Broncos fall further into the abyss

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http://www.kdvr.com/sports/kdvr-ayer...,1018298.story

Robert Ayers' contract stalls, may not report on time

by Josina Anderson FOX 31 Sports


DENVER - With rookies having to report Monday, the watch is on for when the Denver Broncos will get their two first round draft picks signed in running back Knowshon Moreno, and defensive end/outside linebacker Robert Ayers.

At this hour, both top prospects in the organization remain unsigned, but now there's an indication that Ayers' contract may not get done in time.

Emphasis on "may."

When asked for a progress report on Ayers' contract, and whether the former defensive end out of Tennessee would report to camp on time, a source with knowledge of the situation told Fox31's Josina Anderson, "I doubt it, you can't report without a contract, and we are not on the phone now."

With rookies tight end Richard Quinn, guard Seth Olsen, center Blake Schlueter, and wide receiver Kenny McKinley already signed (and now agent Drew Rosenhaus announcing his client cornerback Alphonso Smith has agreed to a four year deal on his twitter page) Anderson was given indication that a concern exists over the rookie "pool numbers," and how much of the financial piece of the pie can be fairly allocated to the remaining players.

"There is only so much you can take from the pool so to speak," said the source.

When the source with knowledge of the situation was asked how far away the sides are away from agreeing to terms and numbers, they replied, "still a ways."

Anderson also learned Ayers' representatives were in town several days ago to continue negotiations, but left Denver without inking a deal.

Anderson was also told by another source with knowledge of this situation that talks have been pleasent due to a familiarity with general manger Brian Xanders on doing first round contracts in the past.

Although, the door was not completely and utterly closed on the possibility of a consensus being reached later today, optimism at this point in the day was not abundant.

"Right now it's too early to tell, but as of this hour we are not counting on it, possibly up to the next two days at least."

Rookies without contracts cannot report to mandatory training camp, and starting tomorrow Ayers will not be allowed to workout on the Bronco premises until he does.

Given that Ayers was the Broncos first pick on defense-the only one for the front 7 which has been historically troublesome-and that some experts are already project him as a starter after last month's mandatory camp, there is no doubt that the Broncos need his contribution.

Fox 31 Sports will be on top of any changing developments

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Five fearless predictions
By Jim Armstrong
The Denver Post
Posted: 07/25/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT


It's official. Broncos training camp is just over the dashboard. Here are five prognostications for the inaugural Camp J-Mac:

5. Josh McDaniels will hand Knowshon Moreno more than $10 million in bonus money, then announce that Moreno isn't necessarily his starting tailback. And some in the media will believe him.

4. Tony Scheffler will hurt himself running away from the 100th reporter to ask him if he's going to stay healthy.

3. Company man Peyton Hillis will be asked if he prefers tailback or fullback, and he'll respond: "Yes."

2. Eddie Royal will open camp with a smile on his face and end it with a smile on his face.

1. Owner Pat Bowlen will be asked what he thinks of his coaching staff. His response? "Actually, I think more about all those guys I'm paying not to coach."

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Broncos suck