In an interesting twist to a story that won't go away any time soon, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith has called for an inquiry into the events that led to Elvis Dumvervil's eventual release from the Denver Broncos.
Elvis Dumervil release: NFLPA calls for inquiry into Fax-Gate
The infamous Eagles, 49ers and Ravens trade involving Terrell Owens in 2004 is coming up again, this time in association with Elvis Dumervil’s contract fax spat with the Broncos.
Dumervil’s $12 million contract for the 2013 season was set to become guaranteed at 4 p.m. ET Friday. The two sides had been involved in negotiations in the restructuring of that contract. The Broncos, ironically, told Dumervil and his agent they wanted him to accept their new contract offer of $8 million for the 2013 by 3 p.m. ET so they would have time to file the paperwork.
Dumervil’s agent, Marty Magid, says they received the contract at 2:45 p.m. ET, signed the contract and faxed it back.
The Broncos say they did not receive the documents until after their 3 p.m. ET deadline, and filed notice with the league of their intentions to release Dumervil.
He is now a free agent, and Magid said he has received interest from other NFL teams.
Mike Klis of the Denver Post wrote Saturday that there is some precedent behind the NFLPA going to bat for a player in this kind of situation. In 2004, 49ers WR Terrell Owens thought he was opting out of the final three years of his contract with San Francisco. The 49ers said they didn't receive the paperwork. In the early minutes after that deadline, Owens agreed to a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles as the 49ers traded him to Baltimore for a second-round pick.
With the assistance of then-Union director Gene Upshaw, a deal was worked out between Baltimore, San Francisco and Philadelphia. The Ravens got Philadelphia's fifth round pick in the 2004 Draft (which they would trade to Miami later on) and the Eagles sent DE Brandon Whiting to San Francisco.
How much impact will this impending standoff have in Dumervil’s future contract negotiations? It’s hard to say, but considering the precedent Owens, Upshaw and those teams set, teams will think at least twice about signing him. The Eagles had to give up a player and a fifth-round draft pick to sign a free agent.
Per Klis, the NFL rejected the Broncos’ request to honor the verbal agreement the two parties allegedly had.
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