HEADLINES

Tony Scheffler

NFC Notes: Redskins, Lions, 49ers, Boykin

September 9th, 2014 at 3:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Following Jordan Reed‘s injury on Sunday, the Redskins auditioned a few tight ends today, including Michael Higgins, Kevin Brock, and Tony Scheffler, tweets Zac Boyer of the Washington Times. Scheffler is the most interesting name in the group — the last we heard from him, he was announcing his retirement after sustaining three concussions in the last four years. Apparently he hasn’t decided to move entirely away from the NFL quite yet though.

  • The Lions were already on the lookout for secondary help, having worked out Champ Bailey and other veteran defensive backs last week. Now, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes, the team will have to deal with a season-ending ACL injury for cornerback Bill Bentley, meaning some sort of roster addition appears likely.
  • Having recently rejoined the 49ers, special-teams ace Kassim Osgood tells Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link) that he hopes to play in the NFL at least another three years — that would give him 15 total seasons in the league, at age 37.
  • 49ers CEO Jed York reiterated today that he and head coach Jim Harbaugh will sit down and discuss Harbaugh’s contract, which runs through next year, at the end of the 2014 season, tweets Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
  • In a look at Brandon Boykin, who is playing the nickel role in Philadelphia, Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com examines the cornerback’s contract situation. Boykin is eligible for a new deal at year’s end, and McManus points out that it will be interesting to see if the 24-year-old is content with re-signing in the same role with the Eagles or wants the opportunity to be a starting outside corner elsewhere.
  • Michael Rand of the Star Tribune thinks it makes sense for the Rams to work out a trade with the Vikings for Christian Ponder.

Tony Scheffler Retires

June 11th, 2014 at 2:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Veteran tight end Tony Scheffler has decided to end his NFL playing career. Scheffler tells Larry Lage of The Associated Press that he has decided to retire after sustaining three concussions in the past four years.

Scheffler, 31, was selected by the Broncos in the second round of the 2006 draft and spent his first four NFL seasons in Denver before joining the Lions for four more years. Over the course of his eight-year career, Scheffler hauled in 258 passes for 3,207 yards and 22 touchdowns. The best season for the Western Michigan product was arguably 2007, when he appeared in all 16 games for the only time, and posted a career-high 49 receptions, for 549 yards and five touchdowns.

Scheffler last appeared in an NFL game for Detroit in October 2013, but was released by the club shortly after suffering his most recent concussion. The tight end later worked out for the Bears and Chiefs, and tells Lage that he received “moderate” interest this offseason, but opted not to pursue another NFL job.

According to Scheffler, his post-NFL plans include becoming a real estate agent and acting as an assistant high school football coach in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan.