Jay Cutler Hasn’t Changed a Bit: Still Mouthing off, Still Immature

“It’s a lot (different). Denver’s like a six, and Chicago’s like a nine. It’s quite a bit different. Just the fans and how passionate they are, that’s probably the biggest difference.”

Yes, this is the Chicago Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler speaking on a local Chicago sports show about the fans in Denver.

I do not blame Cutler for speaking out about the Broncos, as the terms of his departure were by no means friendly.

I do blame him for going after the passion of the fans of the Broncos, though.

The debate as to whether it was Cutler or Josh McDaniels (or both) at fault for the messy situation over the winter may never be settled. However, most people in Denver have moved on from talking about Cutler.

Evidently, Cutler himself has not.

According the details given, “Interviewed Tuesday night on ESPN Radio in Chicago, Cutler was asked about the 20,000 fans who showed up to the Bears’ practices over the weekend.”

That’s it. Nobody asked him for his opinion of the fans in Denver. They might have asked him how that compared to training camp in Denver, but Cutler himself was the one who brought up passion.

I believe nearly all fans of every team in professional sports are passionate. Maybe not “bandwagon” fans or fans of the Florida Marlins (or one of the more dysfunctional organizations around the sports world). Other than that, most fans have passion.

Some more than others, though.

There is no disputing the fact that the Denver Broncos have some of the best fans in the NFL. Mile High Stadium, the “Thunder”, the Barrel-Man.

Very few people have the audacity to question the passion of Broncos fans. 

Clearly Cutler is trying to “stir things up.”

He could have ripped on Josh McDaniels, Pat Bowlen, or the front office. He could have blasted the Broncos’ defense that let him down many a time in 2007 and 2008.

But he didn’t. He went after the passion of the fans, and Denver as a football town.

Nobody said he had to feel any love for Denver, for the Broncos, or even the fans. 

He could at least respect the fact that fans stood by him after he fell flat on his face leading the Broncos down the stretch last season—losing the final three games to complete one of the worst collapses in the NFL.

Fans even stood by him in his fight with McDaniels, Bowlen, and the rest of the Broncos’ front office after he threw a fit about hearing his name in trade rumors.

People called for the firing of Josh McDaniels, simply to appease Cutler.

So, when asked, what right does Cutler have to bash the very people who supported him while he was becoming the player he now is today?

Broncos fans should use this as a spark. Go out this season and show the team the kind of passionate support they’re used to. Even if this year is a “down year”, which it may or may not be.

Jay Cutler is just as mature now, as he was back in December when he screamed, “What the f**k Eddie?” after Eddie Royal couldn’t quite reach a pass that Cutler had air-mailed 10 feet too high in that infamous San Diego Chargers game. 

Yeah, not very mature at all.

With New Perspective, I Bid Bleacher Report…Hello, Again

The rising of the sun each morning is undoubtedly a beautiful sight. Each new day brings new chance and new hope for some, and for others a new perspective or new inspiration.

I will save you from the entirety of my metaphor. As I make my return to writing somewhat regularly in the Denver Broncos community here on Bleacher Report, I do feel that I have gained some perspective on the value of this community.

Sports are undoubtedly a major part of my life. Besides school, family, and other relationships, playing, watching, and talking about sports is one of the main things that keeps me “going.”

Before my “sabbatical” from B/R, I was one of the more active writers in the Broncos community, which I believe is the best in the NFL and here on the site. However, eventually life began to get in the way, and I “burned out” much of my inspiration to write.

I took some time off, and after awhile I began to really miss it.

Bleacher Report provides a place where true sports fans can talk about the teams they love, with both their fellow fanatics and with members of rival communities.

Without B/R, it was more and more difficult to stay current and up to date on the news and transactions that I had been right in the middle of while writing.

Without anyone to really talk to about the Broncos—I have many friends who are NFL fans, but none who follow the Orange and Blue as passionately as myself—I began to lose touch with “my” team.

So, I have decided it is time for me to end my time away and return to the community.

Training camps will soon be starting, and the Broncos have a drastically different team. There will be a lot to talk about and a lot to cover.

And then September will come, and we will be launched into yet another season of NFL football, where anything can happen.

Not to mention the New York Mets, my MLB team, is in action. That is all I can say on them at the moment.

With a new appreciation for the culture of the site, I am happy to return to Bleacher Report. I’ll resume writing about them within the next week.

With the Pieces in Place, Broncos’ Running Game Puzzle Becoming Clear

The waiting is finally over. The NFL draft, and all its anticipation, predictions, and mocks is done and gone for another 350-some odd days.

Now, the real predictions can begin. Most teams will soon be opening mandatory minicamps, and the new rookies will begin their NFL careers. 

The Denver Broncos had an interesting draft. It surprised many. It confused others. But in the end, the Broncos added many of the pieces that they will need to bounce back from a disappointing end to 2008.

One of the key factors for this resurrection (an AFC West title) will be the running game.

The historically strong unit ranked 12th in the NFL in yards per game in 2008, with 116.4 yards per game. While this is not a shabby number by any means, this year’s backfield will have more pressure to excel, the main reason being Jay Cutler’s departure from Denver.

While projected starting quarterback Kyle Orton is a highly competent player, he is not Jay Cutler, and isn’t expected to be. He can make most of the throws Cutler could, but not with such ease.

As the football adage goes, “Use the run to set up the pass.”

The Broncos will undoubtedly be doing a lot of this in 2009. With that said, on to the predictions.

The Broncos have six running backs and two fullbacks on the active roster going into minicamp. They are J.J. Arrington, Correll Buckhalter, LaMont Jordan, Ryan Torain, Knowshon Moreno, and Kestahn Moore. The fullbacks are Peyton Hillis and Spencer Larsen.

As the 2008 team proved, there is never a surplus of running backs that is too large. At some points in 2008, it seemed a back would be placed on IR every week.

This offseason has seen a full “renovation” at the running back position. The only returning players are Torain, Hillis, and Larsen.

Gone are Selvin Young, Andre Hall, Michael Pittman, Tatum Bell, P.J. Pope, and any others seen lining up behind Cutler last season.

The team signed Buckhalter from the Eagles, Arrington from the Cardinals, and Jordan from the Patriots. They drafted Moreno with the 12th pick in the first round, and added Moore as a college free agent last week.

This group has players with different specialties, and it is likely that four or five of the current six players will be on the week one roster.

As of now, first round draft pick Knowshon Moreno has a good chance to be #1 on the depth chart for week one. He will likely be followed by Buckhalter, Arrington, and Jordan.

The jury is still out on Ryan Torain. The fifth round pick in 2008 injured himself in training camp and missed the first eight weeks of the season.

He got his first start in week ten, but tore his ACL in the second quarter of that game and was placed on IR.

In his quarter-and-a-half of work, he rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown, and looked to be a promising young player.

However, the addition of Moreno and veterans like Buckhalter and Arrington could push him off the initial depth chart unless he really impresses Coach McDaniels in training camp. 

J.J. Arrington began to make a name for himself during the Arizona Cardinals’ unlikely Super Bowl run in 2008. He spent the majority of his game time as a third-down back, but also established himself as a very good receiver out of the backfield.

Arrington rushed 31 times for 187 yards and a touchdown. He also caught 29 passes for 255 yards and a touchdown. He is expected to be a situational back who could come in for shotgun formations.

LaMont Jordan is a journeyman who has spent time with the Jets, Raiders, and Patriots. He had 80 carries for 363 yards and four touchdowns in 2008.

He is only 5-foot-10 tall, but weighs 230 pounds and is a power rusher. He could be used in goal-line and short-yardage situations for McDaniels’s offense.

Correll Buckhalter rounds out the new group of veterans, and will be the primary backup to the starter. He has been a solid backup in eight seasons for the Eagles, stepping in whenever All-Pro Brian Westbrook was injured.

Knowshon Moreno, the Broncos’ first pick of the 2009 draft will be going into 2009 with high expectations.

He earned offensive MVP honors from a Georgia team that also featured #1 pick Matthew Stafford, and rushed for over 1,400 yards in 13 games for the Bulldogs.

Before the draft, I previewed the impact Moreno might have on this team if drafted. I said that “The one thing this group does not have is a true star back. A guy who will be the starter every week and who will definitively lead the team in overall rushing.”

This is exactly what Knowshon is expected to be for the Broncos. Barring any injury, it is very plausible that #27 on the Broncos will be the AFC West’s second most feared running back (LaDainian Tomlinson is still #1) by the season’s midpoint.

He has all the elusiveness, versatility, and intelligence that is required to be an every-down back. It is even noted that he’s a better receiver out of the backfield than he gets credit for, and will be a valuable weapon for McDaniels on the field. 

In the locker room, there is no shortage of praise for this young man. He was a team captain at Georgia, and according to scouting reports, is an “Extreme competitor who can put the team on his shoulders. Wants the ball with the game on the line.”

Moreno looks to be a smart draft choice in every sense, and should quickly make his way into the top running backs in the NFL.

In his first season, he will be eased into his duties with a strong group backing him up. As I mentioned earlier, J.J. Arrington will spell Moreno in third-down situations and Jordan on the goal line.

Peyton Hillis will be slicing a path through the opposing defense as the primary fullback, and the stellar offensive line of 2008 is returning all five starters.

Running backs coach Bobby Turner was one of two holdovers from the Shanahan era, and he will undoubtedly be a mentor to Knowshon, as he was to Terrell Davis in the late 1990’s.

All signs point to a revived Broncos rushing attack in 2009, one that will once again make Denver one of the most feared running teams in the NFL.

Preliminary Predictions:

Moreno (Starter) 1,000-1,200 yards rushing, 8-10 touchdowns, 30-40 catches for 300 yards.

Buckhalter (Primary Backup) 250-300 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns, 10 catches for 100 yards.

Arrington (3rd Down) 150-200 yards rushing, 1 touchdown, 20 catches for 250 yards.

Jordan (Goal Line/Short Yardage) 200-250 yards rushing, 4-5 touchdowns, 5 catches for 40-60 yards.

Hillis (Fullback) 100-150 yards rushing, 2-3 touchdowns.

Torain (Situational Back) 200-250 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns.

Team rushing totals: About 2,200 yards, 22 touchdowns.

Why Knowshon Moreno Would Be A Smart Choice For The Denver Broncos

The NFL’s biggest offseason event, the Draft, is now only one day away. By Monday, all the guessing, all the mock drafts, and all the speculation will be finished.

Each team will have seven aspiring young men hoping to make a name for themselves at the highest level.

But before that can happen, the GM’s, Scouts, and Coaches must do their jobs. Correctly picking the right players for a specific team is a skill practiced by professionals, amateurs, and fans alike.

When the 12th, and later the 18th picks come into the spotlight, Josh McDaniels, Brian Xanders, and the rest of the scouting staff for the Denver Broncos will have 15 minutes to get it right.

The Denver Broncos will be drafting defense in the first round, we can be sure of that. They have two picks, and therefore they can also afford to use one of them on offense, if Coach McDaniels chooses to do so.

If an offensive player is drafted by Denver on Saturday (the first and second rounds), it should be Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno.

With their first pick, the 12th pick, the Broncos will most likely draft a defensive lineman or linebacker. Tyson Jackson and B.J. Raji (if he’s available) are the most practical and obvious targets.

Presumably, the Broncos will have a defensive hole filled by the time their second first round pick, the 18th acquired from Chicago in the Jay Cutler deal, rolls around.

With the 18th pick, it is almost certain that Moreno, arguably the top running back in this year’s draft, will be on the board.

Most mock drafts have Moreno going to the Philadelphia Eagles with the 21st overall pick. Others have him going as late as the 29th pick, and still others have him going in the top 10.

If the Broncos are forced to decide between Moreno and a defensive player such as “Ziggy” Hood, Clay Matthews, or Peria Jerry, it would be wise for them to go with Moreno, who is a better value overall.

Running back is a definite need for the Broncos. If last year’s new-starter-every-week trend is going to be prevented in 2009, the team will need as many quality backs as they can get.

Currently, the Broncos have five running backs on their roster. They include LaMont Jordan, J.J. Arrington, Correll Buckhalter, Ryan Torain, and Selvin Young. Peyton Hillis is listed as a fullback.

The current group includes two career-backups (Arrington and Buckhalter) and two younger guys still trying to prove themselves (Torain and Young).

The one thing this group does not have is a true star back. A guy who will be the starter every week and who will definitively lead the team in overall rushing.

Jordan and Hillis are big, strong backs who may be used on the goal line. Arrington made a name for himself as a third-down runner. Buckhalter has always been a solid backup. None have experience being the true No. 1 guy.

Moreno could be “that guy” for the Broncos. He has tremendous upside and very few negatives. Analysts have put him on their “can’t miss” lists.

His only weaknesses; the lack of “top-gear” kind of speed and smaller frame have caused some teams to shy away from him. The Broncos do not need a big back. They already have Jordan and Hillis.

If a scenario happens where the team must choose between Moreno and a slightly-lower potential defensive player, it would be a smart move to draft the running back and leave the defense for the second round and beyond.

Considering the man making the decisions for the Broncos, Josh McDaniels, is an offensive guy by instinct, it is not unreasonable to think that he might draft an offensive player with good talent over a defensive player. Especially if they have a Tyson Jackson-type player already drafted.

It is also important to consider that the Denver offense will have to be more balanced in 2009.

2008’s offense was dominated by the passing game to the point where the team would use empty-backfield shotgun formations for drives on end.

Without Jay Cutler the offense will be more dependant on the running game, and as the old adage goes “the run will set up the pass.”

A good running game with a star back at the front of a deep group would undoubtedly take pressure off of Kyle Orton, Chris Simms, or whoever the starting quarterback may be.

The Broncos should think carefully about drafting Knowshon Moreno with the 18th pick, as it will be a move they are unlikely to regret.

Be sure to follow the draft this weekend (April 25th and 26th) on the NFL Network, NFL.com, ESPN, and other sports broadcasting services. It will be an interesting day.

NFL Schedule Release: Broncos Set to Take on a Tough Slate of Opponents

The biggest offseason event in the NFL community that falls between the scouting combine and the draft is undoubtedly the release of the full regular season schedules.

For months, fans wait eagerly to see their team’s “road map” for the upcoming season, and almost immediately begin to predict potential records and wins/losses.

For the 2009 schedules, today was that day. The schedules are public, so let the predictions begin.

The Denver Broncos’ 2009 schedule looks like this:

The season opens at Cincinnati, then versus Cleveland, at Oakland, home against Dallas, home against the Patriots, and at San Diego.

Week seven is the Broncos bye week.

The marathon then begins. Week eight is at Baltimore, followed by the Super Bowl champion Steelers at home, then to D.C. to play the Redskins.

The Broncos are home for the Chargers, then the Giants on Thanksgiving night at Invesco. A two-game road trip ensues to play the Chiefs then the Colts.

The season closes with a game at home against Oakland, to Philadelphia for one, then back to Denver to close out the season against the Chiefs on January 3, 2010.

Three games will be shown in primetime, the Thanksgiving night game on NFL Network, along with week six in San Diego and week nine against the Steelers, both on ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

Taken at face value, this schedule is a challenging one.

On the bright side, the Broncos will get a relatively easy start, and the first three games against the Bengals, Browns, and Raiders (none of whom eclipsed the five-win mark in 2008).

The team must use this time to jell in their new lineups (especially on defense) and Josh McDaniels must use the first three games to get his playbook finalized and game-tested.

Do not be surprised if the Broncos emerge the first three games with a 3-0 record. After that, it will get harder.

The first major challenge will likely come when Tony Romo and the Cowboys fly in for the week four matchup. The Broncos’ improved rush defense will be tested by Marion Barber and Felix Jones.

Then, week five will bring the moment many people have been waiting for. Josh McDaniels against his mentor, Bill Belichick. A straight up battle between teacher and pupil. McDaniels will be looking to perform better than his fellow former New England coordinators. Mangini and Crennel are a combined 1-7 against their former boss.

The Broncos will then get their first look at the Chargers before taking a much needed week off.

I think 4-2 is a good goal for the team going into the bye week, and 5-1 would be an accomplishment. They must take advantage of the easy beginning and start 3-0. If they are able to go 1-2 against the Cowboys, Patriots, and Chargers, it should be considered a success.

As was mentioned before, week four on will be a marathon. Week four begins a nine-week stretch during which the Broncos will play teams who finished 2008 with a record at or above .500.

The team will finally get their respite after their short-week Thanksgiving game against the Giants. I think the best the team could do up to week 12 is 7-4. If they hope to be 10-6 by the season’s end, they must find a way to beat the Ravens, Redskins, and Chargers.

McDaniels will finally get a look at his former project, Matt Cassel, when the Broncos play in Kansas City in week 13. After the Giants and before the Colts, that game will be a must-win.

After the Colts, the team comes home to play the Raiders in another game they must have. Then Brian Dawkins will return to the City of Brotherly Love for a much- anticipated encore in Philly.

The season will end in Denver against the Chiefs. The Broncos could very well be locked in a playoff battle with the Chargers, and that game could be a win-and-in situation.

Looking at the “dark side,” that is the schedule of the Chargers, a Bronco fan should feel good about the season’s final “sprint”.

While the Broncos have the Eagles and then the Chiefs to end the season, the Chargers will finish with two tough games, at Tennessee and home against Washington. They must also play the entire AFC North and NFC East.

Based on their schedule, I see the Denver Broncos finishing 2009 with a 9-7 or 10-6 record. Look for the team to use their difficult schedule to their own advantage to build chemistry and strength, and hopefully to be well prepared for their first playoff appearance in three years.

 

 

 

 

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