DENVER -- Quarterback Matt Robinson, acquired by the Denver Broncos in 1980, said Thursday he has been landed on waivers by the Buffalo Bills but a spokesman for the New York team has declined comment.
Robinson was the young quarterback for who Denver traded a first- and second-round draft choice last year in the hopes that he could start in place of veteran Craig Morton and -- at long last -- give the team stability at the signal-calling position.
Since then, however, the Broncos have also acquired a new coach and new management. Wednesday, coach Dan Reeves announced that Robinson had been waived in favor of second-year man Jeff Knapple.
Bills spokesman Mike Shaw declined comment, saying no acquisitions could be announced until after Friday's game with San Diego because someone on the current roster would have to be traded or waived to make room for Robinson.
One thing possibly working in Robinson's favor is that he will be going to a team with an established quarterback -- Joe Ferguson. He came to Denver from the New York Jets facing intense pressure to perform as the starter.
But after opening in six games, the starter's role reverted to Morton. The exception was the final game of 1980 against Seattle.
'I'm not bitter,' said Robinson, who will be working under his fourth coach and offensive system in three seasons. 'I kind of expected it (being cut).'
Robinson, entering his fifth season, said he was looking forward to joining a team expected to be a contender.
He came to the Jets in 1977, was traded in 1980, started under Bronco coach Red Miller and was traded under Reeves.
The Broncos worked feverishly to arrange a trade for Robinson before the deadline Tuesday but were unsuccessful.
'I don't know how a guy who was worth a first- and second-round draft choice a year ago all of a sudden doesn't have any trade value,' Reeves observed Wednesday.
