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Broncos' Graham all smiles on reappearance in passing game

Blocking tight end spending a lot of time in the end zone

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 20, 2008 at 6:46 p.m.

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A smile. And there's your answer.

Tight end Daniel Graham knows he can block - opposing defensive coordinators consistently use the word "dominant" about his work there. He knows the Broncos like it when he blocks because, well, they ask him to do it a lot.

He knows the Patriots liked it when he blocked before that because they, too, asked him to do it a lot. But go ahead and ask about the touchdowns these days, ask about the four trips to the end zone in the past five games.

"It's just good to be involved with the team from the receiving standpoint instead of blocking all the time," Graham said with that smile.

"I'll do whatever they need me to do, whatever they want me to do, but to catch a few (touchdowns), it's been good for me."

Good for him. Good for the Broncos.

The only similar run of success Graham has had in his career was in 2004 - his third year with the Patriots - when he had five touchdown catches in the first four games.

He caught two touchdown passes during the final 12 games and finished with seven.

Graham has made the most of his chances of late. His only catch against the Jaguars was for a touchdown, his only catch against the Dolphins went for a score and his only catch against the Falcons on Sunday was what turned out to be the winner.

In Cleveland, he had a 28-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the fourth quarter, one of three catches in the game, that gave the Broncos a 27-23 lead in a contest they won 34-30.

"There's sometimes when it's just not the case that we're going to throw him the ball," Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said. "He's too good at other things we need him to do. We know what he can give us in the passing game, but he can do so much other stuff.

"And that's not always great for Daniel, but he's just one of those guys - he comes to work early, he leaves late, he does everything a leader is supposed to do. He does all of the little things and he never complains."

Graham came to the Broncos in free agency before the 2007 season because he hoped to be more than the Patriots believed he could be, even as he won two Super Bowl rings with New England.

But 2007 was a litany of struggles for the Broncos, including with their line play. So Graham spent plenty of time along the line of scrimmage to help in pass protection and in the running game.

He finished with 25 receptions and two touchdowns.

"And if he's not the best, he's one of the top two or three (blockers) at the position, and honestly, I really don't know who could be ahead of him," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "He's so consistent, both in pass protection and in the running game. I know one thing - I'm glad we have him."

And it is that level of trust that keeps Graham out of the open field from time to time.

Because when his teams have faced defenses that can rush the passer, choices have to be made - and protecting the quarterback always will trump every other item on the list.

"He's like another tackle out there," Cutler said. "As coaches and quarterbacks, I think you're always going to get caught up in his ability to do that. He helps out the protection so much, you may lose focus about what he can do out in the routes, out in the open space."

But as defenses have tried to slow down the Broncos offense on the outside in the scoring zone, choosing to load up on receivers Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal, Cutler has found a passing lane or two that lead to Graham.

"I'm just getting open in the end zone," Graham said. "Jay has a lot of choices back there, but he's found me a few times. I think, right now, I just happen to be the open guy. But I want to contribute as much as a I can. I know it's going to be blocking sometimes, that's part of it, but you always like to add the receiving part to it."

"That play in Atlanta (11-yard touchdown catch with 5:35 left in the game), Jay, he kind of just slung it in there. He threw it in there so hard and I was the only one who could catch it."

And like many things at other positions this season, the Broncos will have to adjust some at tight end in the coming weeks because of injuries.

Nate Jackson, who had played as a downfield tight end in the team's two-tight-end formation, will miss the remainder of the season after tearing a hamstring in practice Wednesday.

That leaves Graham, Tony Scheffler and Chad Mustard in the rotation at the position to go with long snapper Mike Leach, who also works there. Mustard primarily is a blocker and Scheffler still is working his way back from a groin injury that kept him out of three games.

So Graham might indeed have a few more chances to get his hands on the ball instead of opposing pass rushers.

"He's had a little flurry here, and I couldn't be happier for a guy," Cutler said. "He's had a good run. Hopefully, he gets a few more."

TDs for TE

If Broncos tight end Daniel Graham, a Thomas Jefferson High School graduate, catches three touchdown passes during the final six weeks of the regular season, he will tie a career single-season high. His career totals:

Touchdowns

Year By Nov. 21 Season

2002 1 1

2003 2 4

2004 5 7

2005 3 3

2006 2 2

2007 1 2

2008 4 -

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Comments

November 20, 2008

8:29 p.m.

Suggest removal

Colorado69 writes:

DG is one of the best TEs in the game because he is a complete TE catching and blocking, much like Champ at CB. I was lucky enough to see him dismantle Nebraska as a Senior at CU, so I know he can run routes and catch as well as any other TE in the NFL. He is an important part of the future as the Broncos build their way back to the Super Bowl. He is a leader and sets a great example for the talented rookies.
November 21, 2008

12:12 p.m.

Suggest removal

Rutabaga writes:

I wish the Broncos had more Daniel Graham kind of guys. If he had a Fat Head picture, I would buy a bunch and cover my whole house, except the front door. Sorry Daniel but I need to get in and out to do stuff.
November 21, 2008

3:42 p.m.

Suggest removal

Cal writes:

I was THRILLED when Daniel Graham came to the Broncos. The support he provided for Denver was much needed and greatly appreciated. However, I was diappointed that Graham was not included in the receiving game as much as I would have liked to have seen. I grew tired of the blah, blah, blah'ing of how important of a blocker he was that the Broncos just couldn't afford to give it up. It always seemed shortsighted not using all the talents that Graham clearly brought to the table. I'm glad to see that he is having that opportunity now and hope the Broncos realize exactly the quality of player they have and don't cut Graham back from his expanded role when depth returns to the team. His talent at blocking is an important aspect to the Broncos offense, but every single down for every single game? It's always a good thing to keep an ace in your back pocket especially when other teams are not prepared for it. His ability to catch when needed should be utilized. Graham will appreciate and certainly capitalize on the opportunities, the Broncos will enjoy the added weapon to their offense, and the fans will love the experience. It's win-win-win. Something that everyone will benefit from.