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Wiegmann's future could be in Denver

Agent says center seriously considering Broncos

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 19, 2008 at 5:52 p.m.

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Casey Wiegmann has started 111 of the past 112 games for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Photo by Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images/2007

Casey Wiegmann has started 111 of the past 112 games for the Kansas City Chiefs.

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There's mutual interest but no deal yet as free-agent center Casey Wiegmann left Denver on Wednesday to discuss a possible future with the Broncos with his fiancee.

Before flying home, Wiegmann huddled with coach Mike Shanahan, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and assistant general manager Jeff Goodman, who is handling the negotiations.

Wiegmann, 34, a longtime starter with Kansas City, appears to fit Denver's zone-blocking system, and the Broncos have a need for a backup center after Chris Myers' exit earlier this week.

"He's looking at it very seriously and it's something that might happen," said Wiegmann's agent, Joe Linta. "If he does it, it will be soon."

Wiegmann was not retained by the Chiefs, who have instituted something of a youth movement this offseason.

Wiegmann has played in 163 games in 12 seasons, including starts in 111 of his past 112 games since 2001. He broke into the league with the Indianapolis Colts in 1996 before joining the New York Jets (1996, 1997) and Chicago Bears (1997 to 2000) before signing with Kansas City.

The Broncos also had been considering free agent Matt Lehr, who has the versatility to play center and guard, but he agreed to a deal Wednesday with the New Orleans Saints.

GEORGIA ON HIS MIND: Kicker Jason Elam arrived in Atlanta for his free-agent visit, but the substantive part will occur today. It likely will include a meeting with owner Arthur Blank, known as a solid closer in contract negotiations.

The Broncos have put forth a three-year offer to Elam that includes a per-year average ranging from $2.4 million to $2.6 million.

That annual haul would place the 15-year veteran behind only St. Louis' Josh Brown ($2.8 million per season) and in the neighborhood of Indianapolis' Adam Vinatieri ($2.4 million).

But, as with many NFL deals, there's contract money and the real cash the player is likely to see. The hang-up in Elam's case appears to be guaranteed payout and contract structure, which could relegate the agreement to essentially a one-year arrangement.

At 38, Elam seemingly wants to squeeze all he can out of his final big payday.

The Falcons might be poised to go that extra mile, or million.

U-'NIQUE: One fellow team representative joked it was Domonique Foxworth's off-the-cuff, Barack Obama-like pre-election speech that landed him a job on the players union's 10-man executive board during meetings in Maui on Wednesday.

More likely, it was the Broncos cornerback's heavy involvement and candid dialogue the past two years that sealed the deal.

"It's a tremendous honor and responsibility," said Foxworth, who was elected by a vote of 64 franchise representatives to fill one of three vacancies.

"To be this young, the youngest player ever I believe, and probably by far, to make the executive committee, while looking at the difference in experience and time in the league of the other nine guys, for them to feel strongly about me to be a leader of leaders, it's a big deal."

Foxworth, 25, has leaned heavily on Troy Vincent, the outgoing NFLPA president on the board of player representatives, and fellow Broncos union representative Rod Smith to prepare for a move up the union ladder.

Drew Brees and Mike Vrabel were the other two players voted onto the executive committee.

"It's definitely something I wanted to be a part of, and it's on my short list of major accomplishments," Foxworth said.

Comments

  • March 19, 2008

    8:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    myerda00 writes:

    Sorry fans, but $2.4 mil for a 38 year old kicker that has lost 1/3rd of his leg strength is WAY too much. Plus we have to pay another kicker to kick off. Prater was pretty good in the last four games. 3 out of 5 kickoffs went into the end zone.

  • March 19, 2008

    9:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Cutler6 writes:

    Agree myerda00 even Elway was bound to lose his skills someday. It's just the natural progression of a football player, no matter what position. A some point in time all fans and players need to move on.

  • March 20, 2008

    7:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    broncsfaninNC writes:

    I thought Elam loved Jesus. Would Jesus be greedy enough to milk another million, as though anybody needs a million in the first place, just because he can? Hypocrite...

  • March 20, 2008

    7:24 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    crushon77 writes:

    bronsfaninNC, that is crazy talk. do you love jesus? if so, tell your boss today that you will gladly take a paycut to remain with the company you have devoted your entire professional career to.

    that being said, i hope elam stays with the broncos.

  • March 20, 2008

    9:06 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Randel writes:

    broncsfaninNC, I don't think Elam is being greedy. This sort of thing happens in professional football all the time. As far as the Jesus comment, that sounds silly. Loving Jesus will probably dictate what Elam does with the money, but probably won't dictate what another team is willing to pay for his talent.

  • March 20, 2008

    9:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    plainsguy writes:

    At what point in his 15yrs of playing for the Broncos has he not made enough money to last him the rest of his life. I say let him go if he is not happy with 2.6 million over the next 3 yrs, which I know might only be 1 million in actual money. Besides his leg strength has gone way down and what really is stupid is they use a roster spot for a kicker just to kick off. Use it for another D-lineman.

  • March 20, 2008

    11:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    AWM writes:

    Cut the cord & let Elam find is final payday elsewhere. Let's get a younger kicker who can handle both kickoff & FG's! That extra roster spot could be a real asset late in the season!