The Broncos on Sunday announced their eight-man practice squad. The group includes Darius Walker, pictured above, who led the team in rushing this preseason.
Marquez Branson, Tony Carter, Mitch Erickson, D.J. Johnson, Braxton Kelley, Everette Pedescleaux, Walker and Matthew Willis make up the squad.
All of the players spent time in camp with the Broncos this offseason.
Branson is a rookie free agent tight end from the University of Central Arkansas who played 23 career games in two seasons at Central Arkansas. He totaled 82 career receptions for 1,236 yards, finishing his collegiate career ranked fifth in Central Arkansas history with 18 receiving touchdowns.
Carter is a rookie free agent cornerback from Florida State University who started all 50 career games he played at FSU and totaled 139 tackles, nine interceptions and 26 passes defensed. He scored touchdowns on three interception returns and one fumble recovery return for the Seminoles, also becoming the first player in Florida State history to return a blocked extra point and a blocked field goal for scores in the same game when he accomplished the feat as a sophomore against Clemson.
Erickson is a first-year guard from South Dakota State University who joined the Broncos as a college free agent last season, and spent his rookie year on Denver’s practice squad. He started at either guard or tackle in every one of SDSU’s 44 games played during his four seasons at the school, receiving first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press as a senior.
Johnson is a rookie free agent cornerback from Jackson State University who played 24 career games in two seasons at Jackson State after beginning his collegiate career at the University of Missouri. He totaled 66 career tackles and 10 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, at Jackson State. He was named second-team All-America by the Associated Press and first-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference as a senior.
Kelley is a rookie free agent inside linebacker from the University of Kentucky who totaled 287 tackles, 6.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and six pass breakups in 46 career games at Kentucky. He was teammates with fellow Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard in college as well as high school.
Pedescleaux is a rookie free agent defensive lineman from the University of Northern Iowa who played 51 career games at Northern Iowa and totaled 112 tackles, 11 sacks and six blocked kicks. He earned third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press as a senior in 2008.
Walker is a third-year running back who appeared in four games with two starts in Houston as a rookie in 2007, when he averaged 4.6 yards per carry along with a touchdown. He saw time on the rosters of the Texans and Rams last season, but didn’t appear in a game. He led the Broncos in rushing this preseason with 173 yards and two touchdowns.
Willis is a second-year wide receiver who spent the final week of the 2008 season on Denver’s practice squad after a brief stint on Baltimore’s practice squad early in the year. He saw time in five games for the Ravens as a rookie in 2007, totaling one tackle on special teams along with an 11-yard reception.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Practice Squad
Personally, I don’t want Merriman on the Broncos team because we don’t any more soap operas going on with our team. That’s my thought.
Go Broncos!!!!
Just a thought:
What if the NFL front office gave Denver the extra 24 hours after Marshall’s reinstatement to make the roster move that brings them back to 53 just to help Denver resolve a possible trade. Prior to making a trade, the Broncos would be tough pressed into releasing a player they may not want to let go. After a trade is consumed they would know who to let go.
The NFL usually doesn’t give those kind of breaks. If that’s the case we can expect a trade today.
Of course, that was just a thought.
We are not trading him. Think about it guys, what would a safety, much less any defensive player know whats going to happen as far as any front office moves? Players are usually not gonna know what the GM and coaches are up to unless it involves them or a close buddy. Maybe they are trading him, or maybe they are giving leon washington a big contract extension, maybe they are trading thomas jones to a team that needs a running back. They have leon and the shonn green now. If it was said wednesday, and reiterated yesterday that we are not trading him, then surely we are not trading him. Plus we can get the draft picks next year if someone wants him after we slap the franchise tag on him.
just posted,
Marshall not on Jets radar:
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=3653&line=150383&spln=1
We don’t need O’Connell!!! Orton is gonna be fine, we all know the “hoody way” reporting of injuries…let me guess “probable with upper extremity injury” for the rest of the season for Orton. Besides, Brandstater has proven he can ball, so we don’t need another chump on our team.
Now, for Marshall, he’s gonna be another Ochocinco. Teams don’t often trade their top wideouts! I know some will argue about us trading Cutler, but you can see disgruntled receivers around the league not get their way, check the evidence:
1) Ochocinco…requests a trade…still in Cincy
2) Boldin…requests a trade/contract…still in Zona
3) Edwards…had a rough season, all the talk of trading…still in Cleveland
4) Marshall…requests a trade….will still be in Denver at the end of the season
baylinorcrush, just letting you know I made sure to give you your props for the idea of O’Connell. If you’re right, you’re a genius. If not, well….. Ha, ha.
b-marsh=#1, I hope you’re right. I don’t want to keep thinking about this stuff. It’s giving me a migraine….
one-hundred and first!
people think we’ll go 5-11. I think that’s bullcrap, cuz we have a good defense, now…better than last year’s, anyway
With Brandstater having a good showing I can not imagine a trade for another Qb, he looked to good to take a chance on someone who has no chemistry with the offense. I thought someone said that it was Marshall’s agent stirring the pot in this recent crap. Jets are looking for receivers but Marshall was not one of them, according to a reporter from the New York Daily news! This crap will continue as long a the media wants to play this game as it keeps there blog hits high!
florio’s_mom: I did watch the Buffs vs. Rams last night… great game!
DD,
I had read the same speculation that o’connell could be coming here on DP. Klis had written about it before it was ever mentioned on here. So my guess, key word guess, is that if this trade does go down (which it won’t), then klis gets credit for being the genius. But because this trade will not happen IMO, Klis is just a DP type writer who likes to throw out scenario’s/articles, that will piss off Denver fans.
They are no geniuses here, just people talking. I doubt geniuses would be spending lots of time here. I have serious doubt as to the trade possibility, but I wish it, so I talk about it. This is what blogging is about, talking, no action here, we’ll have to wait until Sunday for that.
I didn’t see anything from Klis but I did see a reference to it on another blog and I stayed in a Holiday Inn last night! Haha.
By the way, no geniuses at the DP either. LOL.
This guy is retarded,……:
Today, Rhodes wrote: “everyone the news will b mad 2morrow and if you really are a JET fan you will appreciate the news! .. it will b told tommorow seriously i wont lie to my fans and fans of the jets.”
I wonder if they could be getting boldin????
This is actually from the guys twitter page today:
that is a big announcement and may happen but im talking bout another big thing for jet fans.
about 2 hours ago from web
For those who think i was talking bout B Marshall, Guess again!!!
about 2 hours ago from web
Sorry 4 the hold up fans but this stuff sometime takes time but just stay tuned u will find out soon. Not trying to hold u guys in limbo …
about 15 hours ago from web
Speak for your self balinorcrush: Certified genius here..lol…160 IQ and actually played the game so bleah!
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Wilson-Report-Jets-not-expected-to-trade-for-Brandon-Marshall.html
Yeah, Klis is a real dip stick. I read that O’Connell was considered because of the injuries, as was mentioned here. In Orton we trust. Anyways, guys, I’m out. Going to The Orleans Casino to have buffet lunch with my dad and do some gambling in a couple hours. need to take care of some things 1st. Talk to you all later.
Thanks for the answer dynamicdave and broncofan96.
Does anyone know what the broncos home game day giveaways will be?
Feebies are:
Sept 30: Magnetic Schedule
Oct 4: BBQ Mitts
Oct 11: License Plate Frames, Yellow throwback Broncos T-shirt
Nov 9: Window cling
Nov 22: Koozies
Nov 26: Thanksgiving celebration
Jan 3: Team Photos
OLDSOUTHSTANDER…..I meant re-sign not resign……haha…
Rhodes does mean Marshall, he’s just trying to throw evryone off. It will be lame if we did trade him for that guy.
i doubt it florio, i hope you are wrong. That trade just doesnt make sense
i hope im wrong too. Nothing makes sense anymore.
But he couldn’t get cassel, so he’s going for the next best thing,
I just saw John Clayton’s predictions for the broncos next season, 3-13 and last in the AFC west. WOW, we downgrade in one position and upgrade in 9 positions and suddenly we’re 3-13. I think all these NFL analysts have lost their freakin’ minds. I will be very dissapointed if we do not prove all these guys wrong. It’s funny because if we do well than all these guys will act like they knew all along. They won’t admit that they are wrong. My prediction is the same. 11-5 or better.
GO BRONCOS..
these analysts are all haters! What a bunch of losers!. 9-7 or 10-6 is my prediction. But if you are right… then good 11-5 would be amazing. We do have three easy teams to start the season, if we can get in a groove in time for the tough games, then you never know.
Jazz, you’re right these first 3 games are critical to where we’ll end up. Start 3-0, 8-8 looks doable to me, 9-7/10-6 looks doable to you. We start less than 3-0, 500 becomes a long shot to me. But as I previously stated for the first time in 35 years, winning or losing record this year is not really gonna affect me one way or the other. Total rebuild, unlike any other. No more Divas, but one, TEAM spirit, agressive defense, count me in, I’m excited as hell for the new direction. Win or lose, I will enjoy this season.
As long as we can improve from last year I will be happy. Things will definately have to go our way to be better than 11-5 but hey I’m being optimistic. Stranger things have happened.
Thanks old southstander!
Does anyone know at what time today we have to turn in our roster cut to make up for Marshall being reinstated? We were given 24 hrs yesterday, but I don’t know at what time that was.
florio,
Let this Jet’s trade go, you are driving yourself crazy. If you can get a good LB that would be a smart trade. What would scare me is if we got Thomas Jones.
I’m not believing anything until Brandon is with the team again.
We won’t trade him? (Just like we didn’t trade Jay)
I don’t care what he does, he is the one making millions a year making these decisions. But lying to the fan base needs to stop. If we want to trade him then do it. If were not, then these “stories” need to stop.
It’s not just the Jets saying stuff, it takes two to Tango.
Why would we get a LB? We have more LBs then RBs. Trade for improvments. (Like the D-Line)
Marshall for Jenkins would be fine.
Not O’Connell or Harris
Lets see – Thomas Jones, Bucky, Hillis and Moreno?
Make no sense to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets go #15, get it together
Broncos 8-8, (thats a upswinging 8-8) we will gage how far the team has come by facing the toughest schedule we have had in 10-12 years.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BRONCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
espn said the broncos will only deal marshall to the jets if we get devin harris and a future high draft pick. thats the only way this deal gets done and the jets arent willing to give up harris so lets stop talking about him being traded and lets talk about all the huge plays hell have this year!
What’s with everybody DEMANDING to know stuff from this team? Who do you think you are?
…more reason for me to believe this blog has just turned into a bunch of teeny boppers fighting anymore. Nothing like last year.
Ok, I’m tired of hearing of how we have to have Marshall back to be good. He has a bad attitude, he’s injured more than any other wr on this team (many teams in fact), he dropes more passes than all but one other diva in the league, he is one bad decision from a lengthy nfl suspension, he is not a team player yet, he’s proven untrustworthy to his teamates, and he’s an idiot to boot. Yes, I said idiot, he demands a trade and then goes out of his way to lessen any trade leverage the team has for him. He may be a feared receiver, but I don’t even see him as our best receiver. How many 3rd down conversions did he lose us by dropping passes that would have been caught had they been aimed at Stokley instead? If he’s traded, then he’s traded. If not, then he’s still a Bronco. I happen to agree that we will own him for the nex three years or until he proves he is worthy of a high value trade. We have the leverage against him that we did not have against Cutler.
As far as the season goes, predict what you all want, I just want to see the team more competative. I can live with a losing record if we compete well. I wont be happy with a uncompetative team regardless of record (aside from being born in CO, thats the reason I’ve rooted for the Broncos for more than 30 years and not teams like the Lions, Bungles, or Dolts). I do feel that 10-6 is very doable, especially in this division. I’m reall curious as to how well this team can finish though, has to better than the last few seasons.
Shawn723: getting your Broncos news or any knowledgable football info from ESPN is like getting your nutritional intake from “Chuck E Cheese”! You guys have those or just us?
patientbronco,
Great post. The thing I don’t want to see, is us trading him for players we don’t need or low round picks.
(BTW, your username is awesome.)
Patientbronco, if you read some of my bloggs, it’s eerie how we think alike and similar we sound (re: idiot Marshall and losing record), glad to know I’ve got back up.
patientbronco, check out my 8:17 am and 1:31 pm posts, you’ll see what I mean.
Anyways enough of these trade rumors. Have any of you played Madden 10? The stats they gave the Broncos is a bunch of CRAP. Ryan Clady is only a 90 and Harris a 74 WTF? Most of the players are barely in the 70 region. This is BULL
Jackson cut. Marshall stays.
Well what do you know. Coach cut a former patriot to make room for marshall.
“florio’s_mom says:
September 7, 2009 at 8:11 am
TRB,
I’ll trade ya two, count’em two pennies for your one quarter.
See cuz two is more then one, you would get the better half. Now thats trading logic right there.”
LMAO….Thats McDs logic….what a fool.
Jazzy,
Its funny, because we had Chad Jacksonlast year…never noticed he was a former Pat….Must not be one of McDs buddies…after all…he aint one of the ones McD brought in personally lol
i never felt like jackson was worthwhile anyways
I really feel like B. Marshall should be traded. He is a bonofied cancer!! Orton would progress quicker if he didnt feel the pressure from Marshall everytime he didnt get 15 balls thrown his way. With him gone, Eddie Royal would naturally blossom into our #1 WR. Jabar Gaffeny and B. Stokes would fill in nicely to give us depth. Also, we should get decent value for Marshall. I believe we should trade him for a big name DT. That would go a long ways towards rebuilding a weak front 7, which i hate to say, is true…
Where did you guys find out about the cut?
Cali_Broncosfan: i felt the same way about madden 10 this year…. until, i did the roster update. Now R. Harris is 85, Hamilton is 87 Wiegmann is 87. We actually have one of the better lines in Madden 10! As it should be, we only gave up 12 sacks last year! 12 sacks in one year is almost unfathomable.