Elvis Dumervil

It’s Doomerville for Elvis and the Broncos

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(Photo: Denver Broncos)

(Photo: Denver Broncos)

Ok, this is a bit convoluted…but bear with me. I’ll try to stick to the fax. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Headed for an impasse with their star defensive end, the Denver Broncos strike a last-minute agreement to restructure Elvis Dumervil’s contract. He tells his friends and family he is staying in Denver. They’re happy. The team is happy. The fans are happy. Everyone is happy.

The only thing left to do is sign the contract. That’s the easy part. At least, when you’re using technology from the 21st century it is.

But, that’s where it all goes bad. Or, so we’re told…

Elvis Dumervil’s agent, Marty Magid, says they faxed the newly inked contract back to the team. Yes, I said faxed. Only, the team didn’t receive it by the 2:00 PM (MT) deadline. As a result, the Broncos were forced to release Dumervil, rather than pay him the $12 million dollars he was otherwise guaranteed.

Since then, there have been statements made, fingers pointed, timelines released, and allegations thrown. Magid claims Dumervil was at a Miami Kinko’s trying desperately to fax the document because the Broncos didn’t get them the right contract, then left them little time to respond.

The Broncos released a statement claiming Dumervil backed out of the deal at 1:00, only to change his mind at 1:25, and they were concerned about making the deadline…so much so that they suggested he take a photo of the signed contract with his phone and send that.

He went with the fax. And the rest is history. Elvis Dumervil is now a free agent. And I think we all learned a thing or two in the process.

Mostly, things our mother taught us:

1) Don’t wait until the last minute.

2) If something is important, don’t leave it up to someone else.

3) Nothing good happens after 2:00 (PM in this case). *Courtesy of Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP )

4) Don’t make commitments you’re not willing to live up to.

5) Technology is great. Except when it’s not.

The Broncos could still sign Dumervil as a free agent, though it is unlikely considering they took a salary cap hit by releasing him.

For now, it’s back to the drawing board…to reach a new agreement, most likely with a new team. And this time, they won’t leave anything to chance.

Dumervil’s next contract will arrive on time. Guaranteed.

By carrier pigeon.

XO

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

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Unsportsmanlike conduct, unnecessary roughness, personal fouls galore…and the NFL season hasn’t even started!  Every week seems to bring a few new player arrests, some of them usual suspects (Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver Dez Bryant), some of them unlikely offenders (Minnesota Vikings Running Back Adrian Peterson).  Judging by the off the field antics, you’d think the summer of 2012 is another lockout for NFL players.  No organized team activities, no NFL Code of Conduct, no disciplinary action, only…it’s not.

Reports earlier this week were that 28 players had been arrested since the Superbowl.  That was before we found out about Tennessee Titans Wide Receiver Kenny Britt’s DUI arrest and now Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Back Donald Washington, of which I learned as I was writing this.  I have lost track, but am confident that number is right around 30.  This week’s highlight reel includes: Seattle Seahawks Running Back Marshawn Lynch’s DUI, Denver Broncos Defensive End Elvis Dumervil’s aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Dez Bryant’s domestic abuse (of his mother), St. Louis Rams Defensive End Robert Quinn on DUI, now Britt and Washington on the same charge.

Peterson’s arrest prompted Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to weigh in, comparing players to soldiers returning home from battle (a statement he has since apologized for).  Dayton also told Minnesota Public Radio that with almost half the year off, “Idle time is the devil’s play.”  We haven’t heard much from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during all of this.  Though every time I hear about another arrest, I picture the scene from The Exorcist with his head turning all the way around.  And smoke coming out of his ears.

It is the NFL officials who are on lockout this summer and they seem to be on their best behavior.  Negotiations continue, but Goodell has hired replacement referees who are currently being trained in case they need them for the start of the season.  Even if they don’t, he could always use them next offseason!

The good news is…next week marks the start of training camp for many teams, meaning players will have far less free time on their hands.  But before that, comes another weekend.  And another opportunity for an infraction (or two, or three).  Off the field red flags the league has yet to respond to.  But can’t afford to ignore.

XO