Broncos cut Kanell, pick up Roosevelt Williams

Updated: September 1, 2003, 7:32 PM ET

DENVER -- Danny Kanell's return to the NFL didn't last long.

Kanell survived final cuts, but was released by Denver a day later when the Broncos decided to go with 10 defensive backs instead of three quarterbacks.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan made the decision after cornerback Roosevelt Williams became available.

"In my 20 years of coaching, I've never had a situation where I've had to go to a third quarterback," Shanahan said. "You're taking a gamble when you do something like this, but I think we can get by with just two quarterbacks."

Shanahan said wide receiver Rod Smith would be the emergency third quarterback.

The Broncos decided to go with two quarterbacks so they could add depth at defensive back. They're hoping Williams will do just that.

Williams played 11 games with Chicago last year after the Bears took him in the third round of the 2002 draft. He was in Chicago's training camp this year, but was released on Sunday.

"We had him graded pretty high and as being a talented young cornerback," Shanahan said. "He'll get a chance to come in here and see if he can pick up our system."

Denver also signed four players to its practice squad: wide receivers Charlie Adams and Nate Jackson, running back Cecil Sapp and offensive lineman Chris Watton.

Shanahan said the Broncos will likely add cornerback Brandon Williams to fill the fifth practice squad spot. Williams was released Aug. 26, while Adams, Jackson, Sapp and Watton were cut Sunday.

Kanell, a former starter for the New York Giants, signed with Denver in the offseason after two years of minor league baseball and Arena League football.

Shanahan said he told Kanell on Saturday there was a possibility the Broncos would go with just two quarterbacks, but few on the team thought it would happen.

"I've been in this league too long to be surprised by anything like this," Beuerlein said. "We felt all along that he (Kanell) was going to be here because it's a gamble when you go with just two quarterbacks. But a lot of teams are doing it and I have all the confidence in coach Shanahan."

That doesn't mean he's going to like it once practice rolls around and he's taking more snaps.

"I might be the oldest player in the league taking all the snaps with the scout team," Beuerlein said with a laugh. "I might have to see about renegotiating my deal." ^------=

SAPP BACK: Sapp was disappointed that he wasn't signed by the Broncos or another team, but he was sill excited about making Denver's practice squad.

"Obviously, I would have liked to made the team or played somewhere else, but I'm happy to have a job today," Sapp said. "I'll just have to keep working hard and hopefully one day it will get me on the roster."

Sapp was one of the biggest surprises of training camp after joining the Broncos as a rookie free agent out of Colorado State. He was impressive in Denver's preseason games but was released Sunday after the Broncos decided to go with just four running backs.

"I'm happy that he cleared waivers," Shanahan said. "I think he has a lot to offer in the future." ^------=

EXTRA POINTS: Several players changed numbers after the final cuts were announced. WR Adrian Madise went from No. 13 to 82, TE Mike Leach from 48 to 83, DT Darius Holland from 60 to 90 and DE Bryant McNeal from 90 to 91. ... While 16 players on Denver's roster learned they had been cut on Sunday, Bert Berry found out he would be the starter at right defensive end over Reggie Hayward. "It's everything to me," he said. "I feel like I won the Super Bowl."

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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