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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
>> NFL
FRIDAY DECEMBER 1 2006
Teammates have high hopes for young quarterback
BY PAT GRAHAM ASSOCIATED PRESS
DENVER — The comparison slipped out
"A young Brett Favre," Denver Broncos receiver Javon Walker said of rookie quarterback Jay Cutler.
But Seattle coach Mike Holmgren cautioned against making such parallels without Cutler, the 11th overall pick in last April's draft, throwing a single pass in a regular-season game.
"Id be reluctant to compare any young player to Brett Favre at this point," Holmgren said.
It doesn't matter. Cutler's already being measured against Hall of Famer John Elway. That goes with being the quarterback in the Mile High City. Elway has more clout in Denver than the governor.
Cutler doesn't seem to mind — yet.
Then again, lake Plummer once felt the same way. The pressure of living under Elway's immense shadow proved too intense for Plummer, who lost his starting job Monday. He once flipped off fans and ripped a gossip columnist for comments she made about his personal life.
"They demand success here, especially at the quarterback position with John Elway setting the bar so high," said Cutler, who will make his
first career start for Denver (7-4) on Sunday night against the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks (7-4). "It is a lot to live up to. We have a lot of football to play before I even get into his category"
Walker is hoping Cutler can become an Elway/Favre reincarnate. Walker, who has caught 51 passes for 854 yards, is one of the best deep threats in the game and now someone who can get him the football deep.
"He has the ability to put it out there." Walker said.
Holmgren knows all about grooming quarterbacks. He helped Favre come of age in Green Bay and coached Joe Montana and Steve Young in San Francisco. Holmgren said the biggest challenge is the outside influences.
"The great ones are really special athletes and I've been fortunate to be around some of the greatest quarterbacks ever." Holmgren said. "Not only do they play the game physically, and make the throws and do the right thing, study and prepare mentally, but then they handle being the man. Being the man that everyone's counting on, the world's on your shoulders. (Cutler) is a talented young guy. It's a tremendous challenge."
But one Denver thinks he's ready for.
"There are always growing pains, obviously, with any quarterback as he starts out," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. "I really believe that this guy gives us the best chance to win."
The seahawks' defense won't feel sorry for the rookie. Cutler expects plenty of pressure.
"They really fly around, they like to blitz a little bit and they can drop back and play coverage, too," Cutler said. "I have a lot to worry about. I am kind of worried about everything."
He's spending extra time trying to cram as much knowledge about Seattle into his head as he can. The Broncos are 20-4 against Seattle at home, but haven't played the Seahawks in Denver in the regular season since the Seahawks moved out of the AFC West after the 2001 season.
"They were in the Super Bowl last year, so they obviously know how to win and their defense knows what it takes to get it done," Culter said.
Cutler is leaning on Plummer for advice.
"Jake has been a professional about the whole thing and talked to me and told me that this wasn't going to change anything between us and that he would be there for me and do anything he could to help me out," Cutter said.
Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, background right, looks for an open receiver with protection from teammate Chris Myers, ngnt, against the rush from Arizona Cardinals' Darnell Docket, during the first quarter of a preseason football game, Aug. 31, at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. With the Broncos struggling, coach Mike Shanahan turns to rookie quarterback Jay Cutler and benches Jake Plummer. The experiment will be put to its first test Sunday night when Denver hosts Seattle.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
》 NHL
Man pleads guilty for gambling ring
Bettors, including current NHL players, not charged in long-time conspiracy
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. — A second man accused of running a gambling ring with former hockey star Rick Tocchet will plead guilty and agree to cooperate with authorities, according to a report published
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Thursday
in court, came before another man in the James Ulmer will plead guilty 'case pleaded guilty in August.
promoting gambling and conspiracy and faces up to 364 days in county jail, according to The Star-Ledger of Newark, which cited law enforcement officials who spoke to the newspaper on the condition of anonymity because the case is ongoing.
The case shocked the hockey world, but NHL officials say there is no evidence of bets on that sport.
The state Attorney General's office said Thursday that Ulmer would be in court in Mount Holly on Friday, but spokesman David Wald declined to specify the hearing's purpose. A similar advisory
businessman who lives in Sweedesboro, would be the second man to plead guilty in the case, which authorities have said involved bettors including current NHL players and actress Janet
er, James Harney, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, promoting gambling and official misconduct. He faces up to seven years in prison.
Jones, the wife of hockey great Wayne Gretzky.
Ulmer's lawyer, Edwin Jacobs, did not return calls to The Associated Press. The Star-Ledger said he also did not return calls to the news-paper.
Tocchet and Ulmer are the only remaining people charged in the case. No alleged bettors have been charged.
In August, a former state troop
Authorities announced in February they had taken down the gambling ring, which they said had been running for years. In the 40 days ending Feb. 5, they said, $1.7 million changed hands.
Tocchet's lawyer, Kevin Marino,
did not comment Thursday.
The case shocked the hockey world, but NHL officials say there is no evidence of bets on that sport.
After he was charged, Tochet took an indefinite leave of absence as Gretzky's top assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes.
featuring faculty artists
Leslie Bennett & John Staniums
7:30 p.m.
December 1,2,6,7,9,2006
2:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Crafton-Preyer Theatre
Reserved seat tickets are on the kU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS, and SUA Office, 864-7469, and online at www.kutheatre.com. Tickets are $16 for the public, $10 for all students, and $15 for senior citizens and faculty and staff. Both VISA and Mastercard are accepted for phone and online orders.
Please join us for a talkback with the director, designers, and cast immediately following the Saturday, December 2, performance.
The University Theatre is partially funded by the KU Student Senate Activity Fee, funding is also provided by the Kansas Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
This production is KU's entry in the 2017 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival XXIIX.
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