DENVER-
Jay Cutler has some unsolicited advice for JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn in the days leading up to the NFL draft.
“Relax and enjoy the moment,” Cutler said Tuesday.
Russell, of Louisiana State, and Quinn, of Notre Dame, are considered top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft, April 28 and 29 in New York.
“I feel for those guys because it’s such a long period” between the end of the season and the draft, said Cutler, who became Denver’s starter last season after the Broncos made him their first pick and 11th overall in the 2006 draft.
“Four months of getting broken down, being picked apart and people just trying to find fault with those two guys,” he said.
Cutler recalls the scrutiny he and two other quarterbacks in last year’s draft, Vince Young of Tennessee and Arizona’s Matt Leinart, had to endure.
“They found multiple flaws for all three of us,” Cutler said. “You get wrapped up and wonder, why do they say the things they do about you?”
“So get relaxed because you’re going to get to a good team and do your thing,” he said.
Cutler recalled being anything but calm at this time last year. He tried unsuccessfully to limit his anxiety level by just hanging around and playing golf.
“I was an anxious dude,” Cutler said. “Everything was winding down as far as talking to teams and traveling.”
Times have changed for the 24-year-old out of Vanderbilt. He will no longer be able to pick the brain of Jake Plummer, who he replaced as the starter. The Broncos attempted to trade Plummer in the off season before he unexpectedly retired.
“I’m a lot more comfortable,” Cutler said. “Last year was a learning experience, watching Jake and getting in and playing the last five games.”
Cutler made his first start Dec. 3 against Seattle. He started the final five games of 2006 and finished 2-3.
Tuesday he was at the team’s training facility throwing, attending meetings and watching film of his progress. After viewing the films, he said he’s getting acquainted with the NFL style of play and learning what it takes to win games.
Cutler said Denver’s offseason free-agent acquisitions will help him as a quarterback. The Broncos added running back Travis Henry, tight end David Graham and wide receiver Brandon Stokley, moves he welcomed.
“We have so many more weapons that enable us to stretch the field a lot more than we did last year and we’re going to have a really strong running game,” he said. “The more weapons you have, the more pressure is taken off of me.”
The Broncos also brought in 28-year-old Patrick Ramsey as Cutler’s backup. Ramsey has played 35 career regular-season games (24 starts), completing 480 of 862 passes (55.7 percent) for 5,649 yards. He has 34 touchdowns and 29 interceptions for a 74.9 passer rating.
“I like Patrick,” Culter said. “He’s been great since he got in here last week and is willing to do whatever it takes to back me up and help me out.”
