My ideas for the 2010 draft, free agency, etc.

by Joe Medina on Oct 27, 2009 9:26 PM MDT Comment 33 comments

What's crackin kids? I just had some thoughts about free agency, and the upcoming draft. If you've participated in Styg's (Jeremy Bolander) recent post, then you might have already read my idea. Here it goes. Just hear me out.

Next year there is no more salary cap. This might sound like a good thing, but it's really not bad OR good. Not yet anyways. It means that teams are likely to be clamping down on how much they are paying players over the next few years. This is another reason why most players are hoping to get new deals before the end of the year as well. This fares well for some players, but not so well for others.

Currently, the highest paid player on the team is Champ Bailey--by a LARGE margin. I couldn't find any exact numbers, but maybe MHR's Girl could find them again. I know she's done some stuff regarding salaries, so she must know better where to look for that stuff. Anyways, if I were the GM, here's how I would work deals out at the end of this year.

1. Trade Champ. This is the classic New England way. You wait until a player is red hot, and when he is, trade him for a lot of draft picks in the second round on. So far this year, Champ's been very solid, and if more quarterbacks feel like testing him, his INT's will rise, and if he makes it to the Pro Bowl again, his stock is even higher. There's too many teams looking for a "shutdown corner" and they would pay dearly for it. Trade him for a 1st and a 3rd in the 2010 draft. I can think of a few teams that would do that deal in a second. All of a sudden, you've got a lot of free room in the pocketbook. He's in his 11th year right now, so he is in prime position to get paid a hell of a lot of money from a team that wants to keep him around for the rest of his football life. Good for him, good for us. Besides, I like Andre Goodman and Alphonso Smith in the CB spots in that case.

2. Resign Doom, Marshall and Orton to good deals. Don't dump the farm on any of them, but give them good enough deals to keep them around for the next 4 or 5 years. With the freed up money you get from trading Bailey, it doesn't seem so hard to make all 3 deals happen.

3. Draft day, keep one of your first rounders (preferably the higher one), and trade the other for a 2nd and a third. There is going to be some team desperate enough and willing to reach (looking at you Oakland, SD and Dallas). Make a deal, do a little of this and a little of that. All of a sudden, instead of having 6 picks in a VERY deep draft, you've got 9, with only one in the first round. You could use your newly acquired picks to really shore up on some needs, like O line and others.

I'm not a guru for this stuff, so forgive me if some things don't line up right away. I'm just trying to feel out the rest of MHR to see if you'd be willing to part with Champ.

Poll

if you were GM, would you trade Champ after this year to free up space?

Yes

27 votes

No

54 votes

81 votes | Poll has closed

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

1 recs | Comment 33 comments

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Comments

I don't know

I believe if a player does his job he gets to stay on the team. besides i kinda have a soft spot for champ.

When Peyton Hillis falls from a boat into a body of water......Peyton Hillis doesn't get wet, water gets Peyton Hillis'd

by P. Hillis#1 on Oct 27, 2009 9:57 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I dont like Champ and i would never get near him let alone take a picture with him. LOL

Yah, i would trade him for sure as a result he only has a few prime years left in him and we could get a 1st rounder.

by Calibroncoboy on Oct 27, 2009 10:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Lol CB!!! how could you!!

Smokey, my friend, you are entering a world of pain.

by TJ Johnson on Oct 27, 2009 10:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well he basically begged to get in a pic with me so i had no choice. lol

by Calibroncoboy on Oct 27, 2009 11:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha

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

by kentuckybronco on Oct 28, 2009 6:23 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boston meetup

Hey calijoefornia – someone mentioned that you might be based in Boston – I’m trying to get broncos fans together in Cambridge to watch games – the more the merrier if you are here and can make it. let me know, mnm1505 at gmail
Cheers
Mihir

by aussiebroncosfan on Oct 27, 2009 10:09 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm in Holyoke

but maybe I could shlep up there.

John Clayton is the head Dean at Fail University (known as F.U. in short)

by Joe Medina on Oct 27, 2009 10:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I too am a Draftivus Hound, and I want to keep Champ, but...

you make a compelling argument and given his age, now might be the exact right time. I doubt he would give us a hometown discount as this is his last chance for a BIG pay day.
Good food for thought, albeit blasphemous to most to deal Champ.

by topnation on Oct 27, 2009 10:35 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

CJ

It’s hard to argue with your 3 points, although I really want to see Champ stay here until he retires for several reasons, but HOF is the main one.

But it’s hard to argue with your points. Even trading the 2nd of the 1st rounders for two additional picks is sound. Probably could even trade down 5 to 10 spots and stay in the late first round or early second and pick up and additional 3rd round pick.

Smokey, my friend, you are entering a world of pain.

by TJ Johnson on Oct 27, 2009 10:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

We already traded the second of our first rounders last year

To Seattle for the ability to pick Alphonso Smith in the second round

by jayrocksd on Oct 28, 2009 8:37 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You win either way

You keep him, then you don’t complain. He’s still probably the best in his position. You trade him, you’ll be getting great compensation at the right time.

But I kinda want to keep Bailey as Bronco. I want him to be a Bronco when he retires. A Bronco when he goes to the HOF. That’s not worth trading away.

But IF you did get another 1st. NE also has a habit of trading for future picks. That would be another option. Good way to keep perpetual draft picks.

"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."

"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes" Douglas Adams

by orange&blue_aussie on Oct 27, 2009 10:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Well

the only reason I mention this trade with Bailey right now is because the 2010 draft is LOADED with talent. Much to my appreciation, most of the 2010 draft class is players that graduated high school in 2006 (my grad year). I’m way excited to see some of these guys get going professionally.

I just think in a draft this deep, it’s best to have as many picks as possible. With no salary cap coming up, it could be a small difference between first round players and second round players as far as money goes. I think this will be a great draft top to bottom in terms of talent.

John Clayton is the head Dean at Fail University (known as F.U. in short)

by Joe Medina on Oct 27, 2009 10:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Understand.

The counter argument could be stockpiling picks in later drafts that may have a rookie cap? So there’s a financial incentive. To push them back.

Can’t argue with talent though. Good point. Do you think that teams will be as free with trading their draft picks this year though, given the talent level in this draft?

"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."

"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes" Douglas Adams

by orange&blue_aussie on Oct 28, 2009 12:06 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think for a player like Champ

a proven vet, they’d be willing to part with picks that could potentially be nothing.

John Clayton is the head Dean at Fail University (known as F.U. in short)

by Joe Medina on Oct 28, 2009 12:19 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I'm unsure too

I’m thinking we should win the super bowl, trade Champ, slap some sort of RFA tender or tag on Marshall and trade him, and resign Dumervil and Orton. It’s made a little harder if we don’t, since I don’t want to have Champ through the mediocre years and then ship him off when we get good.

by BTS on Oct 28, 2009 7:46 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, It took me an hour and a half

Bronco 2009 Salaries

  Quarterbacks
3 Brandstater, Tom $310,000
8 Orton, Kyle $2,800,000
2 Simms, Chris $1,005,000
  Running Backs
28 Buckhalter, Correll $1,001,560
22 Hillis, Peyton $344,800
32 Jordan, LaMont $2,000,000
27 Moreno, Knowshon $310,000
10 Gaffney, Jabar $2,006,720
89 Graham, Daniel $900,000
84 Lloyd, Brandon $645,000
15 Marshall, Brandon $448,000
11 McKinley, Kenny $310,000
81 Quinn, Richard $310,000
19 Royal, Eddie $2,539,830
88 Scheffler, Tony $612,480
14 Stokley, Brandon $6,060,000
  Lineman
78 Clady, Ryan $1,713,000
77 Gorin, Brandon $649,560
50 Hamilton, Ben $3,460,000
74 Harris, Ryan $376,480
71 Hochstein, Russ $730,000 in 2008 – 3/2/2009: Signed a one-year contract.
73 Kuper, Chris $451,480
70 Olsen, Seth $310,000
66 Paxton, Lonie $884,200
76 Polumbus, Tyler $317,000
62 Wiegmann, Casey $1,605,000
75 Baker, Chris N/A
91 Fields, Ronald $525,400
99 Holliday, Vonnie $3,350,000
98 McBean, Ryan 12/29/2008: Signed a reserve/future contract.
90 Peterson, Kenny $611,360
97 Smith, Le Kevin $450,520
79 Thomas, Marcus $376,240
  Linebackers
56 Ayers, Robert $310,000
54 Davis, Andra $3,200,000
92 Dumervil, Elvis $451,360
57 Haggan, Mario 3-year, $4.12 million, $1.25 million guaranteed
46 Larsen, Spencer $392,525
94 Moss, Jarvis $2,460,000
95 Reid, Darrell $930,840
55 Williams, D.J. $875,000
59 Woodyard, Wesley $315,000
  Secondary
24 Bailey, Champ $8,003,050
36 Barrett, Josh $385,000
30 Bruton, David $310,000
20 Dawkins, Brian $3,003,120
21 Goodman, Andre’ $2,455,520
23 Hill, Renaldo $1,955,640
31 McBath, Darcel $310,000
33 Smith, Alphonso $310,000
26 Williams, Jack $745,200
  Special Teams
17 Berger, Mitch $870,000
5 Prater, Matt $376,360

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

by KaptainKirk on Oct 27, 2009 10:58 PM MDT reply actions 3 recs

Isn't KO only making 495,000 this year?

John Clayton is the head Dean at Fail University (known as F.U. in short)

by Joe Medina on Oct 27, 2009 11:13 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I got that from Yahoo

But Rotoworld has him at $995,000, this year. That actually sounds more correct. I used Roto to make up the ones not listed at Yahoo. I will recheck them against Rotoworlds and get back with you.

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

by KaptainKirk on Oct 28, 2009 9:28 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ooh - stokely?

Gone or renegotiated. Love him but wow 6M??!! Jumps out of the screen and slaps you like a French duel.

"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."

"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes" Douglas Adams

by orange&blue_aussie on Oct 28, 2009 12:07 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

LaMont's right there too

I have painful memories of him burning us in black and silver, but as the third back on the roster there’s no way you keep paying him $2 mil/year.

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

Socrates was once executed for 'trolling'.
^Needs explaining: don't call someone asking uncomfortable, slightly antagonistic questions trolls. In all odds they probably just want to learn. It's real easy to differentiate a 'Socratic' post from a trolling one (unless you're a resident of WCG).
^Needs further explaining: I have yet to post anything on WCG, don't worry, I'm not trying to rationalize anything I've done. I've just lurked over there and man, they are the model of post-peloponnesian war Athens.

by Drizzt396 on Oct 28, 2009 1:54 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kap, this should be a post on its own after we hit the offseason I would think, man! Good work.

Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by TJ Johnson on Oct 28, 2009 1:04 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

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

by KaptainKirk on Oct 28, 2009 9:28 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

No wonder Marshall wanted a new contract.

He’s looking at how much Royal and Stokely are making despite their relative positions on the depth chart.

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

by Drizzt396 on Oct 28, 2009 1:55 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can make it easy

It’s almost all located here

KO: 2009: $995,000, 2010: Free Agent

Moreno/Buckhalter in '09

by Emmett Smith on Oct 27, 2009 11:37 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Emmett

I just saw this, see above. Lol

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

by KaptainKirk on Oct 28, 2009 9:32 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ask me again after the season

Right now I would have to say no.

"The night is darkest just before the dawn."- Harvey Dent

by broncofan91 on Oct 28, 2009 12:15 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't vote

This gets too close to emotion for me. I’d have to say that a GM might have to make the trade, but I couldn’t do it. Champ needs to retire in Orange and Blue. I was devastated when Shannon Sharpe walked to go to Baltimore. At least that one played out right in the end.

by BroncosBassist on Oct 28, 2009 5:07 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

It makes sense but on the other hand...

I bet it made sense to Philadelphia to let Brian Dawkins get away for the same reason.

by Lisa FB on Oct 28, 2009 6:26 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

ooooooo

That’s a valid point.

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

by kentuckybronco on Oct 28, 2009 6:28 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jordan and stokely free up a bunch of cap space

A truth can only be expressed and enveloped in words if it is one-sided. Everything that is thought and expressed in words is one-sided, only half the truth; it all lacks totality, completeness, unity.

by Todd Jewell on Oct 28, 2009 7:33 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

People were saying the same thing last year about Champ when he got hurt.

Now look at him, he’s back to his normal shut down self. Great corners are not a dime a dozen you know, just ask some of these teams that are getting lit brighter than Times Square. Champ isn’t done yet and he isn’t at the point where the scale of his performance is tilting the other way. I would love to see the team draft an elite corner this spring in the draft and let Champ and Goodman teach him the position.

Now if you want to free up some money then release or trade Moss, Jordan and Stokley. There is 10 mil to start with and this team is gelling more and more every game. If this team goes deep into the playoffs don’t they make more money for themselves and the team?

Unless we have someone to step in his place then I would have to say no and don’t say Smith because he isn’t the one.

by bfree2bronc on Oct 28, 2009 7:47 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Trade Champ!? Madness!

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

The guy formerly known as ZAPPA

by Tim Lynch on Oct 28, 2009 7:53 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Keep Champ

I think Champ is at a point in his career that he wants to win. He might take a hometown discount. I would trade or release Moss, Jordan and Stokley. Love ya Stokley but 6 mil. hurts. Is Ben Hamilton worth that much money?

Who filled my beer mug with Kool-Aid?

by Beer30Bronco on Oct 28, 2009 7:59 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs