Byline: Clay Latimer Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
The Denver Broncos went on a little shopping trip Wednesday and came home with a mixed bag.
Defensive end Marvin Washington, a free agent who played last season with the San Francisco 49ers, agreed to a one-year deal that is believed to be worth about $775,000. It didn't include a signing bonus.
The Broncos also offered Arizona Cardinals free agent Terry Irving a three-year deal, but later in the day the linebacker signed a three-year, $2.1 million contract with the Cardinals.
Washington, who played under Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Greg Robinson when both were with the New York Jets, is considered a role player. Defensive lineman Sean Gilbert is anything but, and he'll visit club headquarters next Wednesday. The Broncos also hope to sign starting defensive end Neil Smith, who played a key role during their Super Bowl run, to a new contract.
Washington isn't counting on a starting position, just some playing time - and redemption.
Last season, the 6-foot-6, 280-pound defender suffered a foot injury and finished with only one sack for the 49ers.
``It was really frustrating last year, but that's the thing about football: There's always a time for redemption, and that's what I'm looking forward to, personally and professionally,'' Washington said.
For the Broncos, depth is the name of the game on the defensive line. They like to substitute en masse, in part to exploit the thin air at Mile High Stadium that often leaves visitors sagging during a game's stretch run.
Last season, they needed every man. Defensive end Jumpy Geathers (Achilles' tendon) was lost for the season in training camp, Smith and defensive end Alfred Williams were sidelined because of triceps injuries, and tackle Maa Tanuvasa went down with an ankle injury shortly after taking over for Micheal Dean Perry, who eventually was waived because of subpar production.
``That's why we had all those defensive linemen on the team,'' Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. ``Everyone questioned that going into training camp. But by the end, people realized you can't replace those players.
``(Washington) is a strong defensive end who's very athletic. He can help our football team. (But) we still want Neil as badly as we wanted him before.''
Washington was a sixth-round draft pick of the New York Jets in 1989 and was a starter from 1991 to '96. In 1992, he finished with an NFL career-high 8 1/2 sacks but was released after the 1996 season after he made only 2 1/2 sacks despite starting 14 games.
Washington, a Denver native who went to high school in Dallas, says he is eager to play once more for Robinson.
``He's probably the biggest factor in getting the deal done,'' Washington said. ``There's a comfort factor there.''
Washington's contract includes a base salary of $350,000 - $425,000 if he makes the roster - plus incentives of $200,000 if he plays 50 percent of the plays, $50,000 for two sacks, $100,000 for four sacks and $150,000 for six sacks.
Irving decided to remain with the Cardinals partly because he has accepted an engineering internship with a high-tech company in the Phoenix area.
``I want to be here,'' he said. ``I've been here when the team has struggled, and I want to be here when we win.''
Irving is the second free agent to turn down the Broncos. Tampa Bay guard Jim Pyne earlier chose the Detroit Lions over Denver.
INFOBOX
J Broncos' 1998 foes
* The Broncos' opponents for 1998 (teams listed in alphabetical order; dates will be announced later):
HOME GAMES........AWAY GAMES
Dallas............Cincinnati
Jacksonville......Kansas City
Kansas City.......Miami
New England.......N.Y..Giants
Oakland...........Oakland
Philadelphia......San Diego
San Diego.........Seattle
Seattle...........Washington
