As the Denver Broncos wrap up the preseason the future of many players is on the line. Some of the players who are on the brink this year are new (and had little chance to begin with) while others are more familiar with Broncos fans and may come as a bit of a shock. Especially to those who didn’t get a chance to attend the open practices held at Dove Valley this August.
The most discussed of all the players that could be released this year is former number one draft pick Knowshon Moreno. The former George Bulldog was a surprise number one pick from the beginning and outside of a few flashes here and there, his career has been a huge disappointment. Being hurt last season and being charged with a DUI while driving a car with the license plate “sauced” has not helped his cause. Knowshon has become a player who is frequently hurt and someone who prefers to bounce around versus attacking the hole which we know John Fox prefers. To his credit he has become a descent pass blocker and catches the ball well out of the backfield but the negatives have far out weighed the positive in the first few years of his disjointed career.
Two others who are fighting hard for a spot are former Norte Dame safety David Bruton and wide receiver Matthew Willis. Both have been nice “fill in” players for the Broncos the past few years but neither has proved to be a game changing type player. Because both are awesome at special teams, many believe they can save their spots but both are certainly sweating it out, hoping not to get the dreaded call to the coaches office.
Probably the biggest disappointment for coaches and fans so far this season is the lack luster play of back up quarterback Caleb Hanie. The former Colorado State star has consistently looked the worst of the four quarterbacks and needs to play well against the 49ers and Cardinals to save his job. The Broncos had hoped Hanie would be the back up in case Peyton Manning got hurt but every day and every practice that looks more doubtful. It appears John Elway’s joking press conference comment about having “no plan B” was spot on because Caleb Hannie is playing more like “plan F” and will not likely make the team.
Some other positions that will make the coaching staff think long and hard on decision day is the wide receivers and tight ends. With the addition of Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen all other tight ends are on high alert because the Broncos will likely only keep three. Do you go with the solid blocking Virgil Green or the promising Julius Thomas, who is just now recovering from an nasty ankle sprain that took him out of most of 2011? At the receiver position Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas, Brandon Stokley, and Bubba Caldwell look to be safe so Jason Hill, Mattew Willis, and the raw rookie Gerell Robinson will fight it out for the final position. D’Andre Goodwin and Eric Page have already been released and Greg Orton and Tyler Grisham look to be long shots at best.
To most of us, the last two games of the preseason will merely look like a tune up for the regular season but for many of the Broncos players this may be the end of the line. So every play, and every down will count. Their lively hood depends on it.
By Jacqui, Blogger Bronco Planet 
Thanks Jacqui. Moreno, Ayers and Bruton are the only picks remaining from the McDaniel 2009 draft class. I think this year that group drops by 1. Moreno has been mired with injury his time here and the fans patience has run out. Bruton can make the team based on what he brings to special teams and Ayers is dropping into a backup role. Overall, the 2009 draft has been a complete bust when it should have replenished the ranks. Such a wasted opportunity.
i think Hanie and Moreno are both gone, we don’t have to cut everyone, we have a slot, with Williams suspension. we may have some pup with Leonhard and Brooking.
I’d agree on Hanie. He certainly hasn’t shown a mastery of the offense. Better to roll with Weber and Osweiler. I think it’s time to cut ties with DJ Williams as well..He’s just not going to be dependable with his off -field troubles. And I don’t dislike Knowshon but it doesn’t appear he’ll be our back of the future. Might be time to let go of one of the last vestiges of the disastrous Josh McDaniels era.
I really like what I have seen this far from our starters, we’re going to be just fine..Go Broncos!!
I agree with Leon. I believe that Moreno and Hanie are going to be gone this week. I think Moreno is too injury prone and I just don’t like Hanie. I don’t believe he is that great a QB. We have Manning, Osweiler, and Weber. I really like Weber. He is a really good 3rd stringer. I believe he is better then a practice squad player. I think he has potential. At least in my opinion. Noshow needs to go byby! Can’t stand him….Never have…
I love all my Broncos, its tough to work through OTA’s and then training camp and for some not to get many reps. It’s almost unfair, but it only takes 1 play (TD) to get noticed. Good Luck to all this Thursday and beyond! GO BRONCOS!
It will be exciting to see who stays and who goes, and even more exciting to see our boys mesh together when the actual season begins. Awesome article!
I think Denver needs to drop :
QB – HANIE
RB – BALL
WR – ORTON, GRISHAM
CB – CARTER
S – BUSH
These are the first few I would let go. I think Weber and Brock are playing better than Hanie. Ball is ok, but I think we have better options on board. I REALLY want to see Robinson step it up and be on the roster at WR. I think he could add some real depth and be a play maker.