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Free love: Cutler’s return to Denver

It’s just a preseason game, but Jay Cutler’s return to Denver tomorrow pits a cranky, irritated fanbase against a punkish, moody quarterback–who used to be their punkish, moody quarterback. For the Bears, it’s a third preseason game–then get out of town. For the Broncos, and their fans, it cuts deeper. Beyond crushing Cutler and ending his season with a mind-blowing concussion, it’s just a game of sticks and stones–the Broncos fans still have to enter 2009 with Kyle Orton at quarterback (doubt many Bears fans are ringing their hands over that reunion).

It seems like a bear would rather spend time in Colorado than Chicago--but that would make too much sense, of course.

Moreover, Denver has bigger fish to fry than Cutler. The “sense of entitlement” void left by Cutler was immediately filled (and then some) by Brandon Marshall, perhaps the most tedious player west of Ochocinco. Josh McDaniels, who has been bathed in drama since taking the job, took a stand in suspending the flagrantly lazy, diva-like Marshall–and it may have earned back his respect with the team.

If something doesn’t feel right in Denver–beyond the exodus of star power–it may be the fact that the team’s schedule includes the Patriots, Steelers, Colts, and the NFC East. Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, however, is not dismayed, at least openly. He told the Denver Post’s Mike Klis, “I’m really optimistic about — not so much we’re going to win 12 games or anything like that — but optimistic that we’re going to be a good football team,” Bowlen said. “I like what I see. I’m really happy with my staff and the coaches. I’ve got to know most of them pretty well. I’ve watched how they interact — it’s a good buzz going around this upstairs floor.”

We wonder if the state’s rich supply of Coors could have something to do with that.