Cutler Chasing Consistency

Jay Cutler came into the 2008 season destined for stardom. Blessed with a Howitzer for an arm and the short term memory of a Labrador puppy, Jay seemed to have all the tools needed to crash the party of the league's upper-echelon of quarterbacks.

When the season officially started the compliments and comparisons to a certain Denver Duke kept coming as Cutler led the surprising Broncos to a 3-0 start and boasted the highest scoring offense in the NFL. In the season's first month, Cutler completed 102-157 passes (64.9 completion %) for 1,275 yards notching nine TDs to four INTs in being named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month. The Broncos owned a 3-1 record and were top dogs in the AFC West.

Fast forward to today. The Broncos are still on top of the AFC West, but at 4-3 and coming off one of the worst performances in Broncos recent history, a 41-7 drubbing at the hands of the Patriots on Monday Night Football, there is definitely some unrest in Broncos Country.

Though Cutler cannot singularly be faulted for the recent missteps (the defense harbors the most culpability by far) his play, and his mouth, in recent weeks have opened Cutler up for criticism at the hands of the national media and his own fans here in Denver. The Broncos have gone 1-2 in October due in part because their explosive offense has suddenly sputtered.

In the last three games, Cutler has gone 61-97 for 587 yards with four touchdowns compared to three interceptions. He has also lost a fumble. One has to ask: why the about-face?

Cutler and the Broncos offense have been bitten by the injury elephant with starters Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokely, Tony Scheffler, and Selvin Young all missing time on the infirmary list. That's not even mentioning number 1 receiver Brandon Marshall's suspension for the first game of the season.

While the offense hasn't been playing with a full deck for much of the team's recent downturn, Cutler will be the last Bronco player to use that as an excuse. When he speaks to the media, he speaks bluntly and with an implicit confidence that borders on arrogance. Though those tools are indispensable for a successful quarterback in the NFL, his comments have gotten him in some hot water in recent weeks.

In a recent Sporting News article, Cutler made a comment that he had a stronger arm than Broncos legend John Elway and refused to back down from the statement even when national media prognosticators more or less told him to keep his mouth shut and back up his statements with his play on the field.

He has also fueled the fire in an ongoing feud with Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers was seen jawing at Cutler during the Broncos-Chargers Monday night game last Christmas Eve and Cutler has responded by going public with comments that he doesn't like the way Rivers carries himself on the field.

After the bye week, Cutler will have to try and rejuvenate this offense that has become more of a Jekyll and Hyde act than a run and gun. The Broncos are still in the driver's seat in the AFC West, but they have shown the last few weeks that maybe these players are not quite ready for prime time.

LL Cool Jay Still Hates Philip Rivers

Well it seems our beloved robot of a quarterback, Jay Cutler, is once again in the news for what comes out of his mouth rather than the numbers he puts up on the field. Last night on the Best Damn Sports Show Period host Chris Rose, in an attempt to bait Jay into saying something he'd regret (like that he has a stronger arm than Denver deity John Elway perhaps?), asked Jay about his icy relationship with San Diego Chargers douche-in-chief Philip Rivers. Instead of being diplomatic about the whole situation and saying the usual stump speech about how Rivers is a great quarterback but they just don't talk much and blah blah blah, the Cut man shot from the hip in the same way he slings footballs on Sundays:

“We're not best of friends at all. We don’t really have a lot of contact with each other, you know, it’s become a nice rivalry," Cutler said. "We’re both younger guys and both on pretty good teams in the same division and get to see each other twice. I’m just not that big of a fan of the guy.” Cutler continued, “I don’t like how he carries himself. I don’t like some of the stuff he does on the field.”

I have to admit, while Cutler shows virtually no emotion when he does anything (I think he could have the same outward appearance when speaking about his grandmother's death as when he talks about a game that we won in which he threw 32 touchdowns), it's what makes him a great quarterback. He doesn't let anything rattle him and he's got unwavering confidence. While he's mastered the cliches of the postgame interview, if you ask him an honest question, he's going to give you an honest answer. That's what happened in the now infamous quote about Elway's arm, and now he's come under fire for it. To be honest, I love that kind of calm arrogance in my quarterback. He thinks he's the best quarterback in football and he believes it so matter-of-factly that you're not really sure that you disagree with him. Is he the best QB in football? Not yet. But I have no doubt that he'll be there within the next few years. Plus, I mean, have you seen Philip Rivers? That guy's a total jackass.

Punching Philip Rivers or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

"Just win, baby! Or I'll bite off your head and feed you to my transvestite, Kiss-loving minions! Also, I pooped my pants. Where's my nurse?"

Well, I'm back, just like the Backstreet Boys before me (and New Kids on the Block). Sorry I've been away, my loves. I was on a Buddhist retreat in Nepal. It was a lot of fun. I learned that we are all one in the arms of the Buddha. I also learned how to truly eat a peach, not simply consume it. With my newfound awareness, I shall return to my postings, post-haste:

Since yours and my defending National League Champion Rockies only feel like defending third place against the Giants, and are all but eliminated from the playoffs, I'll turn my eye to the Broncos.

Go Broncos. Ha ha, Raiders. That was pathetic joke that was much closer to the Nanking Massacre, than a football game (true, a couple hundred thousand fewer people died, and there was no raping and pillaging, but outside of that? very similar).

Then there was the Chargers game. To what historical event can I compare this game? I don't know, Andrew Jackson's presidency? They were both absolutely crazy, borderline comical in their absurdity, and, of course, a lot of fun. Well, maybe Jackson's presidency wasn't very fun for the Native Americans (that was ironic and tongue and cheek, I have a heart). The Chargers game was certainly fun for any Native American Broncos fans. I can't remember seeing a regular season game (playoff games are always aggrandized) that was this memorable. There were points abound, lead shifts, a fourth quarter comeback, officiating errors that may never leave the water cooler, and, of course, several dramatic plays that were do or die.

My conclusions from the first eight of the season:

The Broncos offense is nuts. There is the obvious: Jay Cutler is good now; his Royal highness, Eddie and U.S. Marshall, Brandon are a dual threat whose diverging skill sets compliment each other; Scheffler is another good wideout, whom they, for some reason, call a tight end; and the offensive line has somehow altered the space time continuum around the trenches so that Cutler has infinite time in which to throw.

I think the less obvious aspect of the Broncos offense, and, as a sort-of sports writer I must dip into the platitudes, is: they played as a team. Hell, I could be an analyst on ESPN! Though hearing about team chemistry in baseball makes me shed a tear (The guy on deck's presence really makes the hitter at the plate much better at hitting baseballs, just by standing there. I think he farted too. That kind of stuff intimidates the pitcher and really helps out the team.), I can't help but think that it is huge in football. Basically all 11 players on both sides of the ball are needed or the play can break down. All 11 players on offense played their parts in the first two games.

The offensive line (now a pass blocking unit, apparently) allowed Cutler to be sacked once and paved the way for 4.9 yards per carry. Cutler and his wideouts look like they have the kind of rapport that Peyton Manning has with Wayne and Harrison. The trio of running backs has run the ball sufficiently, but could step it up. Shanny could also decide on who is the main back (I've had all three on my fantasy team at some point and it would be nice to know who will get me the most points). The under-appreciated position of fullback has been covered well by Peyton Hillis too. When all this is put together we have an offense that marches, unflinchingly, down the field on almost every drive. Kernster has punted but thrice 'gainst the Chargers and but twice 'gainst the Oaktowners.

The offense is fun to watch, they play as a team, and they have the mix and match parts that confuse defenses without having a huge dropoff in production. They are having a huge season so far, on pace to beat the Patriots record for points in a season, set last year. As a Broncos fan, it should be a fun offensive season. The only defenses that they will have to worry about for the rest of the season are, basically, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, New England, Buffalo, and the Chargers again in SD. None of those D's are all that spectacular anyways. There should be several pro bowlers on the Broncos offense. Knock on wood.

The defense, however, is much less spectacular and much lass cohesive. They looked great against the Raiders, but I, by myself, would look good on D against the Raiders. There is a caveat, too; the Raiders rushed the ball well against the Broncos. Then the Chargers rushed and passed well against the same D. It looks like there is still a long ways to go for the D. I guess we'll see how they do against the Saints. Reggie Bush better not go all Sproles on us and Drew Brees better not go all Philip Rivers on us (I don't mean try to start a fight with Jay Cutler).

Speaking of which, I really want to punch Philip Rivers in the face. I'm not really a violent person. I've never even been in a real fight before, but, god damn, it would be satisfying to hit him square in the face. Just look at him:
I know he has about 6 inches on me and about 70 pounds, but I don't care. You hear that Philip? I will sock you right in the mouth!

Go Buffs tonight! West Virginia is full of West Virginians (gross)! Fuck 'em up, fuck 'em up, go CU! (I wish all my professors moved around tests and essays to avoid Broncos games too)