Similarities between Cutler and young Favre are unmistakable

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 26, 2008 at 6:50 p.m.

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Bus Cook is fully cognizant of his good fortune.

"I've got the best young quarterback and the best old quarterback in football," said the sports agent, who will have a plum vantage point to watch both high-profile clients Sunday at the Meadowlands when the Broncos (6-5) visit the New York Jets (8-3).

On one side, there'll be Jay Cutler, the kid whom Cook first saw helping out at Steve McNair's football camp a few years ago and whose personality and demeanor (and later, his skills) immediately struck him as comparable to his, um, most senior client.

On the other side will be the gray-speckled Brett Favre, the biggest thing to hit Broadway since The Lion King and a player with whom Cook forged a relationship nearly two decades ago on a golf course, where the then-college prospect said he might want to give this NFL thing a try.

"Jay's Jay and Brett's Brett," Cook said Wednesday. "And it's been fun to watch them both."

In some ways, it has been like watching history repeat itself.

As a young buck, Favre would scramble out of impossible situations and make improbable - some would say ill-advised - throws.

Since Favre arrived in the NFL, coaches have tried to rein him in, starting with Mike Holmgren in Green Bay and going all the way to the Jets' Eric Mangini, who, a few weeks back, used a blackjack analogy in telling the future Hall of Famer he couldn't always "hit on 20."

Gambles often hit jackpot

But his high-stakes style has worked well enough to allow Favre to become the NFL's all-time leader in touchdown passes (462), completions (5,622), attempts (9,105), yards (64,122) and wins (168). But he's also the career leader in interceptions (301).

Along the way, he inspired a new generation of quarterbacks that includes the likes of Cutler.

Like Favre, he hails from a small town, went to a middle-tier college football school and then hit the big time.

And, like Favre, the third-year Broncos quarterback can make all the throws and isn't afraid, sometimes to his detriment, to jam them into tight spots.

The Broncos coaching staff alternately smiles and sighs at his growing pains because the upside is so apparent.

"Jay Cutler's got 'it,' " Cook said. "He's got that leading attitude, the confidence factor that, 'I can make all the throws,' that, 'I can win ballgames' and 'I'm not worried about passing titles. All I'm worried about is one thing, and that's winning a football game.' He and Brett share those same things. They've both got gunslinger attitudes. They're both feisty. . . . They're both so alike. They're both down-to-earth guys. There's nothing pretentious about either one of them."

All Cutler needs now to reach his quarterbacking elder is a minimum of 232 more consecutive starts, a Super Bowl ring and three Most Valuable Player awards.

Both players said Wednesday they understand comparisons between Cutler now and Favre in his younger days, though the veteran quarterback admitted Cutler's "probably a little more advanced as far as being in a passing offense when he came into the league than I was."

"From a physical standpoint, I see us doing a lot of the same things at that age."

Cutler has 'right mentality'

Because of Cook's involvement, Favre followed Cutler back to his days at Vanderbilt and through his Broncos career.

"I know him a little bit. . . . I think the guy can be pretty darned good," Favre said. "He has been good up to this point. I think he'll continue to get better. He has the right mentality, has all the physical tools you need, got a real strong arm. He moves around well. I think, you know, barring some injury, he'll have a great career."

The two were matched against each other last season, before a series of much-publicized events prompted Favre to change shades of green.

During a Monday Night Football matchup, with Broncos fans almost certainly believing it would be their last chance to watch the now 39-year-old Favre in person, Cutler gave Cook his pregame wish - leading the Broncos down the field to a last-second field goal and a tie.

The deadlock, though, would be broken on the first play of overtime, when Favre hit Packers receiver Greg Jennings in stride down the left sideline for an 82-yard touchdown, which the quarterback later would say was one of the top passes of his career.

Favre's season with the Jets has had its share of lows (seven interceptions in three games) and remarkable highs (a current five-game winning streak, including back-to-back road victories at New England and previously unbeaten Tennessee).

He has completed 245-of-347 passes - a 70.6 completion rate - for 2,461 yards, with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

And lately, Favre has been content to work the underneath routes instead of going deep.

Go with what works

That doesn't mean Favre, in his 18th pro season, won't resort to old habits.

He did it Sunday against Tennessee, and with positive results, when he threw a pass from the right side of the field, across his body to the left side, through a triangle of Titans defenders. It landed in the hands of Jets receiver Laveranues Coles for a 2-yard touchdown.

"Jay hasn't quite gotten into that as much as I've seen Brett gotten into that," said Bob Slowik, Denver's defensive coordinator, who coached against Favre with Chicago in the 1990s and was part of Green Bay's staff before joining the Broncos. "The across-the-body, falling backwards hook shoots or the behind-the-back tosses. We haven't quite seen that here, thank goodness. Because those didn't always end well."

"Maybe in the years to come," Cutler shot back, jokingly.

It has been difficult enough lately just getting the pedestrian hooks, crosses and go routes coordinated.

When the Broncos quarterback is on, Denver wins. He has had a passer rating of at least 93.3 in six victories. When he's not - such as his career-low 43.8 completion percentage against Oakland on Sunday - the Broncos have struggled. Nine of his 12 interceptions have come in losses.

But Cutler did surpass 3,000 passing yards for the second straight season. And he's one short of last year's touchdown total of 20, with five games remaining.

"He's been very good, overall," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "He's in his third year. He has a good feel for defenses. He knows when he plays well and when he plays poorly. The decisions that he makes are an ongoing process for a quarterback. The thing I love about him is that he's a great competitor. . . . And when you have a competitor on your hands, you have a chance to do something special."

And that's the major difference between Favre and Cutler in the big picture: time.

Favre is trying to squeeze one more Super Bowl season out of his prodigious right arm. Cutler is just scratching the surface of his physical gifts.

"He's calm and cool," Broncos center Casey Wiegmann said of his quarterback. "He knows what he has to get done, calls the play and slings it."

Few and Favre between

Jay Cutler believes he compares with former Broncos great John Elway - he has a "stronger arm than John, hands down," and he'd "bet on it against anybody's in the league" - so it was inevitable he'd be asked to compare himself with Brett Favre, left.

And just as when he was asked the Elway question in October, Cutler didn't go into scramble mode Wednesday when prodded in joking fashion about how he stacks up to Favre: "Is Brett 40 yet? Thirty-nine? I think he'd give me a run for the money back in his 20s. But I think I've got him now."

As for being compared to a younger Favre, Cutler said he sees parallels in playing style and confidence.

But Cutler expressed amazement at what Favre is now doing and said he doubts whether, at a similar age, he'll still be tossing the football around:

"No way."

Three musketeers

How Jay Cutler, Brett Favre and John Elway fared in their first 32 regular-season starts: Com. Quarterback Team Span Com. Att. pct. Yards TD Int. W-L

Jay Cutler Broncos Dec. 3, 2006 to Nov. 23, 2008 624 1,010 61.8 7,534 48 31 15-17

Brett Favre Packers Sept. 20, 1992 to Jan. 8, 1993 667 1,072 62.2 6,990 39 39 18-14

John Elway Broncos Sept. 4, 1983 to Oct. 20, 1985 479 891 53.8 6,016 36 28 22-10

• November 26, 2008

  7:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  MATTP1 writes:

  Lets hope Jay is on, and his receivers hold on to the ball.If we play a smart game we can win this one.The Jets are overlooking us and might be a little flat after that Titan game.Lets put some imagination into the game plan,and on defense challenge there receivers instead of backing off 10 yards.If we play with heart and fire like in Atlanta we can win this game.Come on Jay out gun the old vet.Go Broncs

• November 26, 2008

  8:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  MATTP1, I too, think we have a good shot at a W. We need to play their recievers tight, but also put some pressure on Favre. He makes bad decisions when he is pressured. I see the potential our offense has when they're clicking. This will be a shootout, to say the least. Denver needs to come out on top.

• November 26, 2008

  8:45 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jlcampbelldenver writes:

  This game is gonna be ugly. Favre will pick us apart easily.

• November 26, 2008

  9:16 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  jlcampbelldenver, then don't watch.

• November 27, 2008

  3:22 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  MATTP1 writes:

  Dynamicdave, thats the same way i feel.Go Broncs

• November 27, 2008

  5:04 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Winthrop writes:

  The Jets are a tad better than those powerful Raiders,so the spanking will be tremendous. Shanasham will be in tears by half-time and want his teddy.

• November 27, 2008

  5:56 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  nmbronco1 writes:

  I don't get this talk of Jay Cutler having a "better arm" than John Elway. As much as I like Cutler and his talents, John Elway threw some of the most amazing passes of any quarterback ever in the NFL. I have yet to see Jay Cutler throw a perfect 50 yard strike across his body to the opposite side of the field while on the run like Elway did numerous times. Jay has a great arm, and had his receivers caught a couple of well thrown passes at key times this past weekend, the Broncos may have won that game. But anyone who thinks he has a "better arm" than Elway in his prime had better go back and watch some footage of the Broncos during the 80's and 90's. Cutler has a gun of an arm and excellent skills, but he has a ways to go to be considered in the same breath as John Elway.

• November 27, 2008

  6:47 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Andynonymous writes:

  My favorite Elway throw: Against Kansas City here, 4th and 10 I think, from about our 10; time running out, he scrambles right in the end zone and hits Vance Johnson doing a 40 yard out and in and over, 1st down on the 50.

  I'm thankful we had Elway, and I'm thankful we have Cutler. But even Elway needed a decent defense and a running game to get the back to back Superbowls. Give the youngster a break! Go Broncos! Then and now....

• November 27, 2008

  8 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jmgswarman writes:

  Jay Cutler is the best young QB I have ever seen. If anything he is underrated. The quality of his arm is exquisite. It isn't just raw Jamarcus Russel strength either...he is a honed passer with a rifle. He needs to keep developing his sixth sense for letting plays develop fully before releasing and needs to learn to check off on all his assignments in a more methodical fashion, but these things will come. If Denver can get a more balanced offence and beef up their defensive line and linebacking core, this guy will win them superbowls and soon.

  Just one thing...is it him claiming in quotes that "he has a stronger arm than Elway" or someone saying that on his behalf? Elway occasionally lost his mechanics which took the zip out of his throws, but no one has ever thrown a football as hard or as fast as John Elway when in rhythm. If you watched him carefully there was something frightening about how well Elway could throw a football-a complete one off.

  I'd be interested to know if anyone else recognises what I'm talking about, so an answer to my question and further comments welcome.

• November 27, 2008

  8:21 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  angryman1n writes:

  I'm not sure I'd want to be in the same category as Favre. I love the dude, and he is a great QB. But, there are a lot of "gun-slingers" out there, and Brett is a once in a lifetime talent.

  Also, I don't agree that Cutler has "got that leading attitude." I suppose this is something an agent is expected to say. Meanwhile, just a few days ago we (RMN and readers) were blasting him for acting like a child and his unwillingness to take the heat for a loss.

• November 27, 2008

  8:37 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  angryman1n writes:

  One major stat stands out in those between Favre, Cutler, and Elway..... Favre's span ends in January. Favre made the playoffs. This despite playing in the same division as the 11-5 Minnesota Vikings.

• November 27, 2008

  9:21 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jmgswarman writes:

  ? You don't make yourself very clear dude with random stats about the 11-5 Minnesota Vikings 15 years ago. What are you trying to say? That Favre was better then Elway?

• November 27, 2008

  10:41 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  markjohnson07 writes:

  I love Elway, and I have THOUSANDS of DOLLARS of memorabilia in my basement, but Elway in the first three years was just as inaccurate as Cutler. Cutler has more weapons, but Elway made dumb throws all of the time. Cutlers completion percentage is higher. To say that cutler can not make the throws that Elway does is STUPID.

  The 51 yard pass to Marshall against the Falcons was RIGHT ON THE DOT.
  The 65 yards pass (where he bootlegged ran to his left with the ball in his left hand switches the ball at the last minute) and throws a strike to Javon two years ago was the most amazing pass I have evey seen.

  Cutler is a HUGE upside. Elway had a little better defense that Cutler had. Cutler has to win all of these game. Dennis, Karl, Rulon Jones, Randy G, Tommy were a turnover machine.

  The issue with this team is the TURNOVERS, and the lack of defense. I would continue to play the rookies, because they play with passion. THEY NEED TO SHI- CAN DRE "FLY" BLY. That guy could not cover me.

  Go Broncos.

• November 27, 2008

  11:25 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Rutabaga writes:

  When I watch Brett Favre, he always looks like he's up to mischief, like he's about to put dish soap in somebody's fountain. He's a funny guy who like to have fun. Jay Cutler doesn't look too much like he's having fun playing, or on the sidelines or just walking around in regular life. He kinda looks like he's about to fall asleep. It's a pretty cool look if you ask me, like if a bomb went off in the next room, all he'd do is yawn. I wouldn't yawn, no way. I'd get out of that place and hide under a bed. I think I'm allergic to close explosions or something. But Jay wouldn't bad an eye. He'd just right on looking sleepy. Wow...

• November 27, 2008

  12:35 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  markjohnson07, the only problem about getting rid of Bly is that they gave him guaranteed money and owe him another 3 million plus in guaranteed. He is here for the long term, I'm afraid.
  Rutabaga, Jay just doesn't waste all that energy, he saves it for the field, ha, ha. But honestly, as a QB, he puts more hours in the film room, etc., then any other player. It must be taxing? Yeah, I watched a clip about Brett and his antics. He is a practical joker, much the way Shannon Sharpe was. Brett just talks less.

• November 27, 2008

  2:38 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dano writes:

  There is no comparison between Cutler and anybody except Ryan Leaf. Now you see him now.....

  Cutler is a Punk. Broncos Are Horrible. My 58 season tickets are up for sale. Shanahan is an idiot. Bowlen is dogsh.t.

• November 27, 2008

  3 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Dano, your knowledge of football is humerous, to say the least. Talent, as well. So you've had enough of Denver and all, eh? Bye, now.....

• November 27, 2008

  5:09 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  davistothehall writes:

  dano shut up your a moron .hes better than elway at this age elway is always pitied because he played for a bad team at first. my A** he had a bad team that d on denver in the late 80's was sick. you know why we lost those first three the same way we got there elway never once did he try to go down field he three picks i say our d got us there cutler . with that said elway was the best ever just get way to much credit . oh and cutler is a top 10 passer something leaf never was.

• November 27, 2008

  8:05 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  JCut6JElway7 writes:

  Being a Broncos fan and living in New Jersey 4 miles from the Meadowlands... trust me... the Broncos can win this game. All week since the Jets beat the Titans local sports radio, newspapers, TV news, ALL they talk about is the Jets are the team to beat in the AFC and a Jets/Giants Super Bowl. It's really disgusting... the Jets are a good team... but... they are NOT the team to beat in the AFC... and Favre is pretty much a GOD here now... again very disgusting. IF the Broncos stick to their gameplan... key on stopping Thomas Jones and Leon Washington... stay away from the turnovers... they WILL win. Favre has not been all that impressive. His stats look good on paper and the biggest stat is 8 wins. But he's not responsible for them... it's all off the running game. Jay has no problem playing on the road... expect him to OUTSHINE Favre... and the Broncos go back to Denver with a WIN!!! 34-17.

• November 27, 2008

  8:52 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  MATTP1 writes:

  dano, Shanahan is not the "idiot",people like you, making fools of themselves with moronic comments fit that description.

• November 27, 2008

  10:38 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  MATTP1, yeah, Dano's comment was really "out there", wasn't it? I hope he does sell his tickets. We don't need fans of his intellegence, rooting for the Broncos, anyhow. He is someone with absolutely no football knowledge, talent wise. None, zip, nothing. To compare Cutler to Leaf was too funny. To want to sell your season tickets because your team is in 1st place tells me that he is off his meds and needs to get back on them and raise the dosage, while he's at it. As my last post said.... "BYE".

• November 28, 2008

  3:26 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dano writes:

  I've seen it ALL. You fools who think Cutler is any good are in for a rude awakening. He might need some help, just like you blind Bronco loyalists, no matter what management gives you.

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