Paul Ernster released

[chawknz]

Subject says it all. Anyone surprised?

[Los Broncos]

Why? Hilarious!

[Sassy]

LOL! My brother in law was laughing every time he kicked!

[BMF Bronco]

shocker!

[Los Broncos]

Its comical at this point....

[Meck77]

Ok Anubis you have a second chance. You can kick it over 20 yards right?

[DarkHorse]

Jesus Christ - the weakest position on a team and we can't even get that right.

Does it surprise you how bad this team was this year after seeing this ****?

[socalorado]

Ok Anubis you have a second chance. You can kick it over 20 yards right?

NO $h!T!!!! GEt Anubis in there!!!!!

[HILife]

Not really. The punting was HORRIBLE that game? Who's left now to punt. I'm pretty sure there will be alot of it against Viks.

[Beantown Bronco]

Jesus Christ - the weakest position on a team and we can't even get that right.

When did this become a DLine thread?


Todd was getting the job done ON the field. It was his OFF the field antics that got him shipped out of town. Punter certainly was NOT the weakest position on this team with Todd.

[DarkHorse]

When did this become a DLine thread?


Todd was getting the job done ON the field. It was his OFF the field antics that got him shipped out of town. Punter certainly was NOT the weakest position on this team with Todd.


You're missing it - Punter is easily the WEAKEST position on a football team to fill. What position is under the Punter? Maybe a Gunner.


Hell, I put training camp body over Punter.

You have to be a drooling retard not to be able to get a Punter on your squad that can last.

Pathetic to say the least.

Not being able to get a Punter to last - which shouldn't be something to worry about - makes me look at all of the other broken areas and say "Pfft, not surprised".

[Beantown Bronco]

You're missing it - Punter is easily the WEAKEST position on a football team to fill. What position is under the Punter? Maybe a Gunner.

I think you should be saying "least important", not "weakest". There's a definite difference there. And I'd definitely argue whether or not that is even the case to begin with. Sure, punter is not as important as QB. But there are several less important slots on the roster (53 guys - 22 starters; how many of those other 31 are less important than a punter? I'd argue that quite a few of them are.).

[Spider]

Punters ? We dont need no stinking punters ..... ;D

[Los Broncos]

Can we sign that diet Pepsi machine?

[loborugger]

I cant remember a season where one team released & signed so many players... Adams, Sauerbraun, Johnson... the list goes on and on. And its in all three phases of the game, too - O, D, and ST. No wonder the team is so inconsistent. I hope this is a trend that doesnt continue cuz it bodes poorly for the future of this organization.

[DarkHorse]

I think you should be saying "least important", not "weakest". There's a definite difference there. And I'd definitely argue whether or not that is even the case to begin with. Sure, punter is not as important as QB. But there are several less important slots on the roster (53 guys - 22 starters; how many of those other 31 are less important than a punter? I'd argue that quite a few of them are.).

I guess what i'm saying is this:

I'll take a legit SLB over Webster

I'll take a legit RB over Henry/Young - a true 1 back, not this trendy multiple backs that only a few teams are successful with. Get a back in here that can carry the load.

I'll take a Special Teams Returner.

Give me a legit DT other than a promising Thomas.

Are we ever going to figure out the DE situation outside of Dumervil?

Safety help coming anytime soon?


So, that being said; I'm not surprised when I see those problems because we can't even get the Punting position corrected and IMO it easily the easiest position to fill outside of finding camp bodies to beat on.

[oubronco]

this **** is becoming more comical every day who's next ?

maybe they will sign floyd little or sonny jerguson sheesh

[BMF Bronco]

Jan Stenrud is coming out of retirement

[Jason in LA]

Lets just be happy that there is only one more week left in the season. I don't know how much more of this I can watch.

[HEAV]

Broncos cut punter Ernster
By Bill Williamson
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 12/26/2007 08:53:26 AM MST


In a move showing that the team has very little patience for error even in the final days of a lost season, the Broncos cut punter Paul Ernster early this morning.

Ernster had a horrible game in Denver's 23-3 loss at San Diego on Monday. Ernster had two terrible punts in the game. Ernster, who was Denver's punter in 2006, returned for the San Diego game after Todd Sauerbrun was released last week. Sauerbrun was released in the aftermath of an incident involving a Denver cab driver earlier this month. Ernster's agent Brett Tessler had no comment on Ernster's release.

The team is expected to sign a replacement today for Sunday's season finale against visiting Minnesota.

------------


Didn't Shanny give this guy a 2 year deal...



2008 will be Shanny's hot-seat year.

[HEAV]

Here's an idea!

Let Elam punt Sunday. He's afford to do it before and I have seen him do it at practice.

Let the old guy handle everything Sunday.

May be his last game as a Bronco anyway.

[TheChamp24]

Screw it, lets go for it on 4th every time. Make the offense get some things going.

[BMF Bronco]

ha, we've tried that over the past couple of weeks, didn't work out too well.

[NFLBRONCO]

I never understood why Mike brought him back again. I guess it was more important that he knew the scheme then be a good punter. Can't you try new guys Mike geez.

[Meck77]

I never understood why Mike brought him back again. I guess it was more important that he knew the scheme then be a good punter. Can't you try new guys Mike geez.


scheme?

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/627/kidpunt2qf3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Smiling Assassin27]

Paging Sean Landeta....white courtesty phone.

[Jetmeck]

Here's an idea!

Let Elam punt Sunday.
May be his last game as a Bronco anyway.


Brilliant. Let's F up the only thing that worked this year. I mean the guy single handedly won half of our games for christ sake. Elam is not part of this cluster F of a season's problems.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Why is it so hard to imagine why they brought him back? They were familiar with him and needed someone to hold a spot for 2 games. But he was THAT bad. Micah Knorr still around? Maybe he'll punt this week.

[Atwater His Ass]

Where's all the man-love people had for Ernster over Saurbruns lastest incident? Band wagon much?

[Gort]

When did this become a DLine thread?


Todd was getting the job done ON the field. It was his OFF the field antics that got him shipped out of town. Punter certainly was NOT the weakest position on this team with Todd.

he was NOT getting it done on KOs. he did not get it done punting against Chicago. it wouldn't surprise me if the Bears awarded game balls to both Hester and Sauerbrun after that game. he was a meathead off the field. he deserved to be released.

just because Ernster sucks at punting, doesn't mean Sauerbrun didn't at KOs.

[Sassy]

What the heck. Let Jason kick. Seriously...is there any reason he can't?

[Beantown Bronco]

he was NOT getting it done on KOs. he did not get it done punting against Chicago. it wouldn't surprise me if the Bears awarded game balls to both Hester and Sauerbrun after that game. he was a meathead off the field. he deserved to be released.

just because Ernster sucks at punting, doesn't mean Sauerbrun didn't at KOs.

Aside from the "off the field" part, you couldn't be more wrong.

Todd was top 5 in the league in kickoff distance. AND he did better statistically than the "kickoff specialist" we brought in this week.

One bad punt out of 7 in the Chicago game. You're going to crucify him for that?

So far, Todd has proven that he was a better punter than Ernster and a better kickoff guy than a guy brought in just to kickoff.

[Gort]

Aside from the "off the field" part, you couldn't be more wrong.

Todd was top 5 in the league in kickoff distance. AND he did better statistically than the "kickoff specialist" we brought in this week.

One bad punt out of 7 in the Chicago game. You're going to crucify him for that?

So far, Todd has proven that he was a better punter than Ernster and a better kickoff guy than a guy brought in just to kickoff.

your assertions about Sauerbrun's KO accomplishments have been resoundingly disproven previously, so no need to go there again...

i understand that you are a Sauerbrun fan, so nobody can say anything to change your mind, but he sucked on KOs. if he were only a punter and not a meathead off the field, i'd be more than happy with him on the team. but his poor performance on KOs (especially lack of touchbacks at altitude) counterbalanced whatever positives he was able to do on punts.

the Broncos need to find somebody to KO who can kick it through the endzone every friggin' time at Invesco. i don't care about away games. he can be just league average. but at home, every kickoff needs to be out of the endzone. it was simply embarassing that visiting kickers are getting a higher touchback percentage at Invesco than the Broncos kicker does.

[broncsyanks]

his 1st punt the other night said it all for me. man i miss suarbratens boot

[Beantown Bronco]

it was simply embarassing that visiting kickers are getting a higher touchback percentage at Invesco than the Broncos kicker does.

This was happening even last year with the supposed "touchback machine" Ernster.

And you continue to chirp on about touchbacks, but never bothered to get back to me when I questioned the "anti Todd" group about why they are giving more credit to guys that get touchbacks that bounce at the 20 yard line and roll into the EZ because our return teams are retarded. Why penalize Todd for that? It happens more than the "anti Todd" group cares to admit (twice alone in the Texans game).

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Think Brad Daluiso is still around:)?

[Paladin]

I don' think I was an "anti-Todd" group member. My stance was that since Todd got cut, Ernster seemed to be a reasonable alternative for two games. My hope was that he would have improved. I think Ernster was equivalent to the old "standby" you used to date when you didn't have anyone else you could hit on....

It didn't work out, obviously. So what? There are other punters in the wind, and I would hope the ST coach would have some idea of who those might be. If they draft one, it would be in the 6th or later. I do agree that other team seem to do okay picking up no-name punters.......

[DarkHorse]

What happened to that kid we drafted a few years back - went to the Bengals and then maybe Detroit after that.

Showed promise in the preseason and camp but we wouldn't let Rouen go at the time.

[24champ]

Micah Knorr step up to the plate please...

[gunns]

Call George Blanda. He can fill multiple positions and probably break some of Favre's records at the same time.

[Broncoman13]

Draft Mike Dragosavich in the 7th round. He's actually a pretty big kid that can boom the ball and play LB in a pinch! :D Plus, having a guy nicknamed Drago on the team would be cool!

[Garcia Bronco]

Can we sign that diet Pepsi machine?

I heard he lost a bunch of weight and got cancer from synthetic sugar

[NFLBRONCO]

Let Henry kick he has done nothing so far :)

[Beantown Bronco]

What happened to that kid we drafted a few years back - went to the Bengals and then maybe Detroit after that.

Showed promise in the preseason and camp but we wouldn't let Rouen go at the time.

Rouen got his "second wind" and outplayed him in the pre-season. The team wasn't willing to carry two punters on their roster and didn't have the time or patience to let him develop that season, when they had a "known commodity" with Rouen. Hindsight is always 20/20, but at the time, they made what looked like the correct decision in keeping Rouen.

Harris has been doing very well the last few years, particularly in dropping the ball inside the 20, and (just this past year I believe) signed a long-term deal with Detroit.

[missingnumber7]

Draft Mike Dragosavich in the 7th round. He's actually a pretty big kid that can boom the ball and play LB in a pinch! :D Plus, having a guy nicknamed Drago on the team would be cool!

Drago don't do kickoffs, watched him try last year during warmups, was hilarious. But on the plus side, he is a good holder.

[Crushaholic]

You're missing it - Punter is easily the WEAKEST position on a football team to fill. What position is under the Punter? Maybe a Gunner.


Hell, I put training camp body over Punter.

You have to be a drooling retard not to be able to get a Punter on your squad that can last.

Pathetic to say the least.

Not being able to get a Punter to last - which shouldn't be something to worry about - makes me look at all of the other broken areas and say "Pfft, not surprised".

I don't believe that to be true. Dustin Colquitt for the Chiefs did a good job pinning opponents deep. Getting a quality punter on the team is only one piece of the puzzle, but it's an important piece for the field position battle.

[7 4ever]

Let's just pull a Chad Mustard and resign Todd :wiggle:

[Dagmar]

Shanny said in his press conference HE would be punting.

[DarkHorse]

I don't believe that to be true. Dustin Colquitt for the Chiefs did a good job pinning opponents deep. Getting a quality punter on the team is only one piece of the puzzle, but it's an important piece for the field position battle.

My point exactly - if we can't get ANY Punter, I don't care if he can pin someone on the one each time - we can't get A-N-Y Punter to last the whole season, so are you surprised that we can't put together a decent roster of players when we can't get a consistent PUNTER for crying out loud?

[Los Broncos]

I heard he lost a bunch of weight and got cancer from synthetic sugar

Nice analysis Dr. Garcia, can he be in shape come training camp?

[MechanicalBull]

In a late breaking turn of events Coach Shanahan has released Punter Paul Ernster and has signed rookie Anubis with an incentive laden contract. The incentives will kick in if his punts go further than Ernster's which most people think they will.

[Crushaholic]

In a late breaking turn of events Coach Shanahan has released Punter Paul Ernster and has signed rookie Anubis with an incentive laden contract. The incentives will kick in if his punts go further than Ernster's which most people think they will.

Anubis' contract includes playing mandatory pre-game music that will chase the wine-and-cheese crowd out of Mile High...forever...:militia:

[Los Broncos]

Anubis wont be needed, he was released with the signing of....a wind up kicking doll, complete with a strong kicking leg beyond twenty yards.

[broncolife]

What the heck. Let Jason kick. Seriously...is there any reason he can't?

Hes injury prone now. One reason why he doesnt kick off anymore.

[MrPeepers]

i heard we're using the kickoff contest winners from the recent miller lite contests for each game. They only get paid if they hit the bullseyes

[Meck77]

Wonder if Shanny has heard of Craigslist?

[Los Broncos]

Wonder if Shanny has heard of Craigslist?

I use it all the time, should i post an add for a kicker?

[Needa Pass Rush]

I see it this way. To make sure we 'throw' the last game, we will 'go for it' on every 4th down.

[Orange_Beard]

L O L !

[Orange_Beard]

We should just not punt anymore this year. Go on 4th down, just for practice.

[Los Broncos]

I see it this way. To make sure we 'throw' the last game, we will 'go for it' on every 4th down.

Even when its fourth and one on our own one?

Oh wait, FB hand off for no gain, turnover on downs.

[bronco militia]

scheme?

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/627/kidpunt2qf3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



Yeah, he's too young to drink. Kid's a perfect choice.

-southern bronco

[MechanicalBull]

There is no way this kid passes a steroid or hgh test.

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/627/kidpunt2qf3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[broncolife]

Even when its fourth and one on our own one?

Oh wait, FB hand off for no gain, turnover on downs.

Why not? At least we dont have to watch our D get ran over the length of the field.:)

[Los Broncos]

Why not? At least we dont have to watch our D get ran over the length of the field.:)

Failure leaves a bad taste in my mouth. :spit:

[Paladin]

My point exactly - if we can't get ANY Punter, I don't care if he can pin someone on the one each time - we can't get A-N-Y Punter to last the whole season, so are you surprised that we can't put together a decent roster of players when we can't get a consistent PUNTER for crying out loud?

Geezus, man. Pull yourself together. "When the going gets tough" and all that rot. You are passing through the "concerned" through the "alarmed" states and are jumping through the "panic" and "woebegone" stages of verbal, slobbering gibberish and distended eye rolls. Your upper lips are decidedly flaccid and loose, like a sparkie fan discussing Rivers......

We shall just have to mind your mental state until the brandy works.......

[dbfan4life]

There is no way this kid passes a steroid or hgh test.

Seriously. Look at the size of the kids head. Way too big for his body. Very suspicious.

[Jens1893]

Sign John Torp.

[Sodak]

This team is a ****ing joke. Top to bottom.

I need a paper bag to cover my head. For Shame!

[BroncoBuff]

Shanahan's management of the punter position has been laughable.

At one point, FIVE ex-Bronco punters were active elsewhere in the league: Jason Baker, Nick Harris, Matt McBriar, Tom Rouen and even Ernster (briefly for the Browns).

McBriar is the best punter in the league (along with Lechler), Harris has led the league at least twice in 'Inside the 20 vs. touchback' ratio (in 2005 he racked up a gaudy 34-2 ratio), Rouen punted the Seahawks to the Super Bowl two years ago, and we gave up a draft pick and Jason Baker for that knucklehead Sauerbrun (since then Baker has set Panthers punting records and has been rock-steady. He's aparently considered an excellent PK holder too).

Might be time to draft a kid.

[Goobzilla]

Some interesting options here:

Supertoe:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/Goobzilla/Owned/supertoe_400x537.jpg

Gus the FG kicking mule:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/Goobzilla/Owned/Gus19766759_f.jpg

Decisions, Decisions.

[DBroncos4life]

Darin Erstad might want a quick job. I'm willing to bet that he can kick a few over 20 yards even though he hasn't punted in about 10 years

[CBF1]

May I just say this??? Another Shanny screw-up. Seems to be happening alot this season.

[BroncoBuff]

May I just say this??? Another Shanny screw-up. Seems to be happening alot this season.
Yo! Ansel Adams! Where's the photo of me with my long-lost cousin? I need it for my family tree online. ;D

[ward63]

Resign Sam Adams and let him punt...Would that not be funny? Also, I'm down for drafting a punter in the later rounds of the draft. Any time you can get a starter in the draft, it's worth it!

[MechanicalBull]

Why don't we pick up that guy Sauerbrun or whatever? I wonder whatever happened to him. ;D

[listopencil]

Just for the hell of it, we really should go play the Vikes next week wothout a Punter on the roster. **** it. Why not?

[listopencil]

This is exactly why I shouldn't be the coach. I'd seriously not sign a Punter. Hey Offense. You want good field position? ****ing earn it. Play some God damned football. Convert your downs and ****ing make some plays or get off the team. Hey Defense. You don't want to give up points? ****ing stop somebody. Make a ****ing tackle, you worthless sons of bitches. Make a play or get the **** off my team. No, we're not going to punt. Make a ****ing play or go ahead and get humiliated when we give up fifty points by the first half. I swear to all the Football Gods you can start playing or you can eat **** and die.

[theAPAOps5]

I swear everytime they kickoff I am hoping for an onsides and everytime they punt or kick a FG I pray for a fake. I would do it every time. Heck it works on Madden! ;D

[Kaylore]

What sucks about this is we all knew he sucked. How many times did we watch him punt 18 yards last year and think "wow that guy sucks!" and then died a little inside knowing it was going to be more of the same? I know I wasn't the only one. I remember an entire thread of people worrying.

[Bronco Bob]

So are they bringing Saurbrauten back?

[DBroncos4life]

I don't know why they didn't put Patrick in and have him throw the ball as far as he could and seen what happened. Maybe we catch it and get a first down, maybe they pick it off and its better then a Ernster punt.

[Beantown Bronco]

Looks like Elam actually has a shot at punting this weekend...and check out the name in bold below:

(From today's Denver Post)

Broncos kicker Jason Elam, who once held punting records at the University of Hawaii, never has punted in a regular-season NFL game other than the occasional pooch kick.

In the final game in an off-kilter season, Elam could make his NFL punting debut at the age of 37 when the Broncos play the Minnesota Vikings at Invesco Field at Mile High on Sunday.

"It'd be fun to do," said Elam who was told by coach Mike Shanahan that he may be needed this week if a punter is not signed. "I just asked for some practice time this week. It would be a matter of timing, but I'd have no problem doing it."

The team will work out about a half dozen punters today. The opening was created when the Broncos cut Paul Ernster on Wednesday morning after he struggled at San Diego on Monday night. Ernster, Denver's punter in 2006, returned for the San Diego game after Todd Sauerbrun was cut last week. Sauerbrun was released in the aftermath of being cited for assault on a cab driver earlier this month. If there is adverse weather today, the tryout may have to be moved to Friday.

Among the punters who could be looked at are former Dallas Cowboys Sam Paulescu and former Green Bay Packers B.J. Sanders. Several veteran punters available include Scott Player, Dirk Johnson, Tom Rouen and Chris Gardocki.

The Broncos likely will first look at younger punters who could be developed and brought to training camp next year. Paulescu could be intriguing because he had a good preseason with the Cowboys and he can hold on field goals and extra points.

Shanahan indicated he would prefer to sign a punter after today's workouts, keeping Elam as a backup. If a punter isn't brought in, quarterback Jay Cutler would hold for Elam. Sauerbrun and Ernster have been the holders this season.

[MrPeepers]

so this is just hearsay from family of Ernster.

Apparently the kicking coach spent the week with Paul prior to the game trying to change his kicking. He was being told to change his kicking style before the game. Apparently this kicking coach has been doing this with him since he started with the Broncos. Ernster wasn't being let to kick the way he has always kicked, rather he was being told to change. Add that to being out of work for 2 months and you have a "jittery" kicker being told not to kick his normal style. Ernsters family was feeling pretty bad for him. They watched the game and lets just say noone is talking about it now.

[Los Broncos]

Those kicks were the worst ive ever seen in an NFL game.