Earlier Saturday, the Broncos trimmed the roster to 53 players by waiving or releasing 24 players and putting three more on injured reserve.
The decision-making process began with the coaches and front office staff watching tape of the Arizona preseason game yesterday then meeting with Head Coach John Fox and Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway at about 4 p.m. for two-and-a-half hours, going over the roster position-by-position.
This morning, players set to be waived or released got the news by first meeting with General Manager Brian Xanders, then Coach Fox before saying goodbye to position coaches, the training and equipment staffs and their teammates.
This afternoon, Xanders spoke with the media about what he called “Emotionally, one of the toughest (days) of all.”
“When you bring 27 guys in and look at them in the eye, you’re ending an NFL dream, and it’s tough,” Xanders said. “It’s just something that’s part of the business.”
ON THE ROSTER
Despite the difficult nature of Saturday, Xanders said he and the rest of the front office are excited about the 53 players that make up the team’s regular-season roster.
“I think there will be some younger players to contribute more, earlier in the process. Coach Fox has been great about letting these guys compete for roles. [LB] Von [Miller], [T] Orlando Franklin and [S] Rahim Moore are going to start. [TE] Julius Thomas might get in there and start at some different roles based on how we use him. [S] Quinton Carter is going to play. [LB] Mike Mohamed has played all three linebackers. [LB] Nate Irving is competing in special teams. [TE] Virgil Green, same thing, talking about the fullback versus utility with Virgil. [CB] Chris Harris, [DT] Mitch Unrein — there’s a lot of young guys that are going to play. We feel good about the mix. There’s a lot of good experience in there and some good young players coming up.”
As for how the roster will progress throughout the season, Xanders alluded to what Fox told the players in a recent meeting.
“They still have to earn their role every week,” he said. “Coach met with the team, and he said, ‘It’s an honor and a privilege to make the Denver Broncos, but that seat, you have to earn it every day, and it’s a production-based business.”
WAIVER WIRE
Since the order is determined by last season’s schedule, the Broncos have the No. 2 priority for all waiver claims through the third week of the regular season. Beginning in Week 4, waiver claim will be based on the current standings.
“We’re going to look at everybody on the waiver wire,” Xanders said. “We’re excited about that process today; we’ve worked hard at it for three or four weeks now, and today is the day you finally get to realize who’s out there. We feel good about our football team. We’re going to always work the bottom of the roster and try to figure out better players that we can bring in.”
The deadline to put a claim on a player waived by another team is 10 a.m. MDT Sunday morning, and then the team will hear from the league whether they were awarded any players, in addition to whether any of the players waived from the Broncos were claimed by another team.
“There are a couple names that are interesting on the wire, but we’ll see how it goes and what the shake-out is. Do you claim that person over someone we’ve trained for five weeks?”
In addition, the team can begin building its eight-man practice squad on Sunday, which could feature some of the players waived Saturday.
“We came through with some practice squad candidates — hopefully we get some of them back,” Xanders said.
INJURY UPDATES
Xanders also addressed some of the injured players that made the 53-man roster, including Demaryius Thomas, who he said has been cleared by doctors to practice.
On Demaryius Thomas: “He’s cleared to practice; he’s ready to go. We’re excited about him. The receiver cut-down was tough. A lot guys did really well; a lot of guys competed hard, and Demaryius worked really hard to get back, so he’ll be on the 53 [-man roster].”
“He did great job rehabbing himself during the lockout, then, he came in and had a great five weeks with us. Out on the field, the doctors allowed him to work more routes, and more explosion exercises—jumping. There’s a lot of stuff to do with the Achilles tendon there, but he did really well, so they cleared him to go.”
On when Thomas can play in a game: “I can’t really speculate. That’s really up to the trainers. They’re going to monitor him really closely. Our coaches are obviously going to monitor him. He’s going to be running scout team cards eventually in full pads and we’ll see how he is. We’ve got to get him in shape leg wise, quadriceps, hamstrings and all of that has to be working good. He could be good in a couple weeks. We’ll see how he does, hopefully it’s sooner than later.”
On Ty Warren: “We’re hopeful he can come back. With the triceps surgical repair, it could be 10 to 12 weeks. We’ll see; it could be longer, but we’re going to keep him inactive and get him rehabbed and ready to go.”
Xanders also said he can’t speculate on when Marcus Thomas will return to action, but hopefully “sooner than later.” In addition, he said he hopes Broderick Bunkley could return as soon as this week.
GETTING SPECIFIC
On DE Derrick Harvey making the roster: “He’s a big athlete. He’s long; he’s explosive. He can play more stout against the run, and he has some pass-rush skills, and when we stunted him, he was hard to block in there. He can provide a backup left end/ right end behind [DE] Elvis [Dumervil] and [DE Robert] Ayers.”
On the receiver position: “The receivers, some teams keep five, some keep six. We felt there was a lot of competition there. [WR] Eddie Royal and [WR Eric] Decker were going to make it and [WR Brandon] Lloyd obviously led the league in receiving, and then [WR] Demaryius [Thomas] came back and [WR Matthew] Willis was a special teamer and provided some good production in the preseason, really the last two preseasons. [WR] Eron Riley did excellent. [WR D’Andre] Goodwin did well on special teams, had some nice catches. So, there was a lot of competition there.”
On waiving CB Perrish Cox: “No roster spot is safe; his was based on the four preseason games and the five weeks of training camp. It’s unfortunate to make a cut like that when he had started for us the year before, but the coaches talked to him about what he needs to improve on for his career.”
On waiving DT Jeremy Jarmon: “He fit as a three technique and a backup left end. He competed really hard; he was another tough cut. We picked the guys that competed hard in there, and he tried really hard and had to move to two positions.”
On waiving S Kyle McCarthy: “We graded the whole thing over four weeks. We graded the games, the special teams, the practices, the evaluations of how they’re doing here. With him, some guys came on at the end and that’s how it works out sometimes.”
On waiving QB Adam Weber: “Some teams do that and bring a fourth quarterback in for practice squad. We’ll see what happens with him on the waiver wire. We’re going to try to build the best practice squad we can and we’ll see what happens.”
-Gray Caldwell
I will make a last attempt to put it as clearly as I can ?seriously so us simpletons can understand ? talk down to ppl much? what they CHOOOSE to do is fine by me just be straight with the fans dont give this mantra of the waiver wire all trough free agency .and again just before the waiver wire than not so a thing remember the vow of transparency when Elway came on bored? Happy Labor Day to you as well!
Back the truck up, just said that because folks were still trying to find whatever reason they could think of why it turned out like that, like they don’t want to accept it, easy my friend. Was not addresing you in particular at all and totally agree with the lack of transparency thing, mention it here often, it was just a nice political platform they ran on.
Anyway, to more interesting stuff, as promised, today is the first day I’ll take your score predictions for the first Raider game and I will do so through Sunday (since we play on Monday this week).
First though, please read carefully, (sorry for talking down to you again wiild horses, LOL):
The weekly score prediction contest rules:
1. You must post your score prediction for every Bronco game starting the day AFTER the previous game and ending the day BEFORE the game is played. Anything posted outside of that time frame will not be entered, no exceptions.
2. Each week, congratulations and points will be awarded to the top five closest to the correct score and the worse predictions will have the dubious non honor of being placed on our Wall Of Shame and will be made to feel the disgrace, LOL.
3. The points awarded will be as follows:
1st place 7 points
2nd 4 points
3rd 3 points
4th 2 points
5th 1 point
Entry onto Wall of Shame minus 5 points
4. Example of how points and places are awarded:
Last year Broncos Jets 20-24
Two way tie for 1st place:
WieminCA 17-27 prediction, 6 total points off actual score = 7 points
Baylinorcrush 20-30, also 6 total points off = 7 points also
3rd place (no 2nd place since there was a two way tie for 1st):
CarnageBronc 10-24, 10 total points off = 3 points
4th place:
MANDIEGO 17-34, 13 total points off = 2 points
5th place:
oldsouthstander 20-38, 14 total points off = 1 point
Wall of Shame:
ddk002, picking us to win 31-14, total disrespect for Rex, haha = minus 5 points.
5. You cannot place top five no matter how close you are points wise if you pick the wrong team to win.
6. At year end all points will be tabulated and we will get our new scoring guessing Champion of the year, the King of the Kingdom, i.e. the Ruler of Bronco Country, and we will also extend congratulations to bloggers finishing in the top 12 places, and brace yourselves Wall of Shame people, you will be made majorly fun of, you can count on that too, haha.
7. Remember, it’s all for fun and pride, no prizes, no affiliation with the organization, just a figment of my imagination, feel free to enter one week or all 16 and have some major fun doing so, many bloggers do, watch out for that Wall of Shame though, it can be a beatch, and by entering you agree to release me from any abuse I might throw your way, LOL.
truck backing up then . my misunderstanding completely PEACE.As far as personal decisions go it is what it is and ill support whoever they trot out the tunnel!But if you cant put out the best product possible then maybe it is time (sadly)for new ownership .I would hate to see Pat go hope he backs off his long time stance of John not becoming a part owner !
put me down for the The good guys 20 Raiders 17.
1st score prediction of the year, here we go!
Raiders 13 Broncos 23
den- 20
oak- 17
season prediction– 7-9
Yeah, season prediction deadline is Saturday
and score prediction contest deadline for the Raider game is Sunday
But it will get easier next week. promise.
Woohoo! REAL football is back!
Broncos 17 Raiders 13
GO BRONCOS! Start it off RIGHT!
DEN-23
oak-13
Season Prediction -8-8
Oak-24
Den-17 Wish I could realistically say different
You already have my season prediction but: 6-10
Do alot of people just go for the bookies spread ie Denver -3 lol. Only kidding wild horses.
My prediction will be Den 24-10 Oak
A final thought on the waivers, we were #2 in the lottery and we were one of 11 teams that didn’t submit a waiver claim on any player, not a single one, instead we signed one FA, CB Wilhite.
Wilhite didn’t have to go through the waiver process because he will accrue four years of league service this season.
Wilhite was one of the fastest players at the combine in 2008, having been timed at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash on the electronic clock.
I think they signed Wilhite for 3 reasons. 1. We lost Syd’Quan for the year 2. Vaughn struggled a bit in late pre-season. and 3.He can play the slot instead of Champ which they had been toying around with. I just hope we have enough D-line depth to have a good rotation and I hope the O-line can stay healthy. It all starts in the trenches and we don’t currently have great depth there on either side of the ball.
Yea, First thing I checked about Wilhite was his speed. Glad to see we will have some fast legs out there. Still think Harris or someone else shoulda been cut instead but wateva.
Broncos 23 Raiders 10
Later Days, TRB
Why? I think they are a worse team than we are. They don’t have thier best weapon on D in Nnamdi, and we don’t have to deal with thier best catcher Zach Miller (you know we suck at covering TEs). McFadden is hurt but should play, either way, with more speed on the edges we should be able to contain him. QB is not that good, so if we get pressure like we can, we should be able to mess up thier passing game. This is all optimism talking of course. This could easily become the Sequel to Black Sunday .. “Black Monday” … but I doubt it. TRB
only thing i think will kill us are screens to McFadden and our Offense being effective. TRB
First score prediction for 2011 (ever for me on the blog): Broncos 23 – Raiders 20.
I’d like to call it a shutout victory, but I’m trying to be realistic. Janikowski will hit three FG’s, and I’m sure that McFadden will find the end zone at least once. Upshot is, Prater will knock in a long FG in the final seconds for the win.
Lots of newbies at the beginning of every season on this here blog as the fever mounts.
I hope we can we can stop the screens myself, Broncos 24-20 9-7 on the season wildcard birth.
“The Patriots placed Wilhite on season-ending injured reserve last December because of what they listed as a hamstring injury. However, in the weeks before that move, Wilhite had been listed on New England’s injury report as having a hip injury.
Wilhite was listed at 5-foot-11 on the Patriots’ roster but measured out at 5-9 1/2 at the scouting combine leading up to the 2008 draft. He was one of the fastest players at the combine that year, having been timed at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash on the electronic clock.”
Is it just me or does that sound fishy. Man, them pats be doing so fishy stuff man. TRB
Hey Bay did you ever get my season prediction on 9-7?
And put me down for 20-10 Broncos for the opener, thanks!
Yeah, Belicheck is always borderline getting in troubles and McD gets caught, LOL.
That’s the difference between the master and the pupil.
Thanks for putting this on Bay, just another way to further enjoy the season. With that said after 17 weeks ur all going down (lol).
Season 8-8
Broncos 27 raiders 20
Yeah, fun is what I like, and thanks for voicing your appreciation, much appreciated.
I was the 2009 Champ and casinoroyal 19 took the title away from me last year beating me by only one point, it was real hard on me, I hate to lose, haha, rest assured the competition will be tough again this year! It will be down to the wire for a handful of us.
Broncos win 30-9.
My prediction for the game.
Raiders 24
Von Doom 34
It’s all going to boil down to if we can move their lines on offense and defense.
Guess I’m the only Johnny rain cloud who picks the broncos to lose. Sorry guys.
By the way, have a good labor day everyone.
Raidrhadr, no need to apologize dude. Gotta be yourself. Even though this is week 1, gotta come out of the gate swinging. This is for the Bronco marbles. You just might take the lead as of week 1. LOL
Bay- my season prediction 8-8
my game prediction Denver 24- Chokeland 20
Kinda weird tho raidrhadr would pick the raiders to win. Can’t wrap my head around that one. I just couldn’t do it because I’m not capable of picking the raiders to win anything! I think we will win for sure tho and that on top of the lsu tigers stomping Oregon, it will be a great start to the season for me.
I am aggravated tho at the fact we did NOTHING on the waiver wire. Seriously? Nothing? Man I think there were at least a few players that wulda made us a better team. Cmon front office. Smack.
I say broncos 24 raiders 16.
Season prediction…. 8-8.
Game prediction: Broncos 23 Raiders 18
Bay: did you get my season prediction? I think I sent it in an off hour 9-7
Denver 21, Oakland 7
Betcha I make the wall of shame a few times this year LOL….
season prediction 9-7 which in the recent past might win the AFC west
Wow this from Merrill Hoge on twitter….
Bronco D now has 2 book ends Miller and Dumervil you have to account for in passing situations, that makes this D dangerous.
AND
Merril Hoge
Bronco O has stolen the highlights, so dont fall asleep to this Bronco D it is fast and has a lot of different looks to it
Guess he is done Tebow bashing FOR NOW!
Boy, I guess we will ALL be on the wall of shame if the Raiders beat us.
Man bay I hope u did some hand warm ups today cuz your gonna be doin alot of writing or typing. Predictions are pouring in now.
Denver – 27
Oakland – 23
Demaryius Thomas is going through warmups with the rest of the team.
Elvis Dumervil and Chris Kuper are also practicing. Both were held out the last time the team practiced before last Thursday’s game.
Dunno if those were posted yet … for those who were worried about Doom … TRB
Denver 24, Oakland Fairies 17
VonDoom makes all the difference in the world!
LOL @ Weatherman1!!
I’ll join in on the predictions as well
Season: 7-9
Week 1: Broncos 23 Raiders 20
Very happy to see Thomas back, good kid with loads of talent.
I’ll be at the game Monday night with a Raider fan. Should be a fun night for me. My BSU Broncos beat Georgia and my Denver Broncos will beat Oakland.
Denver 27 Oakland 16 Go Broncos