Up-coming Free Agents

by Sayre111589 on Oct 20, 2009 2:30 PM MDT Comment 25 comments

I am buzzing on this 6-0 start right now, but there are some things to think about as we head into the bye week unblemished. Some of our top players right now are going to be free agents at the end of the season, as if you all didn't know that already, but here are some of the bigger names with expiring contracts:

1. QB Kyle Orton

2. TE Tony Scheffler

3. WR Brandon Marshall

4. DE/OLB Elvis Dumervil

5. RG Chris Kuper

It would seem as though an un-capped year would give us the firepower to re-sign most, if not all of these players back, but the question still lingers as to who will be retained.

In my opinion, I think first and foremost we have to re-sign Orton and Dumervil. Kyle has played outstanding ball this season, and he deserves a contract extension from the Broncos if he is going to continue to play at this high of a level.

Same with Dumervil. He is an All-Pro and leads the NFL in sacks with 10 through only six games. There is no way the Broncos can let him slip away.

I think the player with the biggest chance of leaving, honestly, is Scheffler though I hate to say it. I thought he might be traded prior to the season starting, but I'm glad he is back. I really hope we try our best to keep him, because he is a huge weapon in the passing game.

Probably the most underrated of this group is Chris Kuper, who has played at an elite level for two straight seasons. He is in for a nice pay day, and it seems offensive linemen are more willing to stick with their original team for some reason. I think we find a way to bring him back.

Then there's Marshall. Early indications were that we would franchise tag him at the end of this season, but with Dumervil and Orton's play, that may not be an option anymore. Still, I don't think we can let him walk away from here without getting anything in return.

I am wondering if Dumervil might be an RFA at the end of the season, likewise with Marshall and Kuper. I am not sure of the exact rules, but it seems as though fourth round picks usually end up as restricted free agents. The only thing is, restricted free agents usually sign an RFA tender after their third season, and I don't recall any of our guys doing so.

Either way, I think we should try and lock at least one of these players up over the bye week. We need to be focusing on football right now, but we gave an extension to Mario Haggan this year so why not one of these guys? They are the future of our team, really.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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In a Perfect world

we win the superbowl and they all agree to sign for amounts that we can afford to keep them for, and then win another SB next year……of course this isn’t a perfect world.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
- Thomas Alva Edison

"Success is not a place at which one arrives, but rather... the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey."
- Alex Noble

by DenBronx on Oct 20, 2009 2:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Until this is more clarity on the CBA, I doubt the Broncos are interested in doing anything about the contracts of these five players. All five of the players you listed will be restricted FAs.

If there is no resolution to the CBA before the beginning of the FA signing period (I believe in early March 2010), Denver (all teams) will have two franchise tags at their disposal. We would also be able to put tenders (assuming 1st round pick+ on all five of those players). That scares away a lot of teams because they have to pay a large contract and draft pick compensation to lure players away from other teams.

But I believe it is too early to intelligently discuss contract extensions for 2010 FAs.

by McGeorge on Oct 20, 2009 2:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

What would Belichick do?

Given that McD draws heavily from the Bilechick handbook, how have the Pats handled resigning their stars?

broncorat

by broncorat on Oct 20, 2009 2:42 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

As much as I love the neckbeard, I don't think that he will be getting much more than he is already making.

McD has shown he can make anybody look good at QB. Plus, we have a very talented young QB named Brandstater. Now, I’ll admit that Brandstater may not be ready to start next year, but Orton is not going to get a big fat paycheck for this season. He is playing well, but it definitely helps that he has all these weapons around him. I don’t think orton would mind staying at his current pay next season if he gets to keep some of these weapons around him.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by kentuckybronco on Oct 20, 2009 3:04 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Disagree

I’m sure that Orton really likes it here, but he’s making peanuts right now. He’s still playing on a rookie contract of a 4th round pick. Whatever happens from here on out, there are many teams out there that will offer him some big money. And really, the same goes for all of these guys. Marshall in particular will be looking at huge money.

IT is, and it's impossible for IT not to be.
Parmenides (5th Century B. C. Greek)

by bradley on Oct 20, 2009 3:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

definitely agree about marshall.

Bmarsh will cost us a ton and Doom will cost us a ton. 10 sacks in 6 games don’t come cheap.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by kentuckybronco on Oct 20, 2009 3:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bradley is right about Orton, whatever Cassel is making, Orton will receive at least that much.

Orton is due and will receive a HUGE raise (think $10MM per season).

by McGeorge on Oct 20, 2009 3:32 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He may make that much, but I just don't see the Broncos forking over that much to keep him here.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by kentuckybronco on Oct 20, 2009 3:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You may be right

I’d hate to see it, but with Brandstater looking good so far, Orton may not be affordable.

IT is, and it's impossible for IT not to be.
Parmenides (5th Century B. C. Greek)

by bradley on Oct 20, 2009 5:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

Orton will be gone with the wind to another team.

by rocko1 on Oct 20, 2009 4:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Orton is let go, I wonder if we’ll see a trend with McDaniels and quarterbacks that is similar to Shanahan and running backs.

by Kwon on Oct 20, 2009 3:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

It looks like that already. He turned Cassel into a 60 million dollar man...... who busted in KC.

He then turned around and took a chicago whipping boy into one of the best QBs in the NFL

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by kentuckybronco on Oct 20, 2009 3:19 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is a joke right?

Orton is the perfect fit for this team. How do you think the players would react to not resigning KO. Maybe the Raiders would be interested in KO?

by rocko1 on Oct 20, 2009 4:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Al Davis

would never sign a noodle armed QB. ;-)

IT is, and it's impossible for IT not to be.
Parmenides (5th Century B. C. Greek)

by bradley on Oct 20, 2009 5:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yikes, that is a lot of big names coming up after a season where everyone will want our guys… I’m hoping that most of our FA’s will know what this team and system have done for them, and will be willing to find a way to stick around.

Does anyone have numbers on our cap position? Is there anywhere we have access to the teams salaries? I would love a good fanpost about this subject, detailing what kind of flexibility we have to sign players in the off-season… I do get the feeling that we don’t really have that many huge contracts… Champ must be the biggest?

by aLuffabo on Oct 20, 2009 3:22 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Orton?

I’ve heard this one several times recently, and I’m kind of surprised. If Orton plays at anything near the level that he’s been playing at (or at the level in that direction, ie, better and better) the Broncos will resign him for a very nice contract.

Keep something in mind. Tom Brady resigned for about 6 million, estimated, less than he could have asked for. He chose to take less, but to stay with a winner and to help build the team. 6 other Pats did much the same, in various amounts. I’m sure that the Broncos players will do os as well.

We’re not there, there’s no final word on the CBA and lots can change between now and the end of the season, but trust me: Orton will be a Bronco next year if he’s healthy. His QB rating this week is 100.1, completions are at 63.9 and climbing, he leads the league in 4th quarter QB rating, he’s got a 9-1 TD/INT ratio and he hasn’t lost a game yet. That sounds like someone you don’t pay?

Moreno/Buckhalter in '09

by Emmett Smith on Oct 20, 2009 3:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I sure hope so. All of them are "deserving" of the money, but the Broncos only have so much to spend under the salary cap.

In an uncapped year, I have no idea how all of that would work. I am just hoping that we get the home team discount for these guys.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by kentuckybronco on Oct 20, 2009 3:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

To add to Emmett's comment

Orton would be foolish to not want to sign with a team whose coach has him playing up to his potential. I’m not saying Kyle hasn’t earned anything because I think he has. He has shown up and studied his butt off, and done everything he could to better his game, and done everything the coaches have asked him to do. So it is likely that he won’t try to break Bowlen’s pocketbook. He will be compensated fairly.

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Oct 20, 2009 5:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Orton feels he's in the perfect world, in a perfect system and is under the perfect coach.

Orton, Kuper and Doom are all keepers and will definitely stay on board. Sheff I’m not too sure about and Marshall still lacks intelligence and will still go to the highest bidder.

by RafaTheRed on Oct 20, 2009 4:02 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

except that his agent...

…is also his mentor. I see him staying and getting paid the most of those guys above…

Because Montana has no professional sports, I gotta support the land of my birth.

by Drizzt396 on Oct 20, 2009 6:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't want to lose any of these guys!

"Really, I'm a high-motor guy. Tough, hard-nosed, a hard runner, can make you miss at times. And just competitive. I love to play the game and I bring that energy to my team. So, we'll see how that goes." - Knowshon Moreno

Knowshon Moreno=ROY

by stedtfeld on Oct 20, 2009 4:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

In a perfect world, we won't. It is a possibility, though.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by kentuckybronco on Oct 20, 2009 4:32 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Flipside of Success?

Timely post Sayre which somewhat tempers the surge of optimism! But you’re right, one of the principles that the Patsies empire has been built on is its constant attention to the future – look at the trading of draft picks and even the recent Seymour trade as they try to retain their dominance. Hopefully in a few years when we look back at this period, we can say that’s where our time started too.
As for your selection of FAs, there have been a few similar posts recently, so it’s certainly an issue which is concerning the MHR readership, and I commend you for raising it. That said, there are a few of this select band that are unlikely to be around – and Tony Scheffler is probably the most likely casualty. Despite the pessimism, Orton’s revival within Dove Valley might actually encourage him to sign a cap-friendly deal which would allow him to stay. I’d say that Kyle has already seen enough of McD’s offense to know that he can be both productive and successful in it, and he’s not as pigheaded as Cutler, so I wouldn’t necessarily see him chasing the highest bid (see RafaTheRed comments; incidentally, I take it you must be a Liverpool fan? Another good night for you? Well, at least our Broncos are keeping you smiling!!). Kuper, Marshall and Dumervil will not come cheap, and I’m particularly concerned for Kuper, given the recent trend in overpaying guards and tackles, and in this case a right tackle. Playing in arguably the league’s premier OL is a shop window, and like anyone, Kuper has a right to what is a fair market price for his services, even though we might moan and groan that it’s inflated. You get what you’re worth. BMarsh is a different animal. A genuine superstar is what we have on our hands, and whilst I can’t help but think that the recent camaraderie between him and McD is a little too forced, he’s going to want the mega-bucks. Whether we pony up, I really don’t know.
If I’m not mistaken, I think I read somewhere on MHR that Ben Hamilton may also be a contract casualty next year, and given his veteran status (and salary!), and his recent propensity for concussions, he may be the likeliest departure of all.
But I don’t want to end this post in such a gloomy fashion. Heck, we’re 6-0 and looking damned good value for it. No, in terms of the imminent FAs, there are an awful lot of issues to be resolved in and by the NFL over the next few months, none more critical than the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Now, many others have posted great articles on this topic and analysed it to the nth degree – feel free to present that again – but one of the things which was not lost on me was that we will have two franchise player tags – so we will be able to retain two of the aforementioned players. My bet would be Doom and BMarsh at this point. And of course, every time one door closes, another one opens. Who’s to say that we can’t improve our time during the next free agency period??
And does anyone know where we stand in salary cap terms at the moment? Given all of the movement this offseason, I can’t help but think that we must be tight against the limit for this year and the next few…
Good, interesting post sir!

by MileHighMan on Oct 20, 2009 4:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Doom should be signed immediately.

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Oct 20, 2009 5:04 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Six Pack of UFA for 2010

The CBA will be a large factor.
Sayre: I agree with you about getting some extentions done during the year. Two factors will help next year. Mike Shanahan should have a job so $10 million of Pat Bowlens money will be freed up. And the is little to no ‘dead money’ to sap the cap.

I also do not believe that any of these players will break the bank except Marshall. I also believe if Marshall does not sign a team friendly contract then a trade of value is eminent.

Tony Scheffler, tight end with a salary for 2009 of $535,000, 2010. Tony should have an excellent year in the pass friendly offense of Coach McDaniels. Coach has also expressed delight in seeing what Tony could do and has said "we will get him in many favorable match ups".. In 2008 Tony Scheffler lead TE with 16.7 yards per reception.

Kyle Orton, quarterback with a salary for 2009 of $995,000. Kyle has stated that "we all make more money than needed" so this may well be the easiest contract for GM Xanders. Kyle brings the game managing traits that Coach McDaniels likes in his QB. It also has been stated that Kyle is very smart and reads defenses quite well. Brian Urlacher said "hate to lose Kyle, he has great leadership on the field and in the club house". Record of 6-0 and a QB rating above 100%.

Brandon Marshall, wide receiver with a salary for 2009 of $2.198 million. Brandon is one of the top 10 best wide receivers in the game today and made the Pro Bowl in 2008. He has had two very good years with over 100 receptions per year. Brandon’s shown great improvement in the first six games..

Chris Kuper, guard with a salary for 2009 of $1.01 million. Many know that Denver has two excellent tackles in the Ryan’s, Clady and Harris. But what is being said about the excellent job the 2008 OL did, must be also attributed to Chris. He graded out great for all games. He also got one vote for All Pro, along with Ryan Clady All Pro by AP and Ryan Harris All Pro by SN.

Elvis Dumervil, outside linebacker with a salary for 2009 of $535,000 Elvis’ transition to OLB in the 3-4 has been smooth and he has excelled to lead the league in sacks with 10.

Josh Barrett, defensive back with a salary for 2009 of $385,000. Coach Nolan has been using Josh in many different schemes so far. Josh is currently running nickle when opponents have receiving TE’s.

by DLMyers on Oct 20, 2009 8:00 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs