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Sam Adams' Open Mic: Cutler's Sunday will tell the tale

By Sam Adams, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 24, 2008 at 3:13 p.m.

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Here is my tid-blitz of tidbits on Christmas Eve, which begins with wonder, as in: I wonder which Jay Cutler shows up for the Broncos on Sunday at San Diego.

Will it be the nice Jay, who has completed 63 percent of his passes (with eight touchdowns and two interceptions) in Denver’s four road wins this season? Or the naughty Jay, who has produced 43 turnovers (35 interceptions and eight lost fumbles) in 36 career NFL starts? ...

Sure, it’s possible the Broncos can beat the Chargers without a 100-yard rusher. Peyton Hillis has the team’s only 100-yard rushing game on the road this season (129 yards at the New York Jets) and Denver’s only 100-yard rushing game in its past 11 road games. The Broncos have gone 4-7 in those games. ...

Was I the only one thinking, “Hey, that was pretty cool,” while seeing the Broncos blitz Bills quarterback Trent Edwards a few times early in the game? Probably not, which means I wasn’t the only one wondering why in the heck they stopped blitzing. ...

Sunday’s 17-degree temperature at kickoff was said to be the coldest ever for a game at Invesco Field. But the Broncos’ media guide lists the game-time temp at 16 degrees for Cutler’s NFL debut, Dec. 3, 2006, at home against Seattle. Triple-double doppler, whatever. ...

The Broncos are undefeated in their past three Sunday Night Football road games, against New England, Indianapolis and Arizona. ...

Congrats and Merry Christmas to Fort Collins resident Shane Schroeder, who won $1 million in the inaugural Fantasy Football Open Championship. ...

Attention Mike Shanahan: Don’t use your running backs until the fourth quarter. ...

Congrats to Chris Fox, of Parker. On Jan. 4, he’ll play in the inaugural Youth All-American Bowl, a football game in San Antonio featuring

seventh- and eighth-graders from around the country. ...

Is room service better than home cooking? The Broncos have been outscored 106-75 in the second half of games played at home (56-35 in the fourth quarter). On the road, Denver has outscored its opposition 88-85 in the second half, 65-55 in the fourth quarter.

Comments

  • December 24, 2008

    4:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Merry Christmas Sam. Wishing you the best for you and your family. You never gave your pick on the game? You already know mine. Broncos to win, of course, 34-28. I want to see the Dolts get such a spanking, but I feel in my heart it will be close. Just send them home for the Holidays. I think we'll need some of the 4th quarter magic, but I would be happier with a huge lead before the 4th. What's your thoughts on who will be in the backfield, toting the rock? Boyd? Tatum? Pinnock? Haynes? I hate not knowing till the day of the game (which is how it's been much of the season). I want to see Boyd.

  • December 24, 2008

    5:17 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    baylinorcrush writes:

    DDave, by now you must know how adamant I am that we must find a semblance of a running game if we have any chance to advance at this time of the year. I don't know enough about the backs we have right now, but it seems we should have most of them active and, please carry a full back. Therefore, at least activate Boyd and Pinnock to help out Tatum. Larsen and Haynes might also come in handy, but it might be hard to decide on who to deactivate to make room for them. However I truly believe that if Cutler doesn't have a running threat in his offense, he is no way ready at this point to win a game of this magnitude by himself.

    I still have hope that the coaching staff can finally put together a game plan that can allow the players to come up on top Sunday.
    They certainly have not done so the last two weeks. Every time we had something going, they went into a conservative game plan (offense and defense) as if they were trying to hold back some hands for future games (Shanahan's motto of operation).
    There is no such scenario anymore, leave it all out on the field for 60 minutes and I believe we can prevail.

    Merry Christmas to all!

  • December 24, 2008

    7:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    baylinorcrush, I agree, we need a solid show from the RB's. I want to see Boyd and Pinnock. I don't know if Haynes knows the system to make a solid contribution, yet? Tatum can be used for short route passes. Implement our TE's. I think Marshall is going to have a big game. Remember, he was MIA for the 1st SD/Broncos game. They will have their hands full with him. This is what Denver has been playing for, since game 2., to show SD that the Broncos are the better team. It's put up or shut up. I think they can put up.

  • December 24, 2008

    8:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    baylinorcrush writes:

    DDave, If I remember correctly, Marshall was MIA on the first game of the season against the Raiders at home and Royal had a tremendous game. On the second game against the Chargers, he was reinstated and exploded with 22 or something receptions, to fall only one short of the record held by TO. Considering that beating, he might attract a lot of double coverages, and Royal might be the guy, he did score the last touchdown and the two point conversion last time but otherwise was pretty quiet. Anyhow, this is the type of game where you let it all out, all the receivers and tight ends shall get their share. If we can threaten some with the run, Cutler should have enough time to tear apart that Charger pass defense, I think 31st in the league! No excuses there, I envision a high scoring game, like 45-41, Broncos of course.

  • December 24, 2008

    8:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    baylinorcrush, my bad, that's right. Didn't he get 18 receptions? he was close to breaking TO's record. I would implement our TE's on the line to block for the RB's. I want to see Boyd and Pinnock. Pinnock at 250 lbs. can tire out a D.

  • December 24, 2008

    11:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    fjv1026 writes:

    Which Jay will show up? If inconsistency has marked this season, it isn't all Jay Cutler. How about the non-existent running game? Hillis was on his way to rescuing the running game before his unfortunate injury. How about the incredibly inconsistent defense? Everytime there's a burn in the secondary, Dre Bly or the inexperienced safeties are to blame. How about the inconsistency of the kicker Prater? 40-49 yards away is his Bermuda Triangle. So, I don't think Cutler's the problem. Just my opinion.

  • December 24, 2008

    11:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    fjv1026, no, you're correct, Cutler is not the problem. He's going to the Pro Bowl, so his play is fine. You hit it correct about the D. ST is poor, as well. Prater needs to correct his problem. Like you said, 40-49 he is terrible. We will probably see Boyd and Pinnock. Tatum, also. I still believe Boyd can get it done. We can only keep our fingers crossed, hope for the best, cheer for our team and watch one hell of a game.

  • December 25, 2008

    8:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    cdmdenver writes:

    MERRY XMAS-FIRE SHANAHAN!

  • December 25, 2008

    10:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    cdmdenver, a jerk to the end, eh? Even on Christmas? When you offer a logical replacement as to who would replace him and how many years the fans will have to wait while he rebuilds the team, then bring it to the table. Otherwise, sit back in your bandwagon chair on the porch.