The Broncos entered training camp with battles for roster spots at almost every position group. On Monday, the first of those competitions appears to be settled.
The team released 13-year veteran Lonie Paxton leaving rookie Aaron Brewer as the lone long snapper on the roster.
“We brought (Brewer) in with the idea that we liked his ability,” Head Coach John Fox said. “He’s an exceptional athlete.”
Brewer split snapping duties with Paxton throughout training camp and the team’s first three preseason contests.
He has snapped on 12 punts and six field goal or extra point attempts this preseason. He was in for two punts, one field goal and four extra point attempts at Chicago, six punts vs. Seattle and four punts and one extra point vs. San Francisco.
Brewer’s ability to adjust to the NFL game quickly helped him gain trust from the coaching staff and earn playing time.
“A lot of times with a snapper one of the things you look at is the protection element,” Fox said. “He is like a center on the offensive line. He picked that up very, very quickly.”
His learning ability was not a surprise, as Brewer earned All-Academic Mountain West Conference honors during each of his four seasons at San Diego State University.
Brewer, who appeared in all 50 possible games for the Aztecs, made 15 special-teams tackles during his college career.
That coverage ability also appealed to the coaching staff, which essentially gives the punt unit an extra defender after the ball leaves Britton Colquitt’s foot.
“He’s very athletic, so he’s a really good cover guy for a center,” Fox said. “A lot of times, people on punt returns don’t count that guy. We just felt great about his upside and his performance in the preseason games.”
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: Aaron Brewer
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS
Congrats Brewer!
Sounds like Brewer has lots of upside.
Way to go Brewer.
I just looked up Aaron Brewer on our roster and come to find out he grew up in Fullerton, California my neck of the woods. I lived in Fullerton for 11 years and graduated high school from there. Brewer went to a different high school than I, but my school played his every year being so close. HaHa!! Kinda neat to stumble upon.
And Brewer is a long hair rocker! HaHa! My kind of person!
The heat is on. So one week from today 22 more players get cut. But we do get to put 8 players on the PS. I bet we go after a Veteran LB or two off waivers if not this week maybe after the final cuts. It`s not over after teams get down to their 53 man roster. Some things can still happen.
Another former Patriots player brought in by McDufus bites the dust… not surprised.
Brewer is young at 22 yrs of age, so hopefully Broncos are set at this position for years to come.
Paxton is already in his mid- thirties or very close.
Congrats to #46- Aaron Brewer!!
just did my live fantasy draft today, got to say im excited for the season to begin. Here is my draft
R1-7
Calvin Johnson
DET-WR
14
Brandon Marshall
CHI-WR
R3-27
Antonio Gates
SD-TE
R4-34
Jordy Nelson
GB-WR
R5-47
Darren Sproles
NO-RB
R6-54
Jay Cutler
CHI-QB
R7-67
Willis McGahee
DEN-RB
R8-74
Cedric Benson
GB-RB
R9-87
Matt Prater
DEN-K
R10-94
Denver Broncos
DEN-DEF
R11-107
Alfred Morris
WAS-RB
R12-114
Russell Wilson
SEA-QB
R13-127
Coby Fleener
IND-TE
R14-134
Ronnie Hillman
DEN-RB
R15-147
Andy Dalton
CIN-QB
and my starting line up
Jay Cutler QB, Willis McGahee RB, Darren Spoles RB, Calvin Johnson WR, Brandon Marshall WR, Antonio Gates TE, Jordy Nelson W/R, Matt Prater K, Broncos DEF
Evening Royal!
Evening strand!
Dude, I`m stoked! Its almost the regular reason.
I`m soooo amped!
Yup – just two more weeks! Sure was great to see Manning shake some more rust off on Sunday – great outing!
I wonder if Robert Ayers even makes the team?!
Yuppers! No worries!
In fact I shouldn’t say rust really at all.. he looked good and the receivers were where they were supposed to be on their routes, with him anyway.
Don’t know – there’s been speculation he might not, but now with Hunter out, we’ll see.
We are going to light up the score board in many games, especially at home. The thought of it?!!
I think Beal DE is coming along well. Beal is making plays even though its against 3rd stringers. We`ll see.
Broncos now have Malik Jackson, Ben Garland & Jeremy Beal making a push at DE as well.
I listen to 104.3 The Fan daily. Lots of Broncos talk.
I bet Ben Garland makes the PS.
Ben Garland is an AWESOME STORY! Gotta be a fan of his.
There’s only 3 players leftover from the McDufus draft of ’09.
Moreno, Ayers, and Who else?
Bruton should make the Team for ST. Moreno & Ayers are on the bubble.
Bruton`s in for sure.
I like Bruton myself… hard worker and can fill in at Safety if need be. Thought he did well vs. Steelers last year in playoffs. Lead the team in tackles in that game.
What are your thoughts on Moreno?
I bet the starting Safetys are Mike Adams and Q. Moore is still struggling a bit.
Mixed feelings on Moreno. He cannot hit the hole up the middle. That concerns me. In the open field catching the ball he`s money.
Some sources say Moreno is trade bait after the cuts by making the team.
I’d love to see Carter back out there. Moore blew a big one on Vernon Davis TD, but did well on run support.
Moore better get it figured out. I think he will!
We were up by 17. In a regular season game, I don`t think we go for the onside kick, Willis blew that one. LOL
Good point re: Moreno strand.
1. McGahee
2. Ball
3. Hillman
4. Johnson
5. Moreno
6. Gronkowski (FB)
So if Broncos carry three, maybe Johnson on PS.
On 104.3 the fan, they were saying that Elway loves JJ`s explosiveness.
I think Willis still gets the ball if he let travel one more yard. Onside surprised the Niners big time, as well as myself…lol.
Just seems like Moreno is the odd man out to me.
Thats what happens when your up by 17 in the first quarter with Peyton. Go for the onside! HaHa!!
He leaves a bad taste in my mouth at RB.
Strand I said something about Ayers getting cut yesterday. Wasnt so pretty. But I think hes on the edge. He hasnt been stellar hasnt really improved and with what he does we have players who can take that role from him.
Willis I think is one on the edge. Yesterdays game showed the mental mistakes he makes at least he didnt knockout a teammate.
I think we either trade Moreno or keep him. I dont think he will be cut. Someone will see some sort of value in him I think.
I`m thinking 3 QB`s and Weber on the PS. Osweiler is not ready yet.
I believe Matt Willis is the 4th WR on the roster. He`ll be a PR too.
Caldwell and Hill are struggling to hold onto the ball.
When Moreno went down with injury last year, that opened the door for Lance Ball.
He’s only 5’9″ but weighs in at 220lbs… little wrecking ball…lol. He’s come a long way from being a CFA a few years back. He’s now 27 yrs of age. Spent some time initially with the Rams, Colts, Titans and finally caught on here with the Broncs.
He did spend a year in Indy though with Manning.. didn’t realize they had been previous teammates.
Willis is struggling at making smart decisions during the game…..Dont really know which is worse.
Also Willis has had some drops as well. One was on a screen we wouldve got 15+ yards on but he turned upfield before he even caught the ball…..
Cool, I didn`t know that. So they are familiar with each other.
I do remember that.