Who Is To Blame For Bronco Drama?

When is the Jay Cutler-Denver Broncos drama going to end? Or are we looking at a relationship that’s too far over the edge to repair? We all know something has to be done — hopefully, for both parties, before the draft.

The “New” Situation

The Broncos, like many other teams in the NFL, start their offseason program today. That means weights, conditioning and voluntary meetings that players have to go to, and in Denver it also means an installation of a new offensive system brought over from New England with head coach Josh McDaniels. There will be an introductory meeting where McDaniels will get up in front of the team, outline plans for the offseason, hand out schedules for mini-camps and OTAs, talk about what he expects in terms of attendance for the program and offer a brief statement on where they are as a team — and where they want to go.

It will be an important meeting for McDaniels because he doesn’t know these players and they don’t know him. As a former player (who played for a multiple head coaches), I can tell you that first meeting goes a long way toward your opinion of the man as a coach, his ability to communicate with his players and the overall state of your football team. I was there when Joe Gibbs addressed us for the first time in Washington, and in Buffalo when Dick Jauron spoke to us in Orchard Park on a typical murky, cold day in western New York.

But according to ESPN.com, one player will be missing — Jay Cutler. The quarterback, who has been mired in controversy over a possible trade for former New England starter Matt Cassel, said he will not be in the team meeting room today.

What gives? Now, before we start pointing fingers here (because there’s plenty of blame to go around), let’s realize that this happens all the time in the NFL when March rolls around. Any player who’s upset with his contract or is demanding a trade (Anquan Boldin, anyone?) will bypass this first meeting and most — if not all — of the offseason workouts. The players think they’re sending a message to the organization -- until this gets worked out, they’re staying at home.

Great. Good for you. The other players will shake their heads, but when it comes to money, they would all admit to doing the same thing.

However, Cutler is a quarterback, not a defensive back or an angry wide receiver who makes headlines. Folks, this is new territory in the NFL because quarterbacks are leaders of the team, and they hardly ever do anything to put that in jeopardy.

Unless they’re Cutler.

What’s the problem?

To be honest, as a analyst of this league, I still can’t believe I’m writing about this (again), but as a former player I see exactly where Cutler is coming from.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — the players in this league are sensitive. Ultra-sensitive, almost to the point of a high school kid at times. To tell a franchise quarterback that he was indeed being shopped around — as under the table as it was — is not going to go over well, as we now see.

But Cutler is still the Broncos’ quarterback today. Will he eventually be traded? I don’t know, but we all realize that possibility is out there, and it’s taking a step in that direction as Cutler and McDaniels struggle to find a way to make this thing work.

The question still remains: Is this relationship really finished? Come on, folks. There is no relationship in the NFL that can’t be mended, because personalities will always clash at this level. There’s just too much competitive spirit inside these buildings for something like this not to occur every offseason. It happens every day, and it absolutely explodes on the sidelines on Sundays. I challenge you to find me another business where these types of egos and personalities exist in day-to-day settings. I can’t think of one, and for that reason, I’m cooling to the thought that this thing is done.

However, the problem still exists, and a trade of Cutler would not only sweep this story under the rug, it would also put an end to all the drama and let the Broncos focus on winning football games — because that’s what they’re paid to do, not gripe at each other like some after-school special.

Yes, there’s definitely a quarterback issue in Denver, but don’t assume that it’s over, and don’t assume that Jay Cutler will be wearing a new uniform in Detroit or Tampa just yet. There’s a lot of time for both sides to figure things out.

It’s only March, and the Broncos don’t play this Sunday.

Who’s to blame?

Both sides — McDaniels and Cutler.

Think about it. McDaniels came into town and tried to be Bill Belichick the day he walked into his new office. He was going to change the culture in Denver and install a culture that’s an exact replica of the New England Patriots.

Before he even met Jay Cutler, McDaniels tried to sneak in a deal that would have sent the former Mike Shanahan draft pick somewhere else so he could get his guy — Matt Cassel — into the building. The problem is that he failed. And now he has to find a way to convince Cutler that he really is the Broncos’ choice at quarterback — even though he’s the second choice.

Good coaches can make this work. They are good at the podium and good behind closed doors in their expensive offices. It’s McDaniels’ job as head coach of this team to make it work. He made a mistake, and now he has to fix it — fast.

McDaniels needs to get Cutler back on board now. He needs to get him into the offseason program and into the film room.

For Cutler, well, I would say it’s time for him to realize this happens every time a new coach comes to town. I know how he feels about the Shanahan firing because I played for five head coaches and six defensive coordinators in seven years in the NFL. It’s no fun learning a new system and trying to mesh with a new personality who’s going to determine the course of your young career, but that’s life in this league.

But this isn’t college, and none of these players are on scholarship. There is big money involved in this league, and Cutler needs to understand that the Broncos thought they would be a better offensive football team with someone else. But you know what, it didn’t work out. And now Cutler can take advantage of it by playing in the same offense that made Tom Brady a superstar and made Matt Cassel a very rich man.

Cutler needs to get back inside those meeting rooms, not only for his own benefit but for the team’s benefit as well. You’re a professional quarterback — act like one.

Because the other 52 guys are looking at you to lead them. So grow up.

Can it get worse?

Without a doubt.

Cutler could miss the entire offseason program, take the fines for missing mini-camp and still be a no-show when training camp rolls around. Don’t believe me? Well, just wait, because until this issue is finally put to bed (which I still believe can happen), it only has one direction to go — south.

Think of it this way if you’re a Broncos fan: Your team is falling apart at the seams right now. You have a quarterback who says he doesn’t want to be there, and if this is true, you’re stuck with Chris Simms as your only option. Simms has starting experience, but that was before his insides were scrambled.

I like Simms as a quarterback, but I’m sure you love Cutler as a quarterback, right? Sure, so do I, and this Broncos team is better with Cutler throwing passes compared to Simms or some rookie who can’t find the bathroom in the team’s facility.

However, this will get resolved one way or the other. Trade him? Yes that can work, if you want to go into the season not knowing what to expect from the quarterback. Keep him? Probably the best idea because you know you’re getting a big arm and a competitor who will forget about this garbage once he gets under center and starts playing football.

But the reality of this situation is not good. Neither party looks good right now, and it appears we’re heading for a drama that may go on all spring and into the summer. Not the type of team I’d want to be on right now.

I’m sure you’ve had your share of family quarrels over the years, and when they drag on, they get worse and worse. Feelings continue to get smashed on the kitchen floor, and everyone decides they would rather just not speak to each other.

Until they’re actually worked out, there is no compromise.

Just ask the Broncos.

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