In dim hallways and bright luxury boxes. Over breakfast in Hawaii. On vacation in Vail.
Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist has talked trades where the sun shines and where it doesn’t, during quiet meals with his wife, Amy, and, of course, over e-mail.
Last March, Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage cozied up to a restaurant table in Hawaii where Ted and Amy Sundquist were dining. They all were there for the NFL owners meetings.
“He and I shot back and forth a few ideas as Amy listened and finished her breakfast,” Sundquist said. “This was the first deal that involved the fourth- round pick we gave up for (tackle) Gerard Warren.”
While on vacation in Vail, Sundquist took a call from 49ers GM Scot McCloughan. San Francisco was ready to trade defensive end John Engelberger and Sundquist was happy to chat. Amy understood.
“She is quite knowledgeable,” he said, “with the comings and goings of players.”
His blockbuster – Clinton Portis for Champ Bailey – came after Sundquist and Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder haggled in a luxury box at the 2004 Super Bowl.
“It was quite crowded with the families and representatives of the clubs so we went to the front and sat down,” Sundquist said. “We spoke about player for player, with both sides feeling additional compensation might be in order. However, as talks progressed over the course of time, we were able to secure the second-rounder and not give up anything in return.”
