Cutler's plan working to perfection

[dragondawg]

Preseason interception dearth spurs good feelings
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain New

Three games, 43 passes thrown, 79 plays run, and Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler came away with nothing in his preseason's work.

And that is exactly the total he wanted.

As in no interceptions, no fumbles and no sacks.

"Look, I don't want to jinx him or anything, because he's playing at such a high level, but people have to understand, sometimes preseason is all about mistakes," Broncos backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey said. "You don't get that many plays, usually everybody is tired from camp and there isn't a whole lot of game-planning to get people free the way you want.

"So it's rare, just very rare. It's not something you see a lot in the situations you're in during the preseason, that's for sure. I'm really excited about the way he's playing; I think we all are."

Cutler, who, like almost all the Broncos regulars, won't be slated to play in the preseason finale Friday night in Phoenix, finished his preseason work Friday night against the Packers. In three games, he directed 10 offensive possessions.

The Broncos scored five touchdowns and one field goal on those possessions, including on all three first-half possessions against the Packers. The two-touchdown, one-field goal total against the Packers included a 16-play, 99-yard drive that chewed up 8 minutes, 29 seconds of the second quarter.

"I'm happy with that," Cutler said. "That's kind of the biggest thing, not turning the ball over. Sometimes you're going to get tipped (passes) and things like that . . . but I'm happy with that, that's kind of the goal."

Despite a 1-for-7 start against Green Bay, Cutler went 30-for-43 passing overall (69.8 percent) for 352 yards and three touchdowns in the preseason. Cutler also rushed for a touchdown.

Winning the rating game

His passer rating was an atmospheric 117.6, and of the league's starters, only New Orleans' Drew Brees has a better rating (124.0) after three preseason games. And Brees is the only starter with a higher yards-per-attempt average, 8.4, than Cutler's 8.2.

Anything around 8 yards per attempt usually will put a quarterback among the league leaders in the regular season and usually is indicative of an offense putting pressure on secondaries.

"And here's the thing: I think people can recognize how well he's playing, but you have to see the guys in front of him, they're doing a tremendous job, giving him time to throw, and guys are making plays when the ball's in the air," Ramsey said. "But I think everybody's got the feeling when they look at him in the huddle (that) we're going to be able to move the ball.

"As a quarterback, that's what you want."

But taking care of the ball has been at the forefront of what the Broncos have done with Cutler in the offseason. Beyond simply getting the 25-year-old healthy and accustomed to what will be a lifelong, day-to-day battle with Type 1 diabetes, the Broncos also continue to work on his game.

Cutler's arm strength -- he has one of the most powerful arms in the league -- gives him an almost unshakable belief he can fit the ball in almost anywhere well down the field. But opposing personnel executives, having reviewed video of Cutler during the past two seasons, believe defenses simply will keep dropping more players deeper into coverage to take away what Cutler has wanted to do most.

Some deep trouble

In Cutler's first two seasons on the field, they are trying to use that desire against him. That is a reason why his interception rate last season -- 3.0 percent of his attempts in his first full year as a starter -- was higher than those of Tom Brady's 1.4 percent, Peyton Manning's 2.7 and Brees' 2.8.

Recent Broncos history shows that when Jake Plummer cut his interception total to seven in 2005, 13 below the previous season, the Broncos advanced to the AFC Championship Game despite having only one offensive player, wide receiver Rod Smith, selected to the Pro Bowl.

But Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates have spent a great deal of time this offseason working to get Cutler to look at the underneath receivers -- the running backs and tight ends -- to force defenses to adjust.

The idea being that when the Broncos complete enough of the short to intermediate passes, when they pile up enough first downs, at least one of the safeties will have to move toward the line of scrimmage and the big plays down the field will present themselves.

"Honestly, it's a good problem to have," Shanahan said. "You have a guy - he's like John (Elway) that way -- who doesn't worry about his percentages all the time, his stats, who believes he can do it, wants to do it and has the arm strength to do it. So, you work to use the whole field and see the opportunities that will come because of that."

There also was the matter of fumbles. Cutler tied for the AFC lead, with Raiders quarterback Josh McCown and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, with 11 fumbles last season.

Some came on mis-timed center-to-quarterback exchanges, some came from hits in the pocket.

"You always want to avoid those turnovers," Shanahan said.

"I don't know, I've never been a big fumbler in the pocket or anything like that," Cutler said. "I didn't feel like I looked at that more than anything else in the offseason. You just work to limit mistakes and find the matchups. I don't want to make mistakes, I want us to move the ball, put up some points and get some wins. That's always the bottom line.

"Everybody knows if you're the quarterback, you can't turn the ball over. If you do, you're not going to be the quarterback."

ETC.: Broncos players return to the practice field today after having two days off. . . . The Broncos are expected to inform at least five players this morning that they will be released. Rosters leaguewide have to be to 75 players by 2 p.m. MDT. The Broncos carried 80 players on the roster this weekend. Rosters have to be to 53 players by Saturday.


http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/24/cutlers-preseason-interception-dearth-spurs-good-f/

[worm]

I want to see him play 4-5 decent games in a row before I am sold on him. ::)

[TheReverend]

"Look, I don't want to jinx him or anything, because he's playing at such a high level, but people have to understand, sometimes preseason is all about mistakes," Broncos backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey said. "You don't get that many plays, usually everybody is tired from camp and there isn't a whole lot of game-planning to get people free the way you want.

"So it's rare, just very rare. It's not something you see a lot in the situations you're in during the preseason, that's for sure. I'm really excited about the way he's playing; I think we all are."

"And here's the thing: I think people can recognize how well he's playing, but you have to see the guys in front of him, they're doing a tremendous job, giving him time to throw, and guys are making plays when the ball's in the air," Ramsey said. "But I think everybody's got the feeling when they look at him in the huddle (that) we're going to be able to move the ball.

"As a quarterback, that's what you want."

Translation: This is why I've been sucking. It's not my fault. Don't cut me.

[Broncosmang]

I just don't get the Ramsey thing. I think he's a classic David Carr type guy who got so beat up early in his career that he's never recovered his confidence.

[TheReverend]

I just don't get the Ramsey thing. I think he's a classic David Carr type guy who got so beat up early in his career that he's never recovered his confidence.

I'm hoping he was just preoccuppied with the pregnancy thing. He looked SO much better this time last year.

[Broncoman13]

Doesn't really matter what Ramsey's on field performance is, supposedly he helps Cutler so much in the film room that he's worth the spot regardless. Kind of suprising that he has such a good grasp on things and can break them down so well, but can't translate that to good performance on the field. You would think a guy like Brad Johnson or Gus Ferotte would be the more likely canidate to be good behind the scenes and suck on the field.

[Broncoman13]

BTW, IF and I think it's a big if, Culter limits his INTs to around 10 for the year I think he'll end up in the Probowl and we'll end up in the playoffs. I still expect 30 TDs plus or minus 5 from Cutler. 25 TDs and 10 INTs would be a very good season... I truly think he can do better than that too, but we'll see.

[thumpc]

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/aug/24/pro-football-marshall-expecting-to-post-big/

“Me and B., we got some things going,” Cutler said. “He understands coverages, kind of like I do, and we got a good feel when he’s going to be 1-on-1. We’re going to take some shots if that’s going to be the case.

I found this quote near the bottom of an article on BMarsh, I liked it. Jay will call more audibles this year.

[TheReverend]

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/aug/24/pro-football-marshall-expecting-to-post-big/

“Me and B., we got some things going,” Cutler said. “He understands coverages, kind of like I do, and we got a good feel when he’s going to be 1-on-1. We’re going to take some shots if that’s going to be the case.

I found this quote near the bottom of an article on BMarsh, I liked it.

What things?!?!? Is Cutler in a terrible knife-fight gang too?!?!

OVER-ANALYZE AND REACT MELTDOWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[broncofan2438]

Week 1 cannot get here any faster

[Kaylore]

The most encouraging thing is that Cutler isn't just looking for the open guy, but knowing who his best open guys are and the skill level of their respective defender. That's a more advanced form of quarterbacking. It takes knowing both teams' personnel well enough to understand what either does well and where the highest chance for success is. Pretty impressive.

[cutlerfan]

I want to see him play 4-5 decent games in a row before I am sold on him. ::)

Who do you want Leinart or Young?? I mean come on. Cutler has been doing well! The ONLY reason we have not been in the playoffs is because our Defense gave up so much.

If Young who threw almost 1000 yards less than Cutler and Young only threw 9 TD's and they got in the playoffs. Put Cutler with the Titans defense and look the **** out!!

[Rock Chalk]

BTW, IF and I think it's a big if, Culter limits his INTs to around 10 for the year I think he'll end up in the Probowl and we'll end up in the playoffs. I still expect 30 TDs plus or minus 5 from Cutler. 25 TDs and 10 INTs would be a very good season... I truly think he can do better than that too, but we'll see.

I think if he as 25-10, 3500+ yards he will have a good shot at the pro-bowl...in the NFC.

Its too bad all the best QBs in the league are in the AFC. Cutler will never make it over Peyton and Brady as long as fans have a vote.

Now you have to throw in Favre to the mix. Remember, this isnt about "the best" its about the "most popular" when it comes to the pro-bowl.

[Rock Chalk]

Who do you want Leinart or Young?? I mean come on. Cutler has been doing well! The ONLY reason we have not been in the playoffs is because our Defense gave up so much.

If Young who threw almost 1000 yards less than Cutler and Young only threw 9 TD's and they got in the playoffs. Put Cutler with the Titans defense and look the **** out!!

I think either worm was being sarcastic or he is saying "put more than one or two good games together in a row".

Despite his stats last year, Cutler didnt play well in every game. He had a horrendous offensive line and had some "rookie" issues that he has apparently worked out for the most part (staring down receivers, bad decisions under pressure, etc, typical young QB mistakes).

He is much like every other QB. Very raw in the beginning but he has shown flashes enough last year to get all the fans excited. This year he looks to have improved and if worm wasnt sarcastic then I think he just wants to see some of that improvement translate into a bit more consistency.

From the looks of things, it will be. Provided the o-line continues to be as good as they have.

edit: And the defense isnt the only reason. The offensive line, special teams, and the general lack of talented depth are also major contributors.

[Rohirrim]

I don't want to jinx it, but so far I'm very impressed with this Oline, especially Clady. I honestly didn't expect him to be able to come in and take the job in his rookie year, but it looks like he really has. Harris has also been impressive. Every game their cohesion improves. We really might have something here. ;D

[TheReverend]

I think if he as 25-10, 3500+ yards he will have a good shot at the pro-bowl...in the NFC.

Its too bad all the best QBs in the league are in the AFC. Cutler will never make it over Peyton and Brady as long as fans have a vote.

Now you have to throw in Favre to the mix. Remember, this isnt about "the best" its about the "most popular" when it comes to the pro-bowl.

...yet coaches and players make up 2/3 of the vote, and Favre will revert back to his ways when he missed the pro-bowl several years running while setting franchise INT records.

I say, "over"
you say, "rated"

OVER!

[dbfan4life]

I want to see him play 4-5 decent games in a row before I am sold on him. ::)

So you want to see him play half a season before you can decide on him? And last season didn't count? Or that wasn't decent enough for you? Good thing the Broncos don't call you for advice! ROFL!

[Kaylore]

It's hard to not appreciate the lofty company Cutler is keeping when looking at the preseason stats. No ints is good, but more impressive is no sacks and no fumbles. Cutler is doing a good job stepping into the pocket and not throwing off his back foot. He looks like he's going to be very good this year.

[TotallyScrewed]

"ETC.: Broncos players return to the practice field today after having two days off. . . . The Broncos are expected to inform at least five players this morning that they will be released. Rosters leaguewide have to be to 75 players by 2 p.m. MDT. The Broncos carried 80 players on the roster this weekend. Rosters have to be to 53 players by Saturday."

I hope Cutler and Marshall make the final 53.

[TotallyScrewed]

Doesn't really matter what Ramsey's on field performance is, supposedly he helps Cutler so much in the film room that he's worth the spot regardless. Kind of suprising that he has such a good grasp on things and can break them down so well, but can't translate that to good performance on the field. You would think a guy like Brad Johnson or Gus Ferotte would be the more likely canidate to be good behind the scenes and suck on the field.


Pay him to be a personal assistant and coach. He can't play...any more, if ever.

[Popps]

I just don't get the Ramsey thing. I think he's a classic David Carr type guy who got so beat up early in his career that he's never recovered his confidence.

It just shocks me that Ramsey was a first round pick. Doesn't have much of an arm and he's got Brian Griese-like pocket awareness.

[BlaK-Argentina]

"ETC.: Broncos players return to the practice field today after having two days off. . . . The Broncos are expected to inform at least five players this morning that they will be released. Rosters leaguewide have to be to 75 players by 2 p.m. MDT. The Broncos carried 80 players on the roster this weekend. Rosters have to be to 53 players by Saturday."

I hope Cutler and Marshall make the final 53.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that Champ Bailey guy.

[broncosteven]

It's hard to not appreciate the lofty company Cutler is keeping when looking at the preseason stats. No ints is good, but more impressive is no sacks and no fumbles. Cutler is doing a good job stepping into the pocket and not throwing off his back foot. He looks like he's going to be very good this year.

Too bad Jake never learned this...I guess Jake relied on his MOXIE to win games in the NFL. Book learning is for pussies.

[cutlerfan]

It's hard to not appreciate the lofty company Cutler is keeping when looking at the preseason stats. No ints is good, but more impressive is no sacks and no fumbles. Cutler is doing a good job stepping into the pocket and not throwing off his back foot. He looks like he's going to be very good this year.

Cutler has looked good from the start. There have been some bad games but damn look how close he got us to the playoffs as a Rookie. Jay drove the team down and tied the game up. You can't blame Jay because the defense could not stop Gore.

Last year who drove us down the field in Buffalo for the kick? He has made quite a few plays to keep us in the game.

Those are CLUTCH throws!

I heard a person on the sports radio this morning say not drafting Jay Cutler was the most asinine thing the Titans have ever done.

Denver is lucky to have Jay. Let Jay go on the market watch how long he stays there!

[Rock Chalk]

Cutler has looked good from the start. There have been some bad games but damn look how close he got us to the playoffs as a Rookie. Jay drove the team down and tied the game up. You can't blame Jay because the defense could not stop Gore.

Last year who drove us down the field in Buffalo for the kick? He has made quite a few plays to keep us in the game.

Those are CLUTCH throws!

I heard a person on the sports radio this morning say not drafting Jay Cutler was the most asinine thing the Titans have ever done.

Denver is lucky to have Jay. Let Jay go on the market watch how long he stays there!

Dude what?

Cutler went 2-3 as a rookie as to be expected.

He took over a 7-4 team that only needed 3 wins in 5 to make the playoffs. What do you mean look how close he got us? It wasnt because of him that were were close to the playoffs his rookie year. It was due to the strong start of the defense that we were even in contention by the time Cutler took over.

Cutler has not been great. At times he has been good, but in the regular season he has hardly been great save the KC game last year. That was the ONLY game I saw him as a great QB in.

This year I expect 5-6 games like that in a row. He has shown so much improvement in all the small things that he struggled with last year. I still expect a bad game from him here and there, hell John had bad games even in his last year as the "Duke". But to say he almost got us to the playoffs is just ****ing retarded.

And if you remember correcly in that San Fran game, he had TWO chances to win the game in OT. TWO.

It wasnt solely on the defense bud.

[broncosteven]

Dude what?


And if you remember correcly in that San Fran game, he had TWO chances to win the game in OT. TWO.

It wasnt solely on the defense bud.

You know I am Fing G for you Alec but Cutler was playing with a concussion and had to make a great drive and TD pass to Sheff to force the OT.

We could have won that game if his Backup did not come in and put up a 0.00 QB rating, throwing an INT and forcing Shanny to call a QB draw inside the 15 because he wanted to get 3 points of the biggest play in Mike Bell's career.

No way does that loss get pegged on Cutler. I would blame Lynch for missing the play on Gore in the OT that put 49ers in FG position before I blame a kid in his 1st year who came back from a hit he should not have taken thanks to Foster and gave the team a fighting chance.

[broncogary]

It just shocks me that Ramsey was a first round pick. Doesn't have much of an arm and he's got Brian Griese-like pocket awareness.

Agree on the pocket awareness, but he's got a very strong arm. It looks like he's just afraid to make a decision.

[Bronco X]

You know I am Fing G for you Alec but Cutler was playing with a concussion and had to make a great drive and TD pass to Sheff to force the OT.

We could have won that game if his Backup did not come in and put up a 0.00 QB rating, throwing an INT and forcing Shanny to call a QB draw inside the 15 because he wanted to get 3 points of the biggest play in Mike Bell's career.

No way does that loss get pegged on Cutler. I would blame Lynch for missing the play on Gore in the OT that put 49ers in FG position before I blame a kid in his 1st year who came back from a hit he should not have taken thanks to Foster and gave the team a fighting chance.

It's definitely ridiculous to dwell on that game and blame Cutler, for the reasons you mentioned and more... it was a difficult situation for a young QB... taking over a team that was starting to collapse while it was in the middle of a playoff hunt.

One could take issue with Shanahan's decision to give the keys to Cutler... and I do think the decision ultimately was a top factor in the Broncos missing the playoffs that year... but if Jake had kept his starting job and the Broncos made the playoffs, it's not hard to guess what would have happened when the team went to play the eventual Super Bowl Champion Colts... with Jake as the QB and no valuable playoff experience being passed down to anyone who we now see as the future core of the team... why even quibble about it?

[ZONA]

God I am so ready for the real season to start. Let's FU_KIN pound that Raider trash into the ground.

[Rock Chalk]

You know I am Fing G for you Alec but Cutler was playing with a concussion and had to make a great drive and TD pass to Sheff to force the OT.

We could have won that game if his Backup did not come in and put up a 0.00 QB rating, throwing an INT and forcing Shanny to call a QB draw inside the 15 because he wanted to get 3 points of the biggest play in Mike Bell's career.

No way does that loss get pegged on Cutler. I would blame Lynch for missing the play on Gore in the OT that put 49ers in FG position before I blame a kid in his 1st year who came back from a hit he should not have taken thanks to Foster and gave the team a fighting chance.

I dont pin that loss on Cutler at all. But Cutler isnt the reason we almost got to the playoffs that year. The reason we almost got to the playoffs that year if you remember correctly, is because our defense started off about as good as any defense we have ever had. The reason we did not make the playoffs that year is because our defense, special teams, poor o-line and rookie QB down the stretch made too many mistakes. Its not all about Cutler, but he certainly didnt almost get us there.

And as Taco is so fond of pointing out, so what? Even if we get there, what then? Another blowout humiliating loss at the hands of one of the 7 other BETTER teams in the conference?

Cutler showed flashes in his first year, but he never put together one whole good game. And if you are a rational non-homer fan, you would have expected that. He was a ROOKIE. He had a mere 5 games to get established and that is not enough for anyone. Unless you can name me one rookie who looked all wordly and could have overcome the other deficiencies on that team, it isn't Cutler's fault. Big Ben probably had the best rookie year Ive seen out of a QB as far as poise and wins, but not even his rookie year could have gotten that team to the playoffs.

[Pontius Pirate]

Maybe this year Cutler will emerge from out of Plummer's shadow.

Kidding - sorta.

[Cito Pelon]

Cutler has looked good from the start. There have been some bad games but damn look how close he got us to the playoffs as a Rookie. Jay drove the team down and tied the game up. You can't blame Jay because the defense could not stop Gore.

Last year who drove us down the field in Buffalo for the kick? He has made quite a few plays to keep us in the game.

Those are CLUTCH throws!

I heard a person on the sports radio this morning say not drafting Jay Cutler was the most asinine thing the Titans have ever done.

Denver is lucky to have Jay. Let Jay go on the market watch how long he stays there!

In retrospect also, HOU had the #1 overall that year and they would have done well to draft Cutler. They just traded a #2 last year for Schaub.

[WolfpackGuy]

I know there was a lot of maneuvering leading up to draft day 2006, but the Broncos basically got Cutler for Tye Hill and Claude Wroten. Thank you St. Louis!

[BroncsRule]

Holy crap!! You guys are amazing! Sure - our D fell apart down the stretch, and the special teams wasn't very special.. but Plummer had been playing like a$$ for a solid month when Shanny made the switch. Cut was thrown in there to create a spark. Any kind of spark! Even a little fizzle would have been more spark that we'd seen out of Jake in a month!

Sure, we "only" had to win 3 out of the last 5 to make the playoffs - but Jake wouldn't have won any of 'em! Not one!

What kind of revisionist history bulltit coolaid have you jackoffs been drinking?

[rovolution]

Holy crap!! You guys are amazing! Sure - our D fell apart down the stretch, and the special teams wasn't very special.. but Plummer had been playing like a$$ for a solid month when Shanny made the switch. Cut was thrown in there to create a spark. Any kind of spark! Even a little fizzle would have been more spark that we'd seen out of Jake in a month!

Sure, we "only" had to win 3 out of the last 5 to make the playoffs - but Jake wouldn't have won any of 'em! Not one!

What kind of revisionist history bulltit coolaid have you jackoffs been drinking?


Alec has a mega man crush on Vince Young.

His hate for Jay is directly tied to his lust for Vince.

Vince "just wins" right Alec?

Albert Haynesworth and his historic year last year and the devastating pass rushing abilities of Kyle Vaden Bosch had nothing to do with the Titans success right?

[Cito Pelon]

Alec has a mega man crush on Vince Young.

His hate for Jay is directly tied to his lust for Vince.

Vince "just wins" right Alec?

Albert Haynesworth and his historic year last year and the devastating pass rushing abilities of Kyle Vaden Bosch had nothing to do with the Titans success right?

VY has some skills as a QB. He has good touch on his long passes, trouble is his receivers are crap. Just total crap. Those guys are like trotting out Charlie Adams, Chris Cole, Jeb Putzier, Brian Clark as the targets to put it in perspective. Did anybody see the spare tire Lendale is wearing between his hips and chest? They traded Chris Brown. VY has zero O weapons.

[Inkana7]

Chris Johnson out of East Carolina looks good.