I think the reaction that is coming out has very little to do with the injury and everything to do with how he has treated the media, fans, and teammates. To say Cutler isn’t tough or can’t take a hit is borderline insane. He took more hits and sacks this year than any QB in the league. Besides that, he played at Vandy. The boy can take a hit.

What he can’t seem to do is realize that there are other people in the world and that leadership is larger than what happens between the chalk.

If Cutler had stayed engaged, helped the other QB’s read coverages, call in plays, or even cheered a little, the reaction would have been next to nothing. But he didn’t. Instead he pouted, sulked, disengaged, and generally acted like that 5 year old kid that was made to eat his vegetables. THAT is the real issue with Cutler and will continue to be for the rest of his career unless there is some major attitude changes in him.

I’m coaching a 5th-6th grade girls basketball team this year and one of my players – while extremely talented – can get so distracted the first time one thing goes wrong. A bad call, a teammate not running the right play, getting fouled and not getting a call — all can send this girl into the Dark Zone. And I’m trying to help her see – hey, this is life. Stuff happens. Things break. It isn’t fair, it’s never going to be fair. Winners find ways to overcome, to deal with the situation in a redemptive way. Losers complain, pout, and generally make things worse.

I think Cutler was really hurt. I think the decision to pull him was out of his hands and in the hands of the doctors and trainers. But the decision to sit and pout and basically act like a 4-year old was his and his alone.

And that is what I think really ought to be critiqued.

In Case There Was Any Doubt…
It’s official…the Broncos had the worst off-season ever. Any hope of getting over that off-season with real football was completely shattered last night. Let’s cover the bright spots first.

Dawkins – a beast. A terror. Played with a broken hand. Lit up anyone who was near him. He actually reminds me of Dennis Smith.

Doom – Elvis is IN the building. It’s a shame he’s the only pass rusher we have that’s worth anything. He’s going to get double-teamed all season long because teams know that they can block the rest of the D-line with popsicle sticks and harsh language. But…he will be a beast in the linebacker position.

Stupid moment of the night – how in the world did Denver get in a scheme where Doom was covering a WR???? He did it…but what the heck was going on there? Another stupid comment from Collingsworth – “Doom is the best player on the Broncos (pause) along with Champ Bailey.” Doom is good and he has the potential to be great. But Champ is by far and away the best player on the Broncos.

Peyton Hillis, Eddie Royal – I’m in favor of running the option during the year with these two and Knowshon Moreno. Any takers?

Overall – Pathetic
The list is long and repetitive as this point. Quarterback play, penalties, play calling, no power in the redzone, defense giving up big 3rd down plays. Sound familiar? Yeah…just like last year. Glad all those changes were made to correct that stuff.

I thought I was finally okay with the Cutler trade. He is a crybaby. He is a prima donna. He’s immature, cocky, loudmouthed, and has a jerk of an agent. But there is no comparison in terms of talent between him and Orton. Cutler doesn’t miss the easy throws. Cutler can throw the ball down the field. Cutler can take a hit. Cutler can put the ball on a postage stamp while on the run in traffic. Cutler revels in the pressure and adversity. He just didn’t want to play for a team, organization, or coach who wouldn’t commit to not trade him.

I realize that it’s not fair to Orton but he can thank McDaniels for that. It’s not even close and last night was the smoking gun proof of it. There was never any threat of the deep ball from Orton. Part of that is play-calling, part of it is the continued ability of Orton to miss wide open targets. At this rate, loosing Brandon Marshall is not going to be a big deal because the Broncs can’t/won’t throw the ball further than 10 yards.

I’m still a Bronco fan, have been since I was 7. Will continue to be a Bronco fan through this debacle as well. Heck, we survived the Wade Phillips experiment. But there is no way this team goes .500. No way.

Welcome to Oakland East.

Denver got picks but blew their offense up to do it. Marshall will be coming off of hip surgery and more police escorts. The O-line is still great. We’ve got some above average to good running backs in the mix. Can’t replace Cutler’s talent but maybe the offense can do without the interceptions as well. Orton/Simms isn’t going to scare anybody but if one of the 4 first round picks in the next two years produces a franchise quarterback…most would be forgiven.

Draft Picks are the best commodity to have. The picks will only be as good as the person drafting. So far, McDaniels and company have not shown well in the discernment department. If the picks hit, there is a possibility of looking at this like the Cowboys look at the Herschel Walker trade. If it doesn’t…there is always 2011 when we’ll have a new coach.

Seats at Mile High should be easier to get. It’s official, the Broncos are rebuilding and it will get worse before it gets better. Champ Bailey must be shaking his head wondering what happened in a short 4 years – from the AFC Championship Game to this. From a top 5 defense to this. From a top-rated offense to this.

Most fans don’t mind rebuilding when there is a clear direction and progress can be seen. But watching a team self-implode is ridiculous. Watching grown men behave worse than high school students is detestable. Like or not, we’re here and it’s not going away. We’ll watch more 45 to 50 point games this season with the knowledge that we can’t keep up with them anymore.

But if the picks hit and Mike Nolan coaches the D like he has in the past…there’s some hope. So far every light at the end of the tunnel has proven to be a train in the McDaniels era.

I’m so glad I moved to Kansas City Chief country this year. Couldn’t have picked a better time to be a Bronco fan.

So let’s review the McDaniels Era thus far…

A failed three way trade for Matt Cassell in which a division rival gets said QB.
Lies to starting QB.
Fumbles the make-up so bad, owner has to step in.
Says he wouldn’t trade Cutler.
Signs spleenless Chris Simms.
Trades Cutler for Kyle Orton and 2 first round picks, 3rd round pick for a 5th rounder.
Simms and Orton can now compete for starting job.

The Bears just became a playoff team. The Broncos have just become a lottery team. The good news? We’ve now got enough picks to get a defense.

Glad this drama is over.

Really, Jay? That’s why you quit answering your phone, not showing up to meetings, put your house and your parent’s house up for sale in Denver, and had your agent demand a trade?

It pains me to say this but maybe we’re getting to see why McDaniels didn’t want Cutler in the first place. Leaders lead, they aren’t victims. They don’t deliver excuses, they deliver solutions and their presence. Cutler’s done none of this.

I’m still not a huge McDaniels fan either. He’s got plenty of fault in all of this as well but he seems to have learned one thing well from Belicheat – it’s better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you’re an idiot than to open your mouth and prove them right.