Broncos’ Thomas expects big payday
Julius Thomas is about to cash in, one way or another.
One of Denver’s dozen unrestricted free agents, he’ll either get a long-term contract soon or play next season under the Broncos’ franchise tag.
General manager John Elway said Jan. 12 that re-signing the big tight end and star wide receiver Demaryius Thomas were his top priorities after finding a new coach.
“I didn’t hear about that until now from you,” Thomas told The Associated Press. “But I think it’s good that’s something they want to do. Obviously, those conversations and negotiations will take place in the next coming weeks. Hopefully it all works out.”
If not, Thomas will still see a big jump in his pay. He made $645,000 in the final year of his rookie deal.
Thomas is a bit of an uncertainty. He has spent 2 1-2 years nursing ankle injuries that rendered his production near nil and 1 1-2 years as a transcendent tight end a la Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham.
Lawyers plan appeal for former NFL players: Lawyers representing 1,300 former NFL players filed notice Tuesday that they plan to appeal a federal judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit alleging that teams damaged the players’ health by routinely and often illegally dispensing painkillers.
The notice was filed with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The original lawsuit was dismissed in December by Judge William Alsup of the U.S. Northern District in California. He ruled that the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association was the appropriate forum to resolve those claims and not the court.
The appeal would be heard by a three-judge panel, which ordered supporting briefs in the case by May 7.
Sharper to face rape charges: A preliminary hearing for former NFL All-Pro safety Darren Sharper on charges that he drugged and raped two women he met at a West Hollywood nightclub has been tentatively set for Feb. 17.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge set the new hearing date Tuesday after meeting privately with prosecutors and defense lawyers.
Sharper says he agrees with the delay.
Judge Michael Pastor says the hearing was postponed because of scheduling and evidence issues that he didn’t explain.
Rams maneuver to leave St. Louis: The Rams took the first step toward lame-duck status in St. Louis and a possible move back to the West Coast, notifying the city’s Convention and Visitors Commission on Monday that they intend to shift to a year-to-year lease agreement for their use of the Edward Jones Dome.
The CVC, which operates the dome, confirmed the move Monday. The Rams referred comments to the CVC.
Rams billionaire owner Stan Kroenke is part of a joint venture that announced plans earlier this month for an 80,000-seat stadium in the Los Angeles suburbs. Any move would be subject to approval by the NFL and its owners. The NFL has already said no moves would be made in time for next season.