Broncos report: Cutler has fit the bill during fourth quarter

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 19, 2008 at 5:01 p.m.

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Photo by Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

The Broncos' Jay Cutler has the second-best fourth-quarter quarterback rating this year and leads in yardage (806) and touchdowns (eight) during the period.

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Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler has wrestled the hands of time fairly well this season.

Ten games in, and no quarterback in the league has thrown for more yards (806) or more touchdowns (eight) in the fourth quarter this season.

"I don't know, I'm just comfortable with what I'm seeing at that point in the game," Cutler said Wednesday. "Sometimes it takes me a couple series to get in a rhythm, get comfortable with everything we're doing. By the fourth quarter, I'm ready to roll."

Cutler's 103.3 passer rating in the fourth quarter is more than 12 points higher than his overall passer rating (90.7) and trials only Dallas quarterback Tony Romo's 145.5 fourth-quarter rating.

Some of the totals have been fueled by Cutler's work of late. The Broncos trailed Cleveland 23-13 at the start of the fourth quarter, and Cutler threw three touchdown passes to close out the win.

They trailed Atlanta 20-17 with 10:41 to play Sunday before Cutler threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Daniel Graham.

"I think this offense is really calm in the fourth quarter and we've had some situations where we've had to come up with some plays, some points in a hurry," Cutler said. "And guys understand we're going to be in a lot of situations where a lot of games are won or lost with what you do in the fourth quarter."

"He stays calm," receiver Brandon Stokley said. "He doesn't let things bother him."

When the Broncos have been at their best in coach Mike Shanahan's tenure, they have thrown early, gotten the lead, then pounded defenses in the run game to close out things.

But these Broncos have struggled on defense at times, so they haven't had the lead as much as in some years; they have four running backs on injured reserve; and in their losses, they consistently have turned over the ball.

That has put the Broncos in a position of playing with the lead slightly less than 43 percent of the time this season.

As a result, Indianapolis' Peyton Manning has completed and attempted more fourth-quarter passes this season than Cutler has. They are the only quarterbacks in the league who have thrown more than 100 times in the fourth quarter.

"I think we all understand you have to play your best ball in that quarter," Cutler said. "If you have the lead, you want to keep the lead, get the win and go on. If you're down, you've got to try to get back in it, make some plays, get the ball into the end zone in some way."

Cutler also has been more protective of the ball in the final quarter. He has thrown 42 percent of his touchdown passes in the fourth quarter - eight of his 19 - but also has thrown two of his 11 interceptions in that quarter.

Graham, who caught a low fastball from Cutler for the touchdown against the Falcons, said Cutler's arm strength helps in those situations because when defenses back off to get more players in coverage, Cutler has the power to deliver the ball.

"He threw that one between two guys and only where I could get it," Graham said. "Maybe some quarterbacks can't get that ball through. If I didn't catch it, nobody would."

Not a young man's game

Broncos punter Brett Kern stands out among his brethren this season. Of the league's top 29 punters in net average, he is the only rookie.

Kern is seventh in the category at 39.5 net yards per punt.

"A lot of it is being right place at the right time," Kern said. "You hope the team needs a player and you do well enough to get the job. I'm just going to keep working my butt off and you know next year, they might bring somebody else along to try and punt.

"So you keep working. This is my dream, it's what I've always wanted to do. There's only 32 spots for a punter or a kicker, that's it, and there might only be two or three spots where there's an opportunity every year and there are a lot of guys who maybe were in the league two or three years who don't have spots trying to get back in."

Kern won a training camp battle with Sam Paulescu, who is punting for the Cowboys.

Kern said the biggest adjustment from his college career at Toledo has been to maintain his form while trying to get the ball away more quickly.

"You have to get quicker (in the NFL)," Kern said. "You look at the get-off times, it doesn't look like a lot, or that big a difference, but it takes a little bit to get used to."

High praise

Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha has been voted a Pro Bowl alternate once but hasn't been voted into the game.

Shanahan said it's more than a little strange Asomugha's peers - players and coaches leaguewide take part in the voting - and others don't give the sixth-year player more attention.

"Most underrated player in the history of the game . . . ," Shanahan said. "He's off the charts, as good as it gets. I just think he's the most underrated player since I've been in the National Football League, not getting attention for the way he plays."

Asomugha, who said last week only 11 passes had been thrown his way before he made his first interception against the Panthers on Nov. 9, plays the right cornerback spot for the Raiders.

In the first meeting between the Broncos and Raiders this season, Cutler said, "We didn't really mess with him."

Instead, the Broncos preferred to go after cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who since has been waived.

Etc.

* Cornerback Champ Bailey (groin) again did some limited work in practice. He will continue to be a question mark through the week, though. "He started to loosen up last week, go through some drills, same thing (Monday)," Shanahan said. "Really a day-by-day scenario . . . probably make a decision right before the game."

* Fullback Peyton Hillis, whose right shoulder was X-rayed after the win at Atlanta, practiced Wednesday, as did running back P.J. Pope, who Shanahan said earlier in the week had some sore ribs.

* Linebackers D.J. Williams (knee) and Nate Webster (knee), safety Marlon McCree (ankle) and running back Selvin Young (groin) were held out of practice.

* Spencer Larsen worked at middle linebacker with the starting defense after making his first start there against Atlanta.

Henry seeks reduction

Former Broncos running back Travis Henry, who fathered nine children by nine women, returned to DeKalb County (Ga.) Superior Court to try to reduce child-support payments for one son, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Henry, who also faces federal drug charges, wants to modify an order to pay $3,000 a month to the mother, Jameshia Beacham. His lawyer said the amount should be reduced now that Henry is unemployed and likely out of the NFL for good.

Atlanta attorney Randall M. Kessler said Henry was waived by the Broncos because of his age (30) and because of an injury.

"He's got child-support obligations across the country, and he's got zero income," Kessler told Judge Clarence Seeliger.

Robert Wellon, the lawyer for the mother, argued against reducing the monthly payments. He asked for documentation about how much Henry has spent from a $3 million payment the player received this year. He also asked the judge for time to determine whether Henry's dismissal from the Broncos was involuntary or whether he precipitated it by his own actions. Seeliger agreed to Wellon's request. The next hearing has not been scheduled.

• November 19, 2008

  6 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  “He threw that one between two guys and only where I could get it,” Cutler said. “Maybe some quarterbacks can’t get that ball through. If I didn’t catch it, nobody would.”

  I think you meant, "Graham said". Come on, Jeff, your job is simple. Nice article, other then that blooper.

  Cutler is going to be known for these 4th quarter marches, especially until our D gets better. But, he has great composure. He will be something special and exciting to watch, throughout his career.

• November 19, 2008

  6:36 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  myerda00 writes:

  ANYONE heard anything about how Chad Jackson is doing? Darrell Jackson is lost money - no help. Glenn Martinez at least played ST.
  Hey, if Josh Bell has taken over CB and Jack Williams is nickle with Karl Paymah in dime, why not try Karl at SS because he is big, fast and hits. Karl just seems a step behind covering a WR, CB's need quickness more than speed.
  Raiders are in town boys, TCB (take care of business).

• November 19, 2008

  7:34 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  myerda00, I've been wondering the same thing about Chad? Darrell is a bust. He couldn't catch a cold if he were naked and in 30 below weather. I hope they use Chad in the Raiders game as a warm up. Of course, we usually use Brandon and Brandon, Eddie, Tony and Daniel. When we go to a 5 wideout set, maybe then? I also agree about Martinez. Why they released him, I'll never understand? He looked pretty good. I don't know what Shanahan was thinking to let him go and keep D. Jackson? I suppose it's due to the gaurenteed $$ that we gave Jackson. You remember, the money he never earned?

• November 19, 2008

  11:05 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  angryman1n writes:

  Huh.... That's funny the NFL only credits Cutler w/ a 99.8 fourth quarter passer rating.

  As a matter of fact, his highest passer ratings are when the game is tied, 107.6. (I'm guessing that means early in the game. Diabetes anyone?) He has a passer rating of 95.8 when the Bronco's are ahead, but only 80.2 when behind. His completion percentage also drops from 66.6% to only 57.1%.

  You can make the argument that playing from behind forces him throw more, but it just goes to show that Cutsoon isn't the great savior.

• November 19, 2008

  11:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  angryman1n writes:

  Okay. I stand corrected. Those numbers are right. Apparently the NFL just takes its sweet *** time to update it's stats page.

  Cutsoon's rating jumped from 89.5 to 90.7 w/ the click of the mouse.

• November 20, 2008

  12:31 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mauibronco writes:

  angryman1- Are you a Bronco fan or not? If you are, give up the hope of Culter getting cut because I think it is clouding your opinions. Quit rooting against the guy and realize he has won the last 2 games for the Broncos. What more do you want out of a 3rd year quarterback? He is regarded league-wide as a star in the making, yet you seem more determined to be the guy that said he was going to be cut before anybody else rather cheering him on. Get over it!

  Oh, and if you're not a Bronco fan, why are you wasting your time analyzing them?

• November 20, 2008

  12:47 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mauibronco writes:

  angryman1- Are you a Bronco fan or not? If you are, give up the hope of Culter getting cut because I think it is clouding your opinions. Quit rooting against the guy and realize he has won the last 2 games for the Broncos. What more do you want out of a 3rd year quarterback? He is regarded league wide as a star in the making, yet you seem more determined to be the guy that said he was going to be cut before anybody else rather cheering him on. Get over it!

  Oh, and if you're not a Bronco fan, why are you wasting your time analyzing them?

• November 20, 2008

  9:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  angryman1n writes:

  It's just fun. My job is to sit behind a computer and wait for nothing to happen. It is an important waste of your $$$. This fills my time.

• November 20, 2008

  9:23 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  JCut6JElway7 writes:

  The NFL as we all know is a "What have you done for me lately" business. But as Bronco fans you should have seen Cutler's greatness was always there. It was just going to take NFL experience to get him up to speed. Now in his 3rd season the greatness is getting brighter and brighter. Sure there's going to be "haters" out there but all you have to do is see the way Jay plays the game and handles himself to know this is something special. The fact that he admits by the 4th quarter he's ready to roll shows it's simply an experience thing and at 0:00 in the 4th quarter that's another game under his belt. Soon enough working with his young receiving corps he will be rolling from the 1st quarter through the 4th. It's nice not to have to worry about getting a QB in the next 10+ years.

• November 20, 2008

  9:41 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Jubei writes:

  angryman1:

  Who would you suggest take over as the starting QB?

  Or are you like the shriekers that call for Shanahan's head without suggesting a replacement that would be any kind of improvement?

  Poke holes all you want, but this team has resurrected itself the last two weeks (ON THE ROAD!). They have done that in large part due to very good 4th quarter performances from Cutler.

  While you cry about the guy, all he does is cement his role as the best QB in Denver since Big John...

  Did the guy run over your dog? Steal your girlfriend?

• November 20, 2008

  10:12 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jugdish writes:

  angryman1n

  I bet you were a huge Plummer fan, yes? Let it go.
  Cutsoon? How do you type with a straightjacket on?
  Cutler is the real deal, my friend.
  Glad the Broncos were smart enough to go get him.
  Vince Young = Bust
  Matt Leinart = Bust
  We're lucky Al Davis runs the Raiduhs or Cutler would be in Silver and Black. I'm still stunned they did not take him with his arm.
  A lot of people blew that draft.

• November 20, 2008

  10:41 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  RustyWon writes:

  angryman just likes to stir the pot and see what responses he can get. There are generally several people like that on these posts.
  He probably is angry most of the time, but more to the point; he is just flat pathetic.

  He probably has a booger on the tip of his finger right now.

  Cutler has set himself up as a great quarterback in the NFL.
  Of all the QB's taken in the last 5 drafts, I'd take Jay over any of them.

  Go Broncos!!

• November 20, 2008

  10:53 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  slamnsam569 writes:

  knock it off guys...cutler's the best thing that's happened to us since saint john elway...i remmember booing him and yelling for deburg...remmember ??? he'll get more rings.... broncos rule!!!

• November 20, 2008

  11:26 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  angrtyman1n, once again, you are playing the fool. When you actually learn the game of football and you can actually recognize talent, get back to us.

• November 20, 2008

  1:15 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dannylee5280 writes:

  in the begening god made elway and cutler, Broncos rule!!!!

• November 20, 2008

  2:41 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  kmeissner writes:

  jugdish I was a Plummer fan! He won about 75% of the games he started. He was ok. Not as good as Cutler is or will be but I still think he got a bad rap. And now he plays handball. haha.

  Angryman1 is always talking his smack on these boards. You know he LOVES the Broncos and probably has posters of Cutler all over his house.

  Hopefully our Broncs handle the Raiders this weekend. I'd like to see Al Davis crying in his box sometime during the game. That would be an early Xmas present for me. GO BRONCOS! Spencer Larsen for player of the week!

• November 20, 2008

  2:59 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  kmeissner, yeah, I already cast my vote. Larsen was a stud on the field last weekend. I don't know about Al Davis crying? Can a corpse cry?

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