DENVER (Sept. 3, 2005) -- Tailback Quentin Griffin, the opening-day starter for Denver last season, was the most surprising of the 19 cuts the Broncos made.

The fourth-round draft pick in 2003 was released, along with receiver Triandos Luke, quarterback Matt Mauck and defensive linemen Dorsett Davis and Mario Fatafehi.

Davis was a third-round pick in 2002 and Fatafehi was a starter last season who was injured through much of training camp.

Griffin rehabbed from knee surgery and was listed fourth on the depth chart this summer behind Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne. Many thought when the Broncos released Maurice Clarett, Griffin's spot was secure.

But Denver kept Cecil Sapp, who can play both fullback and tailback, and the Broncos also chose to keep six receivers on the roster -- giving long-shot Todd DeVoe a spot after an impressive camp that saw him rise from ninth on the depth chart.

Griffin opened last season with a 156-yard game against Kansas City and started the first four games, but lost his starting job after hurting his ankle in the fifth week against Tampa Bay. Two games later, he tore ligaments in his knee and was lost for the season.

"I was surprised, but it's part of the business," Griffin told the Broncos' Web site. "You've got to keep on moving."

Fatafehi started all 16 games at tackle for the Broncos last season, but he got caught up in a numbers game created when Denver brought in four veteran linemen from Cleveland, including Courtney Brown, and traded for 49ers end John Engelberger. All four of the former Browns made the roster, as did end Marco Coleman, who is going into his 14th season.

Luke, a sixth-round draft pick last year, had a poor training camp and leaves after playing 10 games in 2004.

Mauck is a good candidate to make Denver's practice squad again if he clears waivers.

The rest of the cuts were: defensive backs Jeremy LeSueur and Curome Cox; defensive linemen Anton Palepoi and Aaron Hunt; running back Brandon Miree; linebackers Terry Pierce and Jashon Sykes and offensive linemen Tyson Clabo, Anthony Clement, Ben Nowland, Erik Pears, Chris Watton, Zach Wilson and Chris Myers.

Myers, a rookie taken in Round 6, appears a good candidate for the practice squad.

Also making the squad was Paul Ernster, a seventh-round pick who will be kept as a kickoff specialist.

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