Matt Fox
Young Quarterbacks Stepping Up
September 19th 2008 20:29
During the second week of the NFL we were blessed with some more exciting games and performances. This week featured some unproven signal callers showing that they have the potential to get the job done week in and week out. The three quarterbacks that stood out to me were Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler and J.T. O’Sullivan.
The Green Bay Packers played one of the worst defenses in the NFL this week and Rodgers exposed it as such in their match-up this week. Rodgers was efficient while completely 24 of his 38 passes to seven different receivers. He passed for a career high 328 yards and three touchdowns. Rodgers is under tremendous pressure to perform well this year because he is trying to replace the legendary Brett Favre. Through two weeks he has shown no sign of being affected by some of the expectations that have been laid at his feet. He is also proving to his critics that he can handle the reigns to the Packer franchise.
The Broncos are notorious for running the football and producing 1,000 yard rushers. This year Jay Cutler has taken the focus off the running game and made the passing game look like the teams bread and butter. Cutler has a canon for an arm, reminds a little bit of Favre’s arm strength. Cutler also has enough mobility to avoid timely sacks. This weekend Cutler got back his favorite target Brandon Marshall and he let everyone know that Marshall is his favorite target by completing 18 passes to him, two shy of the NFL record held by Terrell Owens. Cutler completed 72 percent of his passes for 350 yards and four touchdowns. While the rushing game still produced 145 yards, the passing game is what won the game for the Broncos vs. the Chargers. Down one point after just scoring a touchdown the Broncos elect to go for two and the win. Cutler dropped back, waited patiently and delivered a bullet to rookie receiver Eddie Royal for the win.
The 49ers have long been looking for a player to shine at the quarterback spot. Although they thought they had that player in number one draft pick from 2005, Alex Smith, who in my opinion never got a fair chance in San Francisco but that’s a whole other story which I will be writing about soon. J.T. O’Sullivan showed us what he had shown us towards the end of the preseason and why he won the starting job. O’Sullivan made timely throws and touch throws to his receivers. Even though he was sacked eight times he used his legs to avoid some more sacks and make positive plays. He led the game winning drive in overtime with poise and never looked rattled on the road in front of one of the NFL’s loudest crowds in Seattle. O’Sullivan was the first 49er quarterback to throw for over 300 yards in nearly four years. O’Sullivan finished with 321 yards and a touchdown while completing 62 percent of his passes. He also ran for 32 yards on four rushes.
The Green Bay Packers played one of the worst defenses in the NFL this week and Rodgers exposed it as such in their match-up this week. Rodgers was efficient while completely 24 of his 38 passes to seven different receivers. He passed for a career high 328 yards and three touchdowns. Rodgers is under tremendous pressure to perform well this year because he is trying to replace the legendary Brett Favre. Through two weeks he has shown no sign of being affected by some of the expectations that have been laid at his feet. He is also proving to his critics that he can handle the reigns to the Packer franchise.
The Broncos are notorious for running the football and producing 1,000 yard rushers. This year Jay Cutler has taken the focus off the running game and made the passing game look like the teams bread and butter. Cutler has a canon for an arm, reminds a little bit of Favre’s arm strength. Cutler also has enough mobility to avoid timely sacks. This weekend Cutler got back his favorite target Brandon Marshall and he let everyone know that Marshall is his favorite target by completing 18 passes to him, two shy of the NFL record held by Terrell Owens. Cutler completed 72 percent of his passes for 350 yards and four touchdowns. While the rushing game still produced 145 yards, the passing game is what won the game for the Broncos vs. the Chargers. Down one point after just scoring a touchdown the Broncos elect to go for two and the win. Cutler dropped back, waited patiently and delivered a bullet to rookie receiver Eddie Royal for the win.
The 49ers have long been looking for a player to shine at the quarterback spot. Although they thought they had that player in number one draft pick from 2005, Alex Smith, who in my opinion never got a fair chance in San Francisco but that’s a whole other story which I will be writing about soon. J.T. O’Sullivan showed us what he had shown us towards the end of the preseason and why he won the starting job. O’Sullivan made timely throws and touch throws to his receivers. Even though he was sacked eight times he used his legs to avoid some more sacks and make positive plays. He led the game winning drive in overtime with poise and never looked rattled on the road in front of one of the NFL’s loudest crowds in Seattle. O’Sullivan was the first 49er quarterback to throw for over 300 yards in nearly four years. O’Sullivan finished with 321 yards and a touchdown while completing 62 percent of his passes. He also ran for 32 yards on four rushes.
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