Mobley cut after failing his physical

ENGLEWOOD - Outside linebacker John Mobley failed a physical examination and will spend 2004 out of football and off the Denver Broncos' roster, coach Mike Shanahan said Tuesday.

Shanahan said Mobley failed the physical exam as a result of the neck injury he suffered last year and will be released. Shanahan, however, was adamant Mobley could return to the Broncos next year if his health improves, although such a comeback appears a long shot.

"Right now, all you can do is release him to get down to your maximum amount of players you can have on your team," Shanahan said. "That does not mean that we don't want John Mobley back on the football team."

Releasing Mobley rather than putting him on injured reserve means the Broncos don't have to pay his 2004 base salary of $1.2 million.

Mobley suffered a spinal cord contusion in an Oct. 26 game at Baltimore. At Denver's June minicamp, Shanahan said X-rays of Mobley's neck showed some bruising, and Mobley's doctor recommended he not play football this season.

In June, Broncos officials held out hope the bruising would clear up. Tuesday's news that Mobley will be out for the season wasn't a shock, but his release surprised some with the team.

"(It's) tough," defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said. "He's a great guy and heck of a football player."

Mobley had been with the Broncos since 1996 when they selected him in the first round of the draft. He played 105 games, starting 102.

"I've talked to (Mobley) and his spirits are high," middle linebacker Al Wilson said. "He's happy just to do the things he wants to do. Football's a part of his life, but it's not his whole life, it's not everything."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4891 or fschwab@gazette.com

Copyright 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.