Cutler holding key to Broncos' success in 2007

[dragondawg]

By Jim Armstrong
Denver Post Staff Columnist (jmarmstrong@denverpost.com?subject=The Denver Post: Cutler holding key to Broncos' success in 2007)

Finishing second by a note. ...

Daniel Graham, Dré Bly and Travis Henry - nice pickups any way you slice it. Oh, and those D-linemen from the draft. All three could see the field as rookies.

Let's not overlook the obvious, though. None of the above is the key to the Broncos' 2007 season. That distinction belongs to Jay Cutler and Jay Cutler alone.

So, Mike Shanahan, how difficult is it to project Cutler's progress from his rookie year to his sophomore season?

"Good question."

As in, not even his own coach can be sure.

Said Shanahan: "The kid is going to keep on getting better and better because he works out every day. He's out there throwing with the wide receivers, the tight ends, the running backs. He enjoys the game. When you have guys who enjoy the game, who are smart, they'll get better and better. ... He's got a chance to be really good."

How good and how soon. Those are the two biggest question marks surrounding the Broncos. ...

Shanahan, on JaMarcus Russell: "I can't remember a guy that big. I haven't been around him. I've never seen him in person. I've watched him on TV and looked at his pictures from the combine. But he's a big human being. He looks like an offensive tackle, a big offensive tackle." ...

As we speak, Brandon Marshall looks like the starter opposite Javon Walker. Said Shanahan, when asked if he felt like Marshall wouldn't have more off-field problems, "'I know he won't."

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_5828349

[Odysseus]

Said Shanahan: "The kid is going to keep on getting better and better because he works out every day. He's out there throwing with the wide receivers, the tight ends, the running backs. He enjoys the game. When you have guys who enjoy the game, who are smart, they'll get better and better. ... He's got a chance to be really good."

Translation: "Now that I don't have to spend time worrying about what that hippie meat head does or doesn't do I'm going to back to my office which I haven't seen in 4 long $^%&##@@ years and cooling out with a latte while you press boys laud me with obligatory praises. You have no idea the pain in my butt that....Say! Did I ever tell you the one about when Bubby Brister and..."

[watermock]

I just wish Jay showed a little more dedication, I'm not sure his heart is in it. Ha!

I just hope he doesn't have a tired arm with all this self imposed work. He might need to actually be reeled back a little, or told that he doesn't have to play rocket man till the actual season. He doesn't need a sore elbow/shoulder when we need him most.

His mechanics are textbook so hopefully he won't have arm trouble.

[Barry Ramey]

I think Cutler will have a very good season. The talent around him will be better and with Henry, the running game should be more consistent and not put him in a lot of 3rd and long situations. I think Graham will surprise and get more catches than people expect.

[CHANGSTER]

As we speak, Brandon Marshall looks like the starter opposite Javon Walker. Said Shanahan, when asked if he felt like Marshall wouldn't have more off-field problems, "'I know he won't."

Interesting, thats the first time he came out and said anything other than "he has a chance to win the starting job".

[footstepsfrom#27]

There's a long list of high profile NFL QB's who declined in their sophmore seasons. I hope Jay is spending a great deal of time in the film room because now that NFL defenses know what he brings to the table and have had an entire off season to focus on trying to confuse him, it's going to get tougher. Hopefully this offensive line can open holes for Henry that they couldn't for Tatum...or maybe Henry finds the holes when Tatum couldn't...either way a return to the consistent chain moving rushing attack we're noted for can do nothing but make Jay's life easier. My chief worry is the lines ability to provide him a viable pocket after working so long with Jake, who preferred throwing on the run and was better at scrambling out of trouble. I don't really want to see Jay doing any more than an occassional bootleg or designed rollout, and I definitely don't want him under pressure to have to continuously escape the rush. My fingers are crossed for Lepsis' return and Kuper being the real deal.

[cmhargrove]

There's a long list of high profile NFL QB's who declined in their sophmore seasons. I hope Jay is spending a great deal of time in the film room because now that NFL defenses know what he brings to the table and have had an entire off season to focus on trying to confuse him, it's going to get tougher. Hopefully this offensive line can open holes for Henry that they couldn't for Tatum...or maybe Henry finds the holes when Tatum couldn't...either way a return to the consistent chain moving rushing attack we're noted for can do nothing but make Jay's life easier. My chief worry is the lines ability to provide him a viable pocket after working so long with Jake, who preferred throwing on the run and was better at scrambling out of trouble. I don't really want to see Jay doing any more than an occassional bootleg or designed rollout, and I definitely don't want him under pressure to have to continuously escape the rush. My fingers are crossed for Lepsis' return and Kuper being the real deal.

If there is a sophomore slump involved here, I believe it will be because of so many changes to the O-line. However, I think we are moving in the right direction by changing some of the old guard now. Actually, I believe that Jay will not have a sophomore slump. I think he has been surrounded with a better running game, and more competition at receiver will only help. That will take the pressure off Jay and allow him to go deep early and often.

Mark it, the Broncos (as a team) will return as a top 5 offense this year.

[sirhcyennek81]

Cutler started 5 games. Technically, he is still in his "rookie" season, isnt he?


:Broncos:

[Kaylore]

Cutler started 5 games. Technically, he is still in his "rookie" season, isnt he?


:Broncos:

Yes, and I personally think that this year will be a bit up and down.

[Cito Pelon]

There's a long list of high profile NFL QB's who declined in their sophmore seasons. I hope Jay is spending a great deal of time in the film room because now that NFL defenses know what he brings to the table and have had an entire off season to focus on trying to confuse him, it's going to get tougher. Hopefully this offensive line can open holes for Henry that they couldn't for Tatum...or maybe Henry finds the holes when Tatum couldn't...either way a return to the consistent chain moving rushing attack we're noted for can do nothing but make Jay's life easier. My chief worry is the lines ability to provide him a viable pocket after working so long with Jake, who preferred throwing on the run and was better at scrambling out of trouble. I don't really want to see Jay doing any more than an occassional bootleg or designed rollout, and I definitely don't want him under pressure to have to continuously escape the rush. My fingers are crossed for Lepsis' return and Kuper being the real deal.

The OL is a big worry for me also. They've been overwhelmed consistently for 3 years straight now.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Yes, and I personally think that this year will be a bit up and down.

That's really the only thing that we can expect. The NFL isnt a place that QB's can step into and have an impact the way that many expect Cutler to.

We will be fortunate as Bronco fans if Cutler comes in and shows that he can make throws within the offense with consistency and that he can occasionally make things happen with a big play.

He'll make his mistakes. It wont take Bronco fans long to start ridiculing him though. I hope that everyone remains patient.

[Cito Pelon]

If Cutler likes to be around Dove Valley more than anywhere else, that's fine with me.

[Cito Pelon]

There's a long list of high profile NFL QB's who declined in their sophmore seasons. I hope Jay is spending a great deal of time in the film room because now that NFL defenses know what he brings to the table and have had an entire off season to focus on trying to confuse him, it's going to get tougher. Hopefully this offensive line can open holes for Henry that they couldn't for Tatum...or maybe Henry finds the holes when Tatum couldn't...either way a return to the consistent chain moving rushing attack we're noted for can do nothing but make Jay's life easier. My chief worry is the lines ability to provide him a viable pocket after working so long with Jake, who preferred throwing on the run and was better at scrambling out of trouble. I don't really want to see Jay doing any more than an occassional bootleg or designed rollout, and I definitely don't want him under pressure to have to continuously escape the rush. My fingers are crossed for Lepsis' return and Kuper being the real deal.

Well stated.