Political Capital, or More Aptly, the Complete Lack Thereof

by Ted Bartlett on Feb 28, 2009 7:31 PM MST

Political capital is a term which is always invoked right after a politician is newly elected, or re-elected. It more or less equates to the concept of benefit of the doubt. In 2004, when George W. Bush was re-elected by a slim margin of 51%-48%, he claimed a wide mandate for his agenda, and openly spoke of using his accrued political capital. His chosen agenda item was a tremendously unpopular scheme to re-cast the social security program. Mr. Bush over-reached by a mile, and that failure ultimately began the long downslope of his presidency, really just a few months after being re-elected. It remains to be seen how long President Obama will be able to keep such a high degree of public goodwill, while implementing programs which can be divisive.

I am here to tell you that Josh McDaniels and Brian Xanders have no political capital left, absolutely zero. They're both rookies in their jobs, so they started out with less than a Mike Shanahan did in 1995. To me, the dismissal of the Goodmans burned their allowance right off the bat. The fan base was skeptical, but assumed they knew something we didn't. This handling of the Cutler situation is making me honestly question their competence, and they haven't run a draft or coached a game yet. From a football standpoint, it is crazy to consider trading Jay Cutler for Matt Cassel. It is just completely asinine, from a business perspective to let the story get out. Does a company which is considering layoffs announce it before the decision is made? Of course not. You don't even have this particular conversation, but even if you do, you never, ever let Adam Schefter hear about it.

Now, our friend Pork Chop Williamson is reporting that Jay wants out of Denver. I don't blame him a bit for feeling that way. McDaniels tells the guy how he is going to help him flourish, and then he goes behind his back like this. The Broncos organization had better be in damage control mode right now, trying to fix this. As much as I am sure that McDaniels thinks his system will win championships, and that any number of players can be plugged in, our fan base uniquely knows that no system is brilliant enough to overcome a lack of talented players.

The Broncos should also figure out who is leaking information to Adam Schefter, and fire him today. In the past, there was a good relationship there with the team, and with Mike Shanahan. Schefter and his source, to me, hurt the team in a huge way today. I know that Schefter has no responsibility to the Broncos, but organizationally, I wouldn't tell him anything anymore, much like the Obama press team ignores Fox News. If a news organization is proven to be willing to (or seeking to?) hurt you, you just don't give them the chance.

I am just so angry about this. We cannot have this kind of amateur hour performance. McDaniels and Xanders have zero benefit of the doubt from me anymore, and that won't change until they prove something with some Wins. For now, I am just hopeful that this Cutler relationship can be repaired.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Comments

Well said

Please let me wake up from this nightmare.

For the love of the animals. 24

by Earthtiger24 on Feb 28, 2009 7:50 PM MST reply actions

Obviously.....

we don’t know exactly the whole story here but from what I’ve read how can we be upset with McDaniels & Xanders. They both said to all of us that they are NOT wanting to trade Jay and never did. So what…..teams call they listen, they say no.

Jay has every right to be upset but up to a certain extent. He’s not GOD and can be replaced sooner or later but he is very immature and he is showing that right now by running his mouth.

I feel Jay should just shut up and talk to McDaniels & Xanders first before running his mouth to the media. Look what it has done. Crap is hitting the fans and rumors are flying.

I like Jay. I think he will be a GREAT QB but this attitude and immaturity will hurt him in the end.

I believe in McDaniels & Xanders are the best fit for THIS organization and we should all allow them to do there job and see what happens.

by FLCubsGirl on Feb 28, 2009 8:10 PM MST reply actions

+1

I agree completely.

When a news reporter calls Jay with these kinds of rumours he should just say “no comment”.

And if in fact the proposed deal was legitimate, why would the Patriots take the deal with Kansa City?

by Jeeeeens on Mar 1, 2009 6:38 AM MST up reply actions

Which story is true?

I had previously understood that Xanders and McDaniels merely lisened to a proposal and rejected it. If true, Jay should get over it or be labeled a primadonna. But Williamson says: “A source close to the situation told ESPN.com that the Broncos pursued the trade because McDaniels wanted to be reunited with Cassel…” If that is true then I don’t blame Jay a bit and this would be a collosal bungle by the new coach and GM Details please…..

by PigskinProphet on Feb 28, 2009 8:39 PM MST reply actions

As i have said...

Why would they initiate a trade and then nix theri own trade.
As Guru said in his show, the only team that could say no to the trade was the Broncos. they held the cards and they said no staright away.
A 3 team trade takes a lot of work, and Denver was never really interested.
They took phone calls, listened and said no.
YEP, XANDERS AND MCD SHOULD NE HUNG AND QUARTERED.
All anyone needs to do is think the situation thri logiacally and realize that the broncos were never real players in this.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 28, 2009 9:10 PM MST up reply actions

I know it is Adam Schefter

But other than his history in Denver, is there anything to indicate the leaks came out of Denver and not Detroit and/or Tampa? If this came from anyone at ESPN, I would have assumed that is how they got the news. After all those teams have much less to lose if this info becomes public.

by MattR on Feb 28, 2009 8:45 PM MST reply actions

He was on NFL Network citing sources close to the Broncos tonight

There should be no such sources.

"I am not one of those who think that coming in second or third is winning." -- Robert F. Kennedy

by Ted Bartlett on Feb 28, 2009 9:46 PM MST up reply actions

thx. definitely agree then.

by MattR on Feb 28, 2009 11:09 PM MST up reply actions

I disagree about your Bush / Obama comments

As far as the Cutler damage, I also hope it is repaired.

Victor Frankl:

What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.

by wyoeng on Feb 28, 2009 9:04 PM MST reply actions

I don't think I understand what you mean about disagreeing with the Bush & Obama comments

because there was no opinion stated there, but whatever… That’s just the backdrop.

"I am not one of those who think that coming in second or third is winning." -- Robert F. Kennedy

by Ted Bartlett on Feb 28, 2009 9:45 PM MST up reply actions

TB....you need to think things thru....

It is absolutely asinine to think that Denver would initiate a trade, and then nix THEIR OWN trade. Are you kidding me?
Jedi and Xanders have been blind sided by this, all by taking a phone call and listening to offers. THATS THEIR JOB!
This is a non issue if the QB in question is NOT Matt Cassel.
Cutler is being an absolute goose, and isbeing baited by idiots like Gary Miller and Vic “I am over compteitive on the Tag Football field as I have no real talent” Lombardi.
This whole thing makes NO sense and to blame it on Xanders and McDaniels is ridiculous.
I love you stuff normally man, but this is far fetched and is accusatory when the real facts are not out there.
JAY CUTLER has not even spoken to the team.
Go back and listen to MHR radio for a real look at this situation.
Thanks for th post, but I feel you are WAY off base on this one.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 28, 2009 9:07 PM MST reply actions

There are 2 conflicting stories.

How can we be sure which is true? Was Jay really still on the trading block (I know, I know.. for WHOM?!) and McD was trying to cover by saying they never intended to trade Jay? Or was that really the intent, and they listened to other teams, turned them down, and then failed to communicate with Cutler (or Cutler failed to communicate with them… either way) so Jay panicked and started venting to the media?

-Harvey J. Neptune

"Practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect." - Vince Lombardi

by HarvJNep2n on Feb 28, 2009 10:48 PM MST up reply actions

Another point...

You think they deliberately let the story out???
It was leaked, and may have been leaked by someone in the Pats, Chiefs, Bucs or someone with a big mouth in the Broncos.
I can see it now:
“Can you get Jim Sacramano on the phone?”
“What for Mr McDaniels?”
“I just want to let the media know that we have been asked about trading Jay Cutler for Matt Cassel and I think it would make everyone feel good if we tell them.”
“Yes Mr McDaniels, I am sure Jay will feel great about it.”

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 28, 2009 9:14 PM MST reply actions

Something may still be missing

Boydy I hear you. Since Cassel (and a good LB) were traded for KC’s 2nd rounder surely Denver could have acquired Cassel for Cutler. But the fact that deal with Denver didn’t materialize could be for two reasons. Yes Denver could have simply turned down the trade offer. But its also possible that Denver was shopping Jay but appopriately wanted more than just Cassel (players and/or picks) in return for Jay and the deal fell through when the parties could not agree on the additional consideration.

by PigskinProphet on Feb 28, 2009 9:27 PM MST reply actions

But why would Denver shop Cutler to only one team? Still makes no sense.

To think Cassel is the ONLY player that Denver would go after makes no sense either.
Why not go to Cleveland and ask for Anderson and Rogers.
Or even ask the Pats for Wilfork and picks.
There are SO many other players and situations that would make sense other than this trade.
I honestly beleive it was as simple as situations being presented to Denver and Denver saying no.
You think that Bowlen did not bring up in interviews McD’s willingness to work with Jay? Of course he did.
I know what you are saying Prophet, but it makes NO sense from SO many angles and reeks of a media leak against an organization, knowing that the player in question (Jay Cutler) would blow up and create momentum with a story.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 28, 2009 9:34 PM MST up reply actions

There are multiple credible reports that the Broncos initiated this talk

The business about the Broncos listening to offers from other teams, and then nixing the deal is a conflicting report. In other words, I am not combining the two reports to form one theory. It makes so little sense to trade Cutler for Cassel that the Broncos would almost HAVE to be the instigator. Nobody else would even think it could ever happen.

And by the way, the 34th pick is arguably more valuable than a late first rounder, as Guru mentioned on MHR Radio. The point here is that you DON’T alienate your stars by telling them one thing and then doing another. If you’re even going to entertain doing a deal, you never let it get out until it’s sure to get done. It doesn’t even matter what version of the story I believe. There should be no story, and Xanders shouldn’t have to be lying about it now, which he certainly is, either way. Talent wins in the NFL.

"I am not one of those who think that coming in second or third is winning." -- Robert F. Kennedy

by Ted Bartlett on Feb 28, 2009 9:44 PM MST reply actions

Agreed about talent....

We just see things different here.
The relationship between the Pats, McD and Cassel would point to a fact that maybe the Pats initiated the deal. What is the Bucs came and said we want Cutler. We say no. The Bucs say waht can we do to sweeten deal. We cou;ld get Cassel by bringing the Pats in the deal. Broncos say no. Pats then initiate deal with Kansas.
There are so many scenarios I guess, but to me, still makes no sense.
Broncos are holding the trump card in Jay Cutler. Hes a marquis player and would be welcomed by ANY QB starved team. WHo would not build a team around him, and for someone like Minnesota, why would you not snap him up?
Thanks TB for the posts as normal.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 28, 2009 9:55 PM MST up reply actions

Ditto, TB

You guys really believe McXanders’ story that two (2) teams, out of nowhere, contacted the broncos to get them Matt Cassell in a 3-way deal? Two seperate teams come to us with the same deal??

No! USE YOUR HEADS PEOPLE! Denver initiated this through 2 teams and is now denying they did so. It’s really, really obvious.

by GJcontingent-rAd on Feb 28, 2009 10:45 PM MST up reply actions

Ted, I have to reluctantly agree with you

At this point I think it was more than just “answering the phone”. One reason Broncos fans find it hard to accept that McDaniels would even consider such a deal is their feeling of the huge talent gap between Cutler and Cassel. But is it really so huge? Local pride makes us think there’s no comparison, but check it out. Cutler’s completion percentage was 62.3, Cassel’s 63.4. Cutler’s yards per attempt was 7.3, Cassel’s 7.2, Cutler’s TD/INT ration was 25-18, Cassel’s 21-11. Cutler did have way more yards, 4526 to 3693, but he also threw way more. Finally, Cutler’s passer rating was 86.0, Cassel’s 89.4. Not only has Cutler’s rating not improved, it’s actually declined slightly during his three years, from 88.5 to 88.1 to 86.0. And in Cassel’s favor it could be added that he improved greatly over the course of the season. In particular his TD/INT ratio once he settled in was dramatically better than Cutler’s. Cutler did have far fewer sacks, 11 to 47, which is his most glaring statistical advantage. Part of it was no doubt due to better protection, which again weighs in Cassel’s favor, but I think Cutler was also had much better pocket awareness. The few sacks we gave up weren’t totally due to the line.

For any of you who might be getting a noose ready, I’m not saying Cassel is better. I’m just saying it’s not unambiguously clear that Cutler is. Cassel, with no previous NFL starting experience, rapidly picked up a complex offensive system and was a dramatically better quarterback at the end of the season than he was at the beginning. It’s at least conceivable that, with additional players and/or picks, the Broncos might have ended up a better team even if Cassel was a downgrade, because he’s not obviously that big of one. Is it any wonder that McDaniels would at least consider a trade if he could get Cassel plus players and/or picks? To put it a different way, I doubt that he would have considered a trade for anyone but Cassel. Since Cassel is now at Kansas City that door, if it was ever open, is now closed, so I imagine McDaniels is being entirely sincere (now) when he says the Broncos aren’t trying to trade Cutler.

"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen

by spock on Mar 1, 2009 9:20 AM MST up reply actions

excellent.. +2

how would we expect a guy who is serious about winning, and doing whatever it takes to win and win now to not explore EVERY option? I for one would hope the coaches/management would make it abundantly clear that the nepotism, favoritism, and free ride song and dance was not going to be the modus operandi any more. IF Mc jedi cast a line for cassel, we could reasonably assume it was because he wants to back up what he has promised form day 1 about being (not just building) a winning organization. He knows cassel. he does not know jay cutler. he worked one on one with cassel. he has chatted on the phone with cutler. obviously there is no working relationship between jedi and cutler yet, otherwise the disparity between accounts would not exist.

now we can certainly say that Cutler has been tested by the fire of the open market- and come out on top. all of the chatter about who is wanted more is over. bottom line, Cutler is still the Broncos Quarterback. I cant wait for september, i think this is great.

"I want this team to be tough, smart and prepared to play well under pressure...Everybody here in this organization is going to be held accountable to do their job — their piece of the puzzle to make this team a competitor for a championship every season." J-Mac

by Jay Fin Anderson on Mar 1, 2009 1:23 PM MST up reply actions

well...

the difference being of course none of those teams have a new head coach who has connections with a valuable former quarterback.

by Jay Fin Anderson on Mar 1, 2009 1:41 PM MST up reply actions

Because Cassels + Picks might make sense?

I don’t disagree with you. It’s clear that a straight deal for Cassels (as the media is reporting) does not make sense from a value perspective. The actual trade that materialized between NE and KC proves the point. But Cassels would have held unique value in that he is a young quarterback that knows McDaniels and the new offensive system. What if McDaniels was seeking Cassels plus a package of high round draft picks? I’m just saying…..

by PigskinProphet on Feb 28, 2009 9:49 PM MST reply actions

Maybe. But we still held the cards by having the marquis QB.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 28, 2009 9:55 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks Prophet....pushed enter early!!!!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 28, 2009 9:56 PM MST reply actions

we should have seen this coming by a mile

the shanahan firing reactions by cutler. cutting jeremy bates. McDaniels loading up on Patriots talent and a reactionary Cutler. tell me if I am wrong here but I think they and we should have seen this coming and they should have done everything they could to prevent this.

"Hey Raiders fans!!! If you leave now you can beat traffic!"
-Rod Smith

by GarretBarnes on Feb 28, 2009 10:37 PM MST reply actions

Well said, Ted.

Now the media’s fed.
It’s time for bed.
This story is dead.

-Harvey J. Neptune

"Practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect." - Vince Lombardi

by HarvJNep2n on Feb 28, 2009 10:42 PM MST reply actions

where is guru, styg,zappa ect...

"show me a good loser and i'll show you a loser" - coach

by chikndnnr on Feb 28, 2009 11:05 PM MST reply actions

I'm here....

This is a solid editorial by Ted. He is 100% right in most of the things he says….

-TSG

SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport

Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com

by John Bena on Feb 28, 2009 11:15 PM MST up reply actions

Maybe if we get on our collective knees and beg then Coach Shanahan will come back to us...

and restore competence.

Judgment of any system, or a priori relationship or phenomenon exists in an irrational, or metaphysical, or at least epistemological contradiction to an abstract empirical concept such as being, or to be, or to occur in the thing itself, or of the thing itself.

by PosterNutbag on Feb 28, 2009 11:24 PM MST reply actions

Awesome and Rec'd

Couldn’t have said it better, some things that seem to be missing in those who seem to think this is some innocent mistake of McDaniels answering the phone or McDaniels “exploring the option”. Every source has stated that McDaniels is the one who instigated the trade possibility, not the other way around. It has been brought up that McDaniels does not have authority to complete the trade, that would have to come through Bowlen, and my guess is that Bowlen got wind of this and quickly put a firm hand down (thank you Mr. Bowlen).

I have stated this once and I will state it again, this obviously was not an answering the phone, obviously serious discussions were undertaken or it wouldn’t have been a story that Schefter reported as a viable trade. Let’s look at the rational of the “answer the phone” idea.

Coach Morris, “Hey coach McDanials, we really like Jay Cutler, want to trade him?”

Coach McDaniels Answer should be:

A) Well what do you propose?

B) Cool maybe we can swing a deal with my friends and I can land Cassel here.

C) Click

If you answered C, you would be correct. There is no trade that you do for your franchise QB coming into his prime for unless there is something very bad and toxic with that player. As much as we may get preturbed that Jay actually speaks his mind instead of canned responses and may seem to pout more than a QB should, that in no way diminshes what he has been able to do and what he will be able to do. We aren’t talking about Matt Leinart or Vince Young, we have a man who has grow every year and has gotten better, he has not had run ins with the law, and now is not only a role model in the community but also for those with diabeitis (sp?). Expecting the man who has come in and done everything this organization has asked him to do, has begun to become the on field leader, to not get mad that his new coach has basically said he has no confidence in him, would be a bitter pill for anyone to swallow.

McDaniels and Xanders, you better have some magic in your back pocket, because your stay in Denver looks to be short lived. Seems like this scenerio took place not too long ago in Denver and cost a coach his job, my guess is that Bowlen will side with his franchise QB over a rookie coach.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman

by Broncoman on Mar 1, 2009 1:12 AM MST reply actions

well...

im not so sure this implies caoch jedi has NO confidence in Cutler.

IF it was jedi-initiated, it says more about his confidence in cassel.

by Jay Fin Anderson on Mar 1, 2009 1:27 PM MST up reply actions

Correct me if i'm wrong but...

“Every source has stated that McDaniels is the one who instigated the trade possibility, not the other way around.” – Broncoman

… wasn’t it Adam Schefter who originally brought this story to fruition, and he also explicitly stated that “Tampa approached Denver to try to make a three-way trade that would have sent Cassel to the Broncos and quarterback Jay Cutler to the Buccaneers. The Broncos entertained the notion and pondered it but ultimately decided against it. Also, the Lions approached the Broncos about a trade for Cutler, trying to dangle Cassel as bait.”
Just checking. This story is annoying me to all hell and I can’t wait for Xanders and McDaniels to clear this up in a news conference tomorrow. I’m hoping that is. I just don’t buy the story that Cutler was being shopped around intentionally by the Broncos. Xanders and McDaniels would certainly have to know that they couldn’t do it half-assed because their plans would definitely leak out. The blame I lay on them is not what they did. I don’t blame them for hearing other teams out, but I do blame them for how they have handled the situation. I personally would have called Jay right away and told him all the rumors were bull and that he was here to stay, and then I would have called an immediate news conference to take care of the matter. I guess we’ll see how they handle it tomorrow. Hopefully better than today.

by Kapiti on Mar 1, 2009 1:58 AM MST reply actions

Well stated Kapiti....that sums up my thoughts!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Mar 1, 2009 6:21 AM MST up reply actions

EXACTLY!!!

Why would McD want to trade Cutler? Why would the other teams say no? Every source I’ve read has said that McD was approached first. Broncoman, I like you and I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I think you’re 100% wrong and that firing McDaniels would be the absolute worst thing we could do. Worse even than trading Cutler.

I'm the Hiphopopotamous, flows that glow like phosphorous. I'm poppin' off the top of this esophagus, rockin' this metropolis. I'm not a large water-dwelling mammal, where did you get that preposterous hypothesis? Did Steve tell you that, perchance? Steve...

by papigrande on Mar 1, 2009 8:24 AM MST up reply actions

We can't know for sure

but what the stories seem to be saying is that the Broncos let it be known via the grapevine that they’d consider a trade involving Cutler, and then they were contacted, etc. It’s even conceivable, if this is true, that what went out on the grapevine was that the Broncos would only consider scenarios in which Cassel ended up in Denver.

"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen

by spock on Mar 1, 2009 9:31 AM MST up reply actions

The question becomes

Did the Bucs and/or Lions call Pittsburgh? Did they call New Orleans? Did they call Indy? Did they call every team with a great QB? I don’t know but we didn’t hear about it.

Why did they reach out to Denver? Because they heard he was being shopped…And why did the world hear about it? McDaniels needs to get to the “leak” in this equation and tell him to shut up.

Of course as a Coach and GM you can see what’s available, talk options, see what’s out there etc…but it shows that these young guys are in over there heads if every deal they are contemplating is on the front page of the Denver Post.

There is no way in hell Cutler should have gotten wind of this and if McDaniels thinks that (Cassel + 19th pick + 3rd round pick ) > (Cutler + 12th pick) than…heaven help us.

"I am not trying to start anything I am just saying that i think if you take Knowshon and draft D later you guys will be hella good next year" ...IamtheGreatest - The smartest Chiefs fan I ever had the priviledge of reading!

"But I’d trust more of Bobby Turner. Remember – he had to keep his job. His boss made the final decisions, and he knew it. And he can get performance out of a yugo, but that’s no reason not to by a nicer car." ... Broncobear 02/24/2009

by Steve O' on Mar 1, 2009 1:35 PM MST up reply actions

well...

the difference being of course none of those teams have a new head coach who has connections with a valuable former quarterback.

by Jay Fin Anderson on Mar 1, 2009 1:42 PM MST up reply actions

+59 thousand million bajillionty 5

WHY DOES NO ONE REALIZE THIS?!?!?!?! AAAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!

by papigrande on Mar 1, 2009 1:47 PM MST up reply actions

Ok, maybe, but its hard to imagine a GM from another team working a 3 team trade if the Broncos had zero interest

So I am to believe that the Bucs said, hey I got an idea on how to get Jay Cutler…McDaniels will want Cassel probably cuz he knows him? Then the Lions said, We can give them Cassel from the Pats too? And they using our 12th pick as the bargining chip with NE? So two different teams are trying to get our QB buy trading players and picks that aren’t theirs?

Come on, I don’t buy it. Why would the other teams think this would be possible unless they were told it might be?

If Cassel is so valuable why did he get traded, with a teammate, for only a 2nd round pick? Cuz the Pats are so financially conscience?

The biggest problem here is that fact the news is getting out. That has to stop. If you are fielding calls regarding your Franchise QB and you have no interest, you hang up immediately. McDaniels was up to something and Cutler found out. That is what I think until proven otherwise.

by Steve O' on Mar 1, 2009 2:01 PM MST up reply actions

You

are definitely right that they should have hung up immediately when they got the calls. I chalk this one up to inexperience. However, I disagree with you on the point that the Broncos were spreading the word that Cutler was available. I just don’t buy it. Like I mentioned before in a post, I believe that the boys at the top would be idiots to be sending out feelers unless they were absolutely and definitely going to trade Cutler. It’s either all go or no go to me. They have to know that if they are going to trade Cutler they better do it because word is going to leak out that they have been exploring the possibility. But who knows, maybe they are idiots. I am still open to the possibility. But like I said, i’ll just chalk this one up to inexperience.

by Kapiti on Mar 1, 2009 2:10 PM MST up reply actions

Two thoughts

One – The Broncos were willing to muddy the waters in the Cassel to Kansas City trade and drive up the price for KC, while not seriously desiring to trade Cutler.

Two – McD wants to put Cutler in his place and let him know who is in charge. Cutler’s immaturity and willingness to whine to the media is a serious problem that McD wants to correct. Making Cutler just a player instead of “the franchise” may be McD’s plan.

This week the Chiefs put Pro-Bowler Brian Waters in his place when he showed at the GM’s door and demanded a meeting. Pioli wouldn’t see him and the Head Coach had a conversation in the hallway that include the quote. “I can get 22 players off the street that can win more than two games!”

It’s seems the New England way is to get control of their team by making an example out of one of their top players to seen a message to all.

by DBinKC on Mar 1, 2009 9:25 AM MST reply actions

Arrogance

This is just the type of arrogance that I fear.

I don’t care how many games you win – when you are willing to treat a class act and a long-time employee like Brian Waters that way it is a chicken-sh*t move.

Both KC and Denver have long and storied reputations for being classy and player friendly organizations. A willingness to destroy those reputations and legacies is not going to serve the new management well in either organization.

They won’t just alienate players they will alienate the fan base.

Midwest culture and midwest fans aren’t likely to accept this type of attitude.

by MADness on Mar 1, 2009 10:42 AM MST up reply actions

Credibility

The “my way or the highway” routine also tends to work better if the person in charge actually has credibility and experience.

Bill Parcells and Belicheck get away with it but why on earth would an NFL veteran take a punk like Haley seriously? More importantly, what character flaw would make Haley think that having such an attitude would ever fly?

Mike Tomlin has proven that you can come in as a young coach and challenge players to play a certain way and to play at a certain level without making it a pissing contest. People who are truly confident in themselves rarely feel the need to ‘make an example’ of others.

by MADness on Mar 1, 2009 10:49 AM MST up reply actions

I think you're jumping to conclusions

There’s enough to be upset about without going off the deep end over conspiracy theories and other speculative “facts”. Number two seems extremely unlikely, number one even moreso. Prior to this blowup Cutler hadn’t made any kind of Waters-like demands that would motivate McDaniels to “put him in his place”, nor should we assume that McDaniels would react like Pioli even if that was the case.

"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen

by spock on Mar 1, 2009 11:27 AM MST up reply actions