Plummer or Cutler?
I know a lot of Denver fans are calling for Plummers head on a stick because the lack of offensive productivity, however, the Broncos are atop the AFC West with a 5-1 record and are sitting as the #2 seed in the AFC if the playoffs were to start today. What are your thoughts on whether the Broncos should stick with Plummer or go to the unproven rookie Cutler.
posted by Steve at 6:29 PM
22 Comments:
Ahhh...interesting points there Jamezwp, excellent debate materials.
Now, some of you probably expect me to disagree because I am known as the Devils "Foodcake" Advocate and in this situation I will continue to disagree for argument sakes. However, I will also agree with a few points by you Jamezwp.
First off - the winning margin this year has been a bit closer than in years past. It is true that Jake is making some bad reads and throws, but I don't necessarily blame the lack of production on offense to him alone. Now since this blog is about Cutler or Plummer, the only argument I have to disagree with you on is the Broncos record. Even though you're going to point out the defense has been sick which is 90% why we are winning games, there still need to be enough offensive productivity to score more than what the defense allows. So all I can say is that Plummer has won 3x more games than lost while in Denver. He has brought us to the AFC Title game.
I've never been a fan of replacing a QB mid-season unless you've lost all hope for that season. The Cards went with Leinert (who by the way still has yet to win a game) and the Titans went with Young who has won just 1 game. Not trying to compare Cutler to these two because the teams are totally different, but I wouldn't feel comfortable putting Cutler in right now. WE are facing the best team in the AFC this week and I think Plummer gives us the best chance of winning. Sure it may be a 6-3 win, but it's a win!
I'll bring up the past a bit, in 2000 more specifically when Ravens fans were calling for Dilfers head. After they went on to score 34 against a solid Giants defense, folks were praising him and pissed at team management for letting Dilfer go.
IF Denver decided to go with Cutler, it should have been during the Raiders game or Cleveland game...a team that is considered less of an opponent, but when facing a strong team like the Colts, I don't believe a fresh rookie who has yet to take an NFL snap in a regular season game is going to answer Denver's struggling offensive issues.
But Jamezwp, I completely agree with your points...I'm not sure Denver is that much worse off than what they are now if Cutler goes in, but there is always that rookie factor. Besides Roethlisburger, name a rookie QB that has totally succeeded his first year?
Marino had 20 TD's and 6 INT's his 1st season. The next season he tossed for 5000 yards and 48 TD's. Elway had only 7 TD's and 14 int's his rookie season... So much for any theory there.
Either way Plummer is having a terrible season and if Cutler were to come in and perform like Plummer we'd be better off for the future. Why not start Cutler now? Plummer is done. Any of Plummers success has came from the great coaching and system here in Denver. Plummer is crap. I've always believed that. Like I said we only have to gain and nothing to lose by starting the Cut. Start em now with a great defense behind him. On the other hand lets see what Jake can do against the Colts before we make that decision.
Jake Plummer is the QB for now and I think that Cutler can't come in and have as good of a grasp of the offense (The 6 months he learned it) and be more effective than Jake. I am a level headed Bronco fan and I think taking Jake out now is a BIG mistake. I think Jay Cutler will be a great quarterback when he gets his turn ans I am a HUGE Cutler fan. For now we have to support the guy we have and let the coaches coach and the players play. Jay Cutler has as much potential as anyone we have seen; but to put him in now when the Broncos were 1 win away from getting to the Superbowl last year is ridiculous. Plummer threw some picks (last year and this year) but I don't think he is the same wild gunslinger that he was when he came into Denver. If the Broncos go on to win the superbowl this year, just imagine what great trade bait Plummer would be!
Who said anything about any theories? All I said was name a rookie QB who had a successful season besides Roethlisburger. You named Elway who had a piss-poor rookie year and Marino who did well, but wasn't all that successful.
Stop reading into things that aren't said...
Now, back to the issue at hand - and I think Red hit on it again that Denver isn't any worse off going with Cutler this year. I agree with this for the most part. However, I also just can't see a team that is 5-1 switching QB's mid-season with no injuries. I think Denver is a play here and a play there from being very successful, so I guess I just don't understand the urgency from Denver fans to bench Plummer? I mean hell, we are 5-1, yes our defense has been the main contributor behind that, but so what, we are still 5-1 with Plummer as QB. I guess, in my opinion, I would need more a reason to bench Plummer for a rookie QB, especially against teams like the Colts and Steelers.
On the other hand…to be more on the side of Red and Jamezwp – Denver does provide Cutler a great supporting cast (Defense, special teams and other offensive weapons), which I firmly believe was the main reason for Roethlisburger’s success his rookie season. This supporting cast could very well be the right formula for Cutler to have less pressure on him, but allow for him to have the playing experience for the future. I think we all agree that Cutler is indeed Denver’s future and with what’s in place now, the supporting cast may be perfect!
I’m honestly a torn man on this subject. I don’t feel comfortable switching QB’s, but I also don’t want to wait around and watch our starting QB continue to struggle (mid-season nonetheless) and wait for him to cost us a much needed win. Perhaps a benching in the 2nd half would spark a fire under his ass? It was funny though, last season nobody was bitching about Plummer and now everyone has turned against him.
Great game....the Colts are a damn good team, so hats off to them. with that performance, Plummer does not deserve to be benched.
Ahhh, though I can agree with the pass, Plummer did make 1 excellent play by not getting sacked. Think about it, if he gets sacked, that now becomes a 55+ field goal for the tie, but he was able to escape a strong blitz and got himself out of trouble...so I can't give him great credit on that play, but I can't give him no credit either - his feet certainly kept that field-goal alive.
As far as the starting Tailback - I don't think Mike Bell is. It's going to be a good day for any RB who plays against the 31st ranked rushing defense in the league. Next week, no matter who is in, we won't be having many rushing yards - but I'm not too concerned with who starts there because I think both backs can succeed.
yet another interesing point Jamezwp - that is a case where a first down would have made a difference. But, as with most things, you put a person in a position with things leading up to that play. Two running plays for 1 yard on 1st and 2nd down does make it an obvious passing situation. When that is the case and you have Dwight Freeney going against, undrafted, rookie Eric Pears, chances are you're going to have a lot of pressure. In that exact play, I'm not sure Cutler would have been able to do the same thing (getting out of the sack, then completing the pass). Guess we will never know, but the point here is you're willing to take that chance with someone who is unproven in the NFL vs someone who has the NFL experience. Of course in order to get experience, you need to have the chance and while I agree a chance should have been given, it should have been against teams like Oakland and Cleveland...not against the Colts or Pittsburgh.
Mike Bell may be the starter, but, next week it won't matter, Denver is playing a great rush defense. Following that game, they will still split time, and M Bell may be the starter...as long as one of them can continue to produce a 100 yard game after games, I don't care if Bradshaw is the starting RB.
I wish I had the balls to put in Jay Cutler, he is a much better all around QB. Jake Plummer is a bum. Jamezwp is right!
Well good thing they took my advice and got a rookie Rb
Good thing they took my advice and didn't draft a rookie RB.
Good thing they filled the need
Good thing they did fill the need of picking up a good WR. Mike Bell has not been a factor for Denver in the running game - he has 1 good game, in a losing effort
I believe he also started @ St Louis
I can't believe you are saying that Mike has been a factor for this team. He had 1 good game, in a losing effort, take away that game he has 55 cairries for 169 yards for a 3.1 yard per average mark. How is that being a factor? And so what if Denver lost by more against the Colts, they still lost, does not matter if it's by 1 or a 100 because it is still a loss.
Both of you are gayzoros
Go Giuliani for President '08
Dude, that wasn't me.
Jay is a pretty bad QB.Against the
Seahawks he chuncked the ball strait up as if trying to throw an
INT.Against the Bengals they messed up for our win,he didn't
do anything.
If they can,broncos should draft
David Irons to replace Derrent.
Another QB would do.
Kenny Irons is a fast RB and could
be drafted as a SS,DB,or WR.
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