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The Cutler scenario

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Contributed by: James Li on 5/2/2006

"With the eleventh pick in the draft traded from the St. Louis Rams, the Denver Broncos select Jay Cutler, quarterback from Vanderbilt."

Oh my goodness. Just another terrible pick, courtesy of head coach Mike Shanahan and company. I left my hotel room in dismay, cursed the elevator, and pulled on a door that said "PUSH."

Why would the Denver Broncos administration, comfortably sitting in a spot to draft a quality wide receiver in Chad Jackson or Santonio Holmes, look to trade up four spots and snatch a quarterback instead? I mean, come on. We have a Pro-Bowl caliber quarterback in the peak of his career, and here we go flushing another first-round pick that could have been special down the toilet. And plus, most of us honestly had never heard Jay Cutler's name before the NFL Combine.

Why, Shanny? Why?

Thirty hours later, I sit before my computer, excited about this pick, excited about this man, excited about the year that is to come.

First, his credentials.

Jay Cutler was named the SEC Player of the Year last year, averaging 279 passing yards per game over the last season. Vanderbilt didn't win a lot, but it was mainly because of the Commodore's poor pass protection and weak front line. He is a very good football player, and an even better leader in the locker room. Many old-time quarterbacks love this kid because of his poise, leadership, and style of play. His meteoric rise began during the postseason and just about exploded during the Senior Bowl practices and NFL Combine, where he offered to work out in front of the professional scouts. He is definitely physically talented to become a starting quarterback in the league, if not mentally as well. He has the ability to make plays with both his arm and legs. When he strides into throws, he can get rid of ball quickly and throws with good accuracy and zip. He is a smart young man who learns well and consistently has shown patience to come off the primary receiver to find the second and third receiver. He does a very good job of keeping his head up and eyes down the field when flushed from the pocket, which helps him to find a man to throw to when on the move.

Now, why Denver drafted him.

Many people say that the Broncos drafted Jay Cutler to give Jake Plummer a wake-up call -a call that the franchise has been trying to get through for the past couple of years. However, this might not be the case. Shanahan knows that the quarterback is the most important position in football, and a strong one is vital for competition in the playoffs. The selection of Jay Cutler, arguably the best of the top three quarterbacks in the draft, just plainly ensures a bright future for the organization - ten more years of playoffs.

The Denver Broncos already have Rod Smith, Ashley Lelie, and Darius Watts. We have learned in the past with different quarterbacks that it is more important to have a solid arm to deliver the passes than having the hands that catch them. With the addition of Javon Walker, an established threat (contract problems with GB but nonetheless effective), in the draft, the Broncos could afford to select the heir apparent to Plummer in the first round.

Mel Kiper Jr. loves it. Everyone loves it. I love it.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

James Li

Cypress

James Li has posted 5 stories and 1 comment since joining on 1/5/2006. James Li 's average story rating is 3.83.

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