The Denver Broncos on Saturday signed tackle Chad Mustard and released tackle Adam Meadows, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.
Mustard (6-foot-6, 277 pounds) is a fourth-year player in his first season as a tackle after entering the NFL as a tight end. Mustard, who spent last season with the Broncos after joining them as a future-contract signee on Jan. 3, 2006, competed in Denver's 2007 training camp but was waived by the club on Sept. 1.
In 29 career regular-season games (4 starts) with Cleveland (2003-04) and Denver (2006), Mustard has totaled seven receptions for 61 yards (8.7 avg.) and four kickoff returns for 21 yards (5.3 avg.). A University of North Dakota product, Mustard entered the NFL as a practice-squad signee with the Browns on Dec. 3, 2002.
The 29-year-old Mustard played 12 games (4 starts) for the Broncos in 2006, totaling two receptions for 23 yards (11.5 avg.). He joined Denver after spending the 2005 regular season out of the NFL following a stint in Carolina's training camp that year.
Mustard saw time on Cleveland's active roster from 2003-04 and was on its practice squad in 2002. He caught a career-high four passes for 29 yards (7.3 avg.) in 10 games (0 starts) for the Browns in 2003.
At North Dakota, Mustard played two years of football following the conclusion of a basketball career that saw him finish eighth on the school's all-time scoring list (1,568 pts.). He was a member of the Omaha Beef of the National Indoor Football League in 2002 after his final collegiate season.
Born on Oct. 8, 1977, in Central City, Neb., Mustard attended Scotus Central Catholic High School in Columbus, Neb
Obviously it is a bit odd for there to be a roster move on the eve of your opening game of the season, especially along the offensive line when the player being released was to be depended on for depth. Meadows had been hampered by a calf injury most of the Pre-Season, and with veteran salaries becoming guarunteed if the player is on the pening Day roster, the Broncos had a bot of motivation to release him if he was not healthy. The Broncos are already thin on offensive front, however, and the release of Meadows only makes that situation worse.
Mustard, rememeber, is a converted O-Lineman/Tight End/Fullback. My honest opinion??? I am genuinely concerned about our offensive line.
In other news, old friend Paul Ernster has found a home with the Cleveland Browns, being signed to a deal today to provide insurance in case Dave Zastudil is unable to go. Ernster was put through a workout by the Browns this past week after Zastudil injured his back during Monday's practice. I am glad to see Ernster get another shot.