Broncos Trade Rumors

"The Broncos' interest in running backs Shaun Alexander and Dominic Rhodes remains in the preliminary stages, according to sources close to the situation. Denver could bring in either player for a visit, but it isn't focusing on either player at this point. If Denver were to bring in a veteran running back, the team would likely have to part ways with veteran Travis Henry. There is likely little chance Denver would hold onto Henry and bring in another veteran. "

"Brian Xanders, a young but experienced NFL executive assistant, has reached an agreement on a three-year contract to become the Broncos' new assistant general manager, an NFL source confirmed. After spending the past 14 years with the Atlanta Falcons as a coach, evaluator, contract negotiator and salary capologist, Xanders, 37, will give Shanahan a new perspective and voice. "

"With the highest level of their executive branch thinned since the dismissal of general manager Ted Sundquist last month, the Broncos are hoping Brian Xanders can bolster their front office. Several league sources with knowledge of the situation say Xanders, who has spent the past 14 seasons as a coach and executive with the Atlanta Falcons, has been offered the opportunity to join Jim and Jeff Goodman as the Broncos' top three front-office assistants to Mike Shanahan, who is in charge of the organization's football operations. "

"According to two NFL sources, the Broncos continue to explore trading down from No. 12. As of Tuesday, no deal was imminent, and executing a draft-pick deal during their 10-minute slot won't be easy. But the Broncos will try."

"Whatever depth problems the Broncos may have at kicker, or punter, or defensive tackle, or offensive tackle, they are compensating for at receiver. Brian Mooney, the agent for Darrell Jackson, was in town Tuesday to finalize a contract that would add still another receiver with a considerable NFL pedigree to the Broncos' roster."

"The Broncos are close to signing former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Samie Parker and are deep in discussions with Darrell Jackson, the former No. 1 pass-catching threat for the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, according to multiple NFL sources."

"As his offer-sheet deadline approaches, Hamza Abdullah moves closer to staying put. Abdullah is the Broncos' incumbent starting strong safety, but available for hire as a restricted free agent. "

"If the Broncos make a move on draft day, it will most likely be down the board, not up. And the Broncos are trying to trade out of their No. 12 overall pick, according to three NFL sources. The Broncos could receive a late first-round pick as well as a third-round pick based on the NFL draft value chart. Trading down won't be easy, primarily because other teams want to make the same move. Conversely, there likely aren't many partners willing to move up and take on the extra money required to sign the No. 12 pick, which is expected to command a guarantee of about $11 million."

"The Broncos still are willing to give defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson a look. But a draft pick is looking too pricey because of Robertson's troublesome knees and Denver might be inclined to wait to see if the New York Jets release the veteran."

"As with most things Broncos lately, the parting with Jason Elam, age 38, is bewildering, but no more odd than the suggestion that among his possible replacements might be nearly 44-year-old John Carney. Or why not the 47-year-old Morten Andersen, the man Elam will replace in Atlanta? Kickers, like ugly architecture and hard cheese, improve with age. And, how's this for synergy? Matt Prater, already a failure with four other teams, and with the inside track to replace Elam on the Broncos, is the guy who couldn't keep the job with the Falcons and was replaced by the antique Andersen."

"The Broncos will meet this week to address the hole left by Jason Elam signing with the Atlanta Falcons. Many of the notable free agents already have signed, including Josh Brown (St. Louis) and Dave Rayner (Miami). Longtime Miami Dolphins kicker Olindo Mare appears to be the player in whom the team is most interested."

"Mike Shanahan can only hope he emerges looking as good as A.J. Smith did last season after San Diego's owner sided with his general manager and fired Coach Marty Schottenheimer following a 14-2 season ended after one playoff game."

"Three seconds ... two seconds ... Ready, Matt Prater? Time's up. For the first time since the 1992 season, the Broncos' full-time placekicker will not be named Jason Elam... The Broncos could also show interest in a veteran free agent like Olindo Mare and John Carney or use one of their mid- to late-round selections on a kicker."

"If proximity counts, Jason Elam is closer to becoming an Atlanta Falcon than he is a Denver Bronco. Way closer. Elam, the Broncos' kicker the past 15 seasons, is in Atlanta visiting with the Falcons. "

"So with free-agent kicker Jason Elam scheduled to visit the Atlanta Falcons today and Thursday, the owner was asked whether he might get involved again, particularly if the scenario appeared likely he would be losing a player who has been splitting uprights with regularity for the franchise for the past 15 years... The Broncos mainly are focusing on the draft but remain intrigued by the potential acquisition of New York Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, though no deal appears imminent."

"The Falcons' roster overhaul could include Denver free-agent placekicker Jason Elam. Though the Brookwood High product is 38 years old - old by NFL standards - he's a relative spring chicken in comparison to Morten Andersen, 47, who has been Atlanta's field goal kicker the past two seasons."

"Wide receiver Laveranues Coles and nose tackle Dewayne Robertson were no-shows Monday for the start of the Jets' offseason conditioning program at Hofstra, a team spokesman confirmed. In Robertson's case, it's yet another sign his days with the team are numbered. The Jets have been trying to trade Robertson for nearly a month, and they are currently in discussions with the Broncos."

"Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney says he isn't trying to trade Julius Peppers, but among those sitting prominently courtside in the Pepsi Center for a Nuggets game Sunday night was the three-time Pro Bowl defensive end."

"The Falcons' roster overhaul could include Denver free-agent placekicker Jason Elam. Though the Brookwood High product is 38 years old - old by NFL standards - he's a relative spring chicken in comparison to Morten Andersen, 47, who has been Atlanta's field goal kicker the past two seasons. Elam, who has spent all 15 of his NFL seasons with the Broncos, will visit the Falcons Wednesday. Elam is an unrestricted free agent with 1,786 career points and a share of the NFL record (63 yards) for the longest field goal."

"Even after their point man in the proposed trade for Dewayne Robertson was dismissed, the Broncos remain interested in acquiring the defensive tackle."

"The Jets, determined to improve upon last season's 4-12 debacle, are continuing one of their busiest offseasons and are close to signing three-time Pro Bowl tight end Bubba Franks, according to two people with knowledge of the negotiations... The Jets aren't ruling out keeping NT Dewayne Robertson and moving him to defensive end after a deal with the Broncos fell through last week."

"After signing cornerback Jacques Reeves, linebacker Kevin Bentley, running back Chris Brown and linebacker Chaun Thompson, the Texans still are interested in Denver center Chris Myers and Detroit defensive end Corey Smith."

"After a series of contract proposals were exchanged this week, the Broncos and kicker Jason Elam have decided to at least temporarily part ways Elam will visit the Atlanta Falcons next week. There's a good chance Elam will know Thursday night where he will be employed in 2008. "

"It will be old home week for Jason Elam. Whether his trip Wednesday and Thursday to the Atlanta Falcons will be enough to lure him to the state in which he spent his formative years remains to be seen. But it will be the first free-agent visit for the Broncos' longtime kicker, whose contract talks with Denver are at a standstill."

"The Broncos are exploring a trade with the New York Jets for defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson. The Broncos have extra draft picks in the fourth and fifth rounds to make the deal happen. However, Robertson would mean a sudden departure from the Broncos' offseason discipline of signing decent players at relative bargain prices. "

"The Jets brought a familiar defensive face in for a visit yesterday, while at the same time working to send one of their current players to another team. Veteran cornerback Ty Law, who had his most productive years with the Patriots and had 10 interceptions in 2005 for the Jets, spent the day visiting with team officials as a free agent...Meanwhile, talks between the Jets and Broncos on a trade that could send Dewayne Robertson to Denver have been resurrected"

"The question would be Foxworth. I can see teams bidding for a versatile defensive back who can play both cornerback and safety, who has missed just one game in his three seasons, who has 18 starts, and who is known for his intelligence and character. "

"Safety Marlon McCree, who visited Wednesday and Thursday, was trying to hash out a free-agent contract. But the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers are in the running, too, so the Broncos are keeping their options open."

"Detroit linebacker Boss Bailey, younger brother of Denver star cornerback Champ Bailey, will visit the Broncos today and Thursday."

"There will be a "no vacancy" sign on Champ Bailey's guest room when his kid brother visits Denver today."

"Free-agent kicker Jason Elam is expected to take some visits when he returns from Israel in two weeks. The only team he logically would re-sign with in the meantime is the Broncos, but that seems unlikely for now. Retirement also is a possibility for Elam. Kansas City may pursue Elam when he returns."

"The Broncos may have a visit with San Francisco offensive tackle Kwame Harris and are talking with former Broncos and Raiders offensive tackle Cornell Green."

"Wide receiver Keary Colbert, who league sources said Saturday afternoon had agreed to a multi-year deal with the Broncos, was the initial toe-dip for the Broncos in the first 48 hours of free agency. Colbert, who is set to enter is fifth season, will turn 26 in May."

"The Broncos are stressing a patient approach to outside free agents. Their top target may be linebacker Boss Bailey, late of the Lions and brother of Denver cornerback Champ Bailey. He’ll be in town soon. ... Defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban visited Oakland."

"The Broncos on Friday brought in receiver Keary Colbert and safety Sammy Knight for visits. Colbert had 32 catches for Carolina last season."

"The Jaguars became a possible landing spot when they announced they will let defensive tackle Marcus Stroud seek a trade. With Stroud potentially moving on, the Jaguars have begun talking to the Lions about Rogers, according to reports in Jacksonville. The Jets and Broncos already were involved in the Rogers' sweepstakes, with Denver seemingly having the greatest interest."

"The Denver Post reported the Broncos may be close to trading cornerback Domonique Foxworth to the Lions. The paper said another possibility was a three-way trade involving the Jets, with Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson going to Denver and Rogers going to New York."

"Which gets you to the two most interesting names: Larry Fitzgerald and Javon Walker. Fitzgerald (6-3, 226 pounds) is the absolute prototype of what you're looking for: good all over the field but a touchdown machine in the red zone (21 red-zone TDs in 4 years out of 34 total). He would be perfect. The problem is in working out the trade with Arizona and finding a way to make his exorbitant contract work, given everything else the Eagles need to do."

"A source with knowledge of the situation said not to expect the Eagles to sign Giants safety Gibril Wilson, whose name has been mentioned in local media reports. A league source said he did expect the Eagles to show interest if wideout Javon Walker is released by the Broncos, despite Walker's knee problems. Walker shares the same agent group with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, and has worked out with McNabb in previous offseasons."

"Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf sent his personal jet to California to retrieve Berrian, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The sides will meet today at the club's facility and potentially work on a huge contract... A source linked Briggs, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, to Tampa Bay, San Francisco and Cleveland, with Denver called a ''dark horse.''"

"The Lions are moving closer to trading Shaun Rogers, with the Broncos figuring most prominently in talks involving the massive nose tackle. The Lions face a deadline in making a deal because of a $1 million bonus payment due if Rogers is on the roster on March 1. "

"For those reasons - money and scheme - the Jets are willing to listen to trade offers for the former first-round pick, the Daily News has learned. Over the last few days at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, the Jets have been gauging Robertson's value around the league, according to several NFL sources. A handful of teams, including the Broncos, are showing interest."

"There is a chance veteran safety John Lynch doesn't retire, yet doesn't play with the Broncos in 2008. The Broncos have offered Lynch a revised contract for the upcoming season. Lynch has three options: return to Denver, retire or decline the new contract and sign elsewhere. "

" Believe the reports that the Redskins are going to try to pry receiver Chad Johnson from Cincinnati. Johnson has been vocal about his desire to be dealt but Bengals coach Marvin Lewis recently said the Pro Bowl player will not be traded. If Johnson isn't traded, the Redskins could turn their attention to Javon Walker, who, like Johnson, wants to be traded... Some in the league expect the Raiders to part ways with inconsistent kicker Sebastian Janikowski this offseason. . . . If Broncos kicker Jason Elam enters free agency, expect Atlanta to make a push for Elam, who has family in Georgia."

"The trade drums are beating louder for Lions nose tackle Shaun Rogers. The question no longer seems to be whether the Lions will trade him, but when they will make a deal. "

"The Broncos are examining the possibility of pursuing super talented but often lackadaisical Detroit defensive tackle Shaun Rogers."

"A Friday night dinner meeting between Broncos front-office folks and Javon Walker's representative was aimed at determining the receiver's future with the team. "The goal is to see what we need to do to bring an end to the situation," agent Kennard McGuire said during a break in players-association meetings Friday afternoon."

"The first day of testing at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis provided at least one rumor involving the Bucs. In an effort to solve their need for another impact wide receiver, the Bucs are believed to be talking to the Denver Broncos about a deal that would land them disgruntled wideout Javon Walker."

"The Bucs, though not saying so publicly, have had discussions with the Broncos about trading for receiver Javon Walker. The Denver Post also has reported the Broncos have expressed interest in dealing with the Bucs for Walker."

"Former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas' first stop on his free-agent tour was New England, where the AFC East rival Patriots hosted Thomas on Monday, according to a source. Thomas, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and the Dolphins' all-time leading tackler, who was released last week, is also scheduled to meet with the Saints today... There's also speculation at least four other teams (Houston, Denver, Buffalo and the Jets) have expressed interest in talking to Thomas, but he's stressed a preference to play for a contender with an established quarterback."