Broncos Annouce Several Roster Moves; Tom Nalen Placed On I/R

by John Bena on Sep 23, 2008 3:33 PM MDT in Roster Moves Comment 37 comments

The Denver Broncos on Tuesday placed center Tom Nalen on injured reserve with a left knee injury, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

A 15-year veteran, Nalen ranks second in Broncos history in career starts (188) while his 194 career games played in a Denver uniform represent the third-highest total in club annals. He entered the league with the Broncos as a seventh-round selection (218th overall) in the 1994 NFL Draft from Boston College.

Nalen, whose five Pro Bowl selections (1997-2000, '03) are the most by a Broncos offensive lineman in franchise history, was a key member of Denver's back-to-back Super Bowl teams in 1997 and '98. He helped Denver post the most rushing yards (29,131) and individual 100-yard rushing games (93) in the NFL from 1995-2007 in addition to tying for the league lead in individual 1,000-yard rushing seasons (11) during that time.

An honorable mention All-American as a senior at Boston College, Nalen attended Foxboro High School in Foxboro, Mass., and was born on May 13, 1971

The Broncos also announced they signed free-agent safety Vernon Fox and waived safety Hamza Abdullah, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

The club also on Tuesday released wide receiver Travis Wilson from its practice squad.

Fox (5-foot-10, 203 pounds) is in his seventh NFL season and joins the Broncos after spending the previous two years with Washington, which released him on Aug. 25. He also has played for Detroit (2004-05) and San Diego (2002-03) after entering the NFL with the Chargers in 2002 as a college free agent from Fresno State University.

In 86 career games (11 starts), Fox has totaled 90 tackles (69 solo), two interceptions (21 yds.) and eight pass breakups. He also owns 73 tackles on special teams along with one blocked punt for his career.

Last season with Washington, Fox appeared in 14 games (0 starts) and tied for third on the club with 16 special-teams stops while adding two defensive tackles. He started a career-high six games and appeared in all 16 contests for the Redskins in 2006, recording personal bests in defensive tackles (42) and special-teams tackles (26).

Fox saw time in 14 games in each of his two years with the Lions from 2004-05. During his first two professional seasons with the Chargers from 2002-03, he appeared in a total of 28 games (5 starts) and had 45 tackles along with one interception.

A two-time first-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection at Fresno State, Fox attended Cimarron Memorial High School in Las Vegas and was born on Oct. 9, 1979

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Really?

Wow…how did Hamza go from starter to gettting cut? He must have pissed somebody off.

Also, it seems like we better start looking at veteran centers to bring in. I know if Weigmann was hurt that Hamilton could play center but who would take his spot? Seems like we’re one injury away from some major problems of offensive line…knock, knock, knock.

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Sep 23, 2008 3:39 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Have to agree

That was my biggest question on Hamza was he was a starter and supposedly a good special team player, and then they drop him, really interesting, I am guessing more to the story than meets the eye.

I am not that worried about the line, Weigmann has been very durable (111 strait starts), we still have K-lich (center) and I think he can play guard. But hopefully there are no injuries to the line.

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

by Broncoman on Sep 23, 2008 4:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watch.

In two weeks, some DUI thing or arrest will pop up. I’ll bet anything he had a run-in with eithher the law or with Mike Shanahan (so, either way, the law) and that’s why he’s gone.

I was never a huge fan of his, I thought he made too many mistakes and missed a few too many tackles, but he had a solid foundation to build on as a football player and eventually could have grown into a starting-calibur player. Good luck to him in Houston.

3-0.

by papigrande on Sep 23, 2008 5:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am totally shocked

about Hamza. Granted, I am a big Abdullah guy – but he was our starting safety in training camp. He did miss some key tackles, which I suppose is a safety no-no – but with those long arms and speed, I felt like he could turn into a better tackler and be a long term solution in our secondary. I was surprised he was inactive for the first weeks.

I am guessing it was his inability to stay healthy that did him in, as well as Rogers and Barrett on the PS. I think that (health) is another quick route to Shanny’s dog house.

Glad I didn’t buy that Abdullah jersey. ;-)

by jonahsilas on Sep 23, 2008 7:19 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Health

period. He has never been healthy for more than about four weeks at a time.

You can’t build a team with that. And these weren’t serious injuries, they were groin pulls and sore hammies.

HamzaGRRRR!, to Hamzameh, to hamzagone!

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

by Jeremy Bolander on Sep 23, 2008 8:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

But he was a healthy inactive

the last 3 weeks. Why not at least give the guy a chance to play healthy, especially after a strong offseason, and see if he can hold up if his fragility is the issue?

Hamzouttahere either way!

by jonahsilas on Sep 23, 2008 9:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ramadan?

I seriously doubt he got a DUI. I’d bet it has something to do with his fasting.

by wyrob on Sep 23, 2008 8:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's harsh

to fire a guy for his religious commitment.

Incidentally – Abdullah did not fast this year, as it was too hard on him last year. Same for Ryan Harris. Both did do the requisite praying and service, just didn’t take the physical punishment of eating only at the end of the day….

by jonahsilas on Sep 23, 2008 9:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, it'd be very harsh...but,

keep in mind, Ramadan is physically demanding (no food or water during daylight). I was suprised to hear that Abdullah was able to honor this fast during the season last year. When an unexplained, sudden cut like this happens, my first thought is whether his commitment to fasting could have slowed him down. I don’t think there’s a team out there who wouldn’t cut a player who lost a step or focus…for religious reasons or not.
I am glad to hear he was able to honor his faith in some way and maintain strength for his job.
Considering his character and commitment, the question remains…why was he cut?

by wyrob on Sep 24, 2008 9:51 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lame...

Ryan Harris practices Islam and they haven’t cut him.

Or so I'm told.

by MN Bronco on Sep 24, 2008 6:52 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

The comment is not about...

whether he was cut because he’s muslim. It’s about whether fasting affected his performance. It’s a sudden and late cut…

by wyrob on Sep 24, 2008 9:57 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, all I care about winning...if one's faith gets in the way of a W then screw 'em. :-)

I am callous like that though. I also have trouble looking at the big picture, like when Elam was shown the door. If I knew then what I know now I would said “GOOD”. I shed any political correctness crap the second my Broncos are threatened. If that offends anyones sensibilities then I apologize to you personally, but not for only caring about the Broncos winning.

I wish Hamza the best and I think he’ll get picked up somewhere. I was even one who advocated drafted his little brother earlier this year, but oh well. We got another pair of brothers who are pretty talented. ;-)

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

by Tim Lynch on Sep 25, 2008 8:17 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree--Weigmann has done a fine job--does anyone know anthing about Vernon Fox?

Scout.com said Fox had a Horible tackling show in a couple pre-season games.

The best defense is a good offense!
I hope.

by Mike Clark on Sep 23, 2008 9:14 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

More surprises

I’m surprised at the Organization letting Hamza go. I really havent noticed him on the field, or the lack of him on the field. I’d like to hear Shanahan’s take on it. So this guy Fox has some experience. Wonder why nobody else picked him up. It makes you wonder doesn’t it?

Nalen might think about retirement. I know it can’t be easy, but it sounds like he needs to consider it. As far as another Center, it was my belief that Kory Lichtensteiger was drafted as Nalen’s Heir-apparent. I would think he could start rotating in on some snaps with Weigmann.

"If Denver beats us, I'll walk back to Detroit" - Alex Karras

by Denver Diehard on Sep 23, 2008 3:54 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Nalen

Nalen had said (a year or more ago) that this was his last year. It’s the end of his contract, and he felt that one more would do it. Sad to see one heck of a tough guy go out like this.

If there's gonna be a collision, you better start it. Larry Csonka..

by bradley on Sep 23, 2008 6:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he was inactive the last couple games.

The best defense is a good offense!
I hope.

by Mike Clark on Sep 23, 2008 9:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hamza that is

The best defense is a good offense!
I hope.

by Mike Clark on Sep 23, 2008 9:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nalen as a coach?

I brought this up during Training Camp when it first appeared that he might be done.

Since he was basically the QB of the line all those years, would it be a good move to have him take over the O-Line from Dennison?

"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 24, 2008 12:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe consultant...like Rod Smith.

Tom Nalen isn’t retired yet…he could possibly come back this offseason, so let’s not be so hasty to show him the door. I respect him enough to allow him to make his own choices. He isn’t Brian Griese, ya know. ;-)

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

by Tim Lynch on Sep 25, 2008 8:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last year I predicted that three players on the OL might retire.

At first, it looked like I was wrong. But as time has gone on, it looks like I got it right. (I also thought Lynch would go, but because of retirement, not moving to another team).

"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 23, 2008 4:11 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Lynch still ended up retiring.

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

by Tim Lynch on Sep 23, 2008 4:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to see Nalen go--I'm really happy Weigmann has shown he has some fight left.

The best defense is a good offense!
I hope.

by Mike Clark on Sep 23, 2008 9:17 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will bring up a name Denver might want to look at to bring in at safety

Kennoy Kennedy is out on the street.

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

by Broncoman on Sep 23, 2008 4:13 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Ah, bring back the guy we drafted...

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

by Tim Lynch on Sep 23, 2008 4:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Naw

He has detroit loser in him now. Plus was never good covering anything. Why else would shanny let him go via Free Agency

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

by broncfanstuckinsd on Sep 23, 2008 4:47 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

...

interesting.

Bic Mac, Casino Royale, and the Slot Machine.

Howard Dean? We went to oakland! We went to San Diego! We’re going to New Orleans! Then we’re taking Tampa in February! WOOOOO!! -FlaBroncoFan

by broncodude793 on Sep 23, 2008 4:49 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

So...

There’s an open roster spot, right? What’s next?

"Be not like dumb-driven cattle...."

by jcps on Sep 23, 2008 5:21 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

if there is a spot open, why not use it for barret?

by broncofan91 on Sep 23, 2008 6:19 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

DON'T TEASE!!!

I would love to see a versatile safety moved up onto the 53. I don’t care how raw he is. Let the guys he is laying out on the field worry about that….

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

by Jeremy Bolander on Sep 23, 2008 8:27 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

dont you think

There is a reason Shanny isnt bringing him to the active roster? I mean if he is as good as we all hope why not bring up? I am confused on why he is still on the practice squad

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

by broncfanstuckinsd on Sep 23, 2008 8:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I share your confusion

If neither Barrett nor Rodgers are ready for a shot at the NFL, why are they on the PS at all?

by CoastalBronco on Sep 24, 2008 10:36 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm really sorry to hear about Nalen

Us Ravens saw Jon Ogden forced to end his career because of a Toe injury. It’s just such a shame.

by math_geek on Sep 23, 2008 6:38 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks math--we hate to see Nalen go--and Ogden was such a stud...no football fan wanted Jon gone.

The best defense is a good offense!
I hope.

by Mike Clark on Sep 23, 2008 9:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we all saw Nalen going to I/R

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 4

by weazel on Sep 23, 2008 11:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

not surprised at all

i hated saying it at the time, but i knew he was done in preseason. great player and a hall-of-famer in my book, but we’ll see how that goes. i can’t say enough about nails, but it is time to move on. was he the last bronco sb winner on the team? wiegmann was an excellent move and i was very glad when we signed him. shanny looks like he is trying to upgrade the secondary now, with lowery, fox, and bell being signed during the season. don’t know much about the corners, but how has lowery looked? he’s playing limited snaps right now, i believe.

hear me, perpetrators of bread crime, your punishment is at hand.
taste my blintzkrieg!

by davecheffy on Sep 24, 2008 4:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Who's going to make 53?

I’m more interested in who will fill the last roster slot. Anyone think Lynch might change his mind? It will be interesting to see who they add, and where. Safety is a position that needs help but I don’t know that help is available, other than the previously mentioned players on our practice squad. There are some other areas, mainly on defense, that could use an infusion of talent, but, again, I don’t know that real help is available.

by Colinski on Sep 24, 2008 4:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Nalen's ongoing problems this year

makes the signing of Wiegman particularly prescient and important. A large part of the success of the o-line, and of the offense in general,
is owed to that move. Getting a guy the Chiefs let go due to a change in philosophy, not a decline in ability, gave us the kind of insurance
we needed. Having an established, quality center whose abilities fit our system gives Lichtensteiger, Nalen’s ultimate heir apparant, time
to develop.

"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen

by spock on Sep 24, 2008 4:39 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs