Cutler embracing the legend of No. 7 - The Orange Mane

dragondawg · 09-19-2007, 03:23 AM

Cutler embracing the legend of No. 7
By Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writer

As microphones, cameras, notepads and television audiences awaited the words and expressions of the comeback hero, Jay Cutler nonchalantly dropped the name John Elway.

No media member had dared bring up the Duke, out of fairness to the kid. Then Cutler did it.

Imagine that. Brian Griese and Jake Plummer, the immediate successors to Hall of Famer Elway as the Broncos' quarterback, didn't shy from the legend's shadow so much as they approached it on tiptoes.

After the Broncos' season-opening victory at Buffalo, Cutler greeted the expectations left by Elway with a strong bearhug.

"He didn't go anywhere," Cutler said. "You guys are going to compare us whether we shy away from him or not. Until we win the Super Bowl, people here are going to throw out John Elway's name. So we might as well embrace it. He's the greatest quarterback who ever played. Why not appreciate it?"

This direct approach may well provide a window into why Cutler is so effective when the Broncos are down and the game is late. Elway was the greatest comeback quarterback in NFL history and has the unofficial record to prove it. His 47 fourth-quarter or overtime game- saving or game-winning drives remain the comeback standard.

Brett Favre, who either has, or is within reach of, just about every other career passing record, is well behind, with 37 fourth-quarter comebacks.

Cutler, though, is well ahead of Elway's pace. With three late comebacks in a row - the final game of 2006 against San Francisco (although the Broncos ended up losing that game), the 2007 opener at Buffalo and last weekend against Oakland - Cutler has three through his first seven games. Elway didn't get his third comeback until his 22nd game.

When it comes to fourth-quarter comebacks, perhaps Cutler will be Tiger to Elway's Golden Bear.

As has been communicated, scoring has been a problem for the Broncos this year as it relates to their prolific yardage totals. When a team leads the NFL with 455.5 yards per game, it should average a few more than 19.0 points.

Then again, when a team is 2-0 despite having the lead only 32 percent of the time (41 minutes, 8 seconds of 129 minutes and 12 seconds of play), it speaks to the Broncos' ability to score when absolutely necessarily at game's end.

"That's the way it goes in the National Football League," said Brandon Stokley, a ninth-year receiver who won Super Bowl rings with Baltimore and Indianapolis. "You see those games a lot. The good teams win those games."

It's not like Cutler has single-handedly led these victorious rallies. To the contrary, he reminds those curious about his rare blend of youth and moxie that his early success would not have been possible without his skilled support. In the final drive that beat the Bills, Javon Walker had four receptions for 51 yards.

"I see him playing with a lot more confidence," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of his No. 1 receiver.

In the Broncos' late drives that tied the game in regulation and won it in overtime against Oakland, running back Travis Henry had a combined 11 carries for 49 yards.

Stokley has six catches for six first downs, all while the Broncos were tied or behind. In the overtime against the Raiders, No. 2 receiver Brandon Marshall turned a short pass into a 22-yard gain that set up Jason Elam's lay-up kick.

And the Broncos have yet to unleash their quarterback pet from last year, tight end Tony Scheffler.

"The ability they have to make plays and make catches for me, I want to give them every opportunity I can," Cutler said.

There's a reason win-loss records are attached to quarterbacks, though, and not running backs and receivers. When it comes to rallying late, Cutler gives the Broncos an element they haven't enjoyed since Elway retired with his second consecutive Super Bowl title after the 1998 season.

Last season, Plummer had an efficient 87.7 quarterback rating when his team was ahead, but an ineffective 59.5 rating when the Broncos were behind or tied. Even in Plummer's most successful season of 2005, when he led the Broncos to the AFC championship game, he was better with a lead (95.5 rating) than behind (86.6).

Many quarterbacks produce similar ahead-behind differences. Not Cutler. When the Broncos are behind, his arm takes over. Cutler has but a 62.0 rating when the Broncos are ahead and an 89.0 rating when behind or tied.

It's when his team is a final series away from losing that Cutler seems to be at his best. Didn't the Broncos have another quarterback like that?

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6931968

Bladerunner · 09-19-2007, 11:54 AM

so much premature hype...Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus analogies...goodness...I like the research into situational passer efficiencies though

oh and Tony Scheffler as the Broncos QB pet was a gem

Txdonk · 09-19-2007, 12:16 PM

I'm confused about the definition of "come back drives". We lost to SF last year, yet that still counts as one because Cutler forced OT?

If that's the case, shouldn't the Oakland game count twice: first the drive to tie in 4th quarter, then the winning drive in OT?

TheDave · 09-19-2007, 12:17 PM

The media is doing their best to drown this kid in the Elway comparisons...

Jason in LA · 09-19-2007, 01:25 PM

It's always the media that makes the comparisons, then blames it on the fans. I hate hearing some media guy say that the fans won't execpt anything less than an Elway performance. We, the fans, don't expect an Elway performance, just a good performance. Why is that too much to expect?

listopencil · 09-19-2007, 03:46 PM

Two comebacks.

Two.

We only count the Elway comebacks when we won and we only count the Cutler comebacks when we win.

Two.

Northman · 09-19-2007, 03:49 PM

Cutler is far from the likes of John Elway. But im sure Jay will leave his own mark in the NFL and for the Denver Broncos. Elway is a legend but now starts the Jay Cutler legacy, Elway is gone.

WolfpackGuy · 09-19-2007, 03:53 PM

It should be only counted as a comeback if you eventually win. You know the media. Last year against SF should've never have come down to a damn comeback situation.

Odysseus · 09-19-2007, 11:00 PM

Poor Jay. He has to actually talk to these idiots after the games.

Bronx33 · 09-19-2007, 11:17 PM

Stupid news angle by Mike Klis

Odysseus · 09-19-2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronx33

Stupid news angle by Mike Klis

Klis is an idea guy. Details seem to get in the way of his sports concept. He wants to prove he's a thinking man's journalist but he tries too hard. He needs to slow down and get his facts right.

Hey Taco! What's his user name her anyway?!

Bronx33 · 09-19-2007, 11:38 PM

How about just a nice interview and not an attempt to pry prescripted responses.

theAPAOps5 · 09-19-2007, 11:38 PM

God I can't wait until this becomes about Cutler and not how he compares to Elway. Its going to take a while but if the dude lives up to his potential and continues to progress it will become his town.

Meck77 · 09-19-2007, 11:39 PM

God Bless Elway but he's just trying to coach his kid now. Let it go.

Kaylore · 09-20-2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meck77

God Bless Elway but he's just trying to coach his kid now. Let it go.

I know. I have a long time ago, but the media won't and can't. Jay is right. Until he wins the Super Bowl they are going to ask him this over and over again.

Odysseus · 09-20-2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

I know. I have a long time ago, but the media won't and can't. Jay is right. Until he wins the Super Bowl they are going to ask him this over and over again.

Once Jay wins one they are going to just go BALLISTIC on comparisons.

I feel sorry for the guy that comes after Lord Manning keeper of the cup and ruler of all that marketing surveys. It will be funny because will be a seasoned guy then talking about how he went up against Manning and won...Look! A mirage!

ElwayMD · 09-20-2007, 12:32 PM

Is the media so desperate for the next Elway that they will turn any gleam of hope into the second coming?

Let the kid play a full season or two before we crown him the messiah.

Circle Orange · 09-25-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

I know. I have a long time ago, but the media won't and can't. Jay is right. Until he wins the Super Bowl they are going to ask him this over and over again.

No, then they'll want him to appear in five. The crap never ends with the pundits...they took #7 for granted his last few years, now they can't let him go.

Circle Orange · 09-25-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElwayMD

Is the media so desperate for the next Elway that they will turn any gleam of hope into the second coming?

Let the kid play a full season or two before we crown him the messiah.

Don't you know? Elways are everywhere, it seems...his name came up with Vince Young, with McNabb, with Culpepper, with Manning, with Jamarcus Russell, and even Brady Quinn for crying out loud. I'll say this: Cutler has a lot of common sense when he said you could pretty much compare ANY first round pick to Elway. It was one of the more clever remarks I've heard.

And look at all the 7s out there now...its a thundering herd.

09-19-2007, 03:23 AM	#1
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	Cutler embracing the legend of No. 7 Cutler embracing the legend of No. 7 By Mike Klis Denver Post Staff Writer As microphones, cameras, notepads and television audiences awaited the words and expressions of the comeback hero, Jay Cutler nonchalantly dropped the name John Elway. No media member had dared bring up the Duke, out of fairness to the kid. Then Cutler did it. Imagine that. Brian Griese and Jake Plummer, the immediate successors to Hall of Famer Elway as the Broncos' quarterback, didn't shy from the legend's shadow so much as they approached it on tiptoes. After the Broncos' season-opening victory at Buffalo, Cutler greeted the expectations left by Elway with a strong bearhug. "He didn't go anywhere," Cutler said. "You guys are going to compare us whether we shy away from him or not. Until we win the Super Bowl, people here are going to throw out John Elway's name. So we might as well embrace it. He's the greatest quarterback who ever played. Why not appreciate it?" This direct approach may well provide a window into why Cutler is so effective when the Broncos are down and the game is late. Elway was the greatest comeback quarterback in NFL history and has the unofficial record to prove it. His 47 fourth-quarter or overtime game- saving or game-winning drives remain the comeback standard. Brett Favre, who either has, or is within reach of, just about every other career passing record, is well behind, with 37 fourth-quarter comebacks. Cutler, though, is well ahead of Elway's pace. With three late comebacks in a row - the final game of 2006 against San Francisco (although the Broncos ended up losing that game), the 2007 opener at Buffalo and last weekend against Oakland - Cutler has three through his first seven games. Elway didn't get his third comeback until his 22nd game. When it comes to fourth-quarter comebacks, perhaps Cutler will be Tiger to Elway's Golden Bear. As has been communicated, scoring has been a problem for the Broncos this year as it relates to their prolific yardage totals. When a team leads the NFL with 455.5 yards per game, it should average a few more than 19.0 points. Then again, when a team is 2-0 despite having the lead only 32 percent of the time (41 minutes, 8 seconds of 129 minutes and 12 seconds of play), it speaks to the Broncos' ability to score when absolutely necessarily at game's end. "That's the way it goes in the National Football League," said Brandon Stokley, a ninth-year receiver who won Super Bowl rings with Baltimore and Indianapolis. "You see those games a lot. The good teams win those games." It's not like Cutler has single-handedly led these victorious rallies. To the contrary, he reminds those curious about his rare blend of youth and moxie that his early success would not have been possible without his skilled support. In the final drive that beat the Bills, Javon Walker had four receptions for 51 yards. "I see him playing with a lot more confidence," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of his No. 1 receiver. In the Broncos' late drives that tied the game in regulation and won it in overtime against Oakland, running back Travis Henry had a combined 11 carries for 49 yards. Stokley has six catches for six first downs, all while the Broncos were tied or behind. In the overtime against the Raiders, No. 2 receiver Brandon Marshall turned a short pass into a 22-yard gain that set up Jason Elam's lay-up kick. And the Broncos have yet to unleash their quarterback pet from last year, tight end Tony Scheffler. "The ability they have to make plays and make catches for me, I want to give them every opportunity I can," Cutler said. There's a reason win-loss records are attached to quarterbacks, though, and not running backs and receivers. When it comes to rallying late, Cutler gives the Broncos an element they haven't enjoyed since Elway retired with his second consecutive Super Bowl title after the 1998 season. Last season, Plummer had an efficient 87.7 quarterback rating when his team was ahead, but an ineffective 59.5 rating when the Broncos were behind or tied. Even in Plummer's most successful season of 2005, when he led the Broncos to the AFC championship game, he was better with a lead (95.5 rating) than behind (86.6). Many quarterbacks produce similar ahead-behind differences. Not Cutler. When the Broncos are behind, his arm takes over. Cutler has but a 62.0 rating when the Broncos are ahead and an 89.0 rating when behind or tied. It's when his team is a final series away from losing that Cutler seems to be at his best. Didn't the Broncos have another quarterback like that? http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6931968

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09-19-2007, 11:54 AM	#2
Bladerunner Ring of Famer ...Two weeks from everywhere! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: California Posts: 1,125 Adopt-a-Bronco: Willis McGahee	so much premature hype...Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus analogies...goodness...I like the research into situational passer efficiencies though oh and Tony Scheffler as the Broncos QB pet was a gem

09-19-2007, 12:16 PM	#3
Txdonk Just Drafted Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 28	I'm confused about the definition of "come back drives". We lost to SF last year, yet that still counts as one because Cutler forced OT? If that's the case, shouldn't the Oakland game count twice: first the drive to tie in 4th quarter, then the winning drive in OT?

09-19-2007, 12:17 PM	#4
TheDave Sauced... Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15,120	The media is doing their best to drown this kid in the Elway comparisons...

09-19-2007, 01:25 PM	#5
Jason in LA Gimmie that rep fool! Speaking of Butts & Boob Mojo Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: LA Posts: 12,254	It's always the media that makes the comparisons, then blames it on the fans. I hate hearing some media guy say that the fans won't execpt anything less than an Elway performance. We, the fans, don't expect an Elway performance, just a good performance. Why is that too much to expect?

09-19-2007, 03:46 PM	#6
listopencil [sarcasm]text[/sarcasm] BOOM! Winner. Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The People's Republic Of California Posts: 8,580 Adopt-a-Bronco: Broncos FO	Two comebacks. Two. We only count the Elway comebacks when we won and we only count the Cutler comebacks when we win. Two.

09-19-2007, 03:49 PM	#7
Northman The Enigma Prognosis Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,925 Adopt-a-Bronco: Bryci	Cutler is far from the likes of John Elway. But im sure Jay will leave his own mark in the NFL and for the Denver Broncos. Elway is a legend but now starts the Jay Cutler legacy, Elway is gone.

09-19-2007, 03:53 PM	#8
WolfpackGuy Call me, "Maybe" Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 5,676	It should be only counted as a comeback if you eventually win. You know the media. Last year against SF should've never have come down to a damn comeback situation.

09-19-2007, 11:00 PM	#9
Odysseus Fan of the home team Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 12,107 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mark Schlereth	Poor Jay. He has to actually talk to these idiots after the games.

09-19-2007, 11:17 PM	#10
Bronx33 lets go partner Rumpson Rocks Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lakewood,Colo Posts: 41,221 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	Stupid news angle by Mike Klis

09-19-2007, 11:38 PM	#12
Bronx33 lets go partner Rumpson Rocks Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lakewood,Colo Posts: 41,221 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	How about just a nice interview and not an attempt to pry prescripted responses.

09-19-2007, 11:38 PM	#13
theAPAOps5 A new beginning! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 26,058 Adopt-a-Bronco: Watermock - RIP	God I can't wait until this becomes about Cutler and not how he compares to Elway. Its going to take a while but if the dude lives up to his potential and continues to progress it will become his town.

09-19-2007, 11:39 PM	#14
Meck77 Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 16,312	God Bless Elway but he's just trying to coach his kid now. Let it go.

09-20-2007, 12:32 PM	#17
ElwayMD It Stinks! Meet the New Boss... Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 2,509 Adopt-a-Bronco: Sammy Winder	Is the media so desperate for the next Elway that they will turn any gleam of hope into the second coming? Let the kid play a full season or two before we crown him the messiah.