Broncos expect big things from Cutler-Marshall reunion
By Dan Pompei, Tribune reporter
11:20 a.m. CDT, August 6, 2012
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- If there is another team that knows best what to expect from the Chicago Bears’ passing game, it is the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos are the team that first put Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Jeremy Bates together, drafting Cutler and Marshall and hiring Bates as an offensive assistant (he later because receivers coach and quarterbacks coach) in 2006.
“I think it’s going to be great for Jay to have Jeremy Bates and Brandon Marshall there,” said Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley. “They started doing something really special here. I think Chicago is going to be fortunate to have that group back together. I think they are going to have a really good team this year.”
Stokley knows how well Cutler and Marshall work together.
“They do have great chemistry,” he said. “I think they both have grown up and matured since they were here. I think they both realize they need each other a little more than they thought. Jay is looking for that big-play receiver. Brandon is looking for that strong-armed quarterback. Now they are back together.”
Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil, who also was part of the team’s 2006 draft class, said Marshall has told him how excited he is to be back with Cutler.
"We were all younger then, but now they are more mature,” Dumervil said. “They have always been in sync. It should be something special. They had something special here. It’s too bad they left. I remember those guys really working. I can imagine the type of work they are putting in now, trying to take it to another level.”
Caleb Hanie got to know Cutler well as his backup with the Bears. Now he is with the Broncos.
“I’m happy for Jay,” he said. “He got his guy. He had a lot of success with B-Marsh here in Denver. They seem to complement each other well. I’m excited for him. ... (Marshall) will give them a little different dynamic out on the edge. He can make a play when the coverage is tight.”
Of Bates, Hanie said, “I know he wanted Jeremy a few years back when Ron (Turner) was fired. Now that he is there I think Jay is very comfortable with him and he is excited to have him back. I think he just feels comfortable with those guys.”
There will be many handshakes and hugs on the grass at Soldier Field before the Broncos and Bears square off Thursday.
“Cutler, hopefully I can hit him a couple times,” Dumervil said. “He is a good quarterback and I’m sure those guys are going to be competing at a high level. It will be a good test for us.”
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