Cutler to Start Week 13???

[moonshadowjb]

News: NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that while Jake Plummer will start at Kansas City in Week 12, rookie QB Jay Cutler is "very likely" to start when the Broncos host the Seahawks in Week 13. No confirmation of this has been made from coach Mike Shanahan or the Broncos staff.

Analysis: Plummer has had a disappointing season, the likes of which haven't endeared him to Fantasy owners. Cutler showed off a nice arm during the preseason and has drawn comparisons to Brett Favre. Obviously, if Plummer hammers the Chiefs, he could keep the job, but Fantasy owners should take a flier on Cutler if they can since he'd be a potential Fantasy postseason savior if he gets under center and connects right away with Javon Walker and Rod Smith. If you own Plummer, keep him benched and be prepared to cut him if he loses the starting gig.


What do yall think of Cutler being the Starter for the FF Playoffs? Could really shake things up for Walker owners, Since Plummer seems to look for Walker alot

[Azrael]

I don't know why they would do that. The Broncos are still 7-3 with an inside track on the wild card and only a game out of the division. To throw someone into the starting lineup who has zero experience while you are in the middle of a playoff hunt makes no sense.

[Flux]

I changed the title to the correct week...

I agree w/ Az, I dont know if you can risk putting in a rookie, but at the same time, its not like Jake is helping them win, he pretty much just hands off. Should be interesting to see how this plays out.

[beanoX3]

Great... another rookie QB compared to Favre.


Anyways, I wouldn't take this news of Cutler possibly starting until the Broncos make some public statement supporting this, namely Shanahan saying himself that Cutler will start. Who knows, Shanny may have let something like this leak as a last ditch attempt to motivate Plummer. And if Plummer has a good game against KC Thursday, I wouldn't be too surprised if Shanny says Schefter's report was complete bullcrap.

[mattUTD20]

There's no way they will stick a rookie QB in there in the middle of the playoff race. Plummer is not doing badly enough for them to take drastic action like that. But then again we are talking Mike Shanahan so who knows what he's thinking.

[TheRawDAWG]

There's no way they will stick a rookie QB in there in the middle of the playoff race. Plummer is not doing badly enough for them to take drastic action like that. But then again we are talking Mike Shanahan so who knows what he's thinking.

He most certainly is doing badly enough to take drastic measures. Now that the D isn't as strong as it was Plummer's mistakes are magnified. He hyas been horrible. And it's not like he has a good playoff record to lean on. I'd make the move. With Plummer they aren't winning anything. Maybe Cutler will spark the offence and limit the mistakes.

Cutler may be bad but no one knows. Everyone already knows Plummer is bad. So why not make the move? Cutler can't be much worse. It's not like he's Eli Manning.

[Drew_70]

Cutler should only be in for mop-up... for which he needs to see how fast the NFL is. Otherwise starting him now can be a disaster especially since HE'S A ROOKIE and hasn't even had a snap in regular season!
IMO, he will be a good QB but not now. (ie Leinart, Young still struggling for now)

[EagleFan68]

But then again we are talking Mike Shanahan so who knows what he's thinking.

He'll probably give them alternating series

[TheRawDAWG]

Cutler should only be in for mop-up... for which he needs to see how fast the NFL is. Otherwise starting him now can be a disaster especially since HE'S A ROOKIE and hasn't even had a snap in regular season!
IMO, he will be a good QB but not now. (ie Leinart, Young still struggling for now)

I agree. Cutler probably wont be great early on. But wouldn't you rather try to get him ready for the playoffs, hope he can do well in the playoffs and well enough to get to the playoffs, rather than play the guy you already know will suck now and in the playoffs? Thats my thing, I know Plummer sucks...I know Cutler will probably suck for a while, but he may be good enough to get them in the playoffs and actually do something in the playoffs.

[DrSpackle]

Here in Denver, the "Cutler to start Sunday" rumors are a weekly occurrence. Cutler would have started this season if it weren't for Brian Griese. Why? Glad you asked . . .

Back in 1999, Shanny decided to start the year with Griese at QB instead of locker-room favorite Bubby Brister. At the time, Griese had zero NFL experience and the prior season Brister had filled in admirably for a four game stretch while Elway nursed an injury. It looked to be Brister's job for the '99 season. But Shanny did the old Shannahan Switcheroo and Griese started the '99 season. The team revolted, started 0-4 and quit on Shanny. Mike vowed to never make the same mistake again. So faced with basically the same decision this season, Shanny goes with the proven veteran over the rookie.

Now Jake has had a crap year, that's for sure. But it's not entirely his fault. The Broncos running game is more to blame. There isn't a team in the NFL that fears the Broncos running game. So no teams are worried about the play-action or bootleg -- Jake's bread and butter. Couple that with the fact that Shanny doesn't trust Jake to make a play, the play-calling reflects that, and it is killing Plummer this year.