Clark Returns, Hixon Released In Special Teams Shakeup

by John Bena on Oct 2, 2007 4:49 PM MDT

The Denver Broncos on Tuesday signed wide receiver Brian Clark and waived wide receiver Domenik Hixon, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

Clark (6-foot-2, 204 pounds) is a second-year player who rejoins the Broncos after the club waived him Saturday. Clark, who was inactive for Denver's first three games this season, entered the NFL with Denver on May 3, 2006, as a college free agent from North Carolina State University.

As a rookie in 2006, Clark spent the first six weeks of the season on Denver's practice squad before he was signed to its active roster on Oct. 23. He played six games (0 starts) for the Broncos, leading the club with 23 kickoff returns for 512 yards (22.3 avg.).

In 43 career games (23 starts) at North Carolina State, Clark totaled 78 receptions for 1,311 yards (16.8 avg.) with 11 touchdowns. He was an All-Academic Atlantic Coast Conference selection as a junior in 2004 and also competed on the school's track team.

Clark, who received PrepStar honorable mention All-Southeast Region honors at Chamberlain High School in Tampa, Fla., was born Dec. 26, 1983, in Jacksonville, Fla.

While I am sad to see Hixon go it was an obvious move that needed to be made. Hixon just wasn't attacking the hole on kickoff returns and consistently was brought down by first contact. It was almost as though he never recovered from the Kevin Everett play.

Let's hope Clark brings a spark to the return game and allows the offense to start somewhere further than our own 15 yard line....

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Comments

Shocked

I didn't see this one coming. Hixon has played just 4 games...are we expecting him to play like a seasoned veteran who knows everything? Hixon sounds more like a scapegoat than anything.

Once again I'll trust Shanny's judgement on this one since he knows his personnel better than I do. As memory serves me, Clark wasn't much better last year...sure he led the team, but he I still don't think he is much of an upgrade from Hixon...

I guess we shall see this coming Sunday..

by Tim Lynch on Oct 2, 2007 5:00 PM MDT reply actions

I actually said

HOLY S***! when I saw this article on the Post. Totally agree with the move though.

Think about this though: It wasn't more than seven days ago that O'brien, when asked if Hixon was going to get it done, stated something along the lines of, "I believe he will. I don't want to not stick with himjust to see him leave and be successful elsewhere."

Now Hixon is cut.

This is a vote of "no confidence" from shanny to O'brien. Frankly, its about time.

by Jeremy Bolander on Oct 2, 2007 8:18 PM MDT up reply actions

Are you serious?

Hixon has played just 4 games...are we expecting him to play like a seasoned veteran who knows everything? Hixon sounds more like a scapegoat than anything.

No, they should expect him to play like a kick/punt returner. Special teams is exactly the place for unproven young players to make their mark. How many people has Hixon made miss since the beginning of the season? He seems to run right into the first tackler. I don't get it when people use the "scapegoat" thing when someone gets benched, cut or fired for not doing their job. I guess the right thing to do is for O'Brien to just quit because Hixon can't get it done, then? Absurd.

by MN Bronco on Oct 3, 2007 7:26 AM MDT up reply actions

Selvin Young

At least he looks like he has a little wiggle.

by WABronco on Oct 2, 2007 6:01 PM MDT reply actions

Clark

is going to handle the returns ALOT better! Trust me...

by DjBroncos on Oct 2, 2007 6:05 PM MDT reply actions

I agree

I thought clark must have some kind of issue or injury when they cut him and activated Martinez last week, since I figured they would activate him for returns. It might be a week off, timing wise, but this should have happened sooner, cutting Hixon and activating Clark.

On a side note, I'm bothered by what seems like a good work-ethic on Hixon's part, that somehow wasn't translating to production. I think Guru might have something when he says Hixon might not be over Everett. I don't know about that specifically, but Hixon definitely looks (looked) like he's holding his own self back, defeating himself.

Last but not least, are we pretty sure Clark will return both punts and kickoffs? Young could split duties (though I don't see the backup tailback getting that call) and isn't Hall still on the active roster? Correct me if I'm wrong.

by Jeremy Bolander on Oct 2, 2007 8:27 PM MDT up reply actions

I think Martinez was active

because he was most ready to play at WR against Indy. Unfortunately, I did not get to see the whole game on Sunday and haven't watched the DVR version yet, but it seemed like Martinez was the #3 WR. If Hixon was the return man that left Clark as the odd man out.

I am curious to see if Denver tries to re-sign Hixon to the practice squad. If they do, it indicates that they still think he has a future in the NFL. I agree that he should be better than he has been and the Everett injury is the obvious scapegoat. Whatever the cause, he wasn't getting the job done on returns and wasn't contributing anywhere else so it's not shocking to see Hixon get cut.

My biggest fear with this move is at punt returner. It is a tougher job than running back kicks and I can't think of anyone on the roster who has pro experience doing it (maybe Champ and Dre but I don't want to risk either of them back there). We have plenty of options for KR. Maybe not great options, but at least folks we can throw back there who will catch the kick and not fumble on the return. I don't think Clark is a punt returner which leaves Martinez and/or Shoate as the first option.

by MattR on Oct 2, 2007 9:04 PM MDT up reply actions

Practice squad

Good point, noting that it ain't over till its over. Waivers will process and we will see what is to become of all Hixon's hard work in a Bronco's uniform (in practice at any rate).

I'll also note that after reading up on the Bronco's tonight (and acknowledging that I, too, never got to see the end of the Indy game) it seems that Hall was deep for kickoffs with Hix last week, so yes, he is on the active roster, and yes, it is quite obvious now that they are interested in seeing what he can do in the return game.

by Jeremy Bolander on Oct 2, 2007 9:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Put Henry back there

Not joking. You have young. He looks just as good. You have 2 rb's plus mike Bell. Got to try something

To watch the Colts game or to not watch the Colts game? Tis the question my heart rate depends on.

by broncodude793 on Oct 2, 2007 7:37 PM MDT reply actions

Smith

I wonder how far-fetched it would seem to see Rod Smith coming off PUP to return punts & kicks? I remember he's done punt-returning in the past when we needed him, but was limited due to his vital role on the team at the time. They say he's pretty good at going north-south on punts, which is what you need in a returner.

I'm not privy to his health status and whether he can make the roster in 2 weeks, but unless Walker is more hurt than we realize and we need better WR depth - could this be a way for Rod to contribute?

by romeyinfc on Oct 2, 2007 8:54 PM MDT reply actions

sweet

I can sleep easy tonight.

My dislike of Hixon has been chronicled enough around these parts. Hopefully Clark will bring some speed to the table.

Anything is better.

by binford04 on Oct 3, 2007 2:07 AM MDT reply actions

Andre Hall

With Hall lining up back there alongside Hixon on Sunday, my guess is he'll be the next KR. Not sure about punts though.

As for Martinez, I wouldn't be surprised if he was signed/activated last week because he's the better blocker of the three (Hixon, Clark, Martinez). It would seem to fit with the gameplan. In the preseason, Clark was clearly the best receiver. The reason they didn't try to put him on the practice squad was because the numbers he was putting up were getting attention elsewhere around the league.

by MN Bronco on Oct 3, 2007 7:30 AM MDT reply actions