Up to now, I’ve refrained from commenting on the fiasco the Broncos have found themselves in, after they allegedly shopped QB Jay Cutler yesterday afternoon in an attempt to obtain former Patriots QB Matt Cassel.

My logic behind leaving this bit of news in the dustbin is that it’s so absurd of a proposition that I have a feeling it never went down the way it’s being portrayed in the media right now.

I’m sure Denver fielded some calls yesterday (every team in the league does the same), but to think that they willingly were pushing for a deal to take place that would send their young Pro Bowl QB packing for a new team in favor of bringing in a one-year wonder is mind-boggling to say the least.

I don’t mean to slight what Cassel accomplished last season in New England, but when you place him side by side next to Cutler, there’s no question who I’d rather have leading my team right now. Cutler has been there and done that over the past few seasons in Denver, whereas Cassel is just getting his shot to finally prove he can be the main man.

Cassel has got his work cut out for him on a Kansas City Chiefs franchise that’s been in the cellar for the past two seasons, but no one can blame the Chiefs for jumping all over a chance to bring him into the fold. Especially for the ridiculously low price of a second round pick.

Then again, we’re talking about the new look Denver Broncos, managed now by a 32 year old wunderkind known as Josh McDaniels. This isn’t the Mike Shanahan led team of old here. There is no way that Shanahan would have ever entertained such a trade proposal, let alone allow it to come tantalizingly close to fruition.

If what Cutler alleges is true, McDaniels obviously decided that he wanted to start his first sojourn into the insanely crazy world of NFL head coaching with a known commodity at QB (in his mind) at his side. McDaniels had a unique opportunity to watch Cassel play last season from the best vantage point of all, while he served as the Patriots offensive coordinator. If anyone would know what he brings to the table as a QB, McDaniels would be the one.

So theoretically, it is plausible that all of this nonsense actually went down yesterday afternoon, prior to New England pulling the trigger on the deal that sent Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel to the Chiefs in return for the 34th pick overall in this year’s draft. Unlikely, but plausible nonetheless.

The real issue here though, is the perceived slight by the Broncos towards Cutler, which is being grossly blown out of proportion right now by our overzealous sports media complex. It’s quickly become a giant game of he said – she said, with no apparent end in sight, and if it carries on throughout the off-season and into the actual games this fall, the Broncos could suffer as a result.

Regardless of what actually occurred yesterday, Denver’s coaching staff and front office would be wise to do some fence mending pronto, before this media-driven nightmare takes hold and eats away at what should be a solid club next season. It will take more than a small amount of humility on the part of McDaniels to go to Cutler with his hat in his hands, but in doing so, he just may save his job before it actually begins.

And despite what most people in the know are saying right now, that is the real issue at stake here. McDaniels is seeking immediate legitimacy as his own man in the league, but to do that he’ll have to learn the first lesson of being an effective manager – a humble approach goes a lot farther than one filled with pride.

No related posts.