Bo Scaife grew up as an intense
Broncos fan.
He had little choice. He was
raised here. He lived near Broncos
running back Bobby Humphrey as a
child. He met his idol John Elway
several times as an All-American
player at Mullen High School. At
the University of Texas, one of
Scaife’s closest friends was Kyle
Shanahan. Scaife then become close
with Kyle’s parents, Mike and Peggy
Shanahan.
“The Broncos have always been
close to my heart,” Scaife said. “I’ve
been big on the Broncos.”
That makes the next few days special
to the starting tight end of the
Tennessee Titans. On Monday
night, Scaife will play his first regular-
season game against the Broncos
at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“I couldn’t imagine this being a bigger
game for me,” Scaife said. “With
my history as a Broncos fan and
knowing so many people there and
having so many friends and family
there, it’s going to be as big as it gets.
It’s going to be a special night.”
Scaife returns home with his career
on the rise. A sixth-round pick
in 2005, Scaife has developed quickly
at Tennessee. He became a starter
midway through his rookie year
and is now one of Vince Young’s favorite
targets. Scaife has 27 catches
and a touchdown this season and is
expected to be one of Young’s top
options Monday night because of
the injuries to Tennessee’s running
backs and lack of depth at receiver.
“I’m going to be ready for this
game,” Scaife said. “Playing in Denver
has always been a goal of mine.”
What to do with Quinn?
Some have speculated that Brady Quinn will be playing elsewhere next year. When Cleveland moved into the first round to nab the Notre Dame star quarterback, many considered it a major coup.
That was before Derek Anderson started playing. After Charlie Frye flamed out in the first game, and the coaching staff decided Quinn wasn’t ready, Anderson was considered a stop-gap option. Now, Anderson, who will be a free agent at the end of this season, might be on the cusp of a big contract. Anderson has been the primary reason the Browns have turned their fortunes around and saved coach Romeo Crennel’s job.
Now, the team can’t turn to Quinn even though he looked good in the preseason. How can Anderson be denied? Expect Quinn to be shopped in the offseason, possibly garnering a first-round pick. There will be plenty of teams interested, perhaps including Minnesota, Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago and Carolina.
Goodbye in Minnesota?
Many in the league believe the Vikings will get rid of coach Brad Childress after two seasons. A saving grace for Childress could be star running back Adrian Peterson, even though he might be out a couple of weeks with a knee injury.
Still, Minnesota ownership might decide Peterson deserves another coach in his second season. Childress replaced Mike Tice, who went 9-7 and was fired after the 2005 season. Since taking over, Childress is 9-16. He also didn’t do himself any favors when word leaked that he docked receiver Troy Williamson a week’s pay because he skipped a game to attend his grandmother’s funeral. Under pressure, the Vikings rescinded the fine.
Sad season for 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers look nothing like the team that stunned the Broncos and kicked Denver out of the playoffs on the final day of last season. In that game, the 49ers had nothing to play for but outfought the desperate Broncos for their seventh victory of the season, giving themselves plenty of hope for 2007.
Nine games into the 2007 season, however, the 49ers have little hope. San Francisco started strong at 2-0. But it has lost seven consecutive games and is struggling in every facet.
Quarterback Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in 2005, is floundering. The 49ers have played four games this season in which they failed to reach double digits in first downs. The problems are endless, starting with Smith’s lack of improvement, a lack of receivers and injuries on the offensive line.
Compounding San Francisco’s problems is that they dealt their 2008 first-round pick, which is primed to be a top-five pick at this point, to New England last April. This team is going nowhere.
Around the league
Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is having a big season. But buyer beware. Many around the league question why Haynesworth suddenly is having a career season in the year his contract runs out. Here’s a statistic that makes you wonder about the worth of the latter rounds of the draft: Of all the fifth- sixth- and seventh-round picks playing in the NFL, the average playing time is less than all of the undrafted free agents who are playing in the league. There is talk Al Davis might fire Lane Kiffin after one season. The Raiders’ offense has been horrible under him, as it was under Art Shell last season. Although Kiffin is not doing a great job, Davis must have patience. Kiffin is the team’s fourth coach since 2003. If Kiffin gets the gate, who would take this job next year? Many scouts believe the Chiefs made the right call to play Brodie Croyle at quarterback rather than Damon Huard. They say Croyle has better skills and has a better makeup than the journeyman Huard. Some in the Broncos’ locker room were quietly pleased to see defensive end Simeon Rice get cut last week. People weren’t upset with Rice’s outspoken ways. The problem was the combination of a big mouth and no production on the field. If Peterson is out for a month or so, Cleveland left tackle Joe Thomas could jump into the race for offensive rookie of the year. The No. 3 pick from Wisconsin has been dominant. After Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, many Broncos were commenting that Kansas City defensive end Jared Allen is one of the best defensive players in the league. There are whispers that Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz could be looking for a new gig next year because of philosophical differences with head coach Rod Marinelli.
Top talent at tight end
Who: Oliver “Bo” Scaife
Position: Starting tight end, Tennessee Titans
College: Texas
Denver ties: He grew up in Denver and was a prep All-American at Mullen High School.
Current statistics: 27 receptions, for 234 yards and one touchdown
Did you know: Scaife is the only tight end in NFL history to rush for a touchdown, catch a pass for touchdown, return a kickoff and record a tackle in the same season.
