CUTTING TIME STARTS WITH FIVE ON BLOCK
After five months of conditioning, six weeks of mini-camps, three weeks of training camp and three preseason games, there is no more time.
The Broncos must begin trimming their 80-man roster.
They’ll begin this weekend, when they will cut five players after they play their third preseason game tonight against the Green Bay Packers. The next weekend, the Broncos will cut from 75 players to their season- opening, 53-man roster.
That means 27 players will be moved in the next 10 days.
“Guys know if they’re on the bubble or not,” Broncos outside linebacker Jamie Winborn said. “Contracts generally dictate that, but for me, I think like I’m always on the bubble.”
Winborn’s contract won’t hurt him this year. The Broncos already paid him a $900,000 roster bonus in March and another $50,000 for completing their offseason workout program. His base salary of $800,000 isn’t guaranteed, but it would hardly be cost effective for the Broncos to throw away $950,000 to save $800,000.
Money or not, Winborn figures to be safe as he’s in line to start the season opener Sept. 8 at Oakland ahead of the injured Boss Bailey.
Broncos guard Montrae Holland could also overcome his weight issues with a favorable contract. He has already collected a $1 million roster bonus, although it could be debatable whether he earned his $100,000 workout bonus. Either way, the Broncos already have made a substantial investment in Holland, who would draw an additional $1.15 million in base salary if he makes the roster.
Union matters.
Broncos cornerback Domonique Foxworth is one of the youngest members of the NFL Players Association executive board, and for now, he thinks that’s enough. Foxworth said he doesn’t also want to be the Broncos’ union representative.
“When we have our elections, I think I’m going to step down as union rep and let somebody else take over,” he said. “Because I’m already on the board, I’ll be at all the meetings anyway.”
Foxworth said several players expressed interest in becoming a union rep, a pivotal position at this crucial time of potential labor unrest. The owners already have opted out of the current collective bargaining agreement, meaning a work stoppage is possible for the 2011 season.
Mike Klis, The Denver Post
