With news out of Chicago that Jay Cutler has already begun alienating his new teammates on the Bears – starting with team leader and scary individual Brian Urlacher, I decided it seemed like a good time to re-publish my thoughts from this past March upon Jay’s leaving of Dove Valley. Is it just me or does this news make the sum shine just a little brighter when I return to Bronco training camp tomorrow?
So it became official tonight. Jay Cutler is on his way out of Denver. Metaphorically speaking of course, he hasn’t actually been in Denver for weeks, which is sort of the problem. After spending weeks trying to get Cutler to consider coming back and lead the team that he was drafted and paid to do, the Broncos have thrown up their hands. To quote John Clayton of ESPN.com.
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen released a statement saying both he and McDaniels had been unable to get Cutler to call them back over the last 10 days.
I am not much for name calling. Umm, ok, maybe I am occasionally. But that single sentence above makes me lose every bit of respect or sympathy I had for Cutler in this situation. He has removed any doubt in my mind that he is an immature baby.
Sure, the Broncos listened to offers for him – so what? What has Cutler done to make him untouchable? One Pro-Bowl (which is a joke of a credential, as we have discussed)? Being the quarterback from the class of 2006 that didn’t go insane or go hot tubbing with community college co-eds? A really strong arm that leaves welts on the chests of linebackers intercepting him?
The fact that Cutler was too much of a baby to even talk to his employers when he disagrees with them is the last straw. I spend about 6 hours per day not agreeing with my employer, but you know what? If my boss calls me – I answer the phone. Even on the weekends.
Cutler is a 24-year old kid who has never won anything (or even led a team to a winning record since high school) and yet he feels entitled to dictate the entire direction of the organization. Brett Favre was a Super Bowl MVP and three-time NFL MVP, yet his team went out and drafted his replacement. Donovan McNabb (Super Bowl appearance, 5-time Pro Bowler) also watched the only pro team he had played for draft a player to replace him before he turned 31.
These are players that have actually accomplished something. Yes, they may have disagreed with their teams (even publicly) but did they still show up for work? Yes. That is what being a professional is all about.
Some Cutler apologists cast many of his horrid decisions in this mess as being the result of his taking (bad) advice from his agent. A redneck from Hattiesburg named Bus Cook, now apparently has more pull with the quarterback of the Broncos than the owner of the Broncos.
NOTE: Here is your first clue that Cutler is not the brightest guy in the league. He pays more attention to the guy he is paying than the guy that is paying him.
To others, this may be an excuse; I think it is an embarrassment. An NFL quarterback is supposed to be the hardest position in all of sport and we are expected to trust a guy who apparently can’t go to the bathroom without permission from a guy named after a mass-transit vehicle?
So after trying to bring the sides together, I say good riddance Jay. I really hope you end up playing for the Lions – a pathetic franchise in a depressing city. Let’s see what all you find to whine about there.
Josh McDaniels knows better than anyone that success in the NFL isn’t based on the most talent, it is based on playing as a team. You don’t develop a team by having your ‘leader’ refuse to even talk on the phone with the two men running the show. You develop it by working, sweating and bleeding together for the common good.
So, who do the Broncos bring in to run the show? I hope someone beyond just Chris Simms. I just don’t think he has the guts to lead a team.
Note: Did you get the subtle spleen removal joke? Anyone? Anyone?
I am sort of the mind that we bring in a veteran (hello Jeff Garcia!) and go find a youngster in the draft, either by trading up this year or waiting for Sam Bradford next year (someone pick Turner up off the ground, he is starting to drool). As Jay proved, young quarterbacks tend to improve by sitting behind a veteran for a couple years.
No matter who lines up behind center this year, as long he comes and works with the team and is man enough to talk to Pat Bowlen and Josh McDaniels, he is an improvement over Cutler.
No matter how strong his arm is.
