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Broncos acquire DT Robertson

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 24, 2008 at 2:07 p.m.
Updated April 24, 2008 at 3:52 p.m.

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Dewayne Robertson has raised concerns because of his knees, but the Broncos apparently are willing to risk two draft picks on the defensive tackle.

Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images/2006

Dewayne Robertson has raised concerns because of his knees, but the Broncos apparently are willing to risk two draft picks on the defensive tackle.

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Times change, and so do opinions.

After saying a trade for Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson would be "a big risk'' because of his troublesome knees and saying it would have to be for the right "value,'' Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has decided a conditional draft pick is the right value for the former No. 4 pick of the draft.

Another team that inquired about acquiring Robertson in recent days, believed to the be the Raiders, was informed a deal was in place with Denver, a deal that has been completed but has not yet been officially announced.

To make room on the roster, the Broncos waived guard Norm Katnik today.

The Broncos will surrender a draft pick in '09 based on how much Robertson plays this season. The Broncos have already worked out the framework of a new more salary-cap friendly contract for Robertson.

Robertson had two years left on his old contract that included more than $18 million worth of base salaries combined as well as a $3 million roster bonus in June.

Last month, Shanahan said that there was "almost no talk'' between the two teams about Robertson after the two teams had failed to work out a deal in early March. Shanahan also said Robertson had failed the team's physical.

"And whenever a guy fails your physical, it's never good," Shanahan said then. "He's a guy that, if you do take, there's going to be some question marks. Because you take a look at his knees - he still played 80 percent of his games - but you are taking a risk."

The Jets made Robertson the fourth pick of the 2004 draft. But his knees are a concern: The Bengals scuttled a deal, also for two draft picks, last month because of his physical condition.

However, Robertson has played in 16 games in four of his five seasons in the league. He has started at least 15 games in four of his seasons as well. He has 14.5 career sacks from his inside position, including four this past season.

Comments

  • April 24, 2008

    2:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MiamiMike writes:

    If they get this done as a performance based contract then its a great deal. Only having to give up 1 late round pick this year and a pick next year. If this works out this is big. Now we do not have to go after a tackle right away in the draft. Lets get The offensive tackle then I would like to see if a stud linebacker happens to fall to our 2nd pick. That would help the defensive side in a big way. It is amazing though how many guys get picked in the later rounds and turn out to be the superstars of the NFL. It really is like winning the lottery on who you pick. We can hope for the best and see if we can stay healthy this year.

  • April 24, 2008

    2:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jibbons writes:

    Worth a try right? He couldn't possibly be worse than fat sam.

  • April 24, 2008

    2:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    skerr writes:

    I think he matches up with the type of DT we could of picked up in the later rounds...however I think we need to take Jonathan Stewart if we really want to get back to our starters wearing ballcaps by the fourth quarter. O lineman can be had later, hopefully Jordan Dizon gets added and maybe some other small school sleepers!

  • April 24, 2008

    2:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spider writes:

    Gosh I hope his knee problems don't become a factor. this could be big.

  • April 24, 2008

    3:04 p.m.

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    DeimosJB writes:

    I think this is a great pick up, as long as the two picks are 5th round or lower and his salary is restructured. Of course, it's not really a "done deal" yet, so I guess things could still fall through. Granted, the guy's knees have a problem that will probably cut his career short in a few years, but hopefully he can produce during those few years. Now all we need is an OT, a FB, a KR, a PR, a K, a P. Maybe a RB, some more depth at LB, and a project at S for when Lynch retires.

  • April 24, 2008

    3:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spencer writes:

    Super Bowl baby, this will put us over the top

  • April 24, 2008

    3:24 p.m.

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    jonnyrotten writes:

    Thanks Spencer. I've been having a rough day and needed a good laugh. Seriously however, if the knees can hold up, this guy is a beast in the middle.

  • April 24, 2008

    3:26 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    AWM writes:

    1st Cleveland's D-line.. now the Jets? What's next... are we gong to bring in Miami's D-line?

  • April 24, 2008

    3:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    myshkin writes:

    Yeah AWM, because Jason Taylor is horrible. Great analysis buddy.

  • April 24, 2008

    4:28 p.m.

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    PulpFiction303 writes:

    haha Now that me a good laugh over what Spencer said i'll take JT anyday!! Yet still i wanna see the growth outta Crowder and Thomas,
    I fell they could have a real impact on the Broncos team for years to come, more Crowder than Thomas though.
    And this team is real good man we got some wideouts who I feel can catch i hope so, we should pick up an pick MacFadden he'd be good hhuh... And the Kicker better be good and make what we have come to expect as fans. Marshall will come back stronger than what anyone is saying Watch.

  • April 24, 2008

    5:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bronxs136 writes:

    this is the genius doing what he supposedly does best. Get a garbage player that has bad Knee's. And we wonder why the bronco's continue to decline on the defensive side of the ball. I'm quite sure the jets were happy to part with him. Last time that i checked most teams that are built through the draft are the ones that are winning. Quick fix's through trades and free agency don't usually pay off.

  • April 24, 2008

    5:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Brain writes:

    Where is it reported that the Jets are getting 2 picks? NFL.com doesn't report 2 neither does ESPN; all the articles including this one only had an 09' conditional pick and said to be no higher than a 5th. This is a good trade for us if we are not giving up any picks this year or even a late pick this year.

  • April 24, 2008

    5:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Hollywood writes:

    The deal is based on his playing, they are paying him very little for this season and he wont get most of his pay till next year. The pick for next year is based on his playing time and stats and if he doesn't make it out of training camp then we don't have to give them any pick and we lose very little money in the whole deal.

    This is a great deal for a player that has played solid since he has been drafted and he is young (26) so he still has time left in the tank, and isn't known for being a trouble maker in public or in the locker room.

    If his knees are in to bad of shape for him to play, then we have an easy out and don't lose all the much in the deal.

    How can you not see this as a good deal.

  • April 24, 2008

    9:09 p.m.

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    wilson writes:

    I like the move, but did they have to waive Norm Katnik? I loved Norm.

  • April 24, 2008

    9:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    den2mke writes:

    Is it a bad omen that the Raiders were the other interested party? Like, how many good deals have they done lately?

    Looks like we made the wrong deal, though. ESPN is reporting that Jason Taylor is available for picks. Sounds like they want a first rounder, but last time I checked Taylor was something of a proven commodity.

  • April 24, 2008

    9:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Hollywood writes:

    I just don't see how Taylor is worth a 1st round pick that Miami is looking for, I think that this is Miami's way of at least saying they are looking for a trade but not ever having to trade him

  • April 24, 2008

    9:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aragornzxl writes:

    The Broncos are giving up a conditional 2009 draft pick, what the selection is will depend on if or how well Robertson plays. I think this is a good deal for the broncos. If Robertson pans out, okay, they give up a DP for his service. If he doesnt, well, okay, nothing lost there. Kinda like a try-out for him.

  • April 24, 2008

    10:45 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    platoro79 writes:

    Speaking of Jason Taylor I hear he's on the trading block.

  • April 24, 2008

    11:20 p.m.

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    SE7EN writes:

    What do you know...Shanny takes another risk on a D-line who couldn't cut it with his former team. Hmmm are we sure this isn't an article from 3-4 years ago?

  • April 25, 2008

    7:36 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    R8R_H8R writes:

    And next year Shanahan will rebuild the D-Line again, wondering "what went wrong"? What an incredibly stupid human being. "Genius"? NO!!! ............ "IDIOT"!!!!!

  • April 25, 2008

    8:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    myerda00 writes:

    Hey ja_king (must stand for jack-ass) you can go back to Oakland.
    Lets see how your offense stats up against Robertson and Thomas.
    Shanahan played this one right by waiting on the Jets to blink. Middle to late round next year (if he competes) is worth getting someone in the middle and as the Jets have stated, 'he played out of position on our 3-4 defense'.

  • April 25, 2008

    9:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    gylizard1 writes:

    At first..I thought this was an awful deal..but considering they won't be hurt in this years draft..got him for a cheap salary this year..and probably won't have to give up more than a mid round pick next year I think it is a good deal....even if he only gives us a year or 2..We needed a MOOSE inside and he gives us that. Now draft Rashard Mendenhall and you will have your solid back for years to come. A great North South runner who can break a tackle and has decent speed too. Then take Curtis Loften in the 2nd round he can add some more speed..and is a hard hitter who doesn't miss in the open field..something Ian Gold did on a routine basis his last years in Denver.

  • April 25, 2008

    9:20 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    T1anda writes:

    According to the NFL channel.. Robertson only missed 5 games during his tenure with the Jets.

    Risky?? Yes, Only time will tell. Get the hunger again Shanny!! Go Broncos!!!