The Broncos’ decision to keep just two quarterbacks on their 53-player roster could result in the team scrambling to find a quarterback for the practice squad.
Denver cut Matt Mauck on Saturday with hopes of bringing him back to the practice squad, to essentially be the No. 3 quarterback behind Jake Plummer and Bradlee Van Pelt. However, the Broncos may not get the chance. According to NFL personnel, Mauck is considered one of the top quarterbacks available and could be claimed today.
The teams that could have an interest in putting in a claim on Mauck include Miami and Detroit. Nick Saban coaches Miami, where the Broncos open the season next Sunday. Mauck and Saban teamed for a national championship at LSU. The Dolphins are looking for help at quarterback. The Lions need a quarterback, after backup Jeff Garcia suffered a broken leg.
Even if Mauck isn’t claimed and has to go to a practice squad, he could opt to go elsewhere. Mauck was on Denver’s practice squad last year with Van Pelt, behind Plummer and Danny Kanell, who was cut last week.
“I enjoyed my time here,” Mauck said Saturday. “We’ll see what happens.”
Who needs three QBs?
The sting of losing Mauck as protection is partially eased by the fact the Broncos’ top two quarterbacks could not have played much better in the preseason.
The final combined preseason numbers for Plummer and Van Pelt: 59-for-102 (.578) passing for 706 yards and seven touchdowns against no interceptions. They also rushed for 128 yards on 18 carries.
“It’s not like I’m more ready now … because I had a good preseason,” Plummer said. “There’s 16 more games, and hopefully after those 16 games we’re talking about how mistake-free my play was.”
Van Pelt moved the chains while stating his case that passing is overrated.
“I know sometimes my style is unorthodox. I know I have to sharpen it up,” Van Pelt said. “But I’m one of those kids who was taught winning is the most important thing. There’s a lot of guys who throw for a lot of yards and look good and don’t win. I’ve always been a kid on the other side: typically have won, but not always looked good doing it.”
Roster breakdown
Don’t tell defensive linemen Monsanto Pope and Demetrin Veal preseason games don’t mean anything.
Their outstanding play Friday night at Arizona was key to beating out the likes of Anton Palepoi, Dorsett Davis and Mario Fatafehi for jobs.
Also winning backup spots with their play at Arizona were fullback Cecil Sapp, who was selected over tailback Quentin Griffin; guard Dwayne Carswell, who beat out Chris Watton; and newly acquired safety Marques Anderson, who nudged out Jeremy LeSueur.
