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Broncos sign three draft picks

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 8, 2008 at 11:04 p.m.
Updated July 9, 2008 at 12:15 p.m.

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The Broncos, a little more than two weeks away from reporting to training camp, on Wednesday completed four-year deals with three second-day draft picks.

As expected, fifth-round selections Ryan Torain and Carlton Powell and sixth-round choice Spencer Larsen each signed Wednesday for the NFL minimum of $1.705 million for the four years -- $295,000 for the first year, $385,000 for the second, $470,000 for the third and $555,000 for the fifth. NFL contracts are not guaranteed.

In addition, each player will receive a signing bonus -- Torain will get $198,000, Powell about $180,000 and Larsen $97,500.

There are nine picks in the draft class and only one signee to date, seventh-round safety Josh Barrett, who got a four-year, $1.76 million deal that included a $56,300 signing bonus after some initial snags in contractual language.

Torain is a running back out of Arizona State taken with the 139th selection. His deal, along with those for Powell, a Virginia Tech defensive tackle taken No. 148, and Larsen, an Arizona linebacker taken 183rd, have been made somewhat easier to negotiate, given that all the picks directly behind them have reached agreements.

Should all three players sign, it would leave the Broncos' two first-day picks, tackle Ryan Clady of Boise State and receiver Eddie Royal of Virginia Tech, at the head of the list among its unsigned rookies.

Those talks normally lag until the days immediately preceding the report date for training camp.

WALKER ARREST: A second man was arrested on charges of abducting, beating and robbing Raiders receiver Javon Walker in Las Vegas last month. Deshawn L. Thomas, 40, was arrested Monday in Las Vegas and is being held without bond in the Clark County (Nev.) Jail.

ETC.: A deal could be reached within days to sell a majority interest in the Steelers to the chairman of a Pittsburgh-based investment firm, taking control of the NFL franchise from the Rooney family. . . . Imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick filed for bankruptcy protection in Newport News, Va.

Comments

  • July 9, 2008

    3:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    barryvictor writes:

    Millions of dollars later, this storied athlete is left counting pennies in his mayonaise jar....sad story continued from the likes of other sports stars who relished in the limelights briefly...and spent freely...perhaps Vick's lessons will be learned by our newly arrived rookies...as they negotiate their way towards a payday touchdown...

  • July 9, 2008

    10:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jugdish writes:

    jugdish glad Torain signed. Hard runner. Now hearing from sources that Broncos talking with Kevin Jones agent. Jones, Torain and Young would make a nice tandem. Jones worth risk. Hope Broncos sign him. Amazing speed plus he has size.

  • July 9, 2008

    3:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Richard writes:

    I think it is somewhat pathetic that pro sports atheles feel that they are somehow "entitled" to these mega buck contracts. I feel the same way about those in the entertainment biz. These people don't live in the same reality as the rest of us. The unsigned rookies are the ones that should be feeling hopeful that the Broncos sign them. They could easily be financially set for the rest of their lives.

  • July 9, 2008

    9:58 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Brain writes:

    Richard, the athlete/entertainer gets paid what someone is willing to pay. Most of these rookies DO live in the same reality as the rest of us, this is a chance in a lifetime for anyone. If you look at the history of most players that are drafted you would find that they worked hard to get drafted regardless if it was 1st or 7th round. I believe consumers pay too much for entertainment, but if we continue to pay the prices being asked, the seller will continue to charge that or more. if you think a pro ahtlete gets too much money quit buying the product.