Cutler successfully pushing trade closer
While most of the NFL news cycle is slowing to a halt, McJayGate only picked up steam over the weekend. To recap: McDaniels and Cutler met Saturday, it didn't go well from Cutler's angle, and now he's skipping off-season conditioning and formally requesting a trade. Josh McDaniels has taken the un-Belichick-like step of presenting his side of things, and seems confused by the whole deal.
"I would probably be really good for Jay, and I know he would be really good for me,. I think that's the part that's shocking to me,'' McDaniels told Peter King.
There are so many angles here. I could talk about this whole drama is a Bus Cook production, but that's taken care of beautifully here and here. I thought of making this post the top-5 most immature things Jay Cutler said this weekend (calling out your owner publicly - nice), but that strays too far from fantasy.
The big takeaway is that Cutler is inching closer to his goal: a trade. I didn't think it was possible, and still wouldn't bet on it. But it's on the table, even if cooler heads can still prevail. McDaniels makes it clear he wants to keep Cutler, but he's being put in a corner.
"He's got three years left on his contract," McDaniels said. "We're not at the point where we're going to do it now ... [But] it's probably something we're going to have to talk about. We've been trying to communicate, and I still want to try, but if that's the direction we're headed, we're going to have to talk.''
As someone attempting to acquire Cutler in a keeper league, I hate all this news. Cutler is a premier talent in any system, but a move won't help his fantasy value. He's gold in Denver with McDaniels, Brandon Marshall, and Eddie Royal. Somewhere else, like Tampa, makes his future less certain. Very little about Cutler is certain these days.
Comments
But imagine him throwing to Megatron...
Posted by: mrboma | March 16, 2009 11:03 AM
hey, someone had to take over the yearly brett favre-esque headline mantle this offseason. right?
Posted by: scott c | March 16, 2009 11:11 AM
I think it is time to discuss the fact that Bill Belicheck's disciples are all failing miserably. McDaniels can't even get to his first season without throwing the team into turmoil. I don't understand why no one is talking about how ridiculous the idea of trading Cutler for Cassel is. I'm not saying Cassel won't be successful, but on a pure talent level, Cutler's on a different level.
At this point I hope Cutler does leave because McDaniels is going to blow that program up. And with Brandon Marshall a candidate to blow himself up at any moment, Cutler may be better off somewhere else.
I think Bill Belicheck is a jerk and the only reason he is able to get away with it is that he built a solid defense and Tom Brady carried him to an early Super Bowl win in New England. Since then, he has been untouchable, much like his mentor, Parcells. But his proteges have tried using his techniques and failed. The truth is, he isn't a genius, he's a bully. And being a bully only works if everyone is scared of you. No one is scared of Josh McDaniels because he hasn't proven a thing. So his tactics rubbed Jay Cutler the wrong way and I'm sure they'll start to rub everyone else the wrong way too. Just like Mangini, Weis and Crennel before him, McDaniels is going to be a bust.
Sorry Bronco fans.
Posted by: DJOmaha | March 16, 2009 12:05 PM
The Lions could swap the #1 pick and #20 pick to the Browns for the #5 pick, #36 pick, and Brady Quinn. (This would allow the Browns to select Aaron Curry and a QB.)
Brady Quinn probably doesn't have enough value to close the draft value gap, but one of the two LTs is likely to still be there at 5. The Lions would get their guy and save millions and millions (an obvious win-win).
The Lions could then trade Quinn and the #33 or #36 pick to the Broncos for Jay Cutler.
This would still leave the Lions with an early second round pick to deal with whatever they see as their next biggest hole.
An even better scenario would have the Lions signing Orlando Pace, moving Backus inside, and drafting Crabtree. Having Megatron and Crabtree would be like have a super-charged version of Larry Fitzgerald and a super-charged version of Anquan Boldin. Cutler throwing to those guys would be a virtual lock for 5000 yards and 35 TDs for the next 10 years. Not only have the Cardinals shown that's a recipe for success, you can guarantee that would re-fill the Lions new (and recently empty) stadium.
Posted by: The Dude Abides | March 16, 2009 05:02 PM
Why would the lions take another first rd WR? They haven't exactly had great success so far, and they have far greater needs than adding more toys.
Posted by: Michk | March 16, 2009 06:14 PM
Cutler and a few draft picks to KC for Cassell. It's going to happen. Just wait and see.
Posted by: KC | March 16, 2009 09:04 PM
McDaniel's was a fool for trying to trade for Cassell! He is not a proven commodity, had questionable arm strength. Cutler has had success and need to mature emotionally, but with his skills (best arm in the NFL)and young age (25)he is far superior to Matt freaking Cassell.
Posted by: Mike James | March 17, 2009 08:39 AM