Jacob Tamme Didn't Mind Taking On Lesser Role This Season

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme played a key role in the offense last year, but at the start of the season this year he played primarily on special teams. He's now back in the rotation.

On Xfinity Monday Live! CBS4's Vic Lombardi asked Tamme how he dealt with taking the lesser role to start out.

"I think sometimes in this league … we feel like we deserve more, we should be out there more and doing more and getting more catches," Tamme said. "I really do try hard to remember how blessed I am. I have been really, really blessed, and to be a part of a team like this, you know, my role changes every week.

"I want to do whatever it takes for us to get to that end goal. And I try to just remember that God has been very good to me and I have been blessed, and at the end of the day I've got no complaints."

Tamme is one of the few on the team that has played with Peyton Manning beyond the Broncos. They were teammates in Indianapolis. Lombardi asked Tamme if this year is the best Manning has ever performed.

"The stats would say so. When you watch him, he is playing at a high level. This has got to be right up there with as good as he's ever played, if not the best," Tamme said. "He's done a tremendous job all season long."

Tamme said Manning is a special type of competitor.

"He wants to win a Super Bowl. I think at the end of the day that is what is driving all of us, that's what drives him is to get to that end goal," he said. "The stats are great and that stuff is fun, but we want to win this thing as a team. We have to focus on this next game coming up."

Wide receiver Wes Welker has been cleared to play after suffering a concussion a couple of game ago and will be available. Tamme filled in for Welker in the slot position at times but played the position much differently. Lombardi wondered what makes Welker so difficult to cover.

"Wes is one of the best slot receivers ever to play the game. He has got a great feel for routes. He has great quickness and I think he and Peyton have been developing the chemistry all year long. He is a special type of receiver. He knows how to get open."

Tamme said when he plays the slot position he runs a lot of the same routes as Welker.

"We may just do them a little bit differently. I certainly have tried to learn a lot from him this year and he has been a great friend to me. He's been really good and I have tried to get in there and do my part when he's been out."

The Broncos' opponent has yet to be determined for the game to be played on Sunday, Jan. 12, at Sports Authority Field at Mile High at 2:40 p.m.

Watch more of the video with Jacob Tamme in the Xfinity Monday Live! section.

- By Matthew J. Buettner, CBSDenver.com