Now Warming Up in the Bullpen... Jay Cutler
Coach Mike Shanahan has been the biggest supporter of Jake Plummer throughout the quarterback's tenure with the Denver Broncos, sticking with him and defending him during the frequent public clamoring for a switch.
But even Shanahan's patience might be wearing thin after Plummer committed two costly mistakes, dropping a snap on a key third-down play and throwing an interception, late in Sunday's come-from-ahead loss to the San Diego Chargers. If Plummer falters during Thursday night's game at Kansas City, Shanahan would have some extra time to get rookie Jay Cutler ready to play the club's following game.
It's been clear since the Broncos moved up in the first-round draft order in April to select Cutler that Plummer was playing on borrowed time. The Broncos have a record of 7-3 this season and are 39-14 in regular season play with Plummer as their starter. But his passer rating of 69.7 this season ranks 29th in the league and, more than ever, it seems that the Broncos are winning despite Plummer's play, not because of it. He completed only 13 of 28 passes against San Diego.
The Broncos have lost at home this season to two other top AFC contenders, the Indianapolis Colts and the Chargers. When it appeared that Cutler might be on the verge of getting a chance to play earlier this season, Plummer regrouped and saved his job. He seemingly is in need of another such resurgence now.
By Mark Maske |
November 22, 2006; 9:58 AM ET
| Category:
Broncos
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Posted by: Don't Bother | November 22, 2006 10:22 AM
Cutler may be the QB of the future, but at this point in his career he would make a lot more mistakes than Jake.
As the Giants are finding out with Manning, it takes a few years for a new QB to develop. Both Rivers and Romo have been with their squads for several years before suddenly blossoming this season.
Shanny won't pull the plug on Jake until he's either hurt, or the playoffs are out of the question.
Posted by: drwohl | November 22, 2006 10:23 AM
drwohl, you do realize that Manning has been with the Giants as long as Rivers has been with the Bolts, right? Longer if you count Rivers's rookie holdout that prevented him from competing with Drew Brees for the starting spot in the preseason.
As a Broncos fan, I'm secretly hoping Plummer pulls a McNabb and blows out his knee. It's apparent to anyone who watches the Broncos games that Plummer won't ever be able to win 3 straight playoff games, so why not give The Next Big Thing a chance?
Posted by: Mike | November 22, 2006 12:54 PM
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