The release of Elvis Dumervil by the Broncos is almost a bizarre as New England releasing Wes Welker to Denver as a free agent. In both cases Denver and New England presented contracts that they thought would be rejected, so as to make it appear to the fan base they wanted to keep Dumervil, and Welker.

In the Welker contract New England offered 5 million per season they knew was unacceptable to Welker. Then Elway topped it with a 6 million dollar offer for 2 seasons, and NE offered a higher contract to Amendola.

Elvis was going to be paid about 8 million per season under the new contract, and supposedly there was an agreement in principle to restructure the contract-- if the fax came in before 2:00. Did Elway purposely offer a lower amount than Dumervil would accept because his sack rate was too low, and he wanted to get rid of him? Or was it Elvis who instructed his agent to back out of the contract by sending it in after deadline? Which apparently forced the Broncos to void the contract. Or was the whole Dumervil contract a subterfuge by the Broncos management to present a lowball contract, and then make it look like Elvis backed out.

At any rate, it is obvious that the Broncos are looking at Freeney, and several other Defensive Ends to replace Dumervil.