February 16, 2009 8:18 PM
Broncos cap no issue
The Broncos have not only pared a dozen players off the roster in the last week but have unofficially added more than $25 million in salary-cap space in the process.
The biggest savings was realized by Monday's release of defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson. He was supposed to count $16 million towards the 2009 spending limit but because he didn't reach pre-determined playing time levels of at least 75 percent of the snaps and wasn't on the roster on the third day of the NFL's league year, it all washed away without any dead money assessed to Denver.
Of the six high-profile cuts released Monday, linebacker Niko Koutouvides' financial impact will be felt most, given the $1.3 million in prorated bonuses that will accelerate forward. However, that's still a savings over the $3.06 million he had been due this season.
Tight end Nate Jackson ($982,500), safety Marquand Manuel ($1.3 million), linebacker Jamie Winborn ($1.75 million) and defensive end John Engelberger ($2.185 million) all had their salaries wiped off the books with only a combined $714,000 in dead money attached.
At this moment, without bonuses previously earned factored into the equation, Denver stands with about $35 million in cap room under the projected $123 million threshold, a figure that may rise depending on any prior year 'credits' for bonuses not earned.
Free agency opens Feb. 27. The vast amount of cap space won't be an issue; instead, Denver's ability to be aggressive on the open market will be tied to cash on hand it's willing to spend -- which remains an open question in these tight financial times.
--- By Lee Rasizer
February 17, 2009
11:09 AM
Luke writes:
We need to go after some big free agents. Guys like Peppers and/or Suggs. Leadership on the Defense is what the Broncos are lacking and needs to be the focus in the off season.
February 17, 2009
12:50 PM
Carl writes:
I think that the best move for the broncos would be to go after Albert Haynseworth, a big guy in the middle of the new 3-4 defense they will be running. I also hope with all hope they draft Rey Maualuga out of USC, the guy reeks of nastiness, and will bring energy to the team. They could also use another outside linebacker, but those two guys would give them a great chance of winning more than 8 games.
February 17, 2009
2:10 PM
B writes:
Top five Free Agents they better target
1) Albert Haynesworth, obvious D-Line is weak.
2) Julius Peppers, says he wants 2 go to a 3-4 d also.
3) Terrell Suggs, Young, played in 3-4, with Maualuga that skyrockets the linebacker core to what they had in 2005.
4)Oshiomogho Atogwe, Saftey is probably the most overlooked problem of this Defense.
5)Nnamdi Asomugha, ONLY IF THEY TRY TO MOVE BAILEY/BLY, always great to steal a Raider, Bly had a bad year, and plays like a girl by getting pushed 15 yards downfeild every run.
February 17, 2009
2:45 PM
Kevin writes:
If we could get Haynesworth and Suggs and draft either a top LB or safety (or both) I would be a very happy man.
February 17, 2009
4:52 PM
Derek writes:
Very curious to see if all the people you guys mentioned above will be available.
1.Albert Haynesworth is in hard talks with the Titans,and I heard they already have a contract structure in place.
2.Peppers would be great except don't be surprised if the requirement will be a 1st round draft pick...still want him?Gross is close to signing a extension,and then guess who gets the tag?
3.Suggs....I bet he he gets tagged(Ray Lewis resigns,Bart Scott leaves)...or goes to AZ.AZ has alot of cap space too,and he will want to go back to where he played college ball.
4....I can go on and on...these players on these teams are either are going to be resigned or tagged.Nnamdi is the best player on his team and Atogwe is a good defensive player that just got a new defensive minded head coach.
February 18, 2009
10:00 AM
Scott writes:
One thing to keep in mind -- Denver needs at least 7 or 8 new starters on defense. How is that going to be accomplished if you pay 14 mil a year to a Peppers or another top tier free agent?
I think they'd be better off signing some solid players that fit. I'd look at players like Bart Scott, Channing Crowder, Mike Brown, Igor Olshansky...good players that won't be demanding top dollar. I'd rather have Olshanksy, Crowder and Mike Brown than just Peppers.
And Derek brings up a good point -- most of these guys will be franchised.
February 18, 2009
10:30 AM
DENO writes:
HANDS DOWN WE HAVE TO LOOK AT A BULK OF PLAYERS. NO ONE PLAYER CAN HELP THIS DEFENCE...YET I MITE ADD, WITH A GOOD PASS RUSHER OUR DEFENCE GETS INSTANTLY BETTER. DRE BLY IS GONE SO WE CAN ONLY GET BETTER.( I`LL TAKE A DUDE ON THE CORNER OVER BLY!). WITH THE CAP SPACE THATS OPEN THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. ONE SLEEPER MOVE FRED TAYLOR,....
February 23, 2009
7:13 PM
myerda00 writes:
Some have asked about the cap for Denver, here is a post;
Denver is $50+ million under the cap since the Denver Broncos released TE Nate Jackson, CB Dre' Bly, DT Dewayne Robertson, DE John Engelberger, LB Niko Koutouvides, SS Marquand Manuel, and LB Jamie Winborn. All these guys are pretty good players who will be snatched up when the market opens Feb. 27. These cuts freed up some $25m million under the cap, giving Denver over $50m in cap room. No team has more money to go after big free agents.
Sharkdraft > Posted on 2/17/2009 4:18:03 PM
Luke - you are right, Broncos need leaders.
Hey B - all of the guys that you listed are franchised or are re-signed except Haynesworth and he turned down the Panthers last offer of 4 years at $36 mil plus a signing bonus. His agent said they are looking at about 6 years at $72 mil. WHOA NELLIE !!
Scott - you are right my young man. I would be happy to get 3 FA and 2 draft choices that become impact players.