Thursday, April 2, 2009

The Cutler Era Appears Over

On Tuesday March 31st, Pat Bowlen released a statement saying that Denver will comply with Jay Cutler's wishes and try to trade the disgruntled Quarterback. Bowlen added that Head Coach Josh McDaniels and Bowlen both tried to get in touch with Cutler the last 10 days, but Cutler has not responded; therefore, Bowlen has had enough and will look to deal the franchise QB. My emotions on this situation have ranged from shock, anger, frustration and despair. The way I see it, all three parties involved (Bowlen, McDaniels, and Cutler) are all to blame and all three lose out on this deal. It is also ironic that the statement by Bowlen was released hours before April Fools Day because all three of these guys look like fools and this whole ordeal has been a foolish and petty dispute. As far as Cutler goes, it will be a shame that he is leaving Denver as a 25 year old, Pro Bowl player. Many fans of the Broncos, myself included, thought Cutler would be a mainstay for the at least 10 more years, and he would be the driving force that would get Denver back into the Super Bowl. That will not happen, and Cutler's legacy will be a strong armed gunslinger, who pouts and whines like a baby, and was too sensitive to understand that the NFL is a business. Cutler's statement on the day after Bowlen's announcement summarizes everything wrong with the QB. Cutler said that he didn't want to get traded, and he loves Denver and wishes it didn't have to come to this. This from a guy who requested a trade over a week ago. As for McDaniels, this is a critical year for him. He has established himself as the man in charge in Denver, and he must show that this team is on the rise. He will get blasted for this and he should because he handled this situation very poorly. He preaches the fact that no one player is bigger then the team. Well, he just shoved the best player on the team out the door, so hopefully all of his other players will buy in. The heat is on McDaniels, and if he is not successful, he might set the franchise back a decade. The ultimate losers in all of this are the fans. We care way too much about this team, and we spend a lot of money and time to support the Denver Broncos. We deserve the best product possible on the field every season, and unfortunately it doesn't look like that will happen in 2009.

1 comment:

niner92 said...

Very prophetic post Mike. Seems like that day has come. Take some solace in the fact that Jet fans (Me not being one of them; go Niners)who were cheering in hopes that a younger gunslinger was going to wearing "Gang Green" are now once again pouting like your once probowler Cutler.
If McDaniels is trying to rebuild, you need a foundation and a QB is a great place to start. I don't know if he's studied the market, but proven, probowl status QB's are not that easy to come by. Regardless of whatever stock GM's, scouts, owners and fans place in these upcoming rookie QB's, they are just that "ROOKIE QB's". Call me old fashioned but I remember the days of Niner old when QB's like Jesus, I mean Joe, were treated like royalty and played that way. Elway even in a 45 point loss (couldn't resist)was seen as a premier QB along with studs like Kelly, Marino and Moon. Those names were given time to reach their status. The "what have you done for me lately" mentality doesn't apply here. Don't get me wrong Cutler has his faults, but I look to the management first.