Sep 14th 2008 11:55AM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Broncos, Texans, AFC West, NFL Draft, NFL Fans
In the weeks and months leading up to the 2006 draft, the media buzz centered around Matt Leinart (he stayed for his senior season!) and Vince Young (he can do no wrong!). Jay Cutler, most often referred to as “that guy with a rifle arm who took A TON of hits at Vandy,” was an afterthought — a consolation prize for the NFL team that wouldn’t be in position to take the two franchise quarterbacks ahead of him.

Two years later, Cutler is, by miles, the best quarterback from that draft class, and the Broncos look prescient for trading up to grab him. (Even if a lot of people were confused by the move at the time. And by “a lot of people” I obviously mean “Jake Plummer, his family, and friends.”)

SI.com’s Bucky Brooks agrees, and explains why Cutler has been so successful.Continue Reading