Glenn Martinez Returns; Clifford Russell To I/R

by John Bena on Sep 30, 2008 6:25 PM MDT in Denver Broncos Roster Moves Comment 16 comments

The Denver Broncos on Tuesday signed free-agent wide receiver Glenn Martinez, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Broncos also on Tuesday placed wide receiver Clifford Russell on their reserve/injured list. He suffered a sprained neck in the fourth quarter of Denver's game at Kansas City on Sunday.

Martinez (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) is a third-year wide receiver who spent the 2007 campaign with the Broncos before he was waived on Aug. 30. He played 12 games (1 start) for Denver last season, totaling 14 receptions for 175 yards (12.5 avg.) along with 14 punt returns for 157 yards (11.2 avg.) with one touchdown and 15 kickoff returns for 330 yards (22.0 avg.).

Martinez's 80-yard punt return for a touchdown in Denver's Monday Night Football win against Tennessee (11/19/07) was its first punt return score in four seasons and earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

In 17 career games (1 start) with Denver (2007) and Detroit (2005-06), Martinez has posted 15 receptions for 186 yards (12.4 avg.). He also owns 14 career punt returns for 157 yards (11.2 avg.) with one touchdown and 15 kickoff returns for 330 yards (22.0 avg.).

Martinez entered the NFL with Pittsburgh in 2004 as a college free agent from Saginaw Valley State University, where he finished his career ranked third in school history in career receiving yards (2,663).

Born on Nov. 30, 1981, Martinez attended Auburndale High School in Auburndale, Fla

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Good move by Shanny.

After the mistakes they made in the past with bringing Al Wilson back too soon, prematurely ending his career, they have done what is best for head injured players every since – having Hamilton and now Russell take the whole year off on IR. Martinez is a good pick up.

by The Gun Young on Sep 30, 2008 6:29 PM MDT reply actions

Martinez

is not a big step down from Russell. And didn’t just have a traumatic injury.

I will be rooting for the guy to emerge as a returner. I love me some Andre Hall, but think he is a better RB than kick returner. His moves are better in tight spaces than in the open field of kick returns. MArtinez flashed his brilliance against the Titans, and hopefully we will see more.

Welcome back Glenn!

by jonahsilas on Sep 30, 2008 7:03 PM MDT reply actions

would love to see a Glenn kick return for TD

The tough part is we are one WR away from exhausting not only our roster depth, but also all of the depth that we cut before the season…

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

by Jeremy Bolander on Sep 30, 2008 7:05 PM MDT up reply actions

GULP

yer right.

Hey Holmgren, wanna trade back?

by jonahsilas on Sep 30, 2008 11:32 PM MDT up reply actions

Thank God that Russell is OK.....

He, unfortunately, looked MORE of an accident waiting to happen than Glenn Martinez did.
Glenn is a trier and I wish him the best but I am not a fan.
I actually hope they use Selvin Young on kick returns. He looked by far the most dangerous of the KR’s. How I am SO bummed Anthony Alridge was injured….he was a game changer and would have been a HUGE upgrade over Martinez, Sheppard and Hall….oh well….next year!

by boydy2669 on Sep 30, 2008 7:08 PM MDT reply actions

with Andre Hall injured

we need alridge more than ever. The by and the possible return of Torain can’t get here soon enough, if for no other reason than to get more warm bodies for the back field…

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

by Jeremy Bolander on Sep 30, 2008 7:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Ugh...

At least Martinez knows the playbook. I think that has a lot to do with moves like these.

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Oct 1, 2008 9:05 AM MDT up reply actions

I agree

Would of been nice to have Alrdige as a weapon, I think as long as Glen doesn’t put the ball on the turf, I will be happy.

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

by Broncoman on Oct 1, 2008 12:05 PM MDT up reply actions

Very slight disagreement.

Don’t forget Martinez’ speed. As I recall he and Royal were the two fastest Broncos in camp. He could be a weapon for us.

That’s ok with me. We’re playing for wins, not media publicity....HT 9/11/08

by firstfan on Oct 1, 2008 12:39 PM MDT up reply actions

I recall the footrace being

Alridge vs. Samie Parker… But Martinez does have some speed, for sure.

by jonahsilas on Oct 1, 2008 12:43 PM MDT up reply actions

I had a feeling

..we’d be seeing Glenn again, and I said so. What I didn’t want to say at that time was that an injury might be the reason.

by Colinski on Sep 30, 2008 8:22 PM MDT reply actions

I hope he makes the best of this chance

good luck proving yourself Glenn.

by Sneaky Sean on Sep 30, 2008 8:44 PM MDT reply actions

And we need to get Larson on the field

as much as possible

by Sneaky Sean on Sep 30, 2008 8:56 PM MDT up reply actions

Amen to that!

"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 Oct 1, 2008 8:28 AM MDT up reply actions

good move

considering the circumstances, this is a no-brainer. my question, though, is this: when is d-jax going to play again for us? i’m still hoping he can contribute this season, but he’s been hurt since he arrived, it seems. not that we need him that bad, but if defenses are going to double/triple marshall, we could use another target for jay, assuming he can or will look for him. is he out indefinitely?

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

by davecheffy on Oct 1, 2008 1:43 PM MDT reply actions