McDaniels, Cutler relationship is on the clock
DANA POINT, Calif. -- The moment was coming, and I, for one, couldn't wait to see it. Life gives us these ironic moments, and we eat them up.
This one involved new Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who was forced to hold up a Broncos throwback jersey Tuesday here as part of the planned 50-year celebration of the AFL's birth.
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| McDaniels and Cutler: Have you tried counseling? (AP) |
No. 6. The name on the back: Cutler. Somebody has a great sense of humor.
As he held the jersey high for a photographer, McDaniels chuckled, something he didn't do a lot of during a prior rapid-fire, hour-long session with the media at the AFC coaches breakfast.
McDaniels has been relatively quiet the past month after word leaked out that he and the Broncos were considering trading 25-year-old franchise quarterback Jay Cutler. The talk was McDaniels was interested in bringing in Matt Cassel, who he coached in New England. He didn't deny that such talk existed Tuesday.
"I think the biggest thing is, there were conversations that took place right around free agency opening, the first day," McDaniels said. "Those conversations never really got too far. The player that was being discussed was traded to another team. We were busy trying to do a lot of things to improve our football team at that time. And then obviously things started to get out and people started to say things, this and that.
"I think the big thing is we have to communicate going forward to try and get to a resolution."
The trade talk has caused tension between coach and quarterback, which has made for an early firestorm for a coach in his first head job. This, remember, is a 32-year-old coach who has never been a head coach, not even at the Pop Warner level.
The situation made his table the one of most interest at this year's AFC breakfast, getting surrounded by the media. Last year, it was his former boss, Bill Belichick, who had the media swarming his table as he discussed Spygate. This time it was his pupil.
McDaniels, ready for the fight, was the first coach to show at the breakfast. He was also well prepared and polished. Not once did he get angry.
My strong belief is that McDaniels and the Broncos were being foolish in thinking they should trade Cutler. He's a top-10 quarterback, with a chance to be a top-5 guy. You don't trade that type of player away. Ever.
"He's our quarterback," McDaniels said Tuesday.
For now. He went on to say that Cutler isn't untouchable.
"I think I would be contradicting myself if I said that. Like I said, he's our quarterback. We're committed to him and we will always do what's in the best interest of our team. That's why we're talking about this right now because there was a scenario that was presented that was considered. I'm not going to fall back from that."
You think Belichick is fielding offers for Brady? Or Bill Polian is taking trade calls for Peyton Manning?
Cutler isn't in that class, but he is a real franchise passer. And you certainly don't trade him away for a player that the Patriots were actually considering cutting last preseason. The perception is that all things being equal, McDaniels preferred Cassel to Cutler.
I asked him if that was right or wrong. The response was terse.
"That's wrong because it's not an apples for apples situation," he said.
Yeah, one apple is ripe. The other isn't -- yet.
Last week I asked a head coach who had faced both Cutler and Cassel to evaluate which one was better.
"It's not even close," the coach said. "Cutler is much better. The other guy played well against us, but Cutler is far more polished. He's a franchise passer. We're not sure the other guy is."
Cutler and McDaniels have talked twice to try and patch up the troubles, but the one face-to-face meeting between the two was not a one-on-one deal. Bus Cook, Cutler's agent, and several members of the Broncos, including owner Pat Bowlen, were in the room.
It needs to be just Cutler and McDaniels, which McDaniels said he prefers.
"It can take place anywhere," McDaniels said. "If it's Nashville (Cutler's hometown), it's Nashville. If it's Denver, it's Denver. If it's Bermuda, it's Bermuda. It needs to take place."
Cutler isn't without fault here, either. He skipped the team's first meeting last week and will not take part in the voluntary offseason program, forfeiting a $100,000 workout bonus. He is expected to take part in the mandatory camps.
Cook has to be pushing his buttons too. There's no way a kid can make these kinds of decisions without the push of an agent. Cutler is coming off a breakout season, and he's being considered as trade material. I'd be angry too.
"I do understand his position," McDaniels said.
But at some point, these two need to get in a room, lock the door, and work out their troubles. McDaniels needs Cutler and Cutler needs to learn the new system.
"I understand there are things we have to work on toward fixing our relationship, but I'm optimistic about those things and where it's going to go," McDaniels said. "As long as we are both committed to each other, then he absolutely will be our quarterback."
At least until a good trade offer comes his way. McDaniels said he hasn't spoken to any teams about Cutler, but there are teams that have interest. Why wouldn't they? If I'm the Detroit Lions general manager, I'm making that call. If I'm the New York Jets or Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I'm making that call.
Maybe McDaniels and personnel man Brian Xanders are stupid enough to trade Cutler away. Why not take a chance if they are?
If it happened, that No. 6 jersey would be a collector's item. And it might be the undoing of this young coach.
