Word out of Denver is that the Broncos are shopping former Pro Bowl defensive lineman Trevor Pryce.
Pryce, a once dominant defensive tackle, moved to defensive end in 2002 and remains the best defensive lineman on the roster. He missed most of the 2004 season after undergoing back surgery in September.
The team's willingness to part with Pryce arises from its impending shift from a 4-3 front to the 3-4. The thinking, we're told, is that the need for a high-priced defensive end is reduced in this new alignment, since the ends primarily are expected to tie up blockers so that the linebackers can make plays.
Pryce, 29, was the 28th player taken in the 1997 draft. In 2001, there were rumors of a possible trade of Pryce straight up for Vikings receiver Randy Moss, before Moss signed a long-term extension to stay in Minnesota. If Pryce is healthy, look for those rumors to rekindle, especially since Broncos coach Mike Shanahan surely would love to flaunt Moss to the Raiders and owner Al Davis, covets the speedy all-world wideout.
