News Cutler Knows O Needs to Produce

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Cutler knows Broncos offense needs to start producing
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published October 26, 2008 at 5:51 p.m.

On a crisp, clear autumn Saturday fit for a travel brochure, Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler spent part of his bye week time watching an offense he once guided to some of its greatest heights struggle to score a single touchdown.

Cutler, the 2005 Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, was one of many former Vanderbilt players in the stadium as the Commodores limped to a 10-3 loss to Duke.

And starting today, Cutler and the Broncos have to figure a way to keep their Sunday drives from ending up the same way.

"We're just not sure what we're going to get," Cutler said. "We're not sure how teams are going to play us here on out.

"Are they going to just sit back and play zone? Make us run, keep it in front of them, as some of these teams in the past have done?

"Or are they going to come after us? Make us protect? Make us throw hot?"

The Broncos return from a four-day hiatus to hit the practice field at their Dove Valley complex facing nine games and at least that many questions about an offense that led the league in scoring in a 3-0 start but finds itself averaging 14.8 points during a 1-3 stretch.

Then there are the injuries on defense, including linebacker Boss Bailey, who will miss the remainder of the season, and cornerback Champ Bailey, who will miss at least a month and likely more because of a groin injury Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has termed "severe."

That might force the Broncos offense to fuel whatever the team can do during the final nine weeks of the regular season.

"We know it's going to be important for us to produce," tight end Daniel Graham said.

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