For all those fans of Bradlee Van Pelt, good news.
It appears the Broncos will wind up with three quarterbacks after they make their final roster cuts today and Saturday.
Now for the rest of the story: The odds are likely against Van Pelt becoming one of three.
Jake Plummer is No. 1, rookie Jay Cutler is No. 2 and the third quarterback? Preston Parsons has a better shot than Van Pelt.
That’s right. Parsons, who received virtually zero attention in Broncos training camp, is likely to remain Broncos property come Saturday afternoon.
In the end, the difference would be practice-squad eligibility. Parsons has it, though he was the Arizona Cardinals’ No. 3 quarterback for the 2002-03 seasons. That Parsons was never activated is why the Broncos can keep him on their practice squad and run their scout offense.
Van Pelt’s practice-squad eligibility expired after he was activated for all 16 games as Plummer’s backup last season. The cutoff for eligibility is nine games.
There’s a chance the Broncos will keep only two quarterbacks, but that would leave Cutler to run their weekly scout team. The Broncos would prefer to give him reps with their own offense.
“I’m optimistic,” Parsons said. “I knew going in there was a chance it could work out that way.”
So what would become of Van Pelt, the former Colorado State star, if he is cut, as expected? There’s a good chance he could find a job elsewhere in the NFL. The Houston Texans, whose coach, Gary Kubiak, was instrumental in Van Pelt’s development the previous two seasons as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator, and the Oakland Raiders, who just brought Jeff George out of a five-year retirement, are among possible suitors.
After rising from No. 4 to No. 2 quarterback during the Broncos’ training camp in 2005, Van Pelt was hastily demoted to No. 3 this year as Cutler quickly progressed. Van Pelt was sacked four times and was admittedly confused during the Broncos’ first preseason game against Detroit, played sparingly without attempting a pass in the second preseason game, and didn’t take a snap in the third.
If this was the end for Van Pelt, he went out in style, leading the team to two fourth-quarter TDs. He completed 2-of-6 passes for 23 yards and rushed for 23 yards on two attempts.
A new era
This morning at 6:01 Eastern time, the NFL will change hands from Paul Tagliabue to Roger Goodell. Thus, today is Goodell’s first day as NFL commissioner. Tagliabue is retiring after seven years on the job.
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, who is on several committees and works closely with the commissioner, said he expects a smooth transition. He was a Goodell supporter during the process to find Tagliabue’s replacement.
“I was in Roger’s camp and he’ll do a very good job,” Bowlen said.
“I think the general football fan will see a major difference immediately,” Bowlen said. “Roger will put his own stamp on the commissioner’s office in time and will be very effective.”
Shanahan said he is excited for Goodell, a man he said he knows and respects. However, for the Broncos, the end of the Tagliabue era is a time for reflection.
“The NFL grew so much under Paul,” Shanahan said. “It became a greater league with him.”
While the Broncos were playing in Glendale, Arizona State was hosting Northern Arizona down the road. Coaching the Broncos tight ends was Tim Brewster. Playing receiver for NAU was his oldest son, Eric.
Footnotes
Punter Micah Knorr was kicking field goals; Jason Elam took the night off with the starters. Rookie free agent Brian Clark began the game returning kicks. He’s competing with David Kircus and Charlie Adams. Expect rookie receiver Brandon Marshall to get some consideration as well.
