Denver Broncos Sign DL Vonnie Holliday, Final Roster Cuts No Surprise

The Denver Post is reporting that the Broncos have agreed to a contract with free agent defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday amidst their massive roster cuts.

Holliday is a 33-year-old veteran who at 6'5" 288 pounds is a solid defensive lineman who started for the Dolphins last year.

In the wake of recently acquired DE Le Kevin Smith's knee injury, Holliday's signing became somewhat of a priority.

Holliday visited the Broncos back in March as well, but left town without signing a deal.

The Broncos have been busy making roster moves today, much like the rest of the league, and here is a list of players who did not make the final cut:

• DL Matthias Askew
• OL Kory Lichtensteiger
• QB Ingle Martin
• CB Rashod Moulton
• OT Clint Oldenburg
• DL Carlton Powell
• LB Lee Robinson
• WR Nate Swift
• RB Marcus Thomas
• WR Matt Willis
• CB Joshua Bell
• CB Tony Carter
  
• DE Everette Pedescleaux
• G Mitch Erickson
• DE/OLB Tim Crowder
• DE Nic Clemons
• RB Darius Walker
• OL Matt McChesney

There are a couple of surprising names on that list, especially for Broncos fans.

Tim Crowder was a second round pick in 2007, and after a solid rookie campaign, there were high hopes for him. 

Darius Walker was a guy that I thought had an excellent camp and preseason, and who proved worthy of a roster spot above veteran LaMont Jordan.

Kory Lichtensteiger was a fourth round pick last season, but the drafting of Seth Olsen and trading for Russ Hochstein made him expendable.

Fans were also really high on Nate Swift, and he is a strong candidate for the practice squad.

The real story of today, oddly enough, is that Jarvis Moss made the final cut.  Many thought he was on the bubble, and he was, but the Broncos saw enough in him this offseason to give him one more shot.  This will be the last go for Moss.  He needs to make an impact in 2009 or he will most certainly be let go by the 2010 season.

Keep an eye on any Patriots who are released today, or possibly quarterback Kevin O'Connell to be on the Broncos' radar.