Based on first impressions, Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer has to be shaking in his cleats. Granted, Jake has earned millions so why worry about rookie Jay Cutler playing ahead of him?

It's been awhile since I witnessed an NFL preseason debut as solid as Cutler's was Friday night against the Lions in Detroit. In fact, the last one I remember being so convincing - then Rams offensive coordinator Mike Martz predicted the outcome - was Kurt Warner's performance here in 1999. Warner dried up coach Vermeil's tears a week after losing Trent Green with a knee injury.

Warner, the former Arena League star, was almost flawless in his preseason start against the Lions and by the end of that spectacular season he was holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy. So, don't tell me it's impossible for Cutler to be the starter and end up winning this season.

"He's looked like this in practice every day, too," said Denver's veteran safety John Lynch.

We may not be talking John Elway and Brett Favre yet, but Cutler is very close on arm strength. But what was more impressive was his improved quick release, his poise - there was a certain calmness about this kid - and his pocket sense. He used his legs well and he was patient on allowing some pass routes to develop.

In the end, Cutler was 16 of 22 for 192 yards and a touchdown. He also had one drop and another incompletion because the receiver stepped out of bounds after an 18-yard gain. Basically, Cutler's stats were better than the combined numbers of Martz's new quarterback stable in Detroit: Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky and Josh McCown.

"He played very well," coach Mike Shanahan said of Cutler. "He executed the offense. He showed a lot of poise and overall did an excellent job."

Cutler was happy with his debut. He admitted to being a little nervous, but he also said he wasn't surprised that he played as well as he did.

"Both teams were pretty vanilla out there on offense and defense," Cutler said. "It will be a lot different in the regular season. Everything will be faster."

How does he know what it's going to be like, being a rookie?

"Well, everyone's told me it's going to be a lot different," he said, smiling.

Remember, Shanahan moved up in the draft in order to select Cutler, who might have been the quarterback the Lions overlooked. The Lions had a lot of needs and rookie linebacker Ernie Sims did play very well. But the Lions still need a franchise quarterback to emerge.

Could Vanderbilt's Cutler really start this season?

"That's why (Shanahan) drafted him," another GM said in an email.

Of course, this GM was really emailing me to needle me about saying so many glowing things about Chicago's Rex Grossman, who had a horrible game against the 49ers Friday night. That's how fickle this NFL business is.

Demotions in Detroit

The big story in Detroit has been the relegation of wide receivers Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, two first-round busts thus far, to the third team. The two are fighting for their NFL lives.

Rogers, a hometown favorite from Michigan State, heard cheers when he finally entered the game. A few plays later, he lost his balance while lining up, leading to a five-yard illegal motion penalty.

Williams, however, made the catch of the game, a 24-yarder that set up a Detroit touchdown. He had to jump and use his body to shield Denver cornerback Roc Alexander from the pass. It was the kind of catch he made routinely while at USC. Later in the game, Alexander returned the favor by dislodging Williams from a reception with a perfectly-timed hit.

Based on one game, Rogers could be the odd receiver out. Roy Williams looked very good with the first unit and the other starter is Corey Bradford. The Lions also plan to keep rookie Shaun Bodiford. Then, there is ex-Ram Mike Furrey, Eddie Drummond and Glenn Martinez. It seems improbable the Lions will simply release Rogers, but anything is possible these days.