Ryan Clady Named NFL Rookie of the Week; Cutler Once Again Wins 'Air' Award

by John Bena on Dec 12, 2008 12:59 PM MST in Broncos in the News Comment 29 comments

CUTLER WINS 'AIR' AWARD FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE WEEK

It isn't much, but we'll take it! Word is getting out about just how dominating our Rookie LT has been this year and this is more proof as it was just announced that Ryan Clady won the NFL Rookie of the Week award for Week 14 --

Voters on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service have made their choice. Tackle Ryan Clady of the Denver Broncos is the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on December 4-8, the NFL announced Friday.

Clady led a Broncos' offensive line that allowed QB Jay Cutler to pass for 286 yards and two touchdowns, prevented Kansas City from recording a sack and allowed Denver to total 139 rushing yards in the Broncos’ 24 -17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Clady was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on NFL.com/rookies and via Sprint wireless service. The other finalists were cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of the Arizona Cardinals, running back Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans, running back Steve Salton of the Houston Texans and running back Jonathan Stewart of the Carolina Panthers.

After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com/rookies throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay.

Congrats to Clady! Hopefully we'll get even better news next Tuesday when the 2009 Pro Bowl Teams are announced.

Also released was news that Jay Cutler had won the 'Fed Ex Air' Award for Week 14. For Cutler it was the second consecutive week and third win overall of 2008. Cutler has won the award 3 times since Week 10 --

Quarterback Jay Cutler of the Denver Broncos and running back DeAngelo Williams of the Carolina Panthers are the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played from Dec. 4-8.

Cutler completed 32 of 40 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos' 24-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Williams rushed for 186 yards on 19 carries and scored two touchdowns in the Panthers' 38–23 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.

Cutler and Williams were selected from among six finalists in Air & Ground categories. The other finalists were quarterbacks Shaun Hill of the San Francisco 49ers and Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans along with running backs Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans and Brian Westbrook of the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Nice!

I kinda like him and the Broncos being unrecognized though. We are like this dirty little secret that only we know about.

Col. Sandurz: Prepare ship for light speed!
Dark Helmet: No, no, no, light speed is too slow!
Col. Sandurz: Light speed, too slow?!
Dark Helmet: Yes, we're gonna have to go right to . . . ludicrous speed!
Col. Sandurz: Ludicrous speed?! Sir, we've never gone that fast before. I don't know if the ship can take it.
Dark Helmet: What's the matter Colonel Sandurz? Chicken?

by orangeblood on Dec 12, 2008 1:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I hear ya.

It is kind of nice whenever we just sneak up on everybody. They are like “Where did they come from”

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 7

by weazel on Dec 12, 2008 8:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

4 different rookies named "Rookie of the Week" on one team...

not bad at all…

Go Broncos!!

MELO!!!

MileHighReport.com
PickaxeAndRoll.com

by abaca15 on Dec 12, 2008 1:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

It is finally nice to see us have some young talent on our team.

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 7

by weazel on Dec 12, 2008 8:17 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

We are winning alot of these individual awards....

interesting…. We have dominated the rookie of the week awards too.

This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.

by Tim Lynch on Dec 12, 2008 1:17 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

We've been spoiled so far this year.

Let’s get the big one for these two on tuesday!

Random quotes about the raiders:
They really shouldn’t play — Chris Collinsworth (12/5/08)
This is an utter disaster — Chris Collinsworth (12/5/08)
/The great Dane - formerly known as Claaaaas!

by Claus Vestergaard on Dec 12, 2008 1:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

2008 Draft Class

If the Moss/Thomas/Crowder drafting develop into stud or semi stud defensive players (Thomas and Moss are looking as though they may be), then i think we’ll look back and say the 2006-2008 draft classes began the Broncos real turn around since the post-Elway era.

Congrats to Clady and Cutler!!!

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 12, 2008 1:46 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I agree 100%

Moss is starting to come into his own after that freak injury last season

The quest is the Highway to the Danger Zone-Kenny loggins

by TommyTSlice on Dec 12, 2008 3:09 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

i heard crowder

wasnt real

by robbo650 on Dec 14, 2008 9:53 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome!!

There is only One Moment—this moment—the Eternal Moment of Now

by sirsam on Dec 12, 2008 1:47 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I vaguely remember the media saying how Kansas City "won the draft."

Well Denver now has FOUR different RotW award winners, (E. Royal got it twice) and we are about to sieze the AFC West with all these rooks. Not to mention afterthought guys like Woodyard, Barrett, and J.Bell. We’ll be getting some of these injured backs going next year and I can’t wait to see where we draft this offseason..
The future is bright Bronco Fans!! But for now we just sit back and enjoy the show.

Big grats to Clady and Cutler and a serious salute to all those obsessed Bronco fans voting 10000x for our boys! We dominate RotW voting. Let’s hope some of that carries over to ProBowl voting as well.

Peace!

by BringBackOrange on Dec 12, 2008 1:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Hell, even I thought KC won the draft

but your point is spot on. Broncos have quietly got the most return on their initial draft investment.

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 12, 2008 3:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

and Hillis, and my guess

is that K-Lich will come into his own just fine when need be.

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Dec 12, 2008 3:57 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Clady darn well better have won

I spent the entire Shanny/Cutler press conference voting for him :D

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Dec 12, 2008 3:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

SI.com is stealing our nicknames.

Read this, and tell me he didn’t steal Iron Clady from Broncobear.

"During MHR Radio we laugh, sing, listen, shed a few tears, and learn all of Papi's dirty secrets." -TSG 12/7/08

by papigrande on Dec 12, 2008 4:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of that SI article...

Here’s a further quote from that article from an AFC West scout:

“He has been good, but not great, in my opinion,” said an AFC West scout. “He is solid in pass protection, but only a marginal run blocker at this time. I don’t see him as a Pro Bowler in 2008, but I can see him developing into a Pro Bowl-caliber player in a year or so.”

Since when did AJ Smith get demoted to scout?

Seriously, what a douche of a quote…..exactly how is this guy grading Clady’s run blocking skills given the revolving door of RBs he’s had to adjust to? I’ve seen nothing consistent to indicate that Clady can’t clear his assignments on ground plays going to his side. He’s been downfield in front of every one of his 7 different running backs when the play went to the left side. Is there something glaring I’m missing that would justify that criticism?

by pshin8670 on Dec 12, 2008 5:27 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah man I don't know

maybe this “scout” is Phillip Rivers. I don’t see how he can say only marginal at run blocking. I think he has been better pass protection than run blocking, but I don’t see where you come up with “marginal”.

And to say that he has been “solid” in pass protection is a slap in the face. He has been OTHERWORLDLY in pass protection. How many sacks did this teams guys get on Clady? Uh, none.

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Dec 12, 2008 6:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry

that should be this guy’s team

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Dec 12, 2008 6:14 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, that's my....

Bastards.

Jim Goodman for Broncos MVP!

by Emmett Smith on Dec 12, 2008 7:12 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

again why

I dont read SI. I would love to know who this AFC West scout is. Hmm seems to me the Broncos are about to win the West. Maybe sour grapes.

somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong

by broncfanstuckinsd on Dec 13, 2008 6:01 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

About time...

That Clady gets some recognition, i just hope it isnt too late for him to get some ProBowl consideration.

Go Broncos!

by dbroncos78087 on Dec 12, 2008 5:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Run blocking?

I’ve spent the past two weeks breaking down film on the Broncos games and watching in delight as Iron Clady became the Run Hammer. Seriously, the improvement is remarkable, and he wasn’t a slouch to start with. I’d ask where they get this stuff, but I’d rather not know.

Jim Goodman for Broncos MVP!

by Emmett Smith on Dec 12, 2008 7:15 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn't surprise me if it was recycled

from some blurb after week two…

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Dec 12, 2008 10:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Hell, it's probably draft analysis.

"During MHR Radio we laugh, sing, listen, shed a few tears, and learn all of Papi's dirty secrets." -TSG 12/7/08

by papigrande on Dec 12, 2008 11:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Clady finally gets some love just after the Pro Bowl voting is over...!@#$%

That really sucks. I voted for him so many times I have no idea how many. Clady did better than Jake Long and better than Joe Thomas last year, but still no respect. The unidentified Scout is BS. If your’e going to dis a guy, then who the hell was it? Cowards! ! !

I knew that the KC draft lovefest was a bunch of crap. We didn’t know, but had a good feeling about Denvers draft. Now the whole league knows it. 14 weeks a Rookie was selected and Denver players took five of them FIVE!!!!
That leaves 9 for the rest of the League of 31 teams. Denvers Rookie class of 08 is the best draft of the League hands down. Thank you Shanny and thank you Bronco Scouts. The 06-08 drafts will be players to be recconed with and the envy of the League. Mark my words! This is the intermediate building of a Dynasty yet to come, and it will come.

Like BringbackOrange says " Lets sit back and enjoy the ride". I’m all for it. Ya’ll are welcome to join me. I’ll be the guy at the bar on Sundays sucking down the Bacardi & Cokes and whooping and a hollerin!!! Go Broncos and go Bronco fans, we have a lot to be thankful for…HooYaa!

"If Denver beats us, I'll walk back to Detroit" - Alex Karras

by Denver Diehard on Dec 13, 2008 3:44 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I would say

Including the undrafted FA’s this is one of the best of not the best rookie class Denver has ever had. This team will only get better and better.

somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong

by broncfanstuckinsd on Dec 13, 2008 6:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Dont overlook the ground winner

You think with another 2 TD performance, Cutler can beat the Panthers, if Deangelo rushes for 186 yards? That was over 300 yards against the league’s 4th best defense.

Also, rookies will let you down in Dec and Jan. If you don’t have guys who have been tough in deep playoff situations, then the next few weeks could be very bumpy for ya.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 13, 2008 4:42 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

This whole year...

has been bumpy for us. You may not get alot of Broncos news in your part of Carolina, but this team has been dealing with adversity and injury from the jump. Trust me, we’ll take what we can get, with what we have left of this team, and gain all the experience possible. Whether that means playoff run or not, this young team will be back again next year, one year wiser and hopefully a little more healthy. I’m sure your Panthers aren’t expecting much of a contest tomorrow, but then again neither did the Jets, Atlanta, Tampa or New Orleans. This young team full of rookies has been great at playing down to lesser talented teams, and up to the occasion against the better ones.

Good luck tomorrow.

by donbok1 on Dec 13, 2008 5:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Panthers aren’t expecting much of a contest tomorrow?

Actually it’s quite the opposite. Analysts down here are calling this a trap game. Just came off of a big Mon night game against the Bucs, and are heading next week to NY for Sun night against the Giants. And you guys have the ability to take advantage of Carolina’s biggest weakness… pass defense.

Just a warning… If the Panthers start slow… Watch out for that 4th quarter. That is where they have done the most damage. Especially at home.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 13, 2008 6:45 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs