RB C. Brown Targets Broncos

[Dog Face Gremlins211 0]

While the Broncos spend the next three days working to finalize contracts with all seven of their draft picks, this week is also crucial to completing a trade of disgruntled receiver Ashley Lelie.

 

Denver, which opens training camp practices Friday morning after Thursday's reporting date, is all but assured of starting camp without Lelie. He has stayed away from team functions this offseason. If the team deals Lelie, it could happen this week when his value may be the highest.

 

Lelie's Denver-based agent, Peter Schaffer, said a trade could happen soon. Schaffer has been working with the Broncos since May, and praised the Broncos for trying to accommodate Lelie's request.

 

"I'm more optimistic than ever because of the diligence and respect shown by (general manager) Ted Sundquist and (coordinator of football administration) Mike Bluem," Schaffer said. "They are attempting to find a positive resolution for all parties."

 

Lelie sat out the offseason workout program and the mandatory mini-camp this month and will be subject to a daily fine if he misses camp. His absence could create a distraction for the Broncos as they begin defense of their AFC West championship. At this point, no other veteran holdouts are expected in the NFL.

 

Schaffer said there are seven teams interested in Lelie. The teams Denver has talked to are believed to include Chicago, Baltimore, San Francisco, Philadelphia and New England.

 

The biggest obstacle in trading Lelie is he is entering the final year of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent in March. Thus, teams may be reluctant to give high value. There have been several players traded in recent years, including receiver Terrell Owens and quarterback Steve McNair, who haven't commanded high value because of contract situations.

 

It's believed the Broncos

 

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are seeking help at running back and tight end. However, draft-pick compensation could be part of a Lelie trade.

 

Meanwhile, Denver will spend the week trying to complete negotiations with its draft choices. It is not unusual for teams to secure their picks in the days leading up to training camp. Last year, all but one of Denver's picks signed the week of camp.

 

Brown eyeing Broncos

 

If he and his agents have their druthers, running back Chris Brown will return to Colorado. The former University of Colorado star has Denver at the "top of our list," one of his agents, Ryan Morgan said.

 

Brown has requested to be traded by Tennessee, but Morgan said the Titans have denied the request thus far.

 

"Denver would be a good fit for Chris," Morgan said. "We all know how well Denver runs the ball, and we think Chris, with his style, could have a big year there."

 

Denver has been exploring adding another tailback but a trade for Brown, who is entering the final season of his contract, could be difficult.

 

There has been some speculation a Brown-for-Lelie swap could develop, but the Titans are strong at receiver.

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_4087096

 

 

Titans GM Silent About Trading RB Brown

 

 

Chris Brown’s agent made a formal request for his client to be traded a week ago.

 

Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese still has yet to respond to the demand, according to Ryan Morgan, who along with Wynn Silberman, represents Brown.

 

“We haven’t heard anything from Floyd as of yet,” Morgan said. “I’ve been in and out this weekend, but we would hope that things might pick up Monday.”

 

Reese did not return telephone messages from The City Paper over the weekend, his main focus for the past few days has been the face-to-face negotiations with Major Adams, the agent for No. 1 pick Vince Young.

 

In spite of the request, there are no guarantees Reese will entertain offers for Brown, who is entering the final year of his contract.

 

“We have had some talks with Floyd about a trade, and Floyd indicated that he values Chris, and was not necessarily inclined to deal him, but we decided it was best to make the formal request anyway,” Morgan said Friday.

 

On Sunday, Morgan added that he was staying positive that a trade could happen, especially given the Titans’ situation of having Brown, Travis Henry and second-round pick LenDale White in the fold.

 

“I’m a little bit confused by what their objective is there. They have three backs, and none of them play special teams. There are two veterans and one is a high draft pick. We just feel it would be best if Chris had an opportunity elsewhere,” Morgan said.

 

Morgan added that in earlier conversations with Reese, the general manager appeared not to be inclined to be forthcoming with a contract extension that would keep Brown in Tennessee long-term.

 

“From the indications, I’ve gotten from Floyd, he does not appear to want to give Chris an extension,” Morgan said. “I look at other backs from 2003, and Domanick Davis has already received an extension. That was one of the reasons we felt it would be best to go ahead and request a trade.”

 

The main issue appears to be whether or not Brown can be the feature back with the Titans this season. He is currently listed as the starter after a year in which he gained 851 yards in 15 games. In 2004, despite injuries that kept him out of five games, Brown rushed for 1,067 yards.

 

“In Tennessee, you have three quality running backs on the roster, and it remains to be seen how those carries are going to be distributed,” Morgan said. “Last year, the carries were to be split between Chris and Travis Henry, but the team played from behind a lot, and it affected the carries for both players. The team went 4-12 last year, and I’ll leave the predictions of how they might to this year to others, but given the running back situation there, I just think there might be a better opportunity for Chris elsewhere.”

 

White is likely the long-term answer for the Titans at running back. Brown is a free agent at season’s end, and Henry has a roster bonus due next season that will allow the Titans to get out from under his deal if they wish.

 

“We want to keep the focus on Chris, but obviously they have drafted LenDale White, and given his track record and his experience with Norm Chow, you can kind of see the writing on the wall,” Morgan said. “We just feel like it would be in Chris’ best interest to go somewhere else where he would have more opportunity to be a feature back. Chris is well regarded in league circles, and there are several places where he could go and be an upgrade.”

 

Brown’s request for a trade is the third time this season a Titans veteran has turned proactive in trying to pry his way out of Tennessee.

 

Earlier this offseason, linebacker Peter Sirmon requested his release after the team signed David Thornton in March, and Sirmon could not get a clear answer as to what his role would be. The Titans have since moved Sirmon to middle linebacker.

 

Quarterback Steve McNair eventually brokered a trade to Baltimore, when the Titans could not work out a contract agreement with him, and could not guarantee him a starting role beyond 2006 with Vince Young waiting in the wings.

 

As for Brown, the decision lies with Reese and the front office as to whether they field offers for the running back.

 

“Obviously, Chris is under contract with the Titans for this season, so the Titans would have to entertain any offers for him,” Morgan said. “If they are unable to find something satisfactory, then they could give us permission to explore a trade opportunity for Chris.”

 

Morgan indicated that, like the moves made by Sirmon and McNair, the decision is simply business.

 

“We are not unhappy with the Titans organization, and Chris does not hold any bitter feelings against the Titans either,” Morgan said. “We just feel Chris is a feature back and he opportunity might be better elsewhere.”

 

 

 

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cf...p;news_id=51131

[Greedo 13]

If Chris could run the ball more than 5 times without getting hurt, he would be a feature back. What a waste.

[My Negro! 3]

Brown runs too upright and takes too many big hits.

[Raider 84 29]

It would be a great running system for him.

[Whyamiabillsfan 0]

The Titans don't want Lelie and the Broncos don't want Brown.

[NewbieJr 541]

Brown runs too upright and takes too many big hits.

But the stadium is a mile high. It's all relative.

[mgs316 14]

If Chris could run the ball more than 5 times without getting hurt, he would be a feature back. What a waste.

 

He played 14 1/2 games and had 250 touches on a horrible squad. I think that's a pretty solid season for a "injury prone" guy that gets hurt every 5 touches.

 

Chris Brown in Denver equals total stud, here's to dreaming.

[t.j 35]

As for Brown, the decision lies with Reese and the front office as to whether they field offers for the running back.

 

If I'm the Titans, I don't want to trade Chris Brown. You can't count on Travis Henry, he's one strike away from a full-season suspension. You can't count on Lendale White for health and fitness reasons. I wonder how much confidence they have in Jarrett Payton?

[Larry David 20]

He played 14 1/2 games and had 250 touches on a horrible squad. I think that's a pretty solid season for a "injury prone" guy that gets hurt every 5 touches.

 

Chris Brown in Denver equals total stud, here's to dreaming.

 

You're 100% right. The guy was 20th overall in rushing attempts last year which is pretty amazing considering that he was part of a RBBC and played on a team that was constantly playing from behind. Not bad for a guy who played the entire season in a body cast.

[Cuse9 129]

The whole thing is funny.....the Titans were supposedly going to feature Travis Henry in pre-season games to try and get a trade for him. This was very public...then Brown comes out and says he wants traded?

 

Does this mean that Lendale White is looking steller and Brown knows his days as the starter in Tenn are numbered? Brown IMO is a waste! I'm a Denver fan, and I think Bell is much better than Brown....helk I'd rather have Sapp or Cobb start!!

[Steel City Blues 0]

Brown IMO is a waste! I'm a Denver fan, and I think Bell is much better than Brown....helk I'd rather have Sapp or Cobb start!!

 

 

I want to see this in your sig line after week 4 if Denver does swing a trade for Chris Brown.

[Cuse9 129]

 

I want to see this in your sig line after week 4 if Denver does swing a trade for Chris Brown.

 

I wouldn't doubt that Brown would put up great numbers, but anyone can with Denver....TD, Portis, Gary, Griffin, Droughns, Anderson....why not Brown as well, I just don't like him....I didn't want Owens when they were talking about him coming to Denver either....I still think Owens is a waste as well.

 

I'm also a Nebraska (I used to be able to say that proudly) fan, so it's against my laws to like a guy from Colorado.

[Old School 360]

Exactly why would the Titans want to trade Brown?

That would leave them with a guy one drug test away from suspension (Henry) and a rookie who has never played a down in the NFL, who was nursing a hammy (White)

 

It's talk, like all the hype about trading Voleck a year or two ago, which would have left them with an old fragile QB, and a rookie.

 

It just doesn't make a lot of sense for the Titans- and what would they get for a RB in the last year of his contract who ran for less than 900 yards last year and missed 5 games the year before?

And his agent is comparing him to Dom Davis?

[DaveJ 0]

Exactly why would the Titans want to trade Brown?

That would leave them with a guy one drug test away from suspension (Henry) and a rookie who has never played a down in the NFL, who was nursing a hammy (White)

 

It's talk, like all the hype about trading Voleck a year or two ago, which would have left them with an old fragile QB, and a rookie.

 

It just doesn't make a lot of sense for the Titans- and what would they get for a RB in the last year of his contract who ran for less than 900 yards last year and missed 5 games the year before?

And his agent is comparing him to Dom Davis?

 

 

I agree.... BUT.... If Denver really wants him, its possible Denver will include one of their backs in the deal. Tenn wouldn't be that bad off with Bell or Dayne. I don't see it happening for just Lelei though....

[Clash of the Titans 1]

when it's all said and done..more will be said than done.....

 

chris brown will be a titan in 2006....the titans want a future draft pick for him..at least a 3 from what i understand...no one is likely willing to part with that....he won't be going to denver for lelie ...the titans have no interest in him.....so look for both sides to suck it up and deal with each other this year

[adam smitty 0]

It would be a great running system for him.

Yea I dont blame him for targetting Denver. It's the best system in the league for RBs, he could get a chance to shine there, for 3 or 4 weeks at least.