13
Nov
2009
Jay Cutler makes Josh McDaniels look like a genius
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
When the Chicago Bears made the trade for Pro Bowl QB Jay Culter, everyone – and I mean everyone – said that they got the best of the Denver Broncos in the deal. I mean, Cutler for Kyle Orton and a few draft picks?!? Experts across the land destroyed Josh McDaniels for making such a foolish, rookie move, and most felt that Cutler would flourish in Chicago, while the Broncos would flounder under questionable leadership. Fast forward to 7 months later, and all of the sudden, Josh McDaniels looks like the smartest man ever to walk the face of the earth.
Cutler threw 5 interceptions in last night’s 10-6 loss to the 49ers, including one on the final play that ended a potential game-winning drive by the Bears. And there could have been more. The loss takes the Bears to 4-5 on the season, and brings Cutler’s season total to a league-leading 17 interceptions, on pace to break Peyton Manning’s record of 28 in one year. Meanwhile, Orton has thrown just 4 INTs so far this year, and the Broncos are leading the AFC East at 6-2.
But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Sure, Cutler said all the right things after the game, but you can just tell that he’s breaking down mentally on the field. He looks uncomfortable out there, and his decision making process has been atrocious. Plus, the Bears offense seems intent on having Cutler throw to his check-down receiver on almost every play, instead of utilizing the big arm he’s famous for to try and stretch the field a bit. It seems like a bad fit all-around, and it’s only a matter of time before the team starts cracking under the weight of Cutler’s performance.
So, at least at the mid-season point, it sure looks like the Broncos got the better of this deal. And this just in: Cutler got picked off yet again at breakfast this morning.
11
Nov
2009
ReadAndReact Mid-Season NFL Awards
Yep, it’s that time of year again! Time for bloggers and sportswriters across the land to create meaningless mid-season NFL awards lists!
And who are we to buck the system? If nothing else, this exercise allows us to take a step back to examine the first 9 weeks of action, and heap accolades on those whose performances have set them apart from the pack thus far (in either a good or not-so-good way).
So without further adieu, here they are, the inaugural ReadAndReact Mid-Season NFL Awards:
Why yes, the crow does taste fine. Thanks for asking (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
MVP: Brett Favre, MIN - As much as we hate to admit it, the old man has been the difference maker in Minnesota, and is the main reason they’re sitting atop the NFC central. So far. It’s mainly about the attitude he brings, and the belief the rest of his teammates now have in their chances. But so far, Favre has put up excellent numbers (16TDs vs 3 INTs), and shows no signs of slowing down. But then, we were saying the same thing about Favre and the Jets at this point last year. We’ll see how the arm holds up come week 16.
Coach of the Year: Josh McDaniels/Mike Nolan, DEN – in a total shocker to everyone in the league, McDaniels has come into Denver and changed the team culture in record time, leading the team out to a fast 6-0 start. And Nolan’s defense – currently 3rd in the NFL in Total Yds/Gm, and 1st in defensive touchdowns (8 so far) – has been the main reason for their success.
Still pointing at us (Photo: C. Schneider/AP)
Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, NO – I’m taking Brees over Peyton Manning here, mainly because we’ve come to expect this sort of ruthless efficiency from Peyton, but Brees seems to have entered a new stratosphere in 2009. He’s playing about as well as you can at the position (106 QB Rating), and has the Saints leading the NFL in total offense.
Defensive Player of the Year: Darren Sharper, NO – With a league-leading 7 interceptions (3 of them returned for TDs!), Sharper has changed the attitude of the Saints defense, and helped turn them into a force. Is it scary that a Saint is getting the award for both offense and defense? Yes, and it’s why I like the Saints to go all the way this year.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin, MIN – One of the most exciting offensive playmakers to come along in a while, Harvin is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. With 5 TDs in 8 games – 3 via reception and 2 via KO return – Harvin has challenged the Vikings coaching staff to develop more ways to get the ball into his hands.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jairus Byrd, BUF - The first-year DB has been a ball-hawking machine, with multiple interceptions in 3 consecutive games! With 7 interceptions so far, Byrd is tied for the NFL lead, and is on pace for 14 this season, which would tie an NFL record.
Continue reading after the jump for more RnR Mid-Season Awards
11
Oct
2009
Josh McDaniels Goes Nuts After the Broncos Win
This is my vote for clip of the day. A few months back, everyone was ripping Josh McDaniels apart. Today, his Broncos are 5-0, and his critics are looking for room on the bandwagon. How quickly things turn in the National Football League. Here he is pumping up the Mile High crowd after stunning Belichick and the Patriots in overtime.
4
Sep
2009
Derek Anderson to the Patriots?
As mentioned earlier today, we’ve been hearing chatter regarding a series of potential trades in the National Football League–including one that may permanently end the QB debate in Cleveland.
In the wake of the Cutler debacle, there was talk about Josh McDaniels pursuing a trade with the Browns for QB Brady Quinn. It never went down. Meanwhile, speculation about a Derek Anderson trade dates back to January 2008.
Tonight, on the eve of the 2009 season, the New England Patriots are without a solid backup for Tom Brady. With only two quarterbacks on the roster, something has to change.
There’s chatter all over the grid that Mangini’s decision to sit both Quinn and Anderson last night had a purpose: resting Quinn for the starting role in Week One, and positioning Anderson for a trade that will happen over the next 48 hours. People speculate that the Browns and Pats couldn’t be talking–the Belichick/Mangini feud would prevent that, right? Nonsense. If the deal makes sense for both coaches and both teams, the trigger will be pulled.
While Derek Anderson is far from perfect, he’s young with a cannon arm, and may appeal to Belichick in the same way Vinny Testaverde did in 1993, when Belichick made the decision to release Bernie Kosar, much to the horror of the entire city. (People forget that Vinny wasn’t even healthy when Bernie was cut, but he figured into the coach’s plans for 1994, and he helped lead the Browns to an 11-5 season and their most recent playoff win–over Bill Parcells and the Patriots, of all teams.)
Derek Anderson recalls, in some ways, the imperfect--but dangerous--skillset of Vinny Testaverde.
People ripped on Vinny for his perceived lack of intelligence–and his knack for throwing costly interceptions. Belichick loved his arm, and fawned over his athleticism. Inherent to Anderson are some of those same strengths and weaknesses–when he thinks too much, and gets tight, he suffers. When he’s loose (we’ve said before that he should drink about three beers before every game), the guy just guns the ball all over the field. Anderson can be frustrating beyond comprehension–but he’s downright dangerous when he’s on. Besides, he’s toiled on a team that’s been in flux since the Reagan era. What would happen to Anderson under the guidance of Belichick and the Patriots? It’s a scary thought.
DEVELOPING…
3
Sep
2009
NY Giants private jet lands in Colorado = interest in Brandon Marshall?
The NY Giants private jet is definitely on a runway. Somewhere. Could be Jersey for all we know. (Photo: fm1043thefan.com)
UPDATE: Mike Garofolo of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that the appearance of jet with a NY Giants logo on it on Wednesday had nothing to do with Brandon Marshall, and that the Giants have never used a team plane in personnel matters:
In talking with folks in the know Thursday, I’m told the plane was not there as part of a meeting between any team officials and Marshall. Plus, a team spokesman said the Giants do not own a private plane.
So, there you go.
____________________________________
OK, take this for what it’s worth, but Sportsradio 104.3 The Fan in Denver posted this cell phone photo of what they’re claiming to be the NY Giants private jet on the runway of Jefferson County Airport in Colorado on Wednesday.
The presumption here is that this means the Giants are talking with the Broncos about WR Brandon Marshall, and that a possible trade deal is imminent. While Denver head coach Josh McDaniels remains adamant that they aren’t talking to anyone about trading Marshall, it’s clear that Marshall wants out, and the Broncos would do well to at least get something in return for their troublesome star.
Most recently, the rumors were that Denver was in talks with the Jets, and that they wanted LB David Harris as part of the deal. Which begs the question, since the Jets and Giants share a stadium, do you think the Jets might also be borrowing the Giants plane for this trip?
Look, this is nothing more than an unsubstantiated rumor, and until there’s official news of a contract, there’s not really much to say here. But if the Giants do have interest in Marshall, I would be very surprised. It would go against everything Jerry Reese and the Maras believe in terms of the type of person they want for their ball club. They didn’t just cut one headache (Burress) to replace him with another.
2
Sep
2009
Former Patriot Assistants trip over themselves trying to claim Kevin O’Connell
Kevin O'Connell could reunite with Josh McDaniels in Denver
When the Patriots released back-up QB Kevin O’Connell on Monday, it seemed clear that at least one of Belichick’s former staffers would make a play for the 2008 3rd round choice. With the recent injury to Kyle Orton and presence of his former OC Josh McDaniels, Denver seemed like the most obvious fit for O’Connell.
But according to ProFootballTalk, not one, but FOUR teams have put in a waiver claim for O’Connell: Denver, Cleveland, Detroit and the NY Jets. Both the Jets and Lions need back-ups for their rookie QBs, so those teams make sense too. Cleveland is interesting, though. They already have a QB controversy, so does this mean Eric Mangini simply wants more in-house fodder for trade talks?
Let’s face it, Belichick could release a turd, and most of his disciples would kill themselves trying to scoop it out of the toilet. So is O’Connell a real viable option at QB, or just a sign that these young head coaches are desperate, and would be happy with Belichick’s table scraps?
Interestingly, the Kansas City Chiefs haven’t made a claim for O’Connell, which means that the GM who drafted him (Scott Pioli) a year ago isn’t interested. And with an ailing Matt Cassell, that could be a statement in and of itself.
1
Sep
2009
Things get worse in Denver…
With news leaking that Kyle Orton has suffered an “open dislocation” to his finger (meaning, essentially, that the bone split the flesh, requiring an abundance of stiches), will the Broncos be willing to start the season with a backup leading the way? Potentially slated to start: 2009 sixth-round selection Tom Brandstater.
At this stage, we're rooting for McDaniels to get through the 2009 season.
Or, is it time for Josh and the boys to make a move? Assuming that Orton is not the long-term solution in Denver, will the Broncos sit patiently, or pursue a capable signal caller from another team? Perhaps Minnestota’s Sage Rosenfels or Cleveland’s Derek Anderson have been mentioned in the past, but Anderson doesn’t fit well into McDaniels system.
It would be intriguing to watch the rookie head coach start his career with a rookie signal caller. We found this video of Tom B. (Brandstater, not Brady) talking strategy:
29
Aug
2009
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.
28
Aug
2009
Brandon Marshall is now the biggest ass in the NFL
NFL Wide Receivers have been notorious for being the most self-centered, prima donna, egotistical athletes in the game. T.O. and Ochocinco have held the title for the past few years, but Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall is now staking his claim as the biggest jerkoff in the league.
Check out this news footage of Marshall at practice yesterday:
If Marshall wants to get out of Denver so badly, he’s going about it the wrong way. Throwing a temper tantrum at practice, so that every other NFL coach & owner can see just how immature he is, probably isn’t the best way to attract the interest of other teams.
Josh McDaniels really seems to have everything under control, doesn’t he? I can’t wait to see how this all plays out … should be riveting.
UPDATE: Marshall has just been suspended indefinitely by the Broncos for conduct detrimental to the team [Fanhouse]
3
Apr
2009
Broncos Fans: Welcome Back to the Weeds (Coors Light on sale)
Jay Cutler was a franchise quarterback, or at the very least that was where he was trending. The town thought he was good (he’s no Elway, but he’s better than Jake the Snake); the NFL obviously thought he was very good; and the Broncos could have spent the next 5 years plugging in anybody around him in their quest for the Super Bowl and the fans would have felt all right. For fans, having Cutler as your franchise quarterback felt just like you did as a child sleeping in the back seat while your dad drove through the rain: the car is going to stay on the road, just close your eyes and you might wake up at Uncle Super Bowl’s house. But McDaniels traded that guy away. Not having a franchise guy is like when your oldest friend in high school first gets his license and is passing other guys in one-lane school zones and smoking Parliament Lights and you get the feeling that there is a good chance you are going to end up in a fiery wreck and will soon be watching your arm smolder 10 feet away from your body through the broken windshield.
Sure, Cutler was acting like a wild brat, I get that. But why would Josh McDaniels throw your franchise to the wolves? This is your franchise guy, not some fly-by-night girlfriend. This is your wife, the mother of your children, for rich and for poor. You hold on to your franchise quarterback like you do your wife: you make it work, you get down on your knees as you make promises, you massage their feet, you take them out to dinner, and hang out with their parents, you do everything you can to keep them because if you don’t you know you are going to end up in a one-bedroom apartment surround by beer cans and take-out drinking yourself to death. An NFL team can pretend all they want, but without a QB like Cutler they are out in the NFL borderlands, waist deep in the weeds, while your fans watch you in the distance bumbling through the growth, heading down paths that all lead to the same place: mediocrity. Teams die out there. And they die alone.
Cutler had taken the Broncos away from all that; the Broncos were out of the weeds, they were in that clear, magical space that NFL teams find themselves in when they have their franchise QB. NFL rosters begin and end with the guy under center, and a team without him is like putting a nice stereo in a Chevy Nova– you are not fooling anyone, you still drive a Nova. The Broncos finally had the guy to replace Elway. He was their GUY! If I’m a Bronco’s fan this morning, I feel sick because I know it could take years– decades even– to find that new guy. Ask the Buffalo Bills who are still looking to replace Jim Kelly or the 49er’s who are trying to replace Jeff Garcia (though in fact they are still trying to replace Steve Young). The boys in Dallas aren’t that far removed from Quincy Quarter and they’re not sure if they are sold on Tony Romo. The Browns have been around since 1999 and they haven’t had one single QB their fans can feel good about.
Not having a QB will suck the marrow off a fan’s bones. It will take you and slowly squeeze the life from you as you watch mediocre QB, after mediocre QB toss 4-yard passes on 3 and 8. If I am a Broncos fan I am confused. I am betrayed. I am done with Josh McDaniels who somehow can’t change the mind of a 26-year-old kid who had his feelings hurt over trade rumors, a guy who decides that Kyle Orton and his fabulous neck beard can step into John Elway’s Hall-of-Fame-sized shoes. If I am a Broncos fan, I am taking a day off from work, I am retreating to my basement, I am opening the first of 30 Coors Lights, I am staring into the dark screen of the TV, and I am wondering if it will be worth turning on this year, or next year, or ever again.
