Notes From Lombardi: Where To Next?

The market will shape the trade. Because top ten picks are so expensive the Rams giving their no.2 would clear them paying out the huge bonus money and tags them onto Cutler's deal.

That's also why Detroit should want out of no 1 overall, but the Rams would be a better position in cap terms for such a deal. From the perspective of who signs the player picked at that spot traded, moving away from one overall and still being able to secure one of the passers is what should win the deal.

Because of cap costs inside the top ten you may end up making a trade below point compensation. The agent has made it about more than compensation, he's going for sake of being gone now. That might mean you take an offer that positions you to get one of the best passers in the most affordable terms.

To me, Stafford shows a lot of Cutler in him. Similar release and mechanics, similar style and attitude. Both have something to prove with critics to an extent.


They may be better pure passers than Sanchez, but the toughness, mobility, leadership skills in a pro style offense all make Sanchez the player to get IMO.


For Detroit, they need a pure passer who can get the ball to CJ. To me it looks like Sanchez can bring more to a game plan at the red zone and his learn curve already has experience with a pro set. Neither choice is really wrong from where they sit, and it probably comes down to talking with agents(like Bus Cook is doing at this time for Cutler as well).

Michael what do you think of Quinn?

Big Blue I agree that Quinn would do well with McDaniels. I believe it to be a good fit, but if the Browns don't like him, that has to worry others you would think.

I can't see an early 20's 1st and a 3rd getting this done. I've heard people say that and IMO you gotta do better if you're the Broncos.

The Bears are out of their minds if they're not all over this.

If the Broncos really are interested in Sanchez...
(total Dark horse possiblity)
Three team deal:
Cutler to Arizona
Warner to 49ers
Zona's 1st round pick (31) to 49ers
Zona's 2nd round pick (63) to Broncos
Zona's 2nd round pick in next year's draft to Broncos
49ers 1st round pick (10) to Broncos
49ers 4th round pick to Zona

Too crazy?

Dale Mathieson
April 1, 2009
2:51 pm
"I honestly think that any trade for Cutler will be a 3 (three) way trade. The three teams involved would be Cleveland, Detroit, and Denver.

Denver sends Cutler to Detroit.

Detroit sends their 21st (or 20th?) to Cleveland, and a 3rd or 4th round pick to Denver.

Cleveland sends Brady Quinn to Denver.

All of this makes sense only because of Quinn’s experiance in a Charlie Wiess offense, which happens to be the same as the one McDaniels plans to implement in Denver."

<<<NFP comments on Matt's thread that Mike links. It makes sense, Weiss system for Quinn and they are suddenly cheaper on the cap, McDaniels wins twice over. Extra value with it and they can even shape the future to add next year's great passer if things don't work out. A plan with an out in it.

IMO Cutler is a better passer, maybe not a better field leader(he is at this point in time though).

Jeff, why would the 49ers give up a 1st and 4th to get someone they could have just signed as a free agent 5 weeks ago?

I think McDaniels might have sufficient ego that he doesn't think he needs a top prospect like Sanchez to play QB. In his mind, he made Cassel, a 7th round pick into a star, he can make anyone a star.

I think the Bears should offer their 2009 and 2010 1st round picks plus Orton to the Broncos for Cutler and the Broncos 2nd round pick.

With Cutler, the Bears are just a couple pieces away (like Knny Britt and a playmaking FS). They could fill those needs in the second round and be set.

This could be the day that turns around Detroit from being the laughing stock of the league. They’re in the total driver’s seat right now & I’d be picking up the phone asking Denver which QB do you want?! Give any other additional picks that’s needed to get the deal done. Shouldn’t be much more. This is the closest guarantee that McDaniels is gonna have to get either Stafford or Sanchez.

This is such a freakin’ embarrassment that this ever got to this point. Now you put yourself into HAVING TO TRADE YOUR PROVEN FRANCHISE QB?? Just unbelievable. If I were a Denver fan I would want to hang McDaniels by his teeth. He f***** this whole thing up.

Vet QB wise there’s ABSOLUTELY NO EQUAL TRADE VALUE PERIOD. YOU NEED A HIGH QUALITY STARTING FRANCHISE QB 1 FOR 1 TRADE (+ WHATEVER). THERE’S NONE OUT THERE. AND NOW YOU HAVE TO GAMBLE WITH A ROOKIE QB FRESH OUT OF COLLEGE AS THE ONLY NEXT BEST OPTION???

If your smart Detroit pick up the phone ASAP & get the deal done now!! A 1-2 combo of Cutler to Calvin Johnson would be absolutely awesome.

It's an early MERRY CHRISTMAS DETROIT!!
CALL NOW & LOCK IT UP!

I don't see the 49ers being a player, even less so if it involves Kurt Warner in a three way deal.

A real dark horse here could be the Tennesee Titan's if the Bronco brass think Vince Young has any potential still.

Will be interesting that's for sure.

A thing to think about is how are the players on whatever team trades for Jay going to react? I think Jay must be wondering the same thing, if he's not he's in for a rude awakening as I don't think the players are gonna be all open arms.

How about Kansas City?? McDaniels wanted Cassell so bad, why not trade Cutler for him? I don't think KC would have any objections especially since Cassel is due to make more money than Cutler!

I think he might fit the 49er's pretty well. I'm surprised the Lions aren't making a big run at him. I think the Bears are too cheap and the Vikings are clueless.

Randal -- The Niners offered Warner a contract, and he seriously mulled it over before deciding to go back to the Cards (for less money). So, San Fran could not have "just signed him."

I am not saying my proposed trade will happen (especially since it involves intra-division trading), but I think it does make sense for all involved. Arizona will have a top 3 offense for years to come. If they keep Warner, they will need to address QB of the future next season. San Fran gets a lot better and perhaps can make a playoff run in a weak NFC (four easy wins against the Rams and Seahawks help). SF does not give up all that much. Denver should be able to take Sanchez at 10, but if not has a great number of draft picks to improve the defense, take a different QB, or make a move for Quinn.

The two main drawbacks I see are: intra-division trades, especially involving QBs, are rare. And Arizona had a great run last year -- why tamper with things too much when you have a good shot at being successful again next year? Why take the risk of generating negative PR by moving Warner?

Other direction: If you are the Lions, you definitely offer the first overall pick for Cutler. But is that enough for Denver? I don't think Denver would take Stafford with that pick, or Curry. They would likely look at Smith and Monroe. Would either of them fit well into Denver's scheme?

Whoever came up with the details for that three team deal involving Detroit and Cleveland is crazy.

Denver basically gets back Brady Quinn and a third rounder? Are you kidding? This would be the worst trade ever for the Broncos. A first rounder back is an absolute must in this situation, and anything less would be unacceptable. There is no way Brady Quinn and a 3 is sufficient compensation for Cutler, or even close to what will be the best offer out there.

And not to start a Godfather fight, but the analogy works. Going to the mattresses is a round-about way of saying "going to war", but Lombardi's interpretation is correct. In the movie, it meant that all the grunts were going to be holed up in a few locations, away from homes and families, until the war between the five families was over. Like jumping into the trenches. Yes, you're going to war, but more specifically you're getting in position for a prolonged fight.

Plus, any opportunity to make a "Godfather" analogy must be encouraged.