Chargers land LT Max Starks
www.utsandiego.com
The Chargers waived Kevin Haslam, a three-game starter at left tackle in 2012. On the same day, free agent Max Starks donned a Chargers avatar on his verified Twitter account and announced he was joining the team.
With Pittsburgh, Starks faced Denver (with Elvis Dumervil) in back-to-back games - the 2011 WC game, and the 2012 opener, and PFF has Starks down for having allowed one sack, three hits, six hurries, and a cumulative grade of minus-6.9. In other words, just the kind of guy the Broncos want to see twice a year.
Meanwhile, the Chargers are reportedly holding out hope that Melvin Ingram can recover quickly enough from his ACL tear to have an impact on the 2013 season.
Patriots, Cowboys and Rams spent the most guaranteed money on undrafted rookie free agents
sports.yahoo.com
The largest signing bonus issued to an undrafted rookie this year belongs to UNLV linebacker John Lotulelei, who received $25,000 to sign with the Seattle Seahawks. Boston College offensive tackle Emmett Cleary received $20,000 to sign with the Indianapolis Colts, while Florida linebacker Lerentee McCray was third on the list with a $17,500 signing bonus from the Denver Broncos.
Granted, that's still peanuts in the NFL, and won't factor into whether Lerentee makes Denver's 53-man roster. If nothing else, it's an indication that the Broncos weren't alone in liking McCray's prospects, and that he heard good enough things from the Denver front office about his chances of making the squad.
OTAs Day One Practice Takeaways
www.denverbroncos.com
In terms of personnel, the offensive line isn’t yet up to speed. Chris Kuper and J.D. Walton were among the players who were outside, but not practicing. Neither are expected back before training camp, but Walton’s presence with the offensive line group during drills was a positive sight.
Safety Quinton Carter and rookie defensive end Quanterus Smith were also on hand, but limited to watching and working out. Carter, who is recovering from microfracture surgery, ran laps around an adjacent practice field.
That is, if Kuper is still around, and as we've noted countless times, we're not expecting him to be, given his $4.5M salary for 2013.
Also from Mason's excellent post is the disconcerting note that Trindon Holliday still hasn't kicked his fumbling problem. Is that why Wes Welker was fielding punts during his first Broncos practice? Is he the new Jim Leonhard?
Peyton Manning, Broncos return for offseason practices
www.denverpost.com
Woodson visited the Broncos’ headquarters last Wednesday and the two sides appeared close on finalizing a deal when negotiations hit a snag. Woodson is scheduled to visit the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday but the Broncos are still hopeful they can sign him.
Meanwhile, current safety Rahim Moore had a fun Monday, having to answer questions about both the Baltimore game and the possibility of having to compete with Woodson.
Of course, we don't see Woodson as a threat, but rather a potential complement to Rahim, so perhaps those were just uninformed queries?
Willis McGahee is only no-show for Broncos' training session
www.denverpost.com
“He’s following the same routine he’s had his whole career,” said Chafie Fields, McGahee’s agent. “He’ll be there. He’s ready to compete. No messages.”
As noted by Gregg Rosenthal, Willis typically trains with his fellow ex-Hurricanes, so there appears to be nothing to see here.
However, his roster standing is still in jeopardy, what with the drafting of Montee Ball last month and Ronnie Hillman in 2012, plus Knowshon Moreno's lower age (by six years) and salary ($1.7M vs. $2.5M, and cutting McGahee would provide $2M in cap relief, while cutting Knowshon would net just $945K).
Manning’s contract doesn’t change, league’s treatment of it does
profootballtalk.nbcsports.com
A source with knowledge of the situation has reiterated to PFT that, despite reports elsewhere to the contrary, the deal did not change. However, the NFL’s interpretation of it did.
Well, I feel like I just wasted an hour writing about what the Broncos were thinking when they may or may not have renegotiated Peyton Manning's contract.
I see no reason to doubt Florio's latest report on the situation, so that obviously eliminates any intent on Denver's part. Nonetheless, they could still end up making use of the extra space, or just carry it over to next offseason.
Oakland Raiders sign receiver/returner Josh Cribbs
www.contracostatimes.com
Cribbs, who turns 30 on June 9, spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns, where he developed into one of the game’s most productive kick and punt returners.
His eight kick returns for touchdowns are tied for the most in NFL history. He also amassed 1,914 yards and nine touchdowns rushing and receiving for the Browns.
Reggie McKenzie continues to make wise decisions; anyone else missing Al Davis right about now?
Oh yeah, and this signing is a perfect reminder of why special teams ace David Bruton is so vital to the Broncos' sustained success.
Charles Woodson meeting with Broncos; defensive back has other suitors
www.denverpost.com
Although the Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers also are interested in signing the versatile defensive back, the Broncos likely are the leading candidate for Woodson because they have the best chance to win a Super Bowl this season.
An opportunity to win a second Super Bowl ring, not money, is the primary objective for Woodson, who turns 37 in October.
...
He has struggled with shoulder injuries since breaking his collarbone in Green Bay’s Super Bowl victory in 2011, but he is healthy now.
If the ring's the thing, then this apparent choice for Chuck Wood is a no-brainer, isn't it?
Sources: Jets have agreement in principle to trade Darrelle Revis to Buccaneers
sports.yahoo.com
The New York Jets have agreed in principle on a trade to send star cornerback Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay for undisclosed draft picks and the Buccaneers have agreed to a long-term contract that will make Revis one of the highest paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL, according to multiple sources.
The Jets gave Revis permission to visit the Buccaneers on Sunday morning after reaching an agreement with Tampa Bay on the trade portion of the transaction.
As for the contract, the Bucs are well aware that Revis is seeking a deal worth in the range of $15 million to $16 million per year.
~13% of the salary cap to one cornerback? Have fun with that, Bucs...
Elvis Dumervil mulls Ravens' offer; Freeney, Abraham visit Broncos
www.denverpost.com
The Ravens have delivered a contract offer to Dumervil, according to two NFL sources. However, the sources say the Broncos have offered slightly more money in the early portion of the deal.
The Broncos’ money has tightened because of a $4.89 million dead-money, salary-cap hit they absorbed while releasing Dumervil last week, so re-signing Dumervil likely would mean releasing a player or two off their roster.
This has to be a tough call for Elvis, whose recent Denver experience has been just brutal. First came the stunning home playoff loss to the very team that's now pursuing him, followed by a public demand from the Broncos and John Elway that he accept a pay reduction. Next, his now former agent bungles his reworked contract, and the Broncos have now reportedly offered him less than the two sides had agreed to last Friday.
Will he take what Mike Klis reports is a somewhat better offer to stick around, or has the taste grown so bitter that he just wants a fresh start? Impossible to know what Elvis is thinking, but our hope is he remains in orange and blue.
