Reports today suggest that the Denver Broncos have contacted the Philadelphia Eagles about a trade for Donovan Mcnabb. What does this mean for Kyle Orton and the Broncos?
If the rumours are true, firstly it should be noted that the Bills and Browns are also in the mix, as they are the other teams mentioned. This means that there's no guarantee by any means that either the Eagles would trade him only to the Broncos, or that McNabb would agree with Denver over Buffalo or Cleveland. However, one thing it does show is that the Broncos themselevs are not sold on Kyle Orton for next season.
Orton is a restricted free agent who the Broncos would likely be happy to keep him around at the right price. One option that will not be available for the Broncos is to place the lowest tender on Orton (around $1.01m) , for which they would have received a 4th round pick as compensation if he signed for another team. That would be relatively likely considering Orton's demonstration at the beginning of last season and in his initial stint in Chicago that he can win games in the NFL. Unfortunately, although Orton's basic salary was only scheduled to be $620,000 in 2009, he met playing time and performance incentives which mean he will likely have to be given a higher tender to meet the rule that stipulates a player in RFA must be offered a tender of 110% of his last year's salary.
A more realistic option is the higher tender of $1.54m which would net the Broncos a 2nd round pick in compensation. There is no telling what the market would be if that was the case, primarily because although he would be a good short term option for the price, the uncertainty over the potential work stoppage in 2011 may make teams wary of offering a player a long term deal in an unstable market. Remember that for Orton to move, he has to either believe that he will start in his new city, or have the long term security of a new deal. If one of the two is not in place, he could choose to hang around in Denver, even if they have moved for another QB, as he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency - and a much bigger payday - in 2011.
Some Broncos fans were sold on Orton as a franchise QB after the team's strong start this year, but the crushing disappointment of missing the playoffs after such promise has clearly left questions amongst those who are actually making the decisions. Coach Josh McDaniels attempted to swing a deal for Matt Cassel before he joined Kansas City, and he has already traded away Jay Cutler - who arguably has a great deal more talent than Orton ever will. None of this shows mych willingness on the part of the team to lock Orton up long term, and realistically that could well be the pivotal point. Orton has played almost his whole 5 year career on a tiny wage compared to what he could realitsically expect from a multi-year deal, so I would expect that even if the prospects of starting are not greatly enhanced, the increased security would be attractive for him.
One thing we can now do is chalk Denver up on the list of teams that would be interested in adding a QB at some point this offseason. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had a list of 17 teams that would be interested in potentially be in the market for either a starter or a backup via free agency or the draft. Some are obvious (Oakland, St Louis) whilst others are dependent on a current member of the roster retiring (New Orleans, Minnesota).
There are other combinations of circumstance that could lead teams to look for a new signal caller this year, but at the very least it looks like Denver are looking for an upgrade.
Showing posts with label Denver Broncos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Denver Broncos. Show all posts
Monday, 8 February 2010
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Broncos the most likely team to play 49ers at Wembley
Well, it's good news for San Francisco fans in britain - the team looks well set to play in one of the Wembley games this year. Who will be their opponent? Well since Philadelphia are on the schedule, they are less likely than Dallas to go to Wembley on the basis of their lack of a Jerry Jones-style egocentric character, so my money is firmly on Denver.
New Orleans
Tampa Bay
Denver
Oakland
Arizona
St. Louis
Seattle
Philadelphia
As New Orleans and Tampa have already played in Europe, and the Raiders are a rival team. the only logical choices are the Eagles and Broncos. Of course, this is assuming the 49ers are the home team, as I believe they will be...
New Orleans
Tampa Bay
Denver
Oakland
Arizona
St. Louis
Seattle
Philadelphia
As New Orleans and Tampa have already played in Europe, and the Raiders are a rival team. the only logical choices are the Eagles and Broncos. Of course, this is assuming the 49ers are the home team, as I believe they will be...
Monday, 4 August 2008
Brandon Marshall out for 2-3 games
According to various NFL sources reported on NFL.com earlier today, starting Broncos WR Brandon Marshall is to be suspended for the first 3 games of the season, reduced to 2 if he voluntarily undertakes counselling for his recent off-field behaviour.
For Broncos fans, we suspect that they will be hoping that if Marshall does receive support from the league, Jay Cutler will be willing to provide him with a second chance after previously saying he needs to get himself together.
Wide-right believes that if Marshall only suffers a 2 game suspension, he will come back for the remainder of the season with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove. If he takes the full 3 game suspension, expect the trade rumours to start circulating in Denver.
For Broncos fans, we suspect that they will be hoping that if Marshall does receive support from the league, Jay Cutler will be willing to provide him with a second chance after previously saying he needs to get himself together.
Wide-right believes that if Marshall only suffers a 2 game suspension, he will come back for the remainder of the season with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove. If he takes the full 3 game suspension, expect the trade rumours to start circulating in Denver.
Friday, 25 July 2008
No more Brett!
No, he's not disappeared under a Wisconsin Snowplough, we're just refusing to document the shenanigans until something is decided.
DENVER:
Denver wideout Rod Smith has retired in a very emotional fashion after 13 years in the game, where Broncos President and CEO Pat Bowlen called Smith the best Broncos player not named John Elway that he's ever had play for him.
Is this a stretch? Bowlen has been in Denver since 1984, and whilst Tony Dorsett played a season there, the clear-cut number 2 behind Elway is Terrell Davis, who won Super Bowl 32 for the Broncos, and had 152 rushing/receiving yards in Super Bowl 33.
Smith has been in place for longer than Davis, and he too has won 2 rings. Moreover, as arguably the most successful undrafted rookie, he has the name recognition in place, but without Davis in SB32, the Broncos win zip. For that reason, Elway, Davis, Smith make up my top 3 Broncos players since 1984.
HOLDOUTS:
Devin Hester (KR/WR, Chicago)
Jason Peters (LT, Buffalo)
The two primary holdouts remaining, excluding rookies. Both feel they're underpaid (In Hester's case I agree - without him, where are the Bears scoring?), and both are Pro Bowlers. Two very different circumstances. Hester is still on his rookie contract and he's due to make circa $500k this season. Peters is a 5 year vet, and Trent Edwards' bodyguard, earning $3.25m this year, but crucially he's THIRD on the Bills line on 08 salary levels behind LG Derrick Dockery and RT Langston Walker. Based on that factor, and his salary isn't in line with a player of his abilities (Jake Long is guaranteed $6m per year and hasn't played a down). Also, he's $2m down on the 2004 average salary for a LT*. Pay them both, and get them into camp asap, particularly Hester if you want him to succeed (With Rexy?) at WR.
* - http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/magazine/24football.html
Breaking news in that Hester has reported to camp today, (Friday) after a two-day hold out. Various reports are suggesting that the Bears return specialist merely sought to shock the management into prioritising a new deal for him. Hester accumulated $30k of fines for his two day absence.
ANQUAN'S ANGRY:
Anquan Boldin wants out of Arizona. He's fed up of contract negotiations (which he signed two years ago) because the Cards were daft enough to say that he'd out-performed his contract. Seriously, say things like that when you're almost at your cap limit, and what more do you expect? Boldin would immediately improve any team in the league, and is a hard nosed, blue-collar player that fans respond to. Losing him would be a huge blow for a franchise looking to build for a playoff place.
DENVER:
Denver wideout Rod Smith has retired in a very emotional fashion after 13 years in the game, where Broncos President and CEO Pat Bowlen called Smith the best Broncos player not named John Elway that he's ever had play for him.
Is this a stretch? Bowlen has been in Denver since 1984, and whilst Tony Dorsett played a season there, the clear-cut number 2 behind Elway is Terrell Davis, who won Super Bowl 32 for the Broncos, and had 152 rushing/receiving yards in Super Bowl 33.
Smith has been in place for longer than Davis, and he too has won 2 rings. Moreover, as arguably the most successful undrafted rookie, he has the name recognition in place, but without Davis in SB32, the Broncos win zip. For that reason, Elway, Davis, Smith make up my top 3 Broncos players since 1984.
HOLDOUTS:
Devin Hester (KR/WR, Chicago)
Jason Peters (LT, Buffalo)
The two primary holdouts remaining, excluding rookies. Both feel they're underpaid (In Hester's case I agree - without him, where are the Bears scoring?), and both are Pro Bowlers. Two very different circumstances. Hester is still on his rookie contract and he's due to make circa $500k this season. Peters is a 5 year vet, and Trent Edwards' bodyguard, earning $3.25m this year, but crucially he's THIRD on the Bills line on 08 salary levels behind LG Derrick Dockery and RT Langston Walker. Based on that factor, and his salary isn't in line with a player of his abilities (Jake Long is guaranteed $6m per year and hasn't played a down). Also, he's $2m down on the 2004 average salary for a LT*. Pay them both, and get them into camp asap, particularly Hester if you want him to succeed (With Rexy?) at WR.
* - http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/magazine/24football.html
Breaking news in that Hester has reported to camp today, (Friday) after a two-day hold out. Various reports are suggesting that the Bears return specialist merely sought to shock the management into prioritising a new deal for him. Hester accumulated $30k of fines for his two day absence.
ANQUAN'S ANGRY:
Anquan Boldin wants out of Arizona. He's fed up of contract negotiations (which he signed two years ago) because the Cards were daft enough to say that he'd out-performed his contract. Seriously, say things like that when you're almost at your cap limit, and what more do you expect? Boldin would immediately improve any team in the league, and is a hard nosed, blue-collar player that fans respond to. Losing him would be a huge blow for a franchise looking to build for a playoff place.
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