Cutler deserves the criticism, not McDaniels or Belichick
by Marima on Mar 4, 2009 11:27 AM EST
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PrintThe national media regularly checks in with Terrell Owens to poke him so they can write volumes on his whining and still more volumes to analyze what it all means. Why all the tolerance and sympathy for current Whiner-in-the-spotlight Jay Cutler? His petty, immature reaction to asking for a trade and then being all pouty and hurt when his name gets floated out there as trade bait should be the headliner of the media fire-storm - not "McDaniels as bumbling novice" or "Belichick as vindictive (or soft, depending on who you read) former boss."
Michael Silver advocates pampering and kissing Jay Cutler's overly sensitive butt:
Even if Cutler's reaction seemed a bit extreme, McDaniels should have addressed the player's insecurities and smoothed over the situation. That's part of the deal with star quarterbacks. For all their natural bravado, they can be sensitive, insecure dudes, whether they're relative youngsters like Ben Rothlisberger or grizzled veterans like Donovan McNabb or Brett Favre. [Notice Silver doesn't mention Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Dear lord are we spoiled!]
Silver hints there was special treatment with Pioli in play that didn't extend to McDaniels. Where is there even a hint of evidence for this? There isn't any. Silver "imagines" and "suspects" it.
While Belichcik may or may not have overtly extended a friends-and-family discount to Pioli, his longtime right-hand man in New England, it's reasonable to conclude this: At the very least, once the two men agreed in principle to make a deal, the Pats' coach was unlikely to renege. Had that been the case with another team, I suspect Belichick may have been willing to pull back once he heard that a much higher pick - reportedly the Broncos' first-round selection (12th overall) - was in play.
As for Belichick, though McDaniels seemingly departed New England on good terms this may have been yet another opportunity to show an ex-assistant what happens when he leaves the family. After watching the way Belichick stonewalled Eric Mangini afte the former Pats defensive coordinator took the Jets job, I can't imagine it's ever that cool when a staff member moves on, though Pioli is an obvious exception.
Free pass for Mangini, even though the situations were totally dissimilar, Silver needs to build his case for Belichick's vindictiveness here.
Dave Krieger of the Denver Post creates a soap-opera-worthy scenario of his own, justifying Cutler's behaviour by saying Cutler "postponed meeting with the Broncos not because his feelings were hurt. He postponed meeting with them because he thought they were lying to him." Oh... but having a heart-to-heart with ESPN's Chris Mortensen was a better plan for you and in the best interests of your team? Grow up!
Krieger says McDaniels had to "steal" Lonnie Paxton by offering him a $1 million dollar signing bonus and a day later, trade talks involving the two teams blew up in McDaniels face by going public while Belichick made a different deal. Somehow his former assistant has a quarterback crisis on his hands 24 hours after signing two of his guys.
The way his best-laid plans have blown up on new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels over the past week, it's almost as if some nefarious rival had a hand in it.
And it's not out of the question that one did. The deal Patriots coach Bill Belichick ended up making for quarterback Matt Cassel was so one-sided that even Pioli won't talk about it.
The conventional wisdom says Belichick took Pioli's second-round pick (No. 34) instead of the Broncos' first (No. 12) he would have gotten out of the proposed Broncos-Bucs-Patriots three-way deal because the Broncos and Bucs were late to the party.
Maybe, but since when is the author of spygate too honorable to back out of one deal to take a better one?
The whole situation is so ludicrous, I had to add my rant in addition to MaPatFan's. It makes me seriously question just how many journalists have thrown out actually researching their subject and writing to inform, instead of just pulling cliches out of their rear ends while using their job as a forum to expound on their prejudices. That's what blogs are for. : )
Cutler as sympathetic figure? Belichick as "nefarious"? Give me a break. Give me the real story.
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Wow!!
There’s just too much to rant about here, but the one that kills me is “transferring” Spygate badness to this type of situation. See? If Bill deceived us with Spygate, what makes you think he won’t do it in situations like this? Dolts.
The fact that the media can’t come to grips with the Machiavellian approach that is Foxboro is amazing to me. Players are payed to play. When their usefullness to the organization has passed, they are shown the door. Business is business. It seems players like Cutler were used to being stroked and told how great they were. Josh don’t play that way. Welcome to the beginnings of a winning organization. Sit down, shutup, and show me what you got.
Blogger at SBNation's New England Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit
It makes me seriously question just how many journalists have thrown out actually researching their subject and writing to inform, instead of just pulling cliches out of their rear ends while using their job as a forum to expound on their prejudices.
I couldn’t agree more. These “journalists” are paid significant salaries to, at least I thought, report sports NEWS. Instead, they editorialize rumor and inuendo and present it as FACT. (see: Marvin Harrison shooting drama)
Example of my own: I was watching ESPN the other night and they reported that the Colts still owed Marv 7.4 million $$ (inaccurate)…I had a smack down argument with my husband because I explained this was only against the cap for funds already paid (roster bonus). Yet, I was not to be believed you see, because “ESPN has it right there in writing...” like THAT legitimizes it or something. I seriously questioned the state of my marriage for a couple of days…I mean, how in the world can an intelligent human being believe that any of these sports pundits are accurate? Could be because he’s a Giants fan, I don’t know. =P
And regarding Jay Cutler? How DARE anyone compare him to Brett Favre (not my fave, but indeed a star QB) or Ben. Its a darn good thing that the comparason wasn’t made with Peyton and Brady. Jay Cutler, is NOT a star quarterback. Not yet, anyway. I supposed fans of both of our teams are really very spoiled. We don’t have to put up with this type of B.S. from our players, coaches or owners.
Great rants by both you, Marima, and MaPatsFan!
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
I don't know
I think there’s a case to be made for the comparison of Jay Cutler to Bret Favre, at least the version of Favre we saw in 2008 — selfish, whiny, and nowhere near as good as he thinks he is.
I agree regarding Favre's selfishness of last offseason.
But to say that Cutler is a star QB, as Favre has/had been, is where I disagree. Granted Favre is a “has been”, but Cutler is a “isn’t yet”.. :)
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Mar 4, 2009 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
Let me emphasize the point I was making:
But to say that Cutler is a star QB, as Favre has/had been, is where I disagree.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Mar 4, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions
The soap opera
Belichick is a character in their story, and woe to those who do not portray him as the evil genius who spits on the league.
Many writers called the Cassel trade ‘fishy’ and that is was a ‘favor’. Complete BS that spouts from their prepared storyline, not actual journalism. Maybe Pioli and Belichick know the true value of Cassel having studied him for four years. Maybe the deal was agreed before the #12 pick was supposedly on the table and Belichick wanted to take the sure deal instead of insult Pioli by reneging and calling Vrabel back from Kansas City and risk getting nothing at all if Denver’s 3 way collapsed.
It’s sad that there is a difference between sports writers and journalists. They can op-ed all they want when they actually get the facts.
"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick
Absolutely. Pioli and McDaniels know Cassel better than the rest of the league
but Mark Krieger takes the fact that McDaniel’s description of Cassel was a shade more glowing than was his description of Cutler, as proof that Cutler was right, McDaniels did want to trade him. All it means is that McDaniels knew Cassel better at Press Conference time than he knew Cutler. Simple really, and in no need of any explanation.
Keep the faith!
Success Breeds Envy
and apparently wild conspiracy. I eagerly await the day when the Chiefs are the most hated team in the NFL and Pioli is painted as the insidious mafia Don he looks like.
And the points about the media hanging from Cutler’s jock strap is spot on. He’s being a primadonna by complaining about McD listening to offers for the QB that wanted out of town already.
Wow...
Even if Cutler’s reaction seemed a bit extreme, McDaniels should have addressed the player’s insecurities and smoothed over the situation. That’s part of the deal with star quarterbacks. For all their natural bravado, they can be sensitive, insecure dudes, whether they’re relative youngsters like Ben Rothlisberger or grizzled veterans like Donovan McNabb or Brett Favre. [Notice Silver doesn’t mention Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Dear lord are we spoiled!]
Seriously? Insecurities? If I’m running a football team, the last thing I want is an insecure quarterback.
Maturity must be an NE thing ;-)
I rarely hear NE players whining about trade moves, etc… Noise from Vrabel or Cassel? Nope. And in my opinion, the absolute classiest move I’ve seen in years on this team was Drew Bledsoe stepping aside when then backup, Tom Brady, took the reins.
Blogger at SBNation's New England Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit
Its called business...Grow up kid and get over it!!!!
Well, I guess that these coaches and GM’s arent doing there job. McDaniels may have been slow to pull the trigger, but, being of the Bill Belichick tree, he should know if this QB is the right fit for his system. It should be a version that we run in Gillette Stadium. Players are traded and cut on a regular basis. This QB fails to realize in between his childish whiining and tears, he asked for a one way ticket out of town. Chump.
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