There won't be any cheesy lines about sugar (diabetes) or body building (see YouTube).
I'm here to tell you that Jay Cutler is going to be the next great quarterback. But don't just take my word for it.
ESPN did a piece about six months ago where they contacted some of the league's directors of personnel, general managers, and scouts. Cutler was the only player considered special in the up-coming crop of quarterbacks.
Mike Martz is on record of saying Jay Cutler has a chance to be better than Peyton Manning.
So, why doesn't he get the hype? Well, let's face it; Denver is not a major market. You could certainly counter and say that neither are Phoenix or Tennessee. But we both know the kind of college careers Leinart and Young had, which obviously casts a large shadow on the little-known accomplishments of Cutler at Vanderbilt.
Now, I may not have been following football since the times of Baugh, Unitas, Starr, or Tarkenton, but I do claim a substantial amount of knowledge about the game and its history, and I offer this in its context: Since Steve Young, there has not been a more complete, young quarterback in a better situation.
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Go down the list of all the great quarterbacks and you'll find their innate flaws. Marino had limited mobility. Montana was not the best physical specimen in comparison to the greats. Elway had a tendency to hold and scramble rather than make plays from pocket. Brady has his physical limitations, and Manning is wild under pressure and not the best athlete outside of the pocket.
Cutler is not hindered by any noticeable flaws. His decision-making ability for his age is well above average, which is evidenced by his low interception percentage. Cutler has elite arm strength. He is particularly impressive on the run, throwing across his body and the field.
He has outstanding touch up to 30 and 40 yards downfield. He is a very good athlete. His 4.7 forty does not represent his game-speed. He has ran ahead of Selvin Young to make blocks, and he can still occasionally run the option at this level.
He is not "Big" Ben Roethlisberger, but he is very difficult to bring down with his size and strength. He is very tough, takes hits, and talks smack. This is where you get the Favre comparisons.
He has an Elway-like swagger and confidence. He is a student of the game by all accounts. He's very studious and learns quickly on the field. He has been exceptionally clutch, only failing twice to not score in a game-tying or game winning-situation in the final half of the fourth quarter.
He already has eight fourth-quarter, game-tying or game-winning drives, and he would have had two more if not for dropped fourth-down passes. By all measures, he took the leadership role in his second year.
He is immersed in a QB-friendly offense, with one the league's most explosive up-and-coming receivers.
I dare to say that by the end of 2008, Cutler will be considered a top-five player at his position.
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2 months ago
The Raiders will whip that ass week 1
2 months ago
Okay.
2 months ago
Um, Nick?
You do realize, that they also thought Brian Griese would be the next John Elway, and that Jake Plummer would lead them to the promised land, right?
I haven't seen a lot from Cutler, that gives a thumbs up, in trying to break the top five, of Manning, Brady, Romo, Hasselbeck, or even Roethlisberger.
In fact, I'd probably put up a dozen names, and some backups, I'd rather drop into the QB spot, before calling on Cutler....and even then, it comes down to the supporting cast, not the QB's ability.
Lastly, is the caliber of person to QB. Everyone's favorite, Elway, wasn't even a Bronco, in the draft. He was a baltimore project, that threw a hissy fit. So, they moved him out, let him fail 3 times, and then figured out, he needed a lot of help to win.
Finally, when he was 37, according to the pro-football-reference.com, he did.
But without Terrell Davis, he would have joined Marino, as a washout....good at rolling up stats, but worthless in the big game.
Cutler needs help.....and a lot of it.
from 2 months ago
Card, you have proven yourself ignorant on your rival time and again. No one thought Griese was the next Elway, they thought that he would be a great West Coast quarterback in the mold of Joe Montana. Jake Plummer reached his potential in a Denver uniform as well. Niether quarterback comes close to JAy Cutler in terms of talent. While Griese was a locker-room enigma with a noodle -arm, Plummer was a wild-mountain man who couldn't throw from the pocket.
Both players far and away had their best years in Denver.
And you are calling Dan Marino a washout? I suggest you stick with card collecting.
from 2 months ago
Nice comma usage.
2 months ago
The second I read the title I chuckled and had to read what argument you could have for making such a proposition. After reading it, I admit, I will probably pay a little more attention to Cutler and how he does but if you want the next great quarterback, look no further than my avatar, Jason Campbell.
from 2 months ago
Hard to be considered the next great QB when your team gets better the second you go down with an injury...
2 months ago
You raider homers are cute. Al Davis loved Elway before he went to Denver and was trying to acquire him from Baltimore. Had that happened, you guys would be singing a different song. And I hate to break it to you but Elway is the ultimate Bronco and will always be.
As far as Cutler, I like what I see from him so far. As a Denver fan and a person very critical of the QB position, he's a very promising talent. But what's more evident in his situation as was with Elway is the talent around him.
2 months ago
Rohit, you do know how that Denver exchanged their first rounder so you could recieve Jason Campbell? You know that's how Denver drafted Cutler. At any rate, Gibbs ovbiously knew more than anyone else becuase Big Jason has turned out to be a very solid prospect. At the time it looked like a horrible deal.
Jason has a darn good arm and ideal size. But his cieling really isn't anywhere near Cutler's and he is more of a project than Cutler has been so far.
2 months ago
Ah Nick....now, should we label all your comments, as ignorant Bronco comments?
After all, ESPN is famous for trying to prop up Denver. Year in and year out, we keep hearing, how this will be their year.
How many of those dreams, have died, either via Indy in the playoffs, or, like last year, on the end of the season?
Plenty.
Claiming the Cutler is the next great thing, would be like me extolling the virtues of Russell.
I'm smart enough to watch for his talent to grow.
Your first wunderkind, played last year for Chicago. Your second one, is driving a couch, after sulking for a demotion.
I'd put a question mark on this article. Let's see if your prediction holds true.
Besides, some people thought Ryan Leaf was a great pick at number two.
from 2 months ago
Attempting to compare the Raiders to the Broncos (last 30 years) and Russel to Cutler is indeed a false analogy.
from 2 months ago
Might be hard for Russell to Cutler, considering Russell's only had a handful of games to work in, while Cutler going into his 3rd year?
But then, going into his third year, you're wanting to compare him to the top five QBs in the NFL....with 29 TDs and 19 INTs, lets compare him to say, Peyton Manning. First of all, is the 2 for 1 stat on TDs to INTs. Cutler's behind the curve there. Secondly, look at Peyton's seasonal numbers. He's never had less than 26 TDs in a single season. Cutler, in his first season, took over for Plummer, and had 9. Not really his fault, more of the fault of Plummer, or Shanahan. Plummer, for not giving Cutler a good learning experience, or for Shanahan giving in, and wanting to start Cutler early.
Second year, Cutler had 20 TDs. Again, you might use the excuse, that oh, he was dealing with his diabetes, or he was not able to deal with the troubles on the Offensive line.
Big deal. One of the aspects, that seperates the men from the boys, is the ability to create during trying times. But comes the question, on how you'd grade greatness.
Griese couldn't get the job done, so they moved on. Plummer came in, and couldn't do it.
Cutler's primary advantage, is he's young. But I wouldn't put him on a pedestal after 1.5 seasons starting.
I think a lot of people think the same way with Romo. Sure, the kid has some talent....but surrounding him with pro bowlers, can make anyone look good.
from 2 months ago
@ Raider Card... From your comments, it appears you might watch MAXIMUM two Denver games a year. You clearly have misperceptions on a few points:
- ESPN props up Denver? No, I think the prevalent thought is that ESPN most of the time doesn't give Denver the time of day. That goes for most media in terms of its treatment of the team (1 Hall of Famer up until just recently).
- Denver had one of the worst defenses, if not the worst, in the league last year. This equates to Denver's defense spending a lot of time on the field while Cutler sits on the sidelines.
- Appreciate the comment on Romo, but it doesn't apply to Cutler who didn't have any officialy probowlers on offense last year.
Having watched Cutler in every game since he took over, I tend to agree that Nick is spot on... I did not ever feel the same way about Plummer or Griese. His talent was evident from the first pass he completed in his first preseason game.
If I were you, I'd be more concerned with your coach's handling of Russell thus far.
from 2 months ago
Wow, Card. Cutler started all of 7 games in 2007. You can't judge his pace. Also, he had one of the top 5 first years (starter) in NFl history via QB rating and overall td/yard production.
BTW, since you have all of those cards, tell me what it says on the back of Manning for his first year as a pro. Pretty sure it's a 1/1 td/int ratio. PM had like 26 int his first year bud. But don't bother yourself with facts.
2 months ago
what all of you guys are forgetting is that the skins offensive line was shot last year with two starters going out early and Jon Jansen, one of the best RTs in the game, was out in the preseason basically leaving that side to a couple of inexperienced young guys.
And now that Gibbs is gone, everyone needs to acknowledge that he had absolutely no guts whatsoever...always putting campbell in a difficult situation and asking him to produce. Just watch, maybe not this year with the new offensive system, but in a couple of years, this redskins offense will be amongst the better ones in the league.
2 months ago
raiders SUCK broncos r gonna kick their ass week 1
from 2 months ago
Now this, here, is a classic Foolish Bronco rant. Identical to Nick's comment, no basis in fact, no information presented, and pretty simple, without merit or value.
Had you tried to back it up with something of value, say, a particular method of attack, a spread out offense with the WRs, or an enhanced running game, then it might have been taken seriously.
however, since it is showing a lacking quality.....I find it highly dubious and doubtful.
Try again, Stinko.
from 2 months ago
Were you able to find that card?
2 months ago
Cutler will not be the next great QB, ever.
2 months ago
Just cuz?
2 months ago
jay cutler is the best fucking young quarterback to ever live. you raiders fans should be sucking his dick so that he doesn't shit on your team too badly in week 1
2 months ago
plus jay cutlers first 2 seasons of starts produced better stats and percentages than elway did his first 2 years. so to say that he has no chance whatsoever to be an elite top 5 qb soon is just ridiculous
about 1 month ago
Um, it's a little difficult for me to say that Jay Cutler is going to be the next great QB in the NFL.
His team played better when he was injured.
Stupid prediction.
12 days ago
Cutler will be the best QB to be drafted out of that draft. Vince Young will be good but he really isn't nothing compared to Jay and Leinart will never be anything but a dud. I agree Cutler will be a great qb if he can stay healthy. I have already watched him play twice this year and I couldn't believe how strong his arm really is but damn the guy can throw a football and with Marshall as his go to guy I really think they are going to surprise a lot of people.
6 days ago
I would have to say that no Raiders fan should be talking about how Jake Plummer couldnt get it done when he went to the playoffs three years in a row and the AFC Championship in his third year. Denver since 2003 is 49-31 7th best in the nfl and the oakland raiders are 19-61 WORST in the nfl and you think spending all this money is going to change anything. You get Javon Walker that wanted to retire but al davis had to convince him not to as your number one receiver good luck. Oh and by the Mannings first two seasons he had a 52 tds 43 int's plus nine ratio. And the td numbers also can be added to the fact that he had one of the greatest receivers to ever play the game on his side. Jay has all the tools to be a great QB I dont think he is yet but after this season I honestly think people will say he is a top 5 qb in the nfl. Also Diabetis isnt something you can "tough out" especially since he didnt know what he had you lose weight and with that goes arm strength and with added stress poor decisions. Your dealing with the wrong broncos fan now buddy keep bringing the stats about our team just cause you can't bring up any about yours.
6 days ago
Um.. when did Cutler go down to injury last year that resulted in this "better" play from the team? He left the Detroit game early but Denver still got spanked in that game any how. Card, your team is garbage.. you lamers keep stock piling on high top draft picks from shitty seasons and still have the balls to criticize us after yet ANOTHER high draft pick season? You guys outta be the cream of the crop anytime now.. I mean come on losers. and you wanna talk about players being products of other teams? how bout your last Superbowl run.. Rich Gannon, Jerry Rice, Bill Romanowski, Tory James, and Rod Woodson.. eat what you preach and shut up.
6 days ago
Raider Card, your argument makes sense, but I don't believe it is at all valid. No one proclaimed Griese/plummer to be amazing Qbs. Griese is a fighter, but does not have a talented arm. Plummer was good because Shanahan was able to set up his passing game with his running game. If you had watched any of the plummer games, most of his successful passes came off a bootleg and play actions. Denver drafted plummer because when the time came for Plummer to throw the team onto his shoulders and deal with pressure, he couldn't do it.
Jay Cutler has good projections because of his performance based on the given situations. Three Broncos OL starters went down in 06-07' (Nalen, Lepsis, Hamilton) I don't know if you've ever known anyone with diabetes but when your body isn't converting food to energy, you are constantly fatigued. It's like not sleeping for two day straight and expecting your mind to be sharp.
Now, you could do away with any of these excuses if you choose; Cutler does have talent and can make the type of throws needed.
In the end, players with a ton of talent have only one thing to prove: can they WORK HARD to achieve greatness? Cutler has proven to me that he is a hard workers. Hard workers always = success.
Great QBs always need a great supporting cast. You couldn't even name a HoF Qb without a great Oline and gifted receivers.
Montana=>Rice
Favre=>Freeman, Driver
Manning=>Harrison,Wayne
Brady=>Moss
Romo=>T.O.
Qb with great talent would be worthless if he's: A. Getting sacked. B. Receivers don't get open and drop the ball.
If you're given an Oline and top notch receivers, it all depends on whether or not your QB can handle pressure. No Elway didn't have top notch receivers, but he had TD; but he also has the most game winning drives and 4th quarter comebacks for a reason.
1 day ago
How dare you Raider fans comment on Jay Cutler on his performance. When was the last time the Raiders have had a winning season? Raiders have won only 13 games since losing the superbowl in 2003, and that was 5 years ago. Broncos are the last AFC team to win the superbowl. Not to mention the "hatred" between Mike Shanahan and Al Davis. As long as Shanny is the coach, the Raider "beatings" will continue. Raiders are 5 wins and 21 losses when Shanny has been here. Raiders having 4 different coaches in the last 5 years and still can't have a winning season. The road they are on is going nowhere. That is pitiful. For the the last 5 years I have seen the Raiders in last place while Broncos have made playoffs 3 straight years in a row and the AFC title game in 2005. Ha!, having 4 different coaches in the last 5 years is no wonder they pick up garbage players. Go figure!
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