Warren a problem?
excerpt:
While on their weeklong, two-city preseason trip to San Francisco and the Cowboys' complex, the Broncos kept Gerard Warren in Denver because they were confident of trading him within a day or two.
Instead, the Broncos have found virtually no trade market for Warren and it may be another week to 10 days before there is a final resolution. If Warren isn't moved soon, the Broncos may begin to think about keeping him.
The Broncos are trying to make teams understand the financial benefits of acquiring Warren through trade instead of waiting for his release. Here's the argument: The Broncos have already paid $2 million to Warren this year - a $1 million roster bonus and a $1 million workout bonus - which would leave his new team with only a $595,000 salary tab. (He has another $2 million listed under all-but-impossible-to-reach incentives.)
Should Warren be released to free agency, however, a possible bidding process for his services could escalate his cost well beyond $595,000.
After a stellar first season for the Broncos in 2005, Warren received a six-year, $36 million contract extension that included $10 million in bonuses. Warren received $4.545 million during the first year of that contract, but was forced to renegotiate a less lucrative deal when injuries to both his big toes led to a subpar season in 2006.
Counting the $2 million Warren has received this year, the Broncos would wind up paying him $6.545 million from his original contract extension - pricey, considering he gave them just one injury-plagued season in return, but a substantial discount from $36 million.