Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Broncos Part Ways with Veteran Tight End Graham

Daniel Graham (R) seen in August with Broncos Head Athletic Trainer Steve “Greek” Antonopulos. (Photo: Jon Heath/Broncos Zone)

On Wednesday, the Denver Broncos released Tight End Daniel Graham. Entering his eleventh year in the NFL, Graham, 32, has been with the team since 2007. His release leaves fellow Tight Ends Richard Quinn, Dan Gronkowski and Daniel Coats as the remaining three on the Broncos roster.

"It was tough to let him go," said Broncos Vice President of Football Operations John Elway. "We wish him the best."

The move makes tight end a position of need for Denver heading into the draft, but Denver will most likely focus on defense. If a TE is drafted, he probably won't be until later rounds. The Broncos may decide to go with what they have; with Quinn and Gronkowski entering consecutive seasons in Denver, Head Coach John Fox may not see tight end as a position of need, especially considering he never used a receiving one while in Carolina.

Graham was scheduled to make a $4.2 million salary and a $1 million roster bonus in 2011. Ultimately, Denver decided he was too old and too expensive to retain.

This is the first of several cuts that will soon be made in Denver. Defensive Tackle Jamal Williams, who will be turning 35 before Training Camp, is also scheduled for a $1 million roster bonus in 2011 and could get the boot if Denver opts to go in another direction with the front four.

3 comments:

areferee said...

Richard Quinn becomes the heir-apparent, but it leaves question marks at this position. It points out the error of trading Scheffler.

Anonymous said...

First of all WOW!! VERY MUCH IMPRESSED BY THE PERSON WHO WAS BEHIND THIS!! VeryVERY nice!! totally wow w/ it.... i also way appreciate the detailed articles, not like the same "stats" u hear over and over thru out the day...Im still at a loss for words im so very impressed w ith this... phenominal job, definitly on top of my "KICKS THE MOST ASS" list!! can i keep ya ;)

Anonymous said...

R u kidding me???? seriously???well i guess they want to find out the hard way you should never pass on greatness.. their loss, what are they thinkin ur supposed to trade up not down.