Broncos Dismantled in Less Than 4 Months

We will never know exactly what was happening behind closed doors in Denver, and even if we did I doubt we'd be any closer to knowing exactly who to blame in the Jay Cutler/Josh McDaniels riff. Sometimes there is no clear right and wrong in these situations. However, regardless of who is to blame, there is one thing about which I am certain: the Broncos needed to make this work. They really screwed this one up.

It was December 30th when the news broke that Mike Shanahan was fired. I remember clearly, because it was about an hour before Babcock and I recorded our new year's eve podcast (episode #7). We were both shocked, and felt as though the move did not make much sense. Denver had certainly underachieved in 2008, and their defense was god awful. But they had a clear direction that seemed promising. Their defense needed to be strengthened, and offensively they were a juggernaut. We said in that podcast that we felt the firing was particularly strange when you took into account how much momentum Jay Cutler had built in 2008. It was a career year for him, and he looked totally comfortable and in control with the Denver offense. So, the idea that you would pull the rug out from under him as soon as he found his legs did not make sense. This would not be good for Jay Cutler, we said. I guess we were right, but there was no way that we could have predicted this.

Look, Cutler is far from blameless here. Everything I have read indicates to me that the Broncos were not actively trying to unload him. It seems to me like they entertained the possibility of a three team trade that was brought to them. He clearly overreacted. He's also going to make six and a half million dollars to play football next year, so you'd think it would be hard to be that mad no matter what happened. I get all of that, and that's why I think his bitterness over the Shanahan firing is what fueled his reaction. We know he wasn't happy about his coach being fired, and maybe he saw this issue as the opportunity to punch his way out.

So, yes, Jay did overreact. I think it was because of the Shanahan firing, but that's no exscuse. He's supposed to be a professional, and he acted like an asshole. But, this is the NFL! The only thing that really matters is winning games. Fans can call into radio stations and say "we're better off without that asshole", but it won't be long before they realize that they actually really need that asshole and they start calling for Josh McDaniels and new GM Brian Xanders to be fired. And all this time, you could have had Mike Shanahan and Jay Cutler. It might seem like I'm exaggerating but I don't think so. This whole thing is fucked. This organization has been totally decimated in four short months.




Look, Kyle Orton probably played better than you think last season. Hell, he almost threw for 3,000 yards despite missing a little bit of time. He is also 21-12 as a starter. However, do not expect more of the same next year. The Bears offense is all about ball control. He was always making low risk throws. On top of that, the Bears win games because of their defense and special teams. Orton simply had to not turn the ball over.

Now, let's think about the Broncos last year. Their defense was one of the worst in the entire NFL. Their leading rusher was rookie fullback Peyton Hillis, who rushed for 343 yards. And yet, they were still a formidable opponent because of Cutler. This team NEEDS a playmaker at quarterback if they are going to have any hope of competing. Jay Cutler was a gunslinger last year because that was the only way the Broncos could be successful. Orton can manage games, but he's not a playmaker. Neither is Chris Simms, who may beat Orton out for the job. They have added Correll Buckhalter to the run game, but the coaching staff once known for making average running backs into pro bowlers is no longer in place. On paper, this really looks like the worst team in the AFC West, and that's really saying something.

ESPN showed a graphic this morning in which over 50% of the nation felt that the Broncos got the best of this deal, and I was shocked. yes, two first round picks are certainly nice compensation. But, in making the trade, they're also giving up on one of their recent first round picks. So, in a way, I feel like they are only getting one first round pick. On the other hand, the Bears are getting that franchise quarterback they've always wanted to go with their strong ground game, perpetually stout defense, and stellar special teams. They are one of the best teams in the NFL. They are instant contenders. And, the more success they have, the longer this season will feel in Denver.