Pryce restructures - provides team additional $3M under cap

Mile High Mania · 04-06-2005, 05:10 AM

Very Nice! I just hope he's healthy...

Pryce, Broncos stick together
By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, April 06, 2005 -

In a remarkable turnaround, the two-month Trevor Pryce saga ended Tuesday with the four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman staying in Denver.

After a few days of negotiations, the Broncos and Pryce's agent, Peter Schaffer, finalized a new contract that will keep Pryce with the Broncos and give the team more than $3 million in salary cap room. The deal is official, but terms were not disclosed.

Pryce, who had appeared to be on his way out of town via trade or release, has three years remaining on his contract. Before the restructuring, Pryce had a salary cap number of $9,166,000. In April 2001, Pryce signed a seven-year, $60 million contract, including an $11 million signing bonus.

Denver general manager Ted Sundquist said Tuesday that last week's meeting between Pryce and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan was the difference- maker in the agreement.

"The two most important people in this situation sat down and really came together," Sundquist said. "All the credit in this thing goes to Trevor and Mike. They got it done."

The Broncos were preparing to release Pryce if a trade could not be made. However, the meeting helped trigger the restructuring. As a result of the meeting, Pryce was at Dove Valley for Monday's start of the offseason workout program.

Denver allowed Schaffer to seek a trade during the off- season. However, because of Pryce's high salary cap number and the fact he missed 14 games last season because of a back injury, finding a suitor to give up a high draft choice was difficult.

"We had a lot of interest for teams wanting a trade for Trevor in the last couple of days," Schaffer said. "But at the end of the day, it was determined by everyone that this is where Trevor belongs."

Denver was hoping last week to get a low pick for Pryce instead of releasing him.

Instead, Pryce will attempt to regain his Pro Bowl form with the team that drafted him in the first round in 1997. Pryce will play the pass-rush end position with newly acquired Courtney Brown playing opposite him.

Denver needed Pryce to provide the salary cap relief to help pay for free agency. Denver already used much of the money pegged for Pryce in free agency along with help from several of the team's veterans. Including Pryce, Denver has signed or kept 17 players while losing five players this offseason.

"This was never about us not wanting Trevor," Sundquist said. "We always wanted him, but it was all salary cap. I was so excited today when everything was figured out."

KingPriest2 · 04-06-2005, 09:53 AM

HC_Chief · 04-06-2005, 10:07 AM

Good for the Browncos.... now they can start signing the Clev backup DL as well!

04-06-2005, 05:10 AM	Topic Starter
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $887229	Pryce restructures - provides team additional $3M under cap Very Nice! I just hope he's healthy... Pryce, Broncos stick together By Bill Williamson Denver Post Staff Writer Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - In a remarkable turnaround, the two-month Trevor Pryce saga ended Tuesday with the four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman staying in Denver. After a few days of negotiations, the Broncos and Pryce's agent, Peter Schaffer, finalized a new contract that will keep Pryce with the Broncos and give the team more than $3 million in salary cap room. The deal is official, but terms were not disclosed. Pryce, who had appeared to be on his way out of town via trade or release, has three years remaining on his contract. Before the restructuring, Pryce had a salary cap number of $9,166,000. In April 2001, Pryce signed a seven-year, $60 million contract, including an $11 million signing bonus. Denver general manager Ted Sundquist said Tuesday that last week's meeting between Pryce and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan was the difference- maker in the agreement. "The two most important people in this situation sat down and really came together," Sundquist said. "All the credit in this thing goes to Trevor and Mike. They got it done." The Broncos were preparing to release Pryce if a trade could not be made. However, the meeting helped trigger the restructuring. As a result of the meeting, Pryce was at Dove Valley for Monday's start of the offseason workout program. Denver allowed Schaffer to seek a trade during the off- season. However, because of Pryce's high salary cap number and the fact he missed 14 games last season because of a back injury, finding a suitor to give up a high draft choice was difficult. "We had a lot of interest for teams wanting a trade for Trevor in the last couple of days," Schaffer said. "But at the end of the day, it was determined by everyone that this is where Trevor belongs." Denver was hoping last week to get a low pick for Pryce instead of releasing him. Instead, Pryce will attempt to regain his Pro Bowl form with the team that drafted him in the first round in 1997. Pryce will play the pass-rush end position with newly acquired Courtney Brown playing opposite him. Denver needed Pryce to provide the salary cap relief to help pay for free agency. Denver already used much of the money pegged for Pryce in free agency along with help from several of the team's veterans. Including Pryce, Denver has signed or kept 17 players while losing five players this offseason. "This was never about us not wanting Trevor," Sundquist said. "We always wanted him, but it was all salary cap. I was so excited today when everything was figured out."
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04-06-2005, 09:53 AM	#2
KingPriest2 Super Grover Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $8635135	bump __________________ Quote: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by Taco John If you're not sure who you're voting for at this point in time, you can abandon all connection to the word "smart." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by Taco John ...He asked who I am voting for. I told him, "well, that depends... ."
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04-06-2005, 10:07 AM	#3
HC_Chief That's just f***in' stupid Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: suburbia Casino cash: $3687107	Good for the Browncos.... now they can start signing the Clev backup DL as well! __________________ "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room!"
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