BroncosB2B
02-21-2004, 07:03 AM
Gold talks hit barricade
Broncos want to keep LB but can't reach agreement
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
February 21, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS - While negotiations on a contract for Al Wilson appear destined to result in a "franchise" designation, talks regarding another Denver Broncos linebacker facing unrestricted free agency largely are going nowhere.
Ian Gold's agent, Carl Poston, said Friday that despite frequent communication with the Broncos, including this week, the two sides appear "quite a ways apart" and that Gold probably will hit the open market March 3.
"Denver controls all that," Poston said, adding he still hopes to speak to Broncos officials this weekend to forge a compromise. "If they want to get it done, they can get it done. If they don't, or don't feel he's worth his full-market value, obviously we have to go somewhere else."
The Broncos already have stated their desire to keep Gold, even after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Oct. 12 and was placed on injured reserve. Gold also has said he wants to remain with the Broncos.
But Poston is among the league's heavyweight agents. He represents other top linebackers such as Washington's LaVar Arrington and San Francisco's Julian Peterson and owns a reputation as a tough customer during contract talks. It's clear he would like nothing better than to gauge interest in Gold on the open market.
"He's obviously a top-quality linebacker, and he would start for almost any team in the NFL," Poston said. "Had he not gotten hurt, he probably could have been in the Pro Bowl. I don't think there would be a team that wouldn't love to have him on their squad."
Broncos want to keep LB but can't reach agreement
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
February 21, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS - While negotiations on a contract for Al Wilson appear destined to result in a "franchise" designation, talks regarding another Denver Broncos linebacker facing unrestricted free agency largely are going nowhere.
Ian Gold's agent, Carl Poston, said Friday that despite frequent communication with the Broncos, including this week, the two sides appear "quite a ways apart" and that Gold probably will hit the open market March 3.
"Denver controls all that," Poston said, adding he still hopes to speak to Broncos officials this weekend to forge a compromise. "If they want to get it done, they can get it done. If they don't, or don't feel he's worth his full-market value, obviously we have to go somewhere else."
The Broncos already have stated their desire to keep Gold, even after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Oct. 12 and was placed on injured reserve. Gold also has said he wants to remain with the Broncos.
But Poston is among the league's heavyweight agents. He represents other top linebackers such as Washington's LaVar Arrington and San Francisco's Julian Peterson and owns a reputation as a tough customer during contract talks. It's clear he would like nothing better than to gauge interest in Gold on the open market.
"He's obviously a top-quality linebacker, and he would start for almost any team in the NFL," Poston said. "Had he not gotten hurt, he probably could have been in the Pro Bowl. I don't think there would be a team that wouldn't love to have him on their squad."