Statistically, Jay Cutler was off to one of the best starts by an NFL quarterback in history.
Given the undetected drop in physical strength he went through during the latter part of his first full season in 2007, Cutler’s early performance to date is remarkable beyond stats.
During his news conference Friday to address his recent diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, Cutler said he showed up at training camp last year weighing 238 pounds and played his last game at about 203.
Don’t blame the Broncos’ medical team. They can’t treat what they can’t evaluate. As he gradually shed some 35 pounds, Cutler never reported any problem.
“Looking back on it I probably should have,” he said. “I don’t like doctors. I don’t like trainers. I tried to stay away from them as much as possible. Looking back, there was some throws where I didn’t have a lot of pop behind it. I was able to go out and perform, but I just wasn’t energetic.”
In his 21-game career, Cutler has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for nearly 4,500 yards with 29 touchdowns, 19 interceptions and an 88.2 passer rating. Not bad for someone who was struggling through the early symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, a condition that makes him insulin dependent.
He has been taking insulin injections about four or five times a day since his disease was diagnosed in mid-April, and said his weight is back up to 220. Several Type 1 diabetic athletes have enjoyed productive careers, including former NFL quarterback Wade Wilson, who played 17 seasons and was a Pro Bowler for Minnesota in 1988.
Cutler said he would have to monitor his condition before, after and even during games as physical activity tends to lower blood-sugar levels. But the condition is manageable and after a while becomes part of a person’s daily routine.
