Hamza Abdullah and John Lynch have been put on notice.
The Broncos’ starting safeties last year and subjects of lowball contract offers during the offseason, Abdullah and Lynch received serious competition Saturday with the signings of veterans Marquand Manuel and Marlon McCree.
Manuel received a three-year contract worth $1.5 million a year, $2 million if he starts. And Manuel and McCree will be given a chance to compete with Lynch and Abdullah at the two safety positions.
Lynch, a free safety, returns after accepting a 36 percent paycut (from $3.12 million to $2 million) for the 2008 season. Abdullah, who played both strong and free safety last season, is a restricted free agent who was briefly engaged in a multiyear contract extension with the Broncos, only to instead receive a low tender of $927,000 and seventh-round draft pick. Other teams can present a higher bid for Abdullah, although the Broncos have the right to match any offer.
The Broncos mark the fifth team for Manuel, who will be entering his seventh season. He has played strong and free safety while making stops in Cincinnati, Seattle, Green Bay and Carolina. He had drawn interest from other teams as a free agent, but picked Denver.
“He was looking for an opportunity to become a starter and felt the best place would be Denver,” said Ron Slavin, Manuel’s agent. “He’s versatile and he’s smart. Whatever position he plays, he’ll figure it out.”
The Broncos also added McCree, who played most recently with San Diego.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
