Cutler's presence puts pressure on Plummer

[dragondawg]

Cutler's presence puts pressure on Plummer
April 29, 2006
By Clark Judge
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Clark your opinion!

NEW YORK -- The biggest loser in this year's NFL Draft wasn't Matt Leinart or LenDale White. It was Jake Plummer.


Can you hear me now? Denver dials up a new QB. (AP)
Think about it. The Denver quarterback has his best season ever, takes the club to the AFC Championship Game and is named to the Pro Bowl. The Denver Broncos reward him with an eviction notice.

That's what Saturday's draft of Jay Cutler amounts to. You don't draft a quarterback in the first round unless you plan to start him, and no, I don't think Cutler steps in tomorrow as Denver's starter. But I think the clock just started ticking on Plummer.

He has, oh, maybe a season to prove he should stay, and maybe it's not that long. Remember, Denver traded up to the 11th spot to draft Cutler, and you don't move -- or move to that position -- unless you have a conviction about a guy.

I think they have a conviction about Cutler, which means I don't think they have one about Plummer.

"They obviously wanted to get me," said a surprised Cutler. "It says a lot about what they think about me."

And maybe more about what they think about Plummer.

Jay Cutler is the future quarterback in Denver, not Jake Plummer. Not unless he pulls a Drew Brees and has the season of his career. Except Plummer just had the season of his career, and look where it got him.

I know, I heard coach Mike Shanahan say Cutler's an insurance policy against a serious injury to Plummer, but I'm not buying it. You don't invest first-round money -- especially at the 11th spot -- on a clipboard carrier.

Essentially, Plummer must take the Broncos to the Super Bowl or finish his career in another town. It won't be enough to reach the AFC Championship Game. Jake did that last year. Now the sky's not the limit, it's the object. Nothing less keeps him in Denver.

That's too bad because just when he seemed to be getting it, he's losing it. Plummer last year had a string of eight straight games and 229 consecutive passes without an interception. That was a huge step forward for a quarterback who once assumed too many risks and tied for the league-lead in interceptions in 2004.

But let's look at the big picture here, folks. Plummer is getting better; he's not getting worse. And it's not as if the Broncos floundered with him. They're 32-11 with Plummer as the starter, including a division-best 13-3 last season.

It's not as if Plummer had Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne as his wide receivers, either. Rod Smith is the star there, and he's 36. Ashley Lelie was virtually no factor, with nine games -- over half the season -- where he had no more than two catches. In essence, Plummer didn't have a surfeit of choices.

Denver must have agreed because it peddled its second-round draft pick to Green Bay for Javon Walker, bringing an experienced and productive deep-ball threat to a club that desperately needs one. Walker is a perfect addition for Plummer, except it's not Plummer the Broncos have in mind anymore.

It's Cutler. Cutler had the strongest arm of the top three quarterbacks in this year's draft and is good at making decisions on the run -- much like Jake Plummer. The only drawback is his footwork, and as he admitted, that's easily corrected.

"Me and Jake are a little similar in the way we play football," said Cutler. "We both like to get out of the pocket and have good arms."

Except only one has a future with the Broncos. And it's not Jake Plummer.

[SteveTensi13]

Cutler's presence puts pressure on Plummer

"Me and Jake are a little similar in the way we play football," said Cutler. "We both like to get out of the pocket and have good arms."

Except only one has a future with the Broncos. And it's not Jake Plummer.

OUCH!!

[NaptownChief]

I think Culter's presence signals a end to Jake the Fake....Call me crazy. Fake might start this next season under center but unlikely to finish it. Culter is a very good pick IMHO. A gun slinger but a gun slinger with a lot of talent. He is a guy that could put you over the top several times. Plummer was nothing more than a liability keeping the spot warm.

[watermock]

BS hysteria

[bombay]

Cutler obviously won't step in as the starter in '06-'07, but I hope he makes enough progress to start the following season. I'm not a Jake hater, just have big hopes for Cutler.

[broncofan]

I'm really hoping we don't see Cutler in there too early. Plummer has been great for us, so there is no reason to force Jay in there. I don't anticipate Jake having the type of season, barring injury, that would result in us seeing Cutler under center at all this year. That is perfectly fine with me.

[Dudeskey]

These east coast ****s don't know what they're talking about. Cutler's obviously our QB of the future as Jake is on the wrong side of 30, but geez this is still Jake's team regardless of what these dolts say.

[Kaylore]

I'm really hoping we don't see Cutler in there too early. Plummer has been great for us, so there is no reason to force Jay in there. I don't anticipate Jake having the type of season, barring injury, that would result in us seeing Cutler under center at all this year. That is perfectly fine with me.
I agree. Lets let him really develop and get comfortable. Jake has a good set of years left and I'm not ready to shoo him out the door.

[2KBack]

I think Shanny is smart enough not to throw the kid into the fire. He won't listen to any talk about controversy either. He knows not to let the fans run the team.

[ward63]

Lets see...Plummers over 30,his cap # is bout to go up a lot, I don't think Shanny has that much faith in BVP, and we're drafting Cutler to come in and SIT to learn the offense. How do you think Cutler feels though? He's coming in to an offense that loves to run and has a solid line(unlike he had at Vandy), so he's not going to get knocked around and he gets time to learn the offense. I believe he has the leadership skills and overall skills to play in Denver.

[Old Dude]

Hopefully, Denver fans are savvy enough to remember that even John Elway thought he got thrown into the fire before he was completely ready.

Meanwhile, Jake can't complain too much. Shanny promised to get him some help on offense, and Javon Walker instantly improves the receiving corps.

[Kaylore]

Hopefully, Denver fans are savvy enough to remember that even John Elway thought he got thrown into the fire before he was completely ready.

Meanwhile, Jake can't complain too much. Shanny promised to get him some help on offense, and Javon Walker instantly improves the receiving corps.
Careful what you wish for.

"Can you please draft some explosive players for our offense coach?"

"Sure Jake! NOOOOO Problem!"

[12th man]

Cutler was brought in to replace Plummer, but not for a few years, and by then Plummer has a ring.

[NaptownChief]

Cutler was brought in to replace Plummer, but not for a few years, and by then Plummer has a ring.


A few years my backside....Cutler will be the starter no later than next season and very likely sooner.

[bronco militia]

like it or not, the heat is on now....a stretch of bad games from Jake and the Bronco faithful will be out for blood.

[Ratboy]

Shanahan was smart by getting Cutler. You're getting what some say the best QB Prospect this year and you still have Plummer who will still play. We're rebuilding, but we're still competing.

We just got Jay Cutler, QB of the Future. We got Javon Walker who is a probowl caliber WR when healthy, and shanahan said he should be healthy by training camp. We have a pass catching TE who is a monster target for Cutler. Who knows, Maybe Lelie will decide to stick around?

[NFLBRONCO]

11th pick in the draft will not sit more then 1 season unless he struggles with playbook.

[Ratboy]

I doubt Shanahan will draft a runningback either. I honestly think he's happy with Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne. Hell, he even said Cecil might have a chance to start. Hopefully Darius and Terrell come out ready to play.

Smith, Walker, Lelie, Watts, and David would be a nice set of receivers.

[watermock]

A few years my backside....Cutler will be the starter no later than next season and very likely sooner.

Total assertion. Tell us how Wlkder won't play this year again...I love the fantasy stories.

[TheDave]

play.

Smith, Walker, Lelie, _ _ _ _ _, and David would be a nice set of receivers.


Fixed it for you :thumbs:

[Ratboy]

Fixed it for you :thumbs:

http://www.billszone.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/capt.bfs10208160206.broncos_bills_bfs102.jpg

[bombquixote]

I think Culter's presence signals a end to Jake the Fake....

This year or next year, Jake the snake is going to win us a superbowl. Watch. Cutler is to Plummer as Young was to Montana.

[Natedog24]

Jake Plummer now gets to play the role of John Kitna. He has to know that it is only a matter of time before Kutler is going to probably take over his spot. This isn't going to be an easy spot to be in, lets just hope that Jake doesn't let the pressure of having the kid looking over his shoulder and keeps this team on track to a SB next year.

[ward63]

Jake Plummer now gets to play the role of John Kitna. He has to know that it is only a matter of time before Kutler is going to probably take over his spot. This isn't going to be an easy spot to be in, lets just hope that Jake doesn't let the pressure of having the kid looking over his shoulder and keeps this team on track to a SB next year.

Jake is a class act(except for the flipping of the bird). Cutler won't put pressure on Jake. I think Jake will actually take him under his wing and be able to teach him along with Shanny and Heimerdinger. I do see it though AFTER 2 years though, because I think Plummer wants to play on a quality team, instead of being on a team like the Cards were, and he'll be willing to take a pay cut or restructure. Overall great move by Shanny, because we're drafting a qb now, when we're good, instead of waiting till rebuilding time.

[Hulamau]

This year or next year, Jake the snake is going to win us a superbowl. Watch. Cutler is to Plummer as Young was to Montana.


I can live with that but Cutler wont sit as long behind Plummer as Young did behind Montana.

This should inspire Jake to win it all this year, and maybe he plays one more year after this one and when his contract is up he can sign a sunset deal with an up and coming team and sail off into the sunset with Super bowl ring and a pile of cash for his time in Denver.

If we are smart will trade him for a huge windfall once its clear Cutler is good and ready .

Nothing wrong with that. Then Elway-II takes over for the next 15 years and wins 4 or 5 more :-)

What that article didnt say was that while Plummer did indeed make significant improvements last year much of the success wasnt due to gains in his shear talent, but was more due to us using him more as a game managing care-taker with the duty NOT to lose the game rather than go out and win it.

That is a very difficult way to win a Super Bowl and you have to build your whole team structure & game plans carefully around minimizing the QBs weaknesses. Jake still hasnt shown he can consistently win Big games against top flight competition when we are tied or behind in the second half.

And with his limitation in fundamental accuracy on the mid to long ball, all the stars have to align like they did last year for us to have a chance to advance.

We were EXTREMELY lucky last year injury-wise and can't count on that this year. As such, we need a more flexible leader who can go out and take over games when things arent going our way to be a truly dominant team, and whether or not Jake can ever become that kind of QB is a big question!

Its obvious Shanny clearly sees what is going on and is trying to make the best of it and he's done a fabulous job. Push JAke to make it over the hump which is certainly possible for him to do, but also be ready to step in if and when it s clear that Jake has taken us as far as he possibly can which is very possible that he already has, or if he gets injured. We have to have a truly viable option to make us a deadly and deep team. I think everyone recognizes that possibility that Jake is as good as he is going to be now and/or he might get injured as well.

All the other great players on this team want to win just as bad as Jake and the clock is ticking on them as well, and Shanny has a responsiblity to them too to bring as much depth and flexiblity to this team so that the fortunes of all aren't married soley to one guy.

ERGO, Kudos to Shanahan for one of the best moves in years.

[12th man]

Shanahan was smart by getting Cutler. You're getting what some say the best QB Prospect this year and you still have Plummer who will still play. We're rebuilding, but we're still competing.

We just got Jay Cutler, QB of the Future. We got Javon Walker who is a probowl caliber WR when healthy, and shanahan said he should be healthy by training camp. We have a pass catching TE who is a monster target for Cutler. Who knows, Maybe Lelie will decide to stick around?
You put if perfectly. good job.:thumbs:

[SoCalBronco]

I think Wabbit mentioned this awhile ago but looking at the future, getting through the AFC playoffs will require that Denver is going to have to outduel probably no less than 2 of such talents as Palmer, Manning, Brady and Big Ben per January if we want to get to the Bowl. It is unlikely we will be playing teams in the playoffs in this conference who don't have elite QBs. All four of these teams are going to be in the thick of it......for a long time. Getting ourselves an elite QB, who is incredibly gifted and who Martz, Mayock, Jaws and according to Mort, a large group of scouts feel is the best in this entire draft is probably a necessity. Its just something we have to do to compete against the QB rich AFC.

[Pontius Pirate]

This total rim-jobbing of Cutler by the 'mane is making me want to vomit.

Is he the next Favre or the next Leaf? Who knows - so everyone chill, and realize that Jake still owns this team. This is a totally different situation than Warner-Leinart. Jake will be throwing TD passes left and right next year - so much so that people will have already forgot about BVP.

[NFLBRONCO]

Hopefully, Denver fans are savvy enough to remember that even John Elway thought he got thrown into the fire before he was completely ready.

Meanwhile, Jake can't complain too much. Shanny promised to get him some help on offense, and Javon Walker instantly improves the receiving corps.

Walker Rod Lelie are alot better then players Elway had early on. Yes it is difficult for young QB's for a year or two to be really ready.

[dbroncos31]

There is NO ****ING way, barring major injury to either Plummer or someone else that cripples our season, that Cutler will take over for Plummer next season. If Cutler starts next year, it's the last game of the season when we rest starters. We have made the playoffs three years running, and I see no reason, again barring injury, why we won't agin next year. And no coach in his right mind will replace the Pro-Bowl veteran with a rookie when the season is going along great.

[Dudeskey]

There is NO ****ING way, barring major injury to either Plummer or someone else that cripples our season, that Cutler will take over for Plummer next season. If Cutler starts next year, it's the last game of the season when we rest starters. We have made the playoffs three years running, and I see no reason, again barring injury, why we won't agin next year. And no coach in his right mind will replace the Pro-Bowl veteran with a rookie when the season is going along great.

Exactly. Why **** can the season with a team thats ready to win now? I'll reiterate: Chalk it up to another moronic east coast media rant...™

[Kaylore]

This total rim-jobbing of Cutler by the 'mane is making me want to vomit.

Is he the next Favre or the next Leaf? Who knows - so everyone chill, and realize that Jake still owns this team. This is a totally different situation than Warner-Leinart. Jake will be throwing TD passes left and right next year - so much so that people will have already forgot about BVP.
Good point. Lord forbid we have a little fun and get excited about drafting one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft. Let's tear up some teddy bears next.

[watermock]

A few years my backside....Cutler will be the starter no later than next season and very likely sooner.

Skeeter:
Dammit Duane, you said we would get out of Cooter County by draft day.

Enjoy your safety.

[watermock]

The stone cold fact is we got a franchise QB we can groom, a Pro bowl WR, and a
te with 4.55 speed.

And we have three picks tommorow.

STFU.

[watermock]

3 picks in the 4th.

We ran a 29 into a best QB in the draft. It's funny.