By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer
On the eve of free agency, the Broncos knew they had an issue percolating on their defensive line. They had limited resources to address this area in need of major retooling.
“We knew we had to be resourceful,” general manager Ted Sundquist said. “We just needed to figure exactly how we were going to pull it off.”
What the Broncos accomplished could become part of the NFL manual on salary cap survival. Essentially, Denver pulled a four-for-one payroll swap, exchanging pass-rushing end Reggie Hayward for a new line that coach Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Larry Coyer call the most talented and productive group they have had in Denver.
The financial windfall is in the spotlight this week as the Broncos head to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars and Hayward, their new $25 million man, on Sunday. Cashing in on his 10 1/2 sacks in 2004, Hayward signed a five-year deal with the Jaguars on the first day of free agency in March. He will be paid, including bonus money, more than $10.5 million this season.
Denver knew before free agency began that Hayward was awaiting a big payday. Instead the team chose to spread its money around.
It took more than a month of maneuvering, but Denver put together a starting lineup of defensive ends Trevor Pryce ($3 million) and Courtney Brown ($1.8 million) and tackles Gerard Warren ($2.2 million) and Michael Myers ($665,000) for significantly less than what Hayward is being paid by Jacksonville this season. Brown signed as a free agent, Warren and Myers were acquired through trades, and Pryce allowed his contract to be restructured after missing almost all of last season because of a back injury.
“I like Reggie and I’m happy for him, but I’ll take our four guys,” Broncos safety John Lynch said. “That’s four for one. That’s good economics.”
The line has been a catalyst during a defensive resurgence in the past six quarters, as the Broncos outscored San Diego and Kansas City 47-13 in that span. The defense has made six sacks and put constant pressure on opposing offenses.
Going into the season, the Hayward trade-out seemed risky. Brown had been habitually injured, Warren had a reputation for being lazy, Myers was considered a journeyman and there were questions about Pryce, at the age of 30, returning from his injury.
Three weeks into the season, the gamble seems to be paying off. Brown has been healthy and dynamic the past two weeks, Warren is working hard, Myers is a relentless playmaker and according to Sundquist, Pryce is the “franchise pass rusher” he was before his injury.
“We’re an early Christmas present for the team,” Warren boasted. “It’s a great steal. … You have to give credit to the team for going out and finding everyone at such a great price tag. They went out and brought us in, and now we’re paying off for them.”
Key backups Ebenezer Eku- ban, John Engelberger and Demetrin Veal also have performed well. The backups, including Marco Coleman and Monsanto Pope, added about another $3 million in cost.
“We knew what Reggie was going to get and we decided to go in another direction,” Sundquist said. “You have to be creative, all the while trying to improve your situation. It wasn’t easy, but we think we accomplished that on our line.”
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303 820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
