Enough is Enough
The Only Good Deal, is No Deal...
As if we haven't already had enough of this, the saga continues. Regardless of what you read and what everyone is now saying about the Jay Cutler-Josh McDaniels meltdown in Denver, there is really only one source to look to in order to restore harmony to Dove Valley. That one source is team and franchise owner Pat Bowlen.
Sure when we look at the origins of the events that have taken place to bring us to where we are now, we can fault the newly hired young coach for using poor judgment, but that is not the only place we should be looking. McDaniels was hired for his offensive genius, much in the same way Bowlen had brought in a young Mike Shanahan nearly 15 years earlier. It seemed to be an odd hire considering the state of the team needing so much help on the defense, but it would make sense that Bowlen would allow the new kid in town to follow his new plan. But why would his new plan include remaking the offense?
There may have and then there may not have been conversation between Bowlen and any of his players, but it would be hard to imagine any new plans by the team's new head coach that would include trading your pro bowl quarterback (who was also a first round draft pick) without Bowlen's knowledge prior. It's very simple, if Bowlen knew and green-lighted the move, he was buying into McDaniel's NEW PLAN to remake the Broncos. Whether this was strategically flawed or not on the part of McDaniels and Bowlen is irrelevant, but what is now relevant is dealing with the repercussions.
Cutler is only a kid just a few years removed from college and for him to react emotionally to everything that has happened is understandable. He's young, plays with emotion in an emotional game. It's not necessarily excusable, but you can see where the kid is coming from.
The Only Good Deal, is No Deal...
As if we haven't already had enough of this, the saga continues. Regardless of what you read and what everyone is now saying about the Jay Cutler-Josh McDaniels meltdown in Denver, there is really only one source to look to in order to restore harmony to Dove Valley. That one source is team and franchise owner Pat Bowlen.
Sure when we look at the origins of the events that have taken place to bring us to where we are now, we can fault the newly hired young coach for using poor judgment, but that is not the only place we should be looking. McDaniels was hired for his offensive genius, much in the same way Bowlen had brought in a young Mike Shanahan nearly 15 years earlier. It seemed to be an odd hire considering the state of the team needing so much help on the defense, but it would make sense that Bowlen would allow the new kid in town to follow his new plan. But why would his new plan include remaking the offense?
There may have and then there may not have been conversation between Bowlen and any of his players, but it would be hard to imagine any new plans by the team's new head coach that would include trading your pro bowl quarterback (who was also a first round draft pick) without Bowlen's knowledge prior. It's very simple, if Bowlen knew and green-lighted the move, he was buying into McDaniel's NEW PLAN to remake the Broncos. Whether this was strategically flawed or not on the part of McDaniels and Bowlen is irrelevant, but what is now relevant is dealing with the repercussions.
Cutler is only a kid just a few years removed from college and for him to react emotionally to everything that has happened is understandable. He's young, plays with emotion in an emotional game. It's not necessarily excusable, but you can see where the kid is coming from.
(Photo by Hyoung Chang / Denver Post)
On the other hand, it's very difficult to understand just what McDaniels was thinking when he decided the team would be more successful with Matt Cassel under center rather than the Bronco's current Pro Bowl Quarterback. It's also rather bold to think you can in only your first season as a head coach improve upon the leagues 2nd rated offense.
In only his second full season as the team's starting quarterback, Cutler tossed 25 touchdowns and set a franchise record with more than 4,500-yards passing. he's not won a ton of games as the team's starter (17 win in 37 games), but he's proven to be a playmaker with tremendous ability. With McDaniels having the success he had in New England, it figures that Cutler could become a more efficient passer and complete quarterback. That was the thinking when McDaniels arrived, but now things have gotten so far off course that what comes next is very much unknown at the moment.
With both sides appearing to be at odds and no longer communicating, the latest twist has been Cutler's formal request for trade. Now things have gone too far. It was bad enough that is was a he-said, she-said situation made so public, but with the real threat of this team being torn apart with all this made for TV daytime-drama, it's just gotten way out of hand.
How did it start? How did it get this far? And what can be done to fix it? While people are still asking the first two questions, they really no longer matter and the only question that needs attention is "what can be done?" It's very simple as I started to elude to earlier, the answer is Pat Bowlen himself.
This whole thing should have never been allowed to grow legs of its' own, but that is what Bowlen permitted in my opinion and now he must correct this. He made a critical error in hiring McDaniels and trusting the young coach to be able to handle his new position of power. Bowlen also should of had more input and known better than to allow his franchise quarterback to be dangled in the trade market.
It seems that Bowlen and the Broncos now have some big decisions to make. There really is a lot to consider when you think about it. Cutler is asking for a trade and if he's not going to be happy in Denver, obliging would seem to make the most sense. In reality that is just non-sense. Potential suitors for a Cutler trade appear to be lining up everyday, but I would contend the right move and best move for Denver is no trade. Cutler is on the verge of becoming a top-five quarterback in this league (if he's not already there), and finding a suitable replacement seems unlikely. Any trade would mean a step back for the offense and the team (and that's the wrong direction).
In only his second full season as the team's starting quarterback, Cutler tossed 25 touchdowns and set a franchise record with more than 4,500-yards passing. he's not won a ton of games as the team's starter (17 win in 37 games), but he's proven to be a playmaker with tremendous ability. With McDaniels having the success he had in New England, it figures that Cutler could become a more efficient passer and complete quarterback. That was the thinking when McDaniels arrived, but now things have gotten so far off course that what comes next is very much unknown at the moment.
With both sides appearing to be at odds and no longer communicating, the latest twist has been Cutler's formal request for trade. Now things have gone too far. It was bad enough that is was a he-said, she-said situation made so public, but with the real threat of this team being torn apart with all this made for TV daytime-drama, it's just gotten way out of hand.
How did it start? How did it get this far? And what can be done to fix it? While people are still asking the first two questions, they really no longer matter and the only question that needs attention is "what can be done?" It's very simple as I started to elude to earlier, the answer is Pat Bowlen himself.
This whole thing should have never been allowed to grow legs of its' own, but that is what Bowlen permitted in my opinion and now he must correct this. He made a critical error in hiring McDaniels and trusting the young coach to be able to handle his new position of power. Bowlen also should of had more input and known better than to allow his franchise quarterback to be dangled in the trade market.
It seems that Bowlen and the Broncos now have some big decisions to make. There really is a lot to consider when you think about it. Cutler is asking for a trade and if he's not going to be happy in Denver, obliging would seem to make the most sense. In reality that is just non-sense. Potential suitors for a Cutler trade appear to be lining up everyday, but I would contend the right move and best move for Denver is no trade. Cutler is on the verge of becoming a top-five quarterback in this league (if he's not already there), and finding a suitable replacement seems unlikely. Any trade would mean a step back for the offense and the team (and that's the wrong direction).
(Photo by Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)
The young quarterback has had his confidence and trust shaken, Bowlen needs to figure out how to fix that. It may not have been about money, but it just may come down to that. If this team is more committed to Jay Cutler being it's quarterback than what is has shown by trying to trade him, then maybe it's time for Bowlen to put his money where his mouth is?
Trading away your future is not the direction this franchise intended to go when McDaniels was brought on board. Trading Cutler may very well take this team in that direction. If this team is going to continue to move forward, they need to keep Cutler as their quarterback and not deal away one of their best players. No deal is a good deal and if Cutler is going to be happy again in Denver, then I leave that to Mr. Bowlen to make that happen.
Cutler has done everything the team has asked. He's come in as the starter the last three seasons, played at a high level, set franchise records, and proven to be one of the leagues best young talents. Now it's time for the Broncos to show their appreciation, their commitment to Cutler and rebuild the trust that will put this team back in the contention in the AFC West.
If the Broncos are going to win now, the team may need to offer Cutler a new long-term deal, paying him the kind of money a pro bowl quarterback that has thrown 54 touchdowns in 37 games to keep him happy and with the club. With a restored number two offense in the league and the current makeover taking place on the defensive side of the ball, 2009 could have a promising look, something that Mr. Bowlen should consider when he sits down with his new head coach and his young pro bowl quarterback.
Enough is enough, clear out the black cloud hovering over Dove Valley and restore harmony to the Mile High Country.
That's my take.
By David G. Ortega
Trading away your future is not the direction this franchise intended to go when McDaniels was brought on board. Trading Cutler may very well take this team in that direction. If this team is going to continue to move forward, they need to keep Cutler as their quarterback and not deal away one of their best players. No deal is a good deal and if Cutler is going to be happy again in Denver, then I leave that to Mr. Bowlen to make that happen.
Cutler has done everything the team has asked. He's come in as the starter the last three seasons, played at a high level, set franchise records, and proven to be one of the leagues best young talents. Now it's time for the Broncos to show their appreciation, their commitment to Cutler and rebuild the trust that will put this team back in the contention in the AFC West.
If the Broncos are going to win now, the team may need to offer Cutler a new long-term deal, paying him the kind of money a pro bowl quarterback that has thrown 54 touchdowns in 37 games to keep him happy and with the club. With a restored number two offense in the league and the current makeover taking place on the defensive side of the ball, 2009 could have a promising look, something that Mr. Bowlen should consider when he sits down with his new head coach and his young pro bowl quarterback.
Enough is enough, clear out the black cloud hovering over Dove Valley and restore harmony to the Mile High Country.
That's my take.
By David G. Ortega
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