Speculation Can Kill A Guy

So I am like most of you guys... a die-hard Bronco's fan who is completely exausted with all of the off-season drama this year.  The past several days have brought back alot of very recent memories of the Dove Valley Soap Opera that has been our offseason.... and as a fan, they wern't any memories that I really cared to re-live.

When Shanny was let go, I was completely floored... as were most of us.  I remember texting my buddy and we were both in dis-belief.  We both said that Bowlen had better go after Rex Ryan or Bill Cowher so we could focus more on our Defense.  Our analysis seemed to be flawless... we were convinced we were going after a top-notch defense oriented coach.

Then the word came that the Bronco's had hired Kid McD.  It was my buddy that texted me this time and we both had a common thought... "What the Heck?"  I was sick to my stomach.  My friend swore off the Broncos for atleast a couple of days and we both talked about how the Broncos were probably going to win about 3 games next year... and the year after that... and the year after that...

But after some time, and some research, I started to warm up to the McDaniel's hire.  I liked the way he handled himself with the press and I loved his vision for the team.  The coaching staff that he brought in under him was unbelievable... and I began to have hope once again.  I began to speculate about what Jay Cutler could become under the coaching of the guy who developed Tom Brady and Matt Cassell...  ooooohhhh bbboooyyy!

Then... well, you know what came next.  First the news that McD had entertained a trade offer for Cutler.  It was so rediculous that I didn't even really think it was true.  Then the news that Cutler was throwing a better temper tantrum than any ball he had thrown the past 3 years.  When he began demanding a trade I simply could not believe that the Bronco's would trade away our franchise QB... it just would never happen. 

This time I didn't even send a text to my friend.  I just sat at my computer looking at the headlines.  "Bronco's trade Cutler to Bears."  I imagined what it would look like to see the 09 Broncos listed right there next to the 08 Lions.  It was a pretty dark day in Broncodom...

But thanks to MHR and the reasoned analysis of those who post here... I started to find some perspective in all of my speculation.  Sure there were lots of people who were as down and out and I was... but there were others who could reasonably defend a reason for hope.  Once I got past the emotion of it all... and I could atually start to see the big picture, I slowly stepped back from the edge...

I have since learned a lot about our team and it's direction.  I am now a big fan of McDaniels and the direction he is taking the Broncos.  I love that our team is starting to think and play like a team... and that will pay huge dividends in the years to come.  I love who we have added to our team through Free Agency and the Draft and can't wait to see them on the field.    I really think that the Bronco's will be a better team in 09...

Having learned my lesson from earlier this offseason... I am trying to keep my speculation to a minimum in the BMarsh situation... or at least recognize that I don't have all the information needed to see the big picture.  Obviously, everyone in the Broncos organization... including Bowlen and McDaniels... want the team to be the very best it can be.  They have much more invested in winning than I do.  It is easy for me to sit here in my office and speculate about what the Broncos should or shouldn't do... and how they should or shouldn't handle BMarsh, but in the end... it really doesn't matter.  What happens, happens... and I am going to have to live with it... no matter how bad it kills me.

I guess that is why MHR is so valuable.  Dispite the news, and the rollercoaster ride we feel like we are on, we all kind of act like a buffer for each other.  When someone is down and only seeing one side of the issue... the rest of us can come along side and help them see the bigger picture.  If someone is living in La La Land... still others can help bring us back down to reality.  All it all, it really helps keep us away from the extreme edges of speculation because it really can kill a guy's passion for his team.

So thanks guys for helping keep all of us from the ledge this off-season.  All in all, I speculate that we are in for a very good year as a team.

Go Broncos!