SI: The Next Step - Rookie Cutler takes over No. 2 QB job from Van Pelt

[DomCasual]

Good to see Van Pelt taking it with dignity...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

The next step
Rookie Cutler takes over No. 2 QB job from Van Pelt

Posted: Monday August 7, 2006 6:28PM; Updated: Monday August 7, 2006 6:28PM

DENVER (AP) -- From 47 yards away, the Denver Broncos quarterbacks were taking turns trying to spiral a pass into a garbage can that was set up on the practice field.

Rookie quarterback Jay Cutler stepped up, lobbed a pass toward the trash receptacle and swished the football.

Things are definitely going Cutler's way right now. The first-round pick out of Vanderbilt was officially promoted to second-string quarterback Monday, replacing former Colorado State standout Bradlee Van Pelt. Cutler will now serve as Jake Plummer's backup.

And while this day may have been imminent, it arrived sooner than anyone may have anticipated.

Except for Cutler, that is. He wasn't surprised by the move.

"I was happy," Cutler said. "I think I've done some good things and picked it up pretty quick.

"I still have a lot to learn."

The learning curve hasn't been all that steep for Cutler. Denver coach Mike Shanahan has been impressed with his prized quarterback so far in camp.

"He's picked up things very quickly and thrown the ball extremely well," Shanahan said.

But he's still got a ways to go.

"By no means is he a polished quarterback at this time," Shanahan said.

Cutler will now be facing the Broncos' first-team defense on a regular basis in camp. The team is interested in seeing how Cutler fares against a defensive unit that was third in the NFL in points allowed last season.

"He'll get used to the speed of the game in the NFL against a [darn] good defense," assistant coach Mike Heimerdinger said. "Those windows he has been seeing may not be quite as wide open when Champ Bailey's out at corner and our linebackers are dropping underneath the zone. We'll see what he does with that."

So far, Cutler has quickly grasped the Broncos' complicated offense. But he doesn't know the playbook like the back of his hand quite yet.

"I'm still thinking a lot out there and not just reacting," he said. "I'm happy with where I'm at right now."

So is quarterbacks coach Pat McPherson.

"He's handled everything we've given him pretty well," McPherson said. "I'd give him a B+, which is really good for a rookie. That's the thing about him -- nothing fazes him."

Van Pelt left the door open for Cutler with an erratic camp. He hasn't been crisp and has been overshooting receivers.

However, Van Pelt took the demotion with dignity.

"Whether I agree or whether I disagree, it doesn't matter," Van Pelt said. "It's a business and I have to accept it and keep improving."

When the Broncos selected Cutler with the 11th overall pick, and then signed him to a package worth up to $48 million over six years, Van Pelt had to know this day was coming.

"I went back and forth," said Van Pelt, who was promoted to the backup spot during last year's training camp. "A lot of people said that it was inevitable. I just said I was going to go out there and just play. I can't worry about it. I have no control."

There will be no lingering animosity between Cutler and Van Pelt. The friendly competition as they tried to throw a football into the trash can after Monday's practice was evidence of that. They understand the situation.

"It's competition out here, and Coach is going to play the best guy," Cutler said. "No matter where you are drafted or how many years you have been in the league, he [Shanahan] is going to play the best guy and that's what it's all about."

NOTES: When rookie defensive lineman Elvis Dumervil was slow to get up after a play Monday, Shanahan good-naturedly chastised him. "Come on, Elvis, you aren't hurt already," Shanahan said. "You're too young to be hurt." ... Shanahan also playfully bantered with receiver Darius Watts after a catch. "Way to use those hands," he said. ... Shanahan said that receivers Javon Walker (recovering from an ACL tear) and Rod Smith (hamstring) will be held out against Detroit on Friday in Denver's preseason opener. ... The depth chart was released Monday and Shanahan was asked if there any other surprises besides Mike Bell's promotion to No. 1 running back and Cutler taking over the No. 2 QB spot. "Isn't that enough?" Shanahan said with a grin.

[ward63]

If he can continue to learn the playbook, he'll be the #2! I think BVP gets cut and learns to play the guitar and joins some rock band. Also, Parsons gets cut, but I doubt anybody will want him, so he gets resigned to the PS.

[JCMElway]

This shouldn't be surprising see how Shanny rushed Griese into the starting role. Luckily Jake is here for at least one more year so Cutler can learn the system and be really comfortable when he takes over.

By the by, how long is Jake's deal structured for? If the Broncs wanted to start Cutty next year would they have to trade him or cut him?

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by JCMElway

By the by, how long is Jake's deal structured for? If the Broncs wanted to start Cutty next year would they have to trade him or cut him?

A couple of articles have stated that Plummer isn't due any guaranteed money beyond this season, but Herc has said that that isn't true. I'm going to take Herc's word for it, as he's a lot more reliable about these matters than the local writers are.

[Hogan11]

It's really a no win situation for BVP....he's doomed in Denver. Maybe saying all the right things will get him looks elsewhere because...well, his play won't do that for him.

[freak6]

I cannot wait until Friday!!!

[Archie]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

A couple of articles have stated that Plummer isn't due any guaranteed money beyond this season, but Herc has said that that isn't true. I'm going to take Herc's word for it, as he's a lot more reliable about these matters than the local writers are.

I think he's got guaranteed money this year and next year but I think the big dollars came when we picked up the option last year. So his contract would not be prohibitive if we decided to trade him in the off-season. Could be pretty interesting if Jake has another awesome year - gives us lots of options.

[Rock Chalk]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

A couple of articles have stated that Plummer isn't due any guaranteed money beyond this season, but Herc has said that that isn't true. I'm going to take Herc's word for it, as he's a lot more reliable about these matters than the local writers are.

Depending on the situation and how Plummer does this year.

If he has a pro-bowl year and we win the Superbowl, do you really think Shanahan will cut Jake in favor of Cutler? I think not.

We will see, but I really doubt that Cutler will start over Jake next year if Jake has as good or better of a year than he did last year.

We all agree Jake made great strides in his third year. Even the pundits started begrudgingly to give him some credit. Cutler sounds great, and I think having the luxury of him sitting for TWO full years will benefit the team greater than jumping the gun and throwing him in there after only a year of watching and backing up Jake. I'd prefer a two year learning curve as opposed to only one. Hopefully, Jake has a good enough year for us to get a good look at Cutler the last game or two of the season

Cant help but like the future of the team regardless though.

[enjolras]

This is the problem with taking a QB when your situation is stable... Sitting on the bench generally does him very little good beyond a few games. Teams are always trying to ease QB's in, and sometimes it does more harm than good. They just end rusty from lack of game experience.

I think next season the Broncos are going to have a relatively tough choice to make. If Cutler is going to be the man, he needs to be the man next year. The Bolts where shoved into this position with Rivers, and they made the hard choice. Broncos may very well be in the same spot.

[Rocket 7]

Originally Posted by Alec

Hopefully, Jake has a good enough year for us to get a good look at Cutler the last game or two of the season

Cant help but like the future of the team regardless though.

BVP had a great chance against Sangy Eggo in the last game. He pretty much stunk it up only completing one pass. It wasn't like BVP was just fliriting with the cheerlearders and bam Plummer is out he has to play. He knew he was going to play he got his reps during practice. I was dissapointed with him.

[Dedhed]

Originally Posted by Alec

Depending on the situation and how Plummer does this year.

If he has a pro-bowl year and we win the Superbowl, do you really think Shanahan will cut Jake in favor of Cutler? I think not.

We will see, but I really doubt that Cutler will start over Jake next year if Jake has as good or better of a year than he did last year.

We all agree Jake made great strides in his third year. Even the pundits started begrudgingly to give him some credit. Cutler sounds great, and I think having the luxury of him sitting for TWO full years will benefit the team greater than jumping the gun and throwing him in there after only a year of watching and backing up Jake. I'd prefer a two year learning curve as opposed to only one. Hopefully, Jake has a good enough year for us to get a good look at Cutler the last game or two of the season

Cant help but like the future of the team regardless though.

It's Super Bowl or bust for Jake as far as I'm concerned. And I don't mean just getting there, I'm talking rings. Anything less will be a sign that Jake has plateaued in Denver, and that Cutler will be the better pootion because he has a higher ceiling.

We've got what's looking like a great young foundation for the offense with Walker, Bell, Marshall, Scheffler, Cutler, and the new OL guys. If Culter can get in sync with them early we could be looking at an offense to be reckoned with. Jake was 13-3 last year, and that's a fact, but the offense didn't blow anyone out of the water. If we got behind we were pretty much done for.

If Jake wins the SB he'll buy himself another year, and even that's uncertain. Anything less, and it's almost a guarantee that Cutler gets the job.

[Steve Sewell]

I think whats going to happen is that Plummer is going to get injured for a few games over the next few years and give Shanny the excuse he needs to play Cutler and keep him there...ala Roethlisberger/Maddox.

OR

We win the SB this year and then Plummer gets Dilfered...

[fdf]

Originally Posted by JCMElway

This shouldn't be surprising see how Shanny rushed Griese into the starting role.

To be fair, Bubby Brister sort of helped Shanahan make the decision by sucking.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

A couple of articles have stated that Plummer isn't due any guaranteed money beyond this season, but Herc has said that that isn't true. I'm going to take Herc's word for it, as he's a lot more reliable about these matters than the local writers are.

There is no guaranteed money left to pay him, so they're right. But it's a statement that doesn't mean much, and I think it creates a bad impression. IMO, it gives the impression they can dump him without any dead money or there would be some savings, and that's not the case at this point. Maybe I'm wrong and people don't think that when they hear he has no guaranteed money left though.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

My guess at the bonus money he's gotten over the years:

'03- $7M signing bonus/6 years= $1.17 hit per year
'03, '04, '05, and '06 are gone, so $2.32M remains

'05- $2M bonus/5 years= $400k per year
'05 and '06 gone, $1.2M remains
Approx. $2.7M in restructured base salary/ 5 years= $540k per year
$1.62M remains

'06- $4M bonus/ 4 years= $1M per year
$3M remains

A (most likely) bad guess= Jake has about $8.1M in bonuses left to hit the cap. He's probably got some other stuff in there that Williamson or Legwold have never mentioned.

He's due $5.3M in base salary next year with prorated hits of about $4.1M or so giving him a cap number $9.4M. So I guess it would be feasible to cut him and save money a little over $1M next year. Cutting him post-June 1 would be $5.3M in savings in '07 and a hit of $4M or so in '08.

Jake's contract is like Rod's and Nalen's (before this past off-season) contracts, they've restructured so many times that it's almost impossible to get a good grasp of how much money is still out there that has to eventually hit the cap.

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

A couple of articles have stated that Plummer isn't due any guaranteed money beyond this season, but Herc has said that that isn't true. I'm going to take Herc's word for it, as he's a lot more reliable about these matters than the local writers are.

Jake recieved that $6 million bonus last year and I thought that was the last of the bonus money due him.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Originally Posted by Atlas

Jake recieved that $6 million bonus last year and I thought that was the last of the bonus money due him.

That's what it was supposed to be, but he pushed some back to this offseason. I think the breakdown was $2M then $4M.

[Taco John]

Originally Posted by Atlas

Jake recieved that $6 million bonus last year and I thought that was the last of the bonus money due him.

If I'm not mistaken, that bonus money is pro-rated throughout the life of the contract. Though I could be mistaken. The Broncos got VERY creative with Plummer's contract to protect themselves in the event they wanted to dump him... delayed bonuses... delayed delayed bonuses... that sort of thing. I do know this... In 2007, Plummer's contract will be pretty heavy (especially with Cutler on board), and Plummer will likely have to take a cut to remain with the Broncos in an unguranteed capacity. I'll be suprised if Plummer is in Denver next season.

[Jason in LA]

Straight Jackin'.

[Prodigal19]

Originally Posted by fdf

To be fair, Bubby Brister sort of helped Shanahan make the decision by sucking.

very true

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by Taco John

In 2007, Plummer's contract will be pretty heavy (especially with Cutler on board), and Plummer will likely have to take a cut to remain with the Broncos in an unguranteed capacity. I'll be suprised if Plummer is in Denver next season.

Well, After Plummer wins the Superbowl MVP this year I would be suprised if Shanny gets rid of him!!