Well, if it's April then we must be getting ready for another NFL season already. I like how the NFL opens the new season every year with the free agency period at the beginning of March, the NFL schedule release in the early weeks of April and then the Draft at the end of the month.
It's keeps you invested the whole year.
I actually just sat through ESPN's brutal hour long coverage of the 2009 schedule release and a few things jumped out to me.
(Click here for the entire 2009 schedule)
First of all, I'm not really impressed with the Monday Night slate of games this year. The past few years, we've begun to see a migration of the good primetime games going to Sunday Night on NBC (especially with the flex schedule at the end of the season) and the JV list of matchups playing out on Monday Night.
Here are some of the Monday Night noteables:
- Miami plays twice on Monday Night in first five weeks of the season (at home vs. Colts in Week 2 and at home vs. Jets in Week 5).
- Denver plays on MNF twice in second five weeks (at Chargers in Week 6 and vs. Steelers in Week 9). Based on their list of opponents, I'm seeing a tough year ahead for the Broncos; but they did draw the Bengals (away), Browns (home), and Raiders (away) in the first three weeks so if they could somehow build up some confidence, these primetime matchups could be interesting.
- My Eagles make their only MNF appearance Week 7 at Washington.
- The Week 12 showdown featuring that New England at New Orleans should be fun.
- Jay Cutler could be fighting Adrian Peterson for the Black and Blue Division crown in Week 16 as the Vikings visit the Bears.
- The Cowboys and Super Bowl champion Steelers only make one MNF appearance each this year (don't worry, both have multiple primetime games)
Elsewhere, there are some very intriguing Week 1 matchups:
- Titans at Steelers (Thursday Night). I like how the NFL has gone to giving the opener to the defending champ and unless the Titans were one year wonders, this should be a good one.
- Eagles at Panthers. Tough opener for two teams that both had their seasons ended by Arizona in the playoffs.
- Dolphins at Falcons. Interesting game between two surprise teams from last year.
- Jaguars at Colts. Indy has a new head coach and it's always tough to start the season with a division game.
- Redskins at Giants. Again, someone will be down in the division race right out of the gate.
- Bears at Packers (Sunday Night). Cutler makes his Chicago debut on the road in another compelling division game.
- Bills at Pats (Monday Night). Maybe the best one on the list - we get T.O.'s Buffalo debut, T.O. vs. Moss, AND the return of Tom Brady all in the same game?? Nice.
Other Noteable games throughout the season:
- Steelers at Bears (Week 2). Cutler and the Bears could be 0-2 after this one if they don't look out or they could really be making a statement that they got the better end of the trade with Denver.
- Giants at Cowboys (Week 2). Dallas opens their new stadium against a tough division foe.
- Patriots at Broncos (Week 5). Hoodie Sr. and Hoodie Jr. face off in the Mile High City.
- Patriots at Colts (Week 10). Pats travel to Indy for the third straight year, but the first during this era without Dungy on the sidelines.
- Another bad bunch of games on Thanksgiving this year. Green Bay at Detroit, Oakland at Dallas, and Giants at Broncos. That third one has a shot at being decent, but who is in charge of picking these games every year? Terrible.
- I like Week 15's pre-Sunday games with the Colts at Jags on Thursday night and the Cowboys at Saints on Saturday night.
- Broncos at Eagles (Week 16). We have to wait until the second to last week for Brian Dawkins' return home to Philly?
Looks like it's going to be another great year of football. Can't wait for the draft next weekend and can't wait to get this season underway!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Voice of My Youth
After doing just one season of play-by-play announcing for high school football on the radio, I know how ridiculous it is to try and sound interesting or compelling or unique.
I was terrible most of time and I think I progressed somewhere near halfway decent by the end of the end of the season; but the biggest lesson I learned that season is that you shouldn't try to create a special moment, just let it come to you.
I remembered that after hearing a Harry Kalas broadcast of a late season Phillies game that year.
Kalas is the only voice of the Phillies that I've ever known. My earliest memory of the Phillies and baseball and broadcasting is Kalas punching every syllable in "Mich-ael-Jack-Schmidt" with his smoky treble.
He got the Philly fans. He knew we were insecure and neurotic but he never played into the angst while remaining constantly aware that it existed. He served as a source of comfort even while the Phillies always seemed to fall short and as a beacon of hope as they made their magical run last season.
It just makes that World Series win last year a little more special today, if that's even remotely possible (see the link to the great piece about Harry in the "Mahler's Must List" to the right).
I get nervous when a good announcer passes on because they always get replaced by a crappy one - or even worse, a generic one. I guess no one smokes any more or no one drinks hard liquor any more because there are fewer and fewer distinct voices these days.
Joe Buck puts to much of his own opinions into the game and even Al Michaels has been trying a little too hard lately to create magic moments (and dwell on them for the next half hour) but guys like Jack Buck and Harry Kalas just let the game come to them (I can only wish network execs liked Gus Johnson more. I would let him call EVERYTHING if I owned a sports channel).
Finally, I can't believe I was at the last game Harry Kalas ever called.
I almost didn't go.
It was raining (literally it was the only rain I've seen since moving to Denver), I had to leave work early, and I had just seen the Phillies win the night before and didn't want to leave my perfect record up to Chan Ho Park (more on that later).
But part of the reason I had moved to a big city was to watch big league sports and getting to see the Phillies right around the corner two to three times a year as opposed to driving five hours to see them once a year seemed like an even trade for my record.
I'm glad I did now because I was there for Harry Kalas' last "outta here" call courtesy of resident Philadelphia folk-lore legend Matt Stairs (watch the video below and YES it is depressing that one Harry's last statements on the air was in reference to "Two and a Half Men").
My record is still intact but Philadelphia sports - and the sports broadcasting universe itself - has lost its voice.
I was terrible most of time and I think I progressed somewhere near halfway decent by the end of the end of the season; but the biggest lesson I learned that season is that you shouldn't try to create a special moment, just let it come to you.
I remembered that after hearing a Harry Kalas broadcast of a late season Phillies game that year.
Kalas is the only voice of the Phillies that I've ever known. My earliest memory of the Phillies and baseball and broadcasting is Kalas punching every syllable in "Mich-ael-Jack-Schmidt" with his smoky treble.
He got the Philly fans. He knew we were insecure and neurotic but he never played into the angst while remaining constantly aware that it existed. He served as a source of comfort even while the Phillies always seemed to fall short and as a beacon of hope as they made their magical run last season.
It just makes that World Series win last year a little more special today, if that's even remotely possible (see the link to the great piece about Harry in the "Mahler's Must List" to the right).
I get nervous when a good announcer passes on because they always get replaced by a crappy one - or even worse, a generic one. I guess no one smokes any more or no one drinks hard liquor any more because there are fewer and fewer distinct voices these days.
Joe Buck puts to much of his own opinions into the game and even Al Michaels has been trying a little too hard lately to create magic moments (and dwell on them for the next half hour) but guys like Jack Buck and Harry Kalas just let the game come to them (I can only wish network execs liked Gus Johnson more. I would let him call EVERYTHING if I owned a sports channel).
Finally, I can't believe I was at the last game Harry Kalas ever called.
I almost didn't go.
It was raining (literally it was the only rain I've seen since moving to Denver), I had to leave work early, and I had just seen the Phillies win the night before and didn't want to leave my perfect record up to Chan Ho Park (more on that later).
But part of the reason I had moved to a big city was to watch big league sports and getting to see the Phillies right around the corner two to three times a year as opposed to driving five hours to see them once a year seemed like an even trade for my record.
I'm glad I did now because I was there for Harry Kalas' last "outta here" call courtesy of resident Philadelphia folk-lore legend Matt Stairs (watch the video below and YES it is depressing that one Harry's last statements on the air was in reference to "Two and a Half Men").
My record is still intact but Philadelphia sports - and the sports broadcasting universe itself - has lost its voice.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
My MLB (Alternative) Predictions
Ahhh... There's nothing like sitting around doing nothing while watching an afternoon baseball game on your day off.
Right now I'm watching the Rockies rockin' the Diamondbacks 6-1 in the 8th and I'm just now realizing how happy I am to have baseball back (Colorado can really hit the ball, by the way. If they can piece together any kind of a pitching staff, they could be a really dangerous team - but more on that in a minute).
Real quick before I get to my personal predictions for the season, I have reflect one more time on how amazing this past Monday was.
Not only did UNC win the NCAA National Championship on baseball's opening day but Junior Griffey homered in his first game back with the Mariners AND the Spurs put my least favorite human being on the planet, Manu Ginobili, down for the season (meaning my blood won't be boiling during the NBA playoffs as Manu flops around drawing cheap fouls).
Now THAT'S a good day.
Ok, on the predictions. I was watching ESPN's picks the other day and I guess they feel some obligation to major TV markets because they all picked some combination of the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Mets, Cubs, and Dodgers.
And yeah, those are all good teams and yeah, most (if not all) will be there at the end but I'm shaking it up and making some alternate predictions this spring and you won't see any of those teams in my picks (hey, I'll look like a genius if any of them make it!).
AL East - Tampa Bay
AL Central - Cleveland
AL West - Oakland
AL Wild Card - Kansas City
NL East - Florida
NL Central - Cincinnati
NL WEST - Colorado
NL Wild Card - Atlanta
ALCS - Kansas City over Cleveland
NLCS - Florida over Atlanta
World Series - I have the Marlins over the Royals in a World Series that would make MLB and FOX executives agree to a homicide-suicide pact.
Play ball!
Right now I'm watching the Rockies rockin' the Diamondbacks 6-1 in the 8th and I'm just now realizing how happy I am to have baseball back (Colorado can really hit the ball, by the way. If they can piece together any kind of a pitching staff, they could be a really dangerous team - but more on that in a minute).
Real quick before I get to my personal predictions for the season, I have reflect one more time on how amazing this past Monday was.
Not only did UNC win the NCAA National Championship on baseball's opening day but Junior Griffey homered in his first game back with the Mariners AND the Spurs put my least favorite human being on the planet, Manu Ginobili, down for the season (meaning my blood won't be boiling during the NBA playoffs as Manu flops around drawing cheap fouls).
Now THAT'S a good day.
Ok, on the predictions. I was watching ESPN's picks the other day and I guess they feel some obligation to major TV markets because they all picked some combination of the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Mets, Cubs, and Dodgers.
And yeah, those are all good teams and yeah, most (if not all) will be there at the end but I'm shaking it up and making some alternate predictions this spring and you won't see any of those teams in my picks (hey, I'll look like a genius if any of them make it!).
AL East - Tampa Bay
AL Central - Cleveland
AL West - Oakland
AL Wild Card - Kansas City
NL East - Florida
NL Central - Cincinnati
NL WEST - Colorado
NL Wild Card - Atlanta
ALCS - Kansas City over Cleveland
NLCS - Florida over Atlanta
World Series - I have the Marlins over the Royals in a World Series that would make MLB and FOX executives agree to a homicide-suicide pact.
Play ball!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Living the High Life
Ok, so in the last six months I've (in chronological order):
- Seen the Philadelphia Freaking Phillies win the World Series and bring home the first Philadelphia sports title that I've been old enough to enjoy in my life time.
- Moved to one of the coolest cities in the world and now get to see pro sports live whenever I want (I'm going to see the Nuggets play the Kevin Durants tomorrow night and I'm going to see the Rockies host the WORLD CHAMPION Phillies on Saturday - Greatest!).
- Convinced Brian Dawkins to move out here with me.
- Gotten the Girl of my dreams to renounce any shred of sanity by agreeing to marry me.
- Seen one of my favorite UNC teams of all time blow out Michigan State in the NCAA Championship game which ALSO won me the office pool.
Whew...
You would think most people would be just sitting back and enjoying the ride but of course I'm neurotic enough to keep wondering (A) why is everything going so well for me right now and (B) when is the bottom going to drop out.
I am about an Eagles-Broncos Super Bowl away from having to just retire from life and move into a cave just so that I decrease the chances of getting hit by lightning or a plane or another planet.
Hmmm... I really should take this lucky streak to Vegas!
- Seen the Philadelphia Freaking Phillies win the World Series and bring home the first Philadelphia sports title that I've been old enough to enjoy in my life time.
- Moved to one of the coolest cities in the world and now get to see pro sports live whenever I want (I'm going to see the Nuggets play the Kevin Durants tomorrow night and I'm going to see the Rockies host the WORLD CHAMPION Phillies on Saturday - Greatest!).
- Convinced Brian Dawkins to move out here with me.
- Gotten the Girl of my dreams to renounce any shred of sanity by agreeing to marry me.
- Seen one of my favorite UNC teams of all time blow out Michigan State in the NCAA Championship game which ALSO won me the office pool.
Whew...
You would think most people would be just sitting back and enjoying the ride but of course I'm neurotic enough to keep wondering (A) why is everything going so well for me right now and (B) when is the bottom going to drop out.
I am about an Eagles-Broncos Super Bowl away from having to just retire from life and move into a cave just so that I decrease the chances of getting hit by lightning or a plane or another planet.
Hmmm... I really should take this lucky streak to Vegas!
A Whole Lot of Shining Moments to Remember
I'm not going to pretend to be a "die hard" UNC basketball fan for one minute.
I didn't go to the school and I have never lived in the state.
They have been the college basketball I have followed the most over the past 15 years - I keep an eye on their recruiting classes, watch a bunch of their games during the season, usually wind up picking them to win the tourney when they have a decent team, and yes, I even have a "Carolina" t-shirt that I picked up when I went to a game a at Chapel Hill a couple years back.
But I can't say that I bleed Carolina Blue or that my life is any better when they win a game or any worse when they lose (I save that torture for the Philly teams), because let's face it: rooting for Carolina is like rooting for a top Fortune 500 company. At the end of the day they're still rich and don't really care how you feel about them.
With that said, I do have to admit that I found some sick satisfaction in last night's title game in which the Tar Heels took Michigan St. to the woodshed in route to their fifth national championship.
This game was the 23rd championship game that I actually remember sitting down to watch (the first was the 1987 classic between Indiana and Syracuse - I was seven years old at the time) and I probably won't remember this one as an all time great game, but I will remember it.
In sports, you always have those championship games that are a little boring and a little anti-climatic; but like my buddy Paul said, it's always better to have an elite, historic team win that year than a nobody. At least Carolina won the final game of a relatively lack-luster tournament. If it had been a Utah, or a Villanova, or a team like that then of course those fans would remember it forever, but it probably would eventually fade from the collective mainstream memory.
As the years go on, we won't remember this game as a classic but we will instead remember this season as the year that UNC tied Indiana with five school championships, we will remember this season as the year Tyler Hansbrough capped off a solid collegiate career by cutting down the nets, we will remember this season as the year coach Roy Williams went from a great coach with one title under his belt to a legendary coach with multiple titles and now has as many school championship wins at North Carolina as Dean Smith (How did he go from the guy that couldn't win the big one at Kansas to the guy who wins one all the time at UNC?).
Sometimes that just happens in sports
I don't necessarily remember a lot from the Colts-Bears somewhat sloppy Super Bowl from a couple years ago but I do know Peyton Manning has a ring and sometimes that's all you need to retain.
Finally, of all the Carolina teams I have "followed", this group was probably my favorite - mainly because I didn't have a favorite player on the squad. The Stackhouse-Wallace team got me into Carolina hoops, the Carter-Jamison team solidified my support, and I was happy for the school when they won the championship in 2005 but was not a big fan of a lot of those players (namely May and McCants). But this was Roy's team. He had recruited all of these players and to me, they exemplified what a complete college team should look like.
I've never hated a player more than I hated Danny Green during his freshmen season but I was actually relieved every time he checked into the game this year. Can't say that I've ever seen more individual growth by one player over a four year career. Deon Thompson seemed very awkward and clumsy to me his freshman year a season later but now he is a monster down low. I'm hoping Ed Davis didn't play too well during the tournament to get any ideas about going pro because he looks like he could be a special talent for at least one more season in the Carolina Blue. Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson came in with Brandan Wright as a highly touted class and yeah, Wright might have the money in Golden State but does anyone in America really know his name like they now know Ellington and Lawson?
And finally there is Hansbrough. The prototypical college basketball player. He will get drafted by a pro team and I really wouldn't be surprised to see him find his way into a rotation and serve as a spark off the bench but his days as a dominant basketball player are more than likely over. I think he knows that too. He announced he was coming back for his senior season with out any hesitation last spring and he knew he had one last shot at reaching the apex of his basketball career and last night he did it.
These players will now leave and a new crop of McDonald's All-Americans will take their spot and some time in the not too distant future we will probably be talking about Roy Williams' third NCAA title - because, after all, that's just what Carolina does - but even though it was a blow out, I won't forget this one any time soon.
I didn't go to the school and I have never lived in the state.
They have been the college basketball I have followed the most over the past 15 years - I keep an eye on their recruiting classes, watch a bunch of their games during the season, usually wind up picking them to win the tourney when they have a decent team, and yes, I even have a "Carolina" t-shirt that I picked up when I went to a game a at Chapel Hill a couple years back.
But I can't say that I bleed Carolina Blue or that my life is any better when they win a game or any worse when they lose (I save that torture for the Philly teams), because let's face it: rooting for Carolina is like rooting for a top Fortune 500 company. At the end of the day they're still rich and don't really care how you feel about them.
With that said, I do have to admit that I found some sick satisfaction in last night's title game in which the Tar Heels took Michigan St. to the woodshed in route to their fifth national championship.
This game was the 23rd championship game that I actually remember sitting down to watch (the first was the 1987 classic between Indiana and Syracuse - I was seven years old at the time) and I probably won't remember this one as an all time great game, but I will remember it.
In sports, you always have those championship games that are a little boring and a little anti-climatic; but like my buddy Paul said, it's always better to have an elite, historic team win that year than a nobody. At least Carolina won the final game of a relatively lack-luster tournament. If it had been a Utah, or a Villanova, or a team like that then of course those fans would remember it forever, but it probably would eventually fade from the collective mainstream memory.
As the years go on, we won't remember this game as a classic but we will instead remember this season as the year that UNC tied Indiana with five school championships, we will remember this season as the year Tyler Hansbrough capped off a solid collegiate career by cutting down the nets, we will remember this season as the year coach Roy Williams went from a great coach with one title under his belt to a legendary coach with multiple titles and now has as many school championship wins at North Carolina as Dean Smith (How did he go from the guy that couldn't win the big one at Kansas to the guy who wins one all the time at UNC?).
Sometimes that just happens in sports
I don't necessarily remember a lot from the Colts-Bears somewhat sloppy Super Bowl from a couple years ago but I do know Peyton Manning has a ring and sometimes that's all you need to retain.
Finally, of all the Carolina teams I have "followed", this group was probably my favorite - mainly because I didn't have a favorite player on the squad. The Stackhouse-Wallace team got me into Carolina hoops, the Carter-Jamison team solidified my support, and I was happy for the school when they won the championship in 2005 but was not a big fan of a lot of those players (namely May and McCants). But this was Roy's team. He had recruited all of these players and to me, they exemplified what a complete college team should look like.
I've never hated a player more than I hated Danny Green during his freshmen season but I was actually relieved every time he checked into the game this year. Can't say that I've ever seen more individual growth by one player over a four year career. Deon Thompson seemed very awkward and clumsy to me his freshman year a season later but now he is a monster down low. I'm hoping Ed Davis didn't play too well during the tournament to get any ideas about going pro because he looks like he could be a special talent for at least one more season in the Carolina Blue. Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson came in with Brandan Wright as a highly touted class and yeah, Wright might have the money in Golden State but does anyone in America really know his name like they now know Ellington and Lawson?
And finally there is Hansbrough. The prototypical college basketball player. He will get drafted by a pro team and I really wouldn't be surprised to see him find his way into a rotation and serve as a spark off the bench but his days as a dominant basketball player are more than likely over. I think he knows that too. He announced he was coming back for his senior season with out any hesitation last spring and he knew he had one last shot at reaching the apex of his basketball career and last night he did it.
These players will now leave and a new crop of McDonald's All-Americans will take their spot and some time in the not too distant future we will probably be talking about Roy Williams' third NCAA title - because, after all, that's just what Carolina does - but even though it was a blow out, I won't forget this one any time soon.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Cutler Traded to Chicago
This just in from The Denver Post:
"The Broncos have completed a trade sending quarterback Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears, the team announced today.
In return, the Broncos received Bears' quarterback Kyle Orton and their No. 1 pick in this year's draft, the No. 18 overall pick. In addition, the Broncos received the Bears' No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft, as well as a third-round pick from Chicago in 2010.
The Broncos traded Cutler and their first fifth-round pick in this year's draft."
I like it for both teams.
The Bears have felt like they were a legit quarterback away for the past few seasons and the Broncos will bring in a boat load of young talent that will have some time to learn and grow during what looks to be a rough season (have you seen their list of opponents??).
When I did my team-by-team list yesterday of who might be interested in Cutler, this is what I said about Chicago in the TEAMS THAT WANT CUTLER BUT MIGHT NOT HAVE ENOUGH section:
"Tampa Bay and Chicago. Both are very similar to the Jets in that they have all been playing the quarterback carousel the past few seasons and the Jets and Buccaneers both have new coaches; but the Bears have the 18th pick (and have not been known to go after any big fish recently) and the Buccs are sitting at 19. Maaaaybe the Broncos can get these three teams to start a bidding war and one of them will lose their minds (Don't really see Chicago in that mix though)."
Well... what do I know?
"The Broncos have completed a trade sending quarterback Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears, the team announced today.
In return, the Broncos received Bears' quarterback Kyle Orton and their No. 1 pick in this year's draft, the No. 18 overall pick. In addition, the Broncos received the Bears' No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft, as well as a third-round pick from Chicago in 2010.
The Broncos traded Cutler and their first fifth-round pick in this year's draft."
I like it for both teams.
The Bears have felt like they were a legit quarterback away for the past few seasons and the Broncos will bring in a boat load of young talent that will have some time to learn and grow during what looks to be a rough season (have you seen their list of opponents??).
When I did my team-by-team list yesterday of who might be interested in Cutler, this is what I said about Chicago in the TEAMS THAT WANT CUTLER BUT MIGHT NOT HAVE ENOUGH section:
"Tampa Bay and Chicago. Both are very similar to the Jets in that they have all been playing the quarterback carousel the past few seasons and the Jets and Buccaneers both have new coaches; but the Bears have the 18th pick (and have not been known to go after any big fish recently) and the Buccs are sitting at 19. Maaaaybe the Broncos can get these three teams to start a bidding war and one of them will lose their minds (Don't really see Chicago in that mix though)."
Well... what do I know?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Where Will Cutler Land?
Man, I love having the day off!
It gives me plenty of time to pretend I'm a GM and think about where current Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler could wind up.
I've heard almost every team mentioned as a potential destination this morning so I decided to take excess to the extreme and list every NFL team and why they would or would not want Cutler and I've broken them down into categories based on what would be best for Denver in return.
PERFECT FIT
Detroit. I know the Broncs would love to have that #1 pick and wouldn't it feel like we were living in a Madden game if a player actually got traded for the first overall pick? The Lions just need so much help though, I can't see them giving up what Denver would need to make the deal happen (especially if that included a first rounder for next year).
New York Jets. The Jets went after Favre last year, so we know that they are capable of pulling the trigger, but the question becomes do they want to again. This time they would obviously be getting a much younger QB in return but would could they give up along with the 17th pick that would get Denver interested?
Tampa Bay and Chicago. Both are very similar to the Jets in that they have all been playing the quarterback carousel the past few seasons and the Jets and Buccaneers both have new coaches; but the Bears have the 18th pick (and have not been known to go after any big fish recently) and the Buccs are sitting at 19. Maaaaybe the Broncos can get these three teams to start a bidding war and one of them will lose their minds (Don't really see Chicago in that mix though).
THE DARK HORSES THAT MAKE A LITTLE TOO MUCH SENSE
St. Louis and Seattle. I called up my buddy Paul (Rams fan) this morning and asked him if he was the St. Louis GM would he take Cutler for Bulger and the #2 overall pick and Paul responded "absolutely" without any hesitation. You gotta think the same thing could work in Seattle (Hasselbeck and the #4 pick) because both teams have new coaches both have some good pieces already in place. I'm keeping my eyes on these two because those are the type of veterans you gotta think Denver would love to get back while they groom somebody new (there really wouldn't be any pressure on the Broncos to take a QB this year if they didn't really want to, just use both first round picks on defense).
Philadelphia. Why does it sound too plausible for the Eagles to trade McNabb and both of their first round picks (21 and 28) to Denver for Cutler? So help me, I will stab myself in the eye if I see that scroll across the bottom of ESPN in the next few days. You know what, let's just not even think about it... Moving on!
THE DARK HORSES
It gives me plenty of time to pretend I'm a GM and think about where current Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler could wind up.
I've heard almost every team mentioned as a potential destination this morning so I decided to take excess to the extreme and list every NFL team and why they would or would not want Cutler and I've broken them down into categories based on what would be best for Denver in return.
PERFECT FIT
Detroit. I know the Broncs would love to have that #1 pick and wouldn't it feel like we were living in a Madden game if a player actually got traded for the first overall pick? The Lions just need so much help though, I can't see them giving up what Denver would need to make the deal happen (especially if that included a first rounder for next year).
Cleveland. We know that new Browns head coach, Eric Mangini, is not sold on Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn. We also know that Cleveland has the #5 pick AND they have a DT in Shaun Rogers that the Broncos could be very interested in. There could definitely be some workable combination there and the Browns play IN DENVER this season. Oh, can someone please make this happen?!
San Francisco. The Broncos would get Cutler out of the AFC and they could pick up the Niners #10 overall pick (which they would probably prefer because it would be less expensive financially). San Fran made a run at Warner, so we know they are in the market for an experienced QB. I like this one a lot actually.
Jacksonville. Similar situation to the 49ers above and they currently hold the #8 pick, so Denver would love to pick up a guy like Sanchez there and still get some defensive help at the 12 spot. The only reason I have San Fran higher is because I'm sure Denver wants Cutler out of the conference so they only have to deal with him once every four years - or in the Super Bowl (how sweet would THAT be?!).
Washington. The Skins seem to be gaining steam as a potential suitor in the media and anything is possible with Daniel Snyder at the helm, but unless Washington can wow the Broncos, the 13th pick might not be enough (read: Jason Campbell and the 13th pick is no where near enough) which leads us into the next category...
TEAMS THAT WANT CULTER BUT MIGHT NOT HAVE ENOUGH
New York Jets. The Jets went after Favre last year, so we know that they are capable of pulling the trigger, but the question becomes do they want to again. This time they would obviously be getting a much younger QB in return but would could they give up along with the 17th pick that would get Denver interested?
Tampa Bay and Chicago. Both are very similar to the Jets in that they have all been playing the quarterback carousel the past few seasons and the Jets and Buccaneers both have new coaches; but the Bears have the 18th pick (and have not been known to go after any big fish recently) and the Buccs are sitting at 19. Maaaaybe the Broncos can get these three teams to start a bidding war and one of them will lose their minds (Don't really see Chicago in that mix though).
THE DARK HORSES THAT MAKE A LITTLE TOO MUCH SENSE
St. Louis and Seattle. I called up my buddy Paul (Rams fan) this morning and asked him if he was the St. Louis GM would he take Cutler for Bulger and the #2 overall pick and Paul responded "absolutely" without any hesitation. You gotta think the same thing could work in Seattle (Hasselbeck and the #4 pick) because both teams have new coaches both have some good pieces already in place. I'm keeping my eyes on these two because those are the type of veterans you gotta think Denver would love to get back while they groom somebody new (there really wouldn't be any pressure on the Broncos to take a QB this year if they didn't really want to, just use both first round picks on defense).
Philadelphia. Why does it sound too plausible for the Eagles to trade McNabb and both of their first round picks (21 and 28) to Denver for Cutler? So help me, I will stab myself in the eye if I see that scroll across the bottom of ESPN in the next few days. You know what, let's just not even think about it... Moving on!
THE DARK HORSES
Dallas. Tony Romo just hasn't been able to get it done, and just like Daniel Snyder, Jerry Jones loves to make a splash - especially with a new stadium opening up this year. They don't have a first round pick though (traded it to Detroit in the Roy Williams deal) so I'm not sure what else they could throw in beyond Romo to entice the Broncos.
Carolina. I keep hearing the Panthers pop up because they have a nice trading piece themselves in DE Julius Peppers and the Broncos need all the front seven help they can get on defense. He is getting a little older though and they don't have a first round pick either (traded it to Philly).
THE JET BLACK, REALLY DARK HORSE
Buffalo. Man would I love to see Cutler and T.O. teamed up together. They would have to get some cameras out to Buffalo and turn it into a reality show. They could potentially be the first teammates to yell at each other DURING A PLAY. I can see it now: "Cutler drops back to pass, Owens is wide open but Cutler throws into triple coverage to Lee Evans and the pass is intercepted! Wait, instead of chasing the defender, Owens and Cutler are now screaming at each other ON THE FIELD and it's a Jets touchdown!!!"
COULD BE, BUT PROBABLY NOT
Cincinnati. I love Carson Palmer and I think the Bengals do to but what if they moved him and the #6 pick? I could see Denver getting into that and Cutler and Ocho Cinco could almost be as much fun as Cutler and Owens. If Marvin Lewis wasn't there and they didn't need so much help in other areas, I would have the Bengals higher.
Houston. I haven't heard the Texans mentioned much yet but why not? They could be looking to upgrade from Schaub who can't stay consistently healthy and they do have the 15th pick. They did go through this once before when they got Schaub so who knows if they will want to do it again.
Miami. I know the Dolphins keep telling everyone that they are grooming Henne for the future but you're telling me they wouldn't jump at Cutler for Pennington and the 25th pick? Unfortunately, I think there will be better packages on the table for Denver, but if Miami could sweeten the deal somehow, maybe it happens.
JUST PROBABLY NOT
Tennessee. I know the Vandy connections would make this a preferred destination for Cutler but the Titans are trying to sort out some QB drama of their own. Do you trade Collins for Cutler and then let Jay start with an unhappy Vince Young in the background or do you trade Young and then Cutler and Collins fight it out after Collins had a pretty solid season. And the Titans only have the 30th pick to offer.
Oakland. I think the Raiders would love to get into the fray on this one because JaMarcus Russell just hasn't worked out so far, they've got a new coach and a new system and they have the 7th pick in the draft. But I think Denver would make Cutler the mayor of Bronco Town before they traded him to a team in their division.
Arizona. If the Cards had known that Cutler would have been available, maybe they don't resign Warner and try to work out something with Leinart. As it stands now, I don't see how it could work.
JUST WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE
New York Giants, Green Bay, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and San Diego. All of these teams have stable QB situations right now - Eli won a Supe for the Giants, the Pack pretty much have to ride Rodgers out for a while now after last year, Brees has been great for the Saints, Big Ben now has TWO rings for the Steelers and the Broncos would never trade Cutler to the Chargers even if they weren't happy with Rivers. I guess I just don't see why one of these teams would want to get involved.
THE GM WOULD HAVE TO BE DRUNK, HIGH, OR LOST A BET
Atlanta, Baltimore, Indianapolis, and New England. I honestly believe that Matt Ryan and Cutler will be fighting it out for the title of best QB in the game in the next few years and the Ravens have to be more than happy with how Flacco progressed over the course of his rookie season. I know Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are aging - and I know Brady was injured this season - but they are consummate pros and they're not going (or shouldn't be going) anywhere.
FANTASY LAND
Kansas City. How amazing would that be? Cutler traded straight up for the guy who started this whole mess, Matt Cassel. OH WOW! Plus they would play each other twice every season so there would be regular tangible evidence of who got the better end of the deal.
I need a cigarette just thinking about this one.
So there you go, somewhere in there is Jay Cutler's new home. I actually kinda hope it drags on for a while (at least until the draft at the end of the month) and there is tons of drama and almost deals just to make it a little more exciting.
Here's hoping!
Welcome to April, boys and girls. The fun has begun.
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