The Broncos and quarterback Jay Cutler could never get on the same page. Now, after the blockbuster trade that occurred on Friday, April 3, Cutler is in Chicago and the Broncos are moving on with quarterback Kyle Orton, an extra first-round and third-round draft pick this year and another first-rounder in 2010.
There has been much speculation about who said what to whom and when. Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels spoke with Dave Logan and Lois Melkonian on 850 KOA’s “The Ride Home” on the day the Broncos made the trade. I wanted to share some of the questions and responses because they hit on many of the key issues in this whole saga. Part one of that interview follows.
850 KOA attempted to speak with Jay Cutler, but text messages went without response on two occasions, once before the trade and once immediately after the deal.
KOA: After you took the job, when the initial trade possibility was discussed with whomever, with Jay Cutler as a possibility, did you and the Broncos initiate that trade conversation or did other teams?
JM: We never initiated any conversations. We were busy preparing for free agency. That was where our focus was. We never had any desire and we had no plan to do anything like that (trading Cutler). The day or two before free agency opened, people started to call and initiate some conversation about entertaining a possibility of a three-way trade. We had conversations. Some were very short and there were a couple of other conversations that we actually took part in. That’s what happened. Things started happening faster on the other end (but) nothing ever came to the point where we were considering an opportunity or anything. Then the deal was done on the other side (Cassell traded to the Chiefs). We called Jay and (his agent) Bus (Cook) and let them know what happened. The communication from that point forward started to go the other way.
KOA: Would it be curious that other NFL teams would call the Broncos and ask, “We’re thinking about the possibility of maybe trying to put a package together for a guy like Jay Cutler?” With some of the other teams that have a top quarterback, do conversations like that take place a lot?
JM: I’m not sure. I would say this was a little bit of a different situation based on my history and where I’d come from. I think the entire line of speaking between some other team and our organization was based on the fact that they knew Matt Cassell had played for me in New England. I think that was the only reason that conversations took place and I think that was the only reason they felt like they might have a chance to broker some kind of a deal. But again, nothing ever got even close (to getting done) but they wanted to call and I think that’s exactly why.
KOA: At any point during this standoff, did you think about forcing the issue and making him (Cutler) sit down and talk with you?
JM: We had a conversation on the phone and he (Cutler) wouldn’t do anything without Bus Cook. We requested numerous times to have an opportunity to sit down and speak to Jay and discuss everything, whatever he wanted to talk about and some of the things we wanted to talk about. It never got to the point where they would allow the communication to go any further. It broke down to the point where (in) the last weeks he just refused to respond to anything, including (Broncos’ owner) Pat Bowlen. When you go to that length to show your displeasure, I think you’re really sending a clear message to the organization that you don’t want to play there any more.
KOA: (In) your last conversation with Jay Cutler, Bus Cook was there and (so was) Brian Xanders of the Broncos, in the sit down meeting. Did the Matt Cassell situation come up in that conversation in that room and is there a possibility Jay Cutler left that meeting (believing) that you, if given an opportunity, might still consummate a trade for Matt Cassell?
JM: There’s no way he could have left the room thinking that. We discussed what had happened. We discussed how to go forward from there. He understood exactly what had happened that couple days. He agreed and understood why there may have been some kind of connection with some other team trying to broker a three-way trade. He understood that completely. Then the meeting ended. The tone of the conversation while we were in the meeting was totally different that what it was represented afterwards.
KOA: So you left the meeting thinking this is going to work and this is going to be my quarterback?
JM: I was waiting for a phone call later that afternoon and that was clearly stated and communicated and obviously not executed.
KOA: When you took the Broncos job, when you sat down and talked with Pat Bowlen, did Pat ask you your opinion on what you thought of Jay Cutler and what direction you were going in with respect to the offense?
JM: A lot of things came up when we had discussions before I was hired and Jay was part of those discussions. But Jay Cutler was a big reason why this position was very attractive to me. As a person who has worked on the offensive side of the ball the last five years, coming to a place with a quarterback like Jay Cutler was exciting. That’s why I go back to the fact that we never initiated or we would never have any reason to initiate it (the original trade talks) because we felt comfortable with that. Pat knew what direction we were going to go. We were going to bring our system here and implement it. We have players here that can fit in comparably to the players that I’ve worked with in the past and I’m excited to work with that entire group. The conversations were all positive about that stuff and we were looking forward to doing that.
Later this week, we’ll share more from Coach McDaniels’ interview with 850 KOA.
Thanks for reading,
Mike
I do not think they should pick up a quarterback in the draft this year either. They need to concentrate on “D”. There are too many holes to fill on defense and I would like all the top picks to be on Defense. Orton and Simms will be fine this year, they both have starting experience, both can win games (expecially with a good O line and weapons).
I would not be opposed to them picking up a QB or RB in the late rounds if they find one that fits the system.
I think next year would be a better year to get a QB, there will be more options.
Think Defense First!!
Orton or Simms aren’t too bad of QBs. They certainly aren’t at the same caliber as Cutler but they are both good game managers. If we work to beef up our D I think that will help out so much with their success. I don’t know what we’ll do in the draft. I would like to see how Orton or Sims do with our new system. Maybe with the new system we can make Pro Bowlers our of them… I would really like us to pick up maybe a LB or DT/DE with our first pick, besides this isn’t a great QB draft class this year.
Oh yeah one more thing, Bus Cook is an IDIOT!!!!!!!
brian_schneider:
I agree with you, let Simms and Orton ride this year and see how they do. Evaluate them after the season and then draft a quarterback next year if needed. There is a better quarter back class next year.
Cutler is an idiot also. Cutler could not man up and meet someone face to face by himself. He had to drag his agent to every meeting. Just like a little kid who has to drag his big brother to fight for him. Jay needs to grow up and get a backbone. For a guy who talks as much as he does, he sure seems like a wuss. I can’t wait to see Jarad Allen with the Vikings knock him around a little bit.
i hope raji is there at the 12 spot, we don’t need to get a QB this year, we’re fine, Cutler will be sacked more then 11 times next year in chicago, i wish we would go after Julius Peppers, he wants out of Carilina and into a 3-4 defense system, and ironicly that’s what we have now with mike nolan, he’d be a great asset in my opinion. hope the picks we get make somewhat of an immediate impact on helping the defense dominate, cuz from the look of our schedule this year..it’s pretty rough.
I agree with every statement that has been said. Cutler didn’t answer 2 text messages from the radio station i’m sure he did the same to the calls and txts that McD and P.B. sent out. McD and P.B. both aren’t dumb… obviously they both have rings so i’m sure they know what the heck they doin. I will miss Jay’s arm but i will not miss his dumb mistakes in the RED ZONE. Everyone blames our D which did suck pretty bad but if Jay scored even half the time they got to the red zone we would have won more games. we aversaged like 500 and something yards per game. but only scored 21 ppg those 2 stats just don’t match up if you ask me. Kyle Orton is 15-2 at home (A record) and is 21-12 overall starting. He did that WITHOUT the weapons we have around him statring with th OL and moving all the way to FBs the RBs the TEs and the WRs he had who??? does anyone know?? I cant wait to see what this season on folds!!
Broncos SUPER BOWL CHAMPS 2009!!!
look at denvers WR list it has to be the best in the league. Almost any QB in this league could get an 8-8 record with this squad!
I have a feeling that the NFL world will be toughting Denver as geniuses for making the trade.
Cutler will have less numbers due to the better defense and lack of offensive support.
Orton will have a career year with the opposite of that.
I hope they draft well these next two years with those 4 1st rounders and the defense improves dramatically.
give our late first to carolina for julias peppers and a 4th round pick…that would be sick…….who cares about sanchez….id rather have chase daniels next year…he is a gamer..or even tebow…he doesnt throw pics plus is a freak and a leader….i think we could make him a star….please no sanchez…if u keep the picks go Defense..unless u can get moreno..then do he is a G
19bk90 says i agree with u bout peppers they were considering the 34th overall pick lets give them the 18th for him
I heard on NFL network we aer still tryijng to get Brady Quinn …I HOPE THIS IS TRUE…I much rather have Quinn than Orton or Simms…he has more potential….
I think I still like Orton/Simms better.Thats just me.
quinn hasnt proved n e thing but he gets hurt
Breaking News:
Jeff Garcia signs 1-year Deal with Raiers.
To read my full analysis of the signing, visit this link:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/151889-jeff-garcia-signs-with-1-year-deal-with-raiders
DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO CHANGE YOUR NAME? tired of getting harassed by little kids eating chocolate….
cutler6101 u gotta make a new account completely. ive done it 3 time
I like orton and simms also, however i do not see them as franchise QB’s The word is we will more than likely get quinn with the 18th overall pick. I think get him, have him sit behind orton ((which will more than likely start)) and kind of ease his way in a little bit. I like Quinn best just because he has the most knowledge out of the other QBS about how McDenver likes his Offense ran.
orton is still pretty young hes only been in the league 4 years he had no chance in chicago he can be a franchise qb. hes not right now but we need to wait and see not waste the 18th on a qb. send the 18th to carolina for peppers
has anybody given any thought to maybe holding off on the quarterback this year approach and wondered if we’d have a shot at mccoy or sam brandon next year?…i was just thinking that i actually like what i saw from orton considering he didn’t have a legitimate number one receiver last year and not nearly as good a line as us…simms also was coming on before that ridiculous beating he took…i figure we let the best of the two do their thing and give them a chance to succeed…as well as bring in a young gun from next years crop or this years crop if it is that much of a concern…
Im sorry I have read these blogs for days now, since all this crap has been happening with Cutler. I have been a fan for a very long time, and never have we been subject to this type of treatment. The minute we signed an O/C head coach. Something just told me this was bad…. I know we have to accept change, but come on.
Mike Shanahan had some struggles these last couple of years, but he finally found a QB to replace Elway, and dont anyone say different, tell me you all werent so excited about the possibilities,
How does McD come in here and say ” the reason he came here was because the job with cutler was so attractive” and then dont EVERYTHING you can to keep him here. This is so wrong on so many levels.
I will always be a fan, but it just wont have that same feeling anymore.
Now that Chicago has a qb like jay they will be smart and build around him. Chicago will be in good shape for years to come, I cant say that about us though…
I if we are waiting for a qb next year its all about the TEBOW…
I dont follow college football at all really other than looking at stats and videos before the draft. But I agree tebow looks pretty amazing. the reason i like this whole situation is Ortons situation. I think Orton looks like he has major upside. He has one year left on his contract, and tebow doesnt become eligible till next year. Put all those factors together and you get a perfect situation. This year we can give Orton a chance to show his stuff, if he blows us away, which he very well may do, then problem solved. If he doesn’t then chances are we had a bad season, we would not need to resign him next year, and we would have a shot at getting tebow as we would have a high draft pick. I am leaning towards him taking us to 10-6 or 9-7. anything lower than that would mean we should look at a new qb next year. Especially since it sounds like there is a lot of talent next year in the QB position coming out of the draft.
take joe ganz in the 7th let that be josh mcdaniels progect qb if we need to draft one we know what he does to late round qbs tom brady and matt cassell, should really consider knowshon moreno now though everyteam needs a star running back most teams need two we should think about getting him. bj raji wont be there even though he smokes weed nobody cares about people who smoke weed i could name tons of athletes wo got caught with weed and nobody cares. we hope ron brace is there in the 2nd is what we do. pat white with our extra third for the wildcat and potentially qb or wide reciever and even kick returner he is athletic and we held a private workout with him. our other 3rd has to be a db unless we go after vontae davis in the first round i like asher allen from georgia idlizes champ, but that one is just based on me liking his play havent seen anything about a private work out with him
tebow isnt a pro quarterback he will be an h back like peyton hillis i will kill myself if we draft tebow
cutler6101,
I dont know what i said that offended you so much, if you can post my words that set off your fire, i will man up and apologize. All I did was disagree with your point about superbowl rings. I was a bit harsh, just a bit on cutler#1 and if i offended him, then my bad. But don’t come on here and start stuff, I have my opinion and you have yours, I love a great debate, and I do my homework when I state my points. I never requested that you change your call name. If you like cutler that much then I would keep it. He played some exciting football for us and I am grateful for that. But I am glad he is gone. If i were speaking on this topic a month ago, I would have sided with you, I wanted cutler more than any other QB in the league. But he showed his true colors, and I lost my respect for him as a person. I think a team with talented players who display character are the players who we want to represent this team. Cutler IMO should have manned up, stayed loyal to all his fans, and his teammates and played his heart out. Instead he left. Do you agree with any of that?
WATER COVERS 2/3 OF THE EARTH,
CHAMP BAILEY COVERS THE REST!
I don’t think trade a 1st round pick for peppers is a good idea becouse he is to old, to me is better a young guy.
about the QB I don’t think orton will be the guy, he lost his job with grossman 2 years ago and that is ugly
I think Mc coach will draft PAT WHITE from west virginia.
just imagine WHITE & SIMS alternating the job, will be great, WHITE can be like vick in atlanta he can run, he can catch. that can be our wild bronco off.
I seen WHITE when he came to boulder last season he was te entire offence for WV
I will never change my nickname, I will never forget what jay made for us in this 3 years.
I will be a cutler fan not a bears fan but over all I am a broncos fan if you dont agree with that I’m sorry
I am cool with that dude, who am I to judge? sorry to post that link for his new jersey, I am just pretty passionate about the team and think you were way off in saying:
We were a few good defensive players away from greatness and now we got nothing, it was a great young offense, two young takles, two young receivers, a young tight end and jay cutler will be the best Q B in 2 years no matter where he plays and now he gone thanks to Mc domy.
personalty I will never go to a broncos game again and never buy any mercandise, as a fans we can’t be trated like that and keep supporting the team. they think they can do anything they want and we’ll be there
and that is not right
because we still have a great young offense, two young tackles, two young receivers, and a young tight end. So come on bro, buy some gear, go to the games, support our team, give em a chance. And since you like cutler, go ahead and be his fan. you could buy his jersey. I will always be a mike shanahan fan. As long as he stays out of our division, i will always hope he has a great finish to his coaching career.
to jazzyfrizzie:
You are right, I was pist off, but it was with mc coach and bowlen, I wasn’t clear.
I will never be against the broncos, but don’t tell me coaches and owners they always right.
I know cutler made mistakes and he was wrong at the end, but who start this situation, I don’t belive everyting Mc coach said.
he will never admit his mistakes because if broncos start 0-3 all the fans will be in his as*.
agents has contacts in the teams and that is how bus cook know about that, I know that was not a reason to do that, all was cook fault, but don’t see cutler like a traidor, and Mc coach like a victim the first traidor it was Mc coach, he said jay it was the man and next week he try to trade him
I hoop this is the end of the drama, but I don’t know if player trust Mc coach.
I seen today in NFL Nework one of the 4 questions at the end of the show it was wich of the 32 years old head coaches will win more games this season and one guy said the bucs because they trust in his coach.
I know that minds nothing but jus remember Mc coach fired the long snaper just to hire his friend.
What that tell to the players: I don’t care how good you are in the field if a friend get available he’ll take your place.
I’m not trying to be negative but we need to analyze every issue and not just see the good things
cutler#1 - The last 3 years we were a .500 ball club. Why do you want to hang onto that so badly like it was something good? I just don’t get it.
Did you see the article comparing the 2008 Broncos offense with the 2007 Patriots offense? Just in case you didn’t, basically the offense last year, NOT the defense mind you, but the Cutler led 2008 Broncos offense was statistically yard to point ratio an extraordinarily inefficient offense.
See, I’m like you. All this time I was like, what is up with McD? and I was totally against a trade. The truth is, Cutler has major flaws both in his decision making ability on the field and in his character. McD is looking smarter and smarter as time goes by and the more info is discovered.
The fact is Cutler DUMPED us like a two timing girlfriend and you’re still crying over it? Have some self respect already.
It’s time to look forward and stop looking backwards. So I say let’s let the last 3 years of complete mediocrity die as well as our extraordinarily inefficient offense, and get excited about the positive changes happening to our team.
Please, keep your screen name and post your opinions. But have a look at what I just pointed out and see if you really still want to be a Cutler fan. The guy is a weasel. The guy, not the QB. The QB, is .500. Hasn’t won anything in this league yet. That’s the facts jack.
To asharpeidea_64:
I keep talking about this because that’s what this blog is about, read the top of the blog, with all my respect if you don’t want to read about the trade find another blog
hmm Cutler was pretty good, but the bad decision making pretty much keept us from winning key games..heh i’m definatly not going to miss his 18 ints…hah i hope he has fun in the horrible chicago and green bay weather.
still hoping for raji at 12 and hoping for a move on Peppers, he still has skill left in him, and we can bring him to our 3-4 D, he pretty much wants out of carilina to try something new like a 3-4.
If Denver was to draft a QB wich QB would you guys want Denver to draft and wich round?
Knowshon Moreno,
hmmmmm, this could be an interesting pick for one reason. The past few years we have had backs that are great at fumbling the ball. I was looking at this guys stats and he didn’t fumble the ball once in his two year football career. He carried the rock 500 times, 0 fumbles and 5.5 yards per carry, couple that with a smarter QB who can minimize picks. That would be key for our team. We would have won a few more games if we didn’t turn the ball over so much last year. Defense wins games, but turnovers lose them. Just a thought. And I know the chance of us getting him aren’t really there as we need to draft defense in the first few rounds and he will be gone in the first round. But you never know what to expect on draft day.
and 831_Broncos_Fan,
I am highly against drafting a QB this year. I want to see what our vets can do. since there are better QB’s coming out next year i say we wait. But to answer your question….. sanchez, 7th round hahahaha.
Pat white with the 3rd round pick (from chicago)
That guy can do a good job alternating with sims and make the wild bronco offense, sometimes with 2 QB and sometimes with 1QB and 1 RB
that will get crazy the defenses. They can run with white or trow a pass or sims can trow a screen pass to white or white can trow a 20 yard pass to marshall or royal, just think about it.
cutler#1 - You said, “I will never forget what jay made for us in this 3 years.
I will be a cutler fan…”
I’m saying I don’t understand why when they were an extraordinarily inefficient offense and .500 over the last 3 years. I’m just scratching my head.
You say you don’t understand why McD said that Cutler is our man and then trades him away a week later. I don’t understand why you don’t understand that???
He was reaching out, with full on effort in the media, making himself vulnerable no less, with his statements to show Cutler that he wanted to coach him as his QB. Cutler never made any attempt to work this out, assuming you read the above blog.
Jay has a big arm and that is fun to watch no doubt. But there is a lot more to winning games than just a big arm and Orton has actually done a better job with less to work with mind you.
So I am baffled why you want to keep being a Cutler fan in light of all the new information we have. All you have to do is look at the past 3 years and it really speaks for itself.
I’ll take Plummer over Cutler any day. At least he was a true leader on the field and actually won some games. In fact, all Plummer did was win. Neither of which Cutler can say.
831_Broncos_Fan - I think they should build D this year and then use the #1’s next year when the talent pool is WAY better. Let Orton and Simms battle it out, or, use the picks and get Quinn. I don’t think they should draft a QB this year though.
19bk90 - Peppers = to much $$$. Not a good move. Won’t happen.
JaZzyFrIzZlE I Im only againts it in the 1st and 2nd round if there thinking about getting one in the later rounds maybe 4-6 I wouldnt mind.
well anyways heres a new question
who do should Denver draft with the 12 pick? I dont see Raji dropping that low, and I know that a bunch of fans want Mauluga but theres quiet a few downsides on him. I would much rather have Clay Mathews Jr. or James Laurinaitis
asharpeidea_64:
I know denver record in the last 3 years, I seen every single game of cutler and plummer, plummer has the 2nd best defense against the run in 2005, cutler the # 28(shannahan’s fault).
I don’t like how people talk about cutler now, he have 8 or more 4th quarter come backs in 2 and a half seasons and I enjoy and screem every single one an I think everybody did it to , but now nobody remember that
at twelve I am leaning towards Brian Cushing, the guy has beast written all over him. He looks like a guy who can rage! Thats just my pick, I was for raji for a long time, but the fact that he failed his drug test and he didnt play one of his college season due to academics doesnt impress me. I want a guy who knows how to apply himself and who doesnt have a threat of getting suspended for drug usage. drugs and lack of intelligence reminds me of of travis henry’s. You just cant trust them and they are way too risky.
Mr. Rice again thank you for the update and setting the record straight looking forward to part 2.
The whole truth and nothing but the truth. I think once Jay read the new play book he bolted. And after listening to Simms and Orton this morning I’m more convinced that Cutler took the easy way out didn’t want to learn the new system…
Sad but he needs to grow as a person and respect your peers and BOSS.
Cutler #1 - Didn’t see your latest post when I posted mine but we are basically saying the same thign and I agree.
Isnt it interesting how quick people forget. It’s okay to be hurt, we are fans, when our team hurts we hurt but don’t you dare say you don’t remember what cutler did for us and try to put him down now. He drastically improved every year and last year was his second full season.
PS: Still think McD is a douchebag till he proves otherwise.
ORANGE CRUSH ALL DAY!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
JaZzyFrIzZlE: Who are the better QB’s next year?
cutler#1 - Good points. And I do remember the excitement too. Jay was fun to watch no doubt about it. I was totally against a trade and thought at the time it would be a huge mistake. But now, I see the big picture and I have changed my opinion.
And on top of all of it the way he totally dumped us, the fans, and his teammates? Just really leaves a bad taste, ya know? And I realize now that he wasn’t as good as I thought he was.
JaZzyFrIzZlE - I totally agree with you about Cushing and Raji. I don’t think McD will pick a guy that didn’t do well academically either.
TheRoyalBeast - Good point about the running game in the red zone, but they did average over 100 yards per game still. It was more Jay’s bad decisions than it was the running game, as well as poor play calling. Did you ever scratch your head sometimes at Shanahan’s play calling? I know I did. So like cutler#1, don’t know why you want to hang onto Cutler, especially the way he dumped us.
Listen to Marshall. What good is 4500 yards if you don’t win. Cutler is overrated and we’re better off without him for his lack of leadership abilities, huge ego problem and character flaws, not to mention his poor decision making in crucial times. Just let it go and move on. The guy is a weasel.
I think McD has seen the big pic this whole time and would have made Cutler into a really great QB. Cutler’s ego just got in the way, plain and simple. Wait and see with McD? I respect that. But now it sure looks like he knew what was going on with Cutler this whole time.
By the way Orton was very impressive in the press conference and it’s obvious he is coachable, a leader, hard worker, humble, and a super nice guy to boot.
I think we made out on this trade and if McD can score in the draft we will be sitting pretty for years to come.
Chase Daniels, Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow
And in addition to what aSharpeIdea_84 said about our running game (in response to (TheRoyalBeast)- We would have finished the season with a great guy running the ball if cutler didnt set hillis up for his season ending injury. That was a dumb, dumb pass that should have just been thrown away, Check it out right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eATtg3xbY5g
Don’t throw a pass off one foot to your full back with two guys who are waiting to smash him.
I think will be colt Mccoy.
he is a pure passer and I love what he did last year, they should play the championschip gameagainst Florida or USC all they loose only 1 game like the sooners but OU was overpowered by TX, I dont like how bradford plays against the gators he score 6 TD against baylor but struggle in the most important game and tebow is the most complete QB over all but I think McCoy is best passer and that’s what a QB suppost to do
Jazzyfriezzy now you said that injury it was jay’s fault, but tell me what you said after the 2 point conversion in san diego game or the 4t quarter come backs at cleveland and atlanta