omac
12-01-2007, 12:16 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_7595234
[B]Scheffler back on Cutler radar
Healthy again, the tight end is a favorite target of QB
By Bill Williamson
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 11/30/2007 12:39:23 AM MST
A broken foot sidelined Broncos second-year tight end Tony Scheffler early this season, but now he's again making highlight-reel catches and fulfilling his considerable promise. (Post / Cyrus McCrimmon)
Tony Scheffler is the type of player who belongs in highlight films. He is a beast of a man at 6-feet-5, 250 pounds. If he were a tight end 30 years ago, he would have been considered a freak. Today he fits right in.
He runs like a receiver, catches like a receiver and has built a special on-field bond with his quarterback.
But it hasn't been easy. After a slow start to his career last year, Scheffler finished his rookie season strong and thought the tough times were behind him. That wasn't the case. His 2007 season started poorly because of an offseason workout injury. But for the past two months, Scheffler has had that special look.
"It was something, wasn't it?" Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said. "He has good body control, great hands, sees the ball well and he wants to make big catches for us, and I think that's the most important part."
Scheffler appeared to put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter with a spectacular touchdown grab before the Broncos collapsed and lost in overtime. While draped by two Bears defenders, the former college baseball outfielder leaped high in battling for position, reaching for the ball with his left hand and sending it pinballing down his long body. The ball came to rest between Scheffler's legs, which he clamped together to make the touchdown reception.
"Looking at the film, it seemed a lot harder than it was because it all happened so quickly," Scheffler said. "But it shows that if you stick with it, good things will happen."
Scheffler surely was talking about more than his unreal touchdown catch when he uttered that sentence.
Scheffler says he never has taken his eyes off the NFL prize, but there have been times his confidence avered and he wallowed in his bad fortune.
In May, during an offseason workout, Scheffler suffered a broken foot that required surgery but initially appeared to be a minor blip. After shining along with Cutler in the final five games last season, there was plenty of hope from the organization, fantasy football owners and Scheffler himself going into this season.
A month earlier, Scheffler, a second-round pick in 2006, had said he was in the best shape of his life and was ready to continue what he started at the end of last season. Scheffler made 12 of his 18 receptions and all four of his TD catches once Cutler took over as quarterback in the final five games.
"Tony is an underrated guy," running back Mike Bell said. "We know he is a guy who can stretch the field and make plays when we need it."
When Scheffler broke his foot, though, all that hope was put on hold. Scheffler thought he'd be ready for the beginning of training camp, but the injury lingered and he spent most of camp on the physically unable to perform list. Instead of building chemistry with Cutler and working with new tight end Daniel Graham, Scheffler was working out with fellow injured players Brandon Marshall and Rod Smith on the side.
"It was a long road," Scheffler said. "You expect to come in and do things, but then you have to watch. You get worried. You kind of go in the tank a little."
It didn't help Scheffler's confidence when the season started and the coaching staff continued to be cautious with him. Scheffler, who still needs to work on his blocking ability, made only two catches in the five games before the bye. In the six games after the bye, Scheffler has made 26 catches, with his lowest output being three catches. Against the Bears he made five catches for a season-high 82 yards.
And Cutler is enjoying having his training camp roommate back.
"Getting back from his broken foot in the offseason, he just gained his confidence," Cutler said. "He's come a long way since the beginning of the season. We kind of expected it. We knew it was going to take a little bit longer, but it's just good to have him out there making plays for us."
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2007/1129/20071129__20071130_E06_SP30BJUMP3-B~p1_300.JPG
[B]Scheffler back on Cutler radar
Healthy again, the tight end is a favorite target of QB
By Bill Williamson
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 11/30/2007 12:39:23 AM MST
A broken foot sidelined Broncos second-year tight end Tony Scheffler early this season, but now he's again making highlight-reel catches and fulfilling his considerable promise. (Post / Cyrus McCrimmon)
Tony Scheffler is the type of player who belongs in highlight films. He is a beast of a man at 6-feet-5, 250 pounds. If he were a tight end 30 years ago, he would have been considered a freak. Today he fits right in.
He runs like a receiver, catches like a receiver and has built a special on-field bond with his quarterback.
But it hasn't been easy. After a slow start to his career last year, Scheffler finished his rookie season strong and thought the tough times were behind him. That wasn't the case. His 2007 season started poorly because of an offseason workout injury. But for the past two months, Scheffler has had that special look.
"It was something, wasn't it?" Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said. "He has good body control, great hands, sees the ball well and he wants to make big catches for us, and I think that's the most important part."
Scheffler appeared to put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter with a spectacular touchdown grab before the Broncos collapsed and lost in overtime. While draped by two Bears defenders, the former college baseball outfielder leaped high in battling for position, reaching for the ball with his left hand and sending it pinballing down his long body. The ball came to rest between Scheffler's legs, which he clamped together to make the touchdown reception.
"Looking at the film, it seemed a lot harder than it was because it all happened so quickly," Scheffler said. "But it shows that if you stick with it, good things will happen."
Scheffler surely was talking about more than his unreal touchdown catch when he uttered that sentence.
Scheffler says he never has taken his eyes off the NFL prize, but there have been times his confidence avered and he wallowed in his bad fortune.
In May, during an offseason workout, Scheffler suffered a broken foot that required surgery but initially appeared to be a minor blip. After shining along with Cutler in the final five games last season, there was plenty of hope from the organization, fantasy football owners and Scheffler himself going into this season.
A month earlier, Scheffler, a second-round pick in 2006, had said he was in the best shape of his life and was ready to continue what he started at the end of last season. Scheffler made 12 of his 18 receptions and all four of his TD catches once Cutler took over as quarterback in the final five games.
"Tony is an underrated guy," running back Mike Bell said. "We know he is a guy who can stretch the field and make plays when we need it."
When Scheffler broke his foot, though, all that hope was put on hold. Scheffler thought he'd be ready for the beginning of training camp, but the injury lingered and he spent most of camp on the physically unable to perform list. Instead of building chemistry with Cutler and working with new tight end Daniel Graham, Scheffler was working out with fellow injured players Brandon Marshall and Rod Smith on the side.
"It was a long road," Scheffler said. "You expect to come in and do things, but then you have to watch. You get worried. You kind of go in the tank a little."
It didn't help Scheffler's confidence when the season started and the coaching staff continued to be cautious with him. Scheffler, who still needs to work on his blocking ability, made only two catches in the five games before the bye. In the six games after the bye, Scheffler has made 26 catches, with his lowest output being three catches. Against the Bears he made five catches for a season-high 82 yards.
And Cutler is enjoying having his training camp roommate back.
"Getting back from his broken foot in the offseason, he just gained his confidence," Cutler said. "He's come a long way since the beginning of the season. We kind of expected it. We knew it was going to take a little bit longer, but it's just good to have him out there making plays for us."
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2007/1129/20071129__20071130_E06_SP30BJUMP3-B~p1_300.JPG