Broncos Bring Back WR Clifford Russell

by John Bena on Sep 17, 2008 11:22 AM MDT

The Denver Broncos on Wednesday signed free-agent wide receiver Clifford Russell, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

Russell (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) is a sixth-year player who originally joined the Broncos as a future-contract signee on Dec. 31 and competed with the club in training camp before he was waived on Aug. 30. He tied for the Broncos' lead in receptions (10-86, 8.6 avg.) and returned two kickoffs for 49 yards (24.5 avg.) in the preseason.

In stints with Miami (2005-06), Cincinnati (2004) and Washington (2002-03), Russell has appeared in 21 career games (1 start). He has totaled five career receptions for 45 yards (9.0 avg.) and 39 kickoff returns for 872 yards (22.4 avg.).

After finishing his collegiate career ranked sixth in University of Utah history in both career receptions (124) and receiving yards (1,862), Russell was selected by Washington in the third round (87th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft.

Russell, who attended Campbell High School in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, was born on Feb. 8, 1979.

He will wear No. 10 for the Broncos.

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Awesome...

He has that Rod Smith type of mentality. If only he had Rod Smith type talent. ;)

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08

by Tim Lynch on Sep 17, 2008 11:37 AM MDT reply actions

Not thrilled, but

at least they didn’t bring back Martinez (no personal slight toward him). I wanted Barnett to get in the game!

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Sep 17, 2008 11:42 AM MDT up reply actions

I was all about seeing barrett play too

" He goes against Champ everyday." -Jay Cutler

Davis to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Sep 17, 2008 12:03 PM MDT up reply actions

Yes Barrett needs to come back

I am not sure what Russel gives you, especially on special teams, at least Barrett can play on the special teams.

"How do the berries taste Ralph?" Bart Simpson
"They taste like burning." Ralph Wigam
Broncoman

by Broncoman on Sep 17, 2008 3:15 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm guessing there going to use him as a kick returner instead of Andre.

by Chuck "DeadDrunk" Breedlove on Sep 17, 2008 1:11 PM MDT reply actions

Hmm...and therefore free up Hall to focus on running back solely...

interesting thought

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Sep 17, 2008 2:22 PM MDT up reply actions

I know no one else will probably agree with me here, BUT

why the hell isn’t Eddie Royal returning kick offs? He is our most explosive player in open space, so why not use him? I know the arguements about not wanting to get him hurt, but we’re here to win football games and whatever happened to putting your best players on the field whenever possible?

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

by Tim Lynch on Sep 17, 2008 2:35 PM MDT up reply actions

Do it in the playoffs if you have to.

Elway’s helicopter move was great for a Super Bowl, but would have been stupid in a regular season game. I’m thinking that you minimize risks while, at the same time, keeping your team intact for the post season.

Champ could probably run returns too, but why risk it?

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 17, 2008 2:47 PM MDT up reply actions

for a TD. lol

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

by Tim Lynch on Sep 17, 2008 4:46 PM MDT up reply actions

good point bc

Selvin has looked like a changeup player in the last two games, and was the 2nd quarter and 4th quarter back.

But when it comes to softening up the middle of the SD line, we were using primarily Pittmana and Hall int eh first and third quarters.

I’ll be watching this distribution among them again on Sunday.

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Sep 17, 2008 2:59 PM MDT up reply actions

I don't know, I don't remember him doing any retruning in the preseason

I rather have Hall retruning kicks, bigger body and able to take more punishment.

"How do the berries taste Ralph?" Bart Simpson
"They taste like burning." Ralph Wigam
Broncoman

by Broncoman on Sep 17, 2008 3:17 PM MDT up reply actions

Agree. Did you see Royal returning KOs in college.

Royal’s college KO average is mediocre. Actually, Martinez had a better KO avg last year in the NFL than Royal did in college. I don’t believe it has to do with him being injured as much as it is that he’s not as effective at KOs. He had 4 PRs for TDs in college, but 0 KR TDs. Seeing that we have 2 equal players at KOs, I prefer to go with the non-starter.

"On the Plains of Hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions, who, at the Dawn of Victory, sat down to wait, and waiting--died!" - George W. Cecil

by Bronco Billy on Sep 17, 2008 8:44 PM MDT up reply actions

Apparently he'll be #10

http://blog.denverbroncos.com/denverbroncos/2008/09/17/russell-returns-to-dove-valley/

Travis Henry from the PS is giving it to him and switching to 12.

As somebody else posted in another thread, I like this thing the WRs have going we’re they’re all in the teens.

by Leukadian on Sep 17, 2008 2:47 PM MDT reply actions

Travis Wilson

Who the hell is Travis Wilson?

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"I love your analysis of our team. Its kinda like watching a spider monkey trying to figure out a jar of peanuts.. you know whats going on.. you know whats in there, but to actually figure it out, is just a bit beyond your mental skills..."
- Bronco Dano

by DesertBroncoFan on Sep 17, 2008 3:02 PM MDT up reply actions

Thanks for the fix!

Travis Henry… yikes. Bad flashback.

by Leukadian on Sep 17, 2008 3:11 PM MDT up reply actions

Just read up on Travis Wilson

6’1" 200 lb. WR, signed to PS 9/1 after he didn’t make the Browns’ 53. He was rumored to be their WR3 he was cut. He was their 3rd round pick (#78) in 2006. Only two catches in four games last year. Ran a 4.47 40 at the combine.

by Leukadian on Sep 17, 2008 4:29 PM MDT up reply actions

It was me...

And I HATE that all the WR’s are getting teens. Brandon Marshall looks like a FOOL out there with 15. With a body like his, he should be 98!! Seriously, though, he should have snapped up 85 after we cut the Mustard.Give Eddie Royal 86 and watch him lead the league in yards.Brandon Stokley should be 80. (Those are the modifications I made to Madden when I rented it but returned it because I thought it sucked but kept all the files because all of my friends want me to get it back.) Oh, and I gave Kern a new number too… I think 16? But I’m not sure. I don’t like 1. I just think it’s a silly number.

2-0.

by papigrande on Sep 17, 2008 6:25 PM MDT up reply actions

and the loneliest

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Sep 17, 2008 6:44 PM MDT up reply actions

That you ever knew!

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 18, 2008 4:44 AM MDT up reply actions

Papi

take a deep breath. . .
According to NFL rules WR’s have the option for numbers from 10-19 and 80-89.\
I can understand you not liking it, but for me I remember when Bambi Alworth was 19.
Plus one of my All-time favorite Broncos: Haven Moses, a great WR was #25. That was my number in little league football until I became a QB and HAD to take #7 ( remember I am kind of old and was in HS when Elway played) in honor of Morton

Love is a razor and I have walked the line on that silver blade

by broncfanstuckinsd on Sep 17, 2008 6:45 PM MDT up reply actions