No team has been more active in free agency than the Broncos. They've signed 12 players, including wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, who followed Josh McDaniels to Denver from New England. And while adding Gaffney seems innocuous enough -- he's a role player and that's it -- apparently, the Patriots took umbrage at McDaniels pilfering from his former employer on the way out the door. So much so that, according to Brad Briggs' sources, they decided to send Matt Cassel to Kansas City instead of Denver, and created the whole Jay Cutler melodrama in the process. Good times.
Which means that if the McDaniels and Cutler can't come to some sort of resolution (answering Josh's text messages might be a good place to start), the Broncos could lose their 25-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback over Jabar Freaking Gaffney. Bill Belichick must laugh himself to sleep over this.
This assumes, of course, there's some truth to the rumor. Last week, the Denver Post's Mike Klis reported that Belichick might've been involved in "aggressively" pushing Cassel on the Broncos. Basically, we have the extremes covered in this story, which means the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.
Also worth considering, via the San Francisco Chronicle's Kevin Lynch: "Word is [Broncos] owner Pat Bowlen might be overruling new coach Josh McDaniels and forcing McDaniels to make nice with his diva thrower. Everyone has a price and Cutler might be tradable, but the price is supposedly very high and far too rich for the 49ers." So maybe this will all be forgotten by training camp.
As for the Patriots, they've recovered nicely from losing Gaffney; in addition to already having Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Ben Watson on the roster, the club has added Joey Galloway, Greg Lewis and Chris Baker. With Tom Brady set to return in time for the season, I'm guessing they'll find a way to get by.
And despite the current stalemate with Cutler, the Broncos should be fine, too; through the first month of free agency, they've improved their defense, and should continue to do so during the draft. Worst-case scenario: Cutler holds, out, they can't trade him, and end up going into the season with Chris Simms as the starter. Certainly not the best way for a rookie head coach to begin his career, but unless McDaniels can get his hands on a time machine, it is what it is.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-26-2009 @ 3:32PM
becarefulangel said...
I think Pats-haters have officially blamed *everybody* for the Culter drama - except Cutler himself for being a whiny ass throughout this whole process. I mean, Gaffney? Seriously?
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3-26-2009 @ 9:59PM
marc said...
Cutler had his feelings hurt. Too bad. He is an NFL player and shouldnt be acting like a little vagina. You are getting paid millions per year to play ball. If the team wants to trade you, that is THEIR decision. He needs to get over it. I would like to have Cutler come to Washington but if he is acting like this now, I see Cutler transforming into the T.O. of quarterbacks...and if Jay happens to read this by any chance, you are NOT better than Elway.
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3-27-2009 @ 6:19PM
Roger Childress said...
Wilson just can't go a day without his hatred of the Patriots getting a fix.I don't think drugs would have as much affect of someone as much as his "sarcasm" or sickism.Said it before and will say it again...Wilson has a PERVERTED fixation on the whole Patriots organization and will tell any tale true or usually false to get his name in these blogs.He passed along a blog about Brady getting hurt if he ran up scores,which Brady never really did and in the end got his wish.This is a man of little integrety who calls Brady a nerd with no reason and I really believe he has a thing for Brady.Well get over it because Tom turned you down for someone else and it wasn't a male.Ryan you also passed crap down about the Rams filming and that turned out to be false also.Do you ever really blog anything of truth or just your fantasy out of the air crap.Yes, you did pass the blog about Brady getting hurt out into the print and you never...repeat never..were man enough to say that "that kind of thinking is sick and wrong" so I guess you fall into the catagory that wishing harm on someone is ok...if it is WELL!
For the heck of it why don't you tell us just what football team you suppot...that would really be interesting.
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3-27-2009 @ 6:48PM
Patches said...
Cutler is a player making millions is correct. But he should also be in control of what happens to himself down the road. McDaniel's ego is hurting also, and he will get even with Cutler when it is convient for him, and trade his QB. A QB he did not want in the first place. Cutler is no dummy, and knows this. Best that Cutler leave now, and put all this stuff behind him. That or Bowlin should offer a new "no cut/trade" clause to Cutler's contract. Bowlin won't do this brcause it cuff's his head coach, who is suppose to do a better job than one he fired. Besides. Cutler's illness will drive him out the league soon enough as it is. Patch
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3-29-2009 @ 2:40PM
Ski said...
There has been way to much He said, She said. I don't care anymore.
It's time for both sides to swallow their pride and shake hands. I ready to hear some positives coming from Dove Valley.
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4-03-2009 @ 10:06PM
papam11 said...
The Broncos get 2 firsts, a third AND a QB for Cutler----and the Pats settled for only a second for Cassel and Vrabel--with other teams supposedly wanting to give more? Umm, have I missed something here or is coach B on meds?
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