All of Columbus rejoices - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

Newport Red · 08-28-2005, 06:52 PM

Broncos to release Maurice Clarett

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By John Clayton
ESPN.com

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.

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.

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.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

WMR · 08-28-2005, 06:57 PM

Jeez, what a loser. Can't say I feel one iota of pity for this guy.

Sea Ray · 08-28-2005, 07:27 PM

How many chances is this guy going to screw up? I'm kind of surprised he didn't work harded to make it for the Broncos. Surely by now he sees that football is his only chance to make decent money in this life. What's he going to do for paychecks if the NFL snubs him?

What I wouldn't give for a chance to forgo a real job and make a killing playing a game. What a waste...

MWM · 08-28-2005, 08:44 PM

It was a stupid pick for the Broncos. It's not wise to waste 3rd round picks.

Reds/Flyers Fan · 08-28-2005, 08:47 PM

Shame on the Broncos for wasting a third round pick on this waste - not just on his untested football skills but also on his pitiful attitude.

Maurice Clarett thought he was entitled to the same kinds of money and recognition as his buddy Lebron James. Think again Mo.

BuckeyeRedleg · 08-28-2005, 08:48 PM

Ahh. Poor guy.

MrCinatit · 08-28-2005, 09:29 PM

rumor has it, Maurice will be signing with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as sort of a package deal with Danny Graves, where both will sit on the bench, pointing out why the teams which released them are completely at fault.

oh. wait. wrong sport. sorry.

jmcclain19 · 08-28-2005, 10:06 PM

thus ends the saga of one of college footballs most overrated and overhyped player in recent memory

Reds/Flyers Fan · 08-28-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcclain19

thus ends the saga of one of college footballs most overrated and overhyped player in recent memory

Unfortunately, I don't believe for a second we have seen the last of this spoiled malcontent.

paintmered · 08-28-2005, 10:17 PM

Maybe he can go and play in either the CFL or the AFL. At least he will be able to put food on his table in those leagues - he's got no other marketable skills whatsoever to be a productive member of society.

LoganBuck · 08-28-2005, 10:28 PM

Sadly, I wonder how long it will be until he shows back up on the police blotter.

Unassisted · 08-29-2005, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcclain19

thus ends the saga of one of college footballs most overrated and overhyped player in recent memory

I will disagree with "overrated" and am just a wee bit concerned that "overhyped" might be a dig at Ohio State.

If he had stayed in college, trained and practiced hard, kept his mouth shut and scrupulously followed NCAA rules, Mo could have racked up some impressive yardage behind an always-talented Buckeye O-line.

All this release proves is that sitting at home and in lawyer's offices for over a year is no way to prepare for an NFL career. After stiff-arming most of the NFL combines and flopping so miserably in Denver, I think it's a safe bet that Clarett will never set foot on a full-size football field on a Sunday again–at least not in this country. Hopefully, he hasn't spent his signing bonus.

jmcclain19 · 08-29-2005, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unassisted

I will disagree with "overrated" and am just a wee bit concerned that "overhyped" might be a dig at Ohio State.

If he had stayed in college, trained and practiced hard, kept his mouth shut and scrupulously followed NCAA rules, Mo could have racked up some impressive yardage behind an always-talented Buckeye O-line.

All this release proves is that sitting at home and in lawyer's offices for over a year is no way to prepare for an NFL career. After stiff-arming most of the NFL combines and flopping so miserably in Denver, I think it's a safe bet that Clarett will never set foot on a full-size football field on a Sunday again–at least not in this country. Hopefully, he hasn't spent his signing bonus.

Eh - he had three quarters of a good season that were cut short because he was frail. I'm not convinced that wouldn't have continued if he would have kept his nose clean. We would have heard the uber hype with him every year, while he played 6-7 games putting up above average numbers.

WMR · 08-29-2005, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unassisted

I will disagree with "overrated" and am just a wee bit concerned that "overhyped" might be a dig at Ohio State.

If he had stayed in college, trained and practiced hard, kept his mouth shut and scrupulously followed NCAA rules, Mo could have racked up some impressive yardage behind an always-talented Buckeye O-line.

All this release proves is that sitting at home and in lawyer's offices for over a year is no way to prepare for an NFL career. After stiff-arming most of the NFL combines and flopping so miserably in Denver, I think it's a safe bet that Clarett will never set foot on a full-size football field on a Sunday again–at least not in this country. Hopefully, he hasn't spent his signing bonus.

Umm, he didn't get a signing bonus.

Roy Tucker · 08-29-2005, 07:23 AM

I'm sure he'll hang around by name alone and novelty factor and work his way down the pro football food chain, CFL, Europe, arena, pee wee, prison yard, etc.

He just screwed it all up. The OSU football machine was ready to assimilate him, elevate him, make him the featured star, Archie/Eddie/etc. Heisman, blah blah. All he had to do was play the game (and I don't mean football). He made a mess of it all.

08-28-2005, 06:52 PM	#1
Newport Red Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: End of the bench Posts: 738	All of Columbus rejoices Broncos to release Maurice Clarett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By John Clayton ESPN.com 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. 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. 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. John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

08-28-2005, 06:57 PM	#2
WMR GR8NESS Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Posts: 16,910	Re: All of Columbus rejoices Jeez, what a loser. Can't say I feel one iota of pity for this guy.

08-28-2005, 07:27 PM	#3
Sea Ray Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 15,252	Re: All of Columbus rejoices How many chances is this guy going to screw up? I'm kind of surprised he didn't work harded to make it for the Broncos. Surely by now he sees that football is his only chance to make decent money in this life. What's he going to do for paychecks if the NFL snubs him? What I wouldn't give for a chance to forgo a real job and make a killing playing a game. What a waste...

08-28-2005, 08:44 PM	#4
MWM Pre-tty, pre-tty good!! Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 12,171	Re: All of Columbus rejoices It was a stupid pick for the Broncos. It's not wise to waste 3rd round picks. __________________ Grape works as a soda. Sort of as a gum. I wonder why it doesn't work as a pie. Grape pie? There's no grape pie. - Larry David

08-28-2005, 08:47 PM	#5
Reds/Flyers Fan Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cincinnati USA Posts: 3,319	Re: All of Columbus rejoices Shame on the Broncos for wasting a third round pick on this waste - not just on his untested football skills but also on his pitiful attitude. Maurice Clarett thought he was entitled to the same kinds of money and recognition as his buddy Lebron James. Think again Mo.

08-28-2005, 08:48 PM	#6
BuckeyeRedleg Will post for food Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 5,088	Re: All of Columbus rejoices Ahh. Poor guy.

08-28-2005, 09:29 PM	#7
MrCinatit Baseball card addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Piqua Posts: 4,426	Re: All of Columbus rejoices rumor has it, Maurice will be signing with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as sort of a package deal with Danny Graves, where both will sit on the bench, pointing out why the teams which released them are completely at fault. oh. wait. wrong sport. sorry. __________________ whisper words of wisdom I wrote a book! My AmazonShort My other AmazonShort

08-28-2005, 10:06 PM	#8
jmcclain19 Smells Like Teen Spirit Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 6,486	Re: All of Columbus rejoices thus ends the saga of one of college footballs most overrated and overhyped player in recent memory

08-28-2005, 10:17 PM	#10
paintmered SERP Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 7,007	Re: All of Columbus rejoices Maybe he can go and play in either the CFL or the AFL. At least he will be able to put food on his table in those leagues - he's got no other marketable skills whatsoever to be a productive member of society. __________________ What if this wasn't a rhetorical question? All models are wrong. Some of them are useful.

08-28-2005, 10:28 PM	#11
LoganBuck I hate the Cubs Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 5,580	Re: All of Columbus rejoices Sadly, I wonder how long it will be until he shows back up on the police blotter. __________________ Whenever you get mad over a called strike or ball on a close pitch, it's the equivalent of being mad at the QB pump-faking one time before throwing a pass in your average NFL game. ---Caveat Emperor

08-29-2005, 07:23 AM	#15
Roy Tucker Be the ball Join Date: May 2001 Location: Mason, OH Posts: 11,111	Re: All of Columbus rejoices I'm sure he'll hang around by name alone and novelty factor and work his way down the pro football food chain, CFL, Europe, arena, pee wee, prison yard, etc. He just screwed it all up. The OSU football machine was ready to assimilate him, elevate him, make him the featured star, Archie/Eddie/etc. Heisman, blah blah. All he had to do was play the game (and I don't mean football). He made a mess of it all. __________________ "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."

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