NFL teams are still a few days away from officially using the franchise tag on players, but the Denver Broncos aren’t waiting in making their decision:
Left tackle Ryan Clady will get the tag.
Team vice president John Elway told the Denver Post’s Mike Klis:
“We’re going to tag him. … We’d like to work something out, like we did last year. Things have changed a little bit because he’s coming off a shoulder surgery. But we like Ryan. We like him a lot as a player and we’d like to get something done.”
Denver tried to sign the three-time Pro Bowler to a contract extension before the 2012 season, but Clady reportedly rejected a five-year, $50 million deal.
The Broncos drafted Clady with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Since then, Clady has been a starter ever since, never missing a game in his five-year career. Clady earned $3.5 million in 2012; the projected salary for a franchise tagged offensive lineman is $9.7 million in 2013.
The Broncos used the franchise tag on kicker Matt Prater last season before signing him to a contract extension in June.
NFL teams have until March 4 to use the franchise tag.
Green Bay Packers release Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson wants to play for a Super Bowl contender, according to this agent. (courtesy Mike Morbeck)
The man who beat Peyton Manning for the Heisman Trophy in 1997 is looking for work.
The Green Bay Packers released veteran defensive back Charles Woodson.
The 36-year-old missed nine games in 2012 with a broken collarbone. According to his agent, Woodson wants to play “for a Super Bowl contender.”
Hmmm…Super Bowl contender, you say?
Cue the “Should the Denver Broncos pursue Woodson?” talks.
The league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2009, Woodson signed a five-year deal worth as much as $55 million before the 2010 season. He played cornerback until last season when he moved to safety.
So…should the Denver Broncos take a chance on Woodson?
Yes. Now I know the idea of an “aging secondary” might not sit well with some, but this works because:
- The Broncos are in let’s-win-now mode; they’ve stacked the deck to make a serious run last season (2012), this upcoming season (2013), and maybe the season after that (2014). Beyond 2014, the look of this team will likely be very different.
- Woodson brings even more leadership to a team that’s still young in places (i.e. secondary). I see Woodson potentially filling the role Brian Dawkins had in Denver a few seasons ago. Yes, I know Champ Bailey is a team leader, as is Manning, but imagine what adding Woodson to the mix could do.
Despite his age and price tag, Woodson will inevitably be a hot commodity. The Broncos fit his “contender criteria,” so, if Denver is interested, this team could land its second high-profiled free agent in as many seasons.
Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.
