San Diego – While the party was going on down the hall, officially ending the Broncos’ one-year ownership of the AFC West title, Denver veteran receiver Rod Smith was slowly getting dressed.
The total impact of the Broncos’ four-game losing streak, their longest in seven years, and the sight of the Chargers’ celebration appeared to pain Denver’s emotional leader.
Perhaps to interrupt the anguish, Smith began talking with rookie tight end Tony Scheffler. Finally, a positive. Past meets the present meets the future.
The Broncos can’t do anything about the past four weeks. They must look forward, and Smith knows youngsters such as Scheffler hold the key.
The kid 13 years Smith’s junior will have a major say in whether the Broncos can salvage this season and play into next month. The Broncos are fighting for survival after they fell to 7-6 with a 48-20 loss at San Diego on Sunday afternoon.
“I enjoyed seeing Tony Scheffler,” Smith said of the rookie tight end who made two touchdown catches. “We made some plays. … We just have to continue to do that in the last three games of the season.”
The third quarter was one positive in the Broncos’ latest losing effort as rookie quarterback Jay Cutler had his best moments in the second start of his career. The Broncos opened the playbook and let it rip.
Cutler spread the ball around. Often in the shotgun formation, Cutler appeared comfortable in four-receiver sets.
“That’s how we’re going to be able to win and get this thing turned around,” veteran tight end Stephen Alexander said. “We’re just going to have to go for it and try to move the ball and make big plays.”
It is clear Cutler is starting to create a connection with his receivers. There is much to be worked on, but the foundation is being set.
“The offense came together, and we gave ourselves a chance in the second half,” Cutler said. “We did a lot of good things, but for my second start, I have a lot to improve on yet.”
Cutler looks particularly comfortable with Scheffler, a second-round pick, and fellow rookie Brandon Marshall, a wide receiver and a fourth-round pick.
Cutler hit Scheffler three times in the third quarter as the Broncos made a brief run at San Diego after falling behind 28-3 at halftime. Scheffler scored touchdowns on receptions of 28 and 11 yards in the third quarter. He finished with three catches for 66 yards and became Denver’s first rookie tight end to have two touchdown receptions in a game.
“I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or not, but Jay and I have a good thing going,” said Scheffler, who struggled for the first three months of the season. “We just have to keep it up.”
Cutler also hit Marshall on a big play for a first down in the third quarter. Marshall made two catches for 19 yards.
“I think you can see the chemistry coming between Jay and us,” Marshall said. “We just have to keep on working on it, but it is coming.”
While Cutler has a rapport with the young players, with whom he played in the preseason and practiced as backups for the first three months of the regular season, he still is looking for the veterans. Receiver Javon Walker had a team-high four catches for 52 yards, including a key 17-yard reception in the third quarter. Smith had three catches for 20 yards.
Walker politely declined to speak after the game. He said he would gladly speak during the week leading up to Sunday’s road game against the Arizona Cardinals.
After a home loss to Seattle last Sunday, Walker complained, saying the team needed to get the ball to its playmakers more. The next day, Walker calmed down, saying he needed to play better. He also predicted that when Cutler truly gets going, the Broncos would be unstoppable.
Denver’s offense wasn’t unstoppable, but it had its moments in the third quarter.
“It’s all about experience together,” Alexander said. “It will pay off down the line.”
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
