Sauerbrun signs with Denver

Posted: Fri Apr 20 8:27 PM

Englewood, CO (Sports Network) - The Denver Broncos agreed to a one-year contract with punter Todd Sauerbrun on Friday.

The contract came after a controversy over Sauerbrun's availability, as the New England Patriots, with whom Sauerbrun signed a one-year deal in December of 2006, claimed right of first refusal. The case went to a special master, who ruled in Sauerbrun's favor.

Sauerbrun was released by the Broncos last season after returning from a four- game NFL suspension after testing positive for the supplement ephedra. The three-time Pro Bowl selection appeared in only two games as a Patriot, punting 10 times with a net average of 30.7 yards.

It is not the first time Sauerbrun has run into trouble. He was one of three Carolina Panthers players named in a steroid scandal involving a South Carolina physician who was accused of writing illegal prescriptions for steroids. He also ran afoul of the law in December of 2004 when he was arrested for drunken driving. He pleaded guilty to the charge in May of 2005 and received a $100 fine and one year of unsupervised probation.

The 12-year veteran has a 44-yard average in 164 games with a net average of 36 yards. He owns a career long punt of 73 yards.