Ramsey: Cutler at Mile High brings all our hate to one place

Jay Cutler.

There. I’ve typed the most dangerous words in Colorado.

A year ago, Cutler was the future of the Denver Broncos, and most fans excused his interceptions and arrogance. Today, as Cutler prepares to invade Invesco Field, he towers as the most despised man in the Rocky Mountain region.

John Koury, 62, lives on the west side of the Springs. He’s lived here since 1974, long enough to seldom speak the word, “Broncos.” He just says “we” when he talks about his team.

“I hope Cutler loses every game he ever plays,” Koury said. “… He likes himself a lot more than his record deserves.”

Koury speaks for most state residents. For weeks in the spring, Cutler’s squabble with coach Josh McDaniels mesmerized and disgusted Colorado sports fans.

Cutler has a magnificent arm and rapid-fire release. He is, like the young John Elway, unburdened by doubt. It was thrilling — and sometimes appalling — to watch him try to thread a pass through three defenders.

But his love-of-self transformed from endearing to infuriating when he threw a tantrum after McDaniels’ showed interest in the quarterback he left behind, Matt Cassel.

Mike Shanahan was too indulgent of Cutler’s reckless ways. McDaniels could have crafted him into a more complete, more dangerous passer. Just look at the magic McDaniels and Tom Brady produced in New England.

Cutler sulked and whined and left the Broncos with little choice. They shipped Cutler to the Chicago Bears, his favorite team.

This bothered Koury.

“We traded him to someplace he wanted to go?” Koury asked in disgust. “I would have preferred we traded him to Detroit.”

Detroit, of course, is home to the Lions, the NFL’s worst team.

At first, I believed everyone in the state shared my view of Cutler. That view can be summarized in a few words:
Cutler is a world-class whiner who offered a superlative imitation of a 2-year-old as he betrayed Broncos fans. (If any of my 2-year-old readers are offended by this comparison, please accept my apology.)

But I was wrong. Cutler, to my surprise, retains fans in the state he rejected.

His departure divided Colorado, caused rifts among close friends and family members. Most blame Cutler for the silly, though undeniably entertaining, soap opera that led to his exit.

But a vocal minority points a finger — and I’m not going to get into which finger — at McDaniels.

Eddie Dietz has, like Koury, long been devoted to the Broncos. He grew up in the Springs and is a proud member of Palmer High School’s class of 1976.

“You know what,” Dietz said. “I like Jay Cutler. I like his personality. I like his pride. It shows me he’s a strong athlete, a strong man.

“You got to have a thick skin. You got to be strong. You got to have a big ego to be a good quarterback.”

To my surprise, Dietz spoke in a bold voice. I figured he might want to whisper to avoid getting attacked by the multitudes who despise Cutler.

Dietz speaks boldly because he believes the villain of this tale is not Cutler.

It’s that 33-year-old coach who looks like he’s 17.

“I don’t like that new coach,” Dietz said. “He’s a spoiled little brat who doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

Tonight, Koury and Dietz will watch the Broncos and Bears tangle in an exhibition game that is basically meaningless.

Koury hopes Cutler tosses an interception on every throw. Meanwhile, Dietz hopes Cutler humiliates McDaniels.
Who cares about this fake game?

In Colorado, on this night, virtually everyone.