ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—The lockout was lifted but the gate didn’t open.
Denver Broncos players weren’t in a rush to return to work Tuesday after a federal judge’s ruling lifting their two-month lockout a day earlier.
At about 10:15 a.m., a silver Audi arrived at the team’s secured parking lot and the driver punched the code, then sat there for about 30 seconds. When the gate didn’t open, he backed up and drove away, declining requests from reporters to stop.
Team spokesman Patrick Smyth said the driver wasn’t a player but a businessman who had an appointment with one of the team’s coaches.
Smyth said the building was open for business and that the welcome mat was out for any players wishing to enter, saying, “Any players who arrive will be treated with courtesy and respect.”
However, those players wouldn’t be able to work out in the weight room or do any football-related activities while the team awaits further guidance from the NFL, Smyth said.
A handful of Broncos and former Broncos have been working out at a facility near the Broncos’ headquarters. Many of them are scattered across the country as they keep tabs on the labor impasse.
Meanwhile, regional scouts arrived early in the morning as did football chief John Elway, general manager Brain Xanders and coach John Fox to finalize their draft preparations.
The Broncos own the second overall pick Thursday night and barring a trade, they have their sights set on four elite prospects: defensive tackles Marcell Dareus and Nick Fairley, cornerback Patrick Peterson and pass-rushing linebacker Von Miller.
U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson lifted the 45-day lockout late Monday. The NFL asked her to put her order on hold, and she agreed to weigh the request after the players’ response is filed Wednesday.
Her ruling lifting the lockout likely diminished the Broncos’ chances of trading away the No. 2 overall pick to stockpile more selections because teams may be reluctant to move up if they fear there won’t be a rookie salary scale put in place.
The No. 2 pick would likely command between $70 million and $75 million over five years without a rookie scale and about half that if there is one.
