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Moreno deal appears far from imminent

During an offseason when the iconic coach was fired, the young Pro Bowl quarterback was traded and the star wide receiver announced his displeasure by skipping the team's offseason rehabilitation program, why should the Broncos expect their No. 1 draft pick to show up for the first day of training camp?

The Broncos and Knowshon Moreno were so far away from an agreement Sunday afternoon, one NFL source said there was "no way" the rookie running back from Georgia would show up today for the unofficial start of training camp.

The Broncos made Moreno the first running back taken in the 2009 NFL draft when they selected him with the No. 12 overall choice. He is expected to eventually receive a five- or six-year deal with a guarantee of more than $12 million, so negotiations are not without complications.

As of Sunday night, only four of 32 first-round picks had reached agreements.

This is an offseason that began with the firing of Mike Shanahan, who had been not only coach but essentially in charge of the entire Broncos organization for 14 years. He was replaced by Josh McDaniels, who quickly had a falling-out with quarterback Jay Cutler, who forced his way to the Chicago Bears.

More recently, wide receiver Brandon Marshall walked out of the team's offseason program in protest of his contract that is to expire after he collects a $2.198 million salary this season. Marshall has said he would be at training camp, and because he is coming off hip surgery, the Broncos are counting on him to report today.

Signature achievement.

The Broncos signed second-round draft pick Alphonso Smith, a cornerback from Wake Forest, to a four-year contract Sunday that would include a guarantee of roughly $2.85 million in signing bonus and injury protection.

Smith was the No. 37 overall selection, a pick the Broncos obtained from Seattle by dealing away one of their first- round picks in 2010.

Smith is expected to contribute eventually as a nickel back behind starting corners Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman. Smith is also considered an exceptional punt returner, a position currently held by Eddie Royal.

Smith said he will begin camp conceding nothing, but accepting whatever role he receives.

"I have a lot of respect for Andre — he had one of his best years last year," Smith said. "And I have a lot of respect for Champ, of course. We're all going into camp competing. As a competitor you would love to play, you would love to start. But if it's not part of the recipe to become a winning team, you have to set that aside."

Mike Klis, The Denver Post
Posted: 07/27/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Moreno deal appears far from imminent - The Denver Post

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