Broncos make offer to Mare

March 27, 2008 · Paul Raymond · Jump to comments

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Former New Orleans Saints kicker, Olindo Mare left the Mile High city impressed and with a contract in hand. An unsigned contract that is. Mare was in town for a 2-day visit with the Denver Broncos and the team pulled out all the stops in trying to replace Jason Elam. Mare is coming off a dislocated right hip but must of passed his physical if the Broncos were willing to put an offer on the table. What’s keeping Mare from signing a contract? Other winning teams are also interested.

“I wouldn’t say that there wasn’t enough to make me sign here because I had a great time. I loved it and all that. But obviously when you have options, it’s good to explore them all . . . ,” Mare said. “I’m lucky that the teams are interested are pretty much wining programs and on their way to the playoffs. That’s a big part of what I want to be a part of right now.” After leaving Denver today, he boarded a plane to visit the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle is currently trying to replace their own star kicker, Josh Brown. The Saints whom he played for in 2007 are still very much in the mix as well.

When talking about his visit to Denver, Mare said, “I know the goal for them was for me not to leave here … But this is my first visit. My goal is not to leave here, either, but I’m going to give Seattle a shot. They’ve been really positive and interested and we’ll see how it goes.” While Mare, is willing to give other teams a shot, he does want to get this done and over with soon.

Can we blame him? He’s coming off the hip surgery and needs to get in a rehab and strengthening program with an actual NFL team. Mare is already running sprints and kicking. “I don’t want to drag this thing out any longer. I want to get this thing resolved. I want to get on a team. I want to get into a program, part of a workout thing, and get a place to kick,” he said. “I’ve been kicking on my own down at a high school and lifting at a regular gym. That’s the first time I’ve had to do that.”

I think he’ll end up in Denver, with his powerful leg and the thin air in Colorado it should be a great fit. He led the league in touchbacks back in the 2006 and could easily do that again in that stadium.