Todd Sauerbrun’s Broncos career essentially ended on a July minicamp day when he was informed he failed an NFL drug test.
Sauerbrun did what he promised the Broncos he wouldn’t do. He let the team down after it went out on a limb by trading for him in May 2005.
Tuesday, more than three months after that fateful July day, the Broncos closed the door on Sauerbrun. His Denver days ended when his replacement, Paul Ernster, did everything the team asked him to do in Sauerbrun’s absence. Ernster was solid enough on punts and kickoffs that the Broncos decided to release Sauerbrun on Tuesday and make Ernster their choice.
“This is a big deal. I got the monkey off my back,” Ernster said. “Beating a guy like Todd Sauerbrun is big for a young player. He is a Pro Bowl quality player, and to do this means a lot.
“I appreciate the Broncos for this. Having a guy like Todd is security, but for the team to choose me means a lot.”
In recent weeks, it appeared the Broncos were leaning toward Ernster. His strong performance in Monday night’s 13-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens sealed the decision.
Sauerbrun was called into the team’s Dove Valley headquarters and met with coach Mike Shanahan and general manager Ted Sundquist, and the Broncos called Ernster to inform him of his good news. Ernster was quiet for most of his four games while Sauerbrun served his NFL suspension for using a banned dietary substance.
In the end, Ernster won out with his performance on the field, his potential, his price tag and his reliability over the veteran Sauerbrun, who previously had been arrested for drunken driving and was implicated in a steroid scandal.
Sauerbrun did not return phone messages. On Sept. 27, Sauerbrun said he fully expected to be brought back by the Broncos. Sauerbrun remained in Denver to work out during his suspension. Sauerbrun’s agent, David Canter, said Tuesday his client was handling his release well. However, Canter said he and Sauerbrun were disappointed by the decision.
“By cutting Todd, I don’t see how that is helping the Broncos win a Super Bowl,” Canter said. “Statistically speaking, Todd is the best punter in the history of the NFL. I don’t think this was a football decision, but we respect it and we move on.”
As of Tuesday night, there wasn’t any interest expressed in Sauerbrun from other teams. Because of his price tag and history of issues, Sauerbrun may have to wait awhile for his next opportunity.
The Broncos did not comment on their decision Tuesday, but Shanahan is expected to discuss it today as the 3-1 team begins to prepare for Sunday night’s home game against the Oakland Raiders (0-4).
Ernster, a seventh-round pick in the 2005 draft out of Northern Arizona who missed last season because of a knee injury, has a gross punting average of 44.2 yards (ranking 18th in the NFL) on 21 attempts and a 36.7 net average. Ernster also has kicked off well. He said he plans to continue improving, especially now that the Broncos are committed to him.
“I don’t have to think about every punt now, I can just relax and know I have the job,” Ernster said. “I will improve and show the Broncos they made the right decision.”
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
