Just the fax: Elvis Dumervil released by Denver Broncos

Elvis Dumervil was released by the Denver Broncos after the team failed to receive a signed copy of a new contract with the defensive end that included a $4-million pay cut before a deadline.

By Wire reports

March 15, 2013 12 AM PT

Time really is money. Nobody knows that better than Elvis Dumervil and the Denver Broncos.

Dumervil found himself out of a job and the Broncos were without their best defensive end Friday afternoon after they reached an agreement on a new contract but saw it all come undone when tardy filing of the paperwork forced Denver to release him.

A person familiar with the negotiations gave the Associated Press details about the confusion. The person did not want to be identified because the negotiations were not public.

According to that person, the day played out like this:

At 1:25 p.m., Denver time, Dumervil agreed to take a $4-million pay cut to remain with the AFC West champions for 2013.

The paperwork was ready to be signed and sent to the league. But with the clock ticking on a 1:59 deadline, the Broncos were not seeing any sign of the signed copy on their fax machine.

With no signed contract in hand as 1:59 approached, the Broncos were forced to cut Dumervil, because once the 1:59 deadline passed, they were on the hook for the $12 million they owed him in the original contract.

The team received the signed contract via fax at 2:06. That was seven minutes past the deadline and about 15 minutes later than they needed to receive it so they could review it and send it to the league.

Dumervil’s agent, Marty Magid, did not return messages left by AP via text and voicemail.

Dumervil is now a free agent. Though the parties had agreed on a deal, the odds of Dumervil returning to Denver are hampered because cutting him could leave them with a salary cap hit of up to nearly $5 million.

The Arizona Cardinals released Kevin Kolb, ending the quarterback’s two injury-filled seasons with the team.

The team’s move came just ahead of the deadline for paying Kolb a $2-million roster bonus.

Last season, Kolb completed just under 60% of his passes with eight touchdowns and three passed intercepted but was sacked 27 times in six games.

Greg Jennings spent seven years getting the best of the Minnesota Vikings secondary while playing for their bitter rivals in Green Bay.

Jennings signed a five-year contract with the Vikings on Friday, leaving Aaron Rodgers and that high-octane passing offense in Green Bay for the unproven Christian Ponder and the Vikings.

The San Diego Chargers made deals with two running backs, agreeing to a two-year contract with former New England Patriots Danny Woodhead and a one-year deal to bring back Ronnie Brown.

Woodhead is expected to complement Ryan Mathews, who’s been plagued with injuries and a fumbling problem.

The New York Jets signed running back Mike Goodson, offensive lineman Willie Colon and nose tackle Antonio Garay on Friday, the fourth day of the NFL’s free agency period. The team announced the deal with Goodson, along with the re-signing of fullback Lex Hilliard.

The Philadelphia Eagles acquired wide receiver Arrelious Benn and a seventh-round pick from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Philadelphia’s sixth-round choice this year and a conditional draft pick in 2014 A person with knowledge of the deal said safety Louis Delmas has agreed to a two-year contract to remain with the Detroit Lions The Jacksonville Jaguars, quiet during the first few days of free agency, signed cornerback Alan Ball, running back Justin Forsett and defensive tackle Roy Miller.

ETC.

Scott trails Stefani by one stroke

In the Tampa Bay Championship at Palm Harbor, Fla., Adam Scott had a putt for birdie on 16 holes in a second round that was without a bogey and without much stress. He wound up with a five-under 66 that left him one shot behind 31-year-old rookie Shawn Stefani.

Stefani shot 70 and was at seven-under 135, one shot ahead of Scott and past champion K.J. Choi, who had a 67.

Twenty players were within five shots of the lead at the halfway point.

Jee Young Lee birdied three of the last four holes to take a one-stroke lead over Ai Miyazato at the LPGA Founders Cup in Phoenix.

Kyle Busch won his first career pole at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway with a track-record qualifying lap. Busch turned a lap at 129.535 mph in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to take the top starting spot for Sunday’s race.

Kasey Kahne qualified second in a Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports and Busch’s teammate Denny Hamlin was third.