Change Is in the Air: Five Broncos Are Released in First Roster Moves of '09

A little more than a month into 2009, change is a major theme across the country. President Obama has begun to initiate change in the country, and on a smaller level, Coach Josh McDaniels has begun to initiate change in the Denver Broncos.

McDaniels has said many times that he intends to look at, and evaluate, every player on the roster, and make the necessary changes. It appears he started with running backs and receivers.

It was announced that five players were cut on Wednesday, in the first roster move executed by McDaniels. The eliminated players included three running backs, a tight end, and a receiver.

The receiver was Clifford Russell. Russell was on special teams and filled in at wide receiver for two games early in the season, but sustained a head injury in the week four contest in Kansas City.  He had to be removed on a stretcher, and was placed on injured reserve.

Chad Mustard, a fourth-string tight end for most of the season, got his chance when Nate Jackson, the man above Mustard on the depth chart, was placed on IR. He saw action in eight games, but was not involved in any significant highlights.

The most significant cuts came in the running back group. Everyone knows the story of last year's running game—nine backs made their way to the IR at all points during the season.

The group has now been cut to seven players, with the release of Alex Haynes, P.J. Pope, and Anthony Alridge.

Haynes is no surprise. He had two stints with the team, but did not record any statistics.

Pope came off the practice squad and performed decently in his five games, including one start, however he too found his way to IR. Still, he was not enough of an asset to the team to win a spot on the '09 squad.

The biggest surprise of the day, and possibly of the young McDaniels administration, is the release of Anthony Alridge from the team.

Alridge was a promising rookie, with 4.37 speed and an elusive nature. He injured his ankle in the team's final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals and spent the entire season on IR.

Still, Alridge was expected to compete for a share of the carries in the regular offense in 2009. He was described as a Reggie-Bush-type back.

His removal from the team demonstrates that McDaniels is looking to take the running game in a different direction, possibly more toward the power-running styles of Peyton Hillis and Michael Pittman.

The removal of Alridge could also be an early projection of the direction the team may take on draft day. Aside from defense, they may be looking to add a new elusive running back. My personal favorite is Shonn Greene, but clearly, nothing is guaranteed.

It will be interesting to see the next set of moves that the coach and front-office staff make.  A new era is most definitely afoot in Broncos Country.