Scheffler getting some love

[Atlas]

Rookie big-man better than advertised

SoCals link: http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/?p...3945&t=Archive

By DANIEL WILLIAMS - August 2, 2006
During training camp from day to day, most young players shine at one point, then struggle another. However, a player who is beginning to stand out on a more regular basis is rookie tight end Tony Scheffler.

Drafted in the second round of this year’s draft, Scheffler was taken by the Broncos as a project pick with potential. Now, almost a full week into camp, Scheffler is projecting to make an impact.

The 6-foot-5 Western Michigan alum has similarities in his game to former Bronco tight end Jeb Putzier, but coaches and teammates think Scheffler may even have more upside than Putzier.

Shanahan praised Scheffler’s play after yesterday morning’s practice, saying: “He’s been exceptional. He’s got great hands, runs routes extremely well, and in the running game it looks like he just keeps on making strides, so hopefully he can keep it going. He’s a pretty good blocker, and that’s where you have to keep on making strides — in that area. The effort is there, and the technique will come in time.”

When asked about Scheffler’s big-play ability and his surprising speed for such a big body, Shanahan touted like a proud parent: “He’s very much a deep threat. He runs as fast as wide receivers. Jeb could run and had good speed. Tony’s going to be faster. Coming out of college, he was about a tenth of a second faster. Tony is in the 4.5 range (40-yard sprint), and there are not too many tight ends in the National Football League that can run a 4.5. Jeb was in that 4.65 range, which is fast, and Jeb made a lot of big plays for us. Tony has that type of speed.”

Special Burns may be key

to super run

Everyone knows about the Broncos’ elite three linebacking core of Al Wilson, D.J. Williams and Ian Gold. But it is the fourth guy in the rotation — Keith Burns — who could help Denver get back to the Super Bowl.

Now in his third stint with the Denver Broncos and his 13th season in the league, Burns is hoping to help lead the defense and special teams back to the Super Bowl.

Drafted by Denver in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL draft, and re-signed before the start of the 2005 season, the re-addition of Burns helped plug up the Broncos’ then-porous kick and punt coverage.

While most players dread being forced to run down the field after a kickoff or punt to make a tackle, Burns takes great pride in being a part of the special teams.

“Like I say, everybody can’t be the household names, and I think I’m good at what I do because that’s all I get to do,” Burns told the Denver Daily News yesterday. “Until my number is called on defense, everybody’s seeing what I can do on defense when I go in there and get the job done as if (linebacker) Al (Wilson) has never missed a beat. From that perspective, I think that helped me get some longevity and the leap that I have. At the same time, I enjoy doing what I do. Football is a young game, and at the same time I am young at heart, and that is the feeling that I have always had coming into training camp.”

As special teams captain, one concern Burns does have regarding the upcoming season is how the team will be affected with the four-game suspension of Pro Bowl punter Todd Sauerbrun.

“It’s always disappointing, but things happen,” Burns said. “At the same time, (head coach) Mike (Shanahan) has always taught us that we are always only one play from being in the game. Luckily, (Saurbrun’s suspension) happened early enough that it is something management could deal with and the front office could get another guy in here that can perform. From that benefit there is a little bit of leeway, but at the same time someone can still do the job the same way Todd would do if he was here.”

Burns is recognized as one of the best special teams players in the league, if not the league’s history.

[Atlas]

I remember how many people around here were pissed Denver passed on Pope and drafted Scheffler. Scheffler is going to be a much better TE. Pope is almost too big, he is stiff and not real fast or nifty. Next to Vernon Davis Scheffler was the most athletic TE in the draft.

[Jetmeck]

Scheffler may have been the best TE out of this draft including VD. We may have found Sharpe's replacement here.

[Kaylore]

He's going to be good for us and will get some chances this year. His blocking will take some time, but we're going to be able to use him right away.

[Clockwork Orange]

I still like-a da Pope.

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

I still like-a da Pope.

That's funny because there has hardly been any mention of him during cardinals camp reports. Hmmmmm....

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

He's going to be good for us and will get some chances this year. His blocking will take some time, but we're going to be able to use him right away.

Kahn you know what's amazing is that Denver is the best running team in the league and they demand that there WRs and TEs be able to block but yet they don't care if you can block when you get to Denver. All they want is that you are willing to block. I mean for a running team Denver sure goes out and find TEs that are really just converted WRs but when they get to Denver they block because they know they won't play if they don't.

So When Denver went into this draft I'll bet when they were looking at TEs they gave the least amount of importance on the blocking aspect and more importance on their athletic abilities, their speed and the willingness of them to block.

Scheffler has admitted that he isn't a good blocker mostly because he played baseball and didn't get all the practice he could have to refine his game BUT he did say that he was more than willing to learn how to become an effective blocker.

In this system Scheffler will be a monster. He already has the physical tools to play and the Broncos coaches will make him a complete around great player. Just like Sharpe. People all the time said Sharpe wasn't a good blocker. Well, that is absolutely untrue. Sharpe wasn't a dominate blocker BUT he was very effective, and in fact he was a very underrated blocker.

Scheffler is going to be very good. Maybe not this year but soon.

[brncs_fan]

Almost everything that I have read thus far into camp on this guy have all been good. Can't wait to see him play in Detroit.

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

That's funny because there has hardly been any mention of him during cardinals camp reports. Hmmmmm....

Well, what are you waiting for? Get down there and give us the scoop.

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

Well, what are you waiting for? Get down there and give us the scoop.

Kahn is such a slacker

[Arkie]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

That's funny because there has hardly been any mention of him during cardinals camp reports. Hmmmmm....

I went to their site to see how Pope was doing and found this...

Maybe it's just me, but has anyone else noticed that when Leinart stops to pose for a picture his actions are eerily similar to Zoolander's? He kind of stops, tilts his head and gives a smile.

They are all the same pose and smile.... kind of freaky.....

http://www.azcardinals.com/fanzone/m...ead.php?t=8388

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

I still like-a da Pope.

I'd like to see what happens in the regular season before people start talking about how good this draft could be. Every draft looks great at this point.

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by Hercules Rockefeller

I'd like to see what happens in the regular season before people start talking about how good this draft could be. Every draft looks great at this point.

Every team looks great at this point. Preseason games give you a better feel and then of course the real games are the reality check.

[BroncoMan4ever]

Originally Posted by Atlas

I remember how many people around here were pissed Denver passed on Pope and drafted Scheffler. Scheffler is going to be a much better TE. Pope is almost too big, he is stiff and not real fast or nifty. Next to Vernon Davis Scheffler was the most athletic TE in the draft.

In all actuallity, Scheffler was as good in some areas as VD, and better than him in a few others. Basically, it seems like we got a steal in round 2. He might go on to be the best of the TE's taken this year, because supposedly VD is having trouble learning the offense in San Francisco.

[baja]

Where will the Detroit game be shown

[Drek]

Vernon Davis is going to be the best TE from this draft class. He's physically superior to every TE to ever come into the league, and while he sounds like a flavor clown he'll be just fine and put up huge numbers as the #1 option on SF's passing attack for years to come.

Scheffler should be pretty good though. I personally liked the choice back on draft day, though I thought it was a bit early. He also is NOT a converted WR, he played TE in college pretty much the entire time, just as a recieving TE who often would lineup in the slot position. He was also a quality OF on his college's baseball team, a good all around athlete.

[Dedhed]

Originally Posted by Hercules Rockefeller

I'd like to see what happens in the regular season before people start talking about how good this draft could be. Every draft looks great at this point.

No it doesn't.

[Broncoman13]

Originally Posted by Atlas

I remember how many people around here were pissed Denver passed on Pope and drafted Scheffler. Scheffler is going to be a much better TE. Pope is almost too big, he is stiff and not real fast or nifty. Next to Vernon Davis Scheffler was the most athletic TE in the draft.

Guilty!!! Very guilty. I called the pick the day before and said I would be pissed... then was! But, I can easily say that the Broncos did their homework on this kid. He's making a fool out of a lot of us that didn't like the pick.

With the way this draft is workgin out, we may have just hit on the best draft in franchise history. Congrats to Shanny and the scouts... they certainly know more than us knuckleheads!

[GonzoLays]

Originally Posted by OSKIE

Guilty!!! Very guilty. I called the pick the day before and said I would be pissed... then was! But, I can easily say that the Broncos did their homework on this kid. He's making a fool out of a lot of us that didn't like the pick.

With the way this draft is workgin out, we may have just hit on the best draft in franchise history. Congrats to Shanny and the scouts... they certainly know more than us knuckleheads!

Nice to see you joining the bandwagon I created, Oskie.

Tony Scheffler is FO REAL!

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Originally Posted by OSKIE

With the way this draft is workgin out, we may have just hit on the best draft in franchise history.

Denver must be the worst drafting team in the history of the league if that statement can be thrown out after one week of practice.

[GonzoLays]

Great Moments In Message Board History:

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthr...04#post1091604

While everybody was hating on the pick, I was laying down the groundwork for the bandwagon:

Originally Posted by The Great GonzoLays 04-29-2006, 11:35 PM

Haters in the house.

Sheffler is a solid pick. Shanny is big on measureables (and I am sure he is going to touch on the fact that this guy was their second rated tight end on the board blah blah blah...similiar measureables to last years first round pick heath miller blah blah blah) and the simple fact of the matter is that he is better TE prospect than Lewis, Klopenstien, and Fasano. Everybody loved those TE's because they played at the big schools, nevermind the fact that those guys are no where near the athlete Sheffler is. Sheffler was two sport star at Western Michigan. He batter nearly .300 on the baseball and if he can see a ball coming at him at 90 mph and hit you better believe he can pick up a big ass football coming at him.

He is bigger, faster, and more talented than any TE in this draft outside of Vernon Davis. Good pick.

Come one, come all, there is still room on the bandwagon. Just tell'em Gonzo sent ya.

[Tom G]

I was amazed and even felt a little bit cheated at how quickly the Broncos jumped on Scheffler during the draft when their 2nd round choice (clock) opened up. I was anticipating 10 or so minutes of discussion about the Broncos during the pause before their selection but the station took a short break after the choice just before ours and on return, the commentators were already on the next selection.

Obviously, the Broncos had him pegged for their 2nd round choice and jumped on him as soon as their window opened up.

[Broncoman13]

Originally Posted by Hercules Rockefeller

Denver must be the worst drafting team in the history of the league if that statement can be thrown out after one week of practice.

I agree is early to be making that claim... but so far Cutler is looking like the future. Scheff has been everything and more than most of us hoped for. Marshall has been a phenom. Walker looks like he is back. Add in guys like Dumervil, Kuper, Eslinger, and Mike "Dong" Bell and I think you have a very promising draft, one that certainly has the potential to be the best ever in our franchise history. Again, I know it's early, but this year feels different and you know it!

[Ballhawk]

I was real excited to hear the rookies were doing well, but come on. If Cutler, Schef, Marshall and Mike Bell all become Pro Bowlers, then we are talking Dynasty as that group could play together for 10 years. So we really need to step back and put this in perspective...















WE ROCK!!!!!

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by Hercules Rockefeller

Denver must be the worst drafting team in the history of the league if that statement can be thrown out after one week of practice.

It's been metioned alot and there is some substance behind it. It's not only one week of training camp but also the 18 practices they had before. I would say this is looking like it could very well be the best draft in Pat Bowlen's tenure in Denver. However Ralston's drafts from 72-74 were amazingly good. That's when he drafted Jackson, Gradishar, Wright among other Bronco greats. This draft as of now really can't be compared to those drafts.