DENVER (AP) – The Brian Griese era officially came to a close Monday when the Denver Broncos released their former starting quarterback to clear space under the salary cap.
Griese was once touted as the replacement for John Elway, but the Broncos cut ties with the former Pro Bowl selection after two mediocre seasons.
Griese was benched in Denver’s final game in 2002, then was given permission to talk with other teams about a possible trade before Jake Plummer was signed to a seven-year, $40 million contract in March.
“Brian is a pro,” said Ralph Cindrich, Griese’s agent. “There were no surprises.”
Griese never got out from under Elway’s shadow.
Elway retired in 1999 after winning consecutive Super Bowls, but Griese was just 27-24 as a starter and took the Broncos to the playoffs just once in four years.
By releasing Griese after June 1, the Broncos will save $4.9 million in cap space next season and $1.4 million in 2004.
Last week, he said, “I’m very grateful for my time in Denver, for the great fans and for the team that gave me an opportunity. But now it’s time for a fresh start.”
Griese isn’t expected to be on the market long.
Cindrich said at least three teams have expressed interest in Griese and he hopes to have a deal worked out quickly.
Miami appears to have the best shot at landing him.
The Dolphins are looking for a backup to starter Jay Fiedler after releasing Ray Lucas in April. Griese also grew up in Miami, where his father, Bob, had a Hall of Fame career with the Dolphins in the 1970s.
Cindrich said Miami was one of a few teams he and Griese talked to Monday, but no deal was reached because they didn’t get official word from the league office until late in the day.
Cincinnati Bengals
release QB Akili Smith
CINCINNATI – Quarterback Akili Smith’s four frustrating years with the Cincinnati Bengals ended Monday as new coach Marvin Lewis continued to remake the roster by releasing the former first-round pick.
Smith was the third overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. He said he is pleased the Bengals gave him a chance to restart his NFL career with another team.
“It’s a great day,” he told the Bengals’ Web site.
Smith said he didn’t think that he’d get another chance to be a starter in Cincinnati, even with the new coaching staff under Lewis.
The Bengals, 2-14 last season, released Smith two days after signing journeyman Shane Matthews to a one-year contract to backup Jon Kitna, who has been named this year’s starter. The Bengals’ other quarterback is Carson Palmer, the 2002 Heisman Trophy winner who was the No. 1 pick in April’s draft.
Releasing Smith after June 1 allowed the Bengals to spread out the remaining $4.62 million of his $10.8 million signing bonus over two years. The only guaranteed money in NFL contracts is the signing bonus, which for salary cap purposes is prorated over the length of the contract.
Parcells expects Carter or Hutchinson at quarterback
IRVING, Texas – Although Bill Parcells won’t say he’s comfortable with the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback situation, he insisted Monday that returnees Chad Hutchinson or Quincy Carter will be the starter this fall.
That excludes Brian Griese or anybody else from outside the organization.
“We are going to go the way we are. If there was somebody we were interested in, I’d tell you,” Parcells said. “Right now, we’ll go with who we’ve got.”
Griese became available Monday when he was cut by Denver after four seasons as the starter there. The Broncos signed free agent Jake Plummer to a seven-year deal in March.
There has been speculation since Parcells became the Cowboys’ coach in January that he might look for a veteran quarterback, much like he did when he acquired Vinny Testaverde while with the New York Jets.
Griese’s agent, Ralph Cindrich, has said the quarterback could end up in Dallas or in Miami, where he grew up while his father, Hall of Famer Bob Griese, played there.
“I’m not going to be involved with Brian Griese,” Parcells said.
Hutchinson and Carter were among 32 veterans at Valley Ranch on Monday when the Cowboys started their final minicamp before training camp begins in late July in San Antonio. There were also 18 rookies for the first of seven practices over six days.
While getting another opportunity to work with the rookies, Parcells is also trying to get a better idea about his young quarterbacks.
“I have to be equitable with these guys and give them an equal chance,” Parcells said. “I don’t think you can just say this guy is a starter. We are going to let them fight it out at camp, and figure it out as soon as possible.”
Hutchinson started the final nine games last season. As a 25-year-old rookie, who hadn’t played football in four years while pursing a career as a professional baseball pitcher, he completed 127 of 250 passes for 1,553 yards with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions, and was sacked 34 times.
“The approach I’ve taken from day one is no matter who they bring in or what the situation is for me, I’ve got to handle my business the best I can,” Hutchinson said. “This year, I feel a lot more comfortable, a lot more confident.”
Carter, hampered by injuries as a rookie in 2001 when he was the starter, is 6-9 in his 15 career starts. Last season, he was 125-of-221 passing for 1,465 yards with seven TDs and eight interceptions, and didn’t play after Hutchinson took over.
Carter likes the idea of having a fresh start, and knowing that this year’s training camp will be a real quarterback competition.
“Last preseason, I was only getting 50 percent of the reps, and this preseason I’m getting 50 percent of the reps again,” Carter said. “It was an undercover quarterback competition last year, and now it’s all out in the open.”
Parcells has watched tape of both guys, players, said the only true evaluation he will be able to get is by watching them play.
“You can look at a tape, but you don’t really ever know what that guy has been asked to do, so it’s hard to pass judgment,” he said. “I’d rather just wipe the slate clean and turn it over to what I see.”
AP-ES-06-02-03 1752EDT
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