Posted on 06/02/2003 3:31:01 PM PDT by BluH2o
4 p.m. (Intermountain) - The Brian Griese era officially came to a close today when the Denver Broncos released their former starting quarterback to clear space under the salary cap.
Brian Griese's signing bonus was the biggest in team history, but his performance was hardly one for the books.
Griese was once touted as the replacement for John Elway, but the Broncos cut ties with the former Pro Bowl selection after two mediocre seasons.
Griese was benched in Denver's final game in 2002, then was given permission to talk with other teams about a possible trade before Jake Plummer was signed to a seven-year, $40 million contract in March.
He never got out from under Elway's shadow.
Elway retired in 1999 after winning consecutive Super Bowls, Griese was just 27-24 as a starter and took the Broncos to the playoffs just once in four years.
And while Elway was a vocal leader who inspired his teammates to comeback victories, Griese was an introvert who rarely interacted with teammates.
By releasing Griese after June 1, the Broncos will save $4.9 million in cap space next season and $1.4 million in 2004.
Griese was unavailable for comment.
Last week, he said, "I'm very grateful for my time in Denver, for the great fans and for the team that gave me an opportunity.
But now it's time for a fresh start." Griese isn't expected to be on the market long.
Agent Ralph Cindrich said at least three teams have expressed interest in Griese and he hopes to have a deal worked out quickly.
However coach Bill Parcells of Dallas, one of the teams mentioned, said Monday that he's not interested.
"I'm not going to be involved with Brian Griese," Parcells said, emphasizing that he will stay with last year's two QBs, Chad Hutchinson and Quincy Carter.
In any case, Miami appears to have the best shot at landing him.
The Dolphins are looking for a backup to starter Jay Fiedler after releasing Ray Lucas in April. Griese also grew up in Miami, where his father, Bob, had a Hall of Fame career with the Dolphins in the 1970s.
Cindrich said last weekend that Miami appeared to be the front-runner. He didn't rule out a deal being worked out before the Dolphins start a three-day quarterback school on Tuesday.
Griese became Denver's starter in 1999 and went to the Pro Bowl the next season after throwing 23 touchdowns with just four interceptions, the second-best ratio in league history.
The Broncos gave Griese a six-year, $39 million contract before the 2001 season. But he never lived up to his promise.
Sic 'em, Jake.
I hope miami can straighten him out, he's got the talent, but his head has been screwed on wrong, and there are legit questions about his heart. I wish the dolphins could bring in Steve Deberg to be this kids QB coach.
I disagree completely. Not only is it easily debatable whether his numbers were anywhere close to Elway's, but Greise dicked up many game's in the second half with egregiously bad interceptions.
As for the team talent, that's a very difficult position to support, so if you're interested, please go ahead. Jake "the Interception Machine" Plummer is worth 2 losses a season all on his own.
If that's all he gives us, I'm happy.
Griese isn't a team guy ... perhaps because of his pedigree he feels superior to his team mates ... hard to say. Perhaps with different team dynamics in Miami, being let go by the Broncos under humiliating circumstances, this will be the catalyst that kicks Griese's quarterback career in the NFL to a higher level. It has happened before and hopefully it will work out for Griese ... I'm disappointed in Griese as a long time Bronco fan ... but I hold no animosity ... Griese needs to work it out ... I wish him well.
He needs maturity, and a kick in the backside. He is going to need real guidance, hopefully his father can help him, or get him in rehab, one or the other.
Well ... if you're referring to his DUI ... this happens in Denver with distressing frequency. I lived in Denver for several years ... and managed to wrack up a bunch of chicken crap traffic violations ... no DUI's. My point is, I've lived all over this country and never came close to the number of times I was pulled over in Denver (and the immediate area) for some perceived traffic violation. So what I expect happened in Griese's case, he was pulled over for going five miles over the speed limit, the cop detected the odor of beer on his breath ... and voila ... a DUI.
His teamates were playing like he was the lovable klutz, when he was just getting hammered and falling over.
This goes back to his college days at Michagan, when he did some amazingly stupid things including throwing a chair through a bar window.
He might change his mind about Chad and Quincy if he watches last season's game film a bit more closely, although I would tend to agree that Griese isn't the answer, either.
Well ... sort of, but when you're paid that kind of money it can't be all that bad.
Having said that, sometimes a struggling NFL quarterback that moves to a new team (especially a younger one), can turn their career around. New coaches, new team mates ... the dynamics change. Griese was a major disappointment in Denver but he's a smart kid, perhaps a change of venue will help his career.
Griese's options limited
By Woody Paige, Denver Post Sports Columnist
Brian Griese no longer is a dead man walking the halls of Broncos OpCen.
This is officially the end of the Griese error.
After four dreadful seasons with Griese as the starter (when he wasn't hurt, which was often), the Broncos have cut their losses and cut The Dink. He has been given his walking papers.
Unceremoniously. The announcement was buried beneath the rubble and the agate of both Denver newspapers.
It was supposed to be a mere formality and only a matter of moments before Griese joined the Miami Dolphins. However, late on Tuesday, the Dolphins had not agreed to terms on a two-year contract with Griese, and coach Dave Wannstedt didn't sound quite so hopeful.
The Dolphins' problems are with Griese's agent, Ralph Cindrich, who is the reason garden snakes have a bad name.
Cindrich is an asp.
Cindrich, who also serves as a paid "expert" witness at trials, represents The Dinkmeister and Jeff Blake, another failed quarterback. Blake has signed with the Arizona Cardinals, who lost Jake Plummer to the Broncos. Small world.
The Dolphins reportedly offered Griese an incentive-laden deal. If Cindrich is confident in Griese's talent he should be willing to accept a contract based on the come. More than likely, there are no other teams. New Dallas coach Bill Parcells said Griese is not appealing to him, and no other coach or general manager has shown any curiosity.
If Griese is as wonderful as Cindrich says, why didn't the agent recommend him to the Cardinals? Plummer for Griese.
Of course, I have been both the principal Griese basher and Plummer advocate. Many others, including the Broncos' coach and management, arrived late for both causes.
But I am genuinely hoping that Griese does sign with some other team and does have a chance eventually to start again.
Just as you do, I want to see Griese play in another system in another city.
Then, everybody will know for sure. Especially those Griesephiles who believe he will return to haunt the Broncos. Including the guy on the elevator Tuesday morning.
"I guess you're in mourning over the Griese farewell."
I didn't get too cute with a man wearing a tool belt and carrying a hacksaw.
"Yeah, I'm very despondent."
"Griese's going to bite you and the Broncos in the (nether regions)." The Broncos were thankful that the Dump Dink Date of June 2 finally got here.
Truthfully, there was uneasiness at Broncos Operations Central because Griese kept showing up almost every day to work out in the team's weight room. He was the zit that wouldn't disappear.
It was so odd, and it seemed almost as if Griese had nowhere else to go. The only person he talked with regularly was the trainer - probably because they had spent so much time together during the past four years.
Griese's appearance summed up his Denver stay. The other players avoided the quarterback - as they had when he went to the bench after throwing another interception or making another insipid decision. The team didn't succeed under Griese - and never would have. Blame me if you wish.
Griese didn't possess the charisma or character or arm or natural talent or physical toughness of a big-time quarterback. The other offensive players didn't trust in Griese, and they didn't know when he would give up or go down.
Although his dad developed into a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, Griese didn't have the same fire-in-the-belly passion for the game. He was the son of Griese & Son who reluctantly took over the family business.
Frankly, Brian Griese considered retiring from football this offseason. That information is from more than one person who has been very close to the now ex-Broncos quarterback.
Remember that Griese had to be persuaded to play his senior season at the University of Michigan.
He has other priorities in life, which is admirable. Performing in the NFL isn't the end-all for everyone, particularly after you've won the (signing bonus) lottery and have millions of bucks.
Obviously, though, Griese will try once more - if the Dolphins will sign him - and perhaps he learned from his (in)experience in Denver. No more heavy drinking and driving on highways and drinking and running on driveways, no more tripping over dogs and tripping over offensive linemen, no more throwing the ball or throwing the leadership up for grabs.
Griese is gone, but will not be forgotten by the multitudes of Coloradans he disappointed habitually or the Broncos (who will be whacked on their head and salary cap for $6.95 million next year).
Goodbye Griese. Good luck. Good riddance.
MIAMI - Quarterback Brian Griese agreed to a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins on Friday, ending a weeklong courtship that began after he was released by the Denver Broncos.
Brian Griese's rocky road in the Rockies has come to an end with his new pact with the Miami Dolphins.
Griese’s agent, Ralph Cindrich, said the contract has not been signed.
“We do have the parameters of a deal worked out,” said Cindrich, who would not elaborate further.
Miami officials have not confirmed the deal. Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene declined comment.
Griese is expected to arrive for a physical Sunday and could be formally introduced as early as Monday.
Griese is a Miami native whose father - Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese - led the Dolphins during their glory days of the 1970s and won two Super Bowls with the franchise.
Brian Griese will be listed second on the depth chart behind Jay Fiedler.
Miami has insisted that Fiedler will be the team’s starter this season.
Griese is expected to make about $500,000 this season, plus a signing bonus, with the opportunity for incentives. The deal, when completed, is expected to give Griese the chance to earn between $1.5 and $2 million this season.
Under the expected terms of the deal, Griese would cost the Dolphins a significant price against their 2004 salary cap, meaning the Dolphins will either have to release Griese, restructure the second year of the deal or keep him as the starting quarterback.
“Brian’s very happy to get this done,” Cindrich said.
The Broncos parted ways with Griese on Monday, releasing him in a move that will save the club more than $6 million against the salary cap in the next two seasons, including $4.9 million this year alone.
Griese’s departure from Denver was hardly a surprise. The Broncos signed quarterback Jake Plummer to a seven-year, $40 million deal in March, a few days after granting Griese permission to seek a trade — something that proved impossible because of the Broncos’ salary-cap inflexibility.
It’s also been no secret that the Dolphins were looking for someone to back up Fiedler. In April, Miami released Ray Lucas, who lost four of six starts last season while Fiedler recovered from a broken thumb.
In Denver, Griese never got out from under the shadow left by John Elway, who retired in 1999 after winning consecutive Super Bowls.
Griese was just 27-24 as a starter and took the Broncos to the playoffs just once in four years.
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