dragondawg
07-31-2007, 03:10 AM
Cutler's courage in pocket no concern
Vanderbilt product used to taking hits, but Broncos need QB to stay healthy
By Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writer
Whether Jay Cutler can lead a team through the regular season and into the playoffs, no one knows.
There is one characteristic to his quarterback play already proven: The kid can take a hit. Big as quarterbacks go at 6-feet-3 and 233 pounds, Cutler needed every pound to survive the college shellacking he took while dropping back behind an undersized Vanderbilt line while playing inside the mighty Southeastern Conference. Yet Cutler never missed a start, making 45 in a row.
He took 13 sacks in five games for the Broncos last season. Some of the hits were ferocious, but Cutler showed in the season finale against San Francisco he could get knocked woozy and get back up.
"I'm willing to take a shot every once in a while to get a big gain, to make a big throw," Cutler said. "That's part of the game. You're not back there with flags on. You learn. Sometimes, I'll need to check it down. But I like to make throws down the field and if that means taking a few shots, that's part of it."
Courage is great, but keeping Cutler healthy may be vital to the Broncos' hopes this year. During their training camp workout Monday morning at Dove Valley, the Broncos had Cutler work extensively on stepping up into the pocket, or sliding to the side, while keeping his eyes downfield.
He performed the task well, completing several short to intermediate passes to tight ends and receivers on crossing routes.
"Jay's played well so far," said Mike Heimer- dinger, the Broncos' top offensive assistant.
Parsons has options
Although third-string quarterback Preston Parsons has been on NFL rosters for parts of six seasons, he recently was informed he has another year of practice-squad eligibility.
"I came out in the same draft as Patrick (Ramsey), so it's about time for me to do something," Parsons said.
Ramsey, a first-round draft pick in 2002, is considered an NFL veteran. Parsons, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2002 out of Northern Arizona, often is seen as an inexperienced quarterback with potential.
The difference? Parsons has yet to take his first NFL snap. He was the Arizona Cardinals' third-string quarterback for all 16 games in 2003 and 2004, but never appeared in a game. He then was cut by Arizona in 2004 and Houston in 2005, before spending last season on the Broncos' practice squad.
Never playing a down is one reason he continues to have practice-squad eligibility. His situation allows the Broncos the luxury of keeping three quarterbacks while taking up only two roster spots.
"It's nice to have in my back pocket, but I'm not planning on it," Parsons said. "My plan is to be one of the backups here."
Footnotes
A strong hint that Todd Sauerbrun holds the edge over incumbent Paul Ernster as the Broncos' punter came while Jason Elam lined up for a field goal Monday. Sauerbrun was the primary holder for Elam, although Cutler also took long snaps from Mike Leach. Would Sauerbrun be holding if he wasn't considered the top punter? "Holding can only help," Sauerbrun said. ...
A superior blocker, former Colorado State star Cecil Sapp began camp last year as the No. 1 fullback ahead of Kyle Johnson. But then Sapp battled injuries, and in this year's camp he continues to rotate with Mike Bell as the No. 2 tailback. Is Sapp's ability to give Cutler extra protection the reason he is competing with Bell? "He'll be good at pass blocking, but we put him back there because of his running skills," Heimerdinger said.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6503335
Vanderbilt product used to taking hits, but Broncos need QB to stay healthy
By Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writer
Whether Jay Cutler can lead a team through the regular season and into the playoffs, no one knows.
There is one characteristic to his quarterback play already proven: The kid can take a hit. Big as quarterbacks go at 6-feet-3 and 233 pounds, Cutler needed every pound to survive the college shellacking he took while dropping back behind an undersized Vanderbilt line while playing inside the mighty Southeastern Conference. Yet Cutler never missed a start, making 45 in a row.
He took 13 sacks in five games for the Broncos last season. Some of the hits were ferocious, but Cutler showed in the season finale against San Francisco he could get knocked woozy and get back up.
"I'm willing to take a shot every once in a while to get a big gain, to make a big throw," Cutler said. "That's part of the game. You're not back there with flags on. You learn. Sometimes, I'll need to check it down. But I like to make throws down the field and if that means taking a few shots, that's part of it."
Courage is great, but keeping Cutler healthy may be vital to the Broncos' hopes this year. During their training camp workout Monday morning at Dove Valley, the Broncos had Cutler work extensively on stepping up into the pocket, or sliding to the side, while keeping his eyes downfield.
He performed the task well, completing several short to intermediate passes to tight ends and receivers on crossing routes.
"Jay's played well so far," said Mike Heimer- dinger, the Broncos' top offensive assistant.
Parsons has options
Although third-string quarterback Preston Parsons has been on NFL rosters for parts of six seasons, he recently was informed he has another year of practice-squad eligibility.
"I came out in the same draft as Patrick (Ramsey), so it's about time for me to do something," Parsons said.
Ramsey, a first-round draft pick in 2002, is considered an NFL veteran. Parsons, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2002 out of Northern Arizona, often is seen as an inexperienced quarterback with potential.
The difference? Parsons has yet to take his first NFL snap. He was the Arizona Cardinals' third-string quarterback for all 16 games in 2003 and 2004, but never appeared in a game. He then was cut by Arizona in 2004 and Houston in 2005, before spending last season on the Broncos' practice squad.
Never playing a down is one reason he continues to have practice-squad eligibility. His situation allows the Broncos the luxury of keeping three quarterbacks while taking up only two roster spots.
"It's nice to have in my back pocket, but I'm not planning on it," Parsons said. "My plan is to be one of the backups here."
Footnotes
A strong hint that Todd Sauerbrun holds the edge over incumbent Paul Ernster as the Broncos' punter came while Jason Elam lined up for a field goal Monday. Sauerbrun was the primary holder for Elam, although Cutler also took long snaps from Mike Leach. Would Sauerbrun be holding if he wasn't considered the top punter? "Holding can only help," Sauerbrun said. ...
A superior blocker, former Colorado State star Cecil Sapp began camp last year as the No. 1 fullback ahead of Kyle Johnson. But then Sapp battled injuries, and in this year's camp he continues to rotate with Mike Bell as the No. 2 tailback. Is Sapp's ability to give Cutler extra protection the reason he is competing with Bell? "He'll be good at pass blocking, but we put him back there because of his running skills," Heimerdinger said.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6503335