Finding a comfort zone

ENGLEWOOD - Jay Cutler will still be the focal point of the Denver Broncos’ offense but, if the team’s plan comes to fruition, some key additions will help the second-year quarterback.

Running back Travis Henry, tight end Daniel Graham and receiver Brandon Stokley are Cutler’s new targets.

The team also signed guard Montrae Holland and quarterback Patrick Ramsey as Cutler’s backup.

“It takes a lot of pressure off of me,” Cutler said Tuesday. “I can get the ball to those guys and let them work. The more weapons you have, the easier it is as a quarterback.”

Cutler won’t be immune from pressure though. Although he played well late last season, he has only five games of experience and will be the centerpiece of a team that hopes to be a contender in the AFC.

Cutler said he will be more comfortable on the field this year. He watched and learned most of last season, then picked up valuable game experience in the final month.

“Those first two games I was just feeling things out and getting used to the NFL game and speed and just what I needed to know going into a game,” said Cutler, referring to his first starts against Seattle and San Diego. “I’m going to be 100 times more comfortable this year.”

Having Henry to carry the ball and Graham and Stokley as targets should also settle down Cutler. After concentrating on defense in free agency before last season, the Broncos slipped on offense.

“Any time you’re ranked 21st in the league on offense, that’s embarrassing in itself,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said in February. “We’re not used to doing that and we won’t be there very long.”

With the new additions, Cutler said the Broncos should have more options. “We’ve got so many weapons,” he said. “We can stretch the field more than we did last year and we’re going to have a really strong running game.”

CUTLER ON SUSPENSIONS

The NFL suspended Tennessee cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones for a year and Cincinnati receiver Chris Henry for eight games for off-field transgressions. Cutler said he thinks NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is doing the right thing by sending a message to players that poor off-field conduct will not be tolerated.

“It’s good he’s cleaning things up,” Cutler said. “It’s never good to see a guy that is that good of a football player have to sit out a year because he’s been in trouble so much. Hopefully, everyone will take notice of this and hopefully stay out of trouble for a long time.”