The Broncos are surely happy with their decision not to take a punter late in the 2007 draft. The team had been eyeing Durant Brooks from Georgia Tech and Brett Kern from Toledo.
Kern signed with the team as a free agent and won the starting job in training camp. Brooks was drafted in the sixth round by Washington.
Through more than one-quarter of the season, Kern is proving Denver eventually ended up with the right guy.
Kern entered Week 7 tied for seventh in the league with an average of 47.9 yards per punt. Brooks ranked No. 33 at 39.6.
Another major difference between the two young punters comes from their coverage units. Denver has allowed only 82 punt return yards and no touchdowns. Two of Brooks’ kicks have been returned for scores.
Sam Paulescu, the player Kern beat for Denver’s job, made his 2008 debut for Dallas on Sunday, with five punts for a 42.0 average in the Cowboys’ loss to St. Louis.
Shaw update.
The Broncos suspended Josh Shaw because of the defensive tackle’s misconduct during a meeting last week, according to two NFL sources. Shaw exchanged words with an assistant coach and at least one teammate.
Shaw, signed by the Broncos Sept. 2 after he was cut by the Oakland Raiders, had been out the past three weeks with a groin injury. He had recovered enough from the injury to return to practice full time this week before being suspended.
Patriots injury update.
Three Patriots have been upgraded to questionable from doubtful: CB Jonathan White (flu), WR Kelley Washington (ankle) and LB Eric Alexander (hamstring). The Patriots will likely be without offensive lineman Nick Kaczur (knee), DE Jarvis Green (ankle) and running backs LaMont Jordan (calf) and Laurence Maroney, who are all listed as doubtful.
Kaczur’s absence is particularly difficult because of the Patriots’ struggles to protect quarterback Matt Cassel, who was sacked four times last week against San Diego.
