Broncos make several roster moves official
by John Bena on Aug 17, 2009 4:54 PM MDT
in Denver Broncos Roster Moves
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PrintThe Denver Broncos on Monday acquired defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith from the New England Patriots in a trade that included undisclosed draft choices, it was announced.
The club also on Monday signed free-agent running back Marcus Thigpen and waived defensive lineman Rulon Davis along with guard Pat Murray.
Smith (6-foot-3, 308 pounds) is a fourth-year player who spent his first three NFL seasons with the Patriots, who selected him in the sixth round (206th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft from the University of Nebraska. He has played 31 career games (0 starts), totaling 25 tackles (12 solo) and one fumble recovery.
In 2008, Smith appeared in 15 games for New England and posted a career-best 21 tackles (10 solo) and one fumble recovery.
The defensive lineman played 49 career games (35 starts) at Nebraska, where he registered the seventh-most tackles for a loss (36) in school history. He posted at least 40 tackles in all four seasons with the Cornhuskers.
Honored as Georgia Player of the Year by USA Today at Stratford Academy in Macon, Ga., Smith was born on July 21, 1982.
Thigpen (5-foot-9, 193 pounds) is a rookie running back who joins the Broncos after he was waived by Philadelphia on Aug. 4. He entered the NFL with the Eagles on May 1 as a college free agent from the University of Indiana.
In four seasons with the Hoosiers, Thigpen became the first player in school history with more than 1,000 career rushing yards (1,621), receiving yards (1,028) and kickoff return yards (2,009). His 2,009 career kickoff return yards (81 ret., 24.9 avg., 3 TDs) ranked second in school history and fifth in Big Ten Conference annals.
He finished his career at Indiana with 4,658 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns, totals that ranked third and tied for eighth, respectively, in school history. As a rusher, Thigpen averaged 4.8 yards per carry (337-1,621) and had nine rushing scores.
Named a first-team All-American by ESPN.com at Indiana in 2006 after leading the nation in kickoff return average (30.1 yds., 24-723, 3 TDs), Thigpen attended Mumford High School in Detroit. He was born on May 15, 1986.
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104.3 The Fan...
…characterized the trade for Smith as “pushing the panic button.”
We do not live in a savvy football town. Or should I say, those who pretend to be our local experts aren’t particularly savvy.
Let's see
they release an injured UFA then swap a 5th for an established backup and a 7th. Yeah that’s panicking – NOT!
by SlowWhiteGuy on Aug 17, 2009 7:54 PM MDT up reply actions
I know
I am not sure what we would be panicking about. Our defense has played so horribly in their one preseason game. NOT
The guy can play behind two positions. Has experience in the system. Is known by the coach. Certainly worth a 5th straight up and we got something back.
Tis better not to throw it to the deep receiver but the open receiver.
You might as well call it listening to sports pornography!
Imagination is more important than knowledge. A. Einstein
Too bad about Rulon Davis...
I had hoped that he could stick around on the Practice Squad…
A Bombshell from Jamie Dukes?
Maybe he is going to announce (officially) that he has no clue about pro football.
"Time wounds all heels" Groucho Marx
by dmitchell624 on Aug 17, 2009 8:48 PM MDT up reply actions
I'm really pleased with both of these moves.
The added depth on the Dline and ST’s is great for the draft choice and quite honestly, we’re a bit thin at RB too.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. A. Einstein
Marcus Thigpen
I am currently a Senior at Indiana University (not University of Indiana..ha) and Thigpen was the most explosive player on the field almost every game. The Hoosiers, ran by an incompetent head coach, did not know how to use him correctly. Thigpen was a terrific kick returner until teams stopped kicking the ball to him.
He moved around between RB and WR in his 4 years, and in a one cut offense might be able to stick on the team. Problem was as fast as he is, he went down relatively easy when encountered by contact. I would like to see him get some reps in these preseason games on ST, the backfield and even in the slot.
He has a knack for the big play, which is always something a team could use…and might give the Phonz a little bit of a push on ST. All in all as a fellow Hoosier I hope he sticks!
"Some guys got drafted and they ain't played football in 15 years and I'm still waiting to get drafted. I'm still waiting to hear my name." -Rod Smith
Thigpen
Thigpen was an All-Conference track guy, and it was always said he ran in the 4.2s…I am not sure if he was invited to the combine, or what he ran there.
"Some guys got drafted and they ain't played football in 15 years and I'm still waiting to get drafted. I'm still waiting to hear my name." -Rod Smith
Lastly, I see him almost strictly as a ST in the NFL, but we will see.
"Some guys got drafted and they ain't played football in 15 years and I'm still waiting to get drafted. I'm still waiting to hear my name." -Rod Smith
His Pro Day time was 4.46
35 inch vertical leap,
21 reps on the 225 bench press
1.53 10 yard dash
10 foot 6 inch broad jump
4.16 20 yard shuttle
7.20 3 cone drill
Hillis/Moreno in '09
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