Broncos Release Tight End Daniel Graham

by Colby on Mar 2, 2011 2:32 PM MST in Denver Broncos Roster Moves

Breaking News: #Broncos TE Daniel Graham just told me, " the Broncosjust released me."

less than a minute ago via SwiftJosina AndersonJosinaAnderson

The Broncos released Tight End Daniel Graham today according to Josina Anderson.

	Receiving						Kickoff Returns					Punt Returns
G	Rec	Yds	Y/G	AVG	Lng	TD	KR	YDS	AVG	Lng	TD	PR	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
12	18	148	12.3	8.2	28	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

The release was not a huge surprise to many people but the timing is unfortunate for Graham with the CBA set to expire in less than 33 hours. This leaves the Broncos with only Richard Quinn, Daniel Coats, and Dan Gronkowski as the only Tight Ends on the roster making it a a large need this offseason.

We wish Daniel Graham the best in his future endeavors

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Comments

Sad to see him go

But can’t say that I’m surprised, I’ll be more surprised if this is the only release before the deadline.

"I want to get a ring, and I want to do it here." - Champ Bailey
www.worthingtonjohn.com

by Worthington on Mar 2, 2011 2:33 PM MST reply actions

when did we get rid of gronkowski and coats?

by Todd Jewell on Mar 2, 2011 2:35 PM MST reply actions

My bad tried to get article out in a hurry. Wont happen again

You can tune a piano but you cant tune a fish

by Colby on Mar 2, 2011 2:40 PM MST up reply actions

I just wondered if I missed something!

by Todd Jewell on Mar 2, 2011 2:50 PM MST up reply actions

hope we resign him to a reasonable contract, love his toughness

luckily im a bronco and a blazer fan

by chikndnnr on Mar 2, 2011 2:35 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

i rec this comment

luckily im a bronco and a blazer fan

by chikndnnr on Mar 2, 2011 2:36 PM MST up reply actions

exactly, I hope this is a deal where we resign him at a lower price

I love him as a blocking tight end, just stop throwing him the ball.

Playoffs!?!? Playoffs!?!? Don't Talk About Playoffs!?!?

by Mike Agnew on Mar 2, 2011 2:49 PM MST up reply actions

Graham was not worth 5.2 million

Thanks D Graham for your time here. You were one of the few leaders on this team.

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"They said I couldn't be a high school quarterback, they said I couldn't get a D1 scholarship. You're not good enough, you're not skilled enough. They said I couldn't win a heisman. They said I couldn't win a national championship. They said I wouldn't be a first round draft pick. They said I couldn't play in the league. Appreciate that." - Tim Tebow.

by Nick Cast on Mar 2, 2011 2:39 PM MST reply actions

agreed

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Mar 2, 2011 2:40 PM MST up reply actions

A Little sad..

but was pretty much inevitable.

by Dan Hart on Mar 2, 2011 2:41 PM MST reply actions

I'm in support of any such move that will improve our running game...

I dont recall taking issue with Graham at any point in the last season, but I trust this was the right descosion.

by Jezru on Mar 2, 2011 2:43 PM MST reply actions

Wow, even more a wow considering how poorly our other TE's have been playing

Contract killed him though.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 2, 2011 2:44 PM MST reply actions

Maybe more production like making plays

by always broncs on Mar 2, 2011 2:48 PM MST via mobile reply actions

He played just as poorly

by always broncs on Mar 2, 2011 2:50 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

good guy, seemed he never lived up to what shanny hoped for

You got the wrong TV, silly head

by plainview88 on Mar 2, 2011 2:50 PM MST reply actions

Enter Jeff King or Donte Rossario...

They’re both relatively young. Both were drafted by Fox in the 5th round. Both were consistently used for the last 3-4 years consistently. They’re durable, cheap and know the system. Jeff King, btw, was the long time starter and won’t be retained in their new system.

Depth isn't everything; not having it is. DE before the third or we're DOOMed to repeat past mistakes.

by Rodney A on Mar 2, 2011 2:51 PM MST reply actions

They're both FAs btw

Depth isn't everything; not having it is. DE before the third or we're DOOMed to repeat past mistakes.

by Rodney A on Mar 2, 2011 2:51 PM MST up reply actions

Panthers fans wanted to KILL Fox & his offensive staff over the poor usage of TEs

TEs weren’t high production guys in the past in Carolina, not that that won’t change this year, but I don’t see it has a realistic need until the last day of the draft or FA. I prefer FA over the draft when it comes to TE.

Generally speaking, Fox’s offenses were lackluster in the passing game in the short to middle zones in between the hashmarks.

Graham wasn’t worth the money. Love the guy, but he was an AWFUL value. Denver’s TE situation is miserable. I can’t believe Quinn is here either.

We should just sign Nene to play TE.

Get Byron Chamberlain on the phone. HOUSE!!!!

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by super7 on Mar 2, 2011 2:59 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

As long as we get a good blocking TE

That improves the running game like Fox used in Carolina, I don’t care if we don’t use them much in the passing game.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 2, 2011 3:02 PM MST up reply actions

Carolina's Richard Quinn...

Gary Barnidge, Carolina’s other 5th round Fox draftee:
G GS
2010 CAR 16 3 0 0 — — 0 — — — — — — —
2009 CAR 16 3 12 242 20.2 55 0 — — — — — 1 0
2008 CAR 15

This guy plays consistently. He’s like a 6th lineman…. like Quinn. Quinn has a home here, IMO.

As to Carolina fans wanting a star-ish TE…. tough. As to fans here wanting one, like Kyle Rudolph… tough. Fox never used one and McCoy didn’t either.

Let’s not forget. Fox had Delhomme to work with. I’m hoping Tebow is an improvement over that. We agree on FA for TE. I think it will be one of these two guys I listed in the above comment.

Depth isn't everything; not having it is. DE before the third or we're DOOMed to repeat past mistakes.

by Rodney A on Mar 2, 2011 3:12 PM MST up reply actions

You could be right

I need to get over Quinn being drafted when he was. I can admit that. If he was a UFA or 7th rounder, I’d be ok w/ him, but I have a case of sour grapes w/ him. My bad.

I don’t want/need a star TE, I’ll take a blocker who catches what’s occasionally thrown to him.

That used to be Graham back in the day, but not for the last few years.

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by super7 on Mar 2, 2011 3:15 PM MST up reply actions

True and agreed

If our Richard Quinn is Carolina’s Gary Barnidge, then our (ex) starter Daniel Graham is their (soon to be ex) starter (and current FA) Jeff King…

Jeff King: 6’3 – 260lbs…. 62 starts over last four years… 15 yards per game
Graham: 6’3 – 257lbs…. 61 starts over last four years… 17 yards per game

King should be much cheaper and is basically the same thing McCoy had last year in Graham and IS the same as Fox has used for years.

Depth isn't everything; not having it is. DE before the third or we're DOOMed to repeat past mistakes.

by Rodney A on Mar 2, 2011 4:12 PM MST up reply actions

Really hope we get a TE through FA and not through the draft.

Witnessed Playoffs last: April 28, 2008

Sincerely yours, Tortured T.O Fan

by Eddie.Teach on Mar 2, 2011 2:53 PM MST reply actions

I hope we have Free Agency to begin with.

The ignorant redneck formerly known as kentuckybronco.

by Troy Hufford on Mar 2, 2011 2:55 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

I agree

There are enough quality FA TE’s that I’d prefer not even to think TE in the draft till the later rounds.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 2, 2011 2:57 PM MST up reply actions

Shannon Sharpe>Clarence Kay>Daniel Graham

Jeb Putzier is in there somewhere….

by Jezru on Mar 2, 2011 2:56 PM MST reply actions

I dunno. I’d put Graham slightly above Kay. The problem is that we as fans are pretty good at judging pass-catching, but horrible at judging blocking. I haven’t heard anyone say that Graham’s blocking skills have declined.

Sharpe and Putzier are more in the pass-catching category. Putzier looked better than he was, because he had the advantage of playing on an offense with so many other weapons – he was always open!

by tunesmith on Mar 2, 2011 3:46 PM MST up reply actions

Good luck Daniel

I don’t see Quinn emerging as a starter (at least not this season) and I am still undecided about Gronkowski. FA tight end here we come.

by Bostjan Cernensek on Mar 2, 2011 2:57 PM MST reply actions

BRING BACK THE MUSTARD

CHAD MUSTARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MOZGOD Member #35

by CombatChuk on Mar 2, 2011 3:08 PM MST reply actions

Oh, man...

Poor guy. Cut, re-signed, cut, re-signed….what, like 18 times in one month?

- Nick

"Know the enemy, know yourself, and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles."
- Sun Tzu

"And I mean that in the most professional way possible."
- Brandon Lloyd

by ncm42 on Mar 2, 2011 3:28 PM MST up reply actions

It's a tough cycle to get out of

Might be kind of addicting.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 2, 2011 3:33 PM MST up reply actions

Cuts often come in bunches..

This cut came from Graham, not the team. There are likely more…

Depth isn't everything; not having it is. DE before the third or we're DOOMed to repeat past mistakes.

by Rodney A on Mar 2, 2011 3:13 PM MST reply actions

Good bye

Renaldo Hill
Ryan Harris
Mario Haggan

Surprise cut… Andre Goodman

MOZGOD Member #35

by CombatChuk on Mar 2, 2011 3:14 PM MST up reply actions

If we cut Haggan and Hill

Our defense and ST will be even more screwed up.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 2, 2011 3:18 PM MST up reply actions

We're going young... Hill is a liability

and Haggan is too slow for Fox’s defense

MOZGOD Member #35

by CombatChuk on Mar 2, 2011 3:20 PM MST up reply actions

Hill was actually one of the best safeties in the division

And in the top 10 in the conference according to FO, PFF, PFR and Advanced NFL Stats, where you do get the idea he’s a liability? I do think Haggan is a bit slow, but we really don’t have anyone to replace him.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 2, 2011 3:21 PM MST up reply actions

I would keep hill

and dump Dawk, but that’s just me. And Goodman (whn healthy) is a very good second fiddle to Champ. We wouldn’t dump Goody before the draft, even if we planned on taking Peterson.

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by super7 on Mar 2, 2011 3:34 PM MST up reply actions

I sure hope not

Goodman, like you said, when healthy is actually a very good corner, he lead our team in turnovers in 2009. Dawk, while a great voice in the locker, it was obvious both from his play and production, that he way past his prime.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 2, 2011 3:40 PM MST up reply actions

I always thought Hill played better than people gave him credit for

thanks for backing that up.

by droom on Mar 2, 2011 3:39 PM MST up reply actions

No problem

He had the huge failure at the end of a game this season, and isn’t a turnover creating guy, but he does his job very well, almost never giving up the big play, and was above average to great in comparison to most safeties in the conference. Now he’s no Pro Bowler, but he is a very good safety.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 2, 2011 3:42 PM MST up reply actions

Just Haggan

Hill’s underrated and not at all a problem. Harris isn’t under contract and doesn’t need to be cut (though I hope he is re-signed). Goody’s salary is large and could be a surprise cut.

Buck seems like a likely cut. His $2M in salary can be spent on a younger back. Dawkins could be a casualty, also.

Depth isn't everything; not having it is. DE before the third or we're DOOMed to repeat past mistakes.

by Rodney A on Mar 2, 2011 3:47 PM MST up reply actions

I do think Buck will be cut

Unless he takes a pay cut.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 2, 2011 3:50 PM MST up reply actions

Good Luck DG....

FIRE JOE ELLIS!

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by boydy2669 on Mar 2, 2011 3:18 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

Anybody have a list of FA tight ends?

I think I saw Evan Moore and Kevin Boss (and Owen Daniels) are FAs?

Also, per Elway’s Twitter, “We extended qualifying offers today to the following Broncos RFAs: R. Harris, M. Prater, M. Thomas, K. Vickerson, W. Woodyard.”

- Nick

"Know the enemy, know yourself, and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles."
- Sun Tzu

"And I mean that in the most professional way possible."
- Brandon Lloyd

by ncm42 on Mar 2, 2011 3:29 PM MST reply actions

link

http://twitter.com/johnelway?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=johnelway&utm_content=43072806111551488&ref=nf

- Nick

"Know the enemy, know yourself, and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles."
- Sun Tzu

"And I mean that in the most professional way possible."
- Brandon Lloyd

by ncm42 on Mar 2, 2011 3:34 PM MST up reply actions

Well that's good to hear

Especially Prater, Vick and Woodyard.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 2, 2011 3:43 PM MST up reply actions

Especially Harris!

It gives us the ability to not focus on the OL in the first couple rounds. We can now add a OT/OG in the 3rd or 4th for depth and development and deal with the issue of a new starter next year if it happens.

But yeah, Prater Vick and Wood are good to hear too!

Depth isn't everything; not having it is. DE before the third or we're DOOMed to repeat past mistakes.

by Rodney A on Mar 2, 2011 3:50 PM MST up reply actions

I expected this and the move is another good one by the new staff and FO.

I liked DG but he was not worth his contract. If he comes back at a much much lower rate that would be ok. I bet he ends up in St. Louis or here.

I expect if they draft a TE they will pick somebody like Lee Smith in the later rounds. Otherwise I can see FA TEs like King or Rosario.

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Mar 2, 2011 5:24 PM MST reply actions

I was a DG fan, but he was awful last year

I seriously likes the guy a lot, but wanted to throttle him in many games last year. I posted to that fact a number of times. And, I am talking purely about blocking, never mind that his hands somehow turned to stone. Whatever is the opposite of “high motor guy”, that was DG last year. Either he was injured, tired, old, didn’t like the coach(es) or couldn’t deal with being on a sucky team. Whatever it was, he needed to go. I do thank him for the prior three years and wish him the best.

by Bradoncadonc on Mar 2, 2011 6:48 PM MST via mobile reply actions