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Published on 08/30/2008 at Sat Aug 30 10:15.
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The 53: Who Makes the Broncos Cut?

Posted Sat Aug 30th by

Following the Denver Broncos final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, I’m going to release my one and only 53 man roster. Here is my best educated guess, based on what I’ve seen and what the Broncos have done in the past. I’ll go position by position, putting the total player counts in parenthesis:

Quarterbacks: Jay Cutler and Patrick Ramsey (2)

Cuts: Darrell Hackney (1)

Full Backs: Cecil Sapp and Peyton Hillis (4)

Cuts: none

Running Backs: Selvin Young, Andre Hall, Ryan Torain and Michael Pittman (8)

Cuts: Anthony Aldridge (2)

Tight Ends: Daniel Graham, Nate Jackson, Tony Scheffler, Mike Leach (12)

Cuts: Chad Mustard and Brett Pierce (4)

Wide Receivers: Brandon Marshall, Darrell Jackson, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley and Clifford Russell (17)

Cuts: Keary Colbert, Glenn Martinez and Marquay McDaniel (7)

Offensive Linemen: Ryan Clady, Ben Hamilton, Tom Nalen, Chris Kuper, Ryan Harris, Casey Wiegmann, Kory Lichtensteiger, Erik Pears and Dylan Gandy (26)

Cuts: Mitch Erickson and Tyler Polumbus (9)

Defensive Tackles: DeWayne Robertson, Marcus Thomas, Alvin McKinley and Kenny Peterson (30)

Cuts: Nic Clemons and Steven Harris (11)

Defensive Ends: Elvis Dumervil, John Engelberger, Jarvis Moss, Ebenezer Ekuban and Tim Crowder (35)

Cuts: Paul Carrington and Larry Birdine (13)

Linebackers: DJ Williams, Boss Bailey, Nate Webster, Niko Koutouvides, Louis Green, Spencer Larsen and Wesley Woodyard (42)

Cuts: Jordan Beck, Miguel Padilla and Jamie Winborn (16)

Corner Backs: Champ Bailey, Dre Bly, Domonique Foxworth, Karl Paymah and Jack Williams (47)

Cuts: Tyrone Poole and Wale Dada (18)

Safeties: Marlon McCree, Marquand Manuel, Hamza Abdullah and Josh Barrett (51)

Cuts: Roderik Rogers and Vickiel Vaughn (20)

Kicker: Matt Prater (52)

Punter: Sam Paulescu (53)

Cut: Brett Kern (21)

There you have it… Mike Shanahan and the Denver Broncos must decide by 2:00 PM today.

Am I off my rocker? Think Denver’s not getting rid of Anthony Aldridge, Jaimie Winborn and Keary Colbert? Let me have it in the comments.

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  • http://Youareoffyourrockerhomeboy!! boydy2669

    Not a chance do they cut Alridge. Pittman will be cut and it will be between him and Cecil Sapp.
    Russell and Martinez have nothing. I have seen a lot of negative comments on keary Colbert, much of it unfounded. He has been playoing the WHOLE pre-season with Ramsey and Hackney and has had no opportunities to shine until last night where he went 5 catches for 112 yards. He is a great role model, character and team leader. he is an outstanding blocker and has a LOT more uspdie than Russell and Martinez.
    Jamie Winborn in and Louis Green will be cut.
    The broncos are going youth now and I hope they sstay true to this.
    I think EE and/or Engelberger go. Carrington has played well and I expect the Broncos to go after a DE like Jerome McDougle if he becomes avaialbel. EE mya stick as he can play DT as well.
    This maybe the year we keep 3 QB’s as we have many players that can play 2 or 3 different positions. Plus, Jason Elam is not taking up 2 roster spots.
    Great thread Ian.
    Take care!

  • dbroncos

    I sure hope that Alridge doesnt get cut, i think that after the last game he will produce.

  • kerry

    no way they get rid of Aldridge. Pittman is gone. Hall can be the short yardage runner so Pittman isnt needed. and the performance by Tyler Polumbus this whole preseason warrants him being on this team, but not Eric Pears. Pears is gone too.

  • kerry

    and today is the cut deadline. not tomorrow.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    I would also like to see Alridge stay. He has incredible speed, even though he cant break tackles. He has shown some ability to stiff arm though. If it was up to me, I would cut Cecil Sapp and just keep Hillis at FB. We then could keep all of our Rb’s, because if we get them in the right rotation, it can be dominant. Young and hall are good on stretches and blasts, Pittman will run it up there ass for the third and two’s, and I think Alridge would be amazing at the T-swing and sweeps. Once Torain comes back, he can be in the position to do any of those. As far as our WR’s go, I would like to see Martinez and Russell get cut. I think Colbert’s 87 yard td will pull his head out of his ass and start performing. The only other thing I disagree with you Ian is on the QB’s. I hope that Ramsey gets cut. Man, he blows. He throws Ints. All the time. I think Hackney is a lot better. But besides these, I agree with every other position you have up here, Ian.

  • rob

    Glenn goes nowhere and seeing that B-Marsh isnt on the active roster until week 2 martinez stays russell is gone.

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    Boydy-

    Good comments, I saw the Broncos taking Pittman over Aldridge for one reason, Pittman can play fullback or running back. He’s sort of this season’s Garrison Hearst. I really like Aldridge, but I’ll take a guy who’s been doing it for as long as Pittman has. Aldridge would clear waivers, unless Houston picks him up. If the Broncos do manage to figure out how to keep Aldridge, I’d say lose Russell off of my list.

    I see Denver taking Clifford Russell over Keary Colbert, because Russell can return punts. He also blocks better than Colbert. The thing that will save Colbert is his contract likely. I’m not sure how much dead money the Broncos would accumulate by releasing him. Russell always seems open, but Colbert may have saved his job last night in the 4th.

    You think Green’s getting cut when Boss Bailey most likely can’t start on Monday night? Not accusing you of this, but a lot of fans get crushes on guys because they’re rookies. If Green’s cut and Bailey’s hurt who starts at will? Wesley Woodyard?

    You have to keep in mind, guys look good going against second-team/third-team guys. This is the first season that I’ve memorized literally every player on the Broncos roster in preseason. Clemons and Carrington both looked great in training camp/preseason, but I always consider who they’re looking good against. Ekuban comes in at DT during our nickle, but that doesn’t mean anything.

    I think the only way we got to see what Denver’s capable of defensively was if you caught training camp. It seemed against Houston and in the fourth quarter against the Cardinals, those were the only times we saw any looks from the Broncos defense. In training camp we had blitzing safeties and against Houston, blitzing corners. Last night in the third it got to the point where I started to feel bad for the Cardinals. Those guys didn’t know what hit them.

  • Anonymous

    Alridge should easily make the team, and Hackney, if shanahan was grading by play, should be moved up the roster to 2nd string. Polumbus can move around so much i think he’ll stay for depth.

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    Kerry, wrote this last night. Sorry, I published it today.

  • Roy

    Pears did not peform all that well, and he will be able to take a practice squad spot. Polumbus is in. Same with Colbert. He had a hell of a game last night and way outplayed the other two bubble WR’s

  • Anonymous

    Oh, and after that game i don’t think Alridge would make it on their practice squad, and they don’t need Pittman for FB, I think they just put him there in training camp because they saw he wasn’t so great at RB, and wanted to give more snaps to the others.

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    Kerry-

    I love Polumbus, he had at least three calls that I know of after the draft. One being from the Colts, just because I’m saying that these guys get cut, doesn’t mean I don’t think that they won’t be on the practice squad. The Broncos generally keep 8 linemen, with Nalen’s woes they’ll probably be forced to keep 9. At least for awhile, also, if Pears is cut, who backs up at tackle? He started every game last season, he did not have a great outing yesterday though, I agree.

    I think Pittman gets the nod, over Aldridge because of his versatility and veteran experience. As I said earlier, I think Aldridge clears waivers unless Houston wants him. I don’t think they have the room to sign him though.

  • Alex G

    First off I just wanna say that Wesley Woodyard is the man! he is such an athelte. Joe I also agree with ya in the fact that if we get rid of any QB its Ramsey over Hackney…Ramsey sucks balls at football in general, unathletic and throws INTs….mmm i say we give him a shot…NOT! Hackney is a decent backup, he also provides energy and exuberance, you dont want your backup QB coming in and your team looking around and saying, “Ah shit, now we are screwed”.

    But its a toss up for me with Aldridge and Pittman, cuz Aldridge its fast as shit and runs perfect in our system and Pittman is a money ass leader and great short yardage guy, plus he is willing to take a block and play fullback…but at the same time i dont wanna cut cecil sapp cuz hes a CSU product haha, shit, tough call but to be honest id prolly cut cecil sapp, even though we kept him in free agency.

    Speaking of, how come our top free agents havent really been playin to well. Niko, the greek god, looks like a backup MLB and full time special teamer, def not worth the money, Colbert isnt really eye popping but he does do solid work blocking downfield, but he just doesnt look like a WR that we had to go out and spend money for, i hope im wrong tho, and boss his hurt, ef that shit.

    Whatever, I love this team regardless, i think we have possibilities….plus we got BMarshall in week 2, and all my San Diego friends are shittin their pants…GO BRONCOS

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    Joe-

    I have been amongst the fans screaming for Patrick Ramsey to swap spots with Darrell Hackney. I’m not a fan, but if the Broncos were going to cut Ramsey he would have at least got a look last night. The Broncos sat him because they want him to be 100% healthy for the start of the season. I think he bruised his elbow against the Packers last week.

    I like your theory on keeping one fullback and it kind of works with me thinking of keeping Pittman, if Hillis were to go down, Pittman could step in. The Broncos got rid of Kyle Johnson when he was the expected starter. Maybe you’re onto something.

  • http://Youareoffyourrockerhomeboy!! boydy2669

    Hey Ian,
    We dont need Russell as a returner if we take Alridge. Thats s double up. If we have Hillis who has had a LOT of RB experience, then why do we need Pittman.
    We have the nice situation this year where we have many multi dimensional players. This is what makes it not essential to have 6 WR’s, Alridge can play here too. He actually came into the NFL combine as a WR. Jack Williams will get looks at KR as well.
    I think it comes down to youth being the way to go. Keary Colbert vs. Russell….Colbert is younger with more experience, and trust me on this (I am a long time USC fan) this guy will be REALLY good for us. he just needed a game like last night.
    Polumbus will be in. He played well.
    Nice discussions man.
    take care!

  • kerry

    Ian-

    Polumbus can fill in at at either RT or LT if someone goes down. he has been way too solid to not make this team. yes you are correct that Pears started all 16 games last year. but it was because nobody else was there. he got that job by default. i think this is the O-line setup:

    LT Clady, LG Hamilton, C Wiegmann/Nalen, RG Kuper, RT Harris

    and the backups: Polumbus, Wiegmann (when/if Nalen comes back) Gandy and Lichtensteiger. so im thinking 9 also. they cant practice squad Lichty. he wouldnt make it through waivers and neiter would Polumbus.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    Ian-

    You have a good point on Ramsey. I am just not a fan of him at all, and would love to see him get cut. I just think that if for some reason, a backup QB has to go in there, Hackney would a hell of a lot better than Ramsey. Remember the Lions game last season? I just dont like him. And ya, I hope that rotation will work with the Rb’s. I think your right with Pittman also being able to get some FB action in there if needed. I still think Cecil will be the odd man out.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    Good point on the Alridge being a returner, Boydy. Imagine him back there on KR’s along with Royal. Wow, our special teams could kick some serious ass…

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    Boydy-

    Hillis hasn’t made it two straight weeks without a boo-boo. He’s a hurting unit, you need at least someone on the team that can back him up. You don’t want to see Nate Jackson in at fullback paving the way for Selvin Young if Hillis needs a breather.

    We need 6 receivers, but just for the first game.

    Jack Williams, after seeing the interception against the Packers I was thinking why isn’t he returning kicks or punts? After last nights interception, I’m completely befuddled. Guy can scoot, must be something that we don’t know. A team’s not really too concerned with sending out their third-string corner back to return kicks.

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    Kerry-

    You’re right it is tough at o-line, there’s a lot of talent. If that trade with the Colts for Gandy were to go down, all the problems would be solved. The reason I see Alexander making the team over one of your guys is that Nalen’s most likely not going to be suited for week one and Wiegmann needs a backup. In Alexander you have a player who can backup every position on the offensive line. I guess two years on a teams practice squad will allow that.

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    By the way guys, PFT’s reporting that Rudi Johnson just got cut. That’s a lot of talent in the free agent running back department. Still think Aldridge doesn’t clear waivers?

  • Panamanian Bronco

    I agree we should keep Alridge instead Pittman.
    We should keep Hankney at least in the practice squad. Of course, I would prefer keeping him as the backup qb, but now it´s clear that is not gonna happen… too bad…

  • kerry

    Ian-

    i keep forgetting about PJ Alexander. he is very versatile. but so is Lichty. he can play both OG/C. he did play OG last night and helped pave the way for Aldridge to run for over 100 yards. i like the fact that there is a debate about the backup O-linemen. shows we have some depth. and Rudi Johnson got cut huh? hmmm….. i think after Travis Henry not panning out, Shanahan may not go after him. ?Johnson is coming off a serious injury.

  • Patrick

    Save Jamie Winborn!

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    Kerri-

    Oh, no, I wasn’t saying we should pick up Rudi. Just saying that there’s a lot of talented backs in the free agent pool and Aldridge, if released could clear waivers.

    Patrick-

    I know, I like him, especially on special teams.

  • BH

    I don’t think there is any chance that they will cut Alridge. Woody Paige mentioned several days ago in one of his articles that Alridge was already in their plans for this season. I took it to be based on inside info, not that his talent is any secret after last night’s performance. If they cut Alridge, I am going to be very, very disappointed and disgusted. With a noticeably hurt hammy, he was probably the best player on the field for the Broncos. His speed reminds me of Tomlinson. In fact, I can’t think of too many backs in the league that have that sort of speed. And he ran well behind a 2nd/3rd string O-line. The fact that he also runs low means that I don’t think he will take too many hits, also like Tomlinson. Now, if he had about 20 more pounds on that frame…

    I think Cecil Sapp will get cut. I believe that their entire off season plan has be to try and save a roster spot by keeping just one FB. The fact that Hillis was availabe in the 7th round was a surprise to them, but a good one. They drafted Larsen thinking he could be an emergency FB as well as an upgrade on special teams and depth/competition at the the MLB position. I don’t think Hillis would clear waivers either, and he is probably seen as the future at FB. The reason they have tried Pittman at FB is to see how he could perform in an emergency FB role if Hillis gets hurt or struggles. Pittman is more effective/valuable in short yardage than Sapp in my opinion, and he probably does a better job of catching passes out of the backfield than Sapp. You keep Pittman as Hall’s backup. Alridge is Young’s backup. and Pittman would also be Hillis’s backup as well. If Alridge gets healthy, he is going to be a terror. I can see him beating out Selvin Young for the #1 spot before the season is through. Hopefully Torain will get into the mix as well. So my backs are:

    #1 RB: Young
    2. Hall
    3. Alridge
    4. Pittman/#2 FB
    5. Torain (at least until he gets healthy)
    #1 FB Hillis

    I haven’t heard anyone mention this, but Alridge also played WR in college. How about keeping him as the #3 RB/#6 WR. He probably has a lot to learn before he can play WR in the NFL, but he could probably be dynamic in a limited role.

    I am very curious to see what they do on the D-line. McKinley has looked good against the backups. I agree that we will be looking to pickup a DE from another team. Too bad we weren’t able to sign Patrick Kerney last year. Imagine how good we would feel right now with Kerney and Dum as our DEs.

    Mustard has been a big disappointment this preseason. He really seemed to be coming on last year. This year he seems like a totally different player.

    I have been impressed with Polumbus. I hope that he makes it. Since I live in Chefs land, I will tell you I think that Pears and Polumbus are better than the Chefs starting RT and LT (in part due to injuries). The Chefs are going to get thumped by NE in the opener.

  • BH

    Also, I think that they will find a way to keep seven LBs: Webster, Niko, DJ, Woodyard, Bailey, Green, Winborne.

    I would like to see them cut Ramsey and Hackney and pick up Dallas’ QB Bartel if he is cut. I was impressed with him. He is also about the same size as Cutler (6’3″ 233) vs. Bartle (6’3 246). Hackney and Ramsey both play short. Hackney has an excuse because he is, but Ramsey is 6’2, and still seems to have a hard time seeing down field. He reminds me of Plummer in that way.

  • http://merlinofchaos.livejournal.com E. Halsey Miles

    I still like my list, though last night I thought Alridge, Polumbus and Woodyard definitely made convincing arguments we need to keep them. Hillis did drop a little bit and Sapp made plays when he was given the ball. So that hurt my argument there.

    I am still convinced PJ Alexander is out. K-Lich plays center and guard and he’s a 3rd round pick and people did convince me he wouldn’t clear waivers. So I think K-Lich is an inside backup, and we’re good at center. for backups.

    It seems our lists are very close together. I look forward to posting the comparison once all the cuts are in. Mine is already shot to hell since I said we’d keep Holland. =)

  • http://www.broncomadness.com Garret Barnes

    Martinez will stay before Russell. Aldridge and Hackney will also be there. Other than that pretty accurate.

  • OC Bronco

    Ramsey is #2 period. We can stop discussing that topic. Hackney is no answer at #2 he is an emergency qb for any team at this point but I would like to see him continue to develop on the pracice squad.
    No way Aldridge gets cut and why we would we keep Pittman? Sapp is versatile AND a better fullback. Hillis isn’t even a question mark. Torain will be back in the 2nd half of the season so no need at all for Pittman. He is gone in my opinion.
    Colbert probably stays based on money and last nights effort…..

  • merc22

    2 pm eastern time or MDT?

  • adam

    Aldridge over Sapp
    Colbert over Russell
    Winborn over Larsen
    Polumbus over Gandy

  • kerry

    they announced some cuts on profootballtalk. notables are Cecil
    Sapp and Josh Barrett.

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    alridge on IR. i think he messed up his foot on the play after the big run.

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    and then played another half.

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    there’s still like ten more moves to announce

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    here’s who got axed:
    paulescu
    hackney
    sapp
    martinez
    pj alexander
    carrington
    birdine
    barrett
    erickson
    mustard

  • kerry

    i cant believe Barrett got cut. hopefully he gets to the practice squad.

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    D post is only confirming the hackney and paulescu cuts and the alridge move to IR. they’re syaing the rest of the moves will be announced at 4pm mountain.

    RMN had the other moves two hours ago. who knows.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    Alridge really got put on IR? For what? And where is this source from, I have just checked on the profootballtalk and so far i only found that list of people you said got axed, herc. Please tell me where your finding the other sources?

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    Nevermind on that, I found it. That is a huge bummer that Alridge is placed on the IR. At least we know he is in fact on our team. And I was right about Cecil being cut. Now we will keep the rest of our backs. I wonder who’s getting axed next…

  • kerry

    is anyone really surprised by the Sapp cut? im not at all surprised. im surprised by the Barrett cut more the the Sapp cut

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    Barrett was terrible last night. MHR is saying Steven Harris is out too.

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    Nevermind Harris was in the RMN article too.

  • kerry

    wow. the Denver Post says the Broncos will keep 10 O-linemen and only 4 wide outs (not including Marshall who is suspended so technically 5)

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    Post says Cliff Russell is out and Polumbus is in. And that they’re keeping 10 OL.

    The rest of the moves will be announced “later this afternoon.” That crap pisses me off. It’s been two and a half hours since they were due. It’s a list of names. What is the problem?

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    five wideouts is right. It’s that 10th OL. Where’s that cut coming from, the DL? The secondary? Someone’s getting screwed because of Tyler Polumbus. They should just put Nails on IR already. I don’t think he’s going to play.

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    Alvin McKinley is going to get cut. He didn’t get in until the last half of the last quarter yesterday.

  • kerry

    getting screwed because of Polumbus?? what are you talking about?? he was the most solid O-lineman that wasnt starting. Polumbus would have gotten screwed had they axed him for someone less deserving! what are you watching?

  • robtink242

    i hope we get back Barrett and cut russell when B- Marsh is back

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