Today went from ok, to bad, to worse, back to ok as news flitered out from Dove Valley. Check it out below.
The Denver Broncos have made their first splash in the free agent market, reportedly coming to terms with free agent running back Willis McGahee on a 3-year contract. According to Pro Football Talk, the deal is worth $7.5 million with $3 million guaranteed. Jason LaConfora, however, tweeted moments later that there wasn't an agreement with McGahee. There's some confusion on the McGahee front. Checked with more sources and told no deal with DEN. Team likely to workout RBs this weekend. Why the confusion? Simple, the Broncos can't talk to Willis McGahee until the official personnel list is released by the NFL at around 4PM et this afternoon.
According to the Oregonian, Miami is signing former Panthers QB Matt Moore to a two-year deal worth $5M that could reach $7.5M with playing time incentives. Not sure how much this will figure in the Denver/Miami/Orton talks, but it has to count for something. As Klis confirms and has been pretty clear all along, the Orton deal has broken down due to Orton and Miami not agreeing on a contract - it wasn't about compensation to Denver. Meanwhile, Dave Hyde of the Sun-Sentinel says the deal is dead 'barring unforeseen circumstances.' Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald says Orton is seeking 'Kolb type money' from the Dolphins. NFL.com reports the Dolphins are still interested in Orton. That would be good news for Denver.NFL Network's Michelle Beisner reports the Dolphins never made an official trade offer for Kyle Orton.It's a good bet the two sides at least discussed the parameters of the deal, but it never graduated to the next step without a long-term contract agreement with Orton. We still don't believe we've heard the last of the Dolphins and Orton.
The Pats have released 6'5' 300 lb. DE Ty Warren; Ted Bartlett thinks he'd be a fit for Denver; he was a 4-3 DT at Texas A&M. Meanwhile, TJ thinks Warren would be a versatile piece for Dennis Allen's defense.
The Broncos have finalized the contract of Nate Irving. All 2011 draftees are now signed.
Matt Prater has signed his $1.835M tender. Like Matt Prater, Wesley Woodyard has also signed his $1.835M tender but cannot practice until Aug. 4. Can't say I knew this was a likelihood, but Ryan McBean is back with the team after signing an exclusive rights tender, they probably wanted him back as we couldn't get any DTs.
The Broncos' players voted unanimously to ratify the new CBA and recertify the NFLPA as a union
Brandon Mebane has decided to return to the Seahawks.
Linebacker Von Miller, the Broncos' first-round draft pick, limped slightly as he walked off the field with about an hour left in today's practice. After practice, head coach John Fox confirmed that Miller is day-to-day with a bruised quadricep. Later in practice, Carter took a ride on a cart across the field, but got up and walked under his own power into the locker room as well.
Luckily The two Broncos rookies who left practice early Friday with apparent injuries should return to the field soon. First-round pick Von Miller suffered a bruise, while safety Quinton Carter (a fourth-round pick) had “heat stress.” It was the first full practice for both players. Fox didn’t give a specific timeline for either player’s return, but neither malady is believed to be serious.
Orlando Franklin and Julius Thomas both were treated for cramps. The new guys better acclimate fast because temperatures are forecast to be in the 90s all weekend.
The Broncos have released RB Correll Buckhalter and TE Daniel Coats, and waived RB Mike McLaughlin. It was announced that Buckhalter would be let go on Monday, presumably for salary cap relief purposes; he was due to make $1.92M in salary and count for $2.47M against the salary cap. His release will provide the team with $1.47M in cap relief.
Check out DenverPost.com for a good analysis of today's camp.
So that is the skinny of it, let me know what you think. ~ Aussie
