Denver Post: Denver restructures Plummer's contract

[1niksder]

Denver restructures Plummer's contract

By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer


Post / Hyoung Chang
Jake Plummer, 30, signed a seven-year, $40 million contract in March 2003.

Jake Plummer's future with the Broncos is secure. The quarterback joined other key veterans in agreeing to restructure contracts to help the team in free agency.

The Broncos and Plummer agreed to tweak his contract to help create salary-cap room, although Plummer eventually will receive all of the salary and option bonus money he originally agreed to, general manager Ted Sundquist said.

Plummer is likely to receive the majority of the $6 million option bonus this year then get the remainder next year. His $3.3 million base salary may be adjusted to help the team.

"We're committed to Jake and that commitment will be fulfilled," Sundquist said.

If the Broncos did not exercise the option and voided the final five years and nearly $32 million of the contract, Plummer would have been a free agent March 2. Plummer, 30, signed a seven-year, $40 million contract with Denver in March 2003.

"Jake's our guy," Sundquist said. "The players love him and he just fits in. ... Now, there's no question, not that there ever should have been, that Jake will be our quarterback for several more years."

While the Broncos had no doubts about exercising the option, the work was finding a way to create more cap room on Plummer's deal. Sundquist said he is pleased Plummer was one of four key veterans to rework their deals to help the team.

Safety John Lynch, who like Plummer is represented by agent David Dunn, agreed to restructure some of his $3-plus million salary-cap number for this season. Center Tom Nalen and receiver Rod Smith restructured to help the team.

"Those guys are our core players," Sundquist said. "For them to help us out is very impressive. They didn't have to do it, but they all want to help us win and we appreciate it."

The restructuring will help Denver drop to more than $4 million below the salary cap. With a few more reworked contracts, the likely trade of defensive end Trevor Pryce and a possible contract extension for left tackle Matt Lepsis, Denver should have plenty of cap room to maneuver through free agency, which begins March 2.

In addition to re-signing safety Kenoy Kennedy, guard Ben Hamilton and defensive end Reggie Hayward, the Broncos should be able to sign a couple of quality free agents.

"The idea is to win and get better," Sundquist said. "These restructurings will help us do that."

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,141 ... 10,00.html