As Paul Ernster returned to the Broncos and Matt Prater got his first kicking work in Wednesday, increasing the Broncos’ complement of kicking specialists to a trio, one question lingered — a query that would be rapidly answered at Head Coach Mike Shanahan’s press conference:
What was the reason for Todd Sauerbrun’s release?
Was it because of matters away from Dove Valley or his performance on the field, with his struggles in getting kickoffs inside the Houston 10-yard-line at Reliant Stadium six days earlier?
According to Shanahan, the decision was entirely because of what happened on Dec. 7 as he was arrested for simple assault on a taxicab driver, and not because of anything on the field.
“I told Todd if he had any problems that he was going to be released,” Shanahan said Wednesday in the opening moments of his press conference. “I wasn’t really going to share that with you, but I decided to after he came out and made a couple of comments yesterday.
“The bottom line was the way that he treated the police officers. Not to get into the situation that happened with the taxicab driver, but the way he talked with the officers and the way he handled that situation was very unprofessional.”
That understandably rankled Shanahan, particularly given the efforts of the Denver Police Department in the previous 11 and a half months in pursuing all leads in the search for those responsible for the murder of Darrent Williams.
“The police officers here in Denver have done an unbelievable job for us, working with the Darrent Williams case and they’ve just been very good,” Shanahan said. “For (Sauerbrun) to handle himself that way in that situation was uncalled for and that’s why he’s not with us.”
ON THE FIELD: Linebacker Ian Gold and tight end Daniel Graham remained sidelined with their injuries as the Broncos reconvened for a full practice Wednesday. Gold has a knee injury, while Graham suffered a high ankle sprain six days earlier in the defeat at Houston. Both were on the field with their teammates.
Wide receiver Brandon Stokley was back in uniform but was limited Wednesday as he continues to recover from the knee strain that kept him sidelined at Houston. Defensive end John Engelberger (shoulder), center Chris Myers (ankle) and wide receiver Javon Walker (knee) were also listed on the injury report but practiced fully.
“I’m finally happy to be to the point where (the knee) is getting healthy,” Walker said. “It’s getting strong. I can approach the offseason ready to have goals for what I want to do for next year.”
Tags: Brandon Stokley, Daniel Graham, Ian Gold, Javon Walker, Matt Prater, Mike Shanahan, Paul Ernster, Todd Sauerbrun
Todd Sauerbrun got his 2nd chance with the Broncos and he blew it. Stop getting in trouble because all you are is a punter.
Lets just go for it on all 4th downs. We dont need ernster
Yeah orangecrush44, let do what you say. If we’re on our own 20, GO FOR IT! Heck, we don’t need ST, let’s just give the other team good field position for the whole game and they’ll score 40-50 points, NICE.
You know I never felt that Todd was a good punter. Over all the punts and kicks I have seen him made. I think that Ernster is a better punter, and I also believe that we need a punter that will sit back just in case we need to stop a runback like the one’s by Mr. Hester the last time we played. I think Mr. Shanahan knows what he is doing, and I look forward to a changed mentality in the team next year. You know that Todd is guilty of something if Shanahan didn’t stick up for him, I mean come on the guy stuck up for Travis and David Kurkus (who wasn’t consistent enough to be any good). I just hope we can get a new leader on the D through the Draft or even get someone for a Draft pick (I hear The Dolphins are going to be getting rid of some talent for a younger squad). I am thinking Thomas would be a pretty nice little addition to our Defense, and a 2nd round pick should be more than fiar.
Less than 2 short years ago, Sauerbrun made one of the best plays by a kicker ever. I’m not saying, I’m just saying- remember when he was partly responsible for the modern day Patriots first playoff loss?
hey maybe this off season we can pick up jarred Allen, boss Bailey, and trade henry for a great strong safety cuz furgeoson sucks
Depends on who stays and who goes. I don’t think Shanny is ready to throw in the towel on Bly, he’s a good nickel corner, just not one I like out on tight ends. Gotta get a safety early with that top pick. Get into to the top 10 and nab that kid from MIAMI! Maybe a 2nd round pick will buy another veteran wide out that’s not broken. Fitzgerald perhaps?
You know what makes me so proud? That a team I have watched for 30 years is approaching tghe end of one of the worst seasons I have ever suffered through and we dump one punter only to bring in one we dumped before and we pick up a kicker that isn’t good enough to be on the active roster of a team that has won one game all year and that one in overtime. Outstanding choices this late in the season.
I guess it doesn’t really matter but I can’t wait to talk to the boys at work tomorrow and brag on our newest Bronco. Wait until they hear he was on Miami’s practice squad. Lets add gas to that already blazing fire.
You go Shanny, way to start working on next year.
ANY chance we can stop Miami from landing the Tuna and appointing him as Vice President and assitant GM?
Saurbrun did this to himself and if he’s going to treat people disrespectfully then he got what he deserved. He’s not only made some obviously bad choices off the field but he hasnt’ been very accurate and dependable on the field. I’m never going to forget what he said about kicking to Hester against Chicago and the fact that he actually did something that stupid. That alone makes me glad he got released… its a simple concept, you just don’t kick to that guy. But I hope that Ernster will be reliable for our last 2 games and if and when we ever use this other guy, I hope he’s useful as well. Hope that Ferguson and Walker will be okay, sure hope Walker’s healthy as a horse next season and I hope he’s still here as well as a bunch of people alot of you nutjobs want to get rid of.
GO BRONCOS!!!!
A punter is important, every member on the team is very important! They have a job to do and is paid for that job. I believe Shanahan is a fair man and I also believe he is doing his best to “fix” the problems! The injuries will heal and the new talent will get better, then we can kick some butt! Until then, don’t be so nasty and pessimistic! Shanahan will have a championship before he retires! Trust me! Gotta keep Henry and Bly…….have to keep what talent we got!
I know that Javon Walker is set to make 7.5 million next year but after the injuries this year, what is the feel in Denver of bringing him back next year. A healthy wide receiver corps of Stokley, Walker and Marshall, along with the Future hall of famer Rod Smith, is very exciting. Maybe we can trade Henry though and use that as trade bait to get a young linebacker and a runstopping safety, as well as young offensive linemen. Can anyone list free agents next year that are likely not going to rejoin their respective teams next year that me may pursue?????
Lance Briggs
neago here is some free agents denver could possibly use.
Michael turner, unrestricted free agent, san diego chargers
randy moss, unrestricted free agent, new england patriots
sammie parker, unrestricted free agent, kansas city chiefs
flozell adams, unrestricted free agent, dallas (broncos need new left tackle)
terrell suggs, unrestricted free agent, ravens (ekuban coming of injury)
lance briggs, unrestricted free agent, bears (ian gold needs to go)
Don’t forget Ken Hamlin, safety,Dallas, comes free after this season as well. Doubt Big D can keep most of theyre talent after this year.
need a middle linebacker and move DJ back outside where he plays outstanding. Our run D struggled specifically because of the lose of Al Wilson. Its a shame how he left and we really showed in our performance this year.
Todd was an alright player but as someone before said – the Broncos gave him a second chance, which is rare these days, and he blew it.
I bunged free agents into google and came up with this:
http://www.draftdaddy.com/nfldraft/freeagentoffense.cfm
just hope this season is the last loosing season of the next ten years !!
BEST MOVE OF YEAR GETTING TODD OUT OF HERE HIS MOUTH GOT HIM IN TROUBLE AGAIN THANKS FOR THE LOSS AT CHICAGO HIS MOUTH HURT OUR TEAM GOOD MOVE MIKE HE GAVE YOU NO CHOICE.!!! GO BRONCOS!!!
As I said a while ago, it is time to start shopping for a replacement for Elam. Hope this scrub from Miami is not Shanny’s idea of a replacement for a hall of famer. What is Vander-shank up to these days? I think I would take him over some rookie from the practice squad of the worst team in football!!
Talking about free agents dont forget about Alan Faneca, He stated at the beginning of the season that he is leaving Pittsburgh and wants a new home. Hopefully the BRONCOS cause we need OL help and he is a great player!!!!!!!!!
Faneca=Beast. Period.
sauerbutt got what he deserved. Being on the roster has been a gift and for him to prove that, despite being given a second (or third, or fourth . . .) chance by the Team, he was too stupid to keep his big mouth shut and make a bad situation worse, he deserved to be cut.
Good riddance to all these under-performing prima donnas.
Can We Get ALbert Haynesworth and do you think he will perform at the same level next year once he gets paid….
I just hope we get somebody to kick the crap outta Phillip rivers!! what a cocky POS!!! i really wanted cutler to go knock him out!! I guess the only really britght spots i seen was marshalll and the dt’s Harriss and THomas Harris was taking double teams all night when he was out there…hopefully we can build on this year and get sum veteran leadership that isnt too damn old to produce…line man and big hitters!!! anybody that can stop us from looking like little girl to the chargers..im sick of them killing us damn add up the last four games and whats the score 279-32…just horrible.!!!!! please if we suck like this next year its time for a new coach and a new way of doing things!!!