Veteran punter Todd Sauerbrun believes he no longer is a Bronco because of his citation for simple assault this month. Paul Ernster wondered if Sauerbrun’s latest misstep could open a door with the team he called his “first choice.”
Sauerbrun was out and Ernster was back in Tuesday.
“I’m shocked,” Sauerbrun said. “It’s hard not to have hard feelings because they did cut me, but (coach) Mike Shana-han was classy about it. I know (owner) Pat Bowlen didn’t really want me around and I understand that, but I wish they would have waited until the case is over. It’s a ridiculous case and I will be exonerated. But it is what it is.”
Added Ernster: “I saw that Todd got in trouble, and you never want to see that. But, in the back of your mind, you wonder if there would be a change as a result.”
Sauerbrun was arrested early Dec. 8 in Denver for allegedly slapping a cab driver. He has a court date next month.
Sauerbrun has had several brushes with the law during his NFL career, including an arrest for drunken driving, and was part of a steroid scandal while with the Carolina Panthers.
Sauerbrun, who was acquired by Denver in 2005 from the Panthers, was suspended for using a banned supplement for the first four games of 2006. The Broncos kept Ernster after Sauerbrun’s suspension was over and Sauerbrun wound up signing with the New England Patriots for the final two regular-season games of 2006. This year, Sauerbrun won a grievance against New England to sign with Denver.
Sauerbrun was tied for fourth in the NFL in gross punting average at 46.8 yards. But his net average was just 36.1. On kickoffs, Sauerbrun had 11 touchbacks but was inconsistent. Ernster, who is under contract through 2009, will handle kickoffs as well as punts.
“It was a shock to get the news, it really was. I love it in Denver,” Sauerbrun said. “But I will get over it. I will play again.”
After losing his job to Sauerburn this preseason, Ernster was with the Cleveland Browns two games. He since had been spending most of the season working out for teams.
“This is where I wanted to be,” Ernster said. “But I didn’t know if I would get that chance. So to be here again is really unexpected, but it’s great.”
In 2006, Ernster had a 41.7-yard gross average and a 36.6 net average. Nineteen of his 75 kickoffs were touchbacks.
Bill Williamson: 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com
