Broncos claim OL Sam Brenner off of waivers from Dolphins
The Denver Broncos on Wednesday acquired offensive lineman Sam Brenner off of waivers from the Miami Dolphins, and in a corresponding move also waived offensive lineman Shelley Smith.
#Broncos make a roster move https://t.co/x7qpEhuM56 pic.twitter.com/xhrA0Ka50Z
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 18, 2015
The Dolphins had waived Brenner four times since September and he’d bounced around between starting a few games to being a member of the practice squad. Miami media and Dolphins fans felt like he was a player with some upside…
Two young players I believe in - AJ Francis & Sam Brenner - are now gone from the #Dolphins stable. Hope management did the right thing.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) November 18, 2015
Even his teammates were leery of his being repeatedly released by the team…
#Broncos claim Sam Brenner, Mike Pouncey critical of how Brenner was cut repeatedly by #Dolphins https://t.co/dgHe16YmLv
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonFL) November 18, 2015
Brenner was a member of the class of 2013 where he was signed as an undrafted free agent initially by the Dolphins. He is 25 years old and comes to the Broncos with varying levels of experience, but he at least provides a younger player on the interior offensive line that can provide perhaps some long-term upside where Shelley Smith didn’t, necessarily.
The Broncos list now on the active roster four players who play center in Matt Paradis, James Ferentz, Brenner, and rookie Max Garcia, who is listed as a C/G. The interior offensive line is shaping up as the scouting department might prefer, as all of those players (save for Brenner, at the moment) have gotten some playing time this season.
Rick Dennison knows how to coach up offensive linemen, and Gary Kubiak’s zone scheme is known for producing players up front who really fit what they’re trying to do.
I'm happy for Sam Brenner. He's worked hard and deserves a fair shot elsewhere. Notice I said the word "FAIR."
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) November 18, 2015
The Broncos, in addition to having nine offensive linemen on the active roster, have two on injured reserve (Ryan Clady, Ty Sambrailo) and three (Kyle Roberts, Dillon Day, Antonio Johnson) on the practice squad.