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Sheer Genius Or Sheer Stupidity; The Jury Is Out On McDaniels
In eight weeks, Josh McDaniels has managed to put his official stamp on the Denver Broncos. In that short period, McDaniels has wasted no time in asserting his authority when it comes to personnel decisions in Dove Valley. McDaniels quickly incised nine defensive free agents including aging and overpaid free agents, CB Dre’ Bly and DT Dewayne Robertson.
But in his zest to turn the Denver Broncos into the New England Patriots West, it seems McDaniels’ fervent style has enraged his franchise quarterback and best player.
At this point it doesn’t matter whether it was other teams or the Broncos who initiated trade talks involving QB Jay Cutler. The fact is the Broncos were engaged in Cutler trade talks, which have clearly angered Cutler. At this time it is important and wise for McDaniels to embrace Cutler and try to mend their fractured relationship, instead of asserting his authoritative style.
If McDaniels intends to run his high-powered shotgun offense, who would be better than an intelligent 25 year-old rocketed arm quarterback to run it? In 37 starts Cutler has managed to compile 9024 yards and 54 touchdowns while completing 62.5 percent of his passes. The Pro bowl selection and the 4526 yards that Cutler threw for in 2008 are nothing to scoff at, and neither is his three-year quarterback rating of 87.1. His pundits will point to his 17-20 record as the Broncos starting quarterback. But what those same pundits will conveniently leave out is the terrible Bronco defense that finished 29th in the NFL, which Cutler has tried to win in spite of. Cutler isn’t perfect, but his mistakes can be looked at as normal NFL quarterback maturation.
History shows that franchises that have strength at the quarterback position are successful. Bill Walsh had Joe Montana, and Bill Belichick has Brady. So McDaniels has first hand knowledge of what a franchise quarterback can do for a franchise. McDaniels’ merit as an offensive coordinator and quarterback coach are impressive, but so are Cutler’s 54 career touchdowns.
If the ‘Doogie Howser’ of NFL coaches, McDaniels, is to be successful as a head coach, it will be because Cutler’s strong right arm took him there. On paper the McDaniels/Cutler partnership looks like one that would and will work if allowed. It doesn’t take a genius to see that the McDaniels/Cutler relationship is turning towards an untenable situation.
At this point McDaniels has to make peace with his franchise quarterback, or run the risk that his first head-coaching job will be marred with an ugly situation. Broncomanics hope their budding relationship can be salvaged before McDaniels or Cutler is pushed off the Mile High tight rope the two are walking.
