Kaylore
12-18-2006, 06:13 AM
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5221491,00.html
Rookies Cutler, Scheffler, Marshall tossing clouds of stardust
By Mark Brown, Special to the News
December 17, 2006
GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Big Three are coming together very nicely.
Forget about the current quarterback contingent of the Broncos' Jay Cutler, the Titans' Vince Carter and the Cardinals' Matt Leinart.
The reference here is to the Broncos' Class of 2006, and the developing trio of Cutler, tight end Tony Scheffler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The three have become great friends, and if things stay intact, given the NFL standards of physical vulnerability, they could form the core of the Broncos' offensive future.
Coach Mike Shanahan gave Broncos followers a hint Sunday when he heavily involved Scheffler and Marshall in the game plan. Before Sunday's 37-20 win at Arizona, Marshall, out of Central Florida, had just nine receptions. Against the Cardinals, he grabbed five for 58 yards, and Cutler threw the ball in his direction eight times.
Scheffler, from Western Michigan, caught three for 58 yards Sunday. In the previous 13 games this season, Scheffler had 10 receptions, though he did have two for touchdowns last week against San Diego.
The plan is not only to involve these players now, but to recognize their talents for seasons ahead.
"Isn't that the basis of the NFL draft?" Marshall said. "You draft players to play them now and in the future. No reason for us to hang around and just read playbooks. But Jay will lead us. I can't say enough about this guy.
"He will make NFL history someday."
The three began their bonding at an NFL gathering in June in San Diego.
Cutler and Scheffler hit it off immediately and eventually roomed together during training camp. The friendship, Scheffler said, adds up to production on the football field.
"The reason we have become close is that all three of us have the same kind of personality," said Scheffler, a native of Chelsea, Mich. "Plus, we're able to trust one another, and that's a big factor. In order to be successful, trust is such a vital ingredient, and I can see that in all three of us."
With Cutler as the quarterback of the future, Marshall could find himself on the receiving end more often. Rod Smith is 36 yards old and completing his 12th season, all with the Broncos. Wide receiver Javon Walker is 28, in his prime, and could constitute an imposing one-two punch with Marshall.
At 6-foot-4, 222 pounds, Marshall's size and ability to separate from tackles makes him the kind of target to work well with Cutler. The class of '06 is growing in maturity, and Cutler probably is its top student, recognizing the essence of the team game and team spirit.
"We have too much talent and too much character on this team for us to just give in these last few games," he said. "If we keep fighting and winning ball games, we have a shot."
The reference here is both short-term and long-term.
Rookies Cutler, Scheffler, Marshall tossing clouds of stardust
By Mark Brown, Special to the News
December 17, 2006
GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Big Three are coming together very nicely.
Forget about the current quarterback contingent of the Broncos' Jay Cutler, the Titans' Vince Carter and the Cardinals' Matt Leinart.
The reference here is to the Broncos' Class of 2006, and the developing trio of Cutler, tight end Tony Scheffler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The three have become great friends, and if things stay intact, given the NFL standards of physical vulnerability, they could form the core of the Broncos' offensive future.
Coach Mike Shanahan gave Broncos followers a hint Sunday when he heavily involved Scheffler and Marshall in the game plan. Before Sunday's 37-20 win at Arizona, Marshall, out of Central Florida, had just nine receptions. Against the Cardinals, he grabbed five for 58 yards, and Cutler threw the ball in his direction eight times.
Scheffler, from Western Michigan, caught three for 58 yards Sunday. In the previous 13 games this season, Scheffler had 10 receptions, though he did have two for touchdowns last week against San Diego.
The plan is not only to involve these players now, but to recognize their talents for seasons ahead.
"Isn't that the basis of the NFL draft?" Marshall said. "You draft players to play them now and in the future. No reason for us to hang around and just read playbooks. But Jay will lead us. I can't say enough about this guy.
"He will make NFL history someday."
The three began their bonding at an NFL gathering in June in San Diego.
Cutler and Scheffler hit it off immediately and eventually roomed together during training camp. The friendship, Scheffler said, adds up to production on the football field.
"The reason we have become close is that all three of us have the same kind of personality," said Scheffler, a native of Chelsea, Mich. "Plus, we're able to trust one another, and that's a big factor. In order to be successful, trust is such a vital ingredient, and I can see that in all three of us."
With Cutler as the quarterback of the future, Marshall could find himself on the receiving end more often. Rod Smith is 36 yards old and completing his 12th season, all with the Broncos. Wide receiver Javon Walker is 28, in his prime, and could constitute an imposing one-two punch with Marshall.
At 6-foot-4, 222 pounds, Marshall's size and ability to separate from tackles makes him the kind of target to work well with Cutler. The class of '06 is growing in maturity, and Cutler probably is its top student, recognizing the essence of the team game and team spirit.
"We have too much talent and too much character on this team for us to just give in these last few games," he said. "If we keep fighting and winning ball games, we have a shot."
The reference here is both short-term and long-term.