Hang time for Sauerbrun
The status of punter Todd Sauerbrun has not been finalized yet. The NFL Players Association is challenging the right of first refusal that the Patriots exercised to retain Sauerbrun, according to a source familiar with the negotiation.
If the NFLPA is successful in arguing its case, Sauerbrun would be free to sign with another team. Otherwise, he would return to the Patriots. A hearing on the issue is expected to be held within seven days.
On April 3, the Broncos agreed to a one-year contract with Sauerbrun that could have been worth up to $1.4 million in incentives. The Patriots had the right to match, because when Sauerbrun signed with the team last December, his contract included a negotiated right of first refusal. They exercised the right within their seven-day window.
Earlier this month, Sauerbrun told the Denver Post he hoped the Patriots would not match the Broncos' offer, so he could return to Denver. But the situation piqued the interest of the Players Association, which will make the case that the first right of refusal wasn't filed correctly in Sauerbrun's original contract.
