According to numerous sources the Broncos, shortly after the free agent period began, initiated trade proposals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots which would have sent Cutler (pictured) to Tampa Bay, Matt Cassel to the Denver and draft picks to New England. The alleged plan
back-fired when New England sent Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second round pick in this years draft which left McDaniels, and Broncos owner, Pat Bowlen in full spin control when Cutler got wind of the news. It is critical to remember that Cutler was a Pro-Bowl invitee (haha, torts) this past season in which he threw for 4,526 yards and 25 touchdowns; we are not exactly talking about a substandard player here. Secondly, the Broncos' downfall last season where they choked up a sure division title by submarining in the final weeks was mainly attributable to a porous defense. I mean, the defense was so bad, when a playoff spot was on the line in week 17 in a 'winner takes all' affair against division rival, San Diego Chargers, they were soundly beat by the score of 52-21. One question that was asked by many pundits shortly after McDaniels took over was 'why start revamping the offense when the defense was the problem?'
back-fired when New England sent Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second round pick in this years draft which left McDaniels, and Broncos owner, Pat Bowlen in full spin control when Cutler got wind of the news. It is critical to remember that Cutler was a Pro-Bowl invitee (haha, torts) this past season in which he threw for 4,526 yards and 25 touchdowns; we are not exactly talking about a substandard player here. Secondly, the Broncos' downfall last season where they choked up a sure division title by submarining in the final weeks was mainly attributable to a porous defense. I mean, the defense was so bad, when a playoff spot was on the line in week 17 in a 'winner takes all' affair against division rival, San Diego Chargers, they were soundly beat by the score of 52-21. One question that was asked by many pundits shortly after McDaniels took over was 'why start revamping the offense when the defense was the problem?'This is what leads us down the road we are looking at today. Cutler has officially requested a trade, the potential trade market has dwindled to 2-3 teams and the Broncos have no leverage whatsoever in their trade demands as they have no proven quarterback on the roster that has a full season's worth of effective play under his belt. The parties have reached an impasse and C
utler has every right to be miffed as he said that he was told by Bowlen (pictured during the glory days) after Mike Shanahan was fired that the offensive staff will stay intact and that he was not shopped by the team to others in hopes of consummating a trade. He feels lied to and has no trust factor in his dealings with McDaniels as during a meeting with his new head coach, that anyone can be traded. If it were me in those shoes, I'd be a little perturbed to say the least, but Cutler has to realize that he is employed in an industry where everyone is replaceable and as we have seen from Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, one hit can alter a career. If Cutler believed that he would spend his entire career with the Broncos, I am glad that he now (hopefully) understands his mortality especially in the shadow of 'the business'. Cutler recently no-showed an involuntary organized team activity (OTA) earlier this week and seems dead set on forcing the Broncos' hand in resolving a situation (via trade) that conceivably should have never been.
utler has every right to be miffed as he said that he was told by Bowlen (pictured during the glory days) after Mike Shanahan was fired that the offensive staff will stay intact and that he was not shopped by the team to others in hopes of consummating a trade. He feels lied to and has no trust factor in his dealings with McDaniels as during a meeting with his new head coach, that anyone can be traded. If it were me in those shoes, I'd be a little perturbed to say the least, but Cutler has to realize that he is employed in an industry where everyone is replaceable and as we have seen from Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, one hit can alter a career. If Cutler believed that he would spend his entire career with the Broncos, I am glad that he now (hopefully) understands his mortality especially in the shadow of 'the business'. Cutler recently no-showed an involuntary organized team activity (OTA) earlier this week and seems dead set on forcing the Broncos' hand in resolving a situation (via trade) that conceivably should have never been. McDaniels (pictured) is a 32 year old head coach that spent his entire professional career with the Patriots, 
which has set up a coach manufacturing factory in Foxboro, MA. In his time, he has seen players such as Drew Bledsoe and Deion Branch who were mainstays on the team be traded as soon as the organization identified an individual who could fill his spot at a lower price and with equal to more compatibility with the team's system. It is understandable for him to want to bring 'his guys' to Denver in order to make his transition from offensive coordinator to head coach smoother. However, what gets many people scratching their heads is the fact that McDaniels allegedly never gave Cutler a chance to at least learn his offensive system and determine whether his skill set would fit into what he wanted to accomplish. If the player did not fit after year 1, trade the guy and rebuild the position during a conceivable uncapped 2010 season. If he wanted to make the big splash, I would have thought he would have done it on the defensive side, starting with cornerback Champ Bailey, who is still an elite player but may be declining and could have a good market via trade. The breakdown on Bailey's remaining years under the 7 year, $63 million contract signed in 2004:
which has set up a coach manufacturing factory in Foxboro, MA. In his time, he has seen players such as Drew Bledsoe and Deion Branch who were mainstays on the team be traded as soon as the organization identified an individual who could fill his spot at a lower price and with equal to more compatibility with the team's system. It is understandable for him to want to bring 'his guys' to Denver in order to make his transition from offensive coordinator to head coach smoother. However, what gets many people scratching their heads is the fact that McDaniels allegedly never gave Cutler a chance to at least learn his offensive system and determine whether his skill set would fit into what he wanted to accomplish. If the player did not fit after year 1, trade the guy and rebuild the position during a conceivable uncapped 2010 season. If he wanted to make the big splash, I would have thought he would have done it on the defensive side, starting with cornerback Champ Bailey, who is still an elite player but may be declining and could have a good market via trade. The breakdown on Bailey's remaining years under the 7 year, $63 million contract signed in 2004:
2009: $6.5 million (+ $2 million roster bonus due 3/3/09), 2010: $9.5 million, 2011: Free Agent. *Cap charge: $13.669 million (2009).
I cannot see how the Broncos could have thought saving a substantial amount of cap dollars by trading Bailey rather than irritate a notoriously thin skinned Cutler, was not a viable option. Cutler is one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL; he was drafted behind Vince Young who lost his starting job with the Tennessee Titans and Matt Leinart of the Arizona Cardinals who suffers the same situation as Young. I am not making a case for Cutler and nor am I excusing the behavior of the Bronco brain-trust; however, I am questioning the lack of foresight on both sides which if used, could have prevented a bad situation from getting worse. Cutler must realize that if he will make good on all of the potential he has, he must find a way to make this situation work and position himself into the holder of power down the line. Right now, the Broncos have the power and they also have the ammunition on draft day to either trade for a replacement or draft a player that can be developed under Cutler while Cutler takes the pounding and hits while the coach implements new players into a new system. McDaniels has learned (hopefully) the cardinal rule in any walk of life for any manager or CEO: never walk into a room and alienate those who have been there before you. If you do not carry a big stick and reputation to back it up, it is best to come in, let people know what you expect of them and weed out the misfits later.
I hope both McDanie
ls and Cutler find a way to work through this as they are both talented at what they do. However, the discontent in reference to McDaniels among the Broncos faithful is beginning to peak before he has even coached a game. I would expect something like this to occur after he guided the team to a 4-12 finish in 2009 rather than in the off season. If McDaniels is able to get Cutler back into the fold and on the same page, this will be an interesting team this year; all they have to do is fill in youthful depth on defense and win the games they are supposed to. If a trade is made, Cutler will need to adapt his attitude to different culture and also become proficient in a new offense with sub par personnel as any team that has the assets the Broncos want for him, will be a bad one. These two parties need each other in order to succeed and I hope this mess is sorted out before training camp as no player wants to be traded during this time and no team that expects to contend wants a question mark at the most critical position.
ls and Cutler find a way to work through this as they are both talented at what they do. However, the discontent in reference to McDaniels among the Broncos faithful is beginning to peak before he has even coached a game. I would expect something like this to occur after he guided the team to a 4-12 finish in 2009 rather than in the off season. If McDaniels is able to get Cutler back into the fold and on the same page, this will be an interesting team this year; all they have to do is fill in youthful depth on defense and win the games they are supposed to. If a trade is made, Cutler will need to adapt his attitude to different culture and also become proficient in a new offense with sub par personnel as any team that has the assets the Broncos want for him, will be a bad one. These two parties need each other in order to succeed and I hope this mess is sorted out before training camp as no player wants to be traded during this time and no team that expects to contend wants a question mark at the most critical position. 
thanks for the article...many good points however no reconciliation between the parties and now cutler is off to chicago. well at least pat bowlen sent a letter to season tickets holder to address what took place. hmm i wonder if bowlen wasn't thinking about the economic slow-down gripping america and his season ticket holders. http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_12064844?source=rss
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