As the Broncos first mandatory minicamp got underway Friday morning, Champ Bailey, DJ Williams and Elvis Dumervil stood together, joking on the sidelines.
The Broncos and Dumervil may have plenty of work to do before they can agree on a new contract, but that Dumervil was here, yucking it up with his teammates, was certainly a positive sign.
Dumervil showed up for the mandatory camp as expected despite being the only veteran player not under contract.
“I’m trying not to bite my tongue and trying not to say too much at the same time, but he’s a guy that we need,” Bailey said. “And I wish things would work out a lot faster than they are. Hopefully by the time when it counts, the season, we’ll have it done. Because we need him.”
Dumervil participated in everything in the two-hour practices except full-team drills, just like he has since voluntary practices started in late May.
The team has told Dumervil, via letter, that he has until Monday to sign his restricted free agent tender worth $3.168 million. Should Dumervil choose not to sign, the team could reduce his 2010 salary to about $630,000.
“We’ve got plenty of time here in the next couple of days. I’m sure everything is going to work out fine,” coach Josh McDaniels said.
McDaniels said Broncos general manager Brian Xanders is continuing to work with Dumervil’s agent on a new long-term contract that has “nothing to do with” the restricted free agent tender situation.
“We want to continue to push to get everything done that we want to get done, which is to have him here for a long time,” McDaniels said. “So, there’s no negative tone at all. We’re going to do the best we can to make sure he’s here for as long as we can keep him.”
With Dumervil not participating in team drills, former first-round draft pick Jarvis Moss saw plenty of time with the first-team base defense Friday. Robert Ayers, a first-round pick in 2010, spent most of Friday’s practice on the sideline as a “coaching decision,” McDaniels said.
On offense, second-year wide receiver Kenny McKinley worked as the team’s third wide receiver, behind Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal, ahead of veteran Brandon Lloyd, while rookie offensive linemen Zane Beadles spent most of the practice at left guard.
Beadles spent much of May and early June practicing at tackle.
Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com
