TAMPA, Fla. — After keeping out of the public eye since the Broncos’ season-ending loss to San Diego on Dec. 28 and Mike Shanahan’s firing two days later, Denver quarterback Jay Cutler is about to emerge.
The Broncos quarterback arrived in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday and will do a series of promotional appearances today. He will visit with children and doctors at the diabetes clinic at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., and also will be a guest on two ESPN shows.
Cutler, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last April, and his foundation have partnered with pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and are trying to raise money for children with the disease to attend camps.
“There are still a lot of misconceptions out there about diabetes,” Eli Lilly spokesman Scott McGregor said. “Having someone of Jay’s stature and ability to serve as a role model for these kids is tremendous.”
Cutler has yet to make public comments about Josh McDaniels, who was introduced as the Broncos’ new head coach Jan. 12.
Back to work.
The Steelers and Cardinals practiced Wednesday for the first time since arriving in Tampa.
It was a welcome change for players who rarely break routine during the regular season.
“It felt nice this morning to get into meetings and start preparing for a game again,” Pittsburgh nose tackle Chris Hoke said. “We started with the things we built last week. It’ll be nice to get back on the field because it feels like we have been off the field for a long time.”
Polamalu: LeBeau will be back.
Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu said he is confident the team’s defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, 71, is not close to retiring.
“He’s got a young sense of humor. He’s got a young heart,” Polamalu said.
LeBeau has been either a player or coach in the NFL since 1959, which has included two stints in Pittsburgh.
Despite rumors that began circulating this week, Pittsburgh players said they were confident LeBeau would be back next season regardless of what happens in Sunday’s Super Bowl against the Cardinals.
“He has everything to do with success with everybody on this team,” Polamalu said. “I wouldn’t give any credence to that rumor. I think we would be the first people to know about it, and he wouldn’t surprise us at the end of the season like that.”
Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post
