Iowa D4b- '09
8 Orton, Kyle QB 6' 4" 225 27 6th Purdue T(Chi)- '09
66 Paxton, Lonie LS 6' 2" 281 31 11th Sacramento State UFA(NE)- '09
76 Polumbus, Tyler T 6' 8" 300 24 3rd Colorado CFA- '08
5 Prater, Matt K 5' 10" 187 25 4th Central Florida PS(Miami)- '07
Quinn, Brady QB 6' 3" 235 25 4th Notre Dame T(Cle)- '10
81 Quinn, Richard TE 6' 4" 255 23 2nd North Carolina D2c- '09
95 Reid, Darrell OLB/DE 6' 2" 270 27 6th Minnesota UFA (Ind)-'09
19 Royal, Eddie WR 5' 10" 180 23 3rd Virginia Tech D2- '08
88 Scheffler, Tony TE 6' 5" 255 27 5th Western Michigan D2- '06
33 Smith, Alphonso CB 5' 9" 190 24 2nd Wake Forest D2a- '09
97 Smith, Le Kevin DL 6' 3" 308 27 5th Nebraska T (NEP)-'09
14 Stokley, Brandon WR 6' 0" 192 33 12th Southwestern-Louisiana FA- '07
79 Thomas, Marcus DL 6' 3" 316 24 4th Florida D4- '07
Trapasso, A.J. P 5' 11" 225 1st Ohio State FA-'10
55 Williams, D.J. ILB 6' 1" 242 27 7th Miami (Fla.) D1- '04
Williams, Jamal DL 6' 3" 348 34 13th Oklahoma State UFA (SD)-'10
12 Willis, Matthew WR 6' 0" 190 25 3rd UCLA FA- '08
59 Woodyard, Wesley ILB 6' 0" 222 23 3rd Kentucky CFA- '08



Yep your correct no young talent on the team and that is not including any of the current QB's

And I guess we will skip the draft this year also.

Please enough with the doom and gloom.

Most are fading, but of course there should be some young guys. Looking at your list, Shanny drafted 90% of those guys. Jeez, guess Josh is pretty lucky he didn't take over a no talent team.
Shouldn't take him no more than two years to put it all together then, should it?

So far, the "stars" that have left are: Cutler.

Oh my god, the mass exodus must stop!

Btw, if you consider Hillis a star, you aren't very intelligent.

Originally Posted by turftoad

Most are fading, but of course there should be some young guys. Looking at your list, Shanny drafted 90% of those guys. Jeez, guess Josh is pretty lucky he didn't take over a no talent team.
Shouldn't take him no more than two years to put it all together then, should it?

considering that mike was here fro 14 years and josh only for one then I would say they should dominate. but I'd guess in 3 years ha will not be the case.

Hey mike did some good but josh will up the level after the next two drafts IMHO.

The most important player that could walk IMO is Doom.

Originally Posted by sakic_avs

So far, the "stars" that have left are: Cutler.

And his "star" status is pretty debatable.

Originally Posted by Shazam!

The most important player that could walk IMO is Doom.

I wouldn't be too concerned. No one is going to give us a 1st and a 3rd for Dumervil.

Originally Posted by Shazam!

The most important player that could walk IMO is Doom.

I doubt he will walk. No team has signed him to an offer sheet, so clearly other GM's are concerned about his on/off field behavior and are sending the Broncos a message that he isn't an elite player, and they can keep their trouble maker...

Originally Posted by Bosco

And his "star" status is pretty debatable.

I wouldn't be too concerned. No one is going to give us a 1st and a 3rd for Dumervil.

I don't believe Dumervil is worth a 1st and 3rd either, maybe just a 1st rounder!

Originally Posted by Nomad

I don't believe Dumervil is worth a 1st and 3rd either, maybe just a 1st rounder!

As I have seen a few reporters/NFL talking heads say, if a team is otherwise interested in a player, and willing to sign him to a big contract and give up a first rounder, the extra third rounder isn't a major additional hurdle.

Originally Posted by Tned

As I have seen a few reporters/NFL talking heads say, if a team is otherwise interested in a player, and willing to sign him to a big contract and give up a first rounder, the extra third rounder isn't a major additional hurdle.

A 1st rounder for Dumervil is stretching it too because he's limited to rushing the passer and not so great in coverage or against the run! If he can improve in those areas and keep his pass rushing at a high level then it would be no question he is worth a 1st, but I don't see him worth a 1st yet and a 1st and 3rd is way high even though pundits say a 3rd isn't a major issue! A team giving 2 high picks for Dumervil won't happen, he's not that good!

Originally Posted by Jrwiz

guess that means Doom is gone and lets see the rest of the roster

Current Roster
Number Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Exp. College How Acq.
31 Arrington, J.J. RB 5' 9" 212 27 5th California UFA (Arz)-'09
Atkins, Baraka OLB/DE 6' 4" 268 25 4th Miami FA-'10
56 Ayers, Robert OLB/DE 6' 3" 274 24 2nd Tennessee D1b- '09
24 Bailey, Champ CB 6' 0" 192 31 12th Georgia T(Was)- '04
75 Baker, Chris DL 6' 2" 329 22 2nd Hampton CFA- '09
35 Ball, Lance RB 5' 9" 200 24 2nd Maryland FA-'09
Bannan, Justin DL 6' 3" 310 30 9th Colorado UFA (Balt)-'10
36 Barrett, Josh S 6' 2" 225 25 3rd Arizona State D7- '08
Batiste, D'Anthony T 6' 4" 314 27 5th Louisiana-Lafayette FA-'09
17 Berger, Mitch P 6' 4" 228 37 17th Colorado FA-'09
3 Brandstater, Tom QB 6' 5" 223 25 2nd Fresno State D6- '09
85 Branson, Marquez TE 6' 2" 241 23 1st Central Arkansas CFA- '09
30 Bruton, David S 6' 2" 211 22 2nd Notre Dame D4a- '09
28 Buckhalter, Correll RB 6' 0" 223 31 10th Nebraska UFA(Phi)- '09
25 Carter, Tony CB 5' 9" 175 23 2nd Florida State CFA- '09
78 Clady, Ryan T 6' 6" 325 23 3rd Boise State D1- '08
4 Colquitt, Britton P 6' 3" 204 24 2nd Tennessee CFA- '09
20 Dawkins, Brian S 6' 0" 210 36 15th Clemson UFA(Phi)- '09
92 Dumervil, Elvis OLB/DE 5' 11" 248 26 5th Louisville D4b-'06
91 Fields, Ronald DL 6' 2" 314 28 6th Mississippi State UFA(SF)- '09
39 Fox, Vernon S 5' 10" 206 30 9th Fresno State FA- '08
Fry, Dustin C 6' 3" 326 2nd Clemson FA-'10
10 Gaffney, Jabar WR 6' 2" 200 29 9th Florida UFA(NE)- '09
21 Goodman, Andre' CB 5' 10" 184 31 9th South Carolina UFA(Mia)- '09
77 Gorin, Brandon T 6' 6" 309 31 9th Purdue UFA(Stl)- '09
89 Graham, Daniel TE 6' 3" 257 31 9th Colorado UFA(NE)- '07
Green, Jarvis DL 6' 3" 285 31 9th Louisiana State UFA (NE)-'10
58 Greisen, Nick ILB 6' 1" 242 30 9th Wisconsin FA- '09
57 Haggan, Mario OLB/DE 6' 3" 267 29 8th Mississippi State FA- '08
Hall, Bruce RB 5' 11" 205 24 2nd Mississippi FA-'10
50 Hamilton, Ben G/C 6' 4" 290 32 10th Minnesota D4a- '01
74 Harris, Ryan T 6' 5" 300 25 4th Notre Dame D3- '07
23 Hill, Renaldo S 5' 11" 205 31 10th Michigan State UFA(Mia)- '09
71 Hochstein, Russ OL 6' 4" 305 32 10th Nebraska T (NEP)-'09
99 Holliday, Vonnie DL 6' 5" 285 34 13th North Carolina FA-'09
Jones, Nate CB 5' 10" 185 27 7th Rutgers UFA (MIA)-'10
52 Kelley, Braxton LB 6' 0" 230 23 1st Kentucky CFA- '09
73 Kuper, Chris G 6' 4" 303 27 5th North Dakota D5- '06
46 Larsen, Spencer ILB/FB 6' 2" 243 25 3rd Arizona D6- '08
26 Law, Ty CB 5' 11" 200 35 15th Michigan FA-'09
84 Lloyd, Brandon WR 6' 0" 194 28 8th Illinois FA- '09
15 Marshall, Brandon WR 6' 4" 230 25 5th Central Florida D4a- '06
31 McBath, Darcel S 6' 1" 198 24 2nd Texas Tech D2b- '09
98 McBean, Ryan DL 6' 5" 297 25 3rd Oklahoma State FA- '08
60 McChesney, Matt G 6' 4" 333 27 3rd Colorado FA-'09
11 McKinley, Kenny WR 6' 0" 183 23 2nd South Carolina D5- '09
27 Moreno, Knowshon RB 5' 11" 210 22 2nd Georgia D1a- '09
94 Moss, Jarvis OLB/DE 6' 7" 257 25 4th Florida D1- '07
70 Olsen, Seth G 6' 5" 308 24 2nd Iowa D4b- '09
8 Orton, Kyle QB 6' 4" 225 27 6th Purdue T(Chi)- '09
66 Paxton, Lonie LS 6' 2" 281 31 11th Sacramento State UFA(NE)- '09
76 Polumbus, Tyler T 6' 8" 300 24 3rd Colorado CFA- '08
5 Prater, Matt K 5' 10" 187 25 4th Central Florida PS(Miami)- '07
Quinn, Brady QB 6' 3" 235 25 4th Notre Dame T(Cle)- '10
81 Quinn, Richard TE 6' 4" 255 23 2nd North Carolina D2c- '09
95 Reid, Darrell OLB/DE 6' 2" 270 27 6th Minnesota UFA (Ind)-'09
19 Royal, Eddie WR 5' 10" 180 23 3rd Virginia Tech D2- '08
88 Scheffler, Tony TE 6' 5" 255 27 5th Western Michigan D2- '06
33 Smith, Alphonso CB 5' 9" 190 24 2nd Wake Forest D2a- '09
97 Smith, Le Kevin DL 6' 3" 308 27 5th Nebraska T (NEP)-'09
14 Stokley, Brandon WR 6' 0" 192 33 12th Southwestern-Louisiana FA- '07
79 Thomas, Marcus DL 6' 3" 316 24 4th Florida D4- '07
Trapasso, A.J. P 5' 11" 225 1st Ohio State FA-'10
55 Williams, D.J. ILB 6' 1" 242 27 7th Miami (Fla.) D1- '04
Williams, Jamal DL 6' 3" 348 34 13th Oklahoma State UFA (SD)-'10
12 Willis, Matthew WR 6' 0" 190 25 3rd UCLA FA- '08
59 Woodyard, Wesley ILB 6' 0" 222 23 3rd Kentucky CFA- '08



Yep your correct no young talent on the team and that is not including any of the current QB's

And I guess we will skip the draft this year also.

Please enough with the doom and gloom.

The jury is still out on Moreno

Originally Posted by broncofaninfla

The jury is still out on Moreno

That's fair, but then the jury is still out on Ayers and Woodyard, who I would say hasn't played better than Moreno.

Originally Posted by Nomad

A 1st rounder for Dumervil is stretching it too because he's limited to rushing the passer and not so great in coverage or against the run! If he can improve in those areas and keep his pass rushing at a high level then it would be no question he is worth a 1st, but I don't see him worth a 1st yet and a 1st and 3rd is way high even though pundits say a 3rd isn't a major issue! A team giving 2 high picks for Dumervil won't happen, he's not that good!

Teams spend 1st round picks on top pass rushers all the time. IN a league that is absolutely pass oriented, getting to the passer is Huge. Becoming more so all the time.