The only problem? Dumervil was slated to make $12 million this season and management wanted him to take a pay cut. Dumervil agreed to take $8 million, rather than risk being released.
All Dumervil's agent had to do was fax the proper paperwork to the Broncos, who would have until 4 p.m. to get the agreement to the league office.
And, of course, the 4 p.m. deadline had to be met. The two sides agreed to the pay cut at 3:25 p.m.
Problem is, the Broncos never got the fax in time to forward it on to the league office by 4 p.m. So at 3:59 p.m., they were forced to cut Dumervil, or else his $12 million contract would've been guaranteed.
Dumervil's fax did reach the Broncos by 4:06 p.m., but it was too late.
Here's ESPN's explanation of the whole sordid tale.