DISQUS

Down & Out in D-Town · 3 years ago

Only 'if and But's' were party nuts...oh, what a party we'd have! The problem is the season doesn't end today. We have 4 games remaining and I question if we could win 2 of the 4 let alone 3. The key game will be Cincy. Make or Break! However, I would question what hope do we have by making the playoffs? From what I've seen, unless the Broncos can receive an extreme makeover - football edition, we're looking at ONE & DONE!!!

chuck schott · 3 years ago

I wonder if the player that needs to be benched is even suiting up for the games. It's time to take a hard look at the guy behind the bug eyes and the reading glasses. Cutler looked like Plumber 7.0, a little faster and in a nicer package but with many glitches to work out in testing. We probally should have stuck with Jake and worked the new kid in a play or two at a time. Is there a rule thet we have to play just one QB?

Vandy Alum · 3 years ago

Cutler need to sit and learn before his career goes south before it starts. Shannahan threw him in the fire when the kid wasn't ready and he probably knew it too.

Put in Plummer in and give the kid a chance to have a career in the NFL by sitting and learning. Vandy did not give him the proper preperation to be a starter as a rookie in the NFL. Break him in slowly or he will be another Tim Couch.

jason · 3 years ago

I agree one and done for us, thats even if we make the playoffs this year.I agree with everyone saying we would have won that game with Plummer under center.Throwing Cutler to the fire will benefits 2-3 years down the road not when you have a playoff caliber team.This team was built to win this year, not 2-3 years from now. Sorry Rod, Lynch & Nalen.

JA · 3 years ago

Not the start we had hoped for but I don't think it was that bad. Yes cutler made a bad decision by throwing the ball up for grabs instead of taking a sack. On the other hand I watched Jay complete a couple passes that Jake wouldn't of been able to. Also we converted on a couple of third downs which is something I've never seen before.

Since when did our o-line turn into a bunch of bowling pins and getting knocked around?
And when are we going to see our special teams not make a mistake?? I can't stand watching our defense force a punt just to have the returner fumble the ball right back to the other team. Do we not practice special teams or what?

It looks to me like we'll be drafting all offensive and defensive line-men in the draft. Mean-while lets get our line-men some extra padding for their rears because it looks like they'll be spending the rest of the season on their butts.

Huge Bronco Fan · 3 years ago

I'm very disappointed watching the Bronco's play. Their offense is uninspiring but has the talent to be a top tier playoff contender. I think it was a mistake to put Cutler in as QB this late in the season. I don't think they should've pulled Jake, what they need is a total offensive makeover. Unless Cutler starts inspiring his offense to block better and allow their rushing game to take hold, they will never make the playoffs. That defense has to be tired, holding the sinking ship afloat. It doesn't look good.

elberte · 3 years ago

Welcome back, Denver Broncos. We almost missed you from up here. Makes me almost feel sorry for the kid QB who has to come to San Diego this week and face that front 7 of the Chargers. He will make a wonderful sacrifice.

the little guy · 3 years ago

I agree with people who say that QB is not the real issue in Denver.I could see last year that there were places on the Denver team that needed to be shored up. We needed pass rush help, O-line help and a running back who actually had the skill to beat out that future hall of famer Mike Anderson.(I hope you folks know sarcasm when you read it.)I like most fans thought a lot of these problem areas would be adressed with all the draft picks we stock piled.We traded them away for a pick for the future and cemented the fact that we would probably be also rans in the 2006 season.Our best chance to win in 2007 and beyond is(hopefully) Jay Cutler. Our best chance to win now is Jake Plummer.

gimme a break · 3 years ago

YOU GIYS ARE UNBELIEVABLE! JAY CUTLER IS A ROOKIE, THERES A REASON THAT IN THEIR FIRST NFL GAMES, ROOKIES ARE 7 AND 36...HE MADE A MISTAKE THAT GAVE UP 7, INSTEAD OF COWERING LIKE A SCARED GIRL..HE CAME OUT POISED AND CONFIDENT AND PUT US IN A POSITION TO WIN..20 TO 20 WITH LESS THAN A MINUTE AND OUR DEFENSE CAN'T STOP HASSELBACK. lARRY COYER NEEDS TO BE LET GO, OUR DEFENSE HAS BEEN EXPOSED...JAY LOOKED HAD HIS UPS AND DOWN, BUT SOME OF YOU ARE CALLING HIM JAKE PLUMMER..WHAT DOES THAT SAY FOR A ROOKIE TO LOOK LIKE A 10 YEAR VETERAN..NOT GOOD! RALLY BEHIND YOUR QUARTERBACK,,GO JAY!

Matt the Cat · 3 years ago

Cutler did not lose the game. The defense lost the game! That last drive there was absolutely NO pass rush. They gave Hasselback all the time in the world to make multiple, long yard completions that set up their field goal. Also, Cutler made some throws that Plummer *never* would have been able to make. I'm convinced Plummer would have lossed that game, Cutler at least gave us a chance at the end. Defense needs get some pressure on when it counts!

dave · 3 years ago

Now that this QB shuffle proved what most of us rational people knew all along, that it was not Jake Plummer but a transparent Defense and a bowling pin O-Line (to quote the above commenter),
I wonder what people are going to be pointing at this week?

Shanahan? Maybe that was the issue all along (bootleg, bootleg, bootleg, what a great way to expose a rookie QB). Maybe send them all packing, including John Lynch, the apologist spokesperson.

Broncos will finish .500 Too bad.

Jason L · 3 years ago

Don't Sugar Coat it, Cutler (and Shannahan for starting him) was the sole reason the broncos lost last night. He single handedly gave Seattle 13 points.

Tatum Bell had over 130 yards, the Defense held Seattle to 10 points, not including the points because of Cutler's mistakes. Everything was clicking besides the quarterback and all he had to do was NOT make the mistake. HE IS NOT ready to start in this league. If it were not for Brandon Marshall's great play, Cutler would have thrown for under 100 yards, two interceptions, a fumble and an under 50% completion ratio. He had great field position for the majority of the night too.

Cutler may go 0-5 this year as a starter, which could get us a good draft pick. Troy Smith anyone?????

Brian James · 3 years ago

Considering everything, Cutler did pretty well.

How many rookie quarterbacks have started in the last quarter of the season for a playoff contender where the starter was replaced (not injured)? Now add to that the fact that the game was a must win for BOTH teams in the playoff hunt. Now add to that the fact that this was THE SUNDAY NIGHT NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAME and that everyone would be scrutinizing Cutler's play. Add to that the fact that Shanahan's play calling was hideous at best and designed to let any quaterback fail.

Name ONE QB who had to endure the above circumstances.

Be patient, the kid will be great. But also be realistic. The Broncos weren't going anywhere with or without Jake in the first place. THIS IS A REBUILIDING YEAR and Shanahan realized it after the KC loss. Might as well let Cutler get his feet wet. How does 9-7 sound?

Dan-o · 3 years ago

Sorry, but Shanny gave up on the season making Jay the starterfor this game. Not only did Jay make that awful sandlot interception (which he probably never will do again) but he threw a bunch into double or triple coverage. Got a good arm, but his inexperience bit him. Bottom line, Jay's offense couldn't beat a team that played terribly. The "D" did well- how much do you want from them. Special teams pitiful. But I think Jake would have won that game and they would be going into San Diego in a better position.

Eric S · 3 years ago

I think Cutler handled himself fine last night. I'd much rather see him in there then Jake. What I want to know is what the heck were the referees looking at when they called defensive holding on Veal on that final drive. We stopped them and they were going to punt, but they call a holding penalty on a defensive linemen?! I saw no holding at all. He was double-teamed trying to break through the line. That was the most questionable call of the night.

Also, had it not been for Clark's and MBell's fumbles we have a totally different outcome. I support Jay Cutler, and I hope the rest of my fellow Broncos fans will too. Stop comparing Cutler to Plummer. Cutler will one day be 10Xs better then Plummer could ever imagine.

Go Cutler!!! Go Broncos!!!

Andy · 3 years ago

I'm laughing at these weak Denver fans who can't admit that Jake Plummer was their best chance for the playoffs. See what you get for being so spoiled with the Elway error. Jake is a starter not a backup and will be a starter again after this season somewhere else. Jay Cutler will not only be lucky to win one more game this year, but this guy does not look like he's going to have much NFL success in the years to come either. If you want to really see how a rookie should start his career, I would refer you to a video of Jake Plummer's NFL debut. You Denver fans have no clue how stupid you were in calling for Jake's replacement.

toxic · 3 years ago

Too bad Larry Coyer can't call a better defense that prevent. Prevent allows you to go down the field but doesnt allow the big TD. Same defense that NE scored on us, same defense that Payton torched, and same defense that was allowed to move into FG range. I don't understand why he doesn't play his normal defense. I think Jay will be fine, now lets fire Coyer and get a fearless D-Coordinator!

Josh · 3 years ago

Bottome Line...

BRONCOS STILL HAVEN'T WON A GAME WITHOUT JAKE UNDER CENTER SINCE HE HAS BEEN HERE.

Jake is a winner.

firstdownfemale · 3 years ago

Last week I felt sorry for Plummer being replaced. This week I feel sorry for Cutler coming into a tough situation. But I was impressed with Cutler's confidence. They almost won! I think he will become a strong QB, just tough to watch the rookie throwing the ball up for grabs and tripping over his own feet. www.ivillage.com/femalefan puts up contenders for Sunday Night's Sexist players, and this week I voted for Cutler simply because of those sad post-game puppy dog eyes.

A die hard denver fan from Jer · 3 years ago

I am highly disappointed in the defense. Each week the defense gives up in the second half. Two totally different defenses. They need to seriously send a pass rusher or some kind of delayed blitz to keep the opposing QB running or possible sacked. All the time they give QB's to pass is killing denvers defense. We need a better script on defense Shanahan.

John · 3 years ago

Did you all watch the same game? Did you see Rod Smith, Mike Bell, Brian Clark, and Darrent Williams all fumble? Where is the paper is anyone castigating these guys? Every one of those mistakes killed a drive. The Williams fumble was when Al Wilson was hurt. What a bone-head move to not make a fair catch at that point in the game.

Cutler gets 1 tipped, and 1 major mistake when he didn't take the sack.

But no way does Plummer make some of those throws Cutler made.

We're still in the playoff picture.

Atwater27 · 3 years ago

Cutler will be fine. He's a bright kid with immense talent who will learn from his mistakes.

This "playoff intensity" down the stretch will be invaluable for him next year and beyond. Bronco fans need to look just a bit further down the road... think how much of a "cakewalk" September and October games will be for him next year compared to what he's about to go through the next month.

Denvr won't be headed to Miami this year, but the Broncos will make the playoffs and Cutler will impress before the season is out- setting up an exciting '07 season.

Mark · 3 years ago

I'm so tired of the prevent defense.
We only seemed to use it towards the end of the game this time.
Like usual, it prevented us from stoping the opposing offense.

Bryan · 3 years ago

Come on guys....I know Bronco Country is frustrated, but lets not put this all on Cutler. Besides, where are all the tride and true fans who were screaming for Plummer's head? I thought Jay played like I expected....he's a rookie and he's going to make mistakes. What's the difference between Jay throwing a pick on his way down and Plummer throwing a pick left handed? These players as a team need to decide whether they want to play anymore this year, because I have never seen Rod Smith make an outstanding first down grab and fumble the ball on the way down. Also, I believe this goes a lot deeper than the players......what about the play selections called? I'm still holding out for a little Mile High Magic.....but this team needs to play more passionate.

Denver Drunko · 3 years ago

Did the Broncs want to make the playoffs this year?Apparently not.

Pulling a winning QB afer two very close losses to decent teams was ridiculous. To replace him with a R and zero primetime snaps? Plain stupid.

Denver would have won that game, fans. Jake may not be John, but he's the best we got. How about a new safety or coach? Start blaming these close loses to prevent-defence.

Daniel · 3 years ago

I'm glad the UK networks have shown most of Denver's regular season games live this season. Sadly I don't think there will be much opportunity to see them in the playoffs.

I said before the QB switch was made that the recent losses were not all down to Jake, and now to be fair I will say that the Seattle loss was not all down to Jay. The first half INT was the very definition of a rookie mistake, but otherwise he did okay. He wasn't responsible for all the turnovers, other guys out there made mistakes too.

Playcalling was a bit strange to say the least. Javon and Rod didn't even need to play in the second half. I sure didn't see any plays called for them. I thought the point of putting Jay in was to open up the passing game?

Starting field position again was a joke. Does Williams know that he's allowed to run punts back, or does he think the only move available is to fair catch?

Respect to the D though, 5 drives started in our own half and only 6 points given up. Champ Bailey for defensive MVP!

Hopaboard · 3 years ago

It takes a team to win and a team to lose..Cutler is a rookie and will give it all..but he is only one man of many. The Defense really looked tired , and there are injuries across the board. Go Broncos!

Anonymous · 3 years ago

Lots of people are saying Cutler looked like Plummer. Well for a rookie to look like a decent 10-year veteran in his first NFL start against the defending NFC Champions is not so bad, is it? Get off of Cutler's back. He didn't bench Plummer and put himself in. He thought he was going to be able to sit and learn all season. He got tossed in and he made the most of it. The team was in a position to win with over 2 minutes left. If the D runs something other than prevent, and we force a punt, then Elam kicks the game winner instead of Brown, Cutler would be celebrated, not maligned.

Alex in Salt Lake · 3 years ago

I love how the Plummer haters come out only after he is at the helm of a loss, and now we have Cutler haters coming out after he is at the helm of a loss.

Did anyone miss Rod's fumble? How about Mike Bell's? Brian Clark's? Darrent's near-fumble that ended with Al Wilson being carted off on a stretcher? How about the lack of pass rush in the fourth quarter?

Cutler's first pick was dreadful, yes. The second pick was preventable, but not entirely his fault. We still turned the ball over three other times. And nevermind that we tied the game, only to see the Hawks drive down and score in the final minute.

At least we can take solace in the fact that we've lost to the two best teams in the league, we've lost in a place we NEVER win (KC), and the Seahawks are division leaders, at least.

We didn't have much of a shot this year anyway. Give Cutler some reps. Get 'em next year.

AndrewW · 3 years ago

#21 & #22, I agree with both of you. Take away 3 turnovers and we win the game. Also, Jay C already learned from his mistakes. After throwing the INT for the TD, on other series, while under pressure he took the sack or threw the ball away. Give him time. We hoped that he would debut as Superboy, but we knew he might play like a rookie. Let's wait 'til this time next year to judge whether not he can play. It was and still is the time for Jay C. to be the Broncos QB.

Joe · 3 years ago

Perhaps it is time to put the pressure on the coach himself, Jake is not the entire team, Jay is not the entire team, the defense looked pretty good last night, yes late in the game, no pass rush, but that did not lose the game, the defense kept Seattle out of the end zone, but look at the play calling, not just last night but for several weeks. Maybe the next change should be the coach, he has done wonders here, but at some point, especially in sports, the best change is a coaching change.

Steve V · 3 years ago

The fans and the media of Denver wanted to bench a QB who gave them a 13 win season last year and took them one win from the Super Bowl. Yes, he did not beat the red-hot Steelers, but I’m not sure if many teams would have. All the emotion over drafting a QB, some ugly losses, all contributed to the destroying of the brain cells of the some of the people in Denver. How many of the previous 4 losses were Jake’s, or even, the offense’s fault? I seem to remember Jake looking real good against Indy. There were a decent amount of points up against SD too.

Face it, this team is not what you think it is. They lack talent all around, especially in the coaching staff. Do you really think Shanahan thinks Cutler is ready? He is covering he own rear-end. If he didn’t make the change all the blame would fall on him. People need to stop calling him a genius and realize he’s just a coach who won some Super Bowls with a team built by the previous coach. He has been unable to build he own team because he has no clue on how to evaluate talent and what to do with it when he has it.

The bottom line is the people of Denver traded a chance in the playoffs for the chance that Cutler may be the second coming of Elway. If you look at all this talent this team has lost over the last few years and the arrogant, pompous coach who thought his coaching prowess would make up for it, you will see that even if he was the second coming of Elway, you will never know. Enjoy all the low points over the next few years, and, remember, this is what you wanted!

Denver Realist! · 3 years ago

I would Rather see rookie mistakes from an actual rookie over a 10 year vet! Jay looked like jake Plummer last night, but ya know what..Jake has played over a hundred something games, Jay Cutler, one! Give him a break, I'm very excited about our future prospect! He will do fine! REAL BRONCOS FAN LOVE YOU JAY WE"RE PATIENT! Even if we leave Jake in we go to the playoffs as a wild card and what have to go to Indy or New England, where of course we lose! Giving Jay this experience will benefit this team in the end! What we need is a better O-line, a more efficient pass rush and a real threat at tight end!

Dave · 3 years ago

I doubt the Broncos are going far in the playoffs this year, no matter who the quarterback is.

Better to start Cutler now and let him gain experience and confidence these last few games than wait until next year and start slowly while he gets his first reps.

JP · 3 years ago

My take, not that I know anything about football, is the kid will gain some great real football experience for NEXT year.

Deep down, the Broncos know that a run to the super bowl is unlikely this year because of the following:

1) Let's face it, the offense sux - with Plummer or with Cutler it won’t matter. There are too many injuries, there is no running game and only one good receiver (I love Smith, but damn, he's too old). We can’t score points and the last time I checked, you need them to win games. The defense, although good - does not score points (the 2000 Ravens D did score points on TO's).

2) The Chargers and Colts are too tough this year - if you can’t beat those teams at home, how can you really expect to win on the road against them in January?

So, all in all, I like the kid in there, but it's simply to get good snaps in for next year.

Am I throwing in the towel here? Maybe, but c'mon, the Broncos are loosing games at HOME, there are 5 other AFC wild cards teams in contention and the cream of the AFC is not just the Colts and New England, but also the Charges, too - who, come next week, will have kicked our asses twice.

Hate to say it, but this year is a bust.

On the bright side, I like what I saw in Cutler. He is tall, strong and athletic - effectively putting an end to any QB controversy in Denver. Draft and sign another wide receiver, running back and someone to pass rush and we'll be right there in 2007.



JP

SoTXBroncoFan · 3 years ago

Mike, no matter how you sugar coat it, it's bad. The fact is Shanahan and Coyer have run this team into the ground. What was a promising year with hope of continued offensive success and a new defensive scheme that would allow more pressure and sacks has turned out to be the exact opposite! FOOL'S GOLD!!!

The playcalling by Mike has been VERY questionable and when he calls for a fake in that situation, it sealed it for me. The guy has lost it!

Read what Jason had to say: "The film we were watching on Seattle, they do a low, hard rush, and (around end) there is no one there," Elam said. "They just didn't rush as hard on that play. The idea was no one's there and I walk in the end zone."

I'm sorry, Jason. I love ya, but, you were NOT going to score...NO WAY, NO HOW! You're lucky you got the 1st down. Now, next time, if there is a next time, GO OUT OF BOUNDS!!!

As for Coyer with his 'we just got to play better' comments are TIRED. Hey, how about adjustments? Did anyone notice the adjustment by Seattle in the 2nd half after giving up 100+ yards to TB in the 1st? Adjustments.

To say it again and again: PREVENT DEFENSE PREVENTS YOU FROM WINNING.

Cutler is a Beast · 3 years ago

If you have any doubts about Cutler whatsoever, simply visit www.jaycutler.com and all your worries will disappear. I mean, Mr. Olympia? That guy can totally play.

Brian · 3 years ago

Cutler did as best as can be expected considering he did'nt have any help from the O-line.
Lack of a real pass rush and a second corner is also really hurting them.

Becca · 3 years ago

I'm not worried about the judgement of any of you armchair quarterbacks! You all are the same people who booed Elway his 1st coupla years in the league! Hopefully you all are as right about Cutler as you were about Elway and we win 2 more SuperBowls! I thought Broncos fans were passionate about their team, now I realize you guys are only passionate about winning! What happened to rallying behind our team...Shanahan is a good coach...one off year (still in the playoff hunt) and you guys want him fired too! You all should be ashamed of yourselves, as Oakland and KC and San Diego laugh at the devisiveness of our city! Quit acting like babies and realize that we have a real talent in number 6!

The Truth · 3 years ago

Why does everybody think Cutler is the future? How does anyone know if this guy is any good? He performed well against a 2nd and 3rd string defense made up of players that are now selling insurance? In the preseason no less. This guy was not even a projected first round pick until the NFL combine. He didn’t win much in college. What am I missing? Everyone created this great euphoria over this guy when no one has a clue as to what the facts are. Remember when Shanahan said that Plummer can “make all the throws, and some no one else can make�? As a matter of fact, Jake usually has much more zip on his passes then the one’s I saw Cutler throw last night. While you are running around spending hundreds of dollars buying all those Cutler jerseys, remember this. Jake Plummer has the best winning percentage out of any Broncos QB and he won with half the talent surrounding him Elway had when he was here. Start basing your opinions on facts, not emotion. Wake up people!

KEVIN · 3 years ago

i wish everyone would stop gradeing plummer and cutler to the "great johne elway". he's retired now! get over it. there will never be another elway in football. give the qb's a break already.

Ferg · 3 years ago

Just like the last three weeks, our quarterback was the best offensive player on our field.

Defense did just fine.

Jay's gonnna be fine.

Jake woulda won the game.

Either one is the best offensive player we have.

BroncoFan#8023 · 3 years ago

I agree for the most part with what JP just posted. Too many key injuries.

And Cutler is looking to have good potential. I just feel the best chance to win would be with Plummer. I am not here to knock the players, coaches, owners, etc. I think there is fault with everyone. But I think with a healthy T. Bell, Plummer has the best chance to win games. The running game is and always has been key in there success. Teams look for that in Denver which gives Plummer the ability to hit his sadly depleted receivers.

I agree the season is looking over, terrible because the have such potential.

Just pathetic the lack of confidence the so called "die hard" fans showed in there QB who has only brought them to the playoffs each year and a game away from the SB.

Bryan-D · 3 years ago

I’m thinking this is so sad. I love all you guys; I really do, because you all (well most of you) bleed orange and blue like myself. But, this is crazy. Look at the numbers. Really look them up. Jay has just about the same numbers, if not better, when compared to all the supposed "superstar to be" quarterbacks of this year. In fact, look at his numbers against all the greats of the past. I did, and he did great for his first game! I mean, these guys get paid millions for a reason, and QB is the hardest job of them all. On another note, and this is terrible, I’ve come to notice that most of those that were screaming for Cutler last week, are now saying that they “knew� this was a bad idea. Really people… Let’s all be supporting fans again! We still have a shot at this thing, and I believe both Plummer and Cutler are better QB’s than any of us will ever be. Guess that’s the privilege of being a fan; getting to complain about someone doing something we can’t ourselves do. GO BRONCOS!!!

Hopaboard · 3 years ago

Hey, they lost, it takes a whole team to win and to lose.Right on, there is no reason to compare Cutler to Elway, he was history. The here and now is Cutler, he did fine last night for being fresh.Maybe that is exactly what this team needs right now is a change , a little fire-in-the-belly. The O has been rough and so has the defense, not to mention special teams, but it's all apart of the big picture as a whole. Broncos are still a great ball club. So much talent

CB · 3 years ago

Here are the stats from Jake Plummers FIRST GAME this year (loss to the rams)after he had the whole preseason to practice with the first team offense(not to mention he has started for 4 yrs with Denver)

13/26 for 138 yds
0 td's
3 Int
1 fumble
4 sacks(-40 yds)

Talk about being a little rusty.

Here are Cutler's stats for his first ever NFL game this year after practicing for ONE WEEK with the 1st team offense.

10/21- 143 yds
2 TD's
2 Int
1 fumble
1 sack(-6 yds)

I think this is an interesting comparison for people who are down on Jay Cutler.

the little guy · 3 years ago

Please,please please people! Understand! No one is criticizing Jay Cutler. He is only a rookie. But this is not the time and place for a rookie. Rookies play on teams that win 2or 3 games the previous year. People keep talking about Elway. Elway started for a team that was 2-9 in a strike shortened season the year before and replaced a Quarterback who had been in the league sinc 1978 and never had a winning record until he went to the chiefs in the 90's.Jake Plummer has the winningest record in the last 4 years of all starting QB's outside of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.We were 7-4 and 2 of the losses were nip and tuck struggles against 2 of the leagues elite teams.Why is everyone so opposed to Jay sitting for the year? Did it hurt Phillip Rivers? Did it hurt Carson Palmer? Jay Cutler is probably going to be a Super Quarterback and his time will come. But man...not now!

SoTXBroncoFan · 3 years ago

@ Truth

While you're still basking in the shadow of Jake who is 4 games away (+ playoff?) from being a former Bronco, let me ask you how many playoff games did Jake win?

Go ahead and run the 'highest winning percentage out of any Broncos QB' up your flag pole while we wave his (fact) 'throwing percentage', (fact) 'average yard per completion', (fact) 'TD/INT ratio' and (fact) overall 'pass rating'!! up ours. To simply hang your hat on that hat rack stat suggests you're just a fair weather fan. For if you followed Jake and the Broncos, you'd know the team won in spite of JP. FACT.

As for what you're 'missing' and questioning 'How does anyone know if this guy (Cutler) is any good?' also reaffirms how little you know about the Broncos or football, in general. A quick refresher for ya: The kid is Jay Cutler. Fact. He wears #6. Fact. Jay was our 1st round pick. Fact. He was arguably one of this year's top QB's out of college. Fact. What leads skeptics to agree he is 'good' or going to be special in the league? Well, Truth, Jay is a big strong QB with a very strong arm who is athletic, intelligent and can spread the field. Fact.

Although everyone would prefer to sit Jay,(fact)we have no other option considering that your boy, Jake, possesses none of the above referenced traits and he's been in the league for 10 years making $9 mil per season. Fact. For the money and experience, having won so little in the post season, we are forced to go in a different direction despite you fair weather fans who catch the score on the evening news or read about on www.denverpost.com. Not just emotion, but, simple fact that!!!

Bryan-D...I clammored for Jay when they were 7-2 (check the past blogs) and I still beleive in JC. As I said, I'll sacrafice the short term if it means long term success and SB wins!!!

John D · 3 years ago

In 2004, Plummer broke the record for the Broncos for TD Passes in a season (27) and passing yards in a season with 4089 yards (255 yards a game). He did with 58% completion ratio and a QB rating of 85. It could be looked at as the best year of any broncos QB.

What is missing ingredient from 2004?

http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/teams/stats?t...

The only thing I can come up with is the play calling. Shanny decided after the Indy loss that year that he would have to win on the back of his defense and ball control and a QB that doen't make the mistake. That hasn't worked yet and the media hates this non glamour approach to offense and berates the QB for it.

Cutler lost that game last night for sure and they win it with Plummer but this thing is bigger than the QB.

SoTXBroncoFan · 3 years ago

CB, thank you for putting it into perspective. So, Jo(a)ke supporters, here's another stat and reason why Jay was put in...if one plays like a rookie, then, why not play the rookie? Case closed. Let us rally around our future and not dwell on our past mistjake.

CM · 3 years ago

To Comment by SoTXBroncoFan:

Who has the single season Broncos record for TD passes (27) and passing yards (4089)? Jake Plummer - Fact.


This team is need of an overhaul. You might be lucky to go .500 this year that is if the flyer that you took in the draft from Vanderbilt wins a game this year, but medicrity will become this team over the next three years. Mark my words.

Robby the Greek · 3 years ago

OK, these postings show some good football insight. Let me ask these questions I've been pondering: 1) With all the predicted (and actual) blitzes being thrown at Jay, where were the screen passes to take the heat off? 2) What was with all the three step drops? To my memory, Jay did better with a 5 step drop and more time to look downfield. Shame on the coaching staff for pitiful preparation and play calling.

adam · 3 years ago

I don't think it's that bad. It was painful to watch last night's game. But I think there is still hope.

www.thankyoujake.com

David · 3 years ago

Cutler looked scared in his weekly interview on wecdnesday and he looked scared on Sunday night. Shanahan made a horrific descion and should shelve his pride and put Plummer back in the game. But, I know he wont do that because he is to worried how it will effect his genious status. Plummer at the very least played the game with passion and fire. Cutler looked as if he needed some coffee to wake up. Put Plummer back in and save the season, let the kid sit and learn. Were going to miss Jake when he is gone, people never know what they have until its gone.

den199798 · 3 years ago

The play-calling is pathetic. What was that fake field goal supposed to accomplish?? 3rd and 5 and you run with Mike Bell and not show confidence in Cutler to make a play?? Open up the play book?? When Coach Mike finally realizes Elway is not coming back, he just may show trust in someone and finally dust off that playbook we all remember. Lastly, you won with a marquee back and not with this rb by committee garbage. Either let someone (one, not two, not three) develop or get someone in the offseason. It is time to pay a rb like we used to pay TD. That is why we won and is our ultimate doom.

Raghu Sakleshpur · 3 years ago

Folks,

Was disappointed with the loss last night. However, i dont want to bitch and moan and point fingers at anything or anyone. I'll wait patiently until the team rebuilds! There is plenty of talent in this team, just have to wait for the team to jell and the missing pieces to fall in place.

Regards,
Raghu

Atwater27 · 3 years ago

Cutler has plenty of talent. Anybody who can be SEC Offensive Player of the Year while lining up with 10 bookworms and Debate Club Champions- has got the goods. I don't know if he will be Elway- but he will smash Leinert and Young. If Cutler had played at Texas or USC- he would have been on the cover of ALL the draft previews. Believe it.

The Truth · 3 years ago

SoTXBroncoFan, thank you for your insight but there were quite a few inaccuracies in your statements. First, let me start off by saying that I feel that the current issues with the Broncos evolve around other issues such as poor coaching and lack of talent, and not the debated QB situation. And I feel we will never see that potential of Cutler because of those facts. Since when is a person a fair weather fan if they criticize a team? Anyway, as far as Cutler being an “elite� QB coming out of Vanderbilt, that is NOT a fact. During his senior year he was projected as a late 2nd to 5th round pick. His stock went “way up� at the NFL combine. This could be due to physical or mental attributes. During his college career he was not a winner. There are many college-level QB’s that have the arm, size, speed, etc… for the NFL, but they will never make it.

As far as looking at fantasy football stats for Jake Plummer, they are great for playing fantasy football, but there is a variety of other factors that need to be looked at. Jake’s numbers would be much better if the Broncos passed more in the red zone. This offense was designed to run into the end zone and not pass. Also, look at the beloved Elway’s career stats. For three-quarters of his career his numbers weren’t very good either, still he’s a winner and a hall of famer.

QB debate or not, this team has a long way to go before it is championship caliber again. Some key players are nearing the end of their careers and the cupboard is very bare. If you want to throw some blame around, start with Shanahan.

Logan · 3 years ago

This team is pathetic on offense. The coaching staff new that even if they got to the playoffs they were not going anywhere. They can't stop the high powered offenses and cant outscore them. Were they supposed to put the team on Jake's shoulders or give it to a running back that is good but can't stay healthy? Mike Anderson was a huge loss. What he lacked in speed he made up for it with heart and character. I saw a rookie make rookie mistakes last night. Lets just hope he learns from those mistakes and isn't doing that 10 years down the road. We need a stud pass rusher!!

Anonymous · 3 years ago

Letting Cutler play won't hurt anything. This wasn't a playoff team much less a Super Bowl contender anyway. This team has a lot more problems then the quarter backs. On both sides of the ball. Might as well give the kid some experience and realize it's going to take time. They weren't going anywhere anyway.

AZBroncosfan · 3 years ago

I wonder if Mike had the stones to tell the Bronco veterans that he was going to scrap a playoff team to get a rookie some experience. Jay might be great someday but he's horrible right now (way worse than Plummer). I'm not sure Bronco fans want to wait another 15 years for a Superbowl win.

AJ · 3 years ago

I got an idea! Let's wait till we have 25 seconds left on the clock and call a time out. Then run a fake field goal play so we can gain a yard and then just kick a field goal anyway.... We don't need Elam anyway so who cares if he gets hurt. We don't have a QB so why do we need a kicker? I am a big Mike S. fan but give me a break.... Maybe Cutler should have been brought into the loop as to why Plumber was benched, to many bad plays and to many picks... Maybe Mike S. should have told the rookie to just take a sack instead of handing it off to the other team. I am a huge Broncos fan but unfortunatly I don't think we are making the playoffs and if we do we are one and done! I am very concerned about the next 2-3 years. Mike S. should have not done this whole running back by committe deal that is the real reason why Plumber was not successful. Even Elway needed a running game to win the big one, Plumber is no different. Give the rookie a fighting chance, put him back on the bench and let him grow.

Steve V · 3 years ago

To those who say the Broncos won in spite of Jake Plummer remember a few things:

1- How much winning did the Broncos do the few years prior to him getting here?
2- The talent level has been depleted more and more every year since the great Broncos Super Bowl teams.
3- Jake Plummer took a pathetic Cardinals team/franchise to the playoffs and directed them to their only playoff win in 40 years.

The Cardinals used the “Jake� scapegoat too. Although it looks like they finally have a suitable QB, the franchise has not had a team even close to a playoff team since Jake left.

Jake will not be a Bronco next year. He will be with another team, driving them to the playoffs, while his former teammates here in Denver will be home watching him on TV.

Sometimes you do not know what you have until it is gone.

jk · 3 years ago

Jay Cutler is the next Joe Montana and he will lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl win this year and next year and the year after that.

RJ · 3 years ago

For all of you who supported the QB change, a lot of the improvements that were suppose to happen with Cutler at QB didn’t happen Sunday night:

1) Cutler lost this game for the Broncos. Yeah, I know the whole team made mistakes, but the 2 picks he threw led directly to 10 points for Seattle and that was more than enough for a 3rd straight loss.

2) Cutler couldn’t get the ball to Javon either! Walker had 2 catches for 17 big yards.

3) Cutler did not provide a spark to the offense. The 100+ yards by TB had nothing to do with the “improved passing game?� It had more to do with a healthy and rested TB, and a poor Seattle run defense. If it wasn’t for TB, the Broncos would have only scored the 7 points that came after Seattle missed 3 tackles on Marshall.

4)Cutler didn’t make any important throws that Plummer couldn’t make. Both “touchdown� throws were short passes to wide open receivers, the difference was that the receivers didn’t drop the balls this time!

5)Mike’s reason for starting Cutler over Plummer was to give the team the BEST chance to win NOW. If you think Cutler had it rough on Sunday, just wait till he faces the SD defense at home next week. Seattle was beatable, SD won’t be at home. After we lose to SD next week, this decision won’t look as good as it did last week.

6) This is the first of 5 games that will prove that Plummer was not the only problem on the team. (Hey he was 1 for 1 with a first down on the Plummer to Elam play…Mike, what were you thinking?)

7) And lastly…I told you Cutler would play like a rookie and lose this game!

JK · 3 years ago

Does anyone know where I can get Hall of Fame induction ceremony tickets so I can be there when Jay Cutler is inducted..

Chuck · 3 years ago

Jay is not the problem, the whole Bronco team is poor. Time for a major change. Change of coach and staff, and players.

Armchair QB · 3 years ago

Enough with the Cutler experiment! Everyone in the national media (those who don't have the bias of Denver/Elway/Cutler fans) is calling this experiment a huge mistake. Mike, swallow your pride and name Jake the starter for the SD game. If he loses that game, you'll be out of the playoffs, you can blame it on Jake (instead of Cutler getting the blame for taking Denver out of the playoffs) and Jay can start the rest of the games because his play won't matter. If by some miracle we win in SD with Jake, let him take us to the playoffs (as he did in the past 3 years) and even if we lose in the first round, the fans will have a team to root for(instead of some other AFC team)and you will be one of the few NFL coaches to take his team to the playoffs for 4 consecutive years! Who knows, if we get lucky and someone knocks off Indy, we just might get to the big game with our defense (as in last year's Steelers). If you stick with Cutler, SD will crush him and the team (he may even get hurt)and the season will end with everyone wondering if you still know how to coach.

North Dakota Bronco Fan · 3 years ago

The decision has been made. Let's leave Cutler alone and give him a chance. I don't believe Jake was all the problem. Remember we no longer have Gary Kubiak. Maybe all the blame should be put on Heimendinger. Prevnt defense prevents wins in close or tied games. It is designed to use up time when your team is ahead by 2 scores. The Broncos weren't going to win the Superbowl this year anyway. GIVE JAY A CHANCE!!!!

Chris · 3 years ago

The answer from shanny was Jay Cutler gave the team the best chance to win on 12/3/06 and he only plays his best players. Now in my opinion the best quarterback on the field that night including hasselback was on the bench Jake Plummer.

I have read this comment alot... we are not going anywhere this year anyway and even if we make the playoffs we are going to be one and out probably (10-42).

Sounds like president bush saying we are attacking Iraq because of weapons of mass destruction and then when they are not found in the masses that describe the excuses start.

The logic that you put a rookie quarterback in this late in the season when ur 7-4 and this home win puts at 8-4 and a good chance to make playoffs is just not sound under any circumstance.

Last years superbowl winner was a wildcard team..

Jay Cutler is unproven with a big arm that is it at this point he may go on in years to come to be a pro bowler but not on 12/3/06.

But stop trying to convince the rational people he was the best player to start against seattle.

You idiots who keep that agruement up show that no matter how many facts slap u in the face you will follow ur leader (Bush or Shanny) right into the abyss..

Proves that any fool can rationalize any emotion they feel

RJ · 3 years ago

For all of you who blamed Plummer for the first four losses of the season, Sunday's loss and the next 4 losses will be on Cutler! You can't have it both ways! At the end of the year, Plummer will be 7-4 as the starter and Cutler will be 0-5. Nothing against Jay, but rookie QBs rarely win any of their 1st 5 games as an NFL starter (see Leinart & Young). Bronco fans, better get used to losing and hope for a better season next year!

Chiy · 3 years ago

Bye Jake. The team will be better roads will be safer without you.

And to the guy who said Plummer's passes have more zip than Cutler's? Whaaa? The one thing you can say about Cutler's passes is that they have zip. They were rarely accurate, but they did have zip.

Plummer throws as hard with his left arm as he does with his right - and just as accurately.

Bye Jake. I hope you land in Oakland where you can throw the ball behind Randy Moss for 16 games.

20 20 Hindsight · 3 years ago

For those of you who thought the defense would play better because the new offense under Cutler would give them more time to rest and take the pressure off by scoring more points, it didn't happen! The offense under Cutler managed only 7 points late in the 2nd half and only because Seattle missed 3 tackles on Marshall!

NYbroncofan · 3 years ago

being from NY i am telling you that the problem is the offensive coordinatrt. heimerdinger is the worst. they killed him over here in NY last year. people don't realize the biggest loss the broncos had last year was kubiak leaving. shanahan should get rid of heimerdinger like bilick did with fassel. and that's what grinds my gears.

DATbroncos · 3 years ago

Personally I don't need to see San Diego crush the Broncos in order to end the season wondering whether Shanahan still knows how to coach. I've been wondering that very same thing for years now. He's a control freak (and not even a very good control freak!) with an ego the size of Texas. In my opinion he's useless.

chris · 3 years ago

The answer shanny gave was Jay was the best player to start on 12/3/06 against Seattle and he only plays his best players...Hmm..Guess he was wrong, but of course, the coolaid drinking factless people will defend the cutler decision to undefensible ends..

Just like they defend George Bush's outrageous claims of weapons of mass destruction as imminent threat from Iraq..same coolaid drinkers by that agruement ...

Facts do not apply in these peoples irrational and emotionally based assessments.

The best quarterback in the stadium 12/3/06 was not on the field for either team but on denvers bench.

Those of an opinion that with Jake we might make the playoffs but will be one and done with a score of something like (10-42). Well since you were so wrong in the Jay for Jake assessment I do not have much faith in your predictions.

Even shanny admits he should have scaled back the play calling. Wow based on his playing calling with Jake did not think that was possible.

Last years Super bowl champs were wild card team..(Remember) unbelieveable you think that it would be better to quit on this season than at least have an opportunity to make the playoffs.

Wonder if that is what Shanny meant by, Jay giving his team the best chance to win sunday.

broncomikey87 · 3 years ago

As a displaced Bronco fan living in Seattle, I had to bear the brunt of that pathetic performance last evening. I looked over at my wife at one point and asked, "Are you kidding me?". I hope that all the Jake nay-sayers and Denver media liked what they got last night. Perhaps Cutler will make this all a distant memory next year, but he will not save this season. If Shanahan wanted to win this year, he would have stayed with Jake. At least he has proven he can get the team to the playoffs. I can't tell you how disgusted I was last night's performance. Oh well, there is always next year.

Duncan · 3 years ago

Turnovers lost the damn game last night PERIOD I don't care if you have Tony Romo (slight sarcasm) at the helm, 5 turnovers lose games PERIOD Look at Mike Bell and Rod Smith who never fumble... they did it last night. Look at special team... turnovers. Yeah, Cutler didn't light it up and yeah he turned it over too, but he had a decent enough first showing. Jake lost his confidence and Shanny lost confidence in him, so Cutler was the right decision, whether we like it or not PERIOD

Now we'll all see how much heart the team has through the end of this year, won't we? Come on guys, we all get through our miserable weeks to watch you all win!!

BroncoJakeFan · 3 years ago

Jake should have finished the season, Jay should have practiced and learned (on the sideline)the rest of this year, and next year....well, I guess it really doesn't matter now. It seems like putting Cutler at the helm has cut our chances for a play-off spot. And when Jay doesn't finish the season as the "answer to our problems" will Denver fans turn on him too? Almost sad for him, I think Mike has set him up for failure. At least as far as Bronco fans go that is, we can't seem to take any losses well and like to blame our once beloved QB's. I hope Jake finds a new team and city that will suppport him for the rest of his career - Jake you still have fans, even some that are actually Bronco fans too. Imagine that!

Maxim · 3 years ago

Listen Broncos fans I understand your frustrations but "Jake the Snake" did not deserve to be demoted. Here are the reasons why.
First the division your in.Second the schedule that you had this season up to this point has been difficult.
Third other than Champ Bailey and Al Wilson your defense isn't consistent.
Fourth you are in a playoff race how do you make the call to switch QB's. Nonetheless Mr. Cutler will have a bright future but it's just unfair to throw him in this season with this tight AFC playoff picture.

csg · 3 years ago

Sorry Duncan because you say Cutler wa the right decision period does not make it so.. You maybe able to bully your family and friends but not me..

I agree Shanny obviously lost confidence in Jake.. But do not try to dump your nonesense that this was the best decision on the rest of us..

You can not deal with being wrong to bad.. I can when i am wrong admit

Your denial that Jay gave us the best chance sunday is deep deep deep denial..

But Shanny will not turn back now I agree period.

Anonymous · 3 years ago

Super bowls that is what it is about each and every year right. Last year Pitt. had the same record as we do right now. We still have a shot. I think that Plummer should start and that we should not give up on him. Let him finish the season. We have TB back in the line up we can crank up the ground game with him as the primary back. This can then give us some time to get the pass game going. With the ground game grinding it will give our deense time to rest as well. Jake is our guy he can get us were we want to go. He has an outstanding winning percentage in Denver. We didnt give up in number seven why give up on sixteen.

chris · 3 years ago

Sorry Duncan because you say Cutler was the right decision period does not make it so.. You maybe able to bully your family and friends but not me..

I agree Shanny obviously lost confidence in Jake.. But do not try to dump your nonesense that this was the best decision on the rest of us..

You can not deal with being wrong to bad.. I can when i am wrong I admit

Your denial that Jay gave us the best chance sunday is deep deep deep denial..

But Shanny will not turn back now I agree period.

ryan · 3 years ago

The Denver offense has had some problems all year long. Not all of them at the QB position. Overall, the Denver defensive has played well this year. Maybe loosing the Gary, theoffensive coodinater to the Texans is having a large impact on the offense than anyone thinks. I still think that Mike Shanahan is the best offensive mind in the NFL today. Any way you look at it the Bronco's season had stalled several games ago for alot of different reasons and it is not likely they will go to Miami this year. We all knew that it was going to be Plummers last year under center when Denver moved up to draft a QB in the first round. Since that day we knew that Cutler was going to be the main man soon. Everyone assumed that it was going to be next year, but with the current offensive struggles he is getting his shot sooner that expected. Anytime you play a rookie QB there will be some rookie moments to begin with like Sunday night. Remember Peyton Manning's early struggles several years ago when he started from day one. Cutler looked pretty good the other night other than a few moments, he is the total package and has a big time arm. Probably about the best in the league. If Shanahan's draft history holds true to form I look for Cutler to be the top QB to come out of this last draft a few years from now. Everyone won't remember who Vince Young and Matt Leinhart were.

Jim Z · 3 years ago

As a diehard Steler fan with ties to Bronco Country, let me tell you this,

Roethlisberger looked pretty rough in his first couple of games so go easy on Cutler. i think he will be a good QB some day.

Shannahan is an idiot for making this change so late in the season. It will probably cost you a playoff spot and I was hoping to see you beat the Ravens at some point.

Anyway - Good luck the rest of the way.

Sue · 3 years ago

Regardless of whether Plummer or Cutler starts, this looks like a one-and out-team even if they do manage to make the playoffs. There's not enough talent or depth to replace key players lost to injuries, so Shanahan will really have his work cut out for him vs. Tomlinson, Rivers, et al at San Diego next week. Looking at the rest of Denver's schedule, I think it's unrealistic to expect better than a 2-2 record. The way Plummer and the offense was struggling during the past few weeks, I doubt he could have beaten the Seahawks or would do better than .500 over the next four games.

Broncodan · 3 years ago

Sheesh, are we the hardest fans in the NFL to please or what? We have gone to the playoffs every year in recent memory... made excellent trades (portis for champ is still paying off) and at the head of it all is shanahan. Remember, this is the coach that "accidentally" packed the white jerseys for the SD game in the past year... that is the kind of thinker I want at the head of my Broncos. Now everyone is calling for the head of shanny... the return of jake and a new defense. I say balderdash to it all. The defense is one of the best in the NFL statistically, better than we had for years... the offensive line is still one of the best... but what we are lacking is a power back. Bring in a 245 pnd crushing lead blocker like San Diego's L. Neal and we would be unstoppable. Also remember that we were supposed to have Lelie in the third postion, a real field stretcher with speed. If he was an honorable man and played for us this season, we would have OWNED our division. (spreading the field, the running game works.. which helps the passing game, and sits the defense...)

I blame Ashley Lelie.


Lets stop blaming shanahan, a coach with one of the best records in the game... stop blaming our defense who has played their hearts out time and time again... and lets start blaming Lelie... Cause he left us without even buying us all dinner...

Tony · 3 years ago

What happened to the defense as well. We started great then all of a sudden holes all over the place. There is absolutely no pass rush or even pressure put on the opposing quarterback.
I know the defense is tired and a lot of injuries but Coyer should be calling a better defensive game.

pj · 3 years ago

IT IS TIME FOR ALL BRONCO FANS TO REALIZE THE TEAM WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFF. THEY WILL NOT BEAT THE CHARGERS,OR THE BENGALS, AND WITH ARIZONA PLAYING BETTER AND SF RUNNING THE BALL, WE MIGHT LOSE 3 OUT OF 4. REMEMBER WE DO NOT HAVE A FIELD GOAL KICKER. OUR NEW MOTTO WILL BE THE 4TH QUARTER IS THEIRS.THIS TEAM DID WELL TO GO 7/4 WITH QB RANKED 29TH IN THE LEAGUE. WE COULD HAVE LOST AT LEAST TWO OF THE SEVEN WE PLAYED. FACE THE FACTS, NO PLAYOFFS AND A GOOD DRAFT IS THE BEST SOLUTION.

Danny · 3 years ago

Knock it off with the instant gratification whining. Look at all the great quarterbacks who floundered in their first starts. How many passes did Elway complete in his first start? One. How many passes did Favre complete in his first season? Zero. If you give up on every player who doesn't come out and lead his team to a Super Bowl in his first year, there would not be anyone left in the league. Roethlisberger was a fluke. Have a little patience and confidence in your team. We won two Super Bowls less than ten years ago. How many other teams have won two Super Bowls that recently? One. Only four teams have won more than one Super Bowl in the last twenty years. I want the team to win as much as any Broncos fan. But I've never seen so many people whine and complain about a 7-5 team before in my life. All sports teams struggle! All sports teams have bad years! All athletes have bad games! After seeing fans treat their team like this, I can't imagine many players would want to come to Denver. A rookie kid comes in and plays a decent rookie game, and already people are saying he will amount to nothing. Is that supporting your team? Is that being a fan? The decision has been made. So support Cutler. Fan support is as crucial to his development as anything else is. It is absolutely ridiculous to have fans booing him and calling for his head midway through his first NFL start. There is a difference between supporting your team and only finding wins acceptable. It may not seem like it, but there is. Yes there are standards that should be kept in regards to how well the team performs, but you don't belittle and completely bail out on an underperforming team. Support the team even when they're underperforming. You're not a fan if you're not supporting the team when they're not at their best.

Knock it off with the blaming Cutler for everything. Looking at his stats for the year, if Plummer had played last night, he would have completed about 50% of his passes, for maybe 150-180 yards, with 1 TD, and 1-2 INTs. What did Cutler do? About 50% completion rate, 143 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs. And he left the field with the game tied at the end of the 4th quarter. IT WAS HIS FIRST NFL START! IT WAS HIS FIRST NFL SNAP! NO CAREER HAS EVER BEEN DECIDED BY ONE GAME! Even if it was a bad decision to bench Plummer, that wasn't Cutler's decision. He thought he would have an entire year to sit and learn. But he got tossed in, so he's trying to make the best out of it, and all of these fair-weather fans gave him 60 minutes worth of football before completely abandoning him. Give the kid a chance people. Show some support for your team and its players. Be a fan.

Rocky XII · 3 years ago

Anyone who seriously thought that this team was going to the Super Bowl after the loss to KC must not have watched this crazy sport we call football very much. Which is why I liked one of the comments earlier that said that these weeks at the end of the season while teams are playing hard and playing for the playoffs will be so beneficial to Cutler and the Broncos next season. His rookie mistakes and unsteady confidence will be gone by then because September games are entirely different than December games. The team can try to start fast without tip-toeing around with a guy starting his first few games.

Bronco Fans are the Worst in t · 3 years ago

You guys realize with Jake you would have made the NFL playoffs right?

You might not have gotten farther than a game given the Broncos aren't a very good team all around but YOU WOULD HAVE MADE THE NFL PLAYOFFS!

Do you know how many fans of other teams would kill just to make the playoffs even if they got blown out in the very first game??

Yet you guys just whine...ehh who cares...lets put in Cutler so he can get expierence.

You guys are retards.

You actually think Cutler will lead your team to the playoffs next year--what makes you think that?

John Lynch, Al Wilson,Ian Gold your crappy D-line...they are all going to be a year older and slower.

You'll have one good WR in Javon Walker. Your RB's will still stink.

Your capped out.

The Chiefs and Chargers will be far better than the Bronco's next year...and thats just the division.

You guys will have a tough time even having a winning record next year with a Rookie QB starting.

Good luck.

Big Ben, Jay Cutler ain't

Phil · 3 years ago

The blame should be placed where it belongs! The problem isn't/wasn't Jake, never has been. Shanahan should be tarred and feathered and run out of town! The Muddlemind has lost all sense of reality and is too full of himself. I didn't agree with putting Cutler in or that the problem was Jake... The problem is most definately the HEAD Coach and his assistants. Time to move on Shanny... you've lost it! Elway is gone and so went your supposed magic.

Dennis O'Connor · 3 years ago

First, may I say to a majority of posters here: jeebus, lord in Cleveland--learn to freaking spell if you want your personal genius to be appreciated. It's Plummer, not "Plumber." It's "know," not "no." These are elementary school mistakes. You can't all be this illiterate, can you? I can't even keep my mind on what you're trying to say, your mistakes are so distracting. Do yourself a favor--get a dictionary.

That being said, I'm having my doubts about Shannahan choice of Heimerdinger to run the offense. He was run out of town in NY. The Broncos have no killer instinct. And I thought the defense was going to be nasty this year. They started out well, then tailed off. I've already written off this season--and so has Mike Shannahan (I think). Cutler is the real deal, but this season is lost. Whatever. We weren't going to the Super Bowl anyway. But Jake deserved to be treated better. I wish him well. He will catch on with a good team and probably beat our asses somewhere down the road. Go Broncos! Next year!

smooth b · 3 years ago

Can someone explain to me why all of these folks are saying play Cutler because they weren't going to the Superbowl, Huh?

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN in the playoffs (Carson Palmer getting hurt last year). All of you so called fans need to realize ELWAY IS GONE stop talking about him. How do you guys know that Denver won't win the SB. Support your team and stop crying.

Toney Hill · 3 years ago

Hate to say it, but the best play Jake Plummer made all year was the over the shoulder, no look, flip to Elam our kicker. Not that I understood the play call with no time remaining on the clock.

I was fine with Jay Cutler's performance. I'd rather a rookie make the mistakes he did, then a ten year veteran.
Jay looked a little tentative in his reads and thus many of his passes were a second or two late in finding the open reciever. I thought he showed pretty good accuarncy after the first couple series. I was surprised that there were no scren calls when they brought the heat. Give Jay time and he will prove his worth.

Don't know how many of you saw it but he was hit in the legs after throwing a pass and there was no flag. That very easily could have been a career ending hit. I thought the refs were safeguarding QBs form helmet to helmet and leg hits.

Props to Brandon Marshal for a great play & TD.

Props to Tatum Bell for his rushing performance, although it slacked considerably in the second half. We need another back who can be as good for ten carries.

Props to Champ Bailey for stiopping another score with his interception. He has proven that his trade for Portis was a great move. I had to eat crow because I was against it.

I'm not counting on the playoffs anymore. While the defense has played great at times this season, they have let down because of the conservative play calls of Coyer when the game is on the line. And because the D-line seems to loss gas by the last quarter. That's when you have to put pressure on, not drop back 15 yards and let teams creep back into scoring position.

There are all kinds of excuses for our losses but.... We have been in every game this season, they difference has been, who has wanted it more. Great teams find ways to win, especially when the game is tight.

Khris · 3 years ago

There sure are a lot of expert opinions out there, but from an outsider looking in, nothing really changed. It was the same Broncos. The Broncos average less than 20 points per game and that is what they produced. The quarterback position averages almost 2 interceptions a game and that is what was produced. The defense gives up in the second half and that is what they did. Regardless of whether the QB needed changing, that was the same team we have watched all year. Jay will be fine with time, and besides that, I am tired of watching Jake make those mistakes. Jay's turn!!

Mike · 3 years ago

Duncan,

Cutler had a decent first showing? What game were you watching? And who gave up half those turnovers, including the TD that got Seattle back in the game?

Before his final lucky throw, Cutler had played 57 1/2 minutes and had amassed 9 completions on 20 attempts for 72 yards and a QB rating of 31.6. His performance was pathetic even by Rookie standards.

Derek Anderson of the Cleveland Browns didn't take a snap with the first team in practice and came off the bench to lead his team to a big come from behind victory and he is never projected to start in this league. Cutler's performance was one of the worst for all NFL rookies this season.

Cutler is nowhere near ready for the NFL. He was terrified. His best throw looked like he probably had his eyes closed. Both of his interceptions were extremely bad decisions. Even the tipped ball was a lineman right in his face. How could he not see him? Suer, every QB has bad throws, but Cutler only had 2 or 3 good ones all night.

Here's the sad part. Shanahan flushed the rest of this season by making this change. Plummer would have won that game Sunday night. Denver would only need 2 more victories to have a solid shot at the playoffs. 3 would lock it. Now they must win 3 out of the next 4 and still need help. Is Cutler likely to win 3 of his next 4 starts? No way. He might win 1.

Shanahan gave up on the post season when he made this change and that's a huge mistake. When you have a chance to make the playoffs, you fight like crazy to get there. You don't even think about next year because it may never come.

And don't start counting on next year because you may be dissappointed. Remember 1999? Elway had just retired, but we still had Brister, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Ed McAffrey, Rod Smith and our entire offensive line. Not to mention our entire SuperBowl defense. WE went 0-4 to start the season and then TD blew out his knee. We were toast before Halloween. That can happen any time so don't start counting on next year before it happens.

Never throw away a chance at the playoffs. That chance may not come back next year.

BrcsFn4Evr · 3 years ago

We all have to understand that this broncos team is not a Super Bowl caliber team, it hasn't been all year. Just some good defense against terrible offenses. Bringing in Cutler now give him time to see real NFL action in preparation for next year. The broncos were done the sunday after they let the Colts walk all over us. Lets just hope they make some off field moves this offseason to upgade our defense.

Mindi D · 3 years ago

I'm not a Denver native, but I don't understand what the deal is with you people and Jake? The Denver fans were yelling for Cutler after one loss with Plummer this season. Where is your loyalty?
I also don't understand Shananhan saying Cutler is the qb who can win the Superbowl. It's hard to win the Superbowl when you can't even make it the playoffs.
Plummer will leave Denver and flourish with a supportive team and city, while Denver continues to "rebuild" and tries to mature Cutler. Good luck with that...

TxsBronco · 3 years ago

Dear bronco fans; some people on this board don't have a clue what they are talking about. Jake plummbor combined w/bad o-line protection,due to poor performance(G Foster 1st round bust) no pass rush, injuries to key players have led to the current state of the Bronco Nation. If your ten year vet is playing like a 1st yr rookie as a coach your better off playing the rookie. Shanny is coaching his @#$ off to get this team even a chance to make the playoffs. Calling for jake to play is crazy...he has had his chance to drive the sports car for the last 4 years and his poor play combined w/ all other aspects has put the Broncos in this situation...jake has aged shanny by 10 years...time to put some youth back in the game...jay will only get better by playing...8-8 season..top 15 draft pick, shanny makes a deal to move up and draft Gaines Adams out of Clemson...go broncos

Joey · 3 years ago

TxsBronco,

Give me a break with the Shanny praise already. Shanahan has turned the Broncos into a Brian Griese factory. We did it to Plummer and now it looks as though he intends to do the same to Cutler. No way we lose the Seattle game with Jake at the helm, not with the running game and our D stopping the run they way it did.

And I'm still trying to figure out what all these people watched on Sunday night to think things are looking good with Cutler. Or maybe they're just listening to Shanny and Elway.

Cutler or Plummer, the only way we salvage this season is to let our QB play, take some risks and hope we hit a hot streak.

Bolts-R-Us · 3 years ago

Hmm. LT is hot. Merriman is back and NFL sack leading defense front seven are all back. Olshansky will clobber Nalen as usual. Welcome to 4 losses in a row Denver fans.

PS: San Diego Qualcomm Stadium now features "Broncos" stickers inside the urinals as the spot to aim at.

LostinBoston · 3 years ago

@ Danny,

I agree with you regarding Jay's stats compared to JP. He didn't do as poorly as many want to promote. As for your "NO CAREER HAS EVER BEEN DECIDED BY ONE GAME!" comment, I'll give you 1 player, 1 game and 1 play & you decide: Bill Buckner, 1986 World Series - Mets v Sox, the play at first!!!

Duncan · 3 years ago

Dear csg or chris or whatever you call yourself,
I can admit when I am wrong... I can also admit when my opinion and yours doesn't matter.
To that end... I meant to say that since Jake lost his confidence and Shanny lost confidence in Jake, putting in Jay was the right decision PERIOD (see the key to the period thing is putting it in CAPS ;-) If talent alone won Superbowls we would have won more, no? The point is, confidence especially in the quarterback position seems to me to be one of the more important characteristics and I suspect even Jake would admit he was not running with a full confidence tank. Certainly Shanny could have nurtured Jake more, but Jake hasn't proven himself in some of the biggest games (eg. Pitt last January), so why should he.

Now as for bullying... give me your lunch money.:o)

Mike,
I still say Cutler had a decent first showing. I guess the debate is in definition of "decent", but your rating of 31.6 is wrong (check NFL.com) Yes, others have had better first starts and yes he was scared. That said, my point was others let the team down with turnovers (or near turnovers) as well, so let's not put all the blame on his shoulders. He throws a good ball (if not entirely accurate on all his passes on Sunday) and the game will slow down for him eventually.
Here's some numbers for you... Quarterback Ratings through this season:
Matt Leinart 72.1
Charlie Frye 72.0
Jason Campbell 71.9
Jake Plummer 70.5
Bruce Gradkowski 66.1
Vince Young 64.8
Jay Cutler 62.3

That's spitting distance to some of the best Rookies, no?

And my favorties from Oakland:
Aaron Brooks 62.0
Andrew Walter 55.0
Marques Tuiasosopo 48.4

Could be worse guys, we could be Oakland fans!!! Go Broncs!

Da Truff · 3 years ago

Without Brandon Marshall making that play, Jay finishes with 81 yards passing, one TD and three interceptions (another one on the last drive) and two fumbles, plus the Deer in the Headlightes award!

chargers fans · 3 years ago

why are charger fans jiving on here? go talk on a team's newspaper site that also hasn't won a superbowl rather than one that has. nobody cares about the chargers in the playoffs because they just lose. blah blah LT, blah blah Merriman give me a break with Marty coaching you're finished.

Charger Charlie · 3 years ago

Yo!

Bolts-R-Us on December 5, 2006 is way out of line! (You crush that rude talk, B-R-U!)

The Broncos stickers will NOT be in the urinals. You'll find the stickers in the regular toilets where they belong, waiting for a steaming crap! (The proper place for cheap-shot artists like the Broncos O-line.)

Thank you very much.

Regards,

Charlie Parisek

SoTXBroncoFan · 3 years ago

Da Truff,

R U KIDDING ME???????????????

You're argument for knocking Jay is dealing with the 'what if' scenarios? OH BOY! Well, let's play.

What if Jay doesn't make the mistjake pass...And if Jay's other TO pass wasn't tipped & picked...what if Al doesn't get hurt? And if Josh Brown doesn't kick the game winner...blah blah! The fact is he did complete the pass to Brandon and he scored. He didn't throw another pick. Yikes!!! Balls get tipped, players get hurt and game winning field goals get kicked. It's just unfortunate that there were several key turnovers that occured, Al went down, our defense was playing our Glorious, Notorious Prevent D and Josh Brown did his job. That's reality. Try living in it!!!!

Mike · 3 years ago

Duncan,

I guess I should have typed slower. I said that Cutler's rating before that one lucky pass to Marshall was 31.6. And it was. Go check it yourself. There are plenty of NFL QB Rating calculators on the Internet.

Cutler was 9 for 20 for 72 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs before his final pass to Marshall. That's a QB rating of 31.6. Only that last pass saved his stats and made them look good. But we all know that last catch and run was blind luck for Cutler.

Even with a QB rating of 62.3, Cutler's performance was the worst by a Rookie in his first NFL start in over 2 years. Young, Leinert and Gradkowski all had more yardage, fewer turnovers and better ratings than Cutler.

Blame the loss on turnovers - and you are probably right. But Cutler created 60% of the Broncos' turnovers Sunday night. He had 3 on the record and he almost had 2 more. He had one more INT that the defense dropped and one fumble that the defense kicked back to him. It easily could have been 5 turnovers.

Cutler is not ready for the NFL. He was terrified. Cutler will cost the Broncos a shot at the playoffs this year, and don't assume he will be better next year. He could still be a bust. Remember Tommy Maddox, or Craig Penrose, or Mark Herman, all Broncos first round draft picks.

And Charlie, it's not to know that the Chargers are keeping you employed, placing stickers in toilets and cleaning them after every game.

Bolts-R-Us · 3 years ago

It's a new era of mediocrity in Denver, and one of might in San Diego. Here's to the first of many Super Bowls to come over the next 5 years. Denver, get ready to get swept this year, and for the foreseeable future :)

Cheers

PS: I am serious about the Broncos stickers in the urinals at Qualcomm Stadium. I laughed for 10 minutes. Go to Plaza Section 20 and there they are. There are also a few Raider stickers too.

Mike · 3 years ago

A SuperBowl with Phillip Rivers at QB? That's funnier than thinking Cutler will win it this year.

If LT ever has a serius injury, the Bolts will be back to competing for high draft picks.

The Bolts have beaten two teams with a winning record this year. They are the benficiaries of a 3rd place schedule but that won't get you to the SuperBowl. The SD defense gives up 20 points a game and it will be even worse when they start having to play winning teams.

Mike · 3 years ago

Consider this. Marty Schottenheimer's post season record is 5-12. Marty has not won a post-season game since 1993. Marty is 0-3 in conference championships.

Modern era teams (since free agency) rarely win a SuperBowl without at least some winning post-season experience in both the coaching staff and on the team roster. The odds are heavily against winning a SuperBowl when none of your coaches or skill players have ever even been to one.

As for the next 5 years of glory, consider this? LT is averaging 140 carries per season. The odds are heavily in favor of some injury trouble or a very short career at that pace. Only 3 backs in NFL history have carried the ball more than 3500 times, and only one of them averaged 300 carries per year - Curtis Martin. So even if LT ends up being one of the 4 most durable backs in NFL history, he will not last more than 5 more years at the pace that Marty is burning him up. And Micheal Turner will be gone at the end of the season as a free agent.

So the Bolts need to gain some post-season experience, but they only have a few years to do it before time and free agency tear them apart.

The moreal of the story is, don't count your SuperBowls before they're won! Ask Dan Marino or Peyton Manning.

Mike · 3 years ago

That was a typo. LT is averaging 340 carries per season. (And that doesn't include receptions.)

Les · 3 years ago

I say JACK ELWAY is the real future, 4 more years or so and badda bing - badda boom, by then we will have toasted poor Jay Cutler, unless you change your name to Jay Elway !!!

Joey · 3 years ago

Amen Les. Bring John in to coach him while we're at it. Since by that time we will be talking about the fourth straight QB that we had to "dumb down" the playbook for (Bubby, Griese, Jake, & Jay). Seems to be a pattern.

Charlie Parisek · 3 years ago

RE #110

Mike,

It's a crappy job, but someone's got to do it.

CP

A tired fan · 3 years ago

Essentially two problems with the Broncos...Mike Shanahan and Larry Coyer. I thought the only coach worse Sunday was Mike Holmgren...he did everything he could to help the Broncos win. Mike and Larry, well, they didn't.

JH · 3 years ago

JK#64
"Cutler is the next Montana..lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl win this year and next year and the year after that". Whatever meds you're on, I'd like to know what they are. And I'd surely bet my house against yours, or more, that your prediction is at best silly. Wanna bet on just this year?
#66: Hall of Fame Induction tickets for Cutler will go on sale on eBay in 2076. Collector's items.

Davus.X · 3 years ago

Don't blame a rookie for losing that game. It seems that our returners couldn't hold onto a ball even if it had handles. Cutler finished a lot stronger than he started. Give him a break. Elway started much worse.

I don't understand how most of you guys could be calling for Plummer's head in one breath then, with the next, complain because Shanahan put the rookie into the fire too soon. It's pathetic. Stand behind your team! Or find another one. Better yet, please beg Pat Bowlen to give you the coaching job, since you know so much more than Shanahan.

Hefe · 3 years ago

There's no way the Broncos can or will win Sunday, Shawn Merriman is going to take his frustrations out on who ever the QB is for you guys, whats his name? Anyway, get ready for a complete beating in front of God and everybody.
P.S. Our loyal friend Chris Burman will be on hand as a witness..
Go Bolts! :-)~

Dennis in Nevada · 3 years ago

The Defense is not getting the job done late in the game. Three losses at home, all because the defense couldn't get the stop. Too bad - this season will not be a playoff season.

Bolt Fan · 3 years ago

I feel for Denver as pulling Jake is just wrong even if his play was very suspect. No way when you are in the hunt to win a playoff spot, much less the division do you drop your starter for a rookie that was not that accurate in the first place (Cutler has talent but needs more bench time...he's just not very confident on or off the field to lead your team). Shanny pulled the plug at the wrong time and I can't see Cutler getting a playoff spot or doing any damage in the playoffs against better defenses and teams where Plummer at least has the experience to go with the sometimes risky play.

To all the San Diego comments... LT definitely is getting more carries of late but keep in mind LT is NOT a power back that likes to ram it into the one final guy to get a yard and get a concussion. You watch him play and he WILL avoid the unnecessary hit on the sideline and get out of bounds. Reason is pure and simple his health and its why he's generally had no major injuries. He may give up a yard or two but he's available for the next play, the next series and the next game and is a prime example of why he's the only back to hit 1200 yards his first 6 seasons.

To Phillip Rivers not being able to lead this team to the Super Bowl. Whomever said that...have you watched him play or any interviews? Bias aside I have never seen a young man sound as mature and confident like Rivers in his 3rd year and first year as starting QB in the NFL. Throw in he backs it up by developing on the field and playing effecient ball and having the capability to make those Elwayesque comeback wins and I have a hard time saying who out there other than Peyton and Brady might look better? He's had on "bad" game this year. I don't even count Buffalo as bad due to the slick ball and snow causing the fumbles...the kid can play and play with confidence.

Good luck Broncos....I'm happy you are feeling the pain but by no means are you in the cellar. Your team can fight still and may yet make the playoffs even with another loss. Shanny can always put Plummer in as needed.

Duncan · 3 years ago

Mike,
gotcha... missed the if you take out that last pass part of your comments on his QB rating. In fairness, if you take out the terrible INT for TD he would have had a better rating, but you can't, so he didn't... but opinions are like arse-holes, right? I'm looking forward to Cutler's future and eventually we'll see whether you or I are right about him.

by the way... sitcker pisser placer comment was damn funny. Wouldn't it be nice if they won this weekend... wouldn't it?

Go Broncs!

Bryan-D · 3 years ago

You shouldn’t cast stones so quickly there Dennis O’Connor. (Ref. post # 94)

“…, I’m having my doubts about Shannahan choice of …� It is “Shannahan’s choice,� and not “Shannahan choice.� You didn’t hammer me on this I know, but still I hate to see someone try and correct someone else, when they themselves are wrong. I’m in the Army, and we Army folk love doing this, and it can really piss you off.

steelersfan · 3 years ago

its so bad that the fans wont even stay to watch the end of the games!!! you denver fans are the most spoiled and arrogant fans in all of sports!!! welcome to the rest of the n.f.l!!! the answer is not in the QB, but rather in the coach--his time has long passed, his huge ego has finally caught up with him, and you spoiled litle fans!!! i cant wait to laugh in 2 years when you draft another quarterback...GO CHARGERS!!!

shannahandoubter · 3 years ago

PLEASE MIKE--#112--RIVERS is a much better-more polished QB right now, then jake cutler will ever be!!after a couple more rapings l ike last week, and all of his confidence will be gone(griese, a smith). also do you not think that during ELWAYS entire career------the broncos were 1 player away from top 10 draft picks---get a clue---GO CHARGERS!!!!

steelersfan · 3 years ago

#66--JK--get a clue man!!! jake cutler only won 11 games in his ENTIRE college career!!! i cant wait to laugh in 2 more years when the broncos(without ol lame shannahon) draft another QB with your 2nd overall pick in the draft---lay off the whiskey---

jason · 3 years ago

hey shanahandoubter #127, hate to break this news to you but Mike is right, you better play Tomlinson never gets hurt or the chargers are done..and martyball is retiring next year, so its this year or never for your bolts, and the way baltimore and indy are this year, I DONT THINK SO BUDDY !!

jason · 3 years ago

hey #128 steelersfan,and i can't wait til next year when cowher retires , you guys will be begging for a coach like shanahan to coach your happless team.You guys are done after this year,wait you guys are done this year, well anyway you'll lose cowher, ward, some or your o'line and porter to free agency, better hope big ben stays off his bike this off season

shannahandoubter · 3 years ago

gee jason, dont you ever watch football!!! L.T's backup(turner)is a stud, and he would probably start on most nfl teams, including your little broncos--so get a clue man!!!!!

tomnphx · 3 years ago

So why is it that all the MORONS seem to come out to bash the Broncos? First off you have a Chargers fan that is popping off left and right and obviously he is completely jealous of Shanahan. (when was the last time they had a coach or a team that won the SuperBowl)? Then there is a Steelers fan that is dissing the Broncos (when he should be wearing a bag over his head because his team is so bad) Get a life guys! The Networks have said it best when they claim that the Broncos have the highest following because all they simply do is sport a winning team virtually EVERY year!!! So just live with it!