Thread: Broncos trying to sack Dumervil at negotiating table

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_15335926

Kiszla: Broncos trying to sack Dumervil at negotiating table
By Mark Kiszla
The Denver Post

The good people of Colorado built Broncos owner Pat Bowlen a football stadium so the local NFL team would be a Super Bowl contender forever.

But, like pass-rusher Elvis Dumervil, the rest of us are slowly discovering that loyalty in the NFL is often a one-way street.

Could it be after all these years of acting the good neighbor, Bowlen and his franchise are now more interested in making money than winning a championship?

Maybe Josh McDaniels was hired as coach in Denver to hold down costs, especially with labor strife looming for the NFL just around a dark bend in the road ahead.

Dumervil gave his team a league- leading 17 sacks last season.

In return, the Broncos have given Dr. Doom the least amount of appreciation possible, leaving the four-year veteran little choice except to sign a $3.168 million tender to give his 110 percent on the field.

You have to wonder: How much money is Dumervil costing himself by being a good guy?

Inquire about Dumervil's priceless contributions to a defense that needs all the help it can get, and Denver defensive back Champ Bailey will enthusiastically say, "He's a guy that we need."

So what's the hang-up in getting Dumervil signed to a long-term contract?

This is a tricky deal for the Broncos.

The team must negotiate the fine line between what makes financial sense in roster maintenance and the costs required to maintain the faith of fans whose trust in the team has certainly been shaken.

Is Dumervil worth a multiyear contract in the neighborhood of $65 million, with more than half the money guaranteed, no matter how long his 5-foot-11, 248-pound body holds up against the strain of being an undersized playmaker in a violent game?

The brutally honest answer is: No.

Dumervil is a fearsome pass rusher, but his every-down impact is no match for NFL linebackers such as Patrick Willis or James Harrison.

So, no matter how much I like Dr. Doom, it's hard to mindlessly shout: Show him the money!

Ah, but here's the rub. Unless the Broncos sign Dumervil to a long-term contract before training camp begins, he would be foolish to show up. It then would be fair for everybody from veteran cornerback Bailey to season-ticket holders to wonder if this franchise has commitment issues.

Denver kicked quarterback Jay Cutler and receiver Brandon Marshall out the door of Dove Valley headquarters to seek greener pastures and pay raises elsewhere in the NFL. If you're asking me, the Broncos made a smart business decision in the case of both troublesome players.

So long as Bowlen is charging in excess of $200 per game for a club seat in a stadium built with the generosity of taxpayers, however, it also seems fair to ask: Are the Broncos truly serious about reinvesting profits in the very stars whose jerseys are proudly worn by spectators in the stands?

With zero promise of how many games will be on the league schedule in 2011 due to haggling over a new collective bargaining agreement, Bailey, who celebrates his 32nd birthday this week, wants to win now. And why should we be any different? I like McDaniels, but the NFL isn't a driver's education class to learn how to keep a team on the road to the Super Bowl.

Of course, it might be cheaper for the Broncos to pick an unpolished quarterback in the first round of the draft and sell everyone on a bright sun rising in the distant horizon, rather than spending the money to challenge the Colts or Patriots for AFC supremacy now.

Maybe the selection of Florida star Tim Tebow was as much a marketing campaign as a football decision.

Sorry for the cynicism.

But the NFL can be a down- and-dirty business, from the trenches where Dumervil works for the Broncos to the negotiating table where his employer is squeezing Dr. Doom for every last red cent.

Mark Kiszla: 303-954-1053 or mkiszla@denverpost.com

If he can give us 15 sacks a season for awhile, he IS worth 65 million. It's a passing league, guys who can sack the QB are worth a lot of cash.

I agree with some of that, sadly.

The title doesn't really match the article.

[QUOTE=broncobryce;998060]http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_15335926

Kiszla: "Bowlen and his franchise are now more interested in making money than winning a championship?"

I have been telling people for some time (over a year and a half) that Bowlen has cash flow issues. Powder, where are you? Even Kiszla is beginning to not only get the idea but put it in writing.

Kiszla: "Maybe Josh McDaniels was hired as coach in Denver to hold down costs, especially with labor strife looming for the NFL just around a dark bend in the road ahead."

Another point I made when McDaniels was hired. IIRC, even Joe Ellis, a big reason for Josh being hired admitted as much. I believe he mentioned that he and Bowlen liked that he came from a franchise known for holding every possible cost down.

I am not faulting Bowlen, though! I think it is a wise business decision in a clouded environment. The CBA is an issue. Bowlen is the head of the TV committee. He is no dummy. I am quite certain the league coming out of the new CBA will be drastically different and the better teams will be those teams that were more prudent. You could see some of that with the hockey lockout.

Originally Posted by Tempus Fugit

The title doesn't really match the article.

That is exactly what I thought when I read it early on denver post site this morning.

From article:

"So what's the hang-up in getting Dumervil signed to a long-term contract?

This is a tricky deal for the Broncos.

The team must negotiate the fine line between what makes financial sense in roster maintenance and the costs required to maintain the faith of fans whose trust in the team has certainly been shaken.

Is Dumervil worth a multiyear contract in the neighborhood of $65 million, with more than half the money guaranteed, no matter how long his 5-foot-11, 248-pound body holds up against the strain of being an undersized playmaker in a violent game?

The brutally honest answer is: No.

Dumervil is a fearsome pass rusher, but his every-down impact is no match for NFL linebackers such as Patrick Willis or James Harrison.

So, no matter how much I like Dr. Doom, it's hard to mindlessly shout: Show him the money!"

So, if that is the way Kiszla feels, why did he title the article what he did???????

Kiz is the second biggest hack the DP next to woody.

Nowhere is it been quoted by anyone reliable that DEN is not negioating in good faith.

If Doom does not show up at Training camp then he can be fined. Zhould bd fined because he signed the tender increasing his salary 6 fold.

Is that enough, or is 50 milion+ yo much.


Pat does not a cash flow issue anymore than any other team.

But neither does he have money to flush down the toilet on FA like in the past.

Was Josh hired to keep costs down like the NE team he came from.

I doubt that if that would have been the objective they would have hired Piaoli oe Billy whom ever was resposible for that type of stuff.

They have guaranteed TV money next year even IF they have NO or a short schedule.

Pat is responsible for putting a good product on the field but it does not mean he has to break the bank to do so.

Doom nice to have IF he is affordable

Kiz did say that at his size no on knows how much he can take and for how long.

That much I have been saying for along time along with him being a one trick pony.
Mobile Post via Mobile.BroncosForums.com/forums

Originally Posted by jhildebrand

I have been telling people for some time (over a year and a half) that Bowlen has cash flow issues. Powder, where are you? Even Kiszla is beginning to not only get the idea but put it in writing.

It's not a cash flow issue, it's a case of Bowlen getting tired of dumping huge amounts of money on the Travis Henry's and Simeon Rice's of the world and getting very little production out of it, hence like you said, there was the value of getting a guy who came from a team known for operating frugally.

Originally Posted by Bosco

It's not a cash flow issue, it's a case of Bowlen getting tired of dumping huge amounts of money on the Travis Henry's and Simeon Rice's of the world and getting very little production out of it, hence like you said, there was the value of getting a guy who came from a team known for operating frugally.

It's common knowledge that Bowlen isn't among the big boys as far as NFL owners go. He's like 1,000 on the Forbes list...worth a little over a billion. Most NFL owners have much deeper pockets than Pat does. They don't even really need the money from their franchises to be rich. He does. It is his main source of revenue. Why do you think he tried to let Elway buy 10%?

Also, it's a real disservice to Dumervil to mention his name with the likes of Travis Henry and Simeon Rice. He's been the most productive player on the defense.

We need to lock this guy up.

We can always go back to counting to 10 mississippi every time an opposing QB drops back to pass. Wasn't that fun?

Travis Henry was a guy that could produce at a high level when he was on the field.

Simeon Rice is a HOFer, that was picked up when everyone but Denver knew he was washed up.

Dumveril produces when he's on the field and is in his prime. He also could have giggled his sack off at the Broncos and not signed that tender. Make no mistake about it, your defense doesn't have a plethora of great players. He's also the only player on your roster that can rush the passer.

He's also a team player and a class act.

Bowlen doesn't have cash flow problems. It's almost impossible for an owner to have cash flow problems with the revenue sharing that the NFL has implemented.

Originally Posted by Slick

It's common knowledge that Bowlen isn't among the big boys as far as NFL owners go. He's like 1,000 on the Forbes list...worth a little over a billion. Most NFL owners have much deeper pockets than Pat does. They don't even really need the money from their franchises to be rich. He does. It is his main source of revenue. Why do you think he tried to let Elway buy 10%?

I'm well aware that Bowlen doesn't have the revenue alot of other NFL teams do.

Also, it's a real disservice to Dumervil to mention his name with the likes of Travis Henry and Simeon Rice. He's been the most productive player on the defense.

What are you talking about? That statement was completely unrelated to Dumervil.

We need to lock this guy up.

Agreed, but not at an exorbitant (over $30 mil guaranteed) price.

What a load of conjecture filled tripe by Kiszla. One could expect the nearly 99% speculation spouted out by Kiszla in this article from a casual fan or irritated forum poster but for a journalist to put to print an article filled with this... garbage is unprincipled and questionable IMO.

Simply put, I firmly believe writers working at this level of media are not supposed to make their living off of stories built on a house of supposition and hyperbole. To do so shows his quality as a journalist.

As for the story itself, few things in there I agree with at all, with the exception that some fans and likely players on the Broncos are starting to question if the Broncos have commitment issues. Personally, I find it rather reaffirming that I disagree with Kiszla on so many issues. Seeing my personal opinion of his intelligence and skill as writer for the Post I would find it much more disheartening to agree with an unskilled hack then the alternative.

Give Doom his due, pay him his money, and put Kiszla's foot where it belongs... in his mouth.

Originally Posted by Bosco

It's not a cash flow issue, it's a case of Bowlen getting tired of dumping huge amounts of money on the Travis Henry's and Simeon Rice's of the world and getting very little production out of it, hence like you said, there was the value of getting a guy who came from a team known for operating frugally.

So you are dismissing one conjecture with your own, and claiming fact.

I'm still at the same place I have always been at.

Pay Doom and lock him up for years. BUT...don't break the bank. If he wants Ware or Peppers money...sorry..seeya Doom, it's been nice knowing you!

Originally Posted by Bosco

I'm well aware that Bowlen doesn't have the revenue alot of other NFL teams do.

What are you talking about? That statement was completely unrelated to Dumervil.

Agreed, but not at an exorbitant (over $30 mil guaranteed) price.

Dumb it down for me if I interpreted wrong. When I read your post I interpret, Pat won't pay Elvis because of past mistakes with Rice and Henry.