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Published on 07/27/2009 at Mon Jul 27 09:19.
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Moreno, Ayers Unlikely to Report to Start of Camp

Posted Mon Jul 27th by

ENGLEWOOD, CO - JUNE 12: First round draft pick running back Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball during minicamp practice at the Broncos Dove Valley training facility on June 12, 2009 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

ENGLEWOOD, CO - JUNE 12: First round draft pick running back Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball during minicamp practice at the Broncos Dove Valley training facility on June 12, 2009 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

It looks like the Denver Broncos might have to begin training camp practices Monday afternoon without their top two rookies in tow. First round picks Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers remain unsigned even as the 3pm start of practices grows near.

This could very well change in the hours to come, but word is, the Broncos and their respective parties are still far apart on contract negotiations.

The Denver Post reports that Moreno’s contract negotiations with the team have stalled, citing an NFL source who said there was “no way” the Georgia product would be under contract in time for the start of practice. This is especially unfortunate when you consider the two sides began contract discussions two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, FOX 31 reports that Ayers and the Broncos are “still a ways” apart on agreeing to a deal. A source close to the negotiations told FOX’s Josina Anderson that the two groups were not even on the phone Sunday evening. UPDATE: FOX now reports that negotiations have been ongoing this morning, but as of 9am, talks were “not looking good, still working, but we are still apart on it.”

The Broncos entered the eve of camp with six of ten drafted rookies unsigned. They were able to reach agreements with Alphonso Smith, Darcel McBath, David Bruton, and Tom Brandstater Sunday.

I have to admit, I’m surprised we’re sitting here without our top two guys locked up. We’re counting on both of these guys to make an impact on our team this season, and making the first set of practices is important. That being said, one of the difficulties in signing Moreno and Ayers has to be that only four of the 32 first-round draft picks have signed to date…. The full team doesn’t report until Thursday, so it’s not the end of the world, but it is disappointing if they don’t get either deal done.

  • broncoNM

    I just hope they are in camp by the time the rest of the team shows up (thurs). That gives them a couple days to nail this thing out.

  • http://www.milehighhockey.com Dario

    Well, if it makes fans feel any better there are a ton of 1st round picks that haven’t signed yet so the Broncos aren’t unique. Here’s an interesting graph chart based on what the 1st (Stafford), 5th (Sanchez), 21st (Mack) and 32nd (Hood with last pick in 1st round) recieved.

    http://www.examiner.com/x-778-Houston-Texans-Examiner~y2009m7d25-Mack-and-Hood-signings-help-bound-first-round-guaranteed-money

    According to the trend, Moreno is due about 14 million guaranteed and Ayers 9.5 million. For whatever that’s worth. The big issue at this point I’m sure is that GMs/agents don’t have any signings closer to their draft placement to haggle price with.

  • http://broncomadness.com Garrett Barnes

    This is just another reason that we need a rookie salary cap. It puts restrictions on how much money they can earn so teams aren’t having such a hard time signing them to reasonable amounts.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    I’m not surprised by this at all. This is a bad offseason for signing first round guys. Heck even Evander Hood the final pick of the first round just got signed the other day.

    Jason Smith (2nd), Tyson Jackson (3rd), Aaron Curry (4th), Andre Smith (6th), Darrius Heyward-Bay (7th), Eugene Monr0e (8th), B.J. Raji (10th), Michael Crabtree (11th), Aaron Maybin (11th), Brian Orakpo (13th), Malcom Jenkins (14th), Brian Cushing (15th), Larry English (16th), Josh Freeman (17th), Jeremy Maclin (19th), Brandon Pettigrew (20th), Percy Harvin (22nd), Micahel Oher (23rd), Peria Jerry (24th), Vontae Davis (25th), Clay Matthews (26th), Donald Brown (27th), Eric Wood (28th), Hakim Niks (29th), Kenny Britt (30th), and Chris Wells (31) remain unsigned as well. The field isn’t really set as it usually is by this time of the year.

    Don’t worry they should be there in a day or two.

  • http://www.milehighhockey.com Dario

    GB,

    So true. That and when a first round QB like Stafford gets almost 42 million guaranteed while Jack Long the year before only got 30 mil guaranteed then it skews the picture even further because obviously position played is a factor in addition to your draft position. The year before Russell held out for 31.5 million guaranteed. It’s a screwed up system and with Staffords monster contract I’m sure the agents are all trying to bargin from a straight average down to the 32nd pick. Obviously that’s not going to happen.

  • http://Broncotalk.net Joe

    Is marshall there yet?

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Yes, Marshall and his agent have been spotted on Broncos grounds.

  • DB

    this is why having two first round picks is bad

  • DHB

    No wonder there is a trend to amass second and third round picks rather than deal with big guarantees for essentially no track record. I know these kids think they hit the lottery, but I’d love to see a cap, the first year cash put in a trust. I’m pretty sure they can make it on 200K or so for their first year with 15 mil waiting patiently for them.

    But I think every pro sport should have a psychological and mentoring program for rookies. I know some things are in place, but these young men need more, so we don’t Marshall out more, relatively good kids. Hell, it may also help avoid some Leaf/Leinart type implosions too. OK, I’m a bit biased on this point..

    Mr. Bowlen or Mr. Kronkie, if you’re reading, I’d be happy to talk to you further about the possible ways of implementing and maintaining such a program.

  • MileHigh55

    This wouldn’t happen if the NFL and the NFL Players Assoc would get together and put in a NBA type salary on the rookies in the NFL. Everyone would be signed right away and the rookies would know coming in what they will be paid.
    The Veterans need stand up and tell the union to get this done cause the snot nose rookies are making more than they are and they don’t deserve it and have not earned it.

  • kerry

    so nice to know that our “alleged” great first round picks dont care enough to get into camp. already shows just how much they dont care about football unless they get paid for it. but hey McDaniels picked them so they will come right in and be Hall of famers in their first year right guys? like Kyle Orton already is.

  • Anthony

    It’s pretty ridiculous that teams can be handcuffed by their draft picks. You’re almost reluctant to want to have more than 1 first round pick. It’s pretty stupid if you ask me and it will be the main snag in the CBA discussions between the league and the union. How do the veterans feel about this having paid thier dues and never having any leverage while these rookies come in and dictate to the teams what they will make, it’s a joke and Goodell has to get this issue solved. No wonder why we traded one of our first rounders next year.

  • Joe H.

    Jesus it’s not like the Broncos are the only team to not have signed their 1st rd picks!!! There are only 4 signed as of now. Of course Kerry has to be negative(whats new!!!??). Has there ever been a time when Kerry isn’t negative???? GO BRONCOS!!!!!

  • kerry

    we better trade them both right now. good players who talk through their agent and not directly to McDaniels get traded without hesitation.

  • kerry

    hey Joe:

    if Moreno and Ayers wanna show their TRUE desire to play football they would be there without question. and frankly i think Moreno needs to give up wearing number 27 now. he doesnt deserve it. if Atwater was still around he would knock the shit out of this kid for not showing up.

  • alm034

    None of the agents want to have their client sign a contract and then have another guy get his client near that draft slot a comparatively better deal. Reputation and future clients are at stake. So they are all content to sit on their hands until more clubs around the league start blinking. Gotta love the agents!

  • DHB

    Wow, somebody please send kerry a copy of the SI Greatest Moments tear jerker videos of the 97 and 98 years. Maybe even the commemorative football and bobble-head.

    I’m sure both will be in camp and hopefully productive this season. If not we can package them with Marshall and send them all to Detroit for a year supply of Dairy Queen Peanut Buster Parfaits. mmm Parfait… that means “perfect” in French you know…

  • roshon2411

    This is a business, and with not many 1st rounders signed, I’m not worried. Once the dominos start to fall, they’ll be in camp. Though I am a bit worried that Bowlen is watching the check book. Didn’t bother to offer Cutler and Marshall and extension, traded their first round pic, possibly a cost saving manuever, anyone know where Denver sits cap wise?

  • roshon2411

    Also, ESPN just released their camp power rankings. Broncs have fallen even further to 27th…Ouch

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Kerry,

    How many multi-million dollar contracts have you overseen or signed before? Basically none. If there are only a few signed rookies then you can’t point the finger at one person. It’s obviously a flawed system that needs repairing.

    roshon,

    Power rankings this early are seriously flawed. It’s like doing a 2010 mock draft. If you want to read that garbage then just go over to walterfootall, he thinks he’s some type of football god.

  • kerry

    East:

    yeah there is a flaw. a huge flaw. its that these rookies, who havent done jackshit in the NFL, think they are entitled to millions of dollars. which is bullshit. Casey Weigmann, a Pro Bowler and has been in the league for, what, a dozen years now or so, isnt gonna make NEAR what Moreno is gonna make. thats ridiculous. guys who have paid their dues get ripped off by this league and they pay the jerkoff rookies who dont deserve shit until they prove their worth.

    but my point is this, even though a guy may not have a contract, he should still be there anyway. show up, be a man, prove to your teammates that you wanna become a leader and that its not all about dollars and cents. which clearly thats all these two care about is money. if they arent practicing, at least get on the sidelines and show some semblance of being a good teammate. hell even Marshall showed up.

    and East why do you say the Power rankings are flawed? because Denver isnt higher? is that why they are flawed? if the Broncos were ranked number one then the rankings would be correct though wouldnt they. PFFFTTT.

  • http://broncotalk.net Ian Henson

    Kerry-

    Rookies are not allowed to show up to training camp by rule, unless they are signed. Moreno and Ayers aren’t allowed to workout, use the facilities, nothing… Until they’ve signed.

  • Broncoholic

    Kerry:

    Actually they can’t report to camp until they are under contract. Not even to watch from the sidelines. Before training camp unsigned rookies practice under a general contract (with protections for injuries) but once training camp begins, they cannot participate unless they are under contract. That kind of shoots down your whole point in your post above, but I’m sure you will try to spin yourself out of that one too, meanwhile bashing the Broncos a few more times along the way.

    None of the 28 remaining unsigned 1st round picks will be able to be at training camp until they sign a contract. Can you let 1 morsel of Broncos news go by without jumping on our front office for their supposed ineptitude? Even when clearly it is you who is inept.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Well, it’s 3pm, and no news of a signing. Looks like they both missed their first day of camp.

    GET IT DONE!!

  • Joe H.

    All power rankings are is somoene’s opinion!!PFFFTTT!!!! And everyone knows that rookies can’t show up until they sign the contract if for anything insurance reasons in case they get hurt!!!!

  • Broncoholic

    Joe H:

    Everyone knows that except for Kerry apparently. Which is kind of ironic since his posts and tone are consistantly that of a self proclaimed NFL & football genius.

  • roshon2411

    Hey East,

    Don’t shoot the messenger. I was just bringing it to light. I know it’s just people’s opinion but I want to hear an unbiased opinion on the outlook of the Broncos. Besides it Power Rankings not a prediction. They think they’re the 27th best team.

  • http://www.milehighhockey.com Dario

    104.3 says Marshall looks better than he has in the last two years with his route running etc… “their inside sources” attribute that report so take it with a grain of salt.

  • Roy

    I f***ing hate sports agents. I hope this is a major point of discussion for the next CBA. I would think that the vets would be all for a slotted system, because right now the rookies are taking money out of their pockets.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Roshon,

    Yeah I didn’t mean to get hostile I just am not a big fan of power rankings.

    Kerry,

    See above. I hate power rankings even if Denver was #1. Power rankings just give ignorant people reasons to gloat or complain and they mean nothing at all. People say it’s what the readers want to see, and that’s sad. Look at the world today, people want to see T.O. have his on show… it’s sad really.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Kerry,

    Also, you’re right, this system is hugely flawed. However you can’t say that you wouldn’t take advantage of it if you were in their shoes because I sure as hell would. Guaranteed millions? Yes please!

    I just think that we can’t blame Ayers and Moreno too much, when it’s the system their in.

  • Creampuff825

    Good job on the Bronco’s for signing thier draft picks. I just don’t understand what the first round picks are waiting for, the unemployment line I hope. They don’t desire any special treatment, they are unproved and lucky to be offered what they were. Just think what job they would get at starting wages any where else. STOP crying and prove yourself then we can talk.

  • ChuckD

    Why do a lot of people blame the players for not being in camp? Playing in the NFL has been a life long dream of theirs so you know they want to be in camp. It’s not their fault the NFL has a flawed system but it’s the system they have so of course they’ll try and get all they can. I know I would. For a lot of first round picks now is the most leverage they’ll ever have.

  • Creampuff825

    First round pick just unproven, untested, but yet they desire MILLIONS. Yea what a dream come true…

  • ChuckD

    Once again you’re talking about the system that is in place. Not the players fault. I think we would all agree the system needs to be changed.

  • Creampuff825

    Absolutely

  • kerry

    yes power rankings are an opinion. yet every ranking has Denver listed very low on the totem pole. hmmmmmmmm gee i wonder why that is?? could it be because they are a bad team? no that cant possibly be it, we have Kyle Orton and Josh McDaniels. stay tuned while i try to unravel this mystery…….

    and the rankings amybe opinions, yet most of you jump all over a guys opinions (like you do mine) because it doesnt suit what you THINK the Broncos should be ranked. and the difference is, these guys that do the rankings get paid to do it. so obviously they must know something about what they are talking about. that or they just hate the Brocnos, right everybody? they all gather in a dark damp basement and plot against the Broncos all year long trying to come up with new ways to screw over the Broncos.

  • Creampuff825

    Yeah the Bronco’s are a 500 club but on any given day anyone can beat anyone. Yeah our hopes are high but that’s being a fan. Power rankings are just numbers without the human factor. The game is played on the field.