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
Fumbles spent time with Manning in Indy? Thats cool….to bad his nickname is Fumbles….
Is that a name you gave him ab ?? …lol
Fumbles? Yeah hes earned it lol
Last year Ball proved to be better than in the past. I didn`t like him a few years ago.
Yeah – you’re right he’s had a few costly ones for sure.
McGahee will get a bulk of the carries.
Strands:
I have been telling everyone who will listen! Give him his reps and Garland will make this team!
FTR
Garland is a feel good story too. One sad note though: His Grandparents lost their home in the Waldo canyon fire. Their home was about 3 miles from mine.
Only cut I’m a bit disappointed with is Omen. I thought he did well against Chicago, and then never really got another shot. I would have like to see more of him. Maybe we’ll see him on the practice squad still.
Omon isnt eligible for the PS.
He had to have been bad in practice. Because after Chicago we didnt see him
Speaking to earlier comments…Ayers had a terrible game against SF. I saw him lose contain at least 4 times. 2 of them were really bad…wasn’t even blocked.
Maybe he had attitude issues.
So if you’re part of this first round of cuts you can’t make the practice squad? Didn’t know that.
What ever happened to the player blogs? I guess they couldn’t recruit a volunteer this year. Last year Moore pretty much fell off the map after he was benched, and McGahee was just plain boring.
Also, where’s Cooper been? Is he still doing this? I remember someone (can’t recall the specific name) really laid into him one night about his fishing trip and how lame he was, and he never really came back in full force after that. I wonder if that guy made him say “screw it.” What was that guys name again? He was quite the piece of work.
Generation you can. It all depends on how many years youve been in the league and on the PS. Omon is at the limit of 3. Also cant be placed on a PS if youve played X amount of games during the regular season.
Stuart can you tell me what the exact rules are about it? I know its something like that but not sure the exact rules.
Wasn’t the practice squad changes related to the new CBA? I didn’t know he’d been around…I guess I didn’t really know much about him, but he did look pretty sharp against Chicago.
Players can’t have already been on a practice squad for two or more years, although a third year on the practice squad is possible if a player’s team has had at least 53 players on the roster during his entire period of employment (players are deemed to have spent a season on the practice squad if they are on it for three of more regular season or postseason games during their first two years and at least one during their third year)
Players can’t have an accrued season of NFL experience (six or more games on a team’s 53-man roster, injured reserve or PUP list), unless they were on the active list (i.e. were dressed to play) for fewer than nine regular season games during their only accrued season(s)
Heres the rules from last year. Not sure if any changes have been made.
Teams can have a practice squad consisting of a maximum of eight players (a ninth player can be added if he lives outside of the United States and is not a U.S. citizen)
Practice squad players make $5,700 per week and can only participate in practice (hence the name practice squad)
Players on the practice squad are free to negotiate with other teams and can be signed to another team’s 53-man roster (just like Lydon Murtha was signed by the Dolphins from Detroit’s practice squad in 2009) without compensation to the original team
If a team signs a player from the practice squad of its next opponent, the move must be made at least six days before the game; players signed from a practice squad also must count against the 53-man roster for three weeks (these rules are in place to prevent teams from signing practice squad players for a week just to get information on their next opponent; it’s still possible, but these rules discourage the practice)
Heres more rules about it.
Thats all so interesting AB. It’s so complicated, the PS!
A short history of those how have served our country and made the NFL:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8209872b/article/a-tribute-to-nfl-men-who-have-served-our-country#photo=7
Go Ben Garland!!
Just me!
Love those who served!!
FTR
Broncos Country:
I am excited about our first unit. But have concerns on our depth!
ILMSDB!!!
Peace Out!
PS: Faders dont serve!!!
FTR
Congratulations Aaron Brewer! The first time I saw Him on the field I wanted to know who the hippie was…. Then I saw Him speed down the field in coverage, He didn’t make the tackle but He was there and touched the ball carrier right as He went down. This is a good move and I wonder how much money it saves the TEAM on the cap.
Please bring back Oman!
Sylvester was a complete waist of time
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
Oh and I think Cyril Obiozor will make it to the PS.
Actually it looks like Cyril Obiozor is a third year player and wont be eligible
Haha this is hilarious:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/magazine/why-does-anyone-root-for-incompetent-failing-teams.html?_r=2
Morning Cat! I’m so pumped and excited for the game on Thursday! NOT! lol
I’ll def be PVRing it and watching it over the weekend. Will be at the parent’s house and it doesn’t even come on til 12:30am……I do want to see the performance of the 3′s and 4′s……..but it’s nothing that gets my blood pumping or anything. lol
I’m excited to see how our 53 man roster shapes up and if Elway makes some more moves to make us better.
Morning, Kod!
Yeah! It’ll be interesting to see if Elway does anything this week. I feel like he’s going to, but then he might not. I might be exhausted Thursday night so I might only watch the first half. I wouldn’t be surprised if Peyton played for awhile, it seems to me that they already know who they’re keeping and who they’re going to get rid of. We will see though!!!!
I would be extremely surpised if any starters played…….with the exception of the kickers……..not worth it whatsoever.
I’d say we’ll see Hanie play a quarter then the rest of the game split between Os and Webber. Hanie might not even make an appearance.
True, Kod. I think Hanie needs to practice though. He starts so awkwardly. I’d like to see him have a good start and be a bit more successful.
Not a huge fan of hanie…….but I have to admit that he’s more game-ready than Os………and you never know when we might need that.
Good Morning Broncos Country!!!
No surprises with these cuts. As for our backups. After the last two halves, they need as much playing time as they can get. It’s strange after watching how dominant they were against the Bears only to made look silly against Seattle & San Fran. I’d be shocked to see any of our starters out there against Zona.
I wonder what the players think about taking snaps. In a meaningless game. I suppose if Manning felt like he needed more reps, then by all means, take them. Guess we will see Thur night!
Good Morning. If Hanie as a backup plays how he played last season I rather have a rookie in there. If he can play like he did after the INT the other night then I am all for keeping him
Hanie is a solid backup. His play last year, he had no supporting cast. Awful Oline. No Forte. And had it not been for a Barbarian mistake, he could have effectively knocked us out of the playoff hunt.
I personally feel better knowing he’s our backup. And he would have challenged Tebow & Orton for the starting job…In my opinion. Lol