Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler’s toughness or desire can never be questioned, not after he fought through a 2007 season during which he lost 35 pounds while a staff of Dr. Nick Rivieras was checking his drinking water for traces of Slim-Fast.

And now that Cutler and everyone else knows that he suffers from diabetes, he is in a position to become the unquestioned leader of the team, in only his third season.

“Guys look at Jay and the way he’s handled things and their problems don’t seem half as bad,” cornerback Champ Bailey said.  “I’m amazed at the way he’s handled it.  I thought he’d be freaking out right now.  But he hasn’t shown one sign of emotion.

“He hasn’t missed a workout.  Jay’s a natural leader.  He gets it.”

Cutler is wearing during practices a wireless insulin pump to regulate his blood sugar.  And he doesn’t feel sorry for himself, at all.

“A lot of kids get diagnosed each day who are under eight,” Cutler said.  “I can’t imagine their parents having to wake their three-year-old up three times a night to prick their finger to check their blood sugar level.  When I get things settled, I want to do something to help raise awareness, especially with kids.”