Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is ready for an encore - The Orange Mane

dragondawg · 07-27-2007, 03:01 AM

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is ready for an encore
BY FRANK SCHWAB, THE GAZETTE

ENGLEWOOD - In only five games last season, quarterback Jay Cutler put the Denver Broncos’ minds at ease.

All offseason, coach Mike Shanahan has answered questions about Cutler with a calm confidence. Teammates have raved about how good he has looked in minicamp.

Although most teams would be worried about putting their playoff hopes on a quarterback who has been a starter for less than a third of a season, the Broncos believe in Cutler. And Cutler feels pretty good going into training camp, which begins Sunday, after having some success last year.

“There’s a big difference in my confidence going into this year with those five games,” Cutler said.

Cutler was thrown into a playoff race when Jake Plummer was benched. Among the five teams Cutler faced, Seattle and San Diego were playoff teams and Cincinnati and San Francisco were in playoff contention until the final few weeks.

Yet Cutler threw at least two touchdowns in each of his first four starts. In his fifth start, against the 49ers, he missed most of the second quarter because of a head injury but guided an 80-yard drive and threw a game-tying touchdown pass with 90 seconds remaining in regulation. The Broncos lost in overtime.

Cutler’s rookie numbers prorated for a 16-game season would have been 3,203 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Cutler’s great moments — including a 137-yard, two-touchdown third quarter at San Diego, a jaw-dropping 54-yard touchdown pass to Javon Walker at Arizona and the fourth-quarter drive against San Francisco — have overshadowed his mistakes. Cutler threw five interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. He had at least one fumble in every game, and he lost two.

When Cutler studied his five starts this offseason, he recognized every error.

“I made a lot of mistakes last year with footwork and lack of patience and just being a better quarterback,” Cutler said. “Last year was a learning experience for me, so there’s a lot of stuff I need to work on.”

Knowing Cutler is the team’s cornerstone, the Broncos got him some help. Last year Denver’s running game was inconsistent and there were few reliable receivers after Walker.

This offseason Denver added running back Travis Henry, tight end Daniel Graham, receiver Brandon Stokley and offensive guard Montrae Holland. They also signed Patrick Ramsey to back up Cutler.

Those moves were designed to ensure there isn’t too much pressure on Cutler to carry the offense in his second year.

“One guy doesn’t do it,” Shanahan said. “A lot of good quarterbacks have looked very average because they didn’t have a supporting cast. We have to play well as a group, and if we do that he’s going to have a heck of a year.”

Cutler had to improve as well. Cutler’s ability to master Shanahan’s complex offense will give Denver more play-calling options, so Cutler spent a lot of time studying the playbook.

"It’s tough stuff, but I feel comfortable with it,” Cutler said. “I feel I’ve got a lot of the basic stuff down, a lot of the stuff I didn’t have last year. I’m able to put some things together that I wasn’t able to. It’s always going to be a learning process, but I think I’m catching up to it.”

Stokley played the past four seasons in Indianapolis with quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning, last season’s Super Bowl MVP, is known for his dedication to studying film and having a grasp of the plan. Stokley has been around Cutler a few months, but he sees a few similarities with Manning.

“You have to know the offense in and out and you can tell he does,” Stokley said.

http://www.gazette.com/sports/cutler...year_last.html

OrangeShadow · 07-27-2007, 07:33 AM

its amazing how much he learned in 5 games.

dragondawg · 07-27-2007, 05:04 PM

he did go to vanderbuilt

BlaK-Argentina · 07-27-2007, 05:28 PM

I would be pretty nervous if he was coming into this season without playing a single game... those 5 starts he got last year were HUGE.

Dukes · 07-27-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaK-Argentina

I would be pretty nervous if he was coming into this season without playing a single game... those 5 starts he got last year were HUGE.

That's why I didn't care about him coming in last season. Jake was taking us nowhere. Not that we were giving up on the season completely, but it's fair to say we were looking at '07 and '08 last year when Cutler came in.

broncos love · 07-27-2007, 07:20 PM

If Cutler can just manage the game , like Plummer did in 05, than we will be in the playoffs. Next season will be the start of a dynasty.

dragondawg · 07-28-2007, 02:45 AM

he will know more of the playbook

Jesterhole · 07-28-2007, 02:44 PM

It's scary how automatic Cutler feels right now. Even non-Bronco fans sense it too, since Cutler has been getting praised all off season from all sorts of NFL writers.

Everyone just knows this kid is going to be awesome.

07-27-2007, 03:01 AM	#1
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is ready for an encore Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is ready for an encore BY FRANK SCHWAB, THE GAZETTE ENGLEWOOD - In only five games last season, quarterback Jay Cutler put the Denver Broncos’ minds at ease. All offseason, coach Mike Shanahan has answered questions about Cutler with a calm confidence. Teammates have raved about how good he has looked in minicamp. Although most teams would be worried about putting their playoff hopes on a quarterback who has been a starter for less than a third of a season, the Broncos believe in Cutler. And Cutler feels pretty good going into training camp, which begins Sunday, after having some success last year. “There’s a big difference in my confidence going into this year with those five games,” Cutler said. Cutler was thrown into a playoff race when Jake Plummer was benched. Among the five teams Cutler faced, Seattle and San Diego were playoff teams and Cincinnati and San Francisco were in playoff contention until the final few weeks. Yet Cutler threw at least two touchdowns in each of his first four starts. In his fifth start, against the 49ers, he missed most of the second quarter because of a head injury but guided an 80-yard drive and threw a game-tying touchdown pass with 90 seconds remaining in regulation. The Broncos lost in overtime. Cutler’s rookie numbers prorated for a 16-game season would have been 3,203 yards and 29 touchdowns. Cutler’s great moments — including a 137-yard, two-touchdown third quarter at San Diego, a jaw-dropping 54-yard touchdown pass to Javon Walker at Arizona and the fourth-quarter drive against San Francisco — have overshadowed his mistakes. Cutler threw five interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. He had at least one fumble in every game, and he lost two. When Cutler studied his five starts this offseason, he recognized every error. “I made a lot of mistakes last year with footwork and lack of patience and just being a better quarterback,” Cutler said. “Last year was a learning experience for me, so there’s a lot of stuff I need to work on.” Knowing Cutler is the team’s cornerstone, the Broncos got him some help. Last year Denver’s running game was inconsistent and there were few reliable receivers after Walker. This offseason Denver added running back Travis Henry, tight end Daniel Graham, receiver Brandon Stokley and offensive guard Montrae Holland. They also signed Patrick Ramsey to back up Cutler. Those moves were designed to ensure there isn’t too much pressure on Cutler to carry the offense in his second year. “One guy doesn’t do it,” Shanahan said. “A lot of good quarterbacks have looked very average because they didn’t have a supporting cast. We have to play well as a group, and if we do that he’s going to have a heck of a year.” Cutler had to improve as well. Cutler’s ability to master Shanahan’s complex offense will give Denver more play-calling options, so Cutler spent a lot of time studying the playbook. "It’s tough stuff, but I feel comfortable with it,” Cutler said. “I feel I’ve got a lot of the basic stuff down, a lot of the stuff I didn’t have last year. I’m able to put some things together that I wasn’t able to. It’s always going to be a learning process, but I think I’m catching up to it.” Stokley played the past four seasons in Indianapolis with quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning, last season’s Super Bowl MVP, is known for his dedication to studying film and having a grasp of the plan. Stokley has been around Cutler a few months, but he sees a few similarities with Manning. “You have to know the offense in and out and you can tell he does,” Stokley said. http://www.gazette.com/sports/cutler...year_last.html

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07-27-2007, 07:33 AM	#2
OrangeShadow armed and dangerous Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 6,771	its amazing how much he learned in 5 games.

07-27-2007, 05:04 PM	#3
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	he did go to vanderbuilt

07-27-2007, 05:28 PM	#4
BlaK-Argentina Pampita says... ... support your team! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mar del Plata, Argentina. Posts: 5,174 Adopt-a-Bronco: Eddie Royal	I would be pretty nervous if he was coming into this season without playing a single game... those 5 starts he got last year were HUGE.

07-27-2007, 07:20 PM	#6
broncos love THE MAN Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 822	If Cutler can just manage the game , like Plummer did in 05, than we will be in the playoffs. Next season will be the start of a dynasty.

07-28-2007, 02:45 AM	#7
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	he will know more of the playbook

07-28-2007, 02:44 PM	#8
Jesterhole Ring of Famer Ridin' the McFailboat... Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,036	It's scary how automatic Cutler feels right now. Even non-Bronco fans sense it too, since Cutler has been getting praised all off season from all sorts of NFL writers. Everyone just knows this kid is going to be awesome.