The full list of released players is as follows:
Quarterbacks: Darrell Hackney, Preston Parsons.
Fullbacks: Kyle Johnson.
Running Backs: None.
Wide Receivers: Glenn Martinez, Marquay McDaniel, Quincy Morgan.
Tight ends: None.
Offensive linemen: Emmanuel Akah, Greg Eslinger, Mark Fenton, Kevin McAlmont, Chad Mustard, Cliff Washburn.
Defensive linemen: John Browning, Steven Harris, Jimmy Kennedy.
Linebackers: T.J. Hollowell, Cameron Vaughn.
Safeties: Steve Cargile, Roderick Rogers.
Cornerbacks: Bill Alford, Kevin House.
Blog addendum (9:10 p.m. MDT)
OK, back with a few more notes on the roster before skedaddling to a previously-scheduled engagment for a few minutes, then home for a blessed night’s rest:
1) THE BACKFIELD:
Paul Smith is the only “pure” fullback on the roster, but let’s not forget all of Cecil Sapp’s experience at fullback the last few years. The fact that Sapp lined up at fullback on Thursday could prove to be a telling sign. We’ll see whether Mike Bell stays at fullback or whether Thursday was just a chance to see what he could do. We also saw quite a few one-back, two-tight end sets from the Broncos this preseason, and they ran well from the formation, particularly on the opening drive against San Francisco.
Even if you count Sapp as a fullback, the Broncos nevertheless kept more running backs this year than at any other year in the Shanahan era. Denver carried three running backs into the last three seasons and two in 2003 (of course, that year, fullbacks Reuben Droughns and Mike Anderson had running-back experience, and each would have 1,000-yard seasons there in the years to come.)
2) TIGHT ENDS-A-PLENTY:
The Broncos kept five tight ends, which is nothing new; this is the third consecutive year and fourth year in the last five the Broncos kept five at the position coming out of training camp. The interesting question revolves around what the depth chart will look like. Nate Jackson has been listed as the fourth-team tight end, but he started each of the first three preseason games along with Daniel Graham.
3) QUITE A FEW UP FRONT:
The Broncos carry nine offensive linemen into the regular season for a second straight year; however, three have been injured for at least the last three weeks (Ben Hamilton, Ryan Harris, Adam Meadows). Meadows had worked his way onto the first team at right tackle during the practices at Dallas just over two weeks ago before he injured his calf muscle.
4) SECONDARY SWINGMEN:
While the Broncos officially kept five cornerbacks and four safeties, it’s really six cornerbacks and five safeties, since Curome Cox can handle corner duties and Foxworth can play some safety, as he did last December and again on occasion during training camp.
5) LINE EXPERIENCE:
Even with three rookies and a pair of second-year players, Denver’s defensive line still averages 4.56 years of experience. That’s what having a 14-year veteran like Sam Adams can do. The other question is — how much will we see of the rookies when the Broncos go to Buffalo?
Practice squads can be named Sunday. Until then, vaya con Dios.
Tags: Preseason
Hardest part of the preseason, the major suprises to me on the list are parsons, kyle johnson, chad mustard, and john browning seeing as how they just signed him to “help the defesnive line”. Kyle Johnson is definietely the biggest suprise to me though… Sad to see him go.
So how does the practice squad work? Do any of the guys that got cut have a chance to make it? Wow, I’m very surprised they cut Kyle Johnson. The dude is a beast physically, he works hard and he was the starting fullback. Jimmy Kennedy is also a bit of a surprise after he started for St. Louis last year, and it’s too bad about Martinez, he had a great return and several good blocks in the past few games.
Very surprised about Kyle not making the cut. Is Mike Bell really going to take his place? What do you think Mason?
BRONCOS are definitely in the RE-BUILDING/DEVELOPMENT stage at QB, WR & DL. Hopefully they can pick up some good players on waivers otherwise expect an 8-8 season at best!!
It doesn’t really surprise me that Kyle Johnson got cut or that Paul Smith will be replacing him. It’s the idea that Mike Bell will be backing up Smith. Smith is, with out a doubt, a more technically gifted, and physically stronger blocker but the Broncos have always conceded that the main reason that Kyle started was his excellent recieving skills. That being said I don’t think that Smith or Bell are as accomplished in that area. I believe this move either goes a long way to the Broncos making a statement of confidence in the upgrades at their reciever core or it speaks to a fundamental shift in their future game planning. Either way I was always impressed with Johnsons effort. That is a one hundred and ten percent that will be missed.
Mike.
Anonymous:
The players the Broncos cut can be claimed by any team over the next 24 hours … if they pass through waivers, then the Broncos can bring them back to the eight-man practice squad, assuming they have practice-squad eligibility.
westcoast:
I would surmise that Cecil Sapp might be seeing some action at fullback, since he has the most experience at the position in the Broncos’ system and he lined up there Thursday night. Don’t forget about Paul Smith, though, a physical, fearless special-teamer and blocker who could factor greatly in the offense now.
I also want to publicly write a little about Kyle Johnson … having interviewed him many times in the last four and a half years, I can tell you that he was one of the most intelligent, thoughtful and articulate individuals with whom I have ever conversed, anywhere — be it in the locker room or in the world at large. If you wanted an insightful comment on any issue, Kyle could share it with you, because he is so well-read and analytical. It’s tough to lose a gentleman like him.
Kyle, if by chance you read this — thanks, on behalf of all of us with cameras, mics and laptops for whom you made time the past few years, and hopefully we’ll talk to you down the road … and that being released today is just a pebble on your path through football and life.
Five tight ends, why? Is it just me or is there some valid reason to keep Mike Leach? After all, all he does is the long-snapping duties. I seem to recall reading about Tony Scheffler doing that in college, and trying some of those duties with the Broncos last year in training camp.
Also, Andrew can you shed some light as to how the practice squad is put together; specifically whether or not there are any elligibilities as far as how long a guy can be allowed to be on it? Thanks.
I second t-bird’s request – Andrew, what are the parameters for practice squad eligibility?
Thanks for all you do!
Why keep Mike Leach? Here is a recent, and interesting, article on him:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/08/28/leach0903/index.html
Andrew, can I get your opinion on Steve Cargile? I hadn’t heard a whole lot about him, but he seemed to have the right kind of attitude, and he was very impressive against Arizona. Did the Broncos cut someone who could’ve been a backup for Lynch or Ferguson (and maybe a replacement in a few years)?
Andrew,
Have you heard anything about Hall being your #2 RB? Some sports writers in Tampa are reporting this.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/usf/
http://blogs.tampabay.com/usf/
By the way the Bulls won this evening >8D
Kyle “hot wings” Johnson deserved a chance to prove himself before being cut. He wasn’t allowed to play final pre-season game, which if in doubt he should have been allowed to play.
Bronco Queen and King
Why did the Broncos waste a pick on Kennedy and two what happened with
Eslinger I though he would be Tom Nalens eventual replacement. He won the outland trophy in college and everyone said he was a Perfect Bronco Lineman. Why did they keep Ferguson and Alexander. Both older players, I would rather see Cargile, Abdullah, and or Cox play then Ferguson who never makes big plays.
Go Broncos!
Anonymous,
Thanks for the “humble pie” article; I humbly stand corrected. It’s just that I’m frustrated with what seems to be an overload of players at some positions, and in desperate need of players in others.
knuther,
I figure Eslinger will be on the practice squad, but Shannahan’s got to be nuts to take a risk on such a valuable player.
T-Bird
In Shanahan We Trust!
Every team does the same with guys like Eslinger. They just hope he passes through and they get to put them on practice squads.
This is the only thing about the NFL that sucks, cuts I mean. I’ve grown to like all of the players cut, with the exception of Jimmy Kennedy. I especially feel bad about Steve Cargile as he seemed to make lots of solid plays throughout the course of this preseason. I’m not going to question Mike Shanahan’s judgment as he’s won two Super Bowls and I’m merely a fan, so I trust he’s made the right decisions and we’re ready to have a successful season.
i dont like it the way they move mike bell to a FB, he is a RB not a FB.
i know that MB does not want to be in the FB position.
I am shocked at the release of Kyle Johnson……..can’t figure that one out. Bell as a FB? I would rather he be a RB because that is what he is. The release of John Browning is odd. I mean why did we pick this guy up and then release him.
Yup, I have to agree with the surprise on Kyle Johnson getting cut, especially since I didn’t hear Paul Smith’s name called a lot in preseason. And Mike Bell as a FB? I think that’s an overly kind gesture towards him best interpreted as they’re not sure what to do. Too, that Andre Hall made it IS and ISN’T a surprise but how they plan to use him with Selvin Young’s emergence is puzzling. As well, I didn’t see Greg Eslinger’s cut coming. I really thought he was Nalen’s replacement. Oh well… As far as all the fuss over Mike Leach making it I’d rather fuss over the fact that they’ve never used him for anything BUT a long snapper. Heck, he he seems agile enough to be used as a reciever and a good enough blocker considering he had to snap the ball AND block in the middle. Hmmm, go figure. The Browning and Kennedy cuts are a bit puzzling too, all things considered. And finally, I was taken aback by Cargile’s realase considering his play in preseason. Oh well and oh well again!!!
This is one of the most surprising cut lists I’ve seen the BRONCOS put together in sometime. Not really so much as who we CUT, but who we KEPT. A ton of TEs, and all those RBs? Farewell to Kyle Johnson, who played his heart out in Denver. I hope someone else picks this guy up. He deserves to be in this league.
I trust that shannahan did whatever he thought was going to help us win the superbowl, i dont know why johnson was cut, but maybe he valued the depth at TE and RB more…i highly doubt mike bell is going to be a fb, so everyone calm down!!!!! just because they tried him in the last preseason game doesnt mean they’ll use him there..and maybe theyre gonna use graham as a full back type TE..he can block an extra man on runs just like a fb, only lined up at TE…besides kj and maybe cargile…(which they have backup depth at safefty with abdullah cox and dfox, im fine with the cuts, they can get another center if es is picked up, but they’lll chance him not, and hope he can maybe replace nalen in a year or 2..1 more week until the regular season!!!! im amped!!!!
-Shill-
I’m going to miss Kyle’s bull rider dance most of all. Always liked the guy. I’m sure he’ll catch on somewhere else. Good luck to him and all the other cut players.
Hey Mason,
I too was shocked by Kyle Johnson’s cut. Well its either him or one of the more talented backs Broncos are trying to keep. Yeah..Why not release a TE like Leach instead of Johnson? What ever reason, we still trust Coach Shanahan. He knows that with Kyle’s talent, he would eventually land another job soon.
On defense, why waste a draft pick on Kennedy?
Mason, could the rumors be true that the Broncos are pursuing Trotter and Rice? Those two could really solidify an all ready solid defense.
I think people aren’t thinking about the possibilities of Mike Bell as a fullback. Much like Sapp last year, when you have a guy that can really run the ball and is a pretty good blocker too, it really opens up the offense. Cecil Sapp emerged last year as a runner based on a few runs from the fullback position. Running the fake to the fullback up the middle and them pitching it to the runner in the going wide will be good for big yards once the running game has been established. Plus, so far I haven’t seen anything about asking Sapp or Bell to put on weight, that leads me to believe that they will run a lot more than the norm for that position in Denver.
I think the thing that needs to be stressed with the current offensive personnel is versatility. Four receiver sets with Nate Jackson and Tony Scheffler. Two tight end sets with Daniel Graham and Stephen Alexander with Mike Bell or Cecil Sapp at fullback. Even three tight end sets with Scheffler thrown in. That is a lot for a defense to deal with and a lot of options for Denver.
Sorry to see Kyle Johnson go, good luck in the future.
sorry, my jaw is still on the ground after seeing Kyle Johnshon was cut.
Kyle was a great player for us. I can see the rest of the cuts but this one makes no sense. Still some guys get cut only to make it back to the team down the road. I hope this is the case for him. He’ll be an asset to any team lucky enough to pick him up.
man kyle johnson
how can you cut kyle johnson instead of andre hall, who easily could have made it to the practice squad, allowing the broncos to keep both players?
mike bell is not a fullback. i would not be surprised if he is dealt before the week is over. not that i want to see him go. this just doesn’t add up to me.
kyle johnson is the only consistent receiving threat the broncos had out of the backfield in the red zone. and his end zone dances were hilarious. i will miss him in the orange & blue.
Leach is on the team be cause he is tried and tested. We don’t want to go out and try to hit a game winning field go and then our snapper send it bad and we lose the SB.
Long Snappers is like a gauranteed position, Leach isn’t even on the TE depth chart. All he does is snap thats it.
Do you think they let Browning go because Simion Rice is out there? somthing to ponder.
We will miss johnson,hope he returns!! I’m from philly and i would love J.Trotter on our team [ broncos, not a philly fan alway's bronc's fan ] he’s worth it. Rice also would give leader ship,well we will see what happen’s.Shanahan knows what’s up, Bates better be as good as all these miami dolphins fans i’m around telling me how great he his! I don’t think we put our true color’s on the table go broncs!!!!!!
Simion Rice we will get
I’m not that surprised by Kyle getting cut, but it is though. I am very surprised by Steve Cargile getting cut. Hopefully, he’ll clear waivers and come back on the practice squad.
“I haven’t heard a bad thing about Denver,” Rice said. “I’ve talked to John [Lynch] and he raves about Denver and how happy he is there. I think Denver may be a great place for me. . . . If that team is on the verge of the playoffs, then I’ll take them to the Super Bowl. That’s what I do.”
Rice is visiting with denver sometime soon, if not today.
Why 5 TE’s and ONLY 2 QB’s???????
First Mason, what is up with the web site? It’s funky!! Second, when you bring in equally talented people, with one making more than the other, the Cap always comes into play. Kyle is a class act and always will be period. We will come out with a good team this year and in the future. ORANGE AND BLUE RULE all others drool!
Hey of all the players that were cut i was a little surprised about Steve Cargile. I thought he was the best player on defence against arizona. He made some amazing shoe string tackles to stop huge gains and had that big interception. I understand that the team is deep at safety but there has to be room on the roster for a hard working maniac like that.
Don’t forget that eight of them will likely be assigned to the practice sqaud if no other team adds them to their active roster. The sucky part is that Kyle is not eligible for the practice squad since he has been active for more than 9 regular season games. However, Steve Cargile is eligible.
i like the trust coach approach, …and the versatility of our FB & TE position. Bottom line tho: If our lines O & D (!) play well … well, Our season depends it
right?
jjjjj
Everyone should keep in mind the versaility that the team has at those positions in which we are disappointed. I admit, the KJ release surprised me too, but the team is known for having multiple players on the roster that can play at multiple areas. Paul Smith is a good blocking fullback (he started for the leader in yards from scrimmage last year in St. Louis), and Sapp can step in for versatility. Cargile was coming on strong, but who would he replace right now? Cox, Abdullah, or Shoate? Maybe Shoate wasn’t the best example, but you get my point. Everyone has multiple roles at these positions in questions. Jimmy Kennedy was a pretty surprising cut, but I saw some of the last preseason game, and it looked like he was over comitting on penetration on early downs (the main thing Gerrard Warren got scapegoated for)! Bottem line…the guys that are still there, have to perform there roles (however many there are), and win football games!
Let’s start it off with all the comments about Leach. I think Anonymous said it best by linking to Peter King’s story about Leach.
Know this about No. 83 — he hasn’t had one bad snap since he’s been in Denver. Not one. Even if he has one or two in the future, that still puts him ahead of just about everyone else at the position. Given his snapping accuracy — and his ability to consistently get downfield and make tackles, which defies his relatively pedestrian 40 time — I don’t think there’s a better long snapper in the game than Leach. Some who are as good, yes, but no one better. And on the practice field, he can fill in at fullback and tight end. Leach is most definitely a valuable player here.
vegasbronco:
Personally, I like Cargile. Hard-working, excellent on special teams, and willing to learn a multitude of different positions. He played at weakside linebacker during organized team activities this year; that made him more valuable on the practice field, which could be a big part of the reason why he was added Sunday to Denver’s practice squad.
USFBULL:
Hadn’t heard anything about Hall moving up to No. 2 … We’ll see what the first regular-season depth chart reveals this week. I wouldn’t be totally shocked if he was the No. 2, though, because Travis Henry is still just two weeks removed from a sprained knee, and Hall was outstanding in goal-line and short-yardage situations in the full-contact practices at camp and against Arizona on Thursday. Sometimes depth-chart placement is a matter of bringing some specific and highly-valued skill to the table — that just might be the case with Hall at the goal line.
57Yellow T-Bird and rev79:
Here are the rules on practice-squad eligibility, which comes from nflpa.org. It’s a little dense with legalese, of course:
Section 4. Eligibility:
(a) The practice squad shall consist of the following players, provided that they have not served more than two previous seasons on a Practice Squad: (i) players who do not have an Accrued Season of NFL experience; and (ii) free agent players who were on the Active List for fewer than nine regular season games during their only Accrued Season(s). An otherwise eligible player may be a practice squad player for a third season only if the Club by which he is employed that season has at least 53 players on its Active/Inactive List during the entire period of his employment.
(b) A player shall be deemed to have served on a Practice Squad in a season if he has passed the club’s physical and been a member of the club’s Practice Squad for at least three regular season or postseason games during his first two Practice Squad seasons, and for at least one regular season or postseason game during his third Practice Squad season. (A bye week counts as a game provided that the player is not terminated until after the regular season or postseason weekend in question.)
Section 5. Active List: If a player on the Practice Squad of one club (Club A) signs an NFL Player Contract with another club (Club B), (1) the player shall receive three weeks salary of his NFL Player Contract at the 53-player Active/Inactive List minimum even if he is terminated by Club B prior to earning that amount, and (2) Club B is required to count the player on its 53-player Active/Inactive List for three games (a bye week counts as a game) even if he is terminated or assigned via waivers to another club or is signed as a free agent to another club’s 53-player roster or another club’s Practice Squad prior to that time. If the player is terminated from Club B’s 53-player roster and signed to Club B’s Practice Squad, he shall continue to count on the club’s 53-player Active/Inactive List but shall not count against the eight-player Practice Squad limit until the three-game requirement has been fulfilled. If a player is terminated prior to the completion of the three-game period and is signed to Club B’s Practice Squad or is signed or assigned to another club’s 53-player roster or Practice Squad, any salary (as that term is defined in Article XXIV, Section 1(c)) that he receives from any NFL club applicable to the three-game period shall be an offset against the three weeks salary that he is entitled to receive from Club B.
Two major changes took place in regards to practice-squad eligibility in recent years:
1. The expansion from five players to eight.
2. The decision to allow players to be eligible for a third practice-squad season assuming squads kept 53 players on its primary roster for the entire length of their practice-squad stay. It is under this proviso that Steve Cargile possesses practice-squad eligibility.
myleshigh:
The Web site takes some getting used to, as with all new things. I think some bugs are being worked out on the technical side of things … but the folks in charge of such things are hard at work on those matters. I’ll admit to being a technical idiot when it comes to Web stuff, even though I write in HTML code. Some of this Flash stuff … it looks cool and dazzling, and, damn, I don’t know how the heck they do it.
If I missed any comments, I apologize; I’ve got company coming and steaks to grill. Last free Sunday night until the end of the year (because I’ll be on airplanes all day during the bye), so I’ve got to do this thing right. Talk to you Monday, if not sooner … until then, vaya con Dios.
The only reason I can think of 5 TE’s is because they plan to use allot of run blocking plays. They may anticipate allot of injuries at that position with those plays or want to send fresh guys in late in the game to overpower a defense on the ground. I think we are going to see true smashmouth football in Denver this year.
Hopefully Rice is going to end up in Denver. It would definitly help tip the scales. I am very concerned about the Bates defensive transition. I have a feeling it will pay off in the end but wonder how long the growing pains will last. We could really use Al Wilson and he will be missed.
They ran alot of 2 TE / 1 RB sets, so having 4 TE’s makes sense. Leach is a special teams guy and that’s it. (Not to take ANYTHING away from special teams value) God help us if it gets so bad that he’s playing legitimate minutes on offense though.
I’ve been a Bronco fan for 23 yrs and i’ve known Kyle Johnson personally since i was 9. I must say for me this is one of saddest days i’ve seen in bronco country. He is class act individual and has given 110% since he arrived in Dove Valley. The team, the fans,and the city of denver are lossing not just a great player but a great person.Best of luck Kyle, I know we’ll all see you again in another uniform.
all the best,
mike slicner
Wonder when Madden 08 will update the roster? I use Kyle allot for crucial short runs and pass plays with online competition.
Denver, how can you be so blind?? Can’t you see what an asset Cliff Washburn can be for Denver ? My prayers and best wishes are for him and his NFL potential. Wake up, Denver, I thought your vision was better than this. Just watch what happens in Cliff Washburn’s position ! You’re gonna be sorry as
BUSH when this season is over… just wait and see !!!!
Sports Illustrated
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting
Programming Tutorials
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting