Cutler: Denver's Unifying Piece

The deteriorating relationship between Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos has been just a hair short of a total fiasco. The fact that he’s still on the team is pretty much the only silver lining that Broncos fans can cling to. The situation was handled so poorly from a public relations perspective that I’m not surprised that Cutler is lashing out about it--throwing a "temper tantrum" as Rotoworld described it.

Just step into Cutler's shoes. You are a 25-year-old quarterback who just threw for 4500 yards and 25 touchdowns. You went to your first pro bowl and you're in the best shape of your life to combat Diabetes and maintain a high level of play. And you might be traded for a guy with one good season to his name (while surrounded by Randy Moss and Wes Welker) because he happens to be buddy-buddy with the new head coach.

Of course Cutler is livid. The first thing the Broncos needed to do, when this came out, was deny it unequivocally. They were sent offers certainly, but why would they entertain them? Why listen? Mexico basically gave Germany the finger when they laughed about the ill-conceived Zimmerman Telegram way back during World War I. From the athletic perspective, this is ridiculous.

Certainly Denver couldn't seriously be trying to destroy team chemistry that much could they? Abandon the face of the franchise at age 25 because the new head coach's former quarterback is on the trade market? It's disgusting. Cutler has a right to be upset. Not everything that was said about this situation has been true, but like I said, it was bad enough that the Broncos entertained offers. There is no replacing a franchise quarterback at age twenty five, coming off the best season of his short career, and getting better each year.

And just to make matters a little worse, how could it be a legitimate question about who is better? And how could the answer, if the question is legitimate, be anything but Cutler? The PTI guys don't seem to agree though--citing Cassel's record. Football is a team sport unlike any other. Judging a player on wins and losses, even the quarterback, is like judging a goaltender for not carrying his team to the finals. They can only do so much in a team sport. Cutler's on a team with a high powered offense and zero defense. Cassel had a great offense and arguably one of the best defensive lines in the NFL.

I know McDaniels only saw Cutler during his poor showing against the Patriots in the fall, but surely he could put on some game film and realize that what he has with Cutler is an obvious home run. He may have a super talented offense, but Cutler is a boost for everybody. He has at least everything that Cassel has, plus the abiltity to accurately throw the deep ball. And he does it on a team that goes through defensive coordinators, systems, and linemen faster than Kobyashi can eat a hot dog.

Cutler takes the burden off of his offensive line with his mobility and his great pocket presence. His quick release puts defenses on their guard. He's a rising star, and he's almost ready to hit the plateau and stay there. After all, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are aging. It won't be long before they are in the twilight of their Hall of Fame careers. Jay Cutler is one of the few quarterbacks ready to step into the spotlight.

You don't give that up on a whim. He's got a little Favre in him, sure. He likes to take risks. But he's young, and his arm is just as lively as Favre's was. His risks usually pay off, because he's physically gifted enough to force it.

Franchise quarterbacks come around only so often. The hit-or-miss rate in the first round for quarterbacks is basically a coin flip. Denver has come out and finally, days after all of this, stated that Cutler will not be dealt.

It's about time. Yet, accredited reporter Michael Smith believes the trade talks are not yet done, while Josh McDaniels is attempting to mend the already sour relationship with Denver's star-in-the-making.

Send Jay Cutler anywhere, and he'll find success. He's at that point in his career where his on-the-field play is going to boost everybody's, and his skillset diminishes the need for a spectacular offensive line (not entirely, but enough that you get the point).

Without any other viable franchise quarterbacks on the market, it's extremely unlikely that Jay Cutler is dealt, but this relationship had better heal quickly. Cutler is entering the fourth year of his six year deal. Denver needs to make keeping him a priority, and in a time now, when Brandon Marshall's future with the team is uncertain, and the defense is going through yet another change, and the team as a whole is adjusting to life after Shanahan, Cutler is the key--the unifying piece.

Denver needs to get their act together, because as much as I liked the hiring of McDaniels, his regime is starting out on a sour note.

No more contrived trade talks. No more convuluted posturing. Rally around your quarterback Denver. He is the unifying piece, and if you're lucky, he's not going anywhere.