Horse Tracks - 3/8/10 -- Happy 6th Birthday, Jordyn!
by John Bena on Mar 8, 2010 5:21 AM MST
in Horse Tracks
43 comments
Good Morning Broncos Country! I could talk about Free Agency, or continue ad nauseum about Brandon Marshall and which mystery team might make a run. There is plenty of time for that. Now, I focus on wishing a Happy 6th Birthday to my older daughter. Watching her grow up is truly an awesome experience and I love her dearly. She's turning out to be quite the Broncos fan too! Happy Birthday Princess!!! On to the Tracks!
Broncos to miss several key players in offseason program - The Denver Post
Across the NFL, dozens of restricted free agents are expected to skip their teams' offseason conditioning programs.
Paige: Broncos still have time to make splash in NFL free agency - The Denver Post
The Broncos barely have disturbed the surface of the free-agent waters in the opening days.
Seahawks weighing whether to sign Broncos' Marshall - The Denver Post
Brandon Marshall remains the Broncos' property today after his weekend excursion to Seattle that included an arrival by seaplane.
Arrington still a risk for Broncos | All Things Broncos
One thing is for certain, Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels really wants J.J. Arrington to fight for a spot on the team’s roster.
Q&A: Focusing on the "5-technique" defensive end - The Denver Post
Q: What are the responsibilities of the "5-technique" defensive end? And how are they different from the other defensive end in the 3-4?
Morning links: A different side of Pete Carroll | The News Tribune
If you’re looking for reasons why the Seattle Seahawks might consider welcoming a troubled soul like Denver Broncos restricted free agent Brandon Marshall into their world, this excellent profile on Hawks head coach Pete Carroll by our own Dave Boling provides some perspective on the issue.
Paige: Paige: It's time for Brandon Marshall to go - The Denver Post
Brandon Marshall was The Beast. And he was The Burden. Ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever was.
Patriots, Wilfork agree to contract worth $40 million - The Denver Post
Two-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork agreed to a long-term contract that will keep him with the New England Patriots.
Steelers QB investigated in sex assault - The Denver Post
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is being investigated in an allegation of sexual assault at a Georgia nightclub, police said Friday.
Did the Packers outbid the 'Skins for Clifton? | National Football Post
Continuing with our free agency notes, here’s some insight on two longtime Packers, one of whom is now a Jacksonville Jaguar.
Are the Bears still shopping? | National Football Post
You would think that Bears GM Jerry Angelo would be satisfied after the first day of free agency when Chicago made a huge splash, bringing in DE Julius Peppers, RB Chester Taylor and TE Bradonon Manamaluena — opening their wallets in a big way.
Wilson: Fargas to visit Chiefs | National Football Post
Now that veteran running back Justin Fargas has been cut from the Oakland Raiders, he's looking for a new job.
Wilson: Odds are low that Marshall goes to Bengals | National Football Post
In the wake of Denver Broncos star wide receiver Brandon Marshall being linked to the Cincinnati Bengals' obvious need at his position, the odds of him coming to Cincinnati were downplayed.
Report: Porter to visit Cardinals | National Football Post
The Arizona Cardinals will bring in free-agent linebacker Joey Porter for a visit on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Report: Houston being dealt from Atlanta to Detroit | National Football Post
The Detroit Lions have been kicking the tires on some reserve cornerbacks and now they’ve potentially found one that can start for them.
Report: Carr picks 49ers | National Football Post
David Carr has found a backup quarterback situation that might make it easier for him to get on the field.
Biggs: Eagles will pay Vick's roster bonus | National Football Post
It comes as no surprise that the Philadelphia Eagles will pick up the roster bonus for Michael Vick.
Wilson: Kampman contract matches Vanden Bosch deal | National Football Post
Newly-minted Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Aaron Kampman is being handsomely rewarded as he tries to resurrect the worst pass rush in the league.
Wilson: Ryan Clark visiting Dolphins | National Football Post
Pittsburgh Steelers veteran free agent safety Ryan Clark is meeting with the Miami Dolphins tonight, his agent, Joel Turner, confirmed.
Wilson: Jim Sorgi working out for Giants on Monday | National Football Post
Veteran free agent quarterback Jim Sorgi, the former backup to Indianapolis Colts star Peyton Manning, is going to work out for the New York Giants on Monday, according to his agent.
Two-time Pro Bowl DE Kampman joins Jags, who need a pass rush
The Jacksonville Jaguars used veterans, rookies, former first-round draft picks and a few undrafted guys in hopes of generating A consistent pass rush last season. Even with different schemes, various blitzes and some new faces, nothing really worked.
Tebow has individual workouts set with ‘Hawks, Bills - NFL.com
Florida QB Tim Tebow will throw at the school’s pro day March 17, and it will be an unscripted workout, meaning he’s willing to do any passes asked of him by scouts. Tebow declined to throw at the NFL Scouting Combine last weekend, but he’s now ready to show off his revamped delivery.
Browns give veteran LB Fujita, OL Pashos multiyear deals
The Browns signed linebacker Scott Fujita and offensive lineman Tony Pashos, both unrestricted free agents, to multiyear contracts Sunday.
Veteran CB Bodden visiting with Texans - NFL.com
Free-agent CB Leigh Bodden is visiting the Texans, according to a league source.
Free-agent NT Ferguson suspended for first eight games of 2010 - NFL.com
The NFL suspended free agent Jason Ferguson, a veteran nose tackle most recently with the Dolphins, for the first eight games of next season for violating league policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Scheffler's Agent Begins Looking for Better Deal
"We haven’t gotten into that too deep just yet. We are just getting started. I think there is decent interest out there for Tony (Scheffler), but it’s hard to tell what team is going to be willing to give up that second-round pick. Hopefully I will know something soon," said Cook to Anderson early Friday afternoon.
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It’ll be interesting to see what KO does in the off-season. For the most part, I’m usually anti-union. But I can understand that Kyle will be under pressure from them to hold out of optional activities. I don’t really see him as the kind of guy to miss a single set of push-ups, though, let a lone missing out on a chace to improve and further open up the playbook. Brandstater’s in the building, I’d be surprised if KO doesn’t maintain a presence.
Happy birthday Jordyn!
Good luck with the Redskins Mr. Mike! I'll be watching and cheering for a non-Bronco team for the first time in my life. Well, except when they play the Broncos!
Skipping the OTA's accomplishes nothing
Except to show your employer that you’re being pissy, and also it sets you back as far as learning what you should be learning. I expect Orton to be there, partly because Brandstater might be moving up.
All that you behold, though it appears without, it is within, in your imagination, of which this world of mortality is but a shadow...and one day you’ll awake and find that you’ve never lived and never died, except in the dream.
William Blake
by bradley on Mar 8, 2010 6:29 AM MST up reply actions 2 recs
Agree
I agree, it does more for Orton to be there rather than sitting out. He knows that next season he is on the line, and it isn’t like Orton to act like a diva, because it isn’t going to improve his chances of coming back after next season.
by maxwellsdemon on Mar 8, 2010 11:15 AM MST up reply actions
If Orton is expected to do it as a show of solidarity
with all the other screwed over RFAs, I suspect he would lean towards that loyalty, even if it meant squandering the opportunity that is OTAs. I hope he doesn’t, but for him it might come down to a sort of confusing character choice.
What I hope he and the other players realize is that a show of solidarity might be aimed at eachother, but its result will be solidarity with the player’s union. And the reason they are RFA’s is because the player’s union allowed the CBA to be structured that way. Any player that understands that should choose to be with their teams during OTAs, especially Orton, for whom the Broncos OTAs are mandatory in all but law (and for good reason).
“…must be the hardest working player on the team…” If McD expects this from his QB position, than I guess we’ll see if Orton is an ideal Broncos QB or not. Figuring out what is right can be some of the hardest, most invisible labor of all.
There's a big hard sun, beating on the big people, in the big hard world.
formerly Styg-like
by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 8, 2010 11:47 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
I think I agree 100% with what you said, you got my rec
3ns and Jeremy also make points that I don’t disagree with. If KO skips, it will be due to a showing of solidarity. There’s going to be a real push by the union to get players to show unity. For the union, they’re going to want to show their teeth, a half-bluff against the league – a threat of a walkout means less if they can’t first show solidarity and unity in the rank and file of NFL players. For the players, it’s a tight rope of either following the leader or potentially pissing off your colleagues.
Not sure where KO will make his stand, but a stand is certainly comming.
Good luck with the Redskins Mr. Mike! I'll be watching and cheering for a non-Bronco team for the first time in my life. Well, except when they play the Broncos!
I agree Elvis
Happy Birthday Jordyn
I’ve gone on record as not liking Orton at all but if this team and Orton for that matter want to take the next step I think it’s imperative that Orton doesnt miss any OTA’s or training camp. That being said Denver is stuck here. Do they give him a long term deal or not? If so, how much? I wouldnt do it but I’m not management. If you dont show him any love is Orton going to sign? I wouldnt if I were him.
You probably get this a lot. This isn't the real Caesar's Palace is it?....Did Caesar live here?
You know where I wanna go? I'll tell you where. Someplace warm. A place where the beer flows like wine. Where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I'm talking about a little place called Aspen
Agreed Alex...Not KO's M.O. and I will also be surprised if he misses any time.
-Stick to the fight when you are hardest hit - it's when things seem worst that you must not quit!
by BroncoSense72 on Mar 8, 2010 7:30 AM MST up reply actions
Orton may get miffed at the 1st round tender since he took $700,000 out of his pocket if we’d used the 1st and 3rd. NO team would EVER give us a 1st round pick for Orton so using the 1st round tender was the same thing as the 1st and 3rd, just a cheaper route. It is good for the bottom line but potentially bad for the locker room.
I’m far more interested in seeing if Elvis shows up. He stands to lose A TON of money this year thinks to the tender. My guess is that Orton, Elvis and Scheff all skip OTAs. For those of you that don’t read anything football beyond MHR, these tenders have pissed off a lot of players.
The only Bronco that won the tender game was Marshall. Marshall is the big RFA of the offseason since it appears teams are interested in signing him to a new long term deal this offseason. This will make the other RFAs will so very jealous.
In my opinion.
The NFL is a business not a game. Brett Farve might really enjoy playing, but he also collects EIGHT figures per season. He obviously likes the money too.
There are NFL players that sustain major injuries every single Sunday. Guys like Orton and Elvis are not going to be “good team guys” just because. They want fair compensation for what they do and the risks they take, just like you and me.
In my opinion.
Not going to OTAs isn't going to get KO, DOOM, & Scheff more money
It’s more likely that doing that would hurt their wallets if they have bonuses coming to them for meeting a certain percentage of the workouts.
I understand the RFA’s are frustrated and rightfully so, but that frustration shouldn’t be aimed at the Broncos. It should be (and most liekly is) aimed at the Owners in general. All RFA’s this year need to realize that while the situation the NFL is currently in sucks for them, they need to ride it out and keep plugging away because they will become UFA’s eventually.
Sure it sucks for them now, but their big payday is still going to happen (barring major injuries of course), just not as soon as they were expecting. Like you said McG, this is a business, and the Broncos are making the best business decisions for them given the current rules that govern the league right now. I’m pretty sure Orton & DOOM understand that and know that the way to their payday is to suck it up and play for another year at their less than desirable (to them) salaries.
Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds. - Albert Einstein
Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them. - Albert Einstein
by c_style on Mar 8, 2010 9:06 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
This isn't about the Broncos....
RFA’s all over football are going to do this. Remember, to them, it was the owners that opted out of the CB, which, in turn, is the reason they are all restricted. There were around 275 players that went from being Unrestricted to restricted because of the uncapped year. They are pissed, and I can’t really blame them.
OTA’s are not mandatory so this is their way to ‘protest’ the situation. The NFL Labor deal is messy right now and there are no signs of it getting better.
-TSG
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But if they know
that the Broncos are currently involved in contract negotiations wouldn’t it be likely that they will attend OTA’s etc.? I mean the tenders might very well have given both sides time to work out longer term deals with Orton and Doom if they want to keep them. I know we don’t really know how they feel about Orton but I think they want to keep Dumerville. They will be at all voluntary activities if they have been signed to new contracts.
Sitting out
I agree it doesn’t do the team any good, and both DOOM and Orton are very big team players, they will be upset but they know that sitting out won’t do anything for their chances of more money.
by maxwellsdemon on Mar 8, 2010 11:18 AM MST up reply actions
It isn't meant to get them more money
it is like any form of civil disobedience, it is meant to be an example of what could happen if transgressions against you continue. But their are better and worse variations of it, depending upon the fundamental ideas held by the practitioners.
On one side you have a guy like Thoreau, who went to jail for not paying taxes in protest of slavery and the Mexican-American war. The example he set was to say that if goverments continued to abuse their power, he would physically withdraw his monetary sanction of their existence. The implication was that people were capable of physical resistance to a government that overstepped its bounds.
On the other side you have the student sit-ins such as the ones at Berkley in the 60’s. These typically are peaceful, passive resistances, but they have also been characterized by physical violence against other people, and destruction of property. The example set by the Berkley students was that individual rights could be abrogated by force at any time, and their implication was that people needed to get used to this and accept force as a means of settling disputes.
These are of course extremes of each side, but you can see how fundamental principles shape the choice of how different people show allegiance to those principles.
In the case of the players, they want to set an example that the league as a whole suffers when players are underpaid, and the implication is that underpaid players will be unmotivated to do any more than the minimum required. They are absolutely right, and I hope they come up with some consistent way of defending their position, but the problem here is that they are using the Player’s Union definition of “underpaid,” which is part of a self-fulfilling, tautological cycle, fueled by the “whim of want”, as opposed to sound business practices that guarantee that all parties can flourish, It is also my hope that individual players do not align themselves with that “whim” principle.
The unchecked premise of the player’s union is that someone must be sacrificed to someone else to be successful, and so they see it as either the owner’s (teams) make sacrifices, or the player’s do. Good business doesn’t operate on that premise at all, and it is the main divide between these sides.
It isn’t an easily solvable problem for players like Orton, who need the opportunity that OTAs afford, and who appreciate their teams, but who are being underpaid, not just in terms of the player’s union, but objective market terms across their industry. I can’t say I know what the right action is, but I don’t think OTAs make a very good battleground for figuring it out.
Certain RFAs need to make a point very clear, that they don’t deserve to be underpaid and that they won’t put up with it if it is tried again, but hurting the chances of success for their teammates, and teams would only undercut their message, and would practically guarantee that we will see the same mess happen again.
There's a big hard sun, beating on the big people, in the big hard world.
formerly Styg-like
by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 8, 2010 12:17 PM MST up reply actions
Upon rereading my last paragraph
it is quite possible that withdrawing their services on some level may be just what the doctor ordered, actually…
There's a big hard sun, beating on the big people, in the big hard world.
formerly Styg-like
by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 8, 2010 12:23 PM MST up reply actions
I agree in part
I agree that those who are invaluable can sit out and make a point, players like Marshall or DOOM can do that, and make a statement, because their worth is largely established. But with Orton, he is trying to raise his worth, by continuing to prove himself in the camps, he is actually improving his worth to the team. And I agree Orton might deserve more money but its better then being fined and losing part of his new raise.
by maxwellsdemon on Mar 8, 2010 1:09 PM MST up reply actions
Bro. I have NEVER said the RFA problem is confined to the Denver Broncos. I’ve often said the exact opposite. EVERY NFL team with RFAs will experience some level of discontent from those RFA players. EVERY SINGLE NFL TEAM with RFAs.
And how could any RFA have a bonuses or clauses in their contracts. It is impossible. Why… They don’t have contracts right now. They have tenders than CAN sign, which may will reluctantly sign maybe the day before training camp in August.
There are no workout bonuses awaiting players that are not under contract. Elvis, Orton, Kuper, Sheff and Marshall are NOT under contract.
In my opinion.
Will Elvis and Orton get their payday in 2011? Will there be football in 2011?
What if Orton (already injury prone) sustains a Sam Bradford type injury next season. Will that help him secure a new LT contract?
What if Elvis tears his ACL in one of those voluntary OTAs. Will that help him secure a LT contract in 2011?
These are the questions their agents and they will have to consider when signing those tenders and making up their mind if they would attending the offseason program.
My guess, you don’t see Orton, Elvis, Marshall, Scheff or Kuper within a country mile of Dove Valley until they have LT deals or it’s training camp.
I know you guys want to buy into all the McDaniels coach-speak about team first players. But this is a business and all players will do what is in THEIR best interest before the team’s. Elvis played his heart out in 2009 and had a career year. If he doesn’t get a new deal this offseason, there will be repercussions. I have no idea what those will be, but he’ll be real damn angry. Same thing with Miles Austin, Lights Out, Demarco Ryans, etc, etc.
In my opinion.
I think Orton earned the highest tender...
…even though Denver clearly didn’t have to give it to him. He put up with a lot of b.s. from the fan base and the MSM— which he did nothing to bring on himself— and did so with great humility and class. He played badly hurt for two stretches, and never once used it as an excuse. Finally, It didn’t hurt that he put together a pretty respectable season despite the inordinate and unfair pressure that was heaped on him. I think he earned the extra candy in his stocking, so to speak, but I say that knowing I’m spending somebody else’s money.
Still, it would have been nice to see him get rewarded for catching all the collateral damage from the Cutler saga and soldiering on exactly like the player that McX constantly describes. If he sits out OTA’s, I’ve got his back.
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."-- Oscar Wilde
by PredominantlyOrange on Mar 8, 2010 1:49 PM MST up reply actions
McX = Coach speak kings. I get that it is a business, I also get that for McX, it is, do as I say, not as I do.
If Orton and any other RFA in the NFL sits out OTAs, I’ve got their backs.
In my opinion.
Me too. The owners’ strategy of squeezing the players depends on the fans directing their ire at the NFL’s employees, rather than its owners. I won’t do it — it’s ridiculous to get angry at the players for fighting back. Which is of course a super-shocking sentiment for somebody who uses Studs Terkel as an avatar.
Twice in one post!!! =)
I agree with all of your comment.
The one thing that keeps getting missed though, long-term, is that these guys are getting signed. Not necessarily right away, but the tenders only buy time. These guys walk after the season, with no Bronco-compensation, if we don’t extend them. Eventually, MSM and even those here will start to recognize and discuss it. But, the tender’s are only a means to an end. We didn’t really just get Doom for crazy cheap… we only bought time.
KO’s contract is tough to call. Management could go either way with him being the future v not being the future. But to underline my point, it’s not uncommon to extend a man in his last contract year – that would includ Doom this year. Back to Kyle, even if management is uncertian he has a future here, we might still be better served by extending his contract, owning his rights, then trading him. Without an extension, a team picks him up for nothing.
I agree with your take on screwing players. All of it.
Good luck with the Redskins Mr. Mike! I'll be watching and cheering for a non-Bronco team for the first time in my life. Well, except when they play the Broncos!
We will have to extend Elvis and Kuper during the season (at the latest) or we will lose these guys in 2011. Not a prayer they take a home town discount at that point. Not after playing 2010 on “the low” as Clinton Portis would say.
Orton will have to play two consecutive contract years. But that is what happens when he didn’t play himself into a long term deal in 2009. Sucks for him. He’d have gotten a nice raise this offseason in ANY other year.
Marshall? Who freaking knows.
I think both Elvis and Orton will be fussy in 2010 if they are playing on tenders.
In my opinion.
Kids are great
Happy Birthday Jordyn. Kids sharing fanship with their parents is a special bond. Sharing Broncos fanship with all of us is good too.
I hadn't thought about signing Bryant
but Woody brings up a good point. I think he’d work well in our offense, with or without BMarsh. Anyone know how much money he may be seeking?
Happy bday Jordyn!
The 2010 Denver Broncos will surprise the world.
Happy Birthday Jotdyn Ben-wa!
-Stick to the fight when you are hardest hit - it's when things seem worst that you must not quit!
Uh...Jordyn.
-Stick to the fight when you are hardest hit - it's when things seem worst that you must not quit!
by BroncoSense72 on Mar 8, 2010 7:32 AM MST up reply actions
Love the Ben-wa lol
Heard it on the radio too. Crazy thing; it tought me that he’s not John Bena, but rather John BenA =)
Good luck with the Redskins Mr. Mike! I'll be watching and cheering for a non-Bronco team for the first time in my life. Well, except when they play the Broncos!
Yup
-Stick to the fight when you are hardest hit - it's when things seem worst that you must not quit!
by BroncoSense72 on Mar 8, 2010 10:46 PM MST up reply actions
Good Morning Bronco Country and Happy Birthday Jordyn...
Don’t you just love Buss Cook and the mouth of the south? I guess it’s time for Scheffler to get on the Bus and leave town…Hurry up Cook, get us that 2nd round pick, ya mutt and get the bum outa here, ya mangy, lowdown, stinking rat…
The Bears are restless and desperate it seems like and if they don’t do well this season it will probably be bye-bye Lovie/Angelo…
Oh and thanks Jimmy Paige for telling us something we already knew! Jeez, you such a wizard
It's absolutely shocking that those gents aren't kicking rock already
I tend to think that ownership didn’t want to guarantee a new coach/gm millions in a potential non-football year. Right or wrong, those guys’ll be in the unemployment line with another bad season. The Cutler trade (and his performance) didn’t do them any favors.
Good luck with the Redskins Mr. Mike! I'll be watching and cheering for a non-Bronco team for the first time in my life. Well, except when they play the Broncos!
Do you Think?
They will still call Roethlisburger “Big Ben” in prison.
... if you have a belief, you will tend to find things that support it. But if you have a prejudice, you’ll move heaven and earth to maintain it. BroncoBear
Thanks, John
So who’s a good target out there behind Edwards and Hadnot? I tried to read Woody’s thoughts, but my eyes started to burn and my brain got pretty numb, quickly. I wouldn’t complain at targeting Jarvis Green, and a small, crazy part of me thinks that Marcus Spears might be worth a look-ssee at a second-round tender. But I know buyer’s remorse would be the result.
Has anyone around here talked about Kirk Morrison? I don’t know if he’d work inside. If he did, I’d see no downside to trying to sign him. Either the Broncos get a skilled player, or they make the Crypt Keeper pony up more to keep his third-best defender.
Paige
I seem to recall a team a few years ago drafting players based on local reporters “recomendations” on picks. It didn’t turn out too well. ESPN commented on it at the time and how the team had cut back on its scouting department. I don’t remember the team. I like Woody, but don’t always agree with what he says, although its interesting, even when he rants. One of Woody’s pick ups didn’t even meet McD’s more weight requirement. MHR writers and fans do pretty good on their own.
Thanks John
And happy birthday to the birthday girl.
I can almost remember when my girls were that age. LOL
We live in an age when instant gratification isn't fast enough
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