From lousy to "legend," Broncos' Michael Schofield has come a long way in just one year

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ENGLEWOOD Colo. – Oh, what a difference a year makes.

The struggles of Michael Schofield in 2015 were not a secret to anybody, the third-round pick out of Michigan in 2014 was thrown into the fire in his second season, and it wasn’t pretty. Schofield, playing at left tackle, was ranked 66th in the league out of 81 qualified tackles by Pro Football Focus.

It reached a point where many, including some in the Broncos locker room, were questioning if the best players were really being put on the field. Not an easy experience for a young player.

“It was tough there for a little bit, but that was last year,” Schofield told BSN Denver with the smile he carries on a daily basis. “It’s a whole new year now, you know?”

That year has made a world of difference for the 6-foot-6, 305-pound Orland Park, Illinois native. Last season’s baptism by fire forged a tougher, stronger Schofield—mentally and physically—and now the same guy who was questioned a year ago is now considered “a legend.”

That’s right, before Max Garcia could answer a question on the performance of his fellow lineman, Matt Paradis answered for him, “He’s a legend.”

Now, there might be a bit of hyperbole going on there, but the message is clear—Michael Schofield has earned the respect and support of his teammates, not only with his success at the right guard position but with his versatility. Through three games, Schofield has played three different positions: right guard, right tackle and left tackle.

“I think he’s been doing a hell of a job,” Garcia chimed in after the Paradis comment. “I think people underestimate the ability it takes to play inside and outside. I had to go from left to right last season, and it was certainly not ideal. For him to be able to do both inside and outside, it’s a huge testament to him and his abilities.”

“I would equate to driving on the right side your whole life, and now you have to drive on your left,” the Broncos left guard added of the transition. “Things just look different; you’re going against different guys that have different body styles and abilities. On the edge, obviously, you have your speed-rushers and bull-rushers and inside you have guys who are going to power-rush you, to be able to defend both of them and do it successfully is pretty amazing.”

It’s not necessarily new territory for the Michigan product, in college he played every position other than center, but that’s not to take away from the challenge of doing it at the highest level.

“During camp, I was kind of all over the place, and that helped prepare me for this,” he explained. “Especially these last three games, just going from one position to another, I think camp really helped me. It’s not an easy thing to do, not an easy transition to make.”

On Monday, after yet another Broncos victory and yet another strong performance from the versatile lineman, Denver head coach Gary Kubiak had high praise.

“He just continues to become a better player,” Kubiak explained. “He’s playing against good players every week. You sit there and play tackle all year long for us last year, and now you’re going inside, which is his more comfortable spot. Then, the last two weeks he’s been pushed back outside because of injury. I just think some guys stay the course in this league. There are a lot of guys that are good players, and Michael is a good player. To become a great player, you have to just stay the course. I think that’s what Michael is doing right now. Obviously, it’s helped us with some of the adjustments that he’s made.”

What is “staying the course” to Schofield?

“I always just out my head down and kept working no matter what was going on,” he said of his interpretation. “No matter how good or bad I was doing, I was always working.”

The work paid off.

Now, as he gets “really comfortable” at guard and begins to establish himself in the league, last season’s condemnation has turned to appreciation, but he’s not hearing it, and he certainly isn’t changing his formula.

“It’s nice, but I try not to listen to it, you don’t want to let it get to your head or anything,” Schofield explained. “We’re only three games into the season right now, the season is still young; I just want to keep my head down and keep working.”

It’s so easy to write off young players in the NFL when they don’t have success right away. After all, the league is all about “what have you done for me lately. Allow Michael Schofield be the example that development happens, and that maybe, just maybe when a coach is playing a guy who is struggling, there’s a method to his madness.