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Broncos sign FB Pinnock to active roster

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 26, 2008 at 10:45 a.m.

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Andrew Pinnock, then with the Chargers, was signed Wednesday by the Broncos.

Photo by Stephen Dunn / Getty Images/2007

Andrew Pinnock, then with the Chargers, was signed Wednesday by the Broncos.

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ENGLEWOOD — For the newest Bronco, maybe next year has turned into maybe next week.

Fullback Andrew Pinnock had his eye on the Broncos when the Chargers released him at the end of training camp in the summer but thought he and the team were on track to meet in 2009.

"I was released in San Diego and I was thinking of my next step - I knew my career wasn't over, I knew I was going to be healthy, I knew I wanted to give Denver a shot," Pinnock said.

"Then I heard they were interested, but probably for next year. So, I'll just say maybe I'm early. I'll do whatever they need me to do and get ready as fast as I can. But by next week, there is no reason I shouldn't be all the way ready to go.

"I feel great."

Pinnock, a sixth-year veteran, formally was signed Wednesday and practiced for the first time with the team.

With Spencer Larsen practicing, and playing, on defense, and with Peyton Hillis starting at running back, the Broncos have been on the hunt for depth at fullback and the backfield in general. Pinnock, who spent five seasons with the Chargers as Lorenzo Neal's backup, certainly is a player the Broncos are familiar with.

The issue was his right knee.

Pinnock had microfracture surgery in February to repair cartilage damage. He pushed to get back on the field for training camp, knowing the Chargers were giving a long look at rookie Mike Tolbert at the position, and suffered a hamstring injury.

"My knee wasn't even really the issue, it was the other things around it, like my hamstring," Pinnock said. "And in training camp, I just pushed too fast, too soon, tweaked my hamstring. But after they cut me, I stayed rehabbing. You don't even know how much work I put in, how hard I pushed it, in case somebody called."

The Broncos brought Pinnock in for a workout earlier this month and he was so encouraged by what he did and by what he heard from the team, he made a change in travel plans.

"I redirected my flight," the Connecticut native said. "Instead of going home, I went to San Diego for two weeks to work with my trainer and get ready to come back here."

Pinnock had the knee checked out by the Broncos medical staff two times before he was signed.

At 250 pounds he is the biggest back on the roster. He was a special-teams regular in coverage and in the return game for the Chargers during his time there as well.

"I'm very impressed in how he's played in the past, and it looks like he's ready to go," coach Mike Shanahan said. "Hopefully, he's what we need."

Added Pinnock: "I love playing football, I'm completely healthy. I'm really happy to be here."

Comments

  • November 26, 2008

    12:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    What happened to Martinez? The kid had skills. I just don't get that? Now we have an unknown WR that may or may not be a bust?. Strange, Shanahan, strange.

  • November 26, 2008

    1:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    AngelontheSidelines writes:

    Martinez will probably go to an AFC west team and score a winning touchdown against us later this year, like Ashley did.

  • November 26, 2008

    1:24 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mr_Hyde writes:

    Martinez isn't that good and they signed Foster to the practice squad, not the active roster. Martinez doesn't have practice squad eligibility so if they signed him they would have to release somebody else......

  • November 26, 2008

    1:53 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Mr_Hyde, I would say to cut Lowry and bring Martinez back. And he was a decent WR and really good as a ST returner, so I'm not sure what games you were watching when he played? He stepped in when needed and did well. Your comment about him not being that good was, in my opinion, incorrect.

  • November 26, 2008

    2:45 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mr_Hyde writes:

    I'm not saying hes bad, but really he was replaced by Eddie Royal who is a better returner and a better reciever. My point is that the team doesn't need another reciever. Theyre hurting in other areas and unfortunately he isnt eligible for the practice squad. When I say he isnt that good I mean compared to Marshall, Royal, and Stokely. If we released Lowry we'd need to sign another safety because all of ours are hurt.

  • November 26, 2008

    3:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Mr_Hyde, I think McCree is coming back. Also, I read from some posters who made a good observation about Paymah. Move him to S. He's fast and would fit better there, then as a CB. We also just brought S, Josh Barrett in, off of the PS. He looked good in preseason. Lowry doesn't impress me, as of yet. Maybe I'm being too critical?

  • November 26, 2008

    4:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mr_Hyde writes:

    I'm not terribly impressed with any of our safetys yet really. If I was to let one go, I would probably let Marquand Manuel go....He gets burned too much and forgets how to tackle.

  • November 26, 2008

    5:05 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Cutler6 writes:

    It's amazing how people hang their hats on undrafted free agents. Has it ever occured to everyone that's exactly why the Broncos are middle of the road, because a great majority of their team is made up of players no other team wants. If Martinez is so great why has no other team goobled him up.

  • November 26, 2008

    5:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    gylizard1 writes:

    Lowrey should have been the one to get the axe..he is flat out AWFUL..big time..can't tackle..too slow..I can see why the Titans said ADIOS...I hope that Pinnock pans out we need a bruising fullback..Hillis is the man for that position...not RB..The Tatum Bell experiment should be called..history. He obviously hasn't stayed in shape..hell..a scat back like Hugh Charles would be better than him!

  • November 26, 2008

    6:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MATTP1 writes:

    I have the safety problem worked out.When DJ returns put Woodyard at SS,then put Champ at free safety.They never throw Champs way, let our best player in on the action.He is a ball hawk,and both he and woodyard are good tacklers.Let Champ run the D from centerfield.Go Broncs