Broncos' QB satisfied with preseason performance

[Broncos Mtnman]

BY FRANK SCHWAB
THE GAZETTE

DENVER -- The first three preseason games didn’t include many highlights for the Denver Broncos starters, but quarterback Jay Cutler leading an efficient 2-minute drill Saturday qualified as one.

Cutler’s preseason is likely over since coach Mike Shanahan typically sits his starters in the preseason finale. Cutler has rather ordinary statistics through five quarters, having completed 17 of 31 passes for 197 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

But Cutler looked good in the second quarter against Cleveland, especially on the final drive of the half. The Broncos took over at their 20-yard line with 1:55 to go. In seven plays, Denver scored as Cutler hit fullback Kyle Johnson for a 2-yard touchdown with 33 seconds to go.

“To be able to end on a note like that was good,” Cutler said.

Cutler completed all four passes on the drive, including a pair to Brandon Marshall for 31 yards on the first two plays. He also scrambled for 6 yards, which turned into a 21-yard gain after Cleveland was called for unnecessary roughness at the end of the play. Cutler hit Johnson on a bootleg play for the touchdown.

Last season Cutler was dynamic in the preseason, with 561 yards and four touchdowns. But he usually was playing against backups as the second-string quarterback, and didn’t have as much pressure on him.

“Jay’s done a pretty good job,” Shanahan said. “I’m pleased with how he’s handled himself. We have a lot of work to do, we’re not there yet, but I’m pleased with the way he has handled himself, the way he has played.”

Cutler said there are some things he and the offense need to correct. Even though the starters are unlikely to play in Thursday’s game against Arizona, he said the last two weeks of practice should be enough time.

“I feel good,” Cutler said. “There’s still some stuff to clean up.”

Until Saturday’s game, the Broncos hadn’t had all of their starting receivers healthy at the same time. Brandon Marshall was out most of the first two weeks of training camp because of a quadriceps injury. Tight end Tony Scheffler also missed the start of camp because of a foot injury. Marshall and Scheffler returned to practice, but Brandon Stokley went out because of a quadriceps injury. They all played Saturday.

Cutler didn’t have much time this preseason to work with all of his receivers, but he didn’t think that would be a problem.

“A lot of them have been in and out,” Cutler “We did a lot of stuff this summer though so I have a good feel for them.”

http://www.gazette.com/sports/cutler...ason_good.html

[Tned]

I can't say that Cutler performed as good in the preseason as I would have liked, but while I think he will have his ups and downs, I'll be surprised if he is the weak link on the team.

[Broncos Mtnman]

I can't say that Cutler performed as good in the preseason as I would have liked, but while I think he will have his ups and downs, I'll be surprised if he is the weak link on the team.

I would agree with that, but the article was very accurate on the 2 minute drill at the end of the first half.

I also agree that I don't think it's likely that he'll be a weak link.

[Tned]

I would agree with that, but the article was very accurate on the 2 minute drill at the end of the first half.

I also agree that I don't think it's likely that he'll be a weak link.

He was awesome in that two minute drill. It looked to me that when he just went on instinct in the two minute drill he was lights out. When he had a little more time, and showed good patience, at other times in the game, he sort of danced around and threw without setting his feet and wasn't accurate.

I think he is going to be just fine and in time we are going to see some excitement from the QB position again.

[The Dark Knight]

Yeah, Cutler has more experience that will no doubt show in his playing, but also keep in mind that defenses have got him on film now, so they'll attack him in ways he hasn't seen yet.

Should be fun to watch his development.

[Tned]

Yeah, Cutler has more experience that will no doubt show in his playing, but also keep in mind that defenses have got him on film now, so they'll attack him in ways he hasn't seen yet.

Should be fun to watch his development.

Yep, I expect ups and downs, but it should be fun.

[topscribe]

Yeah, Cutler has more experience that will no doubt show in his playing, but also keep in mind that defenses have got him on film now, so they'll attack him in ways he hasn't seen yet.

Should be fun to watch his development.
Well, one thing they'll see is that Cutler needs a lot of work on his short stuff.
He has been very inconsistent there.

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[Tned]

Well, one thing they'll see is that Cutler needs a lot of work on his short stuff.
He has been very inconsistent there.

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Yep, that he has.

[keithbishop]

Cutler will look a lot better once the OL jells. He looked OK, not great, which is fine for the preseason.

[Tned]

Cutler will look a lot better once the OL jells. He looked OK, not great, which is fine for the preseason.

Yep, he sort of had happy feet in the pocket on Saturday, he was showing patience, but doing a lit "jig in place" dance. I have to wonder if the pressure he has seen the first two weeks, especially against Dallas caused that. Either way, I'm with you, if the line comes together and gives him a little time, then he will be fine.

[TXBRONC]

Yeah, Cutler has more experience that will no doubt show in his playing, but also keep in mind that defenses have got him on film now, so they'll attack him in ways he hasn't seen yet.

Should be fun to watch his development.


That's true but we also have a more formidable running attack than we did last year.

[anton...]

That's true but we also have a more formidable running attack than we did last year.

if henry can keep his you know what in his pants...

if he keeps up at his rate, he will be out of the nfl by mid season with 11 more kids...

:eek:
________
The Vision Condo Prathumnak (http://pattayaluxurycondos.com)

[arapaho2]

well i wouldnt say his poorer then last years play was on him alone...am i the only one that seems to think dingers offense is uncreative?...i have watched all three games and what i saw was the opposing teams moveing the ball, while we struggled, on many plays when it broke down for little or nothing you imediatly think cutler, but on slow mo replays you see that the plays called just didnt create a open guy

it could be the wr situation...injuries and no real time with the full 1st unit.....it could be the same for the oline?
it could be we are saveing stuff?

[TXBRONC]

well i wouldnt say his poorer then last years play was on him alone...am i the only one that seems to think dingers offense is uncreative?...i have watched all three games and what i saw was the opposing teams moveing the ball, while we struggled, on many plays when it broke down for little or nothing you imediatly think cutler, but on slow mo replays you see that the plays called just didnt create a open guy

it could be the wr situation...injuries and no real time with the full 1st unit.....it could be the same for the oline?
it could be we are saveing stuff?

Last year it seemed to me that when Jay became the starter last year the play book opened up .

[Tned]

well i wouldnt say his poorer then last years play was on him alone...am i the only one that seems to think dingers offense is uncreative?...i have watched all three games and what i saw was the opposing teams moveing the ball, while we struggled, on many plays when it broke down for little or nothing you imediatly think cutler, but on slow mo replays you see that the plays called just didnt create a open guy

it could be the wr situation...injuries and no real time with the full 1st unit.....it could be the same for the oline?
it could be we are saveing stuff?

It's ironic, because many talked last offseason about how much more wide open and dynamic the offense would be with Heimerdinger. Hopefully, that will still be the case.

[arapaho2]

Last year it seemed to me that when Jay became the starter last year the play book opened up .


yes it did open up..im talking this year....our first team offense has been lackluster..why..vanilla? im just saying that when i see the browns with all kinds of open wrs on crossing routess, dump offs...yet we can hardly move the ball with all these weapons...but walker had drops, there were many plays when just noone was open...im just saying i dont think its all cutler or anyones fault ..just wondering

[arapaho2]

It's ironic, because many talked last offseason about how much more wide open and dynamic the offense would be with Heimerdinger. Hopefully, that will still be the case.

that was supposed to be the case,, who knows , it did do better with cutler then plummer, but who knows....now with cutler, and all his weapons i would like to see some fireworks this season from dinger

[TXBRONC]

yes it did open up..im talking this year....our first team offense has been lackluster..why..vanilla? im just saying that when i see the browns with all kinds of open wrs on crossing routess, dump offs...yet we can hardly move the ball with all these weapons...but walker had drops, there were many plays when just noone was open...im just saying i dont think its all cutler or anyones fault ..just wondering

I understood what you meant and I think when the season starts that will change. I don't expect to much from this last game considering that the starters will more than likely not play but hopefully we'll at least see some better execution on both sides of the ball.

[broncosfanscott]

I agree with all of you in saying I wasn't really impressed with his performance in the preseason, however he allready has the job and when all the starters are playing come week 1, Shananhan will open up the playbook and play the way the offense is capable of playing.

That two-minute drill against the Browns showed what he can do. I know Shanny doesn't play the starters for long (or at all) so I just want Cutler to be in form once the season starts so we can start 1-0.