FROM MIKE KLIS OF THE DENVER POST… Broncos nickel back Domonique Foxworth was told this morning that the Broncos were about to trade him. Foxworth did not attend practice today. “I wish the Broncos and Mike Shanahan and Pat Bowlen well,” Foxworth said. “I appreciate the time they gave me here. But if they feel it’s time for me to move on, then I have to move on. I’m fine with it.” Foxworth had been a part-time starter and nickle back each of his first three seasons with the Broncos. However, he had a particularly tough preseason game Friday against Arizona. Meanwhile, rookie Jack Williams had two interceptions during the preseason. Karl Paymah will now be the nickle back, with Williams moving up to dime back.
I watched Foxworth all summer and if the Broncos can get a team to take him for a trade, my hat is off to them. I cannot find a tape where Foxworth covered anyone. In fact, he was the target of many big plays. Foxworth is not an effective zone or man coverage player and he will struggle to tackle as a safety. The Broncos love Karl Paymah and are in the process of trying to extend his contract right now. Had he not played badly in the last preseason game, he could have been the starter this week against the Raiders. Dre Bly is a concern for the Broncos as a starter and the fact that as a team they allowed almost a 70% completion percentage this summer reveals the weakness of their secondary. Bly will be a key point of opponents’ emphasis in game plans as he struggles with deep balls and speed. The Broncos corners are vulnerable the way they play their front.