Broncos trade rumors

Vorrecht · Oct 16, 2011

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_19127536?source=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Denver Broncos working to trade Brandon Lloyd
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
POSTED: 10/16/2011 07:19:50 PM MDT
UPDATED: 10/16/2011 07:37:44 PM MDT

Trade talks involving Broncos receiver Brandon Lloyd were expected to intensify Sunday night.

The San Francisco 49ers appear to be showing the strongest interest in the acrobatic receiver, but the New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams also were in discussions, according to two NFL sources.

The trading deadline is 2 p.m. MDT on Tuesday. Given their druthers, the Broncos would like to move Lloyd before practice Monday as they return from their bye week to resume preparations for their next game, Sunday at Miami.

In return for Lloyd, the Broncos would like to get a midround pick from the 2012 draft.

The 49ers and Patriots both are 5-1. The Rams are 0-5 with Josh McDaniels serving as coordinator for the league's worst scoring offense.

Lloyd, 30, was a fourth-round pick of the 49ers in 2003. He has since played with the Washington Redskins and Chicago Bears before having a breakout year with the Broncos and head coach McDaniels in 2010, recording 77 catches with 11 touchdowns and NFL-leading 1,448 yards.

McDaniels was fired by the Broncos with four games remaining last season and is now the Rams' offensive coordinator.

Lloyd's familiarity with McDaniels in turn would allow him to adjust to New England's offense. McDaniels was the Pats' top offensive assistant from 2005-08. The Pats' offense is not easily picked up, as former star receiver Chad Ochocinco has discovered this year.

Lloyd's style somewhat resembles that of former New England receiving great Randy Moss with his ability to leap over defenders while catching the long ball.

The 49ers interest in Lloyd would be as a deep-threat complement to receiver Michael Crabtree and tight end Vernon Davis.

The Broncos are motivated to trade Lloyd for several reasons.

One, Lloyd has respectfully requested to be moved. His receiving numbers are down this season — 19 catches for a team-high 283 yards and no touchdowns — even though he has continued to make several highlight film-caliber catches. He did miss one game with a groin strain but has played in the past two games.

Two, Lloyd is a free agent after this season.

According to sources, the Broncos offered Lloyd a two-year extension on the $1.395 million salary he is drawing this season, but the proposal did not include an upfront signing bonus.

The Broncos are also prepared to go forward with a young receiver group of Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas, Eddie Royal and Matt Willis.

Thomas has been out all season, first to recover from Achilles tendon surgery, then to recover from surgery to repair a broken pinkie finger. The Broncos' first-round draft pick in 2010 — in which he was selected three spots ahead of quarterback Tim Tebow — Thomas is also expected to practice this week and play against the Dolphins.

Decker, a third-round pick in 2010, leads the Broncos with 22 catches and five touchdowns (four receiving, one on a 70-yard punt return).

Willis has six catches this season, including a touchdown. The Broncos also have returner/receiver Quan Cosby on their roster, and their practice squad includes receivers Eron Riley and D'Andre Goodwin.

Although sources say Royal has also requested a trade, it may be difficult for the Broncos to accommodate him. The receiver/returner has not generated much interest in the trade market most likely because he has yet to play in a game since a Week 2 groin injury.

Royal did return to practice Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday at Miami.

The Broncos are also expected to monitor whether their freshly demoted quarterback Kyle Orton draws interest from the Oakland Raiders after they lost starter Jason Campbell for an extended period. Campbell suffered a broken collarbone in the Raiders' 24-17 win against the Cleveland Browns.

Going forward for the Raiders, who are 4-2 and in contention for their first playoff berth since 2002, are quarterbacks Kyle Boller and rookie Terrelle Pryor.

Although, the Raiders are their most heated rivals in the AFC West, the Broncos would be willing to give up Orton in return for a draft pick and relief from the estimated $5 million left on his salary.
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It sounds like Brandon Lloyd will be on a new team by tomorrow morning (49ers reportedly showing the most interest along with the Patriots and Rams) and it also sounds like there's at least a remote chance that the Broncos would be willing to deal Kyle Orton to the division rival Raiders if they show interest.

Broncos trade rumors

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