Tight End Graham Released

Daniel Graham has a pass intended for him disrupted in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

The Denver Broncos have just announced via press release that Daniel Graham has been released by the team.

Graham made just under $25-million in the four years he played for Denver. He was due a $4.2-million salary in 2011 and a one million dollar roster bonus.

The team also extended Restricted Free Agency tenders to: Ryan Harris, Matt Prater, Marcus Thomas, Kevin Vickerson and Wesley Woodyard.

An RFA tender may very well mean nothing if/when a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is in place, but for now it means that those players remain Broncos and not free agents.

Press release after the break

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Wednesday released tight end Daniel Graham, it was announced.

“Our organization is extremely grateful for the character, leadership and high level of play that Daniel Graham brought to the Broncos during his four seasons with this team,” Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway said. “Beginning at Thomas Jefferson High School and throughout his time at the University of Colorado and as a Broncos team captain, Daniel always has been embraced and respected by everyone in Denver.

“We are thankful to Daniel for all of his dedication to the Broncos and this community, and we wish him all the best.”

Graham (6-foot-3, 257 pounds) completed his ninth NFL season in 2010, finishing seventh on the club with 18 receptions for 148 yards (8.2 avg.). He spent four seasons in Denver and played 63 games (61 starts) for the Broncos after five years with the Patriots.

Graham’s career regular-season totals include 222 receptions for 2,465 yards (11.1 avg.) with 24 touchdowns. In 11 postseason contests (6 starts), he recorded 13 receptions for 143 yards (11.0 avg.) with one touchdown. He was a member of the Patriots’ back-to-back World Championship teams from 2003-04.

He entered the NFL as a first-round (21st overall) selection by New England in the 2002 NFL Draft from the University of Colorado after receiving unanimous All-America honors following his senior campaign and winning the John Mackey Award as college football’s best tight end.

A native of Denver, Graham is one of 11 players to start a game at the high school, college and NFL level for a team in the state of Colorado. His father, Tom, played linebacker for the Broncos from 1972-74.