Belichick May Have Inadvertently Played Part in Cutler-Broncos Rift

When Jay Cutler and the Broncos go their separate ways -- and by the looks of things, it's happening, the only question is when -- Bill Belichick will be to blame. I don't say that because it's just easier to point the finger at the man who embodies all that is evil (at least for all those who hate the Patriots), but because apparently, he's been instrumental in driving a wedge between Cutler and the Broncos organization*, even if unwittingly (yeah, right).

On Sunday, the Denver Post's Mike Klis wrote that, contrary to previous reports, "the deal that would have sent Cutler elsewhere and New England quarterback Matt Cassel to Denver didn't collapse because Broncos coach [and former Patriots offensive coordinator] Josh McDaniels entered the discussions late."

Also untrue: Belichick sent Cassel and Mike Vrabel to the Chiefs for the 34th-overall pick to "stick it to" his former protege.

Klis continues:

The source, who was involved in the trade discussions, says Belichick aggressively pushed Cassel upon McDaniels from the onset. McDaniels may have allowed loyalty to cloud his judgment and entertained Belichick's proposals far too long.

But according to the source, not one of the many trade offers that swung through Dove Valley came close to pushing the Broncos into striking a deal.

And then this happened. Followed by this, this and this, which brings us to today's events.

In addition to the news that Belichick may be the impetus for all the upheaval in Denver, owner Pat Bowlen admitted that the damage between the organization and its Pro Bowl quarterback could be irreparable.

"I'm very disappointed," ... Bowlen said Sunday. "I'm disappointed in the whole picture, not just disappointed that we might lose our star quarterback." Asked to clarify, Bowlen said he steadfastly supports his new coach and his disappointment lies in the way Cutler has handled the two-week standoff.

Right on cue, word leaks that Cutler will not show up for voluntary workouts on Monday. Sounds about right.

Klis writes that it's possible Cutler, who is represented by Bus Cook, could want guarantees from the Broncos in the form of a new contract (he's three years into his six-year rookie deal, and is scheduled to make just over $1 million in 2009). But short of that -- and there's been no indication that the organization is interested in giving Cutler more dough in light of recent events -- there's a decent chance the team's 2006 first-round pick is playing elsewhere in the not-too-distant future.

That would've been an absurd thought just a few weeks ago, but now it seems like a distinct possibility. And that could be potentially good news for the Lions and their fans (particularly those who would like the team to draft anybody but Stafford with the first-overall pick).

* exaggeration

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-16-2009 @ 12:31AM

bears0492 said...

Send him to chicago. Orton and a 1st round pick sounds fair. If he doesn't go to Chicago, then we need to keep him out of the NFC North.

3-16-2009 @ 1:04AM

Roger Childress said...

Same old very old crap from Ryan Wilson a man of little integrety.

3-16-2009 @ 1:22AM

Dana87 said...

So what your saying is that because Belichick tried to get another team to make a trade, that all that goes wrong with that team is Belichick's fault?

All Belichick tried to do was to scare up a trade market so he could get the most for Cassel. McDaniel's should have known that and not talked about trading Cutler until he had secured Cassel.

Finally, Cutler is a whiner. In a time when people are losing their jobs and homes left and right, he's whining because he might have had to earn his million in a different market. Are you kidding me?

Yet Belichick's at fault because this overgrown baby has no concept of how the business works. McDaniels should move him down the depth chart until he show's he man enough to play the position again.

3-16-2009 @ 1:49AM

Adam said...

PFT quotes Cutler saying that McDaniels wanted Cassel because he developed him. If McDaniels actually did say that, and I'm sure he did, it's a really dumbass thing for him to do. Cutler is whining and taking this way too personally, but I wouldn't trust McDaniels either, and he's handled this whole thing horribly.

And now, the Broncos are going to be left with...Chris Simms? Again, as much of a baby as Cutler is acting, the Broncos FO and coaching staff started this with seeing the grass greener on the other side. They really have nobody to blame but themselves.

3-16-2009 @ 6:41AM

yamahawatercraft said...

Adam "If McDaniels actually did say that, and I'm sure he did, it's a really dumbass thing for him to do"

Your so sure he did say that ? How is this possible? Do you know McDaniels personally and what he does , say's ?

Cutler is just a over grown child the way he acts. I questioned what the Chargers Team said Last season but now I think Everyone see's what the Chargers has been saying for a while now also reports have been there saying the same thing for a while now.

Has The Bronco's been to the playoff's with Cutler in the time he has been their QB ? NOPE ! maybe the problem is with Cutler. The coach, team has every right to make their team better if they can with a trade or signing a player they think will do that. I do not hear any of teh BRONCO'S Players backing Cutler in the media . Does anyone ?

Why is everyone blaming Bill Belichick all of a sudden ? Oh Yes, Everyone know's what went on in talks and he is THE MAN OF EVIL ! PLEASE LET IT REST The blame is SOLEY on the shoulders of the biggest BABY in sports right now. JAY CUTLER !

3-16-2009 @ 12:15PM

Because why the heck else would any of this have happened? Why would McDaniels want Cassel over Cutler? Cutler is proven, while Cassel had one good year under a great coaching staff, behind a great line and with great receivers. The only reason someone would take the risk is for personal feelings.

3-16-2009 @ 7:37AM

BlueStarDude said...

Ryan -- Interesting post. Thanks. Always appreciate your touches of humor and sarcasm.

3-16-2009 @ 9:01AM

Brenda said...

Is anyone truly surprised that Beli-cheat was somehow involved in this???? LOL I certainly was not!
Have a good day all!!

3-16-2009 @ 9:33AM

Jeff said...

Please find some way to get him to the Titans so the team that should have drafted him in the first place can ride him to the Superbowl.

3-16-2009 @ 9:56AM

ryan said...

BSD,

Thanks. I try to be obvious in my sarcasm, but sometimes that's lost on folks. Next time I'll use more asterisks.

3-16-2009 @ 12:24PM

Bob said...

I just don't understand why Bowlen hasn't taken a more active role in all of this--as the owner, if he really wanted to keep his "star QB", Bowlen could've nipped this whole ordeal in the bud as soon as it started to escalate. Is he that ineffective as a leader, or has he just been talking out both sides of his mouth, saying he wants to keep Cutler publicly, but privately saying he doesn't care?

3-17-2009 @ 3:16PM

K.C. said...

Give the Belicheat crap a rest for Christ sake..Enough already. I can bet anything that if anyone of the haters of the pats had a team NFL team they were behind they would;d immediately change their opinions on the Second Greatest coach to ever be in the game of football. That statement also includes the author of the ridiculous article. Give me a break man. Report on something useful and meaningful and not the stupid stuff you are spewing. You do not even know if any of this crap is even true.

3-18-2009 @ 2:02PM

Just curious? If Mr. Wilson really writes this stuff as sarcasm then just when does one take his blog as serious.Do you take him as being serious when he past along a blog last year that suggested that Brady could be hurt if he kept running up the scores, which really was never the case. .Perhaps his calling Brady a nerd in one blog was sarcasm especially since he couldn't give a decent reason to make his claim.Perhaps his passing along trash about the Patriots filming the Rams which came from sources now known to be false.So since all of this is sarcasm and someone out there likes him for it.Perhaps none of his blogs have any relevance and its all about sarcasm.If that is the case then why should anyone pay any attention to his reports at all since he really isn't saying anything important or usually truthful at all.Just curious? Oh and he got his wish about Brady. I am sure he is proud of something relevant happening because of his sarcasm.

3-22-2009 @ 10:20PM

carl said...

You're right Dude. This ryan guy got some serious hate for the Pats. He does nothing but pass on unsubstantied BS with his little dig added in. I quit reading Fan House because of him. Unfortunately there's not much going on so I decided to browse though it today. Same old biased made up crap. I'm going back to read the real reporters now.
P.S. Ryan, I heard TMZ is hiring...They love to bash the Brady bunch too!