Sauerbrun thankful for 2nd chance

ENGLEWOOD - Punter Todd Sauerbrun knows he let the Denver Broncos down, and he spent most of the past year regretting it.

Sauerbrun is back with the Broncos after signing a one-year, incentive-laden contract on Friday. Denver cut him last season after his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

Sauerbrun, who said he tested positive for the banned substance ephedra last year, promised he wouldn’t fail the Broncos again. He called playing for the Broncos his dream job.

“Mike Shanahan and Pat Bowlen were willing to have me back,” said Sauerbrun, referring to the Broncos’ coach and owner. “And now I owe them. I will not blow this opportunity.”

Sauerbrun admitted he screwed up last season.

The Broncos were wary that Sauerbrun faced a one-year suspension if he tested positive again, so they stuck with Paul Ernster, who also happened to be a less expensive option.

Sauerbrun didn’t sign with a team until New England offered a spot late December. He said his time out of football was frustrating, especially because he was upset about taking the ephedra. He took responsibility for that.

“Just immature, stupid,” Sauerbrun said. “What else can I say? It was just dumb. You learn. Either you learn, or you’re done. It’s pretty simple.”

Sauerbrun said Shanahan’s message to him was clear.

“He pretty much has said you know what you need to do,” Sauerbrun said. “You know I’m not going to sit here and blast you like a 2-year-old kid because you know what you did and you know what not to do. Now go do it.”

On the field, the Broncos don’t have much to worry about. Sauerbrun said his performance in 2005, his only year with the Broncos, wasn’t up to his standards. However, he averaged 43.8 yards per punt, which is the fourth-best career mark among all Broncos punters.

Denver missed Sauerbrun last season. Ernster, in his first season punting, was 28th in the NFL in gross punting average. Sauerbrun is a threetime Pro Bowler. He said he will also probably handle kickoffs and hold for kicker Jason Elam.

Sauerbrun expects to have a big year because he is reunited with new Broncos special teams coach Scott O’Brien. O’Brien coached Sauerbrun for four seasons in Carolina, and Sauerbrun had some of his best years under his tutelage.

“He’s like a second father to him,” Sauerbrun’s agent David Canter said.

Sauerbrun felt fortunate to return to the Broncos.

The Patriots had a right of first refusal in his contract and exercised it after Sauerbrun signed an offer sheet with the Broncos.

NFL Players Association lawyers informed him there might be a glitch with the right of first refusal.

The Patriots hadn’t followed proper protocol on the right of first refusal, which was supposed to be on a separate form.

Sauerbrun won an arbitration hearing Wednesday, and became a free agent. He agreed to a contract with the Broncos less than a day later.

Sauerbrun said he is grateful for his second chance.

“I don’t want to let the team down,” Sauerbrun said. “To hell with myself. I don’t want to let the guys down.”

CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com