On Monday, a number of guys were at Dove Valley continuing their rehab from injuries in 2008, or they were just stopping by. Today, a pair of Broncos stopped in after getting into town ahead of time for Monday’s offseason conditioning program.
Matt Prater and Brandon Stokley were hanging out down in the locker room. Both players have spent their offseason spending time with family back in their respective home states.
The kicker traveled down to Florida to enjoy time with his three brothers and the nice weather “instead of freezing out here” he said with a laugh.
“I hung out with the family back in Florida,” Prater said. “That’s pretty much it. I’ve been lifting weights, trying to stay in shape, but I took a little time off.”
One of his favorite things to do in his time off is go fishing, so he made up for lost time on the water by reeling them in with his brothers. A self-proclaimed “home body,” Prater isn’t one to do a lot of traveling. He’d rather just kick back with his family and enjoy spending time with them.
But just because he may have spent a lot of time on a boat doesn’t mean he lost touch with football completely. In fact, he had a chance to talk on the phone with a couple of guys who will play a major role in his kicking duties — special teams coordinator Mike Priefer and longsnapper Lonie Paxton.
“Coach Priefer called me a few times, and it was really nice of him to do that. We’ve stayed in touch,” Prater said. “The new longsnapper Lonie Paxton called me. It was good to hear from him, and I’m looking forward to working with these new guys.”
He has not, however, had a chance to speak with Head Coach Josh McDaniels yet, though he hopes he may be able to do so today before things get started next week.
Either way, he’s excited about getting the team back together in Dove Valley for the workouts to begin building for the 2009 season.
“I’m looking forward to these workouts, getting to see everybody,” Prater said. “Everybody’s out of town, so I’ve been bored out of my mind. But I love working out, so it will be good to get back here with the guys.”
As for Stokley, spending time with his family was the best part of the offseason as well. He traveled back to Louisiana to kick back and relax with his wife and kids.
“I’ve really enjoyed the offseason. I’ve had a lot of time to relax, play golf and hang out with the family,” Stokley said. “I pretty much just went down to Louisiana and hung out down there. I didn’t do too much. That’s always really nice. I think it’s key to kind of rejuvenate yourself. Once you come back here, you’re ready to work and concentrate on football. But that time is good to just get away from everything and get your focus back.”
Like Prater, he has had a chance to speak with some of his coaches. He hasn’t yet started digging into the new offense that McDaniels will be implementing though. But he’s excited about getting to work on it and all the new things the Broncos will be doing in 2009.
As for the workouts set to begin Monday, the 11-year veteran has a slightly different take. When asked if he’s looking forward to the start of the conditioning program, he shook his head and smiled.
“Not very much at all,” he said with a laugh. “That first week is always really tough. You get really sore, so I’m not really looking forward to that part too much. After that first week, you get into a good routine and get the soreness out, but you’ve got to start somewhere.”
Mostly he’s just looking forward to spending time with his teammates again.
“Being around all the guys is the best. Starting off fresh, new and everybody has that same goal. We’ll be working hard to reach that goal, and that’s what it’s all about.”
– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: 2009, Adam Zinser, Brandon Stokley, Josh McDaniels, Lonie Paxton, Matt Prater, Mike Priefer, Offseason
I really just dont like this out of ALL the teams in the NFL I have ALWAYS hated the Patriots with a passion! I like what McD has done some what but as far as saying tony and jay aren’t best for his system….c’mon these guys are some of the best and they are young they can fit any system in the nfl. That really bothered me when he said that….if he was a good coach he could coach those guys and I really dont think they need it…tony is a beast and jay is good and I thought that he might make jay better…..I mean they keep on talking oh Tom Brady went out and he coached cassell who has always been a back up to be a top qb dang if thats true why can’t he teach someone with Jay’s skills to be a lot better and sometimes your SYSTEM should fit and play to your players strengths! I also read somewhere that someone said he wasn’t afraid to go to the bench….well that isn’t always the best and hardly ever works out he got lucky that cassell had those players to play with….me myself didn’t see why they would think cassell was better than jay…..McD said I basically raised Cassell up from nothing like he was a project…..if cassell was really that good why hasn’t he started in college?! If I was to interview for the HC job and got it I would be excited to coach Jay Cutler….come on McD told Jay one of the main reasons he came to denver was to coach Jay…..and McD knew that cassell would be gone from ne before next season because come on brady was starting this year…..I love you guys and I know I am hard headed but come on I am mad that someone from ne just came and messed this really good team up that I had high hopes for and thought this was the next team to get us a sb win…L8ter
has anybody heard if Cutler has reported to OTAs? I heard he sold his house in Parker? Is it true we’re making a run @ Brady Quinn??? if anybody has any solid intel I would like to hear it. punches n bunches
You know we’ve been waiting for a QB ever since Elway retired. Now, we found one, a really good one, and now the coaches gone pissed him off something fierce and he wants to leave. I’m sorry but to see this happen makes me really wonder if we’ll have a good season this year. I was excited and concerned to see what would happen this next season. Excited to win but concerned that this very scenario would happen. Well if we do get rid of Cutler who do we get? I’ll tell ya either a washed up old vet that will maybe get us a winning season, or a young guy that we have to wait another 4 seasons to have a chance at Super Bowl let alone post season play. I was one of the Shanny supporters. I thought that we should have kept him and let him do some more things with the team and the coaching staff with some house cleaning. Problem was he wouldn’t and that’s some of the reason he is gone. I wanted some house cleaning, ya know get the cob webs out, dust a little. Instead we have now a move on the brink of catastrophe. I know McDaniels wants to make this his team. But he is really stepping on the toes of the team and of the fans. But I’m not on the staff, I don’t make the decisions. We have to live with whatever McDaniels does. I bet Shanny is just sitting back laughing at what McDaniels is doing. I bet if Cutler goes somewhere else, Shanny will try to go there next season to get a coaching job. I just hope that this works out in the fan’s favor.
I guess when you pull the carpet out from under your organization, you best not be standing on it.
Pat Bowlen ruined my Winter.
OK.. nobody try fool themselves.. without Cutler, this team is nothing close to a playoff team. PERIOD!
Nobody try fool themselves thinking someone like Quinn or Simms can lead this team to a playoff run, cause thats just a pipe dream. PERIOD!
Nobody try fool themselves by saying, oh McDaniels knows how to win he’s a winner.. one question: which team did he win with before??? oh wait the wil Belichuk.. NOT MCDANIELS!!
I’ll say it again, McDaniels has been a cancer to the team and its really starting to spread, this off-season has made me sick since day 1 and its really testing my faith towards the team (something i thought i would never say)
Archangel77: Nice post at 2:15am. Well said. Lets hope that they can get over it and get together. Maybe the whole team can watch ‘The Parent Trap’ together this morning.
Monodono: On the James (Bus) Cook issue..I agree. I am sure there is a ton that goes on behind the scenes and agents whispering into the ears of talent. Cutler needs to step up to say I am here for the players, the Team and the fans of Denver and not let his agent ruin his reputation. Isn’t that the quality of a leader? Standing up for what you believe in?
If Cutler can’t be a leader and suck it up a little for his team in the off-season, is he the guy we want down the stretch, in the playoffs, when we are down 8 points in the last few minutes of the 4th quarter? All the talent in the world won’t make up for heart when the heat is on.
That Said, I sure hope that Jay sticks around and proves me wrong this year.
ORANGE CRUSH!!!
this is so stupid. we just lost the next great quarterback, just cuz mcD wants to be all like belichick, cut throat n dont give a crap about any player. i know the nfl is a business and everyone will get traded around, but look at coaches like shanny, bill cowher and now tomlin. they loved n cared for their players, and therefore build a trust with them. i mean i know cutler is taking this way too far, but he has a point.
this is the big thing – i dont know about the rest of u guys but i would much rather play for a coach that cares about me, than a coach that doesnt give a crap if im traded or not.
cutler said he hung around denver hoping the coach would call him and meet him for lunch? he had the oppurtunity to talk one on one with the coach and deciced to bring along “the crook” with him so why would should the coach call you after grow up cutler meet the man without your agent on your back and sort this out
the way the offseason turns , i’m starting to really miss M Sh .08 team was not so far : we beat the falcons at their home !! yes the D was at best inconsistent but we saw flashes of brilliance ( At Atlanta ) .Mike , well , he was a master at coaching offenses and he needed help on defense but the blame is not on his lone shoulders , some bad decisions were made ( free agents ,high draft picks ), injuries at key positions .as for Cutler , when the the D was not burned game long , he won .I can’t remember a game he lost by himself , yes he made mistakes but trailing from the start whith no running game , there’s very few QB who doesn’t make mistakes .Now it seems we’re gonna start in a totally different direction : if Jay is traded who’s gonna be the QB ? Brady Quin ?? Why the Brown would trade him ??A rookie ? See you in 2 or 3 season then .And our TE ,, When healthy , he was one of the best at his position !!
Hopefully this all story turns out good for the BRONCOS .
I think now is the time to trade Cutler. If they make him stay and he just sits the bench his value will go down. If a trade has to happen, now is the time, when he is worth something to a lot of teams. I just dont think this thing will ever be mended. Its time for broncos to cut their losses and move on.
cutler was a chicken on saturday bringing his agent, he had his chance to meet coach one on one and wussed out
Man im pissed with jay for this. like i know mcdaniels was somewhat in the wrong for the way he approached things but its still a business. nd for all u fans and bloggers who say that it doesnt matter cuh hes proven himself are full of yourselves. because the Nfl analyst (who have been in the league and kno wut its all about) say the same thing “A business”. Now he wants out well, him leave. im losing so much respect for him right now. Its upsetting. I know tht this is the workings of Bus Cook wit his punk a#$ i kno hes been in jays ear since day one. He needs to STFU before he gets Jays a#$ sent to Detroit. Bcuz i highly doubt the broncs are gonna send him to a team like the bears whos only missing 1 significant piece to get em to the superbowl. Both these guys are making big mistakes but jay is making a bigger one. Well see what happens, but if he leaves i wont be disappointed anymore. Bcuz ive lost an extent of Respect for him. Its unfortunate but its true
Plus if Mcdaniels is gonna trade Jay he better get a bunch of stuff in return im tlkin
09 1st nd 3rd round nd a ’10 1st rounder for Jay.
philip rivers said it best about cutler he’s a punk a little b**tch he is the one making this situation horrible, i’d trade him and cut my loss. he is the T.O. of the QBs in this leauge
I agree 100 precent cultercountry08 he is f’n up this whole situation and maybe it will be better for the broncos in the long run if he goes good riddens to a guy that is all talk at this point, he wants a one on one and brings his agent he’s an imature p*ssy and needs to be put in check, champ was the best in the leauge when he was traded as they said on espn.
ONE ON ONE but i am going to bring my agent….. why would anyone bring their agent to talk to their coach? MORE MONEY. thats why MAC had to bring in xanders TO TALK CONTRACT
cutler get a new agent. and putting your OTHER house on the market BEFORE you had the meetings was the wrong order to do it. you get mad then sell your house not sell your house then get mad.
What a mess, I am really tired of all of it, I need a break, see you guys in September.
The bottom line is, McD should have been totally upfront with Cuter on the 28th of Feb about the trade talks. He wasn’t.
Cutler should have gone into the meeting one on one with McD and not left the room until it was hashed out. He didn’t.
Jay could’ve taken the opportunity here to be the bigger man by showing up today and telling the coach, the owner and the players that he’s here to win, period. Whatever it takes. If McD wants to trade him, so be it. If McD wants him to play QB then he’s going to give everything he’s got.
That attitude would’ve showed he’s the bigger man and actually puts his teammates first over his own personal squabble, which I agree is justified. I would’ve been pissed too with the lying from McD about the trade.
At some point you have to be a bigger man and put it behind you for the sake of the team and Jay chose not to do that. I was 100% behind Jay up to this point and now I say let him go.
I hope they look at Brady Quinn and trade Cutler for him and swap first round picks. To me, that is the only viable solution and gives us the best chance to win this year and build for the future at the same time.
Otherwise, Jeff Garcia or maybe Leftwich can still get it done while we look for the next franchise QB.
What a MESS!!!! Thanks Jay.
Go Broncos!!!
Hey, Cutler to the Bills. LOL!
I would love to see Jay and T.O. go at it on the sideline!
I agree Cutler has great skills but his attitude keeps him from being the best he can be if we do trade him we have to get both of Detroits first round picks or a veteran Q.B. someone like McNabb maybe with one of Phillys first round picks.
Ok, this is what is HAS to going to happen! McD messed things up with our franchise qb. He has been screwing up a few things and leaving people with a lot of ?’s. Here is a link that I found on CBS4DENVER that is really interesting and makes you wonder a little bit!
http://cbs4denver.com/broncos/trade.cutler.denver.2.960109.html
Now to what HAS to happen part! I know where Jay is coming from in this situation. I explain it more in the billions of posts before this one if you scroll up the page! McD has to tell him what he wants to hear and/or give him a new contract. In other words, McD has to show Cutler that he is FULLY committed to him and if not then trust me my fellow bronco fans. CUTLER IS GONE!! This is the only thing that HAS to happen! If McD doesnt do this, Cutler will not respond and he will show McD no respect and will continue to not want to be in Denver. I understand his choice, if it happened to any one of us and we had the talent that Jay has, wed be the same way. I mean think about it, McD tells the press “Jay Cutler is OUR qb and he is NOT being traded…PERIOD” You know, its funny, he tells the media this but whenever Cuter and McD meet on Saturday, he doesnt say ANY of this to Cutler, not even anything that means he wants Cutler to remain on the team. My fellow bronco fans, McD is tearing this team apart, we couldve honestly had another superbowl ring in the next 2-3 years but now it could easily be around 15 or more. But please, EVERYONE, understand what is going on here and please see how McD is tearing this team done. In the article I posted a few lines above, he even has his OWN PLAYERS questioning his moves and actions!!!
LETS ALL PRAY FOR OUR BRONCOS!
this whole thing with jay and his agent smells just like bobby humphries and his agent….or ain’t none of you guys old enogh to remember that mess…
McD should write a book titled “How to destroy a team in 2 months”. Denver won`t win 2 games this season. How sad…..
I AM JACKS COMPLETE LACK OF SUPRISE. Bus Cook is useing Cutlers Fans for leverage!
lostfan, I remember Bobby Humphries and your right. This is all about getting paid!
S.D.bronco30, you made some good points about the facts but if Cutler was commited to being a Bronco He would’ve been at the meeting commited to the Broncos, Thats what this meeting was for to show commitment.
broncosfrance, did you see the KC game? 4 turnovers, or how about The Miami game 3 turnovers, or the Jacksonville 3 turnovers, how about that N.E. game 5 turnovers. I’m not saying Jay lost them Himself but He had His hand in those losses.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
Some of you fans please go back to Oakland. Jay is nothing more than todays version of Jeff George. We call Phillis Rivers a baby but our QB is the freakin biggest I have ever seen. Please ship his #$$ to detroit for 2 extra picks. Actions speak louder than words and its clear Jay wanted out from the begining. McD has allready won with a backup and I guess he will have to do it again.
What part did some of you miss when McDaniels finally coughed up I was looking to get Cassell. Jay had a right to be pissed when he was lied to by McDaniels and continued to lie till he had no other option. The Broncos team as far as offense needed a little tweaking and that was it, the offense didn’t need a 16 Mil dollar QB. That is what underlies the whole problem! Bowlen is stuck between a rock and a hard place, he has to back up McDaniels. He is the head coach so if he doesn’t keep Jay in line he loses the locker room. THe only sure fire thing to do is either pay Cutler and tell him to shut up and play, or tell him to shut up and play because you are not going anywhere or trade him and hope the hell they get someone that can try to be the qb. I like Jay but something has got to be done to fix this mess. McDaniels has to remember that this will follow him for the rest of his career. If he trades Jay and the offense sucks he will be hoping Bowlen fires him, just so he can safely get out of town! The issue of signing a new contract seems to be fairly obvious to me, Cutler’s pay pales in comparison to what Cassell is making and nobody knowes if he is worth that much! Jay just wants to be compensated for his skills and to not pay that just to get a back up player and start searching for something you already have seems stupid to me!
It is in the broncos best interest to pay Cutler and have him stay here in Denver. That is how you will show him that you are fully committed at him being our quarterback and show that you respect him. Mcd got us all into this mess and it should be him, NOT JAY, to fix it! There are no other quarterbacks out there right now that can take us to a superbowl, CUTLER CAN! Jay has DEFF. earned a raise/new contract and I think he should deff. get one!
And of course if you do give Cutler a new contract and a new deal and mend things, we can also get Sheffler back, because Cutler and him are really close friends and if Cutler goes, I bet money, Sheffler goes too!
JOSH MCDANIELS HAS NOT WON 1 GAME AS A HEAD COACH, BILL BELICHUK WON WITH A BACK-UP, NOT MCDANIELS!! Im tired of hearing, oh McDaniels did it in N.E… NO HE DIDNT!! besides the patroits have the most talent on offense in the league, we’ll see how well Cassel does in KC this year
The Broncos will not Die if Cutler is gone.
It’s not rocket science. Cutler is not coachable, therefore needed replaced. So then why not Cassell be your first option? Belichick knows what half of you negative minded fake Bronco fans don’t. That is McD knows how to win and help build a franchise. He filled some weak spots like our safeties…my god who can argue that? Belichick knew we were 1 Matt Cassell away from the new dynasty in DENVER. So he opts out of a first round draft pick for some 2nd round know body and tosses him to K.C. after they franchised the guy? What does that say if a guy like Belichick is willing to go to those lengths, he must have a lot of fear I mean confidence in McDaniels. Now McDaniels has to stand his ground or no player in that locker room will respect him. What is supposed to do? Kiss Cutler butt? Change his diaper? Be real.. this is meant to be, have some faith or stay off the wagon when were kicking butt next year!! Go Cutler!! I mean BRONCOS!!!!!!!
I HATE to tell you Broncolessinseattle…
If we trade Cutler, I promise you, we WILL NOT do good next year! There is NOBODY out there right now to replace Cutler. Cutler was astounding last year and we would be a feared team this year if we keep Cutler and with how our Defense is improving!!
1. Why is Cutler not coachable, all I’ve seen on the field is a guy who is competitive and always wants to win
2. Stop praising Cassel, he’s done nothing to be thought of as this super-great QB, one year on a team that was 18-1 last year doesnt prove much to me in my eyes.
3. All McDaniels had to do was show some faith and confidence in Jay, and McDaniels doesnt have to stand his ground, as of right now the locker room is most likely divided over not having the captain of their offence with them.. 3rd time I’ve said this, McDaniels is a cancer
Another thing, anyone who this Cassel is a better QB than Cutler shoudl really get their eyes and head checked, its not even close
thinks**
I can respect that wildace69. All I am saying is I feel positive about moving forward without Jay…You don’t. All I ask is when the wagon gets rolling, stay off!! And don’t say I didn’t tell ya so
Jay I found you a link to a site you may want soon.
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1790-Job-Search-5-Ways-to-Battle-Job-Search-Rejection/?sc_extcmp=JS_1790_spotlight&SiteId=cbmsnsl41790&ArticleID=1790>1=23000&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=a80d1dbc570449658b1b357bb19b863b-290534426-JR-5
please Cutler is awful!!! holds the ball low…dosent look off receivers…and puts to much on every throw!! Give me a break I never said Cassell was better just abetter fit for the system. You robots watch to much sportscenter!!!! Franchise qb my butt. If that was the case why try and trade him?
lynch4prez well stated. so reverse the names and see what you said. the broncos have the most talent on offence in the league, we’ll see how curler does in ‘whereever’ this year. jay played with some of the best around IMO but only time will tell. if jay comes back we will be a good team next year. if jay is still pissed and wants to stay at home next year we will be in for another 8-8 season. B/C our D is going places.
I hope your right about our D.. but nothing this year has been different from the last few.. 1) we got a new D- coordinator 2) signed a bunch of F.A’s.. its been that way the last 3 years
Ok, I have been a DIEHARD Denver fan for all of my life. Never any other team. Ive supported them through the most terrible of times. IM SAYING, WE HAVE A QUARTERBACK THAT WE HAVE SHOWED THAT WE LOVE HIM AND HAVE SHOWED THE MOST RESPECT FOR AND THEN THE COACHING STAFF DOES THIS TO HIS AND TREATS HIM LIKE HES GARBAGE!!! Whether Cutler goes or not, ill always be a diehard bronco fan, but you dont get someone as sincere and diligent and such a leader in a team and then run him off for no reason!! McD has had PLENTY of chances to change this and he HASNT!!! Face it, we have gotten some pretty good players in the free agency, but if Cutler goes, we will be struggling for a long time! You should know that keeping Cutler is in the Broncos best interest in this team! He loves Denver just as Mike Shanahan did! If you were TRULY a fan you should know that!
I SAY WE ALL PROTEST THIS TERRIBLE THING THAT THE COACHES HAVE DONE TO OUR QUARTERBACK, ITS WRONG AND SHOULDNT BE ALLOWED!!!
there is one differance the man that picked them. i liked shanny but look at what he did over the last 3 years. starting with a team that was 8 and 4 headed to the platoffs. look at the people he let go. elam ect. look at the ones he brought in ‘the browns’ IMO i think we will have a evry good D this year.
I’m new to this, but here goes. How many times in the last three years have we been involved in a squabble between the Head Coach and the franchise QB? I believe that Jay Cutler could be one of the best Quarterbacks in NFL history, that is if he could get over his tantrum and just be a player who realizes that he could learn from Coach McDaniels.
SDBronco30..I might be with ya on this…Too much B.S going on…l
aSharpeIdea_84 Says:
March 16th, 2009 at 1:15 pm on COOPS Blog
Check out this article. It says here that Cutler was not happy when Shanahan was fired and then really wanted to be let go when they fired Bates and he took the USC job.
STOP supporting him until he shows up and puts the team first. If he doesn’t, then let him go and let’s support BRONCO NATION!!
http://www.thejetsblog.com/2009/03/16/follow-up-on-cutlers-situation/
monodono Says:
March 16th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
GREAT LINK! aSharpeIdea, maybe some of these blind Cutler/Crook suporters will see what Jets Fans are saying
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
yo what up Broncos Country? eveyone seems to be worried ’bout the Cutler issue. “Who’s going to be our QB if we trade the “all-star” Cutler?” What happened in New England last year? Didn’t McD take a virtual unknown QB=Cassel and make him a starter in the NFL? who heard of Cassel before ’08? Nobody. I say we trade Cutler ASAP. I think the reason McD is so bold about his decisions is that he sees something in Simms that we don’t. maybe this kid can play?! Maybe he will work in the system that McD will implement?! Cutler is a pre-madonna. Cassel managed the game. I know he struggled in Sept-Oct. I’m sure Simms will too. But…we have an Amazing OL+hopefully our RB’s will step up. I think they will. We have a superstar young WR in Royal. Proven (unless he’s suspended for 4-8 games) stud in BMarsh. Graham is a leader+worker. I think our O will be bine w/out Cutler. Cutler will be a cancer in the locker room. He will get his buddy-Sheffler (great young TE) and will divide the O from the coaching staff. Time to let go of bad baggage. Move on in ’09!!! am I right or am I right?! Punches n Bunches
welcome, tjnartw. only once and that was with jay,jake and shanny. makes me stop and think ‘why did shanny pull jake’? was there some- let me try, i am better, being wispered in a ear?
maybe jay should sit out a year and follow shanny to his new team next year
Welcome tjnartw, good points keep’m coming.
if it were up to me i would keep him on the team and make him earn his money (two-a-days) while sitting on the bench as a 3rd string qb. but that won’t happen.
we need to remind ourself that just becouse he wants out, Pat may not let him go.