Cutler Shows Off Timing, Arm at Pro Day
Posted: March 17, 2006
Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jay Cutler displayed his skills at both at the Senior Bowl in January and at the NFL Combine last month. On Friday, the quarterback showed a little bit more at Vanderbilt's Pro Day on a cold, windy day.
Working with his own receivers, Erik Davis and Marlon White and tight end Dustin Dunning, Cutler looked at ease, making mostly strong crisp throws with timing and plenty of arm strength despite less than ideal conditions with temperatures in the mid 40s and a steady breeze.
The Southeastern Conference player of the year was watched by scouts from 25 NFL teams. He is pegged as a Top 10 pick, one of three quarterbacks who will go high. Matt Leinart of Southern California and Vince Young of Texas are the others.
Cutler said the workout was comfortable.
"I've had a good time with these guys. I know their speed and know where they're going to be in their routes, and I know they were going to catch it for me," Cutler said. "It was cold, and the ball was real hard. But it was fun. There's been a lot of anticipation up to this point. But now I can just relax and start working out again."
The Tennessee Titans, who have the third overall pick, had a contingent watching Cutler that included general manager Floyd Reese, offensive coordinator Norm Chow and quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson.
The Titans staff already knows Cutler well after having coached him at the Senior Bowl.
"I just wanted to see him on a day like today with it being a little bit colder than it was down there in Mobile have the same type of day and make all the throws that are necessary to make," Johnson said.
Reese came away impressed as well.
"He threw the ball well. I think you saw a variety of things. He threw the ball on the run and under a little bit less than ideal conditions," Reese said. "He came today and performed, and I can't imagine too many quarterbacks performing better than he did today."
