Denver Broncos release three: Parker, Mallard, Lorne

Tuesday is the deadline for the rosters being trimmed to 75, yet today Denver released three players.

Veteran wide receiver Samie Parker cut.

Most notable of the cuts is veteran wide receiver Samie Parker who came to the Denver Broncos via free agency, Parker was a long time Kansas City Chief. He came at a time prior to the Broncos signing wide receiver Darrell Jackson, who is expected to start opposite Brandon Marshall/Eddie Royal this season.

The Denver Broncos also cut defensive tackle Josh Mallard and wide receiver Lorne Sam. Josh Mallard is a major surprise, as he has seen time with the first-team defense on several occasions during training camp and in rushing situations. Mallard played in only a couple of games last season, but was able to compile three sacks.

Wow... "He's not my favorite person right now."

Another day, another Brandon Marshall story this one from The Denver Post revealing that Marshall had been arrested March 6th in Atlanta for battery, stemming from a March 4th altercation with his girlfriend (same one from earlier incidents). That's three times in a year for anyone with the scoreboard and at this point, the NFL may get involved. Jay Cutler's comment put into context makes a lot more sense now.

I mused prior to the draft, when all we knew was that Marshall had potentially ruined his right hand, that we would know how he really was based on who we drafted. Then we picked Eddie Royal with our second pick, this was, I believe, to fill the weak spot we had at Kick Returner and Punt Returner. It's not weird for the Broncos to have so many receivers going into training camp, Keary Colbert was signed March 2nd (two days before the alleged March 4th Marshall incident and four days before his arrest). However, the Darrell Jackson signing may have been a direct attribute to the Marshall incident.

We haven't posted up our break down on Denver's receivers yet, but let's look at worse case scenario. Keep in mind that Marshall's DUI case is still looming as well and has been postponed to September. So things just aren't looking great for him and I can't imagine him not missing at least a little time during the season due to a suspension. It would be almost hypocritical of Coach Shanahan to look past the multiple Marshall incidents while getting rid of people like Travis Henry and Todd Sauerbrun (at least Sauerbrun hits men). So as I said, worst case scenario, what does a Denver wide receiver lineup look like sans Marshall?

My best guess is Darrell Jackson at the X, Keary Colbert/Brandon Stokley at the Y and Samie Parker/Brandon Stokley/Eddie Royal at the Z. Not terrible, Bronco football without Marshall on the field would not be the end of the team, but he'd definitely be missed. Keep in mind, we'd still have Tony Scheffler, Daniel Graham and very good pass catching backs in Selvin Young, Andre Hall and Peyton Hillis.

Argh... Is it Sunday yet?

X, Y, Z: '08 Bronco Receivers

With about a month left before training camp, the Broncos still have eleven WRs and five TEs with a couple of cuts needed in order to be at 80. Mike Shanahan recently commented on the depth at WR as being the best ever.

There seems to be a top group of six including Brandons Marshall and Stokley, Darrell Jackson, Keary Colbert, Samie Parker and Eddie Royal. Except for rookie Royal ('08 2nd round pick), it is a group of established experience and accomplishment in the NFL. If this group becomes the '08 WR corps, I can certainly see what Shanahan is saying ... that's deep.

The other five include Glenn Martinez (who logged plenty of time in '07), Cliff Russell (former 3rd round DC of the Redskins and a pretty speedy guy), Lorne Sam (a CFA from UTEP who is a very intelligent and gifted athlete with size and speed), Marquay McDaniel ('07 Practice Squad) and Edell Shepherd (added in the off season).

One wonders how many WRs the Broncos will keep? That top six would fine by me. Besides the unusual size of Marshall, consumate ability of Stokley ("the slot machine") and interchangeability of Jackson and Colbert, you have major speed demons in Parker and Royal. It's only when you look at all of the players in each position that you really gain appreciation of Shanahan's architecture. Sam would seem a likely candidate for the Practice Squad.

Ian previously commented on the lack of depth at TE. I can't really see the Broncos keeping more than three and they have five now: Tony Scheffler, Daniel Graham, Nate Jackson, Chad Mustard and Brett Pierce. Scheffler and Graham are very good at what they do. Mustard had recent hamstring repair surgery (doesn't really sound very good) and Nate Jackson is coming back from injury in '07. Brett Pierce was added in the offseason and used to be a decent blocker and short to mid-range receiver when he played at Stanford. This position is not able to sustain injury, but would it ever? The Giants lost Shockey in '07 and relied on rookie Kevin Boss in the playoff run. Scheffler's annual injury escapades worry us all and Graham is getting older. Perhaps next year, the Broncos will add a rookie TE. It's a hard position recently because they seem to either be blockers or receivers, but not often both. I hope Mustard is ready by TC.

So, X=Marshall, Jackson and Colbert? Y=Scheffler, Graham, and Brett Jackstard? Z=Stokley, Parker and Royal? I never was any good at algebra. What is that anyway? An undergarment made from plant fibers?

In His Own Words: Anthony "Quick" Aldridge

"I mean the guy is fast," Samie Paker, unofficially the current fastest player on the Broncos, said. "As fast as advertised."

"I think I’m more of a speed back," Alridge said. "I think I can hit the edges. Counter plays, catching the ball out of the backfield. I think that is my part on this team. I am just going to try and do my part."

"Really nothing has surprised me," Alridge said. "I knew everybody was going to be fast on the defense. I knew everyone was going to float to the ball. I’m just trying to soak it all in because of all the plays and the long terminology. The blocking schemes are a whole lot different than college. It is a little challenging but it is fun all at the same time."

"They are teaching me everything I know," Alridge said. "Selvin Young has taken me under his wing, been a big brother type. Michael Pittman is doing the same thing. I am just learning as much as I can and trying to soak it all in."

"I am always with [Jarvis Moss] (whom is from the same home town as Aldridge) so it isn’t anything new; it’s fun," Alridge said.

"Who’s the fastest on the team? It’s me," Alridge said. "The rookie free agent. Anthony Alridge. Houston, Texas."

Best of the Week Links

• Finally an article on Darrell Jackson!
• How did Dre Bly bounce back from his non-hamstring, "pop?"
• Brandon "Marshall, Marshall, Marshall"...
• Peyton Hillis Senior Bowl analysis, including some time at tailback.
• Jay Cutler, "Until I start winning ballgames around here, there's always going to be question marks."
• A look at the recently acquired guard Dylan Gandy.
• John Lynch needs a nose job.
• A fan's personal Michael Pittman story (written With Random capital Letters).
• The Denver running back depth chart after two camps: Selvin Young, Andre Hall then Michael Pittman.
• Samie Parker beats out Anthony Aldridge and is the undisputed fastest man on the Broncos.

Shanahan- Colbert's the Truff (truth)

Sorry, don't know why I said, "Truff," instead of truth, it's my new icy grill... Anyway, we've got Coach Shanahan proclaiming Keary Colbert to be the second coming (of Rod Smith of course, not Christ, that'd be crazy). However, the writer spends most of the article comparing him to Ed McCaffrey, go figure.

The question that I have, really is that amongst the twelve or thirteen that Denver is currently employing as wide receivers, the only one not getting real recognition is the one that I feel deserves the most. I mean, I see articles on Keary Colbert, Samie Parker, Marquay McDonald, but really no one wants to interview the only real receiver on the roster that's proven himself for awhile now? Darrell Jackson.

Darrell, I'm going to get in touch with your Agent, we're going to talk... I'm not talking bad about Brandon Marshall, he's amazing, but let's give respect where it's do. In the words of Coach D'Amato from Any Given Sunday, "Yeah, you're good kid, but Cap Rooney's been doing it for years..." In this case Cap's Darrell Jackson and in the words of Luther 'Shark' Lavay (Lawrence Taylor) from the same film, "RESPECT will be paid."

A Look at the New Broncos

It's day three of Denver's Quarterback Camp and we've got pictures from the last two days courtesy of The Denver Post and Yahoo Sports. Along with a couple quotes, let's start off with big Dewayne Robertson, our new Defensive Tackle. If he can stay healthy, he may be the best Defensive Tackle we've had in some time.

(Robertson) On ending up in Denver:

"My mind was already made up," he said. "I wanted Denver. It was because of the scheme and the things they do defensively, I'll fit right in. It wouldn't be a big learning curve. The things they're teaching now are things I've already been taught."

Robertson could have demanded a trade to any of the teams that were interested in him, but he chose Denver. Robertson's favorite color happens to be orange, no word on whether that had anything to do with his final decision.

For the Super Fans: here's a link to Dewayne Robertson appearing on a "Pimp My Ride," type of show in New York.

And a very encouraging piece done while he still played for the Jets. (both clips courtesy of Youtube).

Boss Bailey Confuses Himself for an Offensive Left Tackle (just kidding, sort of):

"It's crazy because it can be one of the toughest, but one of the most under appreciated positions," Boss said. "I think it's on me to turn that around and get some people to really value the Sam linebacker."

Champ Bailey stated that the 'overhaul' at Linebacker (adding Boss and Niko Koutouvides) made the Broncos Defense better.

"It’s funny because I’m asking Champ who certain people are, and he says, 'I don’t know.'," Boss Bailey said. "Everybody is learning everybody. There are a lot of new faces around here, so I blend in pretty good."

Keary Colbert Competing for a Starting Position: (Happy Birthday Keary, btw)

"Coming out and competing every day and just making plays," Colbert said. "That doesn't change whether you are a top guy, a rookie or a free agent. Everybody wants to come out and make plays, compete and earn a job. Nothing is going to be given to anybody here."
And on his #13:
"(13) isn't the luckiest number in the world, but it has my '3' in it," Colbert said. "Maybe it can be bad luck for some DBs. I wanted 83 but I couldn't swing it off Mike Leach"

Sammie Parker (#12) on being one of 12 Receivers on the Depth Chart:

"I’m just glad to be here; to start over from scratch," Parker said. "We have a new receiver coach (Jedd Fisch). Things are looking good right now."

"It's a good experience we can all push each other and make each other better. We can show the coaches and the quarterbacks we are able to come out here and make plays."

Some More Pictures of New Denver Wideouts:


Rookie Eddie Royal (#3), who looks to start at Kick Returner and Punt Returner right away and eventually take over for standout veteran slot Receiver Brandon Stokley.

A breath of fresh air, though we won't know whether Denver made the right or wrong decision drafting Royal when college standout DeSean Jackson (now with the Philadelphia Eagles) still on the board, for awhile.

In my opinion Broncos went with Royal, because he can both return kicks and punts and as Shanahan possibly hinted, Royal had less character issues.


Darrell Jackson (one of about seven D-Jack's in the league) looks to be the early front runner to be a starter at the beginning of the season.

Obviously, one of the things the Broncos don't lack this season is veteran depth at Wide Receiver. Which was most definitely felt last season when Javon Walker and Brandon Stokley both went down with injuries at points in the season. Leaving Denver with very few options (and none with previous starting experience).


side note: Darrell Jackson is the reason my fantasy team won in my league two seasons ago. I couldn't be happier to have him on the Broncos.

Quotes in this article, can be found in The Denver Post and DenverBroncos.com