Broncos sign OL Maurice Williams, release S Marcellus Bowman, OG Michael Shumard

by John Bena on May 6, 2010 8:16 PM MDT in Denver Broncos Roster Moves

The Denver Broncos on Thursday signed free-agent offensive lineman Maurice Williams, it was announced. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Denver also on Thursday announced the release of safety Marcellus Bowman and guard Michael Shumard, whom the club signed as college free agents following the 2010 NFL Draft.

Williams (6-foot-5, 302 pounds) is a 10th-year offensive lineman who spent his first nine NFL seasons with Jacksonville, which selected him in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft from the University of Michigan. He has appeared in 105 career regular-season games (100 starts) along with three playoff contests (3 starts).

Williams, whose 100 career starts rank seventh in Jaguars history, has started all 16 games for a season five times in his career. In the regular season, he has started 86 games at right tackle, 12 games at right guard and two contests at left tackle.

The veteran started all 16 games for the Jaguars during four consecutive seasons from 2003-06 as one of 14 players in the NFL to accomplish that feat at either the tackle or guard positions.

An honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection as a senior at Michigan, Williams attended Pershing High School in Detroit. He was born on Jan. 26, 1979.

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Another one bites the dust

I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything - John Elway
October 11, 2009: Remember the McD Fist Pump.
Xbox360 gamertag: SnipeMeHarder

by Nick Cast on May 6, 2010 8:19 PM MDT reply actions

Didn't the Jag's have interior line issues? Or was he at RT last year?

Quitter's People United Member #396
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^Needs explaining: don't call someone asking uncomfortable, slightly antagonistic questions *for the purpose of learning* trolls. It's real easy to differentiate a 'Socratic' post from a trolling one.

by Drizzt396 on May 6, 2010 8:29 PM MDT reply actions

hardly knew ye boys. good luck.

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. - Benjamin Franklin

by Orange and Blue on May 6, 2010 8:43 PM MDT reply actions

That's what I like

More Williamses!

"All we're trying to do is win the *********** game!" -- Josh MF McDaniels tearing into his offensive line after three false starts in the red zone. The tirade turned the tide of the game, and the Broncos dominated from that point on.

by broncosmontana on May 6, 2010 10:24 PM MDT reply actions

well, no suprise we are still looking for a dimond in the scrap pile.

he will get us through a season at right guard if necessary. If not, he strikes me as camp competition for an offensive line that is in flux. Things sure were a lot calmer around here when all we needed was a center and left guard.

by NavyBSU_fan on May 6, 2010 11:45 PM MDT reply actions

Another available big guy is on the market

JaMarcus the Hutt, at 6’4" and 300lbs should fill in great with our OL.

Just don’t ever give him the ball.

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WWTTD?

by SinDonor on May 7, 2010 1:18 AM MDT via mobile reply actions

My bad

He’s 6’6", he’s probably too lanky for our beefed up OL.

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WWTTD?

by SinDonor on May 7, 2010 1:20 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

"Moris! (Maurice!) You die!"

[/obscure Simpsons quote from a Treehouse of Horror long ago]

by neumdaddy on May 7, 2010 1:38 AM MDT reply actions

Not obscure

And I LOLd

User name pronounced Air-Ah-Miss Originally from my days in the SCA, became a gamer and forum tag because it is odd and it is a name I like

by Arimaris on May 7, 2010 10:28 AM MDT up reply actions

FILL IN FOR CLADY

With his size and some tackle experience, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s actually looked at as giving more depth to the tackle position with Both Clady and Harris injured.

by cptmorni on May 7, 2010 4:02 AM MDT reply actions

Great flexibility and strong RT experience too

Whats not to like here.

Adding a stable of capable veterans who have proven that they can play at this level mixed with a lot a physically talented rookies. Not only that it seems almost everyone added recently can play multiple positions. That has to help.

If you are adding them into games in rotation or you have depth for injuries to sustain a long season with capable backups that are not significant drop offs in size speed and talent , that seems to be a pretty darn rationale strategy.

I must say, I like the significant emphasis and execution this off season on getting bigger more talented beef in the trenches on both sides of the ball in the OL and DL improvements.

by Kosty on May 7, 2010 4:56 AM MDT reply actions

Me too!

"To be honest, I will wear whatever number they want me to wear. If that's 15,
I'll wear 15. If that's 95, I'll wear 95. I don't really care, just as long as
I can wear a Denver Broncos jersey. That's my approach and my attitude."
TT 4/23/10

by Biffster on May 7, 2010 6:02 AM MDT up reply actions

He gave up one sack, 6 pressures, and 3 QB hits last year. The stats I was looking at show that he was marginal as an OL last year.

by Todd Jewell on May 7, 2010 6:59 AM MDT reply actions

I'm a simple man

but sign one, release two.

Should I read something else into that? Is there another signing in the works, or is this meaningless at this stage of the game?

Still got your Creedence...

by OutOfYourElement on May 7, 2010 9:16 AM MDT reply actions

Meaningless

There are more players on the team now than the 80 man limit. As draft picks and Doom are signed, some players are going to be cut antway.

Now that that is over.....

by 3nS on May 7, 2010 9:20 AM MDT up reply actions

I feel a lot better

This makes sense on so many levels. With both tackles injured and uncertain as to when they will be able to play. This allows them to wait until they are really ready instead of forcing a return to early. Say good-bye to Polumbus.

Now that that is over.....

by 3nS on May 7, 2010 9:17 AM MDT reply actions