As the Broncos embark on their otherwise meaningless final regular-season game of 2005, it may not hurt them to know the team currently is over the NFL’s salary cap for 2006.
Decisions will be made. And as Broncos coach Mike Shana- han has said repeatedly, players are evaluated every day.
As it turns out, pride, win No. 13 and proper playoff preparation aren’t all the Broncos will be playing for Saturday against the Chargers in San Diego.
“With the game against San Diego and the playoffs we have ahead, I don’t think anyone in this building is concerned about 2006 right now – except for me,” said Mike Bluem, the Broncos’ salary capologist. “It’s my job to keep up with future commitments but otherwise, for everyone in this organization, this is about the season we’re in.”
When a team reaches its regular-season finale with a 12-3 record and No. 2 AFC playoff seed, many inside the Denver organization are deserving of credit for rebuilding the roster into no less than a division champ.
The retooling would not have been possible, however, if not for the financial sacrifices of several players. At this time last season, the Broncos were well above the $85.5 million salary cap set for 2005. But in January and February of this year, several players agreed to restructure contracts, deferring money so the Broncos could have payroll room to bring in better players.
Although the NFL has announced the salary cap will grow to between $92 million and $95 million for 2006, the Broncos’ contracts as they are currently written add up to more than that. The Broncos have until March 3 – a mere nine weeks from now – to reach the cap.
“You don’t play this game very long,” Denver cornerback Champ Bailey said. “And when you do play, you want to do everything possible to play for a winner. As long as it’s done fairly, I’ve never had a problem restructuring my contract.”
The rush for history
Shanahan wasn’t afraid to say this week that if history is there, he’ll go for it. Running back Tatum Bell needs 131 yards against the Chargers to join teammate Mike Anderson in the 1,000-yard rushing club.
Bell’s career high is 127 yards and the Chargers are first in the NFL against the run, but one of their best run-stuffers – tackle Jamal Williams – landed on the injury report Wednesday as questionable with a foot injury.
If Bell reaches the milestone, he and Anderson would be only the fourth teammate tandem, and first in 20 years, to each rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.
“In the second half, for him to get a chance to get that 1,000 – you always want your players to achieve goals – but I don’t think it’s the game plan going in,” Shanahan said. “I think it says something about this offensive line. They should have got some kind of recognition for getting all those yards. That’s why I would like to achieve it, if it is possible.”
Pivotal part of season
Yes, said Chargers quarterback Drew Brees, blowing that 14-3 halftime lead against the Broncos in Denver in the second game of the season turned out to be pivotal for both teams.
While the Chargers have been eliminated from the playoffs, the Broncos went on to earn a second-round home game.
“But, hey, it’s over, it’s done with, I feel like we’ve learned a lot from the season,” Brees said. “We also understand that with this (Denver) game, it’s definitely not a letdown just because we’re not going to the playoffs.
“What are we playing for? We’re still playing for a lot. To win 10 games in this league is very difficult, so it’s something we want to take advantage of.”
Mike Klis can be reached
at 303-820-5440 or mklis@denverpost.com.
