Broncos Keep Key Players

The Denver Broncos, clearing salary cap room and rewarding top starters, have reached long-term deals with Bill Romanowski and Tom Nalen, the Denver Post reported Tuesday.

Romanowski, a starting linebacker, and Nalen, the team's center, each had two years remaining on their contracts. The new agreements extend the contracts for five years, the Post said.

The Broncos also added a handful of incentives to defensive tackle Keith Traylor's contract, making it possible for him to earn as much as other top tackles.

Since Romanowski barely ranked in the top 30 highest-paid linebackers and Nalen in the top 20 centers, the Broncos felt it was imperative to pay some of their top talents for their performance.

The Broncos also reached terms with four draft choices.

Agreeing to contracts Monday were fifth-rounder Darwin Brown, sixth-rounder Chad Plummer, and seventh-rounders Billy Miller and Justin Swift.

Brown is a cornerback from Texas Tech; Plummer a wide receiver from Cincinnati; Miller a wide receiver from Southern Cal; and Swift a tight end from Kansas State.

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