The cruel business that is the NFL salary cap forced the Broncos into dumping three of their more productive players today.
Star defensive end Trevor Pryce and 1,000-yard rusher Mike Anderson have been cut, instantly sent to the free-agent market. Tight end Jeb Putzier, the team’s third-leading receiver, has been released. Should Putzier clear waivers as expected, he will join Pryce and Anderson on the free-agent market Friday.
At the moment, the Broncos are weaker team. Whether they can become an improved team through free agency and the draft remains to be seen.
What is certain is the 2006 Broncos will be different from the team that finished its 2005 season in the AFC Championship Game.
“To ensure that we’re under the cap going into the league year as things stand today, we have to make these moves,” said Ted Sundquist, the Broncos’ general manager.
As today began, the Broncos were $13.4 million over a projected salary cap of $95 million. The combined cap savings on Pryce, Anderson and Putzier was $14.98 million.
That means the Broncos will have a couple million dollars to play with as they prepare for the free-agent signing period that opens Friday and the late-April draft in which they have two, first-round draft picks.
