After completing training camp with the Broncos, rookie punter Britton Colquitt is returning to the club for the stretch run.
Denver announced the signing of Colquitt to its active roster on Wednesday from Miami’s practice squad. Colquitt entered the league with the Broncos as a college free agent on April 27, but was waived on Sept. 1, just before final roster cutdowns.
The rookie was out of football until Dec. 22, when the Dolphins came calling. Colquitt spent the holidays in the Florida sun, but admitted that it was difficult to remember that they were coming.
“I almost forgot about Christmas when I was down there because it is 80 degrees and there are no Christmas trees,” Colquitt said. “It is just palm trees with lights on them but being a Jimmy Buffett fan I kind of liked that — it was kind of cool.”
Colquitt’s surprise regarding the warm weather sights quickly shifted to surprise regarding his move to Denver. He made the 1,720-mile trip from Miami to the Mile High City, reuniting with a coaching staff that molded him out of the collegiate gate.
“(Special teams coordinator Mike) Priefer and I, we had a good thing going when I was here — working with him, he improved me a lot and everything like that,” Colquitt said. “Just kind of how the league is, I guess I’m learning you just never know what is going to happen and always have to stay ready.”
The Broncos were ready to bring Colquitt back after seeing strong signs in the preseason. The rookie appeared in three contests, booting six punts for 246 yards, with four of those kicks landing inside the 20-yard line. Colquitt also showed his versatility against the Seahawks on Aug. 22, converting a 39-yard field goal at Qwest Field.
As for what his role will be during the rest of 2009, Colquitt said he’s not necessarily sure, but plans to contribute in as many ways as possible. Head Coach Josh McDaniels said Mitch Berger will still handle the punting duties, but that Colquitt adds depth to improve the roster.
“He was a guy that we’re familiar with, so we felt like it was a good time to do that with the roster spot open,” McDaniels said. “We didn’t really have another guy who we felt like, at this point in time, we were going to bring in and send to the game. We felt like we improved our team there.”
A product of the University of Tennessee, Colquitt appeared in 43 games for the Volunteers, punting 209 times for 8,897 yards. Of those kicks, 73 landed inside the 20-yard line and only one was blocked. Colquitt also handled kickoff duties during his time in the SEC.
While he has yet to appear in an NFL game, Colquitt envisions Wednesday’s signing as paving a path toward a future in Denver.
“For right now it is more of a future thing,” Colquitt said. “To be here in the offseason program and not just come in where I was at the end of the summer, but at the beginning of the summer with everybody else.”
That future could include some games against another talented punter in the Colquitt family. Britton’s older brother, Dustin, is averaging 40.5 net yards on 93 punts for the rival Kansas City Chiefs this season. He is also tied for the NFL lead with 39 punts inside the 20-yard line.
During much of his free time before signing with the Dolphins, Britton said he was in Kansas City helping Dustin care for his two children, with a third on the way. Come Sunday, the brothers expect to meet and greet before their teams’ Week 17 battle.
As for squaring off in the same contest, that might be a little ways away.
“I’ll at least get to say hi to him because I’m probably not dressing,” Britton said. “But it would be a cool thing and of course my dad would like it. But I think there is a future where maybe, and hopefully that could happen.”
More news from Dove Valley, including reaction from the five Broncos who made the 2010 Pro Bowl and the Week 17 Injury Report, will be posted later this afternoon.
After a walkthrough on Christmas Day, the Broncos were back outside at Dove Valley on Wednesday for a full practice. Below are some photos from the session.
– Chris Gentilviso, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Britton Colquitt, Kansas City Chiefs, Roster Moves, Week 17
Kyle, now THAT’s a record, wow, ways to go Prater…
and i was watching NFL NETWORK and they said marshall is expected to play sunday. SO yay sauce lol
And i hope bruce gradcowskie will play for the raiders. If he does then they have a good chance to beat the ravens this week. Charly fry had a horrible game against us and some how still beat us..Im sure he had under 80 yards passing.
bronco-blaze:
I think they put Gradkowski on the injured/reserved list.
Why did they sign another punter? They could have released Burger (spelling?) and then added Colquitt and another wide reciever to replace McKinnley.
Heres a stat- Denver is on the cusp of blowing the division and playoffs two consecutive years, with two different coaches and two different QB’s. I can’t ever recall that happening before…lmao.
Nice to see a real punter back. We seem to have most of the pieces in place to make our mark the next decade. I would like to see Orton with another year under this system. Maybe a little tennis in the offseason..eh baylin!?! Hope to see some significant improvement from Knowshon. Especially in the area of field vision. And McD, would it kill you to involve Hillis more???
We seem to be “missing something” on offense, as our defense has made improvements more than anybody anticipated. I only see that side of the ball bacoming more dangerous! I think Hillis is that missing link. Our answer in the red zone and short yardage. McD blew that in the oakland game.
Ah well, no use in torturing ourselves of what might have been. Lets get that 1st division win at home in the McD era…GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!! 30-17 Denver
Just wanted to comment about and nfl.com article about the looming uncapped year. It says that over 200 players will lose their unrestricted free agent rights. Including Marshall and Dumerville. PAY THE MEN BOWLEN! PAY THEM. It also says something about a transition tag. Anybody know if that is in addition to the franchise tag? If so we transition Orton and franchise Champ. We can address our d-line needs in the draft and make a play for Umenyiora or Richard Seymour. Ok, thats it for my armchair GM! What do you all think???
sndvl:
I like it. I say that you do all that, but also try and get Peppers. That would be a great addition. I think that with our first round pick, we use that on a linebacker ,or if it is available, a nose tackle.
I was reading the article on Yahoo Sports about the 2010 season being uncapped, they had Kyle Ortons take on the situation. Here’s what he said:
“Free agency’s always been something for the players, always been a great thing. If you get one crack at free agency as a player, that’s what you dream of,” Orton said before Denver practiced Wednesday. “How it stands right now … guys aren’t going to be able to have that dream, to be a free agent. That’s a shame for the players, I think.”
I thought it was funny how he said he dreams about it. shouldnt he be dreaming about taking his team to the super bowl?
sndvl, can’t believe you remembered the tennis thing, I’m impressed. LOL.
DoomervilRocks92, talking about a LB need, to think that at 12th last year, Orapko was still available… We passed him up and he got picked at 13th. What a force it would of been with Orapko on one side and Doom on the other, a QB’S nightmare.
I know. That would have been awesome. I still think that Knowshon will pan out as a good running back. If we could get a Peppers, Umenorya, or Seymour, that would be a really good pass rush.
sndvl, you talked about the running game, I’m glad because this is an area of great concern for me for next year. We are adopting a power blocking scheme over the zone blocking scheme, to my great displeasure, at least it looks that way, and of the two backs who can pound the ball in that system one is never going to cut it, Jordan, and the other, Hillis, is never being played. Moreno doesn’t fit that style and even if he does he has shown that even splitting the carries this year he has totally wore out over the season, and Bucky, my favorite weapon, is unfortunately facing the fact that his body has done about everything it can but he cannot remain healthy and I’m afraid his dreams of a late career are dwindling away. So we are not sitting pretty, we need big time help at that position. If McD liked Hillis, I would see some kind of hope, but he doesn’t, no one really knows why, but it’s not getting us anywhere. I don’t see him wanting to play here next year, I don’t know what his contract situation is, McD might want to trade him, who would want to remain here after been ignored for so long, the only reason he has gotten little play lately is because injuries forced McD into using him, that’s just not going to cut it. Couple this real bad situation with the running game with the fact that in order for Orton to reach his potential, he must have a sensational running game, to take the pressure of him so he can get more than one read on each play and allow his receivers to get downfield for long plays and to me it says we must address the running game big time next year with FA or the draft or both. We need power runners, at least two of them, that McD will play, without it, we will have the same type of season, I don’t care how well we do everywhere else.
Kyle Sonneman -
Thx, the website i got it from was a little sketchy and i did it in 5 minutes of googling so i am more inclined to believe your facts since you have been looking into it lol….WOW 46? Don’t see that being broken anytime soon lol. Thx for the correction
ps: shoulda known that wasn’t the record or commentators and analyst would have already started talking about it because like the say…”the only time a record is talked about is when its on the verge of being broken”
I already brought this concern of mine over our situation with the running game a couple weeks ago, so bear with me, but seriously I am as concerned about that lack of a running game, and please don’t tell me it’s all the O line’s fault, we all know it’s only part of it, as I am concerned with our front seven not being able to stop the run. You need to run the ball and stop the run to get anywhere in this league, and we do neither. That’s why we are 2-7 in the last 9 games, and I see no reason why this should change at this point. The O line, RB’s and the front 7, that’s were most of our needs are, IMO.
do you suppose that orton can have more than one dream!
Oh that’s the problem…Orton is dreaming when he should be scrambling…aaahh, I though he was just growing roots in the pocket.
A two yard scramble…that’s all I’m asking for!
Kyle -
Checked NFL.com and you are right…46 TB’s in 93…to think he is still playing in the NFL….hasn’t had a season close to that since then; as far as TB’s go.
But quick question…if im not mistaking cuz I am a relatively young football fan….there was a time when KO were not from the Kicking teams 30…it once was closer to midfield correct? was this before or after 93 cuz im sure you have run into that in your research….thx.
broncos win 42 to 14 and the run game goes wild go broncos i have faith
Oh my prediction for this game is broncos 23 Chiefs 13….which i assume might be the last prediction of the year
TRB, KO’s were from the 35 until 1994 when it was moved to the 30.
and until 1974 they were at the 40.
Thx Baylin…i shoulda known any older fan would know that…only been a fan for 13 years lol
now since he did it 93, Jason Hanson had 5 yards on Prater which is why he hasnt been able to duplicate such a season since….thx Baylin….He may hold the 35yrd line TB but I wonder what the record form the 30 is….lol….I never imagined i would be so interested in TBs in my life….thx again for Info Baylin
PS; Not to take anythign away from Jason Hanson…No matter where from…that is still quite an amazing feat. But I know the NFL keeps records before and after major changes….
My pleasure, TRB.
Does anyone know if there will be any good linebacker/nose tackles in the 1st round (I think that the 1st pick will be in the 9-11 pick.) Please give your opinion.
Can’t help but to tell everyone that I believe the Broncos will pass the test this year and get a 9-7 record during the regular season. For all those that predicted 3-13, 4-12, you can kiss my royal blue you know what!. Last week was the first time I predicted a Bronco loss and believe me, it was as hard on me to even do that but I can’t remember a stranger season with who has the upper hand going into the playoffs as this year.
I hate to sound too overly optomistic on any outcomes this coming weekend but there just seems to be something in the air that I just can’t get over. I believe that ANY team that gets in the hunt this year is going to have a chance for the big prize. I also believe that the Broncos have a chance to be one of those teams. Somehow, someway I believe we still have a chance to make a splash in the playoffs even if we have to count on other teams to get us in!
This year is very strange indeed, so let’s just get into the tournament and let the chips fall where they may.
Go Broncos…………….
With Faith,
Coach
Can somebody explain the playoff rankings to me!!??
On nfl.com it says that if the season were to end TODAY we would be the 5th seed, Jets 6th, and Baltimore in the hunt. However, all that the Jets and Ravens need to do to get into the playoffs is get a win. But we need help to get in! WHAT? THIS IS MADNESS!
(ovrl rec.)-(Div. rec.)-(Conf. rec.)
Den: 8-7 3-2 6-5
NYJ: 8-7 2-4 6-5
Bal: 8-7 3-3 6-5
What?!?! By my count, that puts us at 5, Bal at 6 and Jets OUT?!?!? WTH! I’m ENRAGED ABOUT THIS! Somebody PLEASE reply to this so my head doesn’t BURST!!!
Glad to help Ellis… Okay, if all three teams end with the same record; 9-7 then Baltimore has the head to head tie breaker over us. Then it goes to division record. Since NY isnt in the same division it goes to conference record and we are tied in that respect. The fourth tie breaker is record against common opponents. The fact that Indy balked at the perfect season gives NY the edge. (Which I hope backfires on the Colts and their “mojo”). So thats the story. I really want to see Cincy play their starters and with all the jaw-jacking pittsburgh is doing, they may very well look past the miami game. I don’t see houston beating NE and there is NO WAY Baltimore loses to oakland. Al Davis will make sure of that.
We lost our real chance when some jack@$$ decided to pull out a laser pointer. Too bad he didn’t blind McD with it, causing temporary blindness, which would have resulted in McD calling 22′s number, effectively putting the game out of reach and positioning ourself in the catbird seat for the postseason. THANKS WHOEVER YOU ARE!
the common opponent tie breaker includes a minimum of four common opponents. That includes- NE, Indy, Oakland and Cincy. So if NY somehow loses, the next tie breaker is strength of victory. Thats the calculated win percentage of teams beat in the season. If it comes to that, we are in the dance. It wouldnt even be close. WE HAVE TO WIN OUR FIRST HOME DIVISION GAME FIRST AND FOREMOST!
I retract my previous statement. If NY loses, their conf. mark is 6-6. So thats our tie breaker. Not strength of victory! my bad
NFL doesn’t add in the tie breakers til after the season. So add in the tie breakers and were the 7th seed.
Yeah, I see now. It’s just so frustrating that we lost to the raiders at home…AGAIN!! We lose to the raiders WAY to much! Whatever though, if you take into consideration the set backs that we had during the offseason, this is one of the best Broncos seasons ever. (If you take into consideration all of the set backs). Rookie head coach runs star QB out of town, B-Marsh wants out, Mr. Bowlen says “I wouldn’t be surprised if we lose our first 5 games”. This season should have been a 4-12 year. Just think about the future. My only problem with our offense is the way we use K.O. He has shown that he can be a “down the field passer”. He got the wrap of a “check down passer” from playing with inferior recievers in Chicago. McD needs to realize his potential! K.O. can be a top 10 QB. Maybe not top 5, but definately a top 10.
Thanks for telling me why we wont make the playoffs, and yeah… What the hell! Where is Peyton Hillis?!?!? One of the most consistent players for us (till he got hurt) last year. I want Hillis out of Denver so he can become a good player somewhere, he deserves it! Prediction: Hillis goes to wherever Shanny is coaching.
See you guys in the Playoffs (maybe). And remember, we’re not fairwether fans, if we don’t make the playoffs… EVERYONE WEAR DENVER COLORS ON MONDAY!!! GO BRONCOS!!!
I have a feeling things will work in our favor. This team has too much heart to miss the playoffs. The Jets are going to choke. Rex Ryan is a scumbag and Sanchez is a rook. GO BRONCOS!!!
I agree to every one wearing bronco colors and gear on monday if we dont get into the play offs *Or even if we do*
I hate people who call themselves fans then after a loss or after the season they dont even support the team. its disgusting.
LETS GO BRONCOS!!
LETS GO HILLIS!! 22 all over the chiefs! i wana see the hillis mile high salute again!!
despite us fallin da last couple of close games u look at us overall we way betta as a team than we we have been since da 05 afc game ova 30 new faces turned us around and ppl gave us crap abt cutler look at dat situation orton comes 2 us 1st qb since da 60′s 2 get a 3,000 yard season 1st yr wit da team not elway or cutler did it n 2 all da cutler lovers u gotta amit he needs our o line n receivers
da 1 thang we have n our favor goin n 2 sunday against kc is they neva have beaten us n invesco n 8yrs of it when da cheifs had sum good teams back then n now u dont kno nobody on their team only if u watched their young players n college lets knock these boyz out our building n get our asses back n our playoff glory
Reading you guys is way better of an upper than the morning cup of java. LOL. I now feel that there is no way we cannot get in but also that we might go all the way, obviously all you guys crystal balls are totally Bronco bias and I love it. Let’s go Broncos.
@baylinorcrush: I hear ya with the running game or lack there of. We require a consistent running attack that compliments Orton. He’s not going to be able to win a lot of games by himself, you know like Elway, Manning, and Brady do. He needs a running attack and then he can be on top of his game. I also think that having a consistent running attack would hopefully help open the playbook a bit more, like we did against WAS. There are still things Orton needs to work on, but I think you’d see a better Orton if we had a consistent running attack to help aliviate some pressure form him.
I know no one wants to hear this and I’ll probably get beat down but what about a Raiders victory? I mean c’mon they beat some pretty good teams this year, so why not the Ravens? Any given Sunday right???? I’ve never once in my life ever wanted the Raiders to win, but I think that the Raiders could pull off a victory against them. So if the Raiders win, and Cinci I feel will still play to win in memory of Henry, and if Houston can put the smack down on Brady, I think it still is a possibility of playoffs. Remember this is upset week, for a lot of guys its their last game until next year, maybe even their careers. Anything can happen….
Go Broncos!!!!
brian, thanks for voicing your agreement about my comments on the running game, or lack thereof, and how crucial it is for Orton to succeed due to his pocket limitations. For a second I thought I was going senile, being the only one to see it that way. LOL.
The Raiders winning to me is a prayer, Baltimore has to win to get in, they are plenty good, Al Davis will not want to be the one to let us in and they gain nothing by winning, they already “clinched” third place in our division, in fact they stand to lose a spot or two for their draft position if they win. I’m going the other route, hoping Houston beats N-E, which I believe they can do in Houston, they are a very good team of late, even so they have lost lots of close ones and if N-E does lose then Cinci may show up to earn the third seed and beat the Jets, but the odds of that are not much better than the Raiders beating the Ravens, so we are up against it aren’t we? Well, that’s what we earned, so I will live with it regardless of the outcome. The good thing is I have already been disappointed in us not going in controling our destiny, so the outcome of the week-end won’t make it anymore painful for me regardless. Don’t get me wrong I am happy with this season overall, but I also endured many disappointments for 7 weeks out of the last 9, so it won’t be any worse for me if we don’t get in is my point, already got used to the idea.
Meaning it would be gravy if we somehow get in.
Love the optimism as well.. I was so optimistic tha twe would beat the Eagles but we fell short lets hope that doesnt happen again.
Hamma,
Of course Orton is the first QB to get 3000 yards in his first season with the team…..Cutler didnt start his first year…and I doubt Elway did either (but im not sure) and even if he did and didnt meet 3000 yrds….its doesnt matter…its Elway lol.
TRB, Elway’s first year 1,663 yards, 2nd 2,598, then over 3,000 the next 7 years, in 92 2,242, his record year in 93 4,030, four more years over 3,000 and his final year in 98 2,806. Most TD’s 27 in 97. Most INT’s 23 in 85. Highest QB rating 93.0 in 98.
He also rushed for over 300 yards in 87, and over 200 yards for ten years.
Orton rushed for 55 yards this year and has a grand total of 147 yards in five seasons.
In his first 5 years Elway had 1197 yards on the ground.
But his most mind boggling stats are he played in 22 playoff games, only 2nd in the NFL to Montana’s 23, and has the NFL record for super bowl played (5).
TRB, and you are right to assume Elway didn’t play a full season in his first year, he came in after the starting QB got hurt, Elway played 11 games that year (83).
It was Steve DeBerg who got hurt in the sixth game of the season, Elway replaced him mid game and never relinquished that starting job.
In those 10 games as a starter in his first year, he was basically thrown into the fire and it showed, he had a 47.5 completion %, a 54.9 QB rating, 7 TD’s, 14 INT’s.