I’m Torn!

Just like the popular cover song by Natalie Imbruglia, I’m Torn… about the Cutler trade.  I get irate just thinking about the last few months.  How did McJaygate get this far?  Is Cutler really that big of a baby that he couldn’t pick up the phone?  Is McDaniels’ ego so out of control he couldn’t fly to Nashville to meet with Cutler?

Love him or hate him McDaniels shipped Cutler off to Chicago for Kyle Orton, two first round draft picks, and a third round draft pick.  So in an effort not to store pent up rage and develop early onset male pattern baldness I must move on and try to maintain a optimistic outlook for the 2009 season.  So who got the better end of the deal?

Well if you ignore the fact that Denver is probably one of the only a few teams in the last three decades to trade a Pro Bowl quarterback under the age of 26, I think Denver got a lot of value for Cutler.  The true answer is it all depends on the draft.  Denver got a average quarterback, who can hold down the fort, in Kyle Orton.  However, HE IS NOT THE ANSWER.  Denver must go after a young quarterback (trading the 12th pick and a third round to Jacksonville for the 8th pick and hopefully Mark Sanchez).  Denver can then still go after a key defensive player with the 18th pick.  And the Bronocs have another first round pick in 2010 to help stabilize the defense.  The Broncos have a lot of talent (on offense), but need draft picks to rebuild the defense (which will continue to hold the team back).  Trading Cutler was not the answer towards rebuilding the defense.  However, considering the immaturity with which the situation was handled on both sides, there was really no alternative solution.  

Did I want the Broncos to trade Cutler?  No.  Do I think McDaniels has to win within two years or he’s out?  Yes.  Has McDaniels gambled his career and the immediate future of the Broncos on a man with a neck beard and a bunch of uncertain draft picks?  Yes.  But could this trade be the turning point in the Broncos history?  Maybe… the Broncos need a draft that rivals last year.  The best way to build a team has always been through the draft and not free agency (see the Washington Redskins).  As a loyal die-hard fan, I hope McDaniels has grown and will handle future situations with the maturity of an actual adult.  And I hope the Broncos have one helluva draft!  GO BRONCOS!!!