The Denver Broncos announced a series of cuts on Tuesday, with running back Maurice Clarett and tight end Patrick Hape heading the list of those released at the first roster deadline.
Clarett, a third-round pick this past year (101st overall), played one year at Ohio State as a true freshman in 2002 before trying to enter the NFL Draft.
He set Buckeyes freshman records for rushing yards (1,237), touchdown runs (16), 100-yard games (7) and total points (108), and helped Ohio State capture the national championship with its win against Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
He then tried to challenge the NFL's age limit the following year, but eventually lost the ruling and was forced to sit out the entire 2004 campaign.
Clarett missed most of the preseason and did not play in any of the Broncos' exhibition games due to a groin injury.
Hape spent four-plus seasons with the Broncos and finished the 2004 campaign with a career-high four touchdowns. Originally drafted by Tampa Bay out of Alabama in the 1997 NFL Draft, Hape spent four seasons with the Buccaneers before joining Denver in 2001.
For his career, the 6-4 tight end has 287 receiving yards on 51 receptions and 11 touchdowns between the two clubs.
Others released by Denver on Tuesday included cornerbacks Jeff Shoate and Rod Babers, quarterbacks Danny Kanell and Chad Friehauf, defensive tackle Luther Elliss, defensive end Raylee Johnson, wide receivers Romar Crenshaw and B.J. Johnson, running back Kris Briggs, offensive guards Cameron Spikes and Tim Stuber and linebacker Markus Steele.
Rock On,
:smoke :smokesmal :smoke
Clarett, a third-round pick this past year (101st overall), played one year at Ohio State as a true freshman in 2002 before trying to enter the NFL Draft.
He set Buckeyes freshman records for rushing yards (1,237), touchdown runs (16), 100-yard games (7) and total points (108), and helped Ohio State capture the national championship with its win against Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
He then tried to challenge the NFL's age limit the following year, but eventually lost the ruling and was forced to sit out the entire 2004 campaign.
Clarett missed most of the preseason and did not play in any of the Broncos' exhibition games due to a groin injury.
Hape spent four-plus seasons with the Broncos and finished the 2004 campaign with a career-high four touchdowns. Originally drafted by Tampa Bay out of Alabama in the 1997 NFL Draft, Hape spent four seasons with the Buccaneers before joining Denver in 2001.
For his career, the 6-4 tight end has 287 receiving yards on 51 receptions and 11 touchdowns between the two clubs.
Others released by Denver on Tuesday included cornerbacks Jeff Shoate and Rod Babers, quarterbacks Danny Kanell and Chad Friehauf, defensive tackle Luther Elliss, defensive end Raylee Johnson, wide receivers Romar Crenshaw and B.J. Johnson, running back Kris Briggs, offensive guards Cameron Spikes and Tim Stuber and linebacker Markus Steele.
Rock On,
:smoke :smokesmal :smoke