Jay Cutler - Draft Projection - NFL Impact

Bamacrazy49

I think Vanderbilt's QB Jay Cutler will go high in the draft. Great arm.

Mike

reall haven't been able to see the guy play much. Got any good information on him?

PaulBrown

Positives…Has added over ten pounds of bulk and muscle tone to his frame during the 2005 off-season…Shows good mobility rolling out of the pocket and decent quickness driving back from center to his throwing point…Does a good job of hitting his receivers in stride in the short area, especially on crossing patterns…Tough player who absorbs a lot of punishment due to marginal protection, yet has missed only three-quarters of one game and one-quarter of another due to injuries.

Shows good touch and accuracy on underneath routes…Has the balance and lateral agility to step up to avoid the pass rush…Despite holding the ball low, he has the arm power and quick throwing motion to get the ball out with velocity on screens…Can buy time in the backfield when flushed out due to his foot quickness…Has a lively arm with a snappy release (but needs mechanical refinement).

Negatives…Might be a little gun shy from all the punishment he has taken over the years… Needs to do a better job of securing the ball before running, as he has fumbled twenty times the last two years…Must do a better job at the pre-snap recognizing defensive schemes, as he does not always scan the field well…Seems to lack confidence with his receivers, failing to anticipate when his targets will be breaking…Spends too much time eyeballing his primary target, rarely looking off them to locate his secondary receivers…Must learn how to step into his throws to generate better accuracy (steps back on too many of his tosses).

Uses poor judgment at times when flushed out of the pocket, either holding on to the ball too long, resulting in a sack or throwing the ball up for grabs, causing costly interceptions…Has good touch in the short area, but because he carries the ball so low, he does not get ideal trajectory to feather the ball over the head of the defender (this causes a lot of interceptions-18 and pass deflections-75 over the last two years)…Lacks accuracy throwing on the run, especially when unleashing from the left hash…Rotates his hips too much through his release and needs to throw off the front foot more.

From NFL Draft Scout

Mike

This was my next player to bring up in regards to draft talk, and rather than create a new thread, I just changed the title of this one.

Good information regarding Jay Cutler provided by PaulBrown in the above thread. Many mock drafts are seeing him as the 3rd QB taken, and I as well see this right now with him going to the Miami Dolphins.

GBG

One thing I like about Cutler is his ablility to run (and break big ones like Michal Vick) when the passing game gets pooched.

Again, I agree with Mike.

Nick Saban did a remarkable job this year with the Dolphins, considering what he had to work with. =) (No offense, Kleppie) So, they are picking at 16, right? There are going to be some great possibilities open at that slot. The main question is do they go for need or the best available? You could go for QBs like Jay Cutler or Omar Jacobs...But, Miami has other needs to consder as well. What about defensive players?? like LBs Chad Greenway or Thomas Howard? Not only that, they could use a corner (Antonio Cromartie or Kelly Jennings - both home picks, I know) or strong safety. I wont even get started on the O-Line....

Mike

Laron Butler talk moved to the college football forum.

Lets keep this one on Cutler.

sdsurock

here is what ESPN has on him

Jay Cutler took over as a starter as a redshirt freshman in 2002 and never relinquished the job. Despite being overmatched on almost a weekly basis in SEC play, Cutler found ways to keep his team in games. He lacks some polish and will need to work on his footwork, release mechanics and decision-making skills before he's ready to compete for a starting job in the NFL. However, he has a strong arm and adequate size, speed, and athletic ability. He is an experienced, competitive four-year starter who is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

Few players enter the Senior Bowl week with as much momentum as Cutler. If he can build on it with an impressive week-long performance, Cutler will solidify a spot in the first round of the 2006 draft.






Jay Cutler

22

Vanderbilt

6

QB


PLAYER

AGE

SCHOOL

NO.

POSITION







Height

6-2 7/8 -- Possesses adequate-to-good height at the QB position.



Weight

223 -- Possesses adequate bulk.



Speed

4.80 -- Has adequate speed but is more mobile than his time in the 40 indicates.




Intelligence

Has great intelligence and can pick up schemes, trends and playbooks quickly.




Toughness

Is one of the toughest QB prospects in this year's class.




Strength/Flex

Shows good flexibility and great strength for his size. Is stronger in the upper body than he is in the lower body. Bench presses 400-plus pounds.




Durability

Missed some time as a junior (2004) with neck and ankle injuries but remained remarkably durable considering the beating he endured.




Character

Coaches rave about his work ethic, toughness and leadership. Suspended for a game in 2002 after he was issued four misdemeanor citations by campus police for property damage, underage drinking and evading arrest.




Production

A four-year starter that improved in terms of efficiency each season. Finished 2005 with 3,073 passing yards, 21 TDs and nine INTs. Also rushed for 215 yards.






QB SPECIFICS

Arm Strength
Escape Ability
Quick Set Up
Accuracy Long
Accuracy Short
Locate 2nd Receiver
Running Ability
Quickness Of Delivery
Judgement
Poise





PRACTICE NOTES


Monday (1/23/06): Cutler showed up in very good shape. Looks quick in his drops and shows good mobility. Cutler has very good arm strength and gets necessary RPMs on the deep out route. He shows the ability to fit the ball into tight spots. He also shows adequate touch and timing. He will need to improve his mechanics, especially his footwork as a passer. He is too streaky in terms of his accuracy. Missed a few open receivers that he should have hit during drills today.

Tuesday (1/24/06): Cutler is clearly the class of quarterbacks at this week's Senior Bowl and had a very solid day on Tuesday. Although it was rather windy, his passes cut the wind with enough velocity to be effective in any NFL system. His mechanics still need some polish, but he shows mobility, confidence and the ability to get the ball to the North receivers accurately and abruptly. In an All-Star format this like one, quarterbacks often struggle early in the week with their timing and rhythm, but Cutler has come out of the gate strong and should continue to separate himself throughout this week in Mobile.

Wednesday (1/25/06): Although he wasn't spectacular, Cutler once again showed consistency, accuracy and a soft touch as a passer on Wednesday. He has assured himself as being the top quarterback drafted from the Senior Bowl. He is a plus athlete and throws with plenty of RPMs. Over the last two practices, his throws often sink with the nose of the ball harshly facing down. This could be due to him overthrowing the football while trying to impress coaches and scouts.

Thursday (1/26/06):

DFrank9

i think hell be the 3rd to 5th QB picked

erihull

I've been reading and listening to reports on television and the internet and I've been hearing reports that Cutler has the most momentum of all the players going into the draft. I've even heard a few people say he should be the 2nd QB taken in the draft. I don't this will happen, but there are reports that Detroit has taken an interest at the #9 spot. If you told me Jay Cutler would be a top ten pick two weeks ago I would have laughed, but now it could be very realistic.

Mike

I have been hearing the same thing regarding Detroit. I dont like that move for Detroit though. They need help on the line first and foremost, and they can probably get Omar Jacobs in the second round.