Broncos management's hubris proves costly

Coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Brian Xanders admitted their own mistakes in making final cuts to the Broncos’ roster.

Now, if the Broncos’ football operation bosses can do something about their initial player evaluation process.

Among the more notable player moves this weekend were the release of defensive end Jarvis Green, who will collect $3.255 million without ever stepping on the field for the Broncos, and Marquez Branson, who had been the team’s top receiving tight end through the offseason and preseason.

Popular and productive receiver Brandon Stokley was placed on injured reserve until a settlement terminates his contract, which has already paid him $600,000 in bonuses this year.

“It’s hard to make it as a backup slot receiver,” Stokley said. “I think that was the main thing. And one that doesn’t play special teams. So I think all that added up to me being released.”

And then there was the most startling admission of all, that giving up a future first-round draft pick (which turned out to be Seattle safety Earl Thomas at No. 14 overall this year) for cornerback Alphonso Smith a year ago was an unfortunate error in judgment.

Smith, who received a $2.15 million signing bonus as the No. 37 overall selection in the 2009 draft, was traded to Detroit in exchange for Dan Gronkowski, a seventh-round pick who will replace the disappointing Branson as the Broncos’ new receiving tight end.

The one-day total of wasted money: $6.01 million on Green, Smith and Stokley.

Not that money was anything more than an afterthought when it came time to setting the roster. McDaniels and Xanders sent the message that performance, not financial considerations, wins roster spots.

Just ask Green. The former Patriot was one of the Broncos’ “big three” free-agent defensive linemen signed in March. Justin Bannan and Jamal Williams were the others. Green was given a four-year, $11.76 million contract, of which his $2.5 million signing bonus and $755,000 salary for this year were guaranteed. But by the team’s mandatory minicamp in June, Ryan McBean had reclaimed his starting job at right defensive end.

Broncos add RB, OL depth
The Broncos went to the waiver wire in search of some depth. They found some in former Giants tailback Andre Brown and 6-foot-5, 315-pound Vikings offensive lineman Chris Clark.
Linebacker Baraka Atkins and tailback Bruce Hall, likely headed to the practice squad, were waived