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 ####.
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.
Having watched Jay develop through his entire college career and being part of the family, all I can say is that he posesses a one-of-a-kind temperment that shows up on and off the field as well an unmatched work ethic. A little gun-slinger is for sure in him, but as long as he stays healthy the Broncos are in good hands. The future beckons and it promises to be a fun journey!
I've hated the Broncos ever since John Elway refused to sign with the Baltimore Colts. When Elway retired that hate dissipated. Now with Denver jumping ahead of the draft to steal Cutler from the Ravens I have a new reason to hate the Broncos.
I think cutler had a great game, if you remember last year though first 3 or 4 games of the lion's season they were one of the best Defenses out there. I wouldnt doubt it this year as well. He had some solid throws and good vision.
As far as Rogers go, i would suggest they trade him off and get a young FB Cory Sches. is about done for, the man's getting old. Rogers had potential but, i cant see him doing anything at D town.
After facing one pre-season Detroit defense that played basic/vanilla schemes, the Czar is ready to annoint Cutler as now being ready to conquer the NFL. I want some of what the Czar is on because when Cutler finally has to face complex, revolving, first team NFL defenses, his lack of real NFL experience will show itself. If Cutler does conquer the NFL this year and outplays the rest of the NFL, better check him for being a mutant or illegal substances because he will have accomplished in the shortest time what the NFL's great QBs have never done.
Cutler looked great, but more importantly for this season Sheffler caught 4 for 54 including a slant (yes, a TE running a slant)so Putzier won't be missed, Watts looked great, and Kircus makes the team.
Cutler is just doing what he did at Vandy, making the best out of what he has. He will be great QB, bare in mind this was the first preseason game so we shouldn't be looking put him with the elite just yet but I will say he has all the tools to do it. We should have all learned by now great coaches can make a good QB great. Shannahan is one of the best. Should Jake go down, Jay will get the job done...
Cutler is going to be a great QB in the NFL even if he is just backing up Jake Plummer. He was great at reading the D and finding an open reciever in the preseason game and besides he is an Indiana boy! yee yee
Cutler looked good, not Elway yet, but surely not your typical rookie...vision, release, footwork, awareness in the pocket, ability to read the "D" (as it were), arm-strength, above all else....no fluster, no bluster....just an acceptance of ones ability.... sounds like a fighter-pilot, a gunfighter...or an NFL quarterback. Bodes well for the Broncos in a year or two....
Cody, Cutler faced 1st and 2nd stringers for detroit and passed for more yards than all the qbs playing combined. If its a case of playing no names then surely playing the 3rd stringers should have given van pelt and detroit's 3rd QB even better stats than cutler. However that didn't happen did it. Please explain how that is? I'll tell you, its because like or not Cutler can play this game.
Cutler was OK. But the Broncos put up 13 points and lost. He may have had decent numbers, but the only numbers that count is the score. How can all of you talk about this kid being Canton bound already?
A QB torched the Detriot Lions and you are putting him in the same sentence as Favre, and Elway? LOL!! Not to mention it was the preseason! You gotta be kidding me! For arguments sake lets pretend this was the regular season for a second. Would it even be that big a deal that he torched the Lions? NO!! Lets see him put similar numbers up during the regular season against teams like the Steelers or Patriots before we can put him in the same category as Favre or even Plummer. Personally I would love to see Denver start Cutler cause then the Chiefs would win the AFC West. GO Chiefs!!
Hey lions 57 remember as everyone else has its preseason and the score don't even count. I'm a huge Broncos fan and i'll admit cutler was decent but i dont believe he has the experience yet to start in the NFL over Jake Plummer or Bradlee Van Pelt.
Although it is kind of hard to be putting Jay with the likes of Elway, Farve, yes and even Plummer,
and it is a pre-season game, remember that it was Jay's first pre-season game, with a very complex offensive scheme, and he played real well!!
Look Out, naysayers.
Cutler is not ready to be a starter, but I was almost shocked at his poise and ability for pinpoint accuracy with his passes. I expected him to look flustered and confused with his first game. Quite the opposite, he stood tall in the pocket, threw the ball like a rocket, and still has a beautiful touch on the ball that Elway never had. And I am as big an Elway fan as anybody out there. I could not believe how confidently he stood in the pocket. He has alot of hype to live up to, and is playing even beyond the coaches expectations. Holy #### I can't wait for Jay to be the starter of the greatest team in the nfl!!!!
SINcerely, R8R H8R
Did I actually just read what I think I read, Cutler isn't as ready as Van Pelt? Are you off your rocker? Van Pelt made the team because he's a local hero, he won't be so lucky this year with a strong armed #1 pick that can easily come in and back up Jake his first year. Like it or not Cutler was the field general Shanny thought he'd be.
Flippo... remember a guy out in Pittsburgh, first name Ben, last name starts with R...? I seem to recall the guy was 15-1 as a rookie, as well as the youngest QB to win a Superbowl? I rest my case.
Last edited by Scorpious on August 14th at 9:22 AM.
Detroit had what, 5 or 6 defensive starters out? Cutler played against 3rd and 4th stringers. With that being said, I believe in Cutler and Jake the Fake will not have his job past this season simply because he is gutless, spineless, heartless. Jake had one decent season in a much better system than any he enjoyed in the desert. This is a new season and soon Jake will be back to being Jake, throwing picks left and right like Brett Favre.
As for the Lion's, who cares if Williams or Rogers gets cut. If the guys that are kept are better suited for the offense they are running, what difference does it make? If Rogers is no longer stealing a paycheck from Detroit, they can sign more talent that will live up to their potential. Finally, did anyone notice that Denver was down by 10 against a depleted Lions defense before Cutler finally got the Broncos going? The Lions will surprise this season!!!!!
Everyone is missing the point on Cutler. Yes it was against the 2nd team defense. So compare his debut with Vince Young's. Who is more ready to play? And he threw for 192 more yards then Leinart did this weekend. Remember that's 192 yards in about a quarter and a half of work. He's not a superstar yet, but that's still very impressive.
I said to many on the Giants and dolphins forums that Cutler was the best QB in the draft.While most agreed he was good few agreed he was the best.Of course all this will sort out over the next ten years.My reasoning was simple and that was Cutler made his acomplishments at Vanderbuilt while Young and Lienart had star studded casts!
Hey Pittboys - Scorpious and jerad – regarding your boy Benny the Pitt: Yes, he was the QB on last year’s Super bowl winning team. A team that got hot at the right time.
Let’s put Benny the Pitt in perspective. Last year, 20 QBs passed for more yards than Benny did. 13 QBs had more TDs than Benny did. 29 QBs attempted more passes than Benny did. 28 QBs COMPLETED more passes than Benny did. 8 QBs has less sacks than Benny did. And Benny did end up #3 in QB rating and #1 in yards per attempt.
What does this tell you? The 2005 Steelers was a superior team on defense and offense AND did not ask Benny the Pitt to win games for them. They just wanted him to play as error free as possible and let the defense and running game dominate. When he did pass, the defenses still had to respect the run, giving him the most ideal conditions to play by.
Put Benny the Pitt in San Francisco, Houston, or Arizona last year and he would have spent all of his time running for his life. Only the blind or fairy tale devotees would even think that he would have had a good year with any of those teams.
With one Super bowl win, Benny the Pitt has not earned the right to be placed with Joe Montana, Bart Starr, Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, or Pittsburgh’s patron saint, Terry the Terrific Bradshaw.
Benny the Pitt hasn’t earned his sainthood yet, don’t you boys give up your virginity so easily.
GREAT POINTS FLIPPO!!! Now all you have to do is compare last seasons numbers for Cutler and the rest of the..... wait Cutler was in college right? So that means if Benny has made the first initial steps by at least getting a ring then Cutler has much farther to go! Why are we dicussing rookies that will either not start or at best share time like Bush and Cutler? What happened the last time Mike Shanahan started a rookie QB that dominated during preseason? How did that turn out for him and the player? His name is Brian Griese and he will backing up Rex Grossman who has made all of 7 career starts!
Ummmm keep in mind that is was Detroit, the Broncos did lose blah blah blah, shut up, Cutler was extremely impressive and did awesome ESPECIALLY considering he didnt have what was projected in the preseason as his #1, #2 or even #3 wideouts.
redifer, I'm with you. Cutler did better than OK, but it WAS just pre-season and it WAS just Detroit.
It's laughable that so many Bronco fans have jumped on his bandwagon and abandoned Plummer who did his part in getting the team to the AFC championship game. The sportswriters in Denver are drooling over Cutler so much that they have already sold their left nut to say they told us so first about Cutler's greatness.
I say give it a rest. Cutler will not see any playing time this year unless Plummer is hurt. And he has proven to be very durable over the years.
It would be interesting to see how Cutler can play in a regular NFL game with complex, rotating, and fading coverages with the heavy hot breathing of all pros who want to take his head off. Well, the Steelers have pulled it off the past few years and got high performance out of Benny the Pitt. Maybe Shanny can do the same with Cutler when the time comes.
flippo i fully agree about Benny the Pitt, as you put it. He's not a great passer, yet, lets not forget super bowl or not he's still only 3 years into his career. He was put on a team ready to win a super bowl, but thats the same team that lost pretty bad everytime Maddox the Monstrosity touched the ball.
Roethlisberger doesn't put up big numbers bec he doesn't need to. He's a leader and thats the thing about Cutler, i didn't see the game and haven't followed him much, but all the skills and poise in the world won't do much until he really takes control and is the cornerstone of the team, which i might add should not happen this year, i think that rushing this kid would be a mistake, but they do need to act quick with him while this team is still together.
Hey Brian,
Amen, brother.
Kudos to Benny the Pitt for playing very well in the role Coach Cowher scripted for him. I gotta give Cowher all the credit for getting his team set up to win and they did their part.
As for Cutler, let's be entertained as Plummer will probably play very little in the remaining pre-season games. I look forward to Cutler and Van Pelt facing increasingly complex defenses played by those who are gonna make their teams.
John Czarnecki, a former sportswriter with over 20 years experience covering the NFL, has been the editorial consultant for the Emmy Award-winning FOX NFL Sunday since its 1994 inception. Prior, he provided exclusive information to CBS Sports' The NFL Today program from 1991 to 1993, holding a similar position.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Czarnecki was a pro football writer for The National Sports Daily (1989-91), The Dallas Morning News (1989), and The Los Angeles Herald-Examin er. An archive of work can be found here.
