Quantcast
Channel: San Diego Chargers – First-and-Orange
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 34

Broncos’ Chris Kuper, Willis McGahee, Justin Bannan, Joe Mays in tough times

0
0
Denver Broncos guard Chris Kuper stretches before practice in September.[media-credit name="John Leyba, The Denver Post" align="alignnone" width="495"][/media-credit]

Denver Broncos guard Chris Kuper stretches before practice in September.

Free agency is usually accompanied by the excitement of new talent and new possibilities.

But it’s also a bittersweet time in the NFL because with every new player who is acquired, another player has probably lost his job.

The Broncos reached an agreement Tuesday with right guard Louis Vasquez. He’s a promising addition as he’s large (335), talented (four-year starter in San Diego) and young (25). But Vasquez’s arrival also puts Chris Kuper’s place on the team in jeopardy. Kuper is a six-year starter on the Broncos’ offensive line. He is the O-line’s leader. And he’s a real good guard when healthy.

But with a $4.5 million salary due in 2013 and coming off two surgeries on his left ankle in the past 13 months, Kuper was vulnerable.

The Broncos’ re-signing of Kevin Vickerson and pursuit of Terrance Knighton also means defensive tackle Justin Bannan, the former Colorado Buffalo star and 16-game Denver starter last season, will likely be moving on.

Even if Broncos were unable to sign running back Rashard Mendenhall (he just signed a 1-year deal with Arizona), the message has been sent that the team is trying to replace tailback Willis McGahee, who rushed for 1,199 yards in 2011 and was on pace for another 1,000-yard season in 2012 when he suffered a compression fracture in his right leg.

The Broncos are also hoping Stewart Bradley will become their veteran middle linebacker/special teamer, a role currently occupied by Joe Mays.

After suffering a season-ending leg injury last season, Mays was due to receive $4 million this year. At least $500,000 is guaranteed.

No doubt, the Broncos are making some promising moves this offseason to bolster their roster. But at the same time, some good people may be losing their jobs. A great game and sometimes a tough business.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 34

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images