Cutler starts learning curve

[tnedator]

Rocky Mountain News

Marc Piscotty © News

Broncos rookie quarterback Jay Cutler throws a pass to rookie tight end Tony Scheffler during the morning practice Friday at Dove Valley. Both players signed contracts at the last minute Thursday to start training camp on time.

Cutler starts learning curve
Quarterback's live arm on display as two-a-days begin

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
July 29, 2006

ENGLEWOOD - There may have been plenty of Jay Cutler sightings in and around metro Denver on Thursday afternoon.

Before Cutler officially was signed and sealed as the team's quarterback of the future, he tried to pass the time with a little three-hour tour.

"I was just driving around until about 6 (p.m.)," Cutler said. "Then finally got over here and got everything worked out in a couple hours."

Asked where he drove as his teammates reported for training camp and he could not because he had no deal, Cutler said, "Wherever, everywhere. For three hours."

"We're always pretty fair," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "We don't really stay on the hard stance trying to save an extra penny; we give it to the player, hopefully they'll respond."

And having finished his contract Thursday night, Cutler was on the field Friday morning with the rest of the Broncos as they began two-a-days for this training camp. With the business side of things over for the moment, Cutler began his trip on what Shanahan has called a "big learning curve."

"It's going to take a long time, but progress will be made," Shanahan said.

Cutler showed a live arm, though he had a pass intercepted by defensive tackle Demetrin Veal.

On a blitz, Veal dropped out of the line and backed into coverage, catching the ball as Cutler tried to fire a pass over the middle.

"Those things happen," Cutler said. "I'm going to throw some picks out here."

After the morning practice, Cutler quickly was congratulated by Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, who said, "and right on time."

"I'm very happy with it, give and take on both sides," Cutler said. "I feel really good about it."

GETTING THERE: Wide receiver Javon Walker worked against defenders in full-contact team drills for the first time since injuring his knee in September when he was with the Green Bay Packers.

Walker had surgery to repair his right anterior cruciate ligament Oct. 7, and the Broncos like his progress but still will limit him to one practice a day during training camp.

"(I) wasn't thinking about the knee, wasn't thinking about cutting, just trying to get back to my old self," Walker said. "No hesitation."

Walker, a Pro Bowl receiver in '04 with 1,382 yards, also had some quality one-on-one battles with cornerback Champ Bailey in drills.

"That was a good first-day challenge," Walker said. " . . . There will be many battles to come, but that's the best thing about it. If I'm going against him in practice, it's going to make the game so much easier."

Walker said he felt he was "90 percent."

TAKING PRECAUTIONS: With temperatures expected to hover near the triple-digit mark this weekend, Shanahan said the Broncos would remind players to stay hydrated, but he didn't expect the heat to be a problem.

"Just drink a lot of fluids. It's not that humid here compared to a lot of other places, so we've got a little bit of an edge compared to other places I've practiced in the past," Shanahan said. "Where if it's 95 or 100 (degrees) and the humidity is very high, it's very tough.

"This is nothing compared to what we practiced in in Houston (last year), when we played in Florida. Even though the temperature is going to be a little high, I don't think its going to be a concern."

ETC.: With plenty of veterans held out of the afternoon practice - Bailey, safety John Lynch, linebacker Al Wilson and center Tom Nalen were among them - Shanahan said things got a little sloppy. At one point rookie defensive tackle Antwon Burton jumped offsides, then leveled quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt. Shanahan doesn't put his quarterbacks in red jerseys because he's always said he doesn't have to remind the defenders not to hit the quarterback. "I don't think I've been around that since I've been in the NFL, a defensive lineman hitting the quarterback when he jumps offside," Shanahan said. "Just goes to show you you've got to review everything. You think that would be common sense, but sometimes it's not. I guarantee you he won't do it again." Burton briefly pulled Shanahan aside after practice to apologize . . . The Broncos formally designated Ashley Lelie as reserve/did not report with the league. That means they have an available roster spot until Lelie either is traded or reports. Shanahan said he was in no hurry and would wait to see if there are any injuries.

Copyright 2006, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drm...879564,00.html