Nate Jackson and Tony Scheffler have been flip-flopping for weeks now, so much so that who is listed as No. 2 and who is No. 3 on the tight end depth chart is inconsequential.
Scheffler could only laugh Thursday when it was pointed out that this week he was listed ahead of Jackson as the team prepares for the season opener Monday at Oakland.
“Obviously, I haven’t seen it,” Scheffler said. “Being here for three years now, you never know what’s going to happen.”
Here’s a safe bet for what will happen Monday night at Oakland: All three Denver tight ends will contribute.
“They are good. Really good,” quarterback Jay Cutler said. “With those three guys, I couldn’t be happier.”
Daniel Graham, who has recovered from a hamstring injury that slowed him in the preseason, is in the starting lineup as a run-blocking specialist, leaving Scheffler and Jackson to battle for playing time as the “receiving” tight ends.
“It’s a good weapon to have,” coach Mike Shanahan said of his tight end corps. “You can go into a game plan with a three-tight end set or a two-tight end set and not skip a beat. Not very many teams have the luxury to have three tight ends like we do.”
Jackson, a converted wide receiver, has the speed to be a deep threat, while Scheffler, at 6-feet-5 and 250 pounds, is a matchup nightmare over the middle for an opposing linebacker.
“We’re versatile,” Jackson said. “We bring more options to the table as far as game planning and stuff like that. Tony and I pride ourselves in being good pass catchers as well as blockers.”
Both also have improved their run-blocking skills, though the most important factor is that for the first time in nearly a year, both Jackson and Scheffler are healthy at the same time.
Scheffler played all 16 games last season, but couldn’t shake a nagging foot injury that he aggravated during organized team activities. Jackson missed the final 11 games of 2007 with a groin injury.
Jackson caught five passes in the preseason for 39 yards, including a touchdown, and sat out the Arizona game with the rest of the first-string offense.
Scheffler made four catches, all in the first two preseason games, for 38 yards. Scheffler’s 49 catches in 2007 were second-most on the team, only behind Brandon Marshall, who had 102.
The tight ends figure to be even more involved against the Raiders on Monday with Marshall out of the game as he serves his one-game suspension.
The Broncos will have just four active wide receivers for the game, and the tight ends are hoping they can exploit any mismatches they might be able to create.
“They’re going to have to put a linebacker on you, and if not, roll a safety to your side of the field if you’re split out wide,” Scheffler said.
“It’s definitely something you need to take advantage of. If you have guys that can do it . . . and our coaches do a good job, actually a great job, of getting us in positions that we can get matchups that are pretty favorable.”
The challenge for coaches, though, is keeping Jackson, Scheffler and Graham involved. Scheffler insists that even as they fight for practice repetitions and playing time, they remain friends.
“We actually have a real close room,” Scheffler said. “That helps when you’re out. It’s good to have a strong relationship and a good friendship.”
Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com
A tight battle
Tony Scheffler
Age: 25
Experience: Third year
College: Western Michigan
2007 stats: 49 catches, 549 yards, five touchdowns in seven starts. Played in all 16 games.
Nate Jackson
Age: 29
Experience: Sixth year
College: Menlo
2007 stats: Three catches for 34 yards in five games. Was out the rest of the year with a groin injury.
