ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—Daniel Graham signed with Denver under the promise he’d be more involved in the passing game.
But the sixth-year tight end has become his own worst enemy. So adept is he at pass protection that the Broncos are reluctant to send him out on routes.
“Blocking has always been a strong part of my game. Because of that, the best thing for the team is to keep me in as a blocker,” Graham said.
Graham has 20 catches this season, ranking him 32nd among NFL tight ends. He hasn’t caught a pass since Nov. 19.
Although disenchanted with his role in the passing game, he’s accepted his fate—he’s primarily a blocking tight end, and a wealthy one at that.
“I’m used to it,” said Graham, whose father, Tom, played linebacker for the Broncos in the early ’70s. “It makes me work harder on my blocking.”
When Graham was a free agent last spring, he expressed his desire to go to a team that would look past his blocking skills and see a reliable target.
Denver lured Graham back to his hometown with a rich contract—a five-year, $30-million deal that includes $15 million in guaranteed money—and the promise of being an integral part of the offense.
He’s still waiting for his number to be called more often.
“It doesn’t surprise me none,” Graham said. “It’s been like that my whole career.”
While with New England, the 6-foot-3, 257-pounder was used in the same role. He caught 120 passes for 1,393 yards and 17 touchdowns in his five seasons with the Patriots.
He thought his production would be different in Denver.
But he won’t grumble. It’s not his nature. He just quietly goes about his business of blocking, where he’s essentially become a well-paid lineman.
Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler certainly appreciates Graham’s grunt work.
“He’s first class,” Cutler said. “He comes to work every day with the right attitude, the right mind-set, and goes out there and does his job. He doesn’t complain about not getting balls, doesn’t complain about having to block a little more than he wanted to. He goes out there and does what’s asked of him and does it well.
“We need more of him around here.”
Denver offensive boss Mike Heimerdinger isn’t afraid to have Graham go out over the middle. Yet he’s reluctant to spread him out wide, a job better suited for tight end Tony Scheffler, who has 29 catches so far.
“Dan’s a different guy than Tony is,” Heimerdinger explained. “His strength as a pass receiver is inside. He’s done a great job for us. He’s everything we expected. He’s great in pass protection.”
Graham wants to be known for more than just his blocking skills. He knows he can catch, he just wishes he’d be given more of a chance.
“That’s what I’ve always wanted to do—catch passes,” Graham said. “I feel like one of my strong points (blocking) hurts me in another part of my game. It’s been like that, so I’m used to it. It lets me know they appreciate my blocking.”
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INJURY UPDATE@: The Broncos were without wide receiver Brandon Stokley at practice Thursday, and Javon Walker only participated on a limited basis.
Stokley strained his left knee in the first half against Oakland and Walker continues to recover from a knee injury that sidelined him for eight games and required arthroscopic surgery.
“He’s still a little bit sore,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s not fullspeed.”
Walker had just one reception for seven yards at Oakland last Sunday. Stokley finished with 102 yards on three catches, all coming in the second half.
The Broncos also were missing safety Nick Ferguson, who injured a knee against Oakland. He didn’t want to elaborate on the injury Thursday.
“Have to wait and see,” Ferguson said when asked if he would play Sunday against Kansas City. “I anticipate being readily available.”
