Champ Bailey watched Jay Cutler during the Broncos’ practice Monday, the first day of the organization’s next era.
Bailey saw nothing new. The star cornerback often keeps tabs on the rookie quarterback’s progress.
“Super-confident out there, as usual,” Bailey said of Cutler on his first day at the most-watched position in the state of Colorado, the Broncos’ starting quarterback. “That’s the way Jay has been all season. The thing is, he is getting better every week. I’ve seen it. I think he’s going to be that way in games and help this team.”
Mike Shanahan couldn’t have said it any better. In one of the most anticipated and important moves of his 12th season as the Broncos’ coach, Shanahan announced the inevitable. The rookie, not 10-year veteran Jake Plummer, will be in charge of pumping life into the Broncos (7-4), who enter Sunday night’s home game against Seattle on a two-game losing streak.
Shanahan said his decision was based on winning now and into the future. While the original plan was to get through 2006 with Plummer as the starter of a Super Bowl-caliber team, then hand the reins over to Cutler, Plummer’s inconsistent and mistake-plagued play sped up the process.
“I like the way he handles himself, and I think he gives us the best chance to win,” Shanahan said of Cutler, a former Vanderbilt star the Broncos selected 11th in this year’s draft after moving up five spots in a trade with the St. Louis Rams.
Shanahan said this decision wasn’t made simply because Plummer was struggling. Shanahan said it was made because Cutler has shown in practice and in the classroom that he can handle the job and that he is best suited to lead the team now.
“This hasn’t been made because of (Cutler’s) draft status, I’ll tell you that,” Shanahan said. “It’s about winning, and he’s our best chance.”
The mood in the locker room seemed resolved, with hope Cutler will provide a spark for an offense that has been lackluster in nine of 11 games this season.
Plummer is respected and liked by teammates, who constantly talk about how much heart Plummer displays on each play. But they also realize the business side of the situation and recognize Cutler’s untapped potential. The team was informed about the change Monday morning, after Cutler and Plummer met with Shanahan. Some veteran players spoke during the meeting.
“We’re still in position where we can do good things,” tight end Stephen Alexander said. “We know we can still get what we want to do and Jay can lead us there. … I love Jake and it’s not all him. The whole offense hasn’t been good. But now we have to go with what we have to reach our potential.”
Added wide receiver Javon Walker: “With a big game coming up, maybe Jay can give us the spark we need.”
Cutler – a training camp and preseason star who had been relegated to the scout team until Monday – does not appear to be one to crack under pressure.
After taking significant snaps from center Tom Nalen for the first time since training camp, Cutler met with the media Monday and was his typical, no-worries self. Asked if he would rather make his NFL debut in an afternoon game as opposed to the bright lights of national television Sunday night, Cutler quickly answered that the night game will give him four more hours to prepare for the game.
“That’s who he is,” Bailey said. “He always has that confidence about him.”
Calling his preseason success a “different animal completely,” Cutler said the key this week will be as much playbook preparation as possible in addition to taking advantage of workouts Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
“It’s a whole new responsibility,” Cutler said. “The last eight, 10, 12 weeks, I’ve just been kind of coming out here and watching and learning. Now I’m on the other side, so it’s going to be fun.”
Cutler said he expects to have a helpful hand with Plummer on the sideline the rest of the season. The two, who have become close since Cutler was drafted, chatted Monday morning.
“Jake’s a good guy,” Cutler said. “He’s been great since I got here. As soon as he got here today, we kind of talked and said it didn’t change anything between me and him. He’s going to be there for me.”
For Shanahan, this decision kept coming back to one thing – the chance to win.
“I really believe that this is for the best interest of our football team,” Shanahan said.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
