Bronco bustin’
Kap’s lawyer says Elway crossed line
John Elway told on himself. Last week, the former Broncos great, and current general manager, put his foot in his mouth when reporters asked him about the chances of Colin Kaepernick becoming a Bronco, as Denver is in desperate need of help at quarterback.
“I don’t know if I’ll be legally able to say this,” Elway prefaced.
“Colin had his chance here,” he continued. “We offered him a contract. He didn’t take it.” Well, kind of. Back in March of 2016, Denver discussed a trade with the 49ers for Kaepernick. Peyton Manning had retired, Brock Osweiler signed with the Texans, and the Broncos were in need of a signalcaller. With Kaepernick on the books for about $12 million that season, San Francisco was looking to shop him.
Elway wanted Kaepernick to take a pay cut. Kaepernick said no. The deal didn’t happen.
“Mr. Elway, clearly he violated the protective order that the NFL has been wielding at me like a club ... and he’s apparently suffering from some real brain trauma,” Kaepernick’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, said on the “Reasonable Doubt” podcast. “… We’ll deal with that in the hearing.”
Kaepernick filed his collusion case against the NFL last October, claiming that the league is blackballing him because of his protest, as he has not played since the 2016 season. — Carron Phillips
● Mike Tirico is adding to his many duties at NBC by taking over as studio host for “Football Night In America.” He replaces Dan Patrick, while joining Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison on the Sunday night program that has been the most-watched studio show in sports since 2006.
MEETING ON MEYER’S FUTURE
Ohio State trustees set a private meeting for Wednesday to talk about the future of Urban Meyer. The head football coach, who is on paid leave, has been the subject of an investigation into the handling of domestic-abuse allegations against former assistant coach
Zach Smith. President Michael V. Drake will have the final say on whether Meyer keeps his job or faces other consequences.
● Alabama tops the preseason Top 25 as it begins its quest for a second consecutive national title. Alabama received 42 out of 61 first-place votes. No. 2 Clemson received 18 first-place votes.
Georgia is No. 3 and Wisconsin is fourth.
DEVILS SIGN 1ST-ROUND PICK
The Devils have signed firstround draft pick Ty Smith toa three-year, entry-level contract. The 18-year-old defenseman was the 17th overall pick in the recent draft.