dragondawg
12-20-2007, 11:32 PM
By FRANK SCHWAB
THE GAZETTE
ENGLEWOOD - When Denver Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler broke his foot in May, the prognosis was he would need about two months to heal.
The end of December is drawing near, and Scheffler can say that prognosis was a bit off. His foot still bothers him.
Scheffler has played through the pain, and his numbers are impressive considering he said he hasn’t been healthy all season and the injury has limited him.
“The pain is still there,” Scheffler said. “I’ve learned to put it in the back of my head the last month. Hopefully, with the offseason, I’ll be 100 percent next year. But it’s definitely been frustrating all year.”
An injury to tight end Daniel Graham could give Scheffler a chance to show what he can do as a full-time tight end. Graham has a high ankle sprain and has not practiced this week. Coach Mike Shanahan said he thought Graham might be able to practice today, and Graham said the ankle was getting better.
Graham’s main role this season has been as a blocker. The Broncos use Scheffler as a pass catcher off the bench. Scheffler has 40 catches and 460 yards, 16 more catches and 214 more yards than Graham.
Scheffler has stated often he wants to prove himself as an all-around tight end. If Graham doesn’t play, Scheffler will get a chance to show he can play in all situations.
“That’s what I need to do, is step up and show the coaches that I can be just as effective in the run game as I am in the passing game,” Scheffler said.
Scheffler said he wanted to improve as a blocker in his second season. Through the first few offseason minicamp practices, he said he thought he was making progress.
“Then I broke my foot,” Scheffler said. “Things kind of changed.”
A good performance Monday against San Diego, and perhaps in the season finale against Minnesota if Graham misses both games, could give Scheffler a boost going into the offseason. A couple of months to rest will help, too.
“Some of the cuts, some of the planting and cutting, it’s not there,” Scheffler said.
Still, Scheffler has been a productive receiver. He is coming off the first 100-yard game of his career last week against Houston. Scheffler was hoping for more, after finishing strong as a rookie. Last season he had four touchdowns in Denver’s final four games.
He considers this year a bit of a disappointment.
“I’ve never had a foot injury up until now, and it’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” Scheffler said.
http://www.gazette.com/sports/scheffler_31102___article.html/graham_season.html
THE GAZETTE
ENGLEWOOD - When Denver Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler broke his foot in May, the prognosis was he would need about two months to heal.
The end of December is drawing near, and Scheffler can say that prognosis was a bit off. His foot still bothers him.
Scheffler has played through the pain, and his numbers are impressive considering he said he hasn’t been healthy all season and the injury has limited him.
“The pain is still there,” Scheffler said. “I’ve learned to put it in the back of my head the last month. Hopefully, with the offseason, I’ll be 100 percent next year. But it’s definitely been frustrating all year.”
An injury to tight end Daniel Graham could give Scheffler a chance to show what he can do as a full-time tight end. Graham has a high ankle sprain and has not practiced this week. Coach Mike Shanahan said he thought Graham might be able to practice today, and Graham said the ankle was getting better.
Graham’s main role this season has been as a blocker. The Broncos use Scheffler as a pass catcher off the bench. Scheffler has 40 catches and 460 yards, 16 more catches and 214 more yards than Graham.
Scheffler has stated often he wants to prove himself as an all-around tight end. If Graham doesn’t play, Scheffler will get a chance to show he can play in all situations.
“That’s what I need to do, is step up and show the coaches that I can be just as effective in the run game as I am in the passing game,” Scheffler said.
Scheffler said he wanted to improve as a blocker in his second season. Through the first few offseason minicamp practices, he said he thought he was making progress.
“Then I broke my foot,” Scheffler said. “Things kind of changed.”
A good performance Monday against San Diego, and perhaps in the season finale against Minnesota if Graham misses both games, could give Scheffler a boost going into the offseason. A couple of months to rest will help, too.
“Some of the cuts, some of the planting and cutting, it’s not there,” Scheffler said.
Still, Scheffler has been a productive receiver. He is coming off the first 100-yard game of his career last week against Houston. Scheffler was hoping for more, after finishing strong as a rookie. Last season he had four touchdowns in Denver’s final four games.
He considers this year a bit of a disappointment.
“I’ve never had a foot injury up until now, and it’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” Scheffler said.
http://www.gazette.com/sports/scheffler_31102___article.html/graham_season.html