Broncos fielded offers for Cutler? (1 Viewer)

[crnerblitz]

Allow me to summerize the thread.

 

[crnerblitz]

Continued....























fin

 

[Donnybrook]

Just thinking out loud here...but if I was the Buffalo Bills and had a shiny new toy to play with at WR I might offer up my up and coming QB and an early draft pick for Cutler. Maybe even throw in the first round WR we picked last year.

Instead of working with what he has, Josh McDaniel wants his team to be mirror image of the New England Patriots. In his mind, Trent Edwards and Cutler do not fit the Tom Brady role as nicely as Matt Cassel. Look what he has done so far:

JJ Arrington = Kevin Faulk

Lamont Jordon = Sammy Morris

Corral Bulkhalter = Lawrence Maroney (Often injured change of pace back)

Brandon Marshall = Randy Moss

David Anderson (the guy they didn’t get from Houston) = Wes Welker

Jabar Gaffney = Jabar Gaffney

Sheffler (rumored to be on the trade block since he doesn’t block like Ben Watson)

I think he is disregarding the talent he already has on the team. The exact opposite of Tomlin who came to Pittsburgh as a Tampa 2 DC but was intelligent enough not to change a thing about **** LaBeau's defense. McDaniel reminds me of Petrino. Petrino comes to Atlanta when they had one of the best running offences in the league under Alex Gibbs but Petrino decides that it wasn't good enough and starts again with an entire new system.

Eddie Royal get cut or what???????? Eddie Royal = Wes Welker

I have to admit that he did slip my mind even though I drafted him in one league. Also, I never considered Eddie Royal a slot receiver. He is quick and strong enough to play the slot but the Broncos would be wasting his deep speed. I believe McDaniels wanted Anderson to challenge Stokely for the slot position.

Frankly, I don't see what the big deal is. This forum (myself included) has been confused about the Bronco running game for about 9 years now, and the same guys who ran the running game the past few years (Taylor and Dennison) are still around. Different guy at the top, but really, it's all the same. Last year the Broncos brought in Pittman. Before that, it was Henry. Before that, it was Ron Dayne. Before that, Garrisson Hearst. The Broncos signing free agent RB's is no big deal - it really isn't.Beyond that, you are trying to shoehorn roles into an offense - I don't think it quite works that way. Marshall/Royal/Stokeley are different than Moss/Welker/Gaffney. They have different talents, and we should expect them to be used differently. As far as I can tell, there will be two major differences between a Shanahan offense and a McDaniels offense:

1. the Shanahan O relies on personnel mismatches, whereas the McDaniels offense looks for formational mismatches. A Shanahan O is more likely to see that Marshall has a height advantage over a CB, for example, and will exploit that. A McDaniels O loos to move people into a position where they will be open using motion and formation - more pre-snap reads and such,

2. a Shanahan O relies on a TE who can get deep and catch, whereas McDaniels seems to favor more WR's. I suppose that should lead to a weaker running game under McDaniels, and a diminished role for Scheffler.

Are these major changes? I can't say right now. All we can now is that things will be different - not better, not worse. It's very possible that McDaniels will allow the Broncos to be more flexible - one thing I HATED about the Shanahan offense was an inability to change things up at halftime. The Broncos could not adjust - I don't know why. It's possible that the mismatch strategy didn't lend itself to adjustments; I don't know.

Bottom line though, is that the Bronco O did have some pretty significant flaws last year - this O is not the equivalent to the Steelers D. There is lots that needs to be fixed if the Broncos want to take the next step.

According to the advanced metrics at Football Outsiders, the Patriots ranked 6th, 1st and 9th in McDaniels' three years as Bill Belichick's offensive coordinator. The 2006 Patriots didn't have a great group of wide receivers. The 2008 group didn't have Tom Brady. The 2007 version was at full strength and posted perhaps the best offensive performance of any team in NFL history.

Here's the thing: Offense is not the Broncos' problem. In those same advanced rankings that placed New England ninth in offensive efficiency, Denver was fifth.

http://uponfurtherreview.kansascity.com/?q=node/392

 

[AnonymousBob]

I think this smilie sums things up nicely:

 

[BusMan]

Just thinking out loud here...but if I was the Buffalo Bills and had a shiny new toy to play with at WR I might offer up my up and coming QB and an early draft pick for Cutler. Maybe even throw in the first round WR we picked last year.

Instead of working with what he has, Josh McDaniel wants his team to be mirror image of the New England Patriots. In his mind, Trent Edwards and Cutler do not fit the Tom Brady role as nicely as Matt Cassel. Look what he has done so far:

JJ Arrington = Kevin Faulk

Lamont Jordon = Sammy Morris

Corral Bulkhalter = Lawrence Maroney (Often injured change of pace back)

Brandon Marshall = Randy Moss

David Anderson (the guy they didn’t get from Houston) = Wes Welker

Jabar Gaffney = Jabar Gaffney

Sheffler (rumored to be on the trade block since he doesn’t block like Ben Watson)

I think he is disregarding the talent he already has on the team. The exact opposite of Tomlin who came to Pittsburgh as a Tampa 2 DC but was intelligent enough not to change a thing about **** LaBeau's defense. McDaniel reminds me of Petrino. Petrino comes to Atlanta when they had one of the best running offences in the league under Alex Gibbs but Petrino decides that it wasn't good enough and starts again with an entire new system.

Eddie Royal get cut or what???????? Eddie Royal = Wes Welker

I have to admit that he did slip my mind even though I drafted him in one league. Also, I never considered Eddie Royal a slot receiver. He is quick and strong enough to play the slot but the Broncos would be wasting his deep speed. I believe McDaniels wanted Anderson to challenge Stokely for the slot position.

Frankly, I don't see what the big deal is. This forum (myself included) has been confused about the Bronco running game for about 9 years now, and the same guys who ran the running game the past few years (Taylor and Dennison) are still around. Different guy at the top, but really, it's all the same. Last year the Broncos brought in Pittman. Before that, it was Henry. Before that, it was Ron Dayne. Before that, Garrisson Hearst. The Broncos signing free agent RB's is no big deal - it really isn't.Beyond that, you are trying to shoehorn roles into an offense - I don't think it quite works that way. Marshall/Royal/Stokeley are different than Moss/Welker/Gaffney. They have different talents, and we should expect them to be used differently. As far as I can tell, there will be two major differences between a Shanahan offense and a McDaniels offense:

1. the Shanahan O relies on personnel mismatches, whereas the McDaniels offense looks for formational mismatches. A Shanahan O is more likely to see that Marshall has a height advantage over a CB, for example, and will exploit that. A McDaniels O loos to move people into a position where they will be open using motion and formation - more pre-snap reads and such,

2. a Shanahan O relies on a TE who can get deep and catch, whereas McDaniels seems to favor more WR's. I suppose that should lead to a weaker running game under McDaniels, and a diminished role for Scheffler.

Are these major changes? I can't say right now. All we can now is that things will be different - not better, not worse. It's very possible that McDaniels will allow the Broncos to be more flexible - one thing I HATED about the Shanahan offense was an inability to change things up at halftime. The Broncos could not adjust - I don't know why. It's possible that the mismatch strategy didn't lend itself to adjustments; I don't know.

Bottom line though, is that the Bronco O did have some pretty significant flaws last year - this O is not the equivalent to the Steelers D. There is lots that needs to be fixed if the Broncos want to take the next step.

According to the advanced metrics at Football Outsiders, the Patriots ranked 6th, 1st and 9th in McDaniels' three years as Bill Belichick's offensive coordinator. The 2006 Patriots didn't have a great group of wide receivers. The 2008 group didn't have Tom Brady. The 2007 version was at full strength and posted perhaps the best offensive performance of any team in NFL history.

Here's the thing: Offense is not the Broncos' problem. In those same advanced rankings that placed New England ninth in offensive efficiency, Denver was fifth.

http://uponfurtherreview.kansascity.com/?q=node/392

I don't get anyone who says the Broncos offense is problematic. McDaniels' tinkering (while expected) has almost all downside to it.This is why a lot of us fans were calling for a defensive-minded head coach.

 

[Buffaloes]

I don't get anyone who says the Broncos offense is problematic. McDaniels' tinkering (while expected) has almost all downside to it.This is why a lot of us fans were calling for a defensive-minded head coach.

 

[moleculo]

I don't get anyone who says the Broncos offense is problematic. McDaniels' tinkering (while expected) has almost all downside to it.

This is why a lot of us fans were calling for a defensive-minded head coach.

let's take it to the Broncos thread instead of nerding this one up more...

 

[bro1ncos]

Apparently Cutler, McDaniels, and Bowlen had a conference call the other day.

Cutler-McDaniels Finally Speak, Issues Remain

CBS4 Sports has learned Jay Cutler and the Broncos have finally spoken. It was not face-to-face, but rather by conference call on Monday with Cutler, head coach Josh McDaniels and owner Pat Bowlen among those on the line.

The much awaited discussion was prompted after the now well-publicized events on the first weekend of free agency. The Broncos explored a possible trade that would have sent Cutler out of town for former Patriots backup Matt Cassel. The trade never happened and Cassel eventually ended up in Kansas City. The Broncos denied they initiated any trade talks, but Cutler was certain the team tried to move him.

Sources close to the situation tell CBS4 Sports that the tone of the dicussion was not exactly "make nice" as might have been expected. We're told McDaniels made it clear to the quarterback how the team will be run, and how Cutler was expected to fit into that plan. McDaniels reiterated the Broncos position that they have no intention of trading Cutler, but he also made it clear that all players are being constantly evaluated and could be traded if management thinks it will make the team better.

CBS4 Sports contacted the Broncos for a comment about Monday's discussions, but so far they have not responded.

The Broncos expect Cutler to report to Dove Valley next Monday, when the Broncos begin voluntary offseason workouts.

CBS4 Sports has also learned that Bowlen attempted to contact Cutler twice last week. Both calls went unreturned.

I say good for McDaniels and Cutler needs to learn what real life is about if he isn't returning Bowlen's calls.

 

[Carver]

Looks like Cutler REALLY wants out now... Guess JMD put him in his place and he didnt like it.

LINK

 

[Ghost Rider]

Cutler definitely needs to handle this better, but what bothers me is this:

"The source said McDaniels wouldn't confirm or deny whether the Broncos initiated the trade talks."

How in the hell is Cutler supposed to trust his new coach when that coach won't even admit what really happened with the trade talks? It almost sounds like McDaniels is a guy on a power major trip, which is surprising for a guy who has never been a head coach before. I wonder who he thinks will be the Broncos QB when/if they are forced to trade Cutler because everyone involved has made the situation not fixable.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Cutler definitely needs to handle this better, but what bothers me is this:"The source said McDaniels wouldn't confirm or deny whether the Broncos initiated the trade talks."How in the hell is Cutler supposed to trust his new coach when that coach won't even admit what really happened with the trade talks? It almost sounds like McDaniels is a guy on a power major trip, which is surprising for a guy who has never been a head coach before.

I look at it the exact opposite.Why is it McDaniels job when there's an owner and a GM that make the final decisions?

 

[moleculo]

CBS4 Sports has also learned that Bowlen attempted to contact Cutler twice last week. Both calls went unreturned.

turrible. embarrassing. Jay Cutler's about as good at this as cranbrulet.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Why is it McDaniels job when there's an owner and a GM that make the final decisions?

Everything has made it sound like McDaniels is the one who wanted to get rid of Cutler. And I thought Bowlen didn't want a head coach anymore who would have such control over personnel decisions. Like I said, no one is looking good in this mess right now.

CBS4 Sports has also learned that Bowlen attempted to contact Cutler twice last week. Both calls went unreturned.

turrible. embarrassing.

Agreed. Cutler needs to grow the hell up and do what he can to resolve this situation. Not returning calls made to him by the owner is a very immature act.

 

[massraider]

God, this is great. Is this how other fans feel when the Raiders are in the news?

 

[No. 16]

Wow.

JaMarcus Russell for Jay Cutler. Do it.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Cutler definitely needs to handle this better, but what bothers me is this:"The source said McDaniels wouldn't confirm or deny whether the Broncos initiated the trade talks."How in the hell is Cutler supposed to trust his new coach when that coach won't even admit what really happened with the trade talks? It almost sounds like McDaniels is a guy on a power major trip, which is surprising for a guy who has never been a head coach before. I wonder who he thinks will be the Broncos QB when/if they are forced to trade Cutler because everyone involved has made the situation not fixable.

I don't see how anyone can come to a conclusion other than this: McDaniels initiated trade talks to get Cassell, got caught and then denied it and continues to deny it. That's pretty obviously what happened here. We can argue about whether Cutler should be upset at that or not, but I think any player would be pretty mad if their new coach lied to them about being shopped.

 

[Courtjester]

This will be a non-story come training camp.

The Denver press needs a story and, while where there is smoke there might be fire, I think alot of them are "creating" a story rather than reporting one. Some of this stuff is just pure speculation on their part to get ratings.

That being said however, McDaniel needs to be careful not to overplay his hand here. He is a unproven, new guy taking the place of a HOF coach. If he stumbles and doesn't deliver results, the fans will call for his head by year 2.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Seriousy question - what is the GM situation in Denver? I know that when Shanahan left, they had two guys in house who were going to take over the GM-duties, but their name escapes me. Why are they not getting any heat here? Isn't it ultimately their call? Does JMD have any personnel decision-making power?

 

[Tackling Dummies]

If he stumbles and doesn't deliver results, the fans will call for his head by year 2.

Seriously? It's not as if Denver is thisclose to being an elite team. They have won 9, 7 and 8 games the last three seasons and the defensive side of the roster needs some work.

 

[fatness]

LINK

From that link:

The Broncos did, though, tell Cutler that every player on the team could be traded and he could be traded at any time. Still, Denver owner Pat Bowlen also stated in the conversation that Cutler will not be traded.

I guess that clears things up.

 

[moleculo]

If he stumbles and doesn't deliver results, the fans will call for his head by year 2.

Seriously? It's not as if Denver is thisclose to being an elite team. They have won 9, 7 and 8 games the last three seasons and the defensive side of the roster needs some work.

seriously. There are fans calling for McDaniels head already.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

If he stumbles and doesn't deliver results, the fans will call for his head by year 2.

Seriously? It's not as if Denver is thisclose to being an elite team. They have won 9, 7 and 8 games the last three seasons and the defensive side of the roster needs some work.

seriously. There are fans calling for McDaniels head already.

Well he's not exactly making the best impression.

 

[BusMan]

Bill Williamson's take from last week:

No matter whom you side with, or whether the Broncos' fractured relationship with franchise quarterback Jay Cutler gets repaired, the Josh McDaniels era in Denver has started on shaky ground.

No team in the NFL has dealt with such unnecessary controversy this offseason.

The entire organization must learn from this. Under the tandem of owner Pat Bowlen and coach Mike Shanahan, the Broncos were known as a team players wanted to play for.

After the McDaniels-Cutler fiasco, that could change. Denver may not be looked at as such a desirable destination after McDaniels engaged in trade talks for Cutler last week, reportedly having considered bringing on board Matt Cassel, who played for him in New England.

The Broncos have announced they will not trade Cutler now and the two sides are expected to communicate soon in an attempt to mend fences. Even if Cutler and McDaniels, who Cutler has maintained were building a strong, new relationship, can find a common ground, it will hover over the 32-year-old coach as he tries to turn around Denver, which stumbled in the final two seasons of the Shanahan era.

Denver must learn a valuable lesson from the saga. Things like this just can't happen again. Yes, it could all end well, but this was a serious warning sign for a team that is trying to restore its winning ways.

Here are three areas Denver must pay attention to as it tries to move forward from this public relations disaster.

Bowlen must take charge: Bowlen is not used to being in the spotlight for such drama. It mus be eating at him.

Bowlen has a reputation around the league as being one of the better owners. He is smart, gives his team what it needs to win and his main business interest is the Broncos. He loves his team and he is a daily presence.

He must become a bigger presence. In fact, Bowlen must live up to his own words. It starts with him. He seemed to get that when he fired Shanahan. He made a point to say that he would be making the final call on matters.

Under Shanahan, it was well known in league circles that Shanahan ran the show in Denver. Bowlen is a quiet, shy, nice man who has believed his football people should run the football side.

Still, many thought Shanahan took advantage of his ultra-long leash and there were no checks and balances in Denver the past couple of years. Bowlen seemed to sense public perception by making a point of saying he'd be more involved after firing Shanahan. But, the word around Denver was that McDaniels, 32, was given the keys to the house in the early stages of his Denver tenure, just as Shanahan was.

Now that this Cutler situation has blown up in Denver's face, perhaps Bowlen truly will take charge.

McDaniels needs to be more open minded: McDaniels can make up for this situation quickly, but it is absurd that he is looked at so skeptically less than two months after being hired. Remember, he is six months away from coaching his first game and he's already a villain in some circles in Denver.

But the truth is, McDaniels put himself in this situation. He talked about Cassel despite having a Pro Bowl quarterback who is 25. That raised questions. Why would McDaniels want to trade the younger, more experienced, more accomplished Cutler for Cassel? Perhaps this Patriot Way thing has gotten a tad clouded.

McDaniels has been able to build his team the way he wants and he is making wholesale changes, all the way down to replacing long snapper Mike Leach, who was virtually perfect in Denver in seven seasons, for the equally solid Lonie Paxton. Paxton was with New England. He is good but so is Leach, and many people around Denver didn't think this move was necessary, especially on the first day of free agency with Denver having so many needs on defense. A long snapper is a luxury in free agency and Denver already had a solid snapper.

It is completely within McDaniels' right to construct the team the way he wants, but he has to realize there is a world out outside of New England.

Ultimately, McDaniels' biggest problem was he discussed trading for Cassel and trading Cutler without getting it done. If you are going to investigate this type of dramatic move, you better get it done or it will explode. And, boy, did it explode.

McDaniels is young and he is going to make mistakes. He made a huge miscue weeks into his tenure. He can and he will likely survive it, but he must learn from it.

Reward Cutler: A major theme between the Broncos and Cutler's upcoming meeting will likely be trust.

The Broncos said this week that they will not trade Cutler, and they were emphatic about it. Still, the meeting will be lively to say the least. Cutler told ESPN's Chris Mortensen last week the Broncos were denying seeking a trade while he said he knew for a fact they were in trade discussions. He wants the Broncos to level with him.

Cutler will certainly want to be reassured when he meets with McDaniels. Cutler is open to talking and staying, but those close to him say he wants to make sure he can trust the team.

Yes, Denver said it won't trade him, but since Cassel is off the market there are no clear options as Cutler's replacement. Denver will likely have to do more than just say he won't be traded to appease the quarterback.

Here's what Denver should do: give Cutler a long contract extension. He has three more seasons remaining on his rookie contract that he signed in 2006, so it would be a bit unusual giving him a new contract with just half of his existing deal over. But it is also unusual to talk about dealing a 25-year-old Pro Bowl player.

Giving Cutler a new contract would be an ultimate sign of good faith by Denver. And it would end any trade discussions or talk of Cutler trying to leave through restricted free agency in two years. It would make life normal again. Denver is teeming with salary-cap room and this would be a good time to do it.

Plus, there is no reason not to. Cutler is a quality player who is going to be in the league for a long time. If the two sides work out their differences, the Broncos would likely want to re-sign him down the road anyway. Why not do it now?

If the Broncos want to do right by Cutler and make a positive out of this offseason disaster, giving him an extension will go a long way in moving on from this drama.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Good article.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Any chance Denver would be interested in a Sproles for Cutler trade? We need a good backup for Philip out here...

 

[Tackling Dummies]

If he stumbles and doesn't deliver results, the fans will call for his head by year 2.

Seriously? It's not as if Denver is thisclose to being an elite team. They have won 9, 7 and 8 games the last three seasons and the defensive side of the roster needs some work.

seriously. There are fans calling for McDaniels head already.

Well he's not exactly making the best impression.

I would be curious to read if the alledged trade talk/non-talk was from McDaniels, Brian Xanders or someone else. Cutler has the right to leave and the team has a right to deal you, it's just business Jay. The Broncos have made extensive front office changes, it seems too easy to pin this on McDaniels working this alone as he'd have to have the backing of the franchise before taking offers on Cutler.

 

[Bri]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../903120376/1126

 

[candymanvandyfan]

This will be a non-story come training camp. The Denver press needs a story and, while where there is smoke there might be fire, I think alot of them are "creating" a story rather than reporting one. Some of this stuff is just pure speculation on their part to get ratings.That being said however, McDaniel needs to be careful not to overplay his hand here. He is a unproven, new guy taking the place of a HOF coach. If he stumbles and doesn't deliver results, the fans will call for his head by year 2.

One good call in this and one bad call.