Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

LINCICOME: Weapons extinguished, Cutler fired up

By Bernie Lincicome, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 6, 2008 at 11:54 p.m.

Text size  

Poll

Did the Broncos turn the corner on their season with Thursday's win?


Broncos quick links

Drew on the NFL
Drew Litton
Scores and statistics
Broncos inbox

Related Links

Related Stories

More Denver Broncos

More stories »

Heeee's back.

That would be Jay Cutler, so discombobulated and commonplace of late, restored in one superb evening, loose and free and prolific, not the constipated crank he has been.

This was the Cutler of early September, except more so, because he was without the same weapons, every one of his 447 passing yards needed, each of his three touchdown throws vital, even his 29 rushing yards crucial.

"Obviously, he threw the ball well," said Mike Shanahan, using the coach's gift of understatement.

What Cutler can do he was allowed to do against that old tradition patsy, the Browns, not only allowed but forced to do with the further deletion of anyone who dares to run the football for the Broncos, rescuing the Broncos from themselves.

"It was a big win," said receiver Brandon Stokley. "As bad as we have been playing, we just needed a win. To get it the way we did was awesome."

It is too handy to dredge history from the site, if not the exact stadium, where John Elway established himself, for the circumstances were different then, the prize greater and the weather certainly worse.

The Drive was an indelible step forward for the Broncos and for Elway, this was something less dramatic, though the 93-yard suddenness of Cutler to Eddie Royal has its own special frame.

"That should not happen, ever," groaned Browns coach Romeo Crennel.

Cutler was so plainly all that could win for the Broncos, the only authentic weapon, down 13 points, not a real running back to hand the ball to and the Broncos defense as unreliable as usual, making the Browns' novice quarterback, Brady Quinn, look like a competent veteran.

Early production by rookie Bronco Ryan Torain, including a touchdown, has to be measured against the fact that Torain lacks both power and elusiveness, a combination that makes him seem faster than he is.

Torain's knee, Selvin Young's groin, Michael Pittman's neck and Andre Hall's hand make a basket of used body parts.

The Broncos were left with a backfield of rookies - Peyton Hillis and Spencer Larson, two rumored fullbacks - leaving Cutler the best running back on the field.

As for the defense, the Broncos seem not to want to hit, get hit or be near anyone who does.

In a strange and providential way, the very fact the usual approach by the Broncos - control the ball with the run and careful passes - was taken away by circumstance has presented a design for winning from here.

The Broncos may now need to be a team of risk and daring. They may have no other choice. Certainly, Cutler seems more comfortable that way. It was almost as if he were back at Vanderbilt, surrounded by lesser talents, making them better all by himself.

In Cutler's miniversion of his own Drive, the final 80-yard march for the winning score, the concluding sequence went like this: Cutler pass for 9 yards, Cutler run for 2, Cutler pass for 14, Cutler run for 18, Cutler pass for 11, touchdown.

Whether they're back - they being the Broncos - is less exact, but at least they are not where they were, which was sliding toward calamity.

They now have a pattern to follow for winning, if beyond the usual comfort zone of Shanahan.

Shanahan might look at all the eager promise of Quinn and sigh. He used to have one of those. And now he has something more dangerous, more uncertain.

It could have been the reverse of how it worked out. The inevitable Cutler interception came in the middle of the second quarter, and three more clattered in and out of the hands of Browns defenders.

Were Cutler throwing footballs against the Broncos secondary, he might not need to resort to audacity, or if any of the mysterious souls serving as running backs could face Denver's hopeless linebackers, they would be backs of the week, or at least backs of Thursday night.

Put all the best parts of all the Broncos linebackers into one and you still wouldn't have a good linebacker, though to be fair, they do celebrate better than most, or at least with less reason, treating a routine tackle like the birth of a child.

This is what Cutler had to overcome, and the more assured he became, the more confident the rest of the team seemed as well. Brandon Marshall, who caught the winning touchdown pass, was unexceptional early, missing balls high, low and in the middle.

At halftime, former Browns greats were introduced, prompting the idle thought that maybe Dante "Glue Fingers" Lavelli could give a hand transplant to Marshall.

In one half fueled by his own talent and determination, Cutler simply made everyone better. And a game that should have been lost was won, not an unfamiliar scenario between the Broncos and Browns.

And now, of course, Cutler only has to do the same thing seven more times this season.

Comments

  • November 7, 2008

    6:25 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ELWAY420 writes:

    Good article. Great game....but STILL something sticks...and it's that defense. AND that celebrating. Knock that sh#$ off. Its embarrassing.

  • November 7, 2008

    7:07 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    Is it just me, or does Cutler seem to hate Brandon Marshall? They seem to always glare at each other.

    Regardless, good game. GO BRONCOS! Rub a little of that magic off on the Nugs tonight!

  • November 7, 2008

    7:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Buddy6 writes:

    kmeissner... I think it is B Marsh needs to get his head in the game. Several times he read the defense wrong, causing one an nearly two Cutler picks. Now that teams are game planning B Marsh he needs to be come a better player mentally. Anyway, I think the glare is more Cutler holding Marshall accountable. Hopefully, it will help #15 become a more complete player.

    The interesting part to me is how Royal already has the mental part down and we don't need to talk about the physical side. WOW, Marshall might not even be our best "complete" receiver right now.

    Anyway, injuries have really put a damper on this season. However, we have a lot of young talent on the Offensive side of the ball and they can use these next seven games to gain some great experience. Shanny just needs to keep the offense wide open...Hillis is absolutely a stud, the line is great and barring injuries the receiving corp can only become the best in the league and as the receiving corp gets better Cutler's "mistakes" will become far fewer. Yeh, we will still need a running back (maybe just one of the guys on our roster now, when healthy), but that is for next year. As for this year, Hillis for power...an aerial show for everything else.

  • November 7, 2008

    7:51 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Woody writes:

    Great article! From the sound of it, it's just as well that I don't get live productions. [on the west coast] My tv would likely have a few bullet holes would I have been subjected to the keystone cops masquerading as the defense. Why aren't the Colorado faithful mobbing the Bronco Facilities demanding the ouster of Slovik? That guy's causing serious heartache, ,, in more ways than one.

  • November 7, 2008

    8:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    hallandnash writes:

    As Cutler goes so do the Broncos ...

    I'd like a to give a thumbs up to Cris Collensworth on the analyst job on the game. Pointing out that it was Marshall's error on the INT and not Cutler is something most people would have never picked up.

    kmeissner - Cutler and Marshall are aparently best of friends .. so call that a friendly pick up ..

    And a big thumbs up to Stokley for stopping Brandon from doing something stupid after his touchdown and getting a penalty and then giving Cleveland good field position.

  • November 7, 2008

    8:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    KJindahouse writes:

    Gutsy performance from the Broncs... Marshall just was not in the game last night. Whether wrong routes or giving up on plays, B Marsh needs to grow up. In all fairness, he did make it up with the last TD. Was encouraging to see the fire and attitude with the LB's Woodward and Winborn, but like the earlier comment stop the celebrating. Defense has nothing to celebrate about...

  • November 7, 2008

    8:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Jubei writes:

    Marshall is going to be fine. He said the right things after the game, and now he needs to follow up on the field against Atlanta. If you watched the postgame, he took responsibility for the INT, and the dropped balls. TO would have taken all of the credit and none of the blame.

    As far as the celebrations go, maybe these LBs should save that for a third down stop (rare as they are). Woodyard looks promising, though. Webster getting hurt may be a blessing in disguise. The dude acts like a tackle after a 15 yard run is something worthy of praise.

    Kudos to the OL, Cutler, Royal, and Hillis. And way to wake up at the right time, B-Marsh.

  • November 7, 2008

    9:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    myerda00 writes:

    Hey posters, Brandon Marshall has not earned the respect of a nick name such as b-marsh, just call him Marshall. He spent all his pregame time devising away to celebrate a touchdown, instead of studying the Browns defense. He pouts, drops balls, runs poor routes, and does not protect a bad throw. Just grow up and act like Eddie Royal, a professional.
    Yes Woodyard showed great skills and Koutouvides seemed to seattle the defense down.
    Winborn along with Webster celebrate each tackle because they do not get many. JUST STOP IT !!!
    Great comeback.

  • November 7, 2008

    10:06 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MTBroncofan writes:

    This article made me chuckle... sorta. It wouldn't be funny if it wasn't true. I find that I have to leave the room when the defense is on the field... its just too painful to watch.

    The offense didn't impress me much either until the fourth quarter. Yes, when he's p!$$ed off, Cutler has the ability - like #7 - to make his teammates better than they are. Can we line up Cutler on defense too? Maybe he could play safety...

  • November 7, 2008

    10:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Jubei writes:

    What B-Marsh needs to learn is that professionals like Jerry Rice and Rod Smith run the same routes the same way with the same intensity and focus every game regardless of the score. If he can't regain that earlier consistency, then Cutler will continue to spread the ball to other receivers.

    Back when the analysts were kissing Marshall's behind, one of the reasons was his route-running, which I would like to think was due somewhat to playing with Rod. But the last couple of games he got discouraged and out of focus and it cost Jay a couple of INTs.

    He's young, but he will continue to get better. After the game I heard him give all of the credit to Hillis, Royal and Cutler, and man up about the dropped balls and the INT.

  • November 7, 2008

    11:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mazekl writes:

    "...Koutouvides seemed to seattle the defense down."

    Did you even WATCH the game??? Koutouvides is an even bigger bust than our two defensive ends, and he showed it (again) last night!

  • November 7, 2008

    11:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ramAZ writes:

    Could we PLEASE get Cleveland on the schedule every year? That game brought up some great memories. With so many injuries, it will be tough for the Broncos to win the division though.

  • November 7, 2008

    12:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    joered writes:

    not much to do with anything: can shanahan say a sentence without using 'obviously' in it? if someone got a nickel for every 'obviously' the past-his-prime coach says, that person would be able to build a house with a bowling alley like shany's new shanty. his manners, facial expressions, gestures make him seem brain squeezed. too much pressure? too much time as broncos do it all executive/coach? too much time on the ego feeding pedestal?
    he looks and sounds like he needs to do something else. might be a good idea for the team too.

  • November 7, 2008

    12:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Rickenator writes:

    Here's the scoop on the defense - Nate Webster was not missed at all. He's constantly out of position. I would like to have a $100 dollars each time his helmet pops loose when he does hit someone. Boss Bailey is done for the year and quite frankly, a bust as well. Way too many dollars for such little impact when he was playing. Unfortunately, he's like Ryan Torain - - as in the Dylan song "Forever Young," - alas "Forever Injured." Woodyard was exceptional - - many solo tackles with speed and ferocity. Did you see that hit on Jamal Lewis? Stone cold. So, for next year, draft a large, mobile, middle linebacker in the 240+ range, a strong pass rusher, another strong side backer and safety. Hell, blow the entire draft on the defense and start Woodyard, D.J and your first/second round MLB. The defense is the priority for next year - - and maybe you can find a durable running back in the later rounds.

  • November 7, 2008

    1:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Jubei writes:

    The Rickenator took the words right out of my mouth.

    Losing Webster is addition by subtraction. If Niko can't improve the middle of the defense, then package some picks and go get Laurinaitis from OSU.

    Oh yeah, and Winborn needs to celebrate only after tackles for losses, sacks, and third down stops. Tackles after 15 yard romps do not count.

  • November 7, 2008

    3 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tonyfromjersey writes:

    That fourth and 1 play by Hillis was huge, all heart. I havent seen tough running like that since CP was traded. I say shanny should go with 3 wide 2 TE look the rest of the way, until somebody stops it. Best bet is go for 30+ because our defense is going to give up that many