CB Jack Williams waived as Broncos sign Ty Law

The Denver Broncos have officially announced the signing of Ty Law, waiving second-year cornerback Jack Williams to make room for Law on the 53-man roster.

The move comes a surprise — while Williams hadn’t set himself as a playmaker (tallying 27 tackles, three passes defensed and zero interceptions in 21 games and no starts), he had seemingly usurped rookie Alphonso Smith on the depth chart as the team’s primary nickelback.

Josh McDaniels is scheduled for a press conference at 10 a.m. this morning, so perhaps we’ll get some answers then. Press release after the jump.

BRONCOS SIGN FIVE-TIME PRO BOWL CB TY LAW;

WAIVE CB JACK WILLIAMS

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Saturday signed five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law and waived cornerback Jack Williams, it was announced.

Law (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) is a 15th-year veteran who has played for the New York Jets (2008, ‘05), Kansas City (2006-07) and New England (1995-2004). He entered the NFL with the Patriots as the 23rd overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft from the University of Michigan.

Named to the Pro Bowl four times with the Patriots (1998, 2001-03) and once with the Jets (2005), Law owns three Super Bowl rings from his time with New England (2001, ‘03-04). He has appeared in 196 career regular-season games (187 starts), totaling 835 tackles (699 solo), five sacks (33 yds.), 52 interceptions (791 yds., 7 TDs), 164 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

In the playoffs, Law has started 13 career games, including three Super Bowls. He has posted 55 tackles (47 solo), six interceptions (116 yds., 1 TD) and 14 pass breakups in the postseason for his career.

Law’s 58 total interceptions (52 regular season, 6 postseason) for his career tie for 16th in NFL history and lead all active cornerbacks. His 52 career interceptions in regular-season play tie for 23rd in league annals and are the most by a current player at his position.

Law has started all 16 games in three of the last four seasons, including during the 2005 campaign with the Jets when he tied for the NFL lead with a career-high 10 interceptions to earn Pro Bowl accolades. Last year, he saw time in seven games (6 starts) with the Jets after joining the club midway through the season and had 19 tackles (14 solo), two pass breakups and one forced fumble.

A first-team All-American during his final year at Michigan, Law posted 154 tackles (120 solo) and six interceptions for his collegiate career. He earned Parade All-America honors at Aliquippa High School in Aliquippa, Pa., and was born on Feb. 10, 1974.