Legal Tampering: Day 2, school night edition

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This going to drive Patriots fans crazy.

Elvis Dumervil, the high-energy freakishly athletic pass rushing tweener of the Denver Broncos may be a salary cap casualty as early as Monday afternoon.

Now before fans start drooling as if Pavlov just rang the dinner bell, he is unhappy that the team is seeking to restructure his contract, and he’s refusing to let go of the $14 Million that he is due to make this season….

Dec 2 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil (92) passes rushes towards Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos defeated the Buccaneers 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

…so, it appears that the Broncos are set to cut him loose, even though there is still some guaranteed money detail to be worked out.

That sounds like a sticky situation that the Patriots probably don’t want to get involved in, plus at $14 million, he would take up half of the cap space available and it just isn’t worth it.

…and thus far, that’s the biggest news to come out of Day 2 of Legal Tampering…the rest of this afternoon’s headlines appear below and will be updated as events warrant.

Now it’s time to get the Boy a drink and a snack – get his bath all set up and get him off to bed…What? You didn’t think I just sat at my computer all day vegging on football rumors, did you?

Broncos reach impasse in talks with Dumervil

The Denver Post reports contract restructuring talks between the Broncos and RE Elvis Dumervil appear to have reached an impasse.

The exact same term — “impasse” — was used in Pittsburgh to describe James Harrison’s negotiations before the Steelers cut him. Agent Marty Magid sent the Broncos a contract proposal on Friday, and the two sides have had “no communication” since. Denver may be preparing Dumervil’s walking papers. “Elvis has been working out, he’s healthy, he feels great,” Magid said. “He wants to stay with the Broncos. Right now, we’re waiting to hear back from them.”

Colts, Browns to wage ‘bidding war’ on Kruger

The Baltimore Sun reports the Colts and Browns will soon engage in a “bidding war” for free agent OLB Paul Kruger.

The Browns have been “particularly aggressive” on both Kruger and Cliff Avril since Saturday morning’s negotiating window opened. One source predicted Kruger will command $10 million to $12 million per year. Both Cleveland and Indianapolis are flush with cap space and need pass-rush help. It’s conceivable that the Kruger will go to the Colts and Avril to the Browns, or vice versa.

UPDATE: Report: Tony Gonzalez will play ball in 2013

USA Today’s Jim Corbett reports free agent Tony Gonzalez is expected to inform the Falcons that he will return for the 2013 season.The report cites a person familiar with Gonzalez’s thinking. “There’s a pretty darn good chance that he comes back,” the person said. “He’s been chasing that Super Bowl for a long time. If I was a betting man, I’d say he’d be on the side of trying to come back.” When Gonzalez returns — likely on a one-year deal worth about $7 million — the Falcons are expected to put him on a limited training camp regimen out of respect for the 37-year-old’s body. Gonzo has been selected to 13 Pro Bowls. He’s the NFL’s all-time leader in catches (1,242) and yards (14,268) by a tight end.

Report: Falcons remain frontrunner for S-Jax

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Falcons are “still regarded as the frontrunner” to sign free agent Steven Jackson.

Jackson reportedly didn’t receive many phone calls as the negotiating period opened Saturday at midnight, but Atlanta “isn’t the only team interested.” The other clubs are unknown. Jackson has resigned himself to leaving St. Louis. “I understand the business side of it,” he said. “I still have a great relationship with the (Rams’) organization, and one day I’ll be going back there.”

Broncos jump into Mendenhall sweepstakes

The Denver Post reports that free agent Rashard Mendenhall is drawing interest from the Broncos.

Perhaps Mendenhall’s market will be stronger than anticipated. The Dolphins have also shown a solid amount of interest, and we suspect the Cardinals have some too with former Steelers OC Bruce Arians now running the show. Per Denver beat writer Mike Klis, the Broncos’ level of interest in Mendenhall is “hard to gauge.” The addition of Mendenhall would likely lead to Willis McGahee’s release.