Broncos on Monday signed free-agent tight end Chad Mustard. To make room for Mustard the team waived guard Dylan Gandy.
Mustard is in his fifth NFL season and third year with the Broncos. He competed with Denver in its 2008 training camp before he was waived on Aug. 30.
He has has totaled 12 receptions for 123 yards in 41 career games with the Broncos and Browns.
Mustard gives the Broncos added depth at tight end.
Tony Scheffler suffered a groin strain against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Scheffler underwent an MRI on Monday, the full extent of his injury should be known later in the week.
COMPLETE GAME
The Broncos had perhaps the team’s most balanced outing do date during Sunday’s 16-13 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It may not have had the glitz and the glamour of the Broncos first three wins of the season when the team displayed its offensive fire power that filled the stats sheets.
Instead Sunday’s game was a gritty defensive struggle that showed that Denver isn’t a one-dimensional football team.
“Everything goes together, offense, defense and special teams and when we play like that we have a good chance to win,” safety Marlon McCree said on Monday.
The Broncos had some impressive outings thus far this season but Head Coach Mike Shanahan said this was the first game that all facets of the team played solid throughout.
“I think people have a short memory sometimes,” he said. “We played three quarters against the Raiders that we allowed 128 yards in total offense, 27 zip. They are a pretty good rushing football team. We did some good things against San Diego. We have had some opportunities where we have played a good three quarters or a good quarter, but in this game we played a good four quarters.”
The Broncos stepped up defensively against Tampa. The team limited the Buccaneers big plays. Quarterbacks Brian Griese and Jeff Garcia were each held under 100 yards passing and running backs Warrick Dunn and Earnest Graham were both held to under 75 yards rushing. The biggest play the Denver defense gave up on the day was a 38-yard scamper by Dunn.
The Broncos offense did their part as well and although the offensive numbers don’t jump out like they did in the team’s first few games, one stat that does is zero, as in zero turnovers. The Broncos were able to protect the ball on offense and limit their turnovers.
Boss Bailey said Sunday’s game exemplifies how much of an all-around team the Broncos are.
“I think it set the bar,” he said. “It set the standard of our performance up. We just got to keep trying to top the last performance.”
Shanahan said he expects the defense to build upon their performance and get even better.
“We have been able to do some more things (defensively) as time has gone on,” he said. “I think we will keep on getting better and better. The thing that you have to have is a lot of guys going in the same direction, a lot of guys working hard, guy staying positive—and we’ve had that. We have a lot of workers. We have guys doing everything they can to get better and it really doesn’t surprise me that they played at the level that they played. I would be surprised if you don’t see a lot more games like you saw on Sunday.”
SMITH HONORED IN COLORADO SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Rod Smith’s Broncos career may have only officially ended a few months ago but Smith is already a Hall of Famer.
Smith is part of the six-person 2009 Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Class.
He is joined by Sonny Lubick, longtime Colorado State University football coach, Jerry McMorris, former the president and chairman of the Colorado Rockies, Ralph Backstrom former NHL player and long-time Colorado hockey figure; Lt. Col. John Mosley, an ex-Colorado A&M (Colorado State) football player and wrestler as well as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II; and Laurice “Lo” Hunter, legendary volleyball coach at Evergreen High School.
The six officially will be inducted at the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in April.
-Jake Grilley, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Boss Bailey, Chad Mustard, Jake Grilley, Marlon McCree, Mike Shanahan
How our offense played yesterday was more than expected for the given team we played. The score we ended up with was actually a little more than I expected it to be. I’m very happy with how we played… very well balanced.
As for Smith, another big congrats. Very well deserved. I am going to miss that #80 so much, I already do. I hate seeing great football players being forced out b/c of an injury. We’ll never know what they could’ve done if that injury never occured. I always wonder what more Terrell Davis could’ve given to this team had it not been for an awful injury. That just bites.
I have only one question, why wan’t Elway inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame???? I mean seriously, its JOHN ELWAY!!!!!!!!!!!! He’s a legend not only in Denver but Colorado. I was born in Denver and everytime I hear the words Denver or Colorado, Elway is the first thing in my mind. He’s a living legend… something is seriously wrong with this picture. Although I’m confused about this, I’d much rather have that #7 in the Hall of Fame in Canton but still, I don’t get it.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!
congrats Rod, you deserve it dude!
John Elway is a member… this is just the 2009 inductee list.
Even though I’m not a Coloradan, congratulations, Rod! As for Royal and Scheffler, PLEASE be healthy for the Jaguars game. I’m with 07elway, the 16 points was an anomaly and that’s a compliment to Monte Kiffin’s solid defense. Those who play cavalierly against the Buccaneers defense pay a grievous price, but we didn’t because Cutler took what was available and came off conqueror against a really good Tampa Bay team. Let’s earn our fifth win of the season against the Jags! GO BRONCOS!!!
i’ve a good feeling about this coming sunday’s game against the Jags…
they got torched by a banged up Rothlisberger. i remembered last season how BMarsh torched their secondary breaking tackle after tackle…
NFL network keeps replaying Champs hit on Griese…poor fellow didnt know what hit him…:D.
I think the last piece to our defense is Barrett to go along with McGree..this guy could fly around the place..we know Manuel is the veteran but he has lost a step why not place him on the PS or move him behind a spot, release Fox and sign Barrett??I know everyone keeps asking about it and we just hope it happens soon coach if you could hear our comments….or atleast put him in for special teams..
Congratulations Rod….please remain close with the Broncos and help develop Marshall and Royal’s games.
I love Rod Smith!!!!!! He’s my favorite guy to play any sport. not cause of his awesome numbers, but for his character, he never cared about a stat( except for the win-loose stat). he’s an amazing guys and player. I was almost crying when he retired. I say we retire his number this week at Invesco and add his name to the ring of fame. if it’s not already their.
Hey I agree with bringing in Jose Barret, trust me that guy excites me just as much as everyone else, but what I don’t think is gonna happen is hes going to come in a be key contributor right away, I see him becoming great but not right now, I think he deserves the spot Vernon Fox has 4 sure!!!! McCree and Manuel are good, I like McCree and Manuel is slowly getting there, this defense after its performance against tampa is going to get better as the season comes along, I saw what I wanted in the defense and that was blitzing, Come Denver lets take on them Jags and be an AFC powerhouse for the season!!!!!
Congrats to Rod Smith, I really enjoyed watching him play and Remember before he was injured he made some tuff catches and took some hits, this guy is a Denver Legend 4 life!!!!!