wordplay by Jeremy Johnson
images by Sean Hartgrove

Since John Elway’s retirement in 1998, Denver has been on an endless search for a superstar quarterback that can take the Broncos’ reins and lead the city back to Super Bowl glory.

Talk about some mighty big shoes to fill.

But many fans and critics alike think that former Vanderbilt quarterback and first-round draft-pick Jay Cutler might just be the man to do it. The Broncos traded up to get an early pick and, arguably, made the best decision for the future of the team when they did. 

So, a lot is expected of the young man from Santa Claus, Indiana, and, ho, ho, ho, don’t he just know it?  “I don’t know,” Cutler said in early July to a group of reporters when asked if he might claim the No. 1 quarterback spot for the Broncos in the near future. “I’m just going to compete and do what I do on the field.”

Now everybody knows that it takes time to step up to the challenge of being a professional quarterback. This is, after all, the NFL, not the SEC. And Denver fans have never been patient fans (remember the near lynching of All-Pro quarterback Jake Plummer after the AFC championship loss to the Steelers?) and time is not necessarily on Cutler’s side. Cutler needs to step up into the role immediately, which includes learning a new, highly difficult and complex, run-oriented offense. Head coach Mike Shanahan was first a quarterback coach and later an offensive coordinator, which can only bode well for Cutler.

The Broncos run first and pass later. Shanahan’s Broncos have the most rushing yards in the NFL since 1995, and with a core of running backs ranging from Ron Dayne to Mike and Tatum Bell, this year should prove no different.

Let us not forget that Plummer undoubtedly had the best season of his career last year. Aside from 2003, when Plummer missed five games due to injury, the Snake posted career-high numbers in QB rating (90.2), completion percentage (60.7) and touchdown to interception ratio (18 to 7). Add the fact that the Broncos have a reputation for the league’s best offensive line and in the off-season added eager playmaker Javon Walker to the receiving core, Plummer seems poised for another star season.

Often times, too, the instant pressure of the NFL proves to be too much for some young quarterbacks. Take, for instance, the Baltimore Ravens’ Kyle Boller or Buffalo’s J.P. Losman.

Some critics such as ESPN football analyst Sal Paolantonio don’t even think that Cutler is the best rookie right now. “I didn’t see any evidence whatsoever that Cutler is challenging Plummer at this point,” Paolantonio said during the Dave and Lois Show on 850 KOA. “I covered the New York Jets mini-camp about 2-3 weeks ago and Kellen Clements from Oregon looked so much better.”

Still, there are a lot of factors that remain to be seen. Season-ending injuries occur every day in the NFL, and one misstep, one bad break, and a young quarterback can find himself behind center. For instance, rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took over when starter Tommy Maddox was injured, and he never looked back. Big Ben kept the job, though, because he refused to lose.

So the question isn’t just if or when Cutler might get the nod, but how he will perform once he gets the chance. Cutler was a winner in high school, taking his Heritage Hills team to a 15-0 record and the school’s first state title. Cutler was a leader for the Commodores, becoming the first player in 113 years to serve as Team Captain three straight years. He broke Vanderbilt records in completions, yards and touchdowns, among others. And, at 6’ 4’’ and 230 pounds, Cutler also fits the new mold of big NFL quarterbacks who can not only throw, but can shrug off defenders and scramble for precious yards.

Although Plummer has a bit of a bum knee and former Colorado State University and current backup Bradlee Van Pelt has yet to prove himself, it seems unlikely that Cutler will take the reins just yet.

Plummer understands the organizations decision to pick Cutler. And, according to the Bronco’s official website, Plummer understands that the Broncos, because of their success year after year, don’t get many early, quality picks like the one they got in April.

Plummer is also certainly aware that the quarterback position is a dangerous one, and that depth at that position can only help the team’s chances of success.
But it seems the holiday wish of Broncos fans far and wide that the young stud from the Christmas Village subdivision of Santa Claus is the future of the franchise. What gifts the jolly giant might bring Denver this year, though, remains to be seen.

“It’s not going to happen overnight,” Broncos head coach Shanahan said on a Broncos website press release. “He’s just got to get better every day. He’s going to have good days and bad days.”

DenverBroncos.com