jaxskins Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2145372 Updated: Aug. 28, 2005, 9:08 PM ET Broncos to release Maurice Clarett By John Clayton Maurice Clarett's gamble for the big dollars in the NFL failed for a second time. The Denver Broncos informed Clarett on Sunday that he is being released. Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Maurice Clarett was drafted by the Broncos in the third round. Mike Shanahan surprised the league by using a third-round draft choice on the former Ohio State running back in the final selection of the round. The Broncos coach thought he had the cutback style of running that fit in one of the league's best running systems. As it turned out, Shanahan made a mistake and didn't want to waste time admitting it. With Tuesday's deadline for cutting the roster to 65 looming, Clarett, who never made the field in three preseason games, was let go. Clarett first gambled that he could beat the NFL in court after applying despite not being three years out of high school. The case failed and Clarett had to sit out and wait until the 2005 season to get his chance to turn pro. Clarett's second gamble was on his contract. He felt he was a first-round choice and wanted a contract similar to what a first-rounder would receive. To accomplish that, he tried to do get that contract with incentives. The four-year deal he pushed for included no signing bonus. The Broncos were willing to give him a $410,000 signing bonus, but Clarett opted to push that money into workout bonuses in 2006 through 2008. Clarett agreed to only a $230,000 base salary in 2005. If he put up good numbers, Clarett had the opportunity to make $7 million over the four years of his contract. "I'd love to see someone pick up the contract," Clarett's agent, Steven Feldman, told The Associated Press. "The way the incentives in the contract are, he won't get them with another team." By releasing him, the Broncos won't take any cap hit. It also appears unlikely that they would sign him to their practice squad, although that remains an option if Shanahan is interested. For the moment, the Broncos are three deep in halfbacks. Mike Anderson is expected to be the opening day starter. Tatum Bell should be the backup, and Shanahan likes what he sees from former Giants No. 1 pick Ron Dayne. Despite his failure in Denver, Clarett should receive some interest from other teams although it is likely teams may not want to claim his four-year contract. There is a 24-hour waiver claim period that begins Monday when he goes on the league waiver wire. If he is cleared by Tuesday at 4 p.m., Clarett is eligible to sign with any team in the league. "I'm not real confident of anything at this point," Feldman told the AP. "We'll see what happens now." John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxskins Posted August 29, 2005 Author Share Posted August 29, 2005 Sorry my bad please delete... I did a search on clarrett and didn't see this posted on the list but after I posted I tried a search with broncos it it came up. Sorry for old re-hash fellas!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 damn...i feel bad for the guy. i know everyone wants to say its his fault, i hate him, and he's a headcase, but it still sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooper Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Shanahan is a such a bad GM I'm shocked he doesn't play racquetball with Snyder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HailVictory Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 What a strange career this kid has had - from the cover of SI, a national champ, and arguably the best player in college football at one point, now he flops with his master p contract and could be out of football without so much as a preseason carry. Is that the Toronto Argonauts I hear calling Mo's name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
method man Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 vet minimum with incentives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilgamesh Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 I'd like to say this is the worst move of the Shanahan era, but he's had so many bad high draft picks...Ashlie Lelie, Willie Middlebrooks, Deltha O'Neal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tr1 Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Shanahan....brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devman91 Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Maurice is the biggest idiot ever. Had he stayed in college and kept his mouth quiet , he could be a good back in this league. look where he is now. hurt dumb and prolly headed to canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just skins baby Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Maurice is the biggest idiot ever. Had he stayed in college and kept his mouth quiet , he could be a good back in this league. look where he is now. hurt dumb and prolly headed to canada He's right up there with Lawrence Phillips in my opinion. The guy had one good season and he thinks he is an all star. Maybe he will go back to college and get an education. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooper Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Maybe he will go back to college and get an education. Yeah. And I'll be returning kicks for the skins on opening day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brooksfb Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 He's right up there with Lawrence Phillips in my opinion. The guy had one good season and he thinks he is an all star. I agree. Definately an exaggerated sense of one's own importance. The bad part is that he probably still thinks he's as good as the first rounders. This will be the third year without playing football. IMO he's done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blondie Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 What a true waste of potential. Blondie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooper Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Paper or plastic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forbeskin Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Would you like fries with that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooper Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Please, just don't get it in my eye, Mr. North. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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