Opinion - How Mike Leach Affected Cutler's Desire to Leave
by ksondere on Mar 19, 2009 8:15 PM MDT
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PrintUntil a few weeks ago Mike Leach was the long snapper for the Denver Broncos. Few people pay much attention to a long snapper, but when Lonie Paxton was signed from the Patriots everyone noticed from the Denver Broncos fans to the players.
The signing of Paxton was big deal because it indicated to a couple of very significant things.
First it indicated that Coach McDaniels, not GM Xanders is in charge of personnel decisions. Xanders appears to be the guy who negotiated the contracts and manages the salary cap. If Pat Bowlen intended to split control of the team it didn't happen. McDaniels is Shannahan II, without the experience.
Second, the signing indicated something very big to fans and players. A long snapper doesn't have to adapt to a new offense, they snap the ball that's it. Mike Leach has done it for years and nobody can remember when he last made a mistake. In signing Paxton for more money, McDaniels was signaling that he either did not watch film on his own team, or that performance doesn't matter. From a strategic sense, it seemed like an odd waste of precious time and money when there is so many other things that are realy needed for the team.
We can only conclude that McDaniels needed a friend on the team. And Lonie was going to be his buddy.
No surprise then when Brandon Stockely expressed the feelings of the team and fans at large. A sort of collectve...Huh???
So within this context Jay hears the trade rumors. McDaniels doesn't seem to get it. His first move in becoming the head coach was to set a stage of distrust and then he follows it up with an effort to trade Jay for another buddy. We have to ask again. Has McDaniels watched the film yet on his own team? Is he aware of what Jay did? Is he aware of what anybody on this team has done?
So the distrust for the organization is not one of just thinking the coach told a white lie about seeking to trade him. It's deeper than that. And McDaniel's still has no clue what he did.
Given the strange decisions McDaniels is making, and his own tone deafness to it, it's not just the players who want to be traded. The fans want to be traded to a place that makes sense again.
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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Oh if life were so simple that we could KNOW what really went on !!!!!
Until then, I’ll trust in Bowlen to run HIS team the way he wants to!!!!!
I have a fealing...
That Pat may be in over his head. I think that after Mike left, he began fealing the huge void that was left, no, a wide chasm, wider than the little (by comparison) Grand canyon a few miles south.
He hired a guy who’s mom is still telling to “wash behind his ears,” and Pat made the mistake of treating him like Mike. This guy needs to have Pats constant attention, tutoring and nixing of stupid stuff that reaks of inexperience! In short, Pat needs to take some time off from what ever leasure time he spends and do a LOT of Hands On Advising, but that won’t happen on the golf course.
It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.
by metalman5050 on Mar 19, 2009 9:01 PM MDT up reply actions
good stuff metalman
I think you bring up an interesting perspective
he began fealing the huge void that was left
that is an interesting dynamic to think about. Being in a relationship for so long there has to naturally be a period of re-identifying for Mr. B’ with who the Broncos are.
"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!
"he (Turner) can get perfomance out of a yugo, but that is no reason not to buy a nicer car"....Broncobear
These decisions are on Bowlen, imho
I absolutely commiserate with Leach and Stokely and Cutler — change is hard.
But whether or not you agree with the decisions McDaniels has been making, I really don’t think you can blame him for wanting to do things his way. To me the question of hiring Paxton and saying buh-bye to Leach ultimately comes to the same conclusion as those other questions we’ve been hearing lately, also expressed in befuddlement: Why would you even think about trading Cutler? And why would you mess with the 2nd ranked offense in the NFL? The fact is that McD is not the man ultimately responsible for changing players and philosophies in Denver. McD may be the instrument of change, but Bowlen is the man who decided to wield it.
Bowlen hired an offensive coach from a non West Coast system. Despite how he may have felt after letting Shanny go, once he made the decision to hire McD, Bowlen no longer intended to keep the team intact. McD is doing what he was hired to do — implement his philosophy. When you make a decision like Pat did, you can’t hamstring your coach by expecting him to retain players (even good ones) or coaches like Bates (that would be more expected from Al Davis) who came from an entirely different culture.
I think Pat was confident in McD’s ability to assess value of all players from the team he inherited. Whether or not he still has that confidence, I don’t see him changing his mind.
Ultimately, I can understand why some of these changes come as a shock to players who are a product of a program that has up till now been unusually stable for an NFL team. I myself was surprised when Pat hired McDaniels, as it meant he was ready to break with the Shanny system entirely and go with the hot new offensive look of the Patriots. But I shouldn’t have been surprised, in retrospect, because Shanahan himself was made HC on just such a decision.
This is why Pat is backing McDaniels fervently through the fallout. Because he believes deep in his heart that he made the right decision to break with the status quo. And frankly, until we start playing some football, there isn’t a lot of evidence to prove the contrary. But to borrow a quote from my dear old dad, “You can’t just go pu**yfooting around in life.”
So, for now, I will give the dust a chance to settle a bit while I cling to the ole Helen Kellerism: Live is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.
"Hey guy worm has turn...We need all kind of crazy fool on defence. Like ten new guy." - Horvil Tiki
"Enter Bus Cook, and his Methods of Madness." - Styg50
by broncosmontana on Mar 20, 2009 10:32 AM MDT up reply actions
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.
Bullocks, letter v!
"Hey guy worm has turn...We need all kind of crazy fool on defence. Like ten new guy." - Horvil Tiki
"Enter Bus Cook, and his Methods of Madness." - Styg50
by broncosmontana on Mar 20, 2009 10:35 AM MDT up reply actions
Perhaps....
The fact that Leach was an undersized TE, while Paxton is an O-Lineman had a little to do with it. Don’t get me wrong, it was unnecessary, but when looking at the building of the roster you want to have as much depth as possible in certain areas. If Paxton has the ability that Leach did not, the ability to do something other than be the long-snapper, I’d imagine that played into it……
Maybe.
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Mar 19, 2009 9:18 PM MDT reply actions
Leach is 240 pounds
That’s really not too small for a TE, Scheffler, Winslow and Cooley e.g. are all 250. At any rate, what it comes down to is he’s not a tight end.
Now, Paxton is 260 pounds. If 240 is an underzied TE, Paxton is a dwarfish lineman. Weigmann is 285, and that’s small for a lineman by today’s standards.
Jason
The Hanging Curve
by poorboywilly on Mar 19, 2009 10:23 PM MDT up reply actions
Excellent point PBW
It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.
by metalman5050 on Mar 19, 2009 10:39 PM MDT up reply actions
You stole my thunder
But exactly right, saying that Paxton adds depth at the O-line is like saying Leach adds depth at TE, neither of these guys will see the field except to snap the ball. If Paxton is starting then the O-line is in trouble.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"McDaniels must go!" - Broncoman
Saying Paxton plays OL and Leach TE
just shows that the terminology hasn’t caught up with the evolution of longsnapper into a specialty like kicker and punter. Obviously he has to be big enough and athletic enough to actually block and tackle after he snaps the ball, but the longsnapper’s playing position is longsnapper, period. Nobody really expected to see Leach at TE in a game and I seriously doubt we’ll ever see Paxton lining up even at center on a non-kicking play.
"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
Well, let's hope not
But I always felt good that Leach could play TE in a pinch, if every other active TE got hurt in a game. At least, Leach thought he could play it. But I had more confidence in Leach at 240 to play TE in a pinch than Paxton at 260 to play Center in a pinch. keep in mind that the Broncos only dress 7 OL’s for most games.
Yet must thou sail after knowledge, knowing less than drugged beasts.
pthengometha thasson
wait
keep in mind that the Broncos only dress 7 OL’s for most games.
we DID not we DO. New team new regime we could dress 45 O Line for all we know.
Leach was also our emergency QB which meant we didnt have to activate anyone from the practice squad to fill in that position and lose one of the 45 game day slots. THAT is the issue I want to see fixed who is our emergency QB should Cutler and the Spleen both get injured!?
http://www.davusx.net/assets/db/la_la_land.gif
"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
by Jon Tollerud on Mar 22, 2009 11:23 AM MDT up reply actions
Yah, I agree
we DID not we DO.
Who knows what McD will do.still, as I understand the rules, the PS QB can go into a game, if both the other two QB’s have to come out. The kicker is, if you play that card, neither of the first two can come back in. but it’s all interesting. I’m hoping that Paxton could do a halfway decent job at Center if absolutely necessary.
Yet must thou sail after knowledge, knowing less than drugged beasts.
pthengometha thasson
it isnt the PS Quartyerback
it is the player the designate our Emergency QB. Leach was that guy before so we didnt have to waste a roster spot i am interested to see who is the emergency QB this year
http://www.davusx.net/assets/db/la_la_land.gif
"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
by Jon Tollerud on Mar 22, 2009 3:38 PM MDT up reply actions
Sure, if all the other TE's go down
but that’s a pretty remote possibility. It’s like saying that since the kicker was a QB in highschool if all our QBs are hurt and the waterboy goes down we could press the kicker into service. It’s something you could do but not the reason you hired the man. Look, I’m not convinced that this move was a good one – given the locker room reaction it might be McDaniels’ one legitimate error – but this talk about Leach’s and Paxton’s “real” positions is a red herring. If they weren’t good at longsnapping they wouldn’t be in the league.
"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
Great points all around ksondere!
Ya just got to hate a new HC with NOOO Experience being given total control, ALLA Mike Shanahan. A long snapper?!+@$.
This is the kind of thing that shows that Pat is “on vacarion!” YOUR POINT about josh even having a clue, about who the denver roster was, and what the players records are, or wheather of not they ment something to the fans, is a point well taken! How much time has he spent watching film, reading the stats, reading old copies of the Rocky Mnt. News, (Sprots edition) to even know who this team is?
It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.
Somewhat of a difference here
Shanahan had been a head coach before he came back to Denver, he also had a lot more experience than McDaniels when he came here to be a HC. And he had been an offensive coordinator on a winning SB team, something McDaniels has not done.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"McDaniels must go!" - Broncoman
I think you're jumping the gun
assuming McDaniels has been given total control, that he doesn’t have a clue, and that Bowlen is “on vacation”. I’m sure he’s what tons of film footage on all the players. We should give him at least two years to see where we’re headed.
"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
McDaniels given total control?
Seriously doubt it. That’s why Shanahan got fired. I bet Mcd and X have to get Bowlen’s approval on anything remotely major.
Yet must thou sail after knowledge, knowing less than drugged beasts.
pthengometha thasson
hmmm
From a strategic sense, it seemed like an odd waste of precious time and money when there is so many other things that are realy needed for the team.
We can only conclude that McDaniels needed a friend on the team.
The ONLY conclusion? The could be NO OTHER! possible reason? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen another possibility floating around MHR even. Why settle for that when you can come up with something far fetched.
Owning the Patriots since September 9, 1960
Or consider the flip side...
How do you know McD isnt doing exactly what he wants, and that’s to shake things up and get the players attention? To let them know that no one’s indispensable, and can be replaced at any time. To create a competitive environment. And one that suggests there’s no such thing as irreplaceable, and you’ll fight and compete to keep your job! Things werent like that in the old regime…
While some think McD hasnt got clue, for one minute consider the possibility that’s he’s making his mark on this team, and this is all within his plan. His 1st order of business was to do away with the past and everything connected to it so he can build from the ground up. After all, he’s a Bellicheck guy. Isnt this exactly what Bill would do?
If he wins, will anyone in Bronco Nation give a damn? So, If you’re trying to transform this Mike Leach thing into you’re cornerstone from which to build a conspiracy theory, dont bother. Paxson’s bigger, he’s as good as there is in the NFL, and he’s a better special teamer overall. He will snap,block and tackle! Josh isnt looking for friends, he’s looking for wins. Give him a chance before trying to make this about something more than it really is, which is about taking control and winning. But winning his way, not Shanahan’s way, or with Shanahans ex-players. After all, 8-8 in the 2nd worst division doesnt bode well for this or any team or most of the players on it. That goes from Cutler to Marshall and the entire defense.
Let’s not turn this site into the Denver Post. We’re much better than that….
"Attitude reflects Leadership" Hogblog...aka KSM
Where is the RMNews when you need it!
I agree that it takes a bit of strength in your approach when starting a new job, to esstablish the fact that “Yes, you are in controll” of this situation, and that it is going to be run, YOUR way! BUT if, in the process you end up looking like an Azz, then YOU will be alienating your employies! Good luck recuperating from that rediculous start.
You can “make your mark” while starting a new job, and do it with class, but then, that takes a bit more experience than Micky D(with cheese on his face) has!
I believe that Josh Mc Daniels will end up being a fine coach for this team, perhaps even the greatest of all time, but time will tell. ain the mean time, he has a lot to learn about his job. Letz just be great fans and try to support his best efforts.
The next best effort for him to perform, will be to mend fences. Got a box of screws and a cordless drill?
It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.
by metalman5050 on Mar 19, 2009 10:58 PM MDT up reply actions
How is signing a LS making a competitive environment
Basically what you are saying is that guess what, you don’t get to compete for the job, ,I am signing my buddy for more money, pack your bags…that sends a bad signal to the team, that basically you can be replaced for doing your job right.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"McDaniels must go!" - Broncoman
Special teams was laughable
Denver has had a pretty bad special teams over the last few years, and while Leach was not the reason they were bad, I am a little wary to defend the decision. I’m guessing that the snapping of the ball was not the reason that Paxson was brought in, I’m guessing it was a way to have a patriot guy on the special teams. While some hate the idea of the patriot way, I am not one of them I like the idea of being successful and winning Super Bowls, McDaniels may have signed Paxson to be the influence he wanted on ST. Paxson and Leach talent wise may be a complete wash, but McDaniels knows what kind of leadership and intensity Paxson brings to every practice and every game.
I love seeing Bronco fans running like the sky is falling because change is coming. Change is hard for some people, and the coach is an obvious target to nit pick, especially when we don’t really know him or have a track record to make judgments. We cling to the players because they are familiar, we love and revere players that we may never have even payed a second thought to, because of the change. This organization needs change. We need to stop looking at the talent and defending the mediocrity that it has brought. Give McDaniels a chance. Besides Shanahan is not coming back, Leach is with another team, and God doesn’t like it when you cheer against his team. Sunsets are blue and orange for a reason.
+ 1
on the “Change is hard for some people,” and I agree that we need to give the new management a chance, but, show me some video that proves your point on the long snapper from new england, and show me something that proves that he really IS some kind of “special teams” leader of some sort!
I won’t buy into that kind of thought without something that gives me some real background on this guy Paxson. After all, when you think about all of the people who loved the things that Leach has done and the fact that he has been a team leader as he has grown with this team then, you have to wonder if jmcd, even thinks about how a latteral exchange may affect the fan base.
Personally, I think that he could care less, because all he is triing to do, is to put together the best possible pieces to the puzzle that constitutes a perfect team, at least, the best that he can do for this year. That is why I commend him on his efforts. Sure, he will make his share of mistakes, guarenteed! But even the best coaches, with a lot of experience, make choices that they regret, so, letz give the guy a chance, and hope that he and Jay, will figure out how to get together on this team, and make us all proud to be, back to back to back super bowl winners! Hey, WHY NOT!?
It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.
by metalman5050 on Mar 20, 2009 12:00 AM MDT up reply actions
To be honest
I have never seen video of Paxson, and I never really paid much attention to Leach. As seeing leadership, I think we all would be surprised by who is and who isn’t viewed as a leader. I played on a basketball team in High School that the two best players were not the leaders of the team, in fact the leaders of the team were not top five talent wise. As fans we love what Cutler, Clady, Champ, and Dumervil do, but forget that Nalen, Weigman, Ekuban, and Pittman were the leaders of the team, according to most accounts that I have read. the biggest challenge that a new coach has is not getting guys to buy into his system, it is getting leaders set up that will motivate and share the passion that the coach desires. I coached high school basketball for 6 years and every year the challenge was not getting guys to play a zone or motion offense, it was getting the leaders on the same page so that the information stuck.
+1 to the coach will make mistakes. Shanahan every year would amaze me with some dumb move. From getting rid of Sharpe to not dealing with Portis earlier to his dealings with Plummer to not re-signing Elam to his D-coordinators to how it seemed he didn’t talk to his players all of this made me question Shanahan’s coaching ability. We get mad at Micky Ds because of his treatment of a player and call him out as inexperienced or worse, but we forget the boneheaded mistakes Shanahan made. Coaching is not an exact science.
Fellas, his name is Paxton
"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
hooked on phonics
doesnt work for spelling. . and this dumbass ;)
How do You Know?
Change happens in our real life and our Bronco Life, we don’t have control as a Bronco Fan unless your name is Bowlen. As a long time (1963) Bronco Fan, some change is good and then there are years we suffer for the other changes.
After 10 years of nothing, thank you Mr. Bowlen, it is time to change. Give it a chance, the sky is ot falling, the world is not coming to an end if #6 decides to go elsewhere.
Now about three years from now, bring me his head if we are still 8-8!
Paxton is very highly respected.
So was Leach. Of course McD wanted a player that supports him. Why not? Is that the only conclusion? No – we don’t have all the facts of wht Josh wanted or shy, we’re all kind of ‘sit-balling’ as they used to say. All we know is that the decision was between two excellent players at their position, one of whom worked with McD in the past.
The money was similar (I believe that one MHR member posted numbers indicating that Paxton was a little better for us, financially). I didn’t think that much of this signing, but there was no real reason not to, either. This isn’t a big deal. We know that Cutler was greatly disturbed before McD was even interviewed, much less hired.
Folks, we won’t know if Josh is right for the job or not for at least a year. Might as well support him and give him some time. I like a lot of his FA signings – Fields, Dawkins, Goodman, Arrington (excelent receiver and return guy, mediocre at running the ball, good blocker), Jordan, Hill (Hard to find anything wrong with Hill). McD is doing a good job overall.
Hillis in '09
The only reason I would think of it as a big deal,
is the reaction of the players. I’m sure most of you read Reggie Rivers’ analysis of the locker room dynamic that is going on. The part that concerns me about the Leach move isn’t about talent or competition. It’s that a team first guy like Brandon Stokely felt compelled to say publicly that he thought Leach was treated unfairly.
The way the Patriots run is obviously successful and I have no objection to Denver emulating that style. However, McD’s attempt to impose that way of doing things is running into trouble because he is a 32 year old, first time head coach who hasn’t done anything to earn the respect or trust of his locker room. If it was Bill himself coming in here he could do what he wants. McD is not Bill.
No argument, Jaffe.
It’s an old issue when you hire youth and enthusiasm. It’s not entirely bad, though. If the older players decide that they respect his knowledge and schemes, it could still work. I don’t think that he’s been above criticism to be clear – I just think that overall, he’s doing some good things.
Leach was treated unfairly. It’s a side of the profession that I don’t like anymore than anyone here. But I do realize that there may be issues and perspectives that we don’t have. That’s all.
Hillis in '09
I agree that he's doing some good things.
Just the couple of things he’s done badly may have undermined his credibility with the people that matter the most. The guys in the locker room.
Do you think that by bringing in Dawkins, Davis, Hill and Goodman
along with the three RBs and Gaffney (a mulligan on Paxton) that McD is taking hold of the locker room by the leadership he is giving to it? They know how a team has to be run, and his rep as a coach is very good. My own suspicion, for what it’s worth, is that they will bring a sense of balance to this exercise in silliness and remind the team what is important – working together and winning.
Hillis in '09
I hope so.
And I think that is certainly part of the intent behind the veteran signings. At the same time, he sold those guys on a ’we’re ready to win now and the offense is set’ sales pitch, so you gotta wonder if there isn’t some sense of distrust in those players as well.
Honestly, I believe that McD is a good football coach who has it in him to be a very good head coach. Where he is starting off roughly is in with his people skills a bit. I just don’t get the sense that he took into account the locker room reaction to the Leach cut, or I’m positive he didn’t think of potential negative implications of talking trade with Cutler. I’m still very much for giving him a chance to succeed, just concerned that he’s starting in a bit more of a hole than was necessary.
Strongly agree
Honestly, I believe that McD is a good football coach who has it in him to be a very good head coach. Where he is starting off roughly is in with his people skills a bit.
Yes. When Cutler and McD spoke in person last Saturday, McD didn’t have to continue to verbalize that any player is tradeable. It’s true, and I don’t have any problems with it, but anyone who has had a relationship work out knows that it’s often what you hold back from saying, true or not, that tends to help things work out.
Hillis in '09
Just to play devil's advocate
We don’t know for sure if he said that or if that’s the spin Bus and Jay put on it. He might have said you’re my man, I have no intention of trading you and later that he’s going to do whatever’s necessary to improve the team, and Bus and Jay seized on that to mean no one’s untradeable. Not saying that’s it, but with all the spinning and game-playing Cook and Cutler are doing I’m becoming reluctant to take any of their claims at face value, especially when you consider that making his client look like the victim and the front office the victimizer appears to be Cook’s standard operating procedure.
"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
on a related note
this why Bowlen has said he won’t be stepping in until the situation is resolved. Nothing that is reported is taken at face value, so why say something now? He is wise enough to know that it doesn’t matter who he is, his words won’t be taken at face value either, and will only contribute to the blackhole..
Amnesty, the idea that you can forgive transgressions against you, gives as much to one side, as it does the other. It has the noble quality of bestowing mercy to both parties.
by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 22, 2009 10:59 AM MDT up reply actions
And besides
Leach himself was philosophical about it. He wasn’t thrilled, but he understood and wasn’t bitter. I’m trying to remember now if Stokley actually said he was treated unfairly or just that it was a shame that it happened.
"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
I forget Stokely's exact words
But it was a lot closer to “treated unfairly” than it being a “shame”.
Yet must thou sail after knowledge, knowing less than drugged beasts.
pthengometha thasson
Okay. Thanks.
"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
Just a follow on comment...
A main point of the opinion written was what did the players think of the Paxton/Leach thing. What did Cutler think of it? How did it effect them?
Obviously the players didn’t think much of the Paxton signing. You hardly ever get a player commenting in anything but a positive way about FA signings. Yet Stokely was a tip of the iceburg. He exposed what a lot of players and fans were thinking. I think he exposed what Cutler was thinking.
The first personnel move by McDaniel’s was just strange. He didn’t send a signal that performance counted. It sent a random signal. Or more specifically that it didn;t matter what you did you weren’t as good as a Patriot.
The second signal of the Cassel trade talks, sent the signal even more strongly. Didn’t matter that Cutler was in the ProBowl, passed for 4500 yards, had the second rated offense in the league without an RB or defense. Performance didn’t matter, what mattered was if you were a former Patriot.
Whether the signal was intended or not it was a strong one, and the wrong one. Ultimately, the Patriot way is that performance wins. And right now McDaniel’s has sent a strong signal that says it’s not about performance, it’s about whether you were once a Patriot.
That signal has put players in a position of distrust from the outset. Cutler is just saying that in his trade demands.
The Patriot system is supposed to be team over the individual.
But both the Leach move and the flirtation with Cutler for Cassel actually signal that an individual matters more than the team. In this case the individual is the coach himself instead of a player. Both those moves look like McD saying, my comfort is more important than the performance of the players on the team. The team will have to adjust to make me feel secure, not the other way around.
And just to be clear, I also like quite a lot of what McD has done in FA. I am certain that his football knowledge and systems are first rate. I think the Broncos can win games with the guy. I just wish that he was more willing to let his approach blend with what is here in a way that lets something original and awesome emerge.
See my previous comment above
I would argue that these decisions are only wrong or puzzling if you look at them from the context of the previous coaching regime.
This is not just a case of a good team being inherited by a new coach who will make a few tweaks and move on. Everything has changed. Pat Bowlen guaranteed that when McDaniels was hired. Martial law has been declared in Dove Valley, and anything can change.
We haven’t had any meaningful change since Shanny was hired, so some are a little shocked at the scope of the changes. But like them or hate them, these are decisions from a new regime with a new point of view. I’d be more surprised if there weren’t a few changes that seem odd to us. Yes, losing Leach for Paxton is puzzling and sad to us. But it’s not puzzling to a new HC who has absolutely no commitment to hanging on to Broncos of the past.
I’m not trying to justify it or say it was the right decision. But let’s also remember the context in which it was truly made.
"Hey guy worm has turn...We need all kind of crazy fool on defence. Like ten new guy." - Horvil Tiki
"Enter Bus Cook, and his Methods of Madness." - Styg50
by broncosmontana on Mar 20, 2009 10:48 AM MDT up reply actions
I think you are missing quite a bit here
The second signal wasn’t the [possible] Cassel trade. It was the FA RBs…then it was Dawkins…etc etc. Did the long snapper signing even get announced first? I thought it was Arrington or Buckhalter. Whatever.
The signals J McD made were this: “I am going to be aggressive in putting together the best team possible this year. We want to win now and we WILL improve personnel.”
He didn’t fire anyone…he hired free agents. He didn’t make a serious offer for Cassel…he listened to a proposal.
I’m sorry, but he’s hired former Eagles, Cardinals, Browns, etc during FA. That doesn’t jive with the “it only matters if you are a former Patriot”
Also, remember you are talking about a long-snapper. Yes they have a very difficult job, but they are a friggin non-issue in the overall big picture. (I am with everyone going, “huh?” Leach was great…no need for this trade) The players and this perception of “I don’t care about your performance, just about who I am comfortable with” is absolutely childish and ridiculous in my opinion.
I don’t want breakaway speed. I want break-some-poor-fool-as-I-bowl-you-over power getting 6 yards off a play that should have been stopped for 2 at most.
As for the Paxton for Leach decision
As I noted in another thread, consider that McDaniels has come right out of the gates as a "team first" guy, I’m starting to think it was probably a team culture decision. Not that Leach wasn’t a great teammate to those around him — he clearly was, judging by the outcry alone — but maybe there are some intangibles to Paxton’s persona that only someone who has been around him awhile can appreciate. Judging from afar, as uninformed as we are, to me it looks like Paxton has a certain infectiousness that truly endeared him to Patriots players and fans alike. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a decision like that, but it’s one that is hard to see and explain to guys who don’t really know Lonnie yet. Just a guess — since McD strikes me as a results-oriented guy but their production is essentially a wash, nothing else about it really makes sense. Lonnie must be a positive personality.
"Hey guy worm has turn...We need all kind of crazy fool on defence. Like ten new guy." - Horvil Tiki
"Enter Bus Cook, and his Methods of Madness." - Styg50
by broncosmontana on Mar 20, 2009 10:55 AM MDT reply actions
You guys really fucked up your season
The only good thing you had was Cutler but it’s OK cuz it’s time for the Raiders To take over again anyway.
This year it comes down to....Who Wants It More!
BEST PART of MHR
is the varied opinions. Like our country one person’s voice is not the be all or end all here! The logic was there. even if you don’t agree with the scenario he made his point logically and soundly!
http://www.davusx.net/assets/db/la_la_land.gif
"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
by Jon Tollerud on Mar 22, 2009 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions
Um...
it took you 2 minutes to read that pretty slow. And by the way if it took you that long to read i wonder how long it took you to reply.
This year it comes down to....Who Wants It More!
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