Cutler, Bates a match made in heavin'
Strong wills lead to clashes but ultimately unite Broncos QB, position coach
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published September 2, 2008 at 7:07 p.m.
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler
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Sure, where there's smoke, there is often fire. And sometimes even some air to clear.
Take strong-willed personalties, mix in a scoreboard to keep track of things and spread it all over the win-or-clean-out-your-desk calendar of an NFL season, and there are likely to be some bumps in the road.
A road that leads into the quarterbacks' meeting room and, eventually, to Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler and quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates.
"Yeah, we yell at each other, we get mad at each other, that's how it is," Cutler said. "It's the profession, there's so much pressure, the expectations are so high, and I think we both want to win so much, we're both such competitors, it happens.
"He understands it's going to happen. But as long as we respect each other and deal with it like we should, it works great. And we've done a great job with it so far. I'm excited about what we're going to do and how we're going to go about it."
As the hub of the Broncos' wheel in the eyes of many, Cutler usually finds himself directly beneath the eyepiece of the microscope after each win or loss. Strong-armed, iron-willed and brimming with confidence in his job, Cutler says simply, "I always believe what I believe."
Then there's Bates, the Broncos' first-year quarterbacks coach. At 32, Bates has spent virtually all his life in and around the game, having trailed his father, Jim, as a 5-year-old at Texas Tech practices.
Bates has been given charge of Cutler's day-to-day development, as being the conduit between Cutler and coach Mike Shanahan as well as the game-day voice in Cutler's earpiece.
And Bates knows what he wants to see and isn't afraid to let everyone know when he doesn't see it - just ask many a receiver who has clipped off the wrong route. In fact, many in the Broncos organization have spoken privately of a heated confrontation between Bates and receiver Brandon Marshall last season, when Bates was working with the team's pass catchers.
"I'm just coaching," Bates said. "The job is to help the players succeed, to win and to make progress. Players respect you if they know you have their best interests at heart and if you can help them, make them better players. Jay's been great. I love working with him and all of the quarterbacks."
"We butt heads, we did in this (training) camp already," Cutler said. "Like I've said, I believe what I believe and he believes what he believes, without a doubt. Sometimes, we're both right, and we get into it. It's a give and take, but I respect him to death - his first year doing this and how much knowledge he has, how much he respects the game and loves the game."
When Mike Heimerdinger left the Broncos in the offseason to become the Titans' offensive coordinator, Shanahan quickly moved Bates into the role of quarterbacks coach. Shanahan consistently has said Bates is "ahead of the curve" in his knowledge of the game.
And while Shanahan is deep into the offensive game-planning each week, as well as play-calling on game day, it is Bates whom Cutler has had the most contact with during offseason workouts and will have daily during the regular season.
"He comes to work every day to get it done - he's fired up," Cutler said. "We both know, too, that sometimes he's got to lift me up and sometimes I've got to lift him up. It's working well - I couldn't be happier with him."
Said Bates: "I like coaching quarterbacks because you're looking more at the defensive structure than just looking at one guy. It's a fun group to work with, but there is always going to be a high standard there, and they all know that."
Cutler certainly does as he learns what it is to be the face of the franchise in a football-mad region. Heimerdinger, having also coached with the Jets, said Denver is tougher on quarterbacks than New York.
So, as he continues to grow into the job, Cutler already has come to the realization that what he does each day in the locker room and on the practice field will often mean more than what he says.
"Because I believe there are guys who talk and talk and talk that aren't leaders," Cutler said. "I think in my position, you've got to definitely hold yourself to the highest standard. You've got to be harder on yourself than anyone else through the week because you know what you're capable of, and you know exactly when you do something wrong and when you do something right.
"And I know whenever I do something wrong on the field, Jeremy is going to say something to me. But he also already knows that I know exactly what I'm supposed to do. You've got to hold yourself to that high a standard, keep working, keep striving to get better. That's all we're about and we both know that, so it works great."
ETC.: The Broncos re-signed guard Dylan Gandy to fill the roster spot created by the trade of Domonique Foxworth. The Broncos dealt Foxworth to Atlanta for a seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft. The compensation improves if Foxworth, who is an unrestricted free agent at season's end, re-signs with the Falcons. Gandy was among the players waived Saturday. . . . The Broncos released defensive tackle Alvin McKinley and signed defensive tackle Josh Shaw for the roster spot. Shaw has spent time with three NFL teams, most recently having been cut by the Raiders. The 29-year-old played in one game for Oakland last season. . . . The Broncos-Browns game on Nov. 6, to be aired by NFL Network, will be simulcast locally by KWGN-Channel 2.
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September 2, 2008
8:23 p.m.
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R8R_H8R writes:
They yell at each other? That's not respect, that's disdain. That's hating going to work. That's getting fired in any normal job. That's irresponsible. That's immature brat behavior. It's not respect. It sounds like Elway and Reeves. Morphs into dislike. THen hatred. Dislike for the job. Dreading the job. This is terrible news for Bronco nation.
September 2, 2008
8:52 p.m.
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jvill writes:
It's football.
Grow up.
September 2, 2008
9:07 p.m.
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fminus writes:
Wow R8R, wow. Are you uh... familiar with that subject?
September 2, 2008
9:11 p.m.
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aragornzxl writes:
lets just hope this article dissapears if the Broncos are like 2-6 halfway in the season and Jay Cutler has 2 touchdowns to his 10 interceptions.
Im just kididng, but this article is useless, okay, yeah, they yell at each other and then make up. Where have we heard this before?
September 2, 2008
9:15 p.m.
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Midnight127 writes:
R8H_H8R, I don't think it's quite that serious. Coaches yell at players (and vice-versa) all the time. That's football. The tensions are high, and understandably so. Let it go, it's not a big deal. Cutler will still own this year.
Go Broncos!
September 2, 2008
9:17 p.m.
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Midnight127 writes:
My bad, I meant R8R_H8R. Just in case you couldn't figure that out... :)
September 2, 2008
10:10 p.m.
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leon writes:
Raider Hater (with numbers), You obviously never played football...or even volleyball. Coaches yell at players...and in pro and college football...players sometimes yell back. I think that you should wait before you react to articles...take a breath...watch a football game...watch another football game. If after this exercise you actually know something about football...then you can go ahead an post a comment for other people to read.
September 2, 2008
11:15 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
R8R_H8R, man, you must have an unhappy life? I never see anything uplifting in your responses. You'd be great at funerals.
September 2, 2008
11:54 p.m.
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wyocow85 writes:
Yeah, you need to relax a little I think. Sports, especially professional sports where your financial security is on the line as well, are not like most professions and activites, with maybe the exception of the military.
If they weren't fired up during practice, I would be worried. Cutler's got the "it" factor man, he has the good stuff (not insulin) running through his veins. You can tell, you can see it in his eyes, and you can see it in his arm. He's not in Denver to drive a Honda Element, or to flip off fans, or to do anything he can to draw the attention away from his poor play and pathetic arm like all of those before him and after Elway. He's here to shut up and score touchdowns.
I just hope we build an offense around him before its too late. Monday night is going to be rockin!
September 3, 2008
12:10 a.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
wyocow85, well spoken, but I'm afraid it's falling on deaf ears. Asking R8R_H8R to relax and be happy is like asking W.C. Fields to love children.
September 3, 2008
12:11 a.m.
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BroncFanFl writes:
Hmmm. this isn't exactly a phenomenon exclusive to quarterbacks coach Bates and quarterback Cutler. Just remember there were some big words between Shanny and Elway. This isn't new stuff to be alarmed about. It's sports. If there wasn't any raw feelings, then I'd be a little worried about complacency and not getting better. Time to move on to relevant things now.
September 3, 2008
12:39 a.m.
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OPETH72 writes:
I am starting to come to the conclusion that there are some that come here to post just to see 10 posts in reaction to their asinine commentary. I agree with your sentiment there, wyocow, other than the insults to the post-Elway, pre-Cutler QBs. Plummer was the QB behind a lot of wins. He wasn't flipping off the country. Hell, you never know, it could have been a couple of those negative posters here that happened to be jawing at him that day at the game, haha. I would like to flip a couple of them off myself. Doesn't matter, because Cutler is the QB now and for a long time to come. And I am guessing he is going to end up with a better win/loss ratio than Plummer had. Just a guess. And who cares if Bates and Cutler yell at each other. They are both young guys in a brutal sport. Adults can engage in a heated battle of words, and both still remain OK in, at the very least, a working relationship. Comparing Elway/Reeves is so unrelated I am still shocked in reading anyone comparing the two. Really though, we should all concede to Negative Nancy's take on the season. No point in watching the games. I guess I will put my Bronco gear away. Bates and Cutler don't always agree so we are doomed. You must be right, Nancy, no way they can do much except hope for a win or two. I must ask again: If you have so much disdain for this team, why always reading and posting?
September 3, 2008
12:46 a.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
OPETH72, Spider said in an earlier post that Rod Woodson picked Carolina over the Dolts in an upset. I agree. I put my bets down on the games today. What's your take on the game?
September 3, 2008
12:48 a.m.
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angryman1n writes:
I'm expecting a record season. Cutsoon will get at least 10 tackle this season.
September 3, 2008
2 a.m.
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rambam1776 writes:
Angryman -
Perhaps the easiest way to detect a moron is if he is the type who tries (and fails) to be witty by mocking names. Cutsoon. How clever. If that is the limit of your wit, it tells me all I need to know about your opinions.
Cutler may well be deficient. You may well be right he isn't up to the job. But why should I bother to consider either of those ideas if the only thing supporting them is a pitiful attempt at humor by a lackwit? You're one of those people who calls it taco 'hell', aren't you? You render yourself irrelevant. Now go to bed, I hear your mommy calling.
September 3, 2008
4:43 a.m.
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KneeDeep writes:
Rambam well said! Angryman thinks it is clever and cute to refer to Cutler as cutsoon. His frequent comments show his ignorance of the game. He is the kind of guy that refers to the Bronco’s as the “Donkeys”, a term that was first used many years ago when they had earned that nickname (Pre Ralston). You are a moron if you cannot recognize that Cutler has a chance to be special. His play last year was exceptional, given the fact that he had undiagnosed Diabetes. For the uninformed, this means that he was experiencing extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss and in general felt like crap. Type 1 diabetes usually develops over a period of time. The body’s Pancreas is still producing Insulin but in lesser and lesser amounts. There is even a period of time known as the “honeymoon period” when insulin levels return to normal. Eventually all insulin production ceases and without injections is a death sentence. Cutler was able to play during this process, something that answered any doubts I had about his ability and his toughness. This alone tells me that we are in for a treat this year. Cutler is going to have a monster season!
September 3, 2008
6:21 a.m.
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OPETH72 writes:
Well at least his posting name fits him. One more time I have to ask: Why come here and spend time on something you hate so much? I dislike many a thing. I certainly don't spend anytime online looking at it or commenting on it. As far as that game goes, Dave, I am not ready to pick the Panthers. The chargers have some injuries, so I could see it happening, but I am not sure I would pick them. Now, you being in Vegas, it seems like a decent bet, because if it pans out, I am guessing the payoff on that one would be worth the risk. Not sure how all that works. The only betting I have done is with individuals I knew or worked with. Being here in the Dallas area, I am curious to see if the Browns can take down the cowboys this weekend. That would crack me up. Not that I want to see the Browns doing well, but, you know, the cowboys are just annoying in general.
September 3, 2008
7:13 a.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
Lots of bitter postings today. Go Chargers! And they can yell at each other all they want. Especially when they yell and scream at the raiders laying on the ground who can't get up.
September 3, 2008
7:58 a.m.
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Rutabaga writes:
I agree with everyone. Count me in. But who is Cutsoon? Did the Broncos just sign him? Also, Mr. Angry, you should try getting a good night's sleep. You will feel much better. You could change you name to Happyman. You will make more friends and may even get a raise. Who knows, maybe someday you could even run for president. I'll vote for you....
GO BRONCOS - To the CHAMPIONSHIP and Beyond...
September 3, 2008
8:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
Miss_Sin_Link writes:
Ignore the trolls -- by reacting, you're giving them just what they want...
Get real, folks. Coaches yelling at players is as normal and natural as the sun coming up in the morning. Cutler yelling back at times shows his fire and drive to win, which is a GOOD sign. It's when player and coach have an icy silence between them and snipe at each other in the press that you need to worry.
Although I wouldn't go to the extreme of saying that QBs are only as good as their receiving corps, it's nonetheless a huge factor in their ability to perform. The emergence of Marshall as a #1 WR monster is going to make all the difference. Which is precisely why Cutler is gonna surprise a few people this year. Better protoection from the O-line will enable some toss-and-catch deep routes with Marshall for quick six, and teams will have to resort to doubling him, which will open up opportunities for Royal and their possession guy par-excellence, Stokely. Look for the TE and Hillis lined up as H-back running seam routes to come into play more, too -- I'm guessing Shanny has been keeping those aces in the hole in the preseason, and not telegraphing some game plans to be built around that, as half the secondary has to be devoted to one guy.
These QB rankings from ESPN (http://www.nfl.com/fantasy/rankings/q...) illustrate my point. These rankings will undoubtedly be shaken up this year as Romo finds T.O. consistently doubled and few other options open as defenses are now hip to Witten as well. Palmer, Hasselbeck, and McNabb have a similar problems with their receiving corps, with ailing or inferior #1 WRs and steep falloff after that. Even Indy looks to struggle a bit with Manning hurt and Harrison coming off of major knee surgery at 36. Jon Kitna? Gimme a break.
Cutler as the 15th best QB? Ok, I'll take that bet, and make a bold prediction to say to look for him to be ranked in the top 5 on next year's list -- dude's set up to coast in under the radar and have a killer year. Especially as Shanny returns to a "pass to set up the run" offensive strategy, which he can do with an effective QB behind center...
September 3, 2008
9:12 a.m.
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GaryP writes:
I'm just glad to hear that Cutler is yelling back and standing up for himself. He seems like such a mellow guy I'm glad to hear him say he yells and expects excellence from himself and wants to win. I've been a bit afraid he's too mellow and had a what-will-be-will-be attitude. And trust me, if Cutler grows to hate Bates, guess which one will be moving on. And quickly.
September 3, 2008
11:44 a.m.
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DocBronco98 writes:
Love em hate em the coach knows who butters his bread and where his job security lies! Win win x ten!! err ok 18 wins this year will do!!! Yeah! Go Broncos!!
September 3, 2008
1:24 p.m.
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R8R_H8R writes:
This sounds exactly like Elway and Reeves. un-easy tension. Elway hated it. Reeves hated it. Not a good thing. Apparently, nobody here has been a fan long enough to know what a negative effect it had on the team morale.
September 3, 2008
3 p.m.
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OPETH72 writes:
No, we all just became fans after that killer 6-10 season. It is not between Cutler and the head coach. And even if it was between himself and Shanahan, I still would not be freaking out like you are. If you are waiting around to say "you told everybody so", it won't be happening on this subject.
September 3, 2008
3:43 p.m.
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broncodano writes:
Ya.. but guess whos gonna win? A pro bowl talent like Cutler, or a first year QB coach whos name i dont remember....
Now Cutler is DEFINATELY looking better already this year, but the Coach better learn that if push comes to shove..
the coach will lose..
Some players, some people, thrive in a conflict environment... gets the blood pumping.. playing angry...
Certainly did me when i was on the field or in other arenas... coach would piss me off, and then turn me lose...
all it took was a negative comment about my broncos, my country, or my ugly girlfriend...
then the body count would rise...
(btw.. if you think that conflict driven relationships dont work R8R, stay away from dating AND all forms of military service.. Drill instructors especially... fyi)
MILE HIGH SALUTE
bd
September 3, 2008
3:46 p.m.
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Brain writes:
Dave, for what its worth (not much??) when I predicted that chargers would go 9-7 I had them losing to the Panthers too, like Woodson. They aren't entirley healthy and have fat heads and may even be looking ahead (?) to playing a division rival the next week. And of course they have Norv Turner.
September 3, 2008
3:48 p.m.
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Brain writes:
Cutler will easily be a top 10 QB this year maybe even a top 5, we will see.
September 3, 2008
5:12 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
Brain, yes, I think the Dolts will look ahead. We won't. We have been focusing on the Raiders before we played the Cards. I hate the term "one game at a time", but it's true. Focus on what's at hand. When I win the Panthers/Dolts game, I'm up $300. When Denver covers the 3 point spread against the Traiters, then I win another $200. It could be a good week. If not, oh well, that's why they call it "gambling". I think Cutler will make the top 5. He seems to like to go downfield. That will rack up some yardage.
Yes, the Dolts have "fat-heads". Especially Rivers. You will be able to recognize his head, it will be the one rolling at the ankles of our defensive players in 2 weeks.
September 3, 2008
5:44 p.m.
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AKuser writes:
Favre and Holmgren yelled at each on the way to 2 straight super bowls. They had to keep separate when Brett came off the field. Radahata since clearly you were not a Bronco fan during those times, Reeves and Elway did ok working together as well. Won a few games if my memory serves me...
September 3, 2008
8:32 p.m.
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CyberHostage writes:
LOL at Leon's comment! Thank you for showing me the way!
Ditto for Dynamicdave. Loved the W.C. Fields reference.
Nicely played.
September 4, 2008
10:02 a.m.
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DocBronco98 writes:
On with the show I am ready for the season to start! Scoreboard rules so we will give it to the Raiders and the Bolts! About time to get it going I have been having withdrawals!! AAAAAGGHGHG!!!
Time to kick some Raider assets!!