Hixon's journal entry #4

[liljc]

Looks like he'll be on the field soon.http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=5852

[Dr Z]

Life without Lelie leaves big questions in DenverBy ARNIE STAPLETON - AP Sports Writer 2006-08-24 03:19 DENVER (AP) -Now that recalcitrant receiver Ashley Lelie is no longer their problem, the Denver Broncos will spend the next several months answering two key questions:-Are they better without him?-Are they better off without him?``It's tough to know right now,'' Denver defensive end Courtney Brown said. ``Time will tell us and him.''The NFL's leader in yards per catch the last two seasons could have provided the Broncos with a high-octane trio by teaming with former Pro Bowl receivers Rod Smith and Javon Walker.Lelie wanted nothing to do with such an arrangement and skipped all the Broncos' offseason workouts, piling up hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and lost bonus money rather than report to a team he felt misused his talents and never gave him the chance to be a featured pass-catcher.In a three-way trade with Atlanta and Washington that sent Lelie to the Falcons and running back T.J. Duckett to the Redskins, the Broncos got the equivalent value of a 2007 third-round draft pick, based on a points system used by NFL teams.The arrangement with the Redskins opens the door for multiple alternatives involving the teams' draft picks - they could swap picks in the first round, for example - and the exact compensation won't be determined until next offseason.The impact of Lelie's departure should be felt much, much sooner, especially if Walker's return from a severe knee injury that cost him almost all of last season doesn't go as planned or if the 36-year-old Smith finally starts to show his age in his 12th NFL season.Because behind those two starters are a motley crew of largely unknown or unproven players:-Darius Watts, whose penchant for dropped passes often outshines his sensational skills.-David Kircus, who was cut four times by the Detroit Lions and spent the offseason making sandwiches at a Subway shop for $15 an hour.-Rookies Brandon Marshall and Domenik Hixon, both of whom are injured.-Charlie Adams, traded to Dallas last week only to return to Denver when the Cowboys said he failed his physical.-David Terrell, a former first-round draft pick who played in one game last year and had no catches.-Todd Devoe, who caught nine passes last season.-And Brian Clark, an undrafted free agent.The Broncos' brass didn't want to discuss Lelie's departure Wednesday. General manager Ted Sundquist didn't return a message and coach Mike Shanahan said he'll address the situation at a later time.``Once it's finished and once the papers are signed, I'll be more than happy to answer any questions,'' Shanahan said after practice.Aside from a running tally of daily $14,000 fines amassed by the AWOL receiver that some teammates kept in the locker room, Lelie's name was hardly mentioned by the players during training camp.``You wanted something to happen for him. You don't want guys to sit in football limbo,'' fullback Kyle Johnson said. ``He's doing all right. The Denver Broncos are going to maximize the situation as best they can, as they historically do.''Lelie is going to Atlanta as the No. 3 receiver, same as he was in Denver, but it appears he'll have an easier time unseating Michael Jenkins or Roddy White than he would have of leapfrogging Smith and Walker.So, who will be better off, Lelie for getting his wish, or the Broncos, for granting it?``Let's be honest. If a player has a certain amount of leverage and a franchise has a certain amount of leverage, the franchise has superior leverage in the situation,'' Johnson said. ``He did get something that he wanted. He got a change of scenery. To expect to miss an entire camp and come in as a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver on any franchise in the NFL is a large order.``What he got is a chance to have a good year somewhere else as a No. 3. He could have done that here, but he chose to go somewhere else. You hope it works out well for the Denver Broncos and Ashley Lelie.'