Broncos Sign Sauerbrun

[55CrushEm]

According to the Boston Globe.....of course, Pats have right of first refusal.....

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/04/broncos_sauerbr.html

[c_lazy_r]

This would be great news. I hope like hll that the Pats don't match.

[Kaylore]

We landed on the moon!

[Paladin]

One year to set up the competition? In some ways that seems a bit indecisive by the FO unless Sourbuns wanted it that way. I really don't have a preference except that Ernster should improve this year... Frankly, I see Pats taking a K in the draft. They have so many picks and it would be cheaper for them......

[Ratboy]

He's restricted? I'm not sure i understand. If he's a FA how can they match?

[c_lazy_r]

He's restricted? I'm not sure i understand. If he's a FA how can they match?


Restricted FA means that NE could retain him if they offer terms equal to what the Broncos have.

[plummershelper]

He's restricted? I'm not sure i understand. If he's a FA how can they match?

Some contracts can be set up that way with first refusal rights written into them. It can be done with a player like Todd, one who's had issues, to protect the team who is risking themselves in signing him. It gives them the opporuntity to sign him later while ensuring him the opportunity to play now. I bet they don't match it.

[55CrushEm]

Restricted FA means that NE could retain him if they offer terms equal to what the Broncos have.

Yeah, but I thought once a player was in the league for a certain number of years (and Sourbutt has been in for a while).....that he was deemed UNrestricted......

[bpc]

We can hope the Patriots being cheap will help us in this situation.

[Arkansas Bronco]

It sure would be nice to have a punter again. They do seem to be useful.

[55CrushEm]

It sure would be nice to have a punter again. They do seem to be useful.

No kidding.....especially one that's built like a linebacker, and can force fumbles....Ha!

[DomCasual]

I wonder what it would mean for Ernster as a kickoff guy.

I hope it's true. I don't really like Sauerbrun all that much, but I got pretty tired of seeing Ernster pound it 30 yards time after time last year.

"Paul, I knew Micah Knorr, and you're no Micah Knorr!" :nono:

[ICON]

I think we're going with Miller, the RoFR probably protected them in case Miller wasn't healthy. I think we've seen the last of Todd. He was a good pickup though. I Would think they wont Match it.

[c_lazy_r]

Yeah, but I thought once a player was in the league for a certain number of years (and Sourbutt has been in for a while).....that he was deemed UNrestricted......

You could be right. I'm no expert by any means.

My understanding was that it was determined by the contract that you initially signed.

[Rascal]

cool

[ludo21]

I still think Ernster will improve this year, but im all for a provent Punter who constantly flips the field!

[Blueflame]

Wouldn't it be nice to consistently see decent punts? Field position is a huge part of the game and punting declined once we released Sauerbrun...

[cabronco]

I was hoping for this all along. Great news as long as the Pats cooperate.

[clint7]

Count me as someone who hopes the Pats don't match. I had hoped Denver would have stuck when Sauerbrun over Ernster last year. I'd love to have him back.

Heck, I'm not sure which was worse, Sauerbrun letting the team down last year by getting suspended 4 games, or Ernster going into the tank and punting the football like it was a bowling ball after the FO took a chance on him and gave him the job and let Sauerbrun go.

[Popcorn Sutton]

I doubt NE will match considering they get Josh Miller back and they have two other punters currently on their roster. It'd be nice to see Sauerbrun back in Denver.

[Triplelefthook]

i thought it was a terrible move to let sauerbraun go when we did last year... even with his substance problems he is a guy who is worth the troubles. We noticed a difference without him last year and we will notice the difference when/if he comes back

[Rascal]

So is he still in the drug program? And if he gets another positive test what happens?

[Triplelefthook]

i am pretty sure he gets suspended for a year if he gets in trouble again.

[Garcia Bronco]

We are under the gun with that on several players.

[c_lazy_r]

I wonder how many different ways Sauer...I mean Todd's name will get spelled before this thread is over.

[Triplelefthook]

good point i think i'll just call him Todd from now on

[Dr. Broncenstein]

You cannot underestimate the difference that guy made for us in 2005... or the impact of his absence last year. I hope we land him. That guy is a weapon.

[HEAV]

You cannot underestimate the difference that guy made for us in 2005... or the impact of his absence last year. I hope we land him. That guy is a weapon.


Agree totally! Shanny knows he made a mistake in letting him go. Ernster was playing well when he thought he was fighting for the job, against a guy on suspension, the first game that he was the punter (with Todd released) he went to crap.


I'd prefer Todd Sour-burn over Ernster-meir.

[Natedogg]

Agreed. Biggest mistake of last season was to cut him. Horrible error.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Let's all cool it on the "drug program stuff," you make him sound like a junkie. He took ephedra, its a weight loss drug, anyone can buy it at any GNC I dont think he's a risk.

[Antilles]

sure hope the broncos' offer contains a poison pill... something to the effect of "you get 39 million a year if the average home team fan uses the mispronunciation 'supposably.'"

[SonOfLe-loLang]

sure hope the broncos' offer contains a poison pill... something to the effect of "you get 39 million a year if the average home team fan uses the mispronunciation 'supposably.'"

Well they did throw in a no-trade clause which might throw off New England if they had no intentions of keeping him. I was kind of surprised it was just a one year deal though.

[HorseHead]

seems to me at either the San Diego or Indianapolis play off game(I think it was the latter) Belicheck got pis-ed at Todd, I remember Belicheck staring him down, I remember thinking to myself..."god, I hope we get that pumped up bastard back here"....

he needs to be punting in Denver....

[Play2win]

Can I get a HELL YES !!!

He'll win us two or three games next year...

[Jason7730]

Can I get a HELL YES !!!

He'll win us two or three games next year...

Make that a double!!

[cutthemdown]

i thought it was a terrible move to let sauerbraun go when we did last year... even with his substance problems he is a guy who is worth the troubles. We noticed a difference without him last year and we will notice the difference when/if he comes back

I think it was good because it let Saurbrun know that if he wants to be a Bronco he can't get suspended and hurt the team. If he does end up back in Denver you can bet he won't be mistaken in knowing what the punishment will be for another suspension.

[cutthemdown]

Well they did throw in a no-trade clause which might throw off New England if they had no intentions of keeping him. I was kind of surprised it was just a one year deal though.

I'm not Broncos don't trust him, but they can't stay away because he is so much better then anything they have.

[ZachKC]

The Todd!

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I'm not Broncos don't trust him, but they can't stay away because he is so much better then anything they have.

Yes, but they also have to deter New England from picking up the deal. I think a 2 year deal is worth the risk there. Broncos have wasted money on lesser we all know

[Jana®]

I'm on the "let's hope the Patsies don't match!" bandwagon. We could use him back!

[watermock]

Well, he's two years older, no spring chicken. He made some huge fans when he forced that fumble tho. He landed on his feet...err...foot in NE tho. Shanahan's hands were kinda tied regarding the matter. He warned that it was one and done, but damn...ephedra? It's not like some heroin addiction.

[mhgaffney]

This off season just gets better and better.

Wonder what else Shanny has in his bag of surprises...

[watermock]

Al Wilson for Briggs. heh. That would confound the capologists.

[Los Broncos]

We landed on the moon!

Ha!

[Los Broncos]

I really thought ernster would retain the full time kicking punt duties but after last year its good to see Sauerbrun back.

[Los Broncos]

This off season just gets better and better.

Wonder what else Shanny has in his bag of surprises...

I wonder also, its kind of fun to see what shanny will do next, we are lucky to have him.

[watermock]

Denver only has 2.8 in cap room...they won't be able to sign anyone. Remember that from the talkin' heads?

Little did they know Bowlen would put a second on the stadium or something like that. Ha!

[Hogan11]

I have little problem with Sauerbrun if he can keep clean and keep the jerk quotent in check....he was a huge Shanahan fan, nice to see him wanting to return even after what happened last year. I'd give him another shot...it's better than what we have right now.

[Blueflame]

I have little problem with Sauerbrun if he can keep clean and keep the jerk quotent in check....he was a huge Shanahan fan, nice to see him wanting to return even after what happened last year. I'd give him another shot...it's better than what we have right now.

I have to agree... it's more than frustrating to keep hearing "short punt", especially during a home game in the Mile High altitude...

[bdv]

You cannot underestimate the difference that guy made for us in 2005... or the impact of his absence last year. I hope we land him. That guy is a weapon.

Yep! If NE lets it happen, it'll be one more important piece to the ST puzzle.

Ted Ginn Jr. (who we could likely get with our #21 pick), or someone as good, on the kick/punt return side of ST would go a long way to completing that puzzle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGyrgqOKZLg

IMO a major key to success in '07 will be special teams!

[epicSocialism4tw]

Poor Ernster just is not an NFL quality player right now.

Hopefully Sauerbrun will stick. Special teams were very poor last season.

[maven]

Ernster sucks and it was a bad move to release Sauerbrun. Said it last season, and hopefully he returns.

[Kaylore]

Poor Ernster just is not an NFL quality player right now.

Hopefully Sauerbrun will stick. Special teams were very poor last season.

Unfortunately it was more than the Punter. I am, however, optimistic that Scott O'Brien can turn things around, but I don't think it will happen immediately.

[azbroncfan]

Poor Ernster just is not an NFL quality player right now.

Hopefully Sauerbrun will stick. Special teams were very poor last season.

LLama CLEARLY avoids the Mavs talk after the embarrassing losses to PHX.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Unfortunately it was more than the Punter. I am, however, optimistic that Scott O'Brien can turn things around, but I don't think it will happen immediately.

Ernster could not hold up his end of things last season. I just dont see him on the roster for anything other than Elam insurance unless the Broncos cant find a reasonable replacement.

[TheChamp24]

I think after the season is over it is obvious we should've kept Saurbraun, but at the point in time, after the 4th game, that was a difficult decision and at the time, I think we made the right decision to keep the younger guy who was punting efficiently for us. However he turned to crap, and now its a poor move.

[cutthemdown]

This off season just gets better and better.

Wonder what else Shanny has in his bag of surprises...

Hopefully a draft choice we can nickname THE MININUKE!!!!!!!!

[maven]

Ernster could not hold up his end of things last season. I just dont see him on the roster for anything other than Elam insurance unless the Broncos cant find a reasonable replacement.

Elam insurance? What is that? Teams don't hold roster spots for insurance policies regarding a FG kicker. FG kickers can go into their forties. Ernster sucks. Plain and simple. The Broncos should've never cut Sauerbrun. It was a mistake, and now Shanny is trying to bring him back.

[Odysseus]

How do we know Saurbrun won't tank.....again?

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I could see them holding on to ernster to kick off...watching sauerbrun kick off a couple of years ago was a tad painful. Those low line drives? ehh...if they can find roster space for 3 kickers, it wouldnt shock me

[broncocalijohn]

One step to improve 33% of the puzzle to win the games. If you dont think it is important part of the game, look at how many pages we have based on a kicker. Special teams is a huge part of a game. Just stay away from the needles.

[broncolife]

How do we know Saurbrun won't tank.....again?


Same goes for our starting RB. If we are willing to take a chance on Travis Henry , I dont see why we wouldnt take a chance on a punter. If Todd gets suspended all we have to do is stick any crappy punter in there to equal last years production.

[Jens1893]

Same goes for our starting RB. If we are willing to take a chance on Travis Henry , I dont see why we wouldnt take a chance on a punter. If Todd gets suspended all we have to do is stick any crappy punter in there to equal last years production.

Henry only has to be clean for like another 7 months ... he´ll be out of the program after the third or fourth game of the season.

It rarely happens that Shanahan openly admits a mistake. This must be a first.

[broncolife]

It rarely happens that Shanahan openly admits a mistake. This must be a first.

I know it took him forever to admit the Greaseball mistake.

[Clockwork Orange]

It rarely happens that Shanahan openly admits a mistake. This must be a first.

I remember him openly admitting that letting Shannon Sharpe go to Baltimore was a mistake.

[Clockwork Orange]

Back on topic:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5463253,00.html

ENGLEWOOD - Todd Sauerbrun will find out in about one week whether he'll achieve his long-stated desire to return to the Broncos.
The three-time Pro Bowl punter, whom the Broncos released in October after a four-game suspension because he violated the league's ephedra ban, has signed a one-year, incentive-laden contract with the Broncos.

But because of the terms of a deal he signed late last season with New England, the Patriots have seven days to match.

Keeping Sauerbrun doesn't figure to be a clear-cut decision for the Patriots.

Josh Miller has been a New England regular the past three seasons before he missed the final six games and the playoffs in 2006 because of a shoulder problem.

That injury helped prompt the Patriots to sign Sauerbrun with two games remaining.

Miller recently received a $100,000 bonus payment, and his 43.1-yard career average in 11 seasons isn't far off Sauerbrun's 44-yard mark.

Danny Bauger and Tom Malone, two practice-squad punters last season, also are on the Patriots roster.

Sauerbrun would be reunited in Denver with new special-teams coach Scott O'Brien, under whom the punter experienced his best individual successes while a member of the Carolina Panthers from 2001 to 2004.

"Todd likes both organizations," the player's agent, David Canter, said. "But Scott O'Brien's relationship with him is extremely special."

Sauerbrun handled kickoffs two years ago for the Broncos and averaged 43.8 yards (40.2 net) on punts.

But upon arriving in training camp last year, Sauerbrun admitted he had knowingly ingested an energy drink that could have put him in violation of NFL rules.

A random test confirmed the suspicions, and he was released after the suspension ended.

In Sauerbrun's place, Paul Ernster averaged 41.7 yards (35.8 net) and was third in the AFC with 19 touchbacks on kickoffs.

"The reality of it is Todd feels very upset at himself for how things went down in Denver last year," Canter said. "For the Broncos to extend this to him is really heartwarming to him. And, hopefully, he'll reward them."

[Odysseus]

Same goes for our starting RB. If we are willing to take a chance on Travis Henry , I dont see why we wouldnt take a chance on a punter. If Todd gets suspended all we have to do is stick any crappy punter in there to equal last years production.

Don't get me wrong. I think picking up Saurbrun is good for all parties. It's hard to play devil's advocate around here. It must be because the devil wears so much red.

I'm glad he's coming back.

[BroncoBuff]

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/2973/93322949fr9.jpg

[cutthemdown]

How do we know Saurbrun won't tank.....again?

We don't and either do Broncos. But in the real world you have to take risks and it's no different in the NFL. To be good you have to deal with a certain amount of the athletes that are going to have problems. You just hope they don't end up so bad they can't play football for you. IE Gardener, Sauerbrun, Carter etc etc. But it's a low risk move this time as I see it. Like another poster said earlier in this thread if he screws up we just bring Ernster back. Not like any team is going to want to run out and sign Ernster.

[Orange_Beard]

Good pick-up. He had to be cut. It did his time in purgatory, now he can come back.

[clint7]

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/2973/93322949fr9.jpg

Sweet! Thanks, Buff!

[Paladin]

All the extra stuff will be discouraging to the Pats, but it will depend on how much Bellycheck wants to try and screw up old Shanahan. It would seem that Sourbuns will be coming to Denver, but don't underestimate the power of Bellicheck's competitive drive to mess up someone else's plans....

He and Bellic (sp? Bad this am. Can't see too well) fancy themselves as intellectually equivalent to Shanahan, and the chess games go on and on and on......

[Hawaii_Guy]

The way I read everyhing is that even if New England does match he would only agree to a trade to Denver and if they do keep him all year then they would not be able to tag him at all and he will be with us Next year. So one way or another Todd will be back in the Orange and Blue.

[HEAV]

The Pat's still have Josh Miller. Todd was a emergency pickup for and injured Miller.

The Pat's will let him go without a fight.

[Regency]

Apparently, some dumb Patsie fan over on their board assumes we are obsessed with them because of this pending signing.


"What organization is MOST obsessed with the New England Patriots?

My vote in order: #1: DENVER; #2: NY JETS; #3: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS"

[55CrushEm]

Apparently, some dumb Patsie fan over on their board assumes we are obsessed with them because of this pending signing.


"What organization is MOST obsessed with the New England Patriots?

My vote in order: #1: DENVER; #2: NY JETS; #3: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS"

Um.....no. Why would we be "obsessed" with a team that we consistently kick the snot out of ?

[Tyrant]

I've never spent a second worrying or threatened about anything New England has done.

Now as for Indy, well....

[Clockwork Orange]

"What organization MOST owns the New England Patriots?

My vote in order: #1: DENVER; #2: NY JETS; #3: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS"

Fixed it for the delusional Pats fan.

[Kaylore]

Um.....no. Why would we be "obsessed" with a team that we consistently kick the snot out of ?

Yeah, that doesn't really make any sense.