Todd Sauerbrun is back in Denver. Michael Myers is on his way to Cincinnati.
Sauerbrun will be the 10th veteran Denver has signed or traded for since such moves could be made starting March 2. Myers is the third free agent to leave Denver. The Broncos don’t have any remaining free agents.
Sauerbrun agreed to terms on Thursday and is scheduled to arrive at Dove Valley today to sign a one-year contract worth up to $1.4 million.
“This is a homecoming for Todd,” agent David Canter said.
Sauerbrun won his grievance against the New England Patriots and became an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. The grievance centered on whether the Patriots had the right of first refusal for Sauerbrun, who signed with them in December. The NFL Players Association argued that New England did not attach a separate form with his contract required in deals including rights of first refusal for unrestricted free agents.
Sauerbrun agreed to a one- year contract with the Broncos on April 3. The Patriots matched. Sauerbrun was cut by the Broncos in October after he served an NFL suspension for using a banned substance. He was a standout for Denver in 2005.
While Sauerbrun is coming, Myers is going. The defensive tackle signed a two-year contract worth about $1.65 million. Myers departed for Cincinnati because the Broncos were going in another direction on their defensive line. New assistant head coach in charge of defense Jim Bates likes bigger tackles than Myers, who is 6-feet-2 and 300 pounds.
“Michael would have been very happy to continue his career in Denver,” said his new agent, Drew Rosenhaus. “Michael is going to be a good fit in Marvin’s (Lewis) scheme in Cincinnati. He is a versatile, quick defensive tackle. I don’t want to speak for Coach Bates, but in his style of defense, he likes tackles that are 315-320 pounds, and Michael is a different player. But he’ll be very happy in Cincinnati.”
Myers was acquired by Denver in 2005 along with defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban from Cleveland for running back Reuben Droughns. Myers is the third Denver free agent to leave this offseason. Defensive end Patrick Chukwurah went to Tampa Bay and guard Cooper Carlisle signed with Oakland.
Denver will likely look at the draft for help at defensive tackle. Among the prospects it may look at are Tennessee’s Justin Harrell, Utah’s Paul Soliai and Florida’s Marcus Thomas.
The team is expected to monitor Carolina’s Kris Jenkins, who may be traded before the draft. It would probably cost Denver one of its third-round picks to get Jenkins. Another option could be Chicago fee agent Ian Scott. He visited Denver, but the Broncos opted to sign Alvin McKinley.
Lift now, fast later
Perhaps, no player has more passionately followed orders from Broncos strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten than safety Hamza Abdullah, who has seemingly grown a new set of shoulders with all the muscle he has added.
His teammates have even ribbed him about custom-making the locker room so Abdullah can squeeze his shoulders through.
Then again, Abdullah needs the bulk. Tall and slender by safety standards, Abdullah dropped to 205 pounds last season while following the Islamic custom of fasting from sunrise to sunset during the Ramadan 30-day calendar.
If it doesn’t cost him any speed or quickness, Abdullah said he hopes to play at 217 pounds this year, at least until the Ramadan fast starts Sept. 13.
Staff writer Mike Klis contributed to this report.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
