A trade that would bring Carolina Panthers punter Todd Sauerbrun to the Broncos isn’t dead, but it has hit a major roadblock.
Sauerbrun won’t be at Broncos headquarters today when the team opens its passing camp. Nevertheless his agent, David Canter, remains patiently optimistic Sauerbrun will end up in a Broncos uniform.
“I couldn’t tell you exactly where we are on this now, but there is a still a long time before the Panthers have to release Todd, and there is still plenty of time for Denver to pull the trigger on this deal,” Canter said Sunday.
Canter acknowledged there is a major glitch in the negotiations.
The proposed deal would send Sauerbrun to the Broncos in exchange for the team’s seventh-round draft pick in 2006. That basic part of the equation is not the hangup. The details of how the Broncos would pay Sauerbrun could derail the trade, which seemed close to completion last week.
According to Canter, the Broncos have reservations about his request that the team restructure the three years remaining on Sauerbrun’s contract. Canter said Sauerbrun is not seeking more than the $3.895 million he is due over the next three seasons, but Canter and Sauerbrun want more money up front. Canter wants Sauerbrun’s base salaries reduced to the veteran minimums for the three years, with the balance paid out in a signing bonus that would be pro- rated over several seasons. That would guarantee the three-time Pro Bowl punter likely would stay with the Broncos beyond one season.
Sauerbrun’s contract currently would be broken down to base salaries of $1.2 million for 2005, $1.295 million for 2006 and $1.4 million for 2007.
“I still think we can work out a deal that would get (coach) Mike Shanahan the punter he needs and something that would satisfy Carolina,” Canter said.
If the trade doesn’t happen, the Panthers have indicated they will release Sauerbrun after June 1, when they can reduce the impact to their 2005 salary cap. The punter would be a free agent and the Broncos, and other teams, would be free to pursue him.
The Broncos are approaching Sauerbrun with caution because of his recent off-field incidents.
In December, Sauerbrun was cited for driving while impaired. Last month, “60 Minutes Wednesday” reported Sauerbrun was one of the three Panthers who had received illegal steroid prescriptions.
Canter has said he is willing to include a contract clause that would protect the Broncos should Sauerbrun run into off- field trouble again.
The Broncos have two punters on their roster – journeyman Jason Baker, who joined the team late last season, and rookie seventh-round draft pick Paul Ernster out of Northern Arizona.
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-820-5459 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
