Had a rather unusual conversation with Daniel Graham the other day.
“Hey, Dan,” I asked, “you got a sister named Michelle?”
“Sister-in-law,” he said.
Tight family, the Grahams. How do we know? Because I recently got an e-mail from Michelle Graham entitled “Let’s send Daniel Graham to the Pro Bowl.”
That probably won’t happen, given all the gawdy receiving numbers so many other tight ends put up. But make no doubt, Graham has had one of his best seasons in 2008.
His 24 catches match his 2007 total, and his four touchdowns have doubled the two he had last season. But that’s not the point. It never is with Graham. The receiving numbers are a bonus, given his status as the NFL’s best blocking tight end.
Graham isn’t alone among Broncos tight ends making an impact. Tony Scheffler has battled injuries much of the season, but has caught 33 balls for a team-leading 15.6 yards per. Nate Jackson, meanwhile, caught 11 balls before landing on the injured-reserve list.
The Broncos’ offense runs in a different gear when Jay Cutler is locating his tight ends down the field. Want proof? A lot of stats in today’s NFL don’t have much relevance, but this one does: The Broncos are 6-0 when their tight ends combine for five-plus catches, 2-5 when they don’t.
Jim Armstrong: 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com
