GarageGabs

Ok, I know the rest of the known world thinks it is a good idea for the Broncos to bench Jake Plummer and throw Jay Cutler into the mix.  Mark me down as the one who thinks it’s a bad idea.  I’ve sat back and watched the ESPN heads say how Cutler’s strong arm is going to make the Broncos offense suddenly “dynamic”.  He may have a strong arm, but if the Broncos can’t get a running game going, or play some defense, it won’t matter.

Do they honestly believe Cutler is gonna come in and play lights out?  Do they really think he can save this season?  In my opinion, the minute you bring Cutler into the game, your are conceding the season.  Folks, the Broncos are 7-4, not 4-7.  Yeah, they’ve lost 3 out of the last 5, but were those losses really on Jake Plummer?  He was efficient (not flashy) in the 34-31 loss to the Colts.  I never saw Plummer trying to cover Reggie Wayne as he burned the Broncos for 138 yards and 3 TD.  Ok, you probably can put the loss to the Chargers on Plummer.  He played a flat out BAD game, threw a late pick, and fumbled on the Broncos final drive.  Still the Broncos had NO answer for LaDainian Tomlinson as they gave up 35 points.  In the loss to Kansas City the fault was on the running game, not Plummer.  The Broncos managed an anemic 38 yards rushing in the 19-10 loss to the Chiefs.  Meanwhile, Larry Johnson SHREDDED the once stout Bronco defense for 157 yards.

So, the answer to giving up 34 & 35 points in two games, then managing 38 rush yards in another is to bring in a rookie quarterback?  SOMETHING is wrong with the Broncos defense.  Seriously, this defense was ultra stingy the first 6 weeks, giving up only 2 TD’s.  They gave up 12 TD’s over the next 5 games.  Bench Plummer?  Huh?  How many regular season passes has Jay Cutler thrown again?  What’s that you say….ZERO?  I want to know why people are SO SURE that Cutler is going to come in and play well!?  Explain that to me!  Please!  Oh, Tony Romo did it!?  Romo isnt’ a rookie, and Jake Plummer is no Drew Bledsoe.  The Cowboys were falling apart, struggling on offense, and sitting at 3-3, at a point in the season where a quick change could make a huge difference….also, there was nowhere to go but up for the Cowboys…Denver can still go down.  The Broncos are smack dab in the middle of a playoff race, despite having Jake Plummer start all their games.  Best case scenario for Cutler?  Matt Leinart.  Talented and intelligent, Leinart has looked dynamic on one series, and then looked like Heath Shuler on the next.  I expect much of the same from Cutler.
At least Cutler gets his first start at home….maybe he can hand the ball off 30 times, get a good game out of his defense, and win this game.  If he doesn’t….whoa boy.  The heat is gonna be up way high in Denver.  A loss will drop Denver back with Cincinnati, who at the moment, is playing much better football than the Broncos, on both sides of the ball.  Up next for Cutler…..AT SanDiego.

I’ve already gone on record as saying the Broncos won’t win a Super Bowl with Jake Plummer at quarterback.  However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible….unlikely, but possible.  The only reason to bring in Cutler is to prepare him for the future…..because the future obviously isn’t Plummer.  If you bring him in to prepare him, you’re gonna hit a lot of bumps in the road.  I can only guess that the Broncos are looking to next year by bringing in Cutler this year.  I got no problem with that, just realize, you’re cashing in this season.
I want to hear all the Broncos fans and national media eat crow when Cutler plays just average….or should I say….like Jake Plummer.

Seahawks plan to blitz Cutler 

Game Preview 

Rod Smith: Jake, I feel your pain