Denvr_Sports_Insider's Blog

By now you know of the pink slip that was waved around at Dove Valley
Monday with the ferocity of a "Yes We Can" poster.

The pink slip that was written for former Broncos running back Travis Henry after he was “abruptly” (as one individual in his camp called it) released and simultaneously used to show the vigor with which hope and character can be restored to this organization.

According to head coach Mike Shanahan, the reason for conceding the team would be better off without Henry's candidacy for the top tailback position is clear.

“He’s just too inconsistent as a person...I’m not going to get into details what he did or didn’t do. You have to do the little things. If you don’t do the little things, obviously you can’t count on somebody. So that’s why he’s released,” Shanahan told the media Monday.

The question is: Is there more to this story, and are there extra politics at work here?

Of course there are.

There’s Henry’s side, there’s more to Shanahan’s side, and then there’s the actuality.

This would be a good place for a direct quote from the rejected candidate but unfortunately Henry's cell remained off at the time this went to print, and while the other main tailback candidate-Selvin Young-moves on and assumes the job is his.

In the meantime, let us quickly outline some factual talking points at the podium of this allotted space.

The first fact we know is that the Broncos gave Henry a second chance publicly after he successfully appealed a positive marijuana test result.

(Henry won on the technicality of insufficient disclosure of a negative drug test result that surrounded the offending sample. The Broncos subsequently expressed their desire for Henry to return to their club in various press conferences).

The second fact is, the Broncos backed up that sentiment by offering Henry a new deal-albeit a restructured one.

(In late February, the Broncos reportedly gave Henry a deal for $1 million in base salary, $100,000 in workout bonuses, and an incentives package).

This could lead most logical people in Broncos nation to think: the Broncos wanted Travis Henry.

I would vote for that apparent truth.

And why not? Henry led the NFL in rushing after the first four games last season prior to his injury and his off-field issues.

And yes "issues" is plural.

So what happened?

Well hang with me here.

The third fact is the Broncos did confirm Henry recently hurt his hamstring. It was reported he suffered a strain running 100 yard sprints before the start of the team’s passing camp late May.

This is what Shanahan said to the media at that time.

“He can’t go yet.”

“Those hamstrings, you never know how long it’s going to take, so I would say that chances are he’ll be ready for the June camp. He will not be ready this week.”

Okay...

And the last fact we know for sure is that Henry was subsequently released Monday.

So again we ask what happened? Especially considering this point emphasized by the source who broke news of failed marijuana tests by both Ricky Williams and Travis Henry to Fox 31 sports: “a team cannot cut a player while he is hurt.”

I'm sorry. We need the crowd to put a hush behind that aforementioned rally cry as we listen to the next speaker.

ONE PLAYER’S PERSPECTIVE:

Sometimes it's good to go door-to-door and knock for a grass roots perspective.

In a cell phone interview after practice today, one Broncos player (who wished to remain anonymous) provided some insight into Henry's situation based on his own observations.

When asked what’s the scoop on Henry inside the locker room, the player replied, “It’s just the injury thing, and he decided not to show up. I guess that’s about it.”

That’s too simple. We need more. We will not concede we are satisfied with that answer.

The player continued when pressed.

“It’s more to the point of how he didn’t communicate to coach and like not returning calls…I guess he wasn’t reporting to “Greek” [team head trainer Steve Antonopulos] or wasn’t talking to him [as much]…that’s what I heard."

Reporter’s Note: I recently heard from a player who talked to Greek and who definitely got the sense the trainer was growing weary of Henry’s inconsistencies. I can’t write the exact quote because that would clearly give up the source’s identity.

SHOULD WE EXPECT AN “ODELL THURMAN?”

This is why it is also good to knock on "the door" at the mountain top as well.

Think you can't get blind-sided during a push for a new direction? Consider this Broncos nation-but only fleetingly for now.

Former Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman was waived May 19th after being reinstated recently by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Thurman served what amounted to a two year suspension after violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Thurman’s agent reportedly was told by Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis that his client had not been in the building enough since his reinstatement.

But…….

This Monday a report surfaced that Thurman is facing an indefinite suspension after violating the league’s substance abuse policy again.

Monday, if you’ve forgotten already (I almost did. Can I get some water here?) was the day the Broncos also coincidentally informed the public Henry was released.

Not that the two are related.

But trust me when I say this question was out there today: are the Broncos following the Bengals “Thurman blueprint” of cutting a player in advance of the public hearing another violation is in the pipeline for Henry as well?

Well the source who broke Henry’s latest failed drug test to Fox 31 sports answered the question.

Please welcome our new speaker.

“Not that I have been made aware of at this point; but I wouldn’t necessarily know right now either for various reasons.”

Reporter’s Note: The source also told Fox 31 sports they would be able to provide more information soon if there is something to report.

SO WHERE CAN HENRY GO FROM HERE?

Join the NFLPA ticket? Perhaps?

Fox 31 sports also spoke with staff counsel from the NFLPA for more answers.

The representative wished to remain anonymous.

You may have noticed Mike Shanahan was very careful not to say that Henry was cut because he missed practices that were voluntary.

Because you can’t cut players for that as was stated before.

If you want technical language, a player can have major beef if he can prove he was cut while he, "was physically unable to perform the services required of him by that contract because of an injury incurred in the performance of his service under that contract,” as written in the collective bargaining agreement.

While I'm blowing more jargon over your head...

This is beginning to sound like shades of the injury grievance former Broncos tight end Sam Brandon filed against the Broncos. His grievance was recently settled according to a first-hand source today as well.

So will Henry follow suit and file?

“Sometimes in these situations the first order of business is to try and get picked up by another team and just try and move on. Maybe a team will pick him [Henry] up off waivers in which case he goes to that team and hopefully has a better experience,” said the NFLPA staff counsel.

But if not?

And a lot of insiders/'Henry detractors" are unfortunately betting that way…

“Typically if nobody picks him up then we would get a call from the agent or the player…They would explore that [the player’s rights] with us, and we would ask them…what proof do we have?”

The staff counsel said a potential campaign like Henry’s could be tough should he choose to run for the cause of being unjustly fired-or the cause of 31 other teams showing him the non-conciliatory hand in the face.

Reporter’s Note: This counsel said they had not received an inclination towards this decision yet.

“If we were to bring a case-just like in most legal cases [and] arbitration too-the party bringing the case has the burden of proof, or if the Players Association filed on his behalf if he wanted to file…The devil is always in the details,” said counsel.

If you allow me to get my Johnnie Cochran on real quick...or my politician on...

The devil is in the details because why?

You have to prove motivation.

Sorry no catchy rhyme there.

We've digressed. Politically typical.

Counsel bring back order over the supporters of this space.

“[For example] We have to prove that the reason they released him was because he wouldn’t come to voluntary activities if it were just that simple. Timing is one element but it is not sufficient…They [the Broncos would] put on a whole scenario of witnesses and say they sat down over the last several weeks and did an evaluation of various players, and that they have evaluations from position coaches…They [NFL teams] are usually are very good at papering their record in this sort of thing,” explained counsel.

But does the fact that the Broncos recently penned a restructured deal for Henry help in elucidating their desire to keep him regardless of some possible “arbitrary new evaluation”-especially given the context of everything they already supported him through with his drug case?

“That would be a factor in our favor of course…[but] it’s not only timing…Often the critical element is what was said or not said. They [the Broncos] might have said something to his [Henry’s] agent…that he has got to start playing with some vigor or our patience is [done]…It all depends on the factors that we can line up [like that].”

However the NFLPA staff counsel also emphasized that players are not litigious usually, and that the last thing they want to do is get tied up in a legal case.

Why not? We love a good filibuster?

“It’s only as a last resort if they can’t move on. Then they call us and say this is kind of fishy, and do you think we have enough evidence to proceed with a grievance?”

Odds are….

YES HE DOES.