Tony Scheffler: The "Key"

[Jimmy]

Tony Scheffler is not a pro-bowl tight end.
Tony Scheffler is not a great blocking tight end.
Tony Scheffler isn't even a top 5 tight end in the NFL when it comes to receiving.

HOWEVER, Scheffler is the key to the offense. Scheffler brings several things to this team that Daniel Graham and Nate Jackson cannot. The ability to get open. By now this should all seem incredibly obvious to you. Call Jackson a better route runner, say he has better hands, but the fact of the matter is Scheffler still gets it done when need be. He gets open when he's asked to, and he stretches the field in a way that most slot receivers do.

First, let us examine how critical is to this Broncos Offense.
The Broncos are 0-3 without Tony this season.
They are 5-1 With him.

It doesn't just end there.

Jay Cutler threw for an Average of 222 Yards in a span of 3 games without the Chef. He threw for 5 Touchdowns and 6 Interceptions in those 3 games.

However, with Tony, Cutler threw for an average of 324 Yards. He threw for 13 Touchdowns and 5 Interceptions in those 5 Games.

Scheffler doesn't just make this offense run noticeably smoother. He makes life easier for his teammates. Tony Scheffler has established himself as a target Jay knows he can go to under pressure. You will often times find Jay rolling out and fitting a ball into a tight space. Scheffler is often the man at the receiving end of those passes. Defenses are forced to account on a much larger level for Scheffler than they are for Nate Jackson an Daniel Graham. As we all know, the Broncos have 3 very solid receivers in Marshall, Royal, and Stokley, these aforementioned players instantly become factors as well.

So, before you all start hailing Mr. Cutler, realize that he can't do it alone. He has been unable to do so without Scheffler. I'll be the first one to say that without Scheffler, this team doesn't stand a chance.

I was just wondering... What does he do specifically that aides Cuts so much?

Here's to the key to the offense boys

[Diehard]

I think it's a matter of chemistry. Cutler and Scheffler are very much in sync. The two of them and Marshall worked together over the offseason to build that kind of rapport. Unfortunately, BMarsh can't seem to keep his head in the game - too preoccupied with politics, ex-girlfriends and getting ambushed by rogue television sets.

Those intermediate-deep passes down the middle are key to our passing game. When Cutler & Chef connect on one of those, you can almost see the opposing defense begin to sag. That in turn opens things up for our outside guys.

If only Scheffler could stay healthy...

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

Scheff is awesome. Really we need to utilize him more than we are. I've been saying it since I saw him in his rookie year with Cutler, he is going to be a top flight TE provided we actually use him.