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Tom Nalen named to Denver Broncos Ring of Fame

By Johnny Hart

Center Tom Nalen of the Denver Broncos sits on the bench during the preseason game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 13, 2005 at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Nalen was elected to the Broncos Ring of Fame Wednesday. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

ESPN Denver

For a decade and a half Tom Nalen anchored the Denver Broncos’ offensive line through two Super Bowl wins, 11 1,000-yard rushers, 93 single-game 100-yard rushers and the most Pro Bowls by a Denver offensive lineman –– 5.

But the man who played center on the field –– and avoided the center of attention off the field –– will become the first center to grace the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.

Nalen will be honored at halftime of the team’s home game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 29. He’ll join Hall of Fame tackle Gary Zimmerman as the only other Broncos offensive lineman to earn membership into the Ring of Fame.

The club’s starter in the middle from 1995 to 2007, Nalen played in 194 regular-season games –– third most in team history –– while starting 188 times –– second only to Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway.

Nalen blocked 1997 NFL MVP Terrell Davis to a 2,000 yard season in 1998 on the way to the team’s second-consecutive Super Bowl championship. The former Center also paved the way for two Offensive Rookie of the Year running backs, Mike Anderson in 2000 and Clinton Portis in 2002.

A seventh-round pick out of Boston College, Nalen was selected to five Pro bowls, three All-Pro teams and was named the NFL’s Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2003.

Peyton Manning restructured deal may create cap room in 2013, 2014

By Johnny Hart

Peyton Manning looks through smoke as he waits in the tunnel during player introductions against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Jan. 12. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

ESPN Denver

After originally being thought just a change of language, the Denver Broncos may actually save $2.5 million in cap room this year and next with the restructuring of Peyton Manning’s contract.

The Denver Post reported Friday that Manning and the Broncos had reworked the language in the gunslinger’s five-year, $96 million deal to reflect an insurance policy if the perennial Pro Bowler should injury himself.

It was originally believed that the restructuring did not affect the financial terms in Manning’s contract, but Yahoo! Sports is reporting the Broncos will save $2.5 million in cap room in 2013 and 2014 because of the reworked deal.

A source with knowledge on the situation told news site’s “Shutdown Corner” blog that Manning will still earn all of his guaranteed $40 million but will received a $10 million salary advance.

The advance will be treated much like a signing bonus, according to the blog, and will be prorated through over the next four years at $2.5 million per year. Consequently, Manning’s base salary will be lowered to $15 million in both 2013 and 2014, saving the team $2.5 million in cap space during the next two years.

The money shift, however, will increase Manning’s cap hit in 2015 and 2016 from his original base salary of $19 million to $21.5 million.

A little extra cap room this year and next could help the Broncos make a run at free agent defensive back Charles Woodson, who visited Dove Valley last week.

Manning’s restructuring gives the Broncos $9.9 million in cap room, according to “Shutdown Corner,” more than the other teams interested in Woodson’s services.

You can find Johnny Hart on Twitter at @JohnnyHart7. For up to the minute updates on the Denver Broncos, check the 1023 ESPN Facebook page, @1023ESPN or Total Access: Broncos.

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