Rookie punter Harris gets the boot
By Aaron J. Lopez, Associated Press
Rookie punter Nick Harris, an NCAA record-holder who confidently strode into training camp a month ago, found himself looking for work Tuesday after he was released by the Denver Broncos.
Harris, a fourth-round pick in the April draft, failed to unseat veteran Tom Rouen after averaging 37 yards on seven punts in the exhibition season.
The low point came Saturday night against New Orleans when Harris' longest punt of the game was returned 74 yards for a touchdown. He later shanked a 22-yard kick when he kicked the grass before connecting with the ball.
"The protection schemes are different, the way they come after us, they try to confuse our guys a little different from what they did in college, but snap the ball and kick it," Harris said Monday. "I don't want to make a lot of excuses about not kicking it well."
Also released by the Broncos on Tuesday were offensive linemen Ethan Brooks, Phil Ostrowski and Quentin Neujahr; safety Greg Brown; wide receiver Chris Doering; cornerback Darryl Pounds; placekicker Steve Lindsey; linebacker Antonio London; running back Basil Mitchell; fullback Mike Stack and quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst.
Denver also placed fullback Howard Griffith on injured reserve. Griffith has been sidelined by a pinched nerve in his neck and may retire.
The moves left the Broncos with 71 players on their active roster. The league required all teams to be down to 65 players Tuesday, but Denver has six players who are exempt because they played in NFL Europe last spring.
None of the cuts were more surprising than Harris, who was considered the favorite to win the punting job after a stellar college career at California, where he set NCAA records for career punts (322) and yardage (13,621).
Upon arriving at training camp, Harris spoke of winning a Super Bowl rather than a roster spot, and he was given ample opportunity to give Rouen the boot.
Rouen, who also is the holder for placekicker Jason Elam, punted one time in Denver's first exhibition game and was expected to share duties with Harris in the preseason finale Friday night.
"A little bit of a shocker," Harris' agent, Frank Bauer said.
If Harris is not claimed off waivers in 24 hours, he can sign with any team. Bauer did not expect him to be idle very long.
"I don't think he'll clear the wire," he said. "A fourth-rounder -- somebody will pick him up."
As for Denver's other cuts, Pounds was the biggest name and carried the biggest paycheck.
Pounds, who signed a three-year contract with Denver before the 2000 season, was due to make $600,000 this year. He was buried on the depth chart behind Deltha O'Neal, Denard Walker, Jimmy Spencer and Eric Davis.
Pounds played primarily on special teams in nine games last season before being placed on injured reserve with a dislocated right elbow. His best season came with the Washington Redskins in 1998 when he made 63 tackles, defended eight passes and recovered a fumble.
"I knew there were going to be some tough decisions to be made," Denver safety Billy Jenkins said. "Darryl Pounds, he's a good player, but we have a lot of good players here. It was just one of those things where it didn't work out, but it's pretty surprising."
August 28, 2001
2001 ? The E.W. Scripps Co.
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