NFL news: Broncos having all sorts of issues
By Ben Almquist
Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals have signed running back Giovani Bernard to a three year extension.
Cleveland Browns: The Browns can’t rid themselves of Johnny Manziel, as GM Ray Farmer took to the media to shoulder some of the blame for the former quarterback’s myriad of problems.
- Author’s Take: The Browns are still the Browns. Why Ray Farmer would even mention Manziel’s name is beyond me. They had an opportunity for a completely clean break with Johnny Football. At this point, nobody was placing any blame on the team for his failures. So why would you accept responsibility after the fact?! Foolishness.
Dallas Cowboys: Reports indicate that the Cowboys are still trying to work out a new deal with wide receiver Dez Bryant, and will continue to do so through Minicamp.
Denver Broncos: Broncos star cornerback Aqib Talib was shot outside a Dallas night club. At this point it is unclear exactly what happened, and Dallas police are investigating whether or not Talib may have shot himself. He will miss the entirety of the Denver offseason program. The Broncos have also apparently hit a wall in talks with linebacker Von Miller.
It was leaked that the team has offered him a new contract at 6 years for $114 million ($19.08M/yr). As huge a deal as that is, it’s still below the $22M/yr that Miller was supposedly seeking earlier this offseason. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds, especially with reports out that the Broncos have turned their focus to extending wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and linebacker Brandon Marshall.
- Chiefs’ Take: There are rumblings that Miller will sit out the season if he doesn’t get a new contract. While I don’t think he’ll follow through on that, there is some sense to the move. Miller would maintain his health, and the Broncos would be unable to use the Exclusive Rights Tag on him in 2017, meaning another team could get him for the cost of a 1st and 3rd (plus the money, obviously). If you don’t think a team flush with cap space would jump on that, you’re crazy. For the Broncos, this would decimate them. Their hopes for success is built on that defense, and Miller is the cornerstone.
- Author’s Take: Shades of Plaxico Burress…which isn’t good news for the Broncos. If Talib did shoot himself, this may end up being nothing depending on the status of his legal right to have a concealed firearm. If someone else shot him, that opens up a whole new legal matter.
- Author’s Take: The offer to Miller is fair…but it’s been pretty apparent that Miller isn’t interested in fair. He wants to be the top paid defensive player, if not more. With this current offer, he would be the highest paid defensive player, but would not have the highest guaranteed money. Adam Schefter is reporting that it will be difficult for the Broncos to get this deal done before the July 15 deadline…and I agree. Miller has no fear of betting on himself for one more year and testing free agency.
Next: Packers Dealing With Injuries