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Warren still in commission

Defensive tackle redoes deal, helps Broncos with cap

Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 1, 2007 at midnight

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Gerard Warren isn't going anywhere.

The defensive tackle has agreed to restructure the six-year contract he signed last year, helping the Broncos free much-needed salary-cap space and providing the team with a big body in the middle at a position currently lacking depth.

Terms were unavailable, but Warren was scheduled to pocket two bonuses in the coming days totaling nearly $5.4 million.

And with the Broncos heading into today's final day of the league year with $1.9 million of wiggle room under the $109 million cap, it should help some as the free-agency period starts Friday.

Warren could have told the Broncos he refused to redo the deal and perhaps put him in line for another payday and leave the team in a tight spot.

Demetrin Veal is the only other defensive tackle with experience under contract. Michael Myers, who started next to Warren the past two years, is an unrestricted free agent.

Warren often has spoke of his love affair with Denver and the organization, which rejuvenated his career in 2005 after some difficult seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

Warren didn't play nearly as well last season after signing a $36 million contract, but injuries were a factor. He suffered a dislocated toe on each foot, making it difficult to gain leverage.

Warren figures to play an important role in Jim Bates' new defensive scheme.

The tackles in Bates' system usually are bigger players who cover the two guards and allow linebackers to go for the ball.

At 6-foot-4, 325 pounds, Warren fits that bill.

The team is continuing talks regarding the contract of veteran receiver Rod Smith and his potential $8.55 million salary-cap charge.

Talks are scheduled to continue, but because the Broncos will be under the salary cap, there's no hard deadline to rework the deal.

Smith is due a $1 million bonus March 8, and a resolution should come before then, if not sooner, because there likely will be a rush into the open market for the top- tier players, and the Broncos need financial flexibility.

MORE CONTRACTS: It has been an emotional roller coaster for Cecil Sapp the past few days.

One of his best friends on the team, running back Damien Nash, suddenly died Saturday night. Two days later, Sapp had a screw removed that was helping repair his broken left leg, keeping him on pace to return by minicamps.

On Wednesday, Sapp found out he likely will be sticking around the Broncos for at least one more season with a healthy pay raise.

The Broncos informed the fullback they were tendering him at the $1.3 million level as a restricted free agent, meaning any team that signs him to an offer sheet will have to give the Broncos a second-round pick as compensation should they decline to match the contract.

The second-round compensation is new this year under the revised collective-bargaining agreement. Sapp made about $430,000 last season.

The Broncos placed the $850,000 low tender on fullback Kyle Johnson. The Broncos retain the right of first refusal if another team offers Johnson a deal and would receive a fifth-round pick, where Johnson was drafted, if he leaves.

Sapp, an undrafted free agent who joined the Broncos' active roster in October 2004, is expected to be the favorite to start next season. He was on that path before getting injured in training camp last season and missed the opener.

Sapp rushed for 80 yards on 10 carries and had eight catches and six special-teams tackles in 11 games before he broke the fibula in his left leg while returning a kickoff. Sapp was placed on injured reserve Dec. 4.

There's a chance he might get a look at tailback.

MYERS UPDATE: Silence continues between Myers' agent, Eugene Parker, and the Broncos despite the exclusive negotiating window that ends today.

It doesn't mean Myers won't return once free agency begins Friday. He has expressed a willingness to do so and the team has stated it will let him gauge his market value.

But the price might get higher with other teams flush with cash in a thin defensive tackle market made thinner with the re-signing of players such as the New Orleans Saints' Hollis Thomas (four years, $12 million) and the Oakland Raiders' Terdell Sands (four years, $18 million) among others.

"I anticipate we're going to talk at some point, I just don't know when that's going to be," Parker said.