Exactly one year ago, Quentin Griffin was preparing to be the Broncos’ No. 1 tailback, one of the finest assignments an NFL running back can get.
Exactly one year ago, Wesley Duke was shooting jumpers, preparing for his senior season as a basketball player at Mercer University in Macon, Ga.
Griffin’s and Duke’s universes collided Saturday, culminating two stunning turn of events as the Broncos carved out their 53-player roster by cutting 19 players.
Griffin was the biggest name on the cut list, ending a whirlwind year for the quiet, diminutive running back. Griffin opened last season with 156 yards rushing in Denver’s prime- time win over Kansas City. After being replaced as the starter, Griffin was lost for the season in a Monday night game when he injured his right knee returning a kick at Cincinnati. He performed well in training camp this year but was fourth on the depth chart behind Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne.
“I got my walking papers,” Griffin said. “It was a numbers game. It’s part of the business.”
Duke, on the other hand, was the surprise player to make the cut. After not playing football since high school, Duke is the newest project of Broncos tight ends coach Tim Brewster. In San Diego, Antonio Gates became a Pro Bowl tight end after joining the NFL following a college basketball career. Like Duke will be, Gates was brought along under Brewster’s tutelage. Duke was one of four undrafted rookies the Broncos signed, and the only one to make the roster.
“I don’t know what to think,” said an elated Duke, who wears Shannon Sharpe’s jersey No. 84. “It hasn’t hit me yet.”
Saturday was an emotional day for players across the NFL who didn’t get the dreaded call about being cut – and for players who did.
“It’s a sad day for everyone,” said rookie kicker Paul Ernster, who made the team as a seventh- round draft pick when the Broncos decided to keep three kicking specialists on the roster. “I’m relieved I made it, but it’s tough to see your friends go.”
Joining Griffin as Denver’s high-profile cuts were defensive linemen Dorsett Davis, Mario Fatafehi and Anton Palepoi, quarterback Matt Mauck, safety Jeremy LeSueur and linebackers Terry Pierce and Jashon Sykes.
Joining Duke as bubble players who made the roster were linebacker Louis Green (whose strong special-teams play lifted him over Pierce and Sykes), recently acquired safety Marques Anderson, cornerback Roc Alexander, defensive tackle Demetrin Veal, guard Dwayne Carswell (a former tight end), wide receiver Todd Devoe and fullback Cecil Sapp.
The Broncos decided to go heavy at defensive back, tight end and wide receiver. They kept 10 defensive backs (six cornerbacks, four safeties) and six wide receivers. There are five tight ends on the roster, including long snapper Mike Leach.
To make room for the crowded positions, and the three kickers, Denver chose to go light on offensive linemen with just Carswell and Cornell Green as the backups. The Broncos usually dress just seven offensive linemen and likely will try to bring back Chris Myers and Erik Pears to their practice squad.
And once again, the Broncos have just two quarterbacks on the roster with Bradlee Van Pelt as Jake Plummer’s lone backup.
Several former draft picks were part of Saturday’s cut list. Myers, joining third-round selection Maurice Clarett, who was cut last week, was a sixth-round selection in the April draft. LeSueur was a third-round pick last year, Pierce was a second- round pick in 2003.
Wide receiver Triandos Luke was a sixth-round pick last year while Mauck and running back Brandon Miree were seventh- rounders last year. Griffin was a fourth-round pick in 2003, Davis a third-rounder in 2002.
The past two months, Broncos talked to several teams about shopping players, including Pierce, Davis and Griffin. But no deals evolved.
LeSueur and Miree are candidates for the practice squad. Pierce, Davis and Griffin could be claimed by other teams today.
Broncos cut 19
The following players were released by the Broncos on Saturday to get the roster down to 53 players.
Pos. | Player | NFL exp.
G Tyson Clabo 2
T Anthony Clement 8
CB Curome Cox 1
DT Dorsett Davis 4
DT Mario Fatafehi 5
RB Quentin Griffin 3
DE Aaron Hunt 1
S Jeremy LeSueur 2
WR Triandos Luke 2
QB Matt Mauck 2
RB Brandon Miree 2
OL Chris Myers R
C Ben Nowland 1
DE Anton Palepoi 4
T Erik Pears R
LB Terry Pierce 3
LB Jashon Sykes 3
G Chris Watton 1
G Zach Wilson 1
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
