spjets Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Thursday, March 10, 2005 Denver Matches Jets' Offer to Putzier; Leach Returning By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Broncos had seven days to match the New York Jets' offer for Jeb Putzier. They only took six. The team officially matched the offer sheet for Putzier Thursday, returning the fourth-year tight end to Denver. Putzier was efficient last year. He ranked 12th among AFC tight ends with 36 receptions, but was fourth in yardage, amassing 572 yards for an average of 15.9 yards per reception. That average was first in the AFC among tight ends, just 0.2 yards shy of the league-best 16.1-yards-per-catch pace set by Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler Alge Crumpler. No other NFL tight end averaged more than 12.3 yards per catch last season. It was also the best per-catch average by a Broncos tight end since Riley Odoms' 16.0-yards-per-reception pace in 1979, and the third-best all-time by a Denver tight end. The 2004 season was a breakthrough for Putzier, a college wide receiver whom the Broncos developed gradually in 2002 and 2003. The Broncos deactivated him in 25 of the 32 games in those seasons, and he did not make a regular-season reception until the final game of 2003. Had the Broncos chosen to pass, they would have received a sixth-round draft pick as compensation -- equivalent to the round in which the Broncos drafted the Boise State product three years ago. Putzier is the only Broncos restricted free agent to receive a formal offer so far this year in free agency. LEACH RETURNING: The Broncos also announced a deal with tight end/ long snapper Mike Leach. The sixth-year player will return for his fourth season in Denver. In addition to his tight end duties, Leach also served a key special teams role as Denver's long snapper in punting situations. He played in every game last season and contributed three special teams tackles for the club and one more in Denver's AFC Wild Card loss at Indianapolis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatsFanTX Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Just resign Becht and the Jets will be fine at TE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YJF Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 No shock to me. I knew that Denver would match. The second, I saw the contract details. You were not going to steal this player with the offer sheet, The Jets gave. The front office targeted the right player but they didn't make a strong enough offer to steal him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GimmeShelter Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 No shock to me. I knew that Denver would match. The second, I saw the contract details. You were not going to steal this player with the offer sheet, The Jets gave. The front office targeted the right player but they didn't make a strong enough offer to steal him. Correct. Anyone think Denver will entertain trade talks for a 4th rounder instead of the 6th they would have received by letting him walk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YJF Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Correct. Anyone think Denver will entertain trade talks for a 4th rounder instead of the 6th they would have received by letting him walk? You might be able to get him for a 4th round pick. Maybe. I would do the deal. Not sure if Denver would. I wouldn't trade him. That's up to them though based on their cap situation and that they have very few picks this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoJETS Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 I agree. Becht is more than just a serviceable TE. If you want the guy, you have to design the contract so that it's hard to match. Like when the Jets signed Curtis Martin and lost Laveranues Coles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatsFanTX Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 If you want the guy, you have to design the contract so that it's hard to match. Like when the Jets signed Curtis Martin and lost Laveranues Coles. That is an excellent point. So true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHT STALKER Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Oh well, time for plan B. If you know what that is, please post it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spjets Posted March 10, 2005 Author Share Posted March 10, 2005 i would call michael ricks.....or sign dilger... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSJ Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Just resign Becht and the Jets will be fine at TE. Becht signed with the giants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Troll Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 I knew this was coming. I don't understand why Bradway didn't frontload the contract, making it impossible for Denver to match it. I figured it was we'd have the money to go after Fred Smoot or Ty Law, but apparently, it wasn't. Good idea, terrible execution by the front office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Told you MBG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFlaJets Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Time to call Ken Dilgers agent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob D Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 This is no surprise to me. I said on this board that I expected Denver to match this offer. It was heavily back loaded, when a RFA offer sheet needs to be front loaded (or contain voidable years) if you don't want the other team to match. I also think that a trade for a higher pick is unlikely, since Denver would take an immediate $1m cap hit due to the signing bonus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiamiJet Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 I was wrong. I thought we could get him. Despite Nalen, Smith, Lynch and Plummer restructuring deals, Denver was still in trouble. Especially after losing Kennedy and Hayward, resigning Gold, and having holes to fill, I thought their only chance to keep Jeb would be by trading Pryce. I just didn't think they had time. With Denver now matching, they would take a cap hit by trading him. Maybe a deal can still be worked out, if Pryce is moved. I defended Terry, but he should've offered a bit more money upfront. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mean Papi Green Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Blow you MBG uhhhh, no thanx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Troll Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 It's okay, MBG. Don't cry, we'll get another tight end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 The Giants signed Becht? Holy crap. I can't believe he's getting paid to play football. Bizarre. The Jets are in a bad spot at TE. We better hope Chris Baker is for real. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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