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| Poole |
GREELEY, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos' cornerback pool is a
little smaller.
Tyrone Poole, who started 85 of 92 games over the past six
seasons, left the team Friday after telling coach Mike Shanahan
that he lacked the necessary desire to compete for a roster spot.
"His concentration level really wasn't in it, and so he decided
he was not going to play this year," Shanahan said. "According to
his words, he just didn't feel into it and said he wasn't playing
at the level he was capable of playing."
Poole signed a one-year deal with the Broncos in May after being
cut by the Indianapolis Colts. He was among nine cornerbacks in
Denver's training camp, and his departure came one day after former
Pro Bowl corner Eric Davis joined the Broncos.
Davis and Poole were teammates with the Carolina Panthers from
1996-97.
"I blamed it on Eric," Shanahan said, joking. "I said, `Eric,
what are you doing driving guys away?"'
Davis became an immediate contender to win a starting position.
Denard Walker and Deltha O'Neal are currently working with the
first-team defense, with Jimmy Spencer, Darryl Pounds, Jason Suttle
and DeAuntae Brown also competing for playing time.
Rookie Willie Middlebrooks has been limited by a twisted knee
since the first day of camp.
"We've got people here to compete and that's why we bring in as
many people as we do -- to find out who wants to play and who plays
at a certain level," Shanahan said. "I don't worry about people
who leave the game because their heart's not into it. I'm just glad
they're honest and they don't take reps away from other players
that really want to play."
The Broncos still retain Poole's rights if he decides to return
to the NFL or other teams show interest in him as rosters shake out
later this summer.
Poole has 10 career interceptions in six seasons with the Colts
and Panthers.
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