ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos traded cornerback Domonique Foxworth to the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday for an undisclosed draft choice in 2009.
Foxworth, a fourth-year pro, became expendable when the Broncos claimed cornerback Calvin Lowry off waivers from the Tennessee Titans this week.
Foxworth averaged 55 tackles and 11 pass breakups in his three seasons in Denver, where he played cornerback, safety and nickel back. He totaled 166 tackles and three interceptions in 46 games, including 18 starts.
The former third-round draft pick from Maryland was popular in the locker room and in the community and he spearheaded the effort to build a teen center honoring slain teammate Darrent Williams last year.
While sad to see him go, several members of the Broncos secondary said they were glad Foxworth would get a shot at more playing time at a crucial juncture in his career. Denver has one of the best cornerback tandems in Champ Bailey and Dre' Bly, who was acquired following Williams' death last year.
"I'm thinking he'll definitely take a positive spin about this," safety Hamza Abdullah said. "But at the same time, you know the Denver Broncos without Fox? You know, you can't watch a TV show in Denver without seeing a Foxworth commercial. He's as much a part of Denver as anyone, so it's going to be tough."
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Foxworth is entering the final year of his contract.
"It's an opportunity for him, so it's not all bad," Bly said. "With Champ on one side and I'm here and then the guys that we drafted, it's tough, we're all competing. But like I said, it gives him a chance to go somewhere where he'll be rewarded and play well and then get compensated at the end of the year."
With Foxworth gone, fourth-year defensive back Karl Paymah solidified his hold on the Broncos' nickel back position with rookie Jack Williams moving up to dime back. Williams, a fourth-round draft pick from Kent State, had two interceptions in the preseason, including one he returned 89 yards for a touchdown at Arizona last week.
"I guess they've seen some good things out of me and I guess they're expecting me to step into the role that he had, which is be a playmaker and be able to fill in wherever they need me," Williams said.
The Broncos are counting on Lowry being the type of hard hitter they've lacked in run support since John Lynch left the team in July after being bumped from his starting role.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
