Maurice Clarett returned to Dove Valley for a second time Thursday, in time for a team meeting and ready to start earning an unusual contract that protects the Broncos and offers Clarett an enticing goal.
Clarett joined cornerback Darrent Williams (second round, Oklahoma State) and guard Chris Myers (sixth round, Miami) on Thursday as the final three draft picks signed contracts. All three made it in time for the team’s first meeting and should be on the field this morning when the team begins training camp practices at 8:30 a.m.
Clarett’s contract will reward him later if the former Ohio State running back stars in the NFL. Yet the Broncos, who surprised the NFL by selecting him in the third round, are protected if Clarett does not pan out.
There aren’t any guarantees in the contract, according to Clarett’s agent Steve Feldman, and Clarett will earn the league minimum of $230,000 this year, without a signing bonus. However, he will get about $410,000 in workout bonuses spread over the final three years of his four-year contract.
“We don’t look at this as a tremendous risk,” Feldman said. “Maurice has a chance to do very well for himself. … This is an out-of-the-box deal, but we think it works well for Maurice and the Broncos.”
There also are escalators in the deal, most notably in the third season, which can bring his total up to $7 million if he hits a certain yardage total, probably in the 1,000- to 1,200-yard range in a particular season. Denver usually likes to give players selected in the third round or later three-year deals.
Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist declined to discuss the details of the deal. But he called it a win-win for the team and Clarett.
“We did not cram this deal down his throat,” Sundquist said. “Maurice wants to go out and earn this deal. He really stepped up and showed something. We want Maurice to succeed. We want to see him get everything he can in this contract.”
Williams, who will be a punt and kick returner, agreed to a four-year contract. According to a source familiar with the deal, his signing bonus will be worth $1.275 million.
Williams said he is ready not only to succeed as a returner, but to emerge in the race for the third cornerback job.
“We all have great skills, great talent, but I feel like I’ve got a knack just for the game of football, understanding things,” Williams said. “I feel like I’m the more aggressive out of the bunch. But it’s going to be a battle.”
By aggressiveness, Williams means he takes more chances.
“I’m really aggressive trying to make a big play instead of just waiting,” he said.
Backup QB battle
Coach Mike Shanahan said incumbent backup quarterback Danny Kanell has improved in the offseason and will work hard to try to stave off second-year players Bradlee Van Pelt and Matt Mauck.
“Danny Kanell has come in this year, really with a sense of urgency that I haven’t seen before,” Shanahan said. “I don’t know if it was him getting married or him settling down a little bit. I see a new guy.”
Shanahan said Van Pelt, a former Colorado State star, will get more playing time in the preseason than last year.
Footnotes
Every player on the roster reported to camp on time. … The NFL has tentatively planned to have its spring meetings next May in Denver. … Clarett arrived at camp with new punter Todd Sauerbrun.
Staff writer Mike Klis contributed to this report.
