Jay Cutler set an NFL rookie record last year by throwing 2 TDS in his first four games. Why no love?

Question

First of all, he is a smart kid. Going to Vanderbelt is not an easy thing to do. Second of all, he did win the SEC Offensive Player of the Year award on a team with no offensive weapons. He got smacked around in college so he is not gun shy. He has got a cannon of an arm. So why is everyone down on him? Cause he isn't Elway?

Answer 1

I don't really think that he's receiving no love. Rather, the 2005 draft featured two much more well-known QB's in Vince Young and Matt Leinart, who both produced fairly well for their team. Furthermore, Cutler played less games than those two, so his production wasn't looked as favorably as it should've been.

In Denver, I could only guess that they are still waiting for the second Elway to come. Also, they're afraid of getting too obsessed with him, only to have him dissapoint them in the playoffs and big games like Plummer did regularly. Finally, Denver's recent moves in the offseason, or rather, speculations near the end of the season about the offseason may have overshadowed Cutler's contributions. Tatum Bell, Plummer, etc. were all issues that needed to be dealt with. Those seemed more important.

Answer 2

The Elway thing might be overdone. The fact of the matter is Cutler is a decent QB, taking advantage of a really good system. He has less pressure on him, one, because of the great O-line, two, the great running game, and three, when he throws a pass, it's not in a situation where he has to throw. It doesn't make him anything more or less. At the same time, I don't think he would have done as well if he was somewhere like Houston, because the offense is set up to fail. The people looking for the next Elway should stop, and start looking for the first Cutler.

Answer 3

No one is going to be like the Hall a Fame John Elway. It will take Jay Cutler a full year (hopefully less) to really make a name for himself in Denver. They say he throws the ball harder then what Elway did. I'm for Cutler all of the way. Never know how he is going to do this year. Could be good, Could be bad, or Could be up and down all year long. As far as making the playoffs just got to wait and see what happens when that time gets here.

Answer 4

In five games played, Cutler finished with a record of 2-3 and went 81 for 137 for 1,001 yards, 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, earning a passer rating of 88.5 in the process. Even though that is not that bad in today's NFL, it's not great either. The fact that he only played less than a half a season meant he was given much spotlight.

2007 will be a break out year for him. With everything that Denver has been doing in the off-season, this is a good contender in the playoffs, possibly the Superbowl.

For those people that said that nobody cares for the Broncos outside of Denver, you sound so immature with those statements. I live in NY and have been a Bronco fan since I was a kid. I live and breathe orange and blue.

Answer 5

I dont really know who is down on him b/c ive only heard good things about him, although there are still "doubts" thats normal with a guy who only started 4-5 games.

I think the questions come b/c the fact that he is in a city that just got rid of a guy who went 40-18 (Plummer), that record anywhere else gets you 10 mill a yr at least. The Broncos were spoiled with having a top 3 of all time QB play for them for 18 or so years (Elway of course) and now everyone is compared to him. Although Plummer won during the reg. season he never was a guy who carried them far enough in the playoffs and they had some let downs (according to some ppl, no myself, they frickin knocked off the defending champs Pats 2 yrs ago and gave Brady his first ever loss in the playoffs - sounds pretty good to me but whatever). Plummer got a raw deal, now Cutler has to play in the shadows of Elway and will be ridiculed and criticized harshly and wrongfully (much like ARod in NY). It goes with the territory. I think Cutler is BY FAR the best QB who came out last season (yes WAYYYYY better than Young or Leinart) and that he will do fine especially with Javon Walker and the signing of Travis Henry/Daniel Graham. The kid has all the talent in the world and like you said he is a frickin genius so understanding the game should come easy. Being smart doesnt always translate though, i mean look at Craig Krynzel (spelling) from Ohio State, he is an awful NFL QB and he graduated from OSU with a degree in like microbiology in 3 years. Understanding football and being book smart arent the same thing. Another example, Terry Bradshaw. The famous quote - "Terry could spell cat if you spotted him the c and t." - but the man knew exactly what he was doing on a football field. I hope and think Jay Cutler will excel in Denver and i hope that the Bronco fans dont dick him over like they did Plummer.

To the girl above me - i hate to tell you but it doesnt matter where you go to school if ur numbers are good enough you'll be considered as a Heisman. Yes Troy Smith got it simply b/c he was at OSU (he really isnt very good) but Andre Woodson of UK is TERRIBLE (i live in KY and am a fan of UK). He is not nearly a Heisman caliber QB. Also - do you not remember Tim Couch? He finished second in the Heisman voting and he played at UK - disproves the point that you have to go to a "big name" school to be considered.

Answer 6

I haven't heard anybody complain about Cutler. Why he doesn't get as much media attention as VY, or Tony Romo, is just because he didnt make much of a difference from Jake Plummer. He's a great quaterback though, I can tell you that much. He has an amazingly strong arm, and isn't afraid to pull it down and run with it. But now, with Travis Henry in the backfield, will hopefully have a great breakout season, and get the media attention he deserves.

Answer 7

I live in Denver and everybody loves Cutler. What did he do so great in the 4 games he played... nothing! Talk about a rookie record how bout Big Ben going 14-0 as a rookie.

Answer 8

Because even though he played in the SEC he didn't play for a Tennessee or a Florida...he played for Vandy. It's the same thing that Andre Woodson goes through as QB at Kentucky. The kid has the numbers to be considered for the Heisman but won't have a shot to win because he doesn't play for Notre Dame, USC, or (insert big name program here).

Also the Broncos are known for their running game. Shanahan prides himself on that. And with all the drama Plummer caused, that's taken away from Cutler being named as a starter next year. He's obviously good enough that Plummer skipped town (and the NFL) because he knew he couldn't compete with him for the starting job.

He's young and he'll make a name for himself but it's going to take a bit before it happens. Living in Elway's shadow isn't exactly the easiest way to succeed. I'm afraid that Broncos fans will keep comparing him to Elway and he'll end up traded to another team.....and will eventually end up in the Super Bowl with someone else's squad.

And to the guy below me, Tim Couch didn't finish second in the 1998 Heisman Race. RB Ricky Williams finished 1st with 2,355 points and QB Michael Bishop from Kansas St. finished 2nd with 792 points. And note, the winner was from a major football school called Texas. Tim Couch finished 4th and a guy named Donovan McNabb finished 5th. So you should probably get your stats straight before posting.

And in almost 20 years, only three guys have won the Heisman was wasn't from "major" football schools. Wisconsin's Ron Dayne (1999, if you don't consider Wisconsin to be a major program), BYU's Ty Detmer (1990) and Houston's Andre Ware (1989). The rest come from schools like USC, Texas, Florida State, Michigan and Notre Dame. Think it's safe to say that statistics favor guys from big "major football" schools.

Heisman Candidates and Final Point totals from 1998: http://www.heisman.com/winners/r-williams98.html

And for Andre Woodson to be so "terrible" he was a 1st team All-SEC QB this last season. He threw for 3,500 yards and 31 TD's. He led Kentucky, of all teams, to a Music City Bowl win.

He's in the Top 25 Heisman Candidate's list on several websites:

Fox Sports: http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/6242686

Scout.com: http://cfn.scout.com/2/598419.html

Heisman Pundit: http://heismanpundit.com/?sectionid=6

Answer 9

to be a starting QB in a legendary team as the broncos is very difficult. H has to manage with the ghoist of the legends (in this case Elway). the same will occur when Fravre or Manning retires.... nobody will love his replace... even if he es good. The TV is centered in guys that doesnt deserve too much (Romo, T.O., Pacman, Tank, etc.).Poeple like cutler or the RB in SF are poeple to track... people like LT those people deserve attention.... not the bunch of criminals that pulls the tv attention,....... im a packers fan...... but i think cutler will be a great QB..... he have alot of future.... good luck with that

Answer 10

Because Denver is a spoiled football town. They usually field a good team and they had John Elway for so long, so they are used to quality QB play. Let me rephrase that...excellent QB play. I live in Philly and if you didn't know any better you would think McNabb put up the worst numbers in the league if you listen to his nay sayers.