Jay Cutler’s Real Reasons Behind Trade Demands Are Revealed! (HUMOR)

The Jay Cutler story has caused much debate between sports fans. Who is to blame? Cutler? McDaniels?

I fall under the roof of those (And have even written about it already.) that believe that Jay Cutler is being childish and should have gotten over the trade talks long ago.

I may need to issue an apology to Mr. Cutler though because I have recently discovered other factors leading to the persistent demands for a trade. Perhaps there was a lot more going around in Jay Cutler’s head than meets the eye.

Special thanks to Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, and Selena Roberts for digging a little deeper and uncovering the real reasons behind the Jay Cutler trade demands. Here are the 10 reasons:

 

10. South Park Season 11 Episode 13

After breaking 100,000 points on Guitar Hero, Stan Marsh and Kyle Broflosky are contacted by an agent and later find themselves at the Playboy Mansion where they are introduced to Jay Cutler. Stan Marsh greets Jay by saying ‘Nice to meet you, I mean you kind of suck but my dad says you might be good some day.’

Obviously meant to be a joke but Jay Cutler knows that this may still be the attitude of some lazy Broncos still clinging to the past. (John Elway) They realize that Jay Cutler has talent, but they don’t believe he has harnessed and in his mind they may not ever give him a fair shake at it.

The only way to escape the Ghost of John Elway may just be to leave the Broncos.

If there is any justice though for Jay, Stan Marsh and Kyle Broflosky will be back at the Playboy Mansion in Season 18 except this time they will be introduced to John Elway and Stan will say ‘Nice to meet you, I mean, Jay Cutler has kind of put your resume to shame but my dad said you were still very good in your day.’

 

9. Encounter with Phillips Rivers the day the potential trade story was broken

Once Jay Cutler heard the news watching TV at a bar, he galloped to the restroom like only a great Bronco would do and locked himself in a stall to cry.

After nearly four hours, Jay finally felt good enough to open the stall and walk out only to see Phillip Rivers washing his hands. Phillip smiled seeing Jay Cutler via mirror and mentioned the trade talks involving Cutler.

Cutler face turned bright red and retorted by calling Phillip Rivers a ‘big meanie.’ Rivers chuckled and then proceeded to give Jay Cutler a swirlie before saying that there would be more where that came from.

In an attempt to finally avoid the wrath of Phillip Rivers both on and off the field, Cutler is now demanding a trade to get at the very least out of the AFC West if not out of the AFC entirely.

 

8. Jay Cutler is a racist

On Nov. 6, 2008, Jay Cutler threw a game-winning TD pass to Brandon Marshall with just over a minute left in the game against the Cleveland Browns in a Thursday Night Game.

Marshall planned a celebration where he would put on a black-and-white glove to honor racial progress in the United States, with Barack Obama having just been elected President of the United States.

Brandon Stokely may have stopped Marshall from putting on the glove to prevent the celebration and a possible 15 yard penalty but the intent was still there.

Cutler, a racist, was disgusted by the action and had been pleading within management to trade the wide receiver. His recent demand for a trade may not be as much about him having been on the trading block but about Brandon Marshall NOT being on the trading block.

 

7. The Brady Rule

Ok, I know what you were thinking, Cutler has been demanding a trade since before the Brady Rule and why does it apply anyway?

Jay Cutler may have been asking for a trade before the Brady Rule but the rule now plays a part in why Jay Cutler still won’t let it be resolved. The rule itself he loves but he is angry with the name anointed by the public.

Goshdarnnit, it should be the Jay Cutler Rule!!! The NFL made this rule not so much to protect all of the QBs in the league but mostly to protect Jay Cutler, the darling of the league. The man with a stronger arm than John Elway, and the fact that the public is associating this with Tom Brady is insulting.

Now how is a trade going to get people to call it the Jay Cutler Rule? Well it won’t of course but remember that Jay Cutler is childish, irrational, and feeling very under-appreciated right about now so he is demanding a change of scenery.

 

6. The Offseason Acquisitions to bolster Denver’s secondary

A big reason why many give Jay Cutler a pass for his awe-inspiring 17-20 career record as a starting QB is the Denver Broncos defense or lack thereof.

This offseson, the Denver Broncos have signed Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill to bolster the secondary. Does this make the Broncos’ defense good? Unlikely, but Jay Cutler got very worried when this happened that he may start to get less of a break if the team crumbles in December again.

This is why Jay Cutler is demanding a trade, so he can perform with an excuse to fall back on. (Detroit Lions?)

 

5. Movie Rental Confusion

Jay Cutler went to his local video store to rent Sex and the City: The Movie on DVD, it was late at night normally past Jay Cutler’s bed-time so it was easy to see why he looked at the movie The Women on the new release wall with a bunch of women on the cover and thought it was Sex and the City: The Movie.

Jay Cutler was appalled at the abomination that is The Women and when he first spoke to his new head coach on the phone for the first time, told him the horrible mistake. McDaniels assumed that Cutler was joking and started cracking up while on the phone with Jay.

Cutler was stunned, did Josh McDaniels not realizing that he was laughing at a Pro Bowl QB??? A 32-year-old rookie head coach that chooses to laugh at his Pro Bowl QB does not deserve that Pro Bowl QB. And that is why Jay Cutler must find a new home and a new coach that he can tell things like that without being laughed at.

 

4. The Oakland Raiders

The reason why the Oakland Raiders have been abysmal for so long has little to do with management and a heck of a lot more to do with JAY FREAKING CUTLER. Can you imagine just how much in shambles the Dallas Cowboys would be if Jay Cutler had landed on the Washington Redskins?

The reason why the Oakland Raiders have been pitiful lately is not because they are run by a crazy man that rubs his own poop on the wall with his fingers but because they have to face Jay Cutler twice a year. Nobody seems to get it though but Jay himself.

The only way for people to really appreciate just how amazing Jay is, is to get him out of the AFC West. That way he can play against three division rivals that are not run by crazy old men and people will no longer be blinded from the truth.

 

3. The Octuplets

In late January, a Southern California women gave birth to eight babies; yes that’s right, eight babies.

Eight babies? Octuplets? Eight children to take care of? Is she Mormon? Really, eight babies???

Jay doesn’t know nor does he want to but we can all agree that eight babies is ridiculous and has everything to do with why Jay Cutler wants to be traded from the Denver Broncos.

 

2. More John Elway

2007-2008 was the senior season for Jack Elway (John’s son) at Cherry Creek High School. Elway was the starting QB for his high school and during the final home game, Jay Cutler tracked down his father at the game and challenged him to see who could throw the ball farther.

John just chuckled as did all of the outsiders that heard.

I don’t know who John Elway thinks he is, but Jay Cutler know who he is. He’s Jay Cutler, he has a stronger arm and he doesn’t make jokes, he makes jokes out of whomever his nemesis may be that day.

Thanks to John Elway’s inappropriate reaction, Jay Cutler no longer wants anything to do with the franchise that made John Elway what he is today.

 

1. Jay Cutler is childish

I know, seemed like I wasn’t going to go down this road but it really does start and end here and Selena Roberts was persistent that this part was not left out. Even the original reasons mentioned suggest that Jay Cutler is indeed childish. (Except for the Octuplets, eight babies is just ridiculous.)

What it comes down to is Jay Cutler’s inability to let this go, when Donovan McNabb was benched for Kevin Kolb he showed Andy Reid on the field why it was a foolish move and took his anger out that way.

McNabb was angry, I think he still might be a little even but he has been able to succeed anyway. Jay Cutler’s mental toughness right now seems to be as far away from Donovan’s and other elite QB’s as humanly possible.

A rational person would have put this behind him and at least given Josh McDaniels a chance but Jay Cutler is not a rational person. After the media’s darling Brett Favre retired, I wondered where I would find my new QB to hate and root against week in and week out.

Jay, it may be premature but I am going to say it anyway and you will likely never be compared to this future HOF QB anyway so you might as well listen up; You may just be my new Brett Favre. I’ve said enough on you for now at least.

Catch-Up Time: Q&A with NFL Draft Prospect Rey Maualuga

For Rey Maualuga, it’s been quite a journey.  A voyage that has never allowed the  6-foot-2, 249-pound physical specimen to remain stagnant in one city.

Yet, from high-school All-American to Rose Bowl defensive MVP, to being named the 2008 winner of the Chuck Bednarick award for top defensive player in the nation, Maualuga has excelled at every level while overcoming every obstacle he’s faced.

Look beyond the Polynesian warrior-style hair and elaborate tattoos, and you’ll discover a kind-spirited individual—until he hits that football field, that is.  

 

Darren Feeney: Rey, you’ve been getting ready for the NFL Draft here in just less than a month. Tell us what a typical day in the life of Rey has been like lately?

 

Rey Maualuga: I’ve been preparing for the scouting combines ever since the Rose Bowl game and Senior Bowl ended and now I’m just preparing for Pro Day here at USC on April 1. 

I wake up at 7 a.m. every day, have my meals prepared for me and then head over to a performance institute and work on combine-specific drills.

I injured my hamstring in Indianapolis in the first combine, so I have physical therapy for an hour and a half every day and also get a massage twice a week.

 

DF: We saw you pull up a bit gingerly during the 40-yard dash, how is the hamstring feeling?

Maualuga: It’s felling good.  Two weeks prior to the combine I was trying to do too much, thinking that nothing was going to happen and I went out there, did some sprints and just figured it was going to hold up.  But during the 40, I felt a pop.

I think it was a blessing in disguise, because it cooled me down a little bit.  I’m working harder now, not that if it didn’t happen I wouldn’t be, but my legs are getting stronger and I’m getting the mental side of things right.

 

DF: Do you think the injury will have a significant impact on your draft stock?

Maualuga: I really don’t.  If it does, then I’ll let it be.  But true draft stock doesn’t really matter unless you’re in the top 10. The person drafted in the sixth round could be playing more than you.  It all depends on taking care of business. 

The main difference between a first-round player and a sixth is the money portion of it.  But other than that, the first order of business is to get drafted and the second thing is to go out and perform.   

 

DF: Throughout your career, you’ve had to make transitions.  The first of which was a transition from one of the top high school programs in the nation, St. Bonaventure,  just north of Los Angeles, to small town Eureka High School.  How difficult of a transition what that for you?

Maualuga: It was a very big transition.  At St. Bonaventure, they produced more college athletes and I had better chance of gaining a scholarship. 

But then my dad got the calling from God to move up to Eureka. I was pissed.  My dad, mom and brother all moved up North and I stayed with my coach. But then came spring break and my dad told me you’re going to move up here and we’re going to come down and pick up your clothes and stuff. 

Coming to Eureka was a totally different transition. Going from city life and big buildings to a town with a small population—it was just crazy—I felt like I was in a movie or something.

 

DF: Watching you play in high school, it really was a man competing against boys out there.  Apart from playing middle linebacker they had you returning kicks, lining up in the backfield and taking handoffs. 

How significant of  a transition was it for you going from the Big 5 league at Eureka High School to the Pac-10 Conference at USC?

Maualuga: To me, my body was beyond most guys that played in the Big 5 league.  I was probably bigger than most offensive lineman.  I didn’t really learn the position of linebacker until I got to college. 

The Eureka High Rey Maualuga, I don’t want to sound cocky because that’s not me, but the only reason I stood out was because of my size and how much bigger I was than everyone else and was able to overpower. 

I’m not saying I wasn’t good but it was basically line up and go after the guy with the football.  And then I came to college, and I’m like, oh crap!

There’s dudes that are 6-foot-6, 320 pounds.  Coach always said football is 10 percent physical, 90 percent mental.  It was different and I had to get used to the mental side of it and ask myself, “Do I really want to play football?”

Because when you’re out here, you really are asking yourself that question. Camp is hard, bumps and bruises all over, dehydrating yourself in practice, it was really a big step for me.  Coming to USC, I had to start from square one and learn the position from the bottom to the top.

 

DF: You were a highly targeted recruit coming out of high school: stacks of letters from every college in the nation delivered to you daily after lunch, Pete Carroll personally flying up to see you. 

At what point did you realize that the dream of going on to play in college and ultimately at the professional level was a reality?

Maualuga: I would say my junior year.

 

 

DF: And that was the year of the undefeated section championship?

 

Maualuga: Right.  You know, junior year I started getting some Internet love and had reporters calling me.  So I’m thinking, okay, these guys are calling me, I think I have a shot. 

 

Then letters started popping up from different colleges and I’m thinking, okay, I think I’m on to something, I can keep it going.  The year LSU won the national championship was the same as my senior year.  LSU was my first scholarship offer.

 

 

DF: Was Southern California always the place you desired to go, was it always your frontrunner?

 

Maualuga: Sort of.  I really wanted to be close to home.  Being that my dad was sick, I wanted to be close to home and have him make it to a couple games and whatnot. 

 

Oregon showed me most love, a little nod over USC. I thought that’s where I wanted to go.  But when signing day, came I gave the opportunity to my dad to choose where I was going to go, because I really didn’t care.

 

It was up to him and that’s where he chose, and look at what happened.  My greatest moments and greatest times of my life happened right here at USC. 

 

DF: Anyone who has followed you knows that every time you hit the field, you’re not out there playing just for yourself—you’re out there playing with an insurmountable amount of motivation for the passing of your father, evidenced by the word ‘DAD’ on your eye black every game.

Touch on what kind of an emotional yet motivating toll the passing of your father had?

 

Maualuga: It sucked, you know, because when you’re in Eureka, there’s all of those talks where people come and talk about their parents who have passed and you just kind of sit there not paying attention because it’s not going to happen to ourselves or our family members.

 

Then boom, something strikes you and it makes you realize anything can happen to you at any time. My dad was a big reason why I started to play football and he never got an opportunity to see a game. 

 

My first game was at Hawaii and the day before we played my dad underwent surgery.  He had a tumor in his brain. Since then, my dad was never the same, lost 150 pounds, he knew who we were but didn’t know what was going on anymore. 

 

So technically, he didn’t know football. He didn’t tell me he was going to have surgery.

 

 

DF: He didn’t?

 

Maualuga: No, I didn’t know he had surgery the day before the game.  I called them after the game and said, “Hey, did you see me on the sidelines?”  And they said, “ No, Rey, were at the hospital, dad underwent surgery.”

 

Wow. So basically I didn’t talk to my dad before he underwent surgery and I think I have  had a grudge this whole time because I didn’t get to hear him talk.

 

So that’s why I have ‘Dad’ under my eye black, because he saw every Pop Warner game, every high school game, but not one college game.

 

 

DF: I’m sure he’s more than proud up there watching your success.

 

Maualuga: The best seat in the house!

 

 

DF: There’s all the talk about who’s going to land the big hitter up the middle from Southern Cal, where does Rey Maualuga want to play?

 

Maualuga: Perfect enough for me.

Weighing in on Non-Bengals News from Around the NFL

Since there is basically nothing newsworthy happening with the Bengals, I think it’s time to review the current events going on around the league.

I believe the most shocking story, although it impacts the NFL very little and has absolutely no influence on the Bengals, has to be the Ryan Moats incident with a police officer in Texas.

If you hadn’t heard, the officer pulled over Moats in a hospital parking lot for running a red light and insisted on giving a ticket and lecture to Moats while his mother-in-law was code blue on her deathbed.

Here is the dashboard recording of the incident:

The demeanor and actions of the officer are inexcusable in my opinion, and he rightfully faces severe discipline upon the completion of an investigation.

In other news, Jay Cutler continues to be a baby by refusing to meet one-on-one with his new head coach Josh McDaniels. Some suspect that Cutler’s agent, Bus Cook, is the puppeteer behind Cutler’s boohooing act—but I think earlier documentation of Cutler’s arrogant, cocky and standoffish personality suggest the blame be placed squarely the Denver QB’s shoulders.

Cutler should realize that any time you have a regime change every player on the roster is evaluated for their fit in the new scheme. He appears to be stupid enough to believe he above that evaluation despite his zero playoff appearances in 37 games, 17-20 overall record and 18 interceptions last season with four in the three-straight losses at the end of the season.

It’s a business, Jay—not everyone is on your side like when you were flinging it in Santa Claus, Indiana.

The last thing worth mentioning is T.O. in Buffalo. Or more correctly, the lack of T.O. in Buffalo and the abundance of media coverage on it. “T.O. a no show in Buffalo” is the clever headline used by just about every media outlet in this solar system.

Not only is this not newsworthy since the workouts in Buffalo are voluntary, but also don’t forget that T.O. never attends voluntary workouts no matter the situation.

Instead of stating the simple truth, the sports spin masters started concocting potential reasons why Owens wasn’t in Buffalo.

This situation reminds me of last season when all the pundits were predicting Chad Johnson…err Chad “OchoCinco” to be traded despite the millions of would-be dead dollars the trade would have incurred on the league’s contractually stingiest owner.

Despite the monetary and historical evidence pointing to the staunchest of contraries and the public statement refuting any trade offers, the re-fabrication of the story lasted months.

I just pray that T.O. lives like a monk this season just so we won’t have to suffer through 45 minutes of an hour long, NFL-themed broadcast being devoted to what T.O. said about Trent Edwards unwillingness to share.

Why Jay Cutler Is Destined To Stay a Denver Bronco

Jay Cutler will not leave the Broncos.

Sure, he feels betrayed right now and wants to leave, but the organization is not going to let him go, and soon Cutler will realize his best years are yet to come.

The similarities between Jay Cutler and John Elway are just too great to ignore. It is like the second coming of Christ for the Broncos: It is destiny.  

I generally find the best place to start anything is the beginning. Cutler was born on Apr. 29, 1983…Three days after Elway was drafted to the Baltimore Colts.  

Jay Cutler was a four-year starter at Vanderbilt, the bottom feeders of the SEC.  He never lead his team to a bowl game, but his senior year he managed to win the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. His career stats were 9953 yards, 710 completions and 76 touchdowns.

John Elway was a four-year starter at Stanford, the bottom feeders of Pac-10.  He never lead his team to a bowl game, but his senior year he managed to win the Pac-10 Player of the Year.  His career stats were 9349 yards, 774 completions and 77 touchdowns.

After college, both players were drafted in the first round and both started games as rookies.

Pretty similar so far…

Well, as it turns out, both players have rather grandiose views of themselves, too.

Cutler has been all over the news for his overreaction to head coach McDaniels attempt to trade for quarterback Matt Cassel. John Elway refused to play for the team that drafted him which is why he ended up in Denver. He also had a conflict with coach Dan Reeves that ultimately ended with Reeves being fired.

This is why I believe the Broncos will side with the player, not the coach if it comes to that.

Both quarterbacks made it to their first Pro Bowl during their third season. They rapidly matured over the course of their first three years. Cutler had nine touchdowns his first season, 20 his second and 25 his third. Elway had seven touchdowns his first, 18 his second and 22 his third. 

Beyond personality and statistical similarities, both quarterbacks are similarly gifted physically. Both have rocket arms and pin-point accuracy.  They are known as the quarterback that can roll out and throw a 60-yard pass across their body on a rope and hit a receiver in stride.  

Also, both quarterbacks are known for being very mobile in the pocket and are very tough to bring down.

The likeness of Cutler and Elway seems to hold within itself a slight bit of destiny.  I believe Jay Cutler will remain a Denver Bronco and before his career is done hold many Lombardi trophies over his head.  

Now if only we can find the second coming of Terrell Davis…

Are the Greatest Players the Ones Who Were Most Dominant in Their Era or Not?

Brought to you by TheSportingTruth.com

What truly makes someone the greatest player in his position or sport as a whole? As I was reading a fascinating article by Bryn Swartz, which claimed that Don Hutson, a wide receiver from the 1940s, was the greatest receiver in NFL history, I couldn’t help but wonder this exact question.

It seems to me that everyone has a different definition as to what makes someone the greatest player.

Even in the dictionary, the word “best” doesn’t have one definition, as it is defined as surpassing all others in excellence, achievement, or quality.

Therefore, are the greatest players the ones who were most dominant in their era or not?

Should Don Hutson really be considered better than Jerry Rice because he was more dominant in his era? Would Babe Ruth be considered the greatest baseball player of all time if he had played in the modern era?

The problem with saying that a player is the greatest of all time if he was the most dominant in his era, is that generally the rules, the training methods, the schedules, the strategies, and the pure physical abilities, in past eras were not as advanced as they are now.

In addition in many sports, African–American and Latino athletes were denied the right to play. How can Don Hutson actually be considered the greatest wide receiver of all time when, if he and Jerry Rice were able to be on the same field during their prime, Rice would clearly be better?

The truth is that in spite of Hutson’s dominant statistics few consider him to be the greatest ever at his position. But on the other hand, guys like Babe Ruth and Wilt Chamberlain are often mentioned as either the greatest in their position or sport.

It seems to me that it’s not fair to make that claim about Ruth or Chamberlain, but not consider Hutson to be the greatest. In reality, the only reason Ruth and Chamberlain are considered the greatest is because statistically, they are also two of the greatest.

The problem is that while Hutson’s run-heavy era and smaller schedule hurt his statistics, Chamberlain’s era, which was full of big man-friendly rules and shorter players, inflated his stats. In fact, the key was only 12 feet and was moved to 16 feet in 1965, in large part due to Chamberlain.

The offensive and defensive schemes weren’t as advanced as now, and frankly Chamberlain was much taller than everyone and exploited that. Also, during Chamberlain’s early years, the NBA was fairly new to African Americans. The first African American had only broken the color barrier in the NBA in in 1950, and thus many potential great players weren’t even playing in the NBA.

As good as Chamberlain was, do you really think that he would be better than a player like Shaq in his prime?

Although the rules of baseball have not changed considerably since Ruth’s time, he played with some advantages as well. I have no doubt that playing in a strictly white-dominated era made it easier for him to be the greatest.

It seems as though we should either have all players who were most dominant in their era be considered the greatest, and not make exceptions, or have none of them.

Maybe we should just go by athletic ability and talent. The pure definition of the greatest player would be the one who is better than everyone else. If we were going by the pure definition, players like Ruth, Jim Brown, and Chamberlain wouldn’t be considered the greatest. As good as these players were, the players nowadays are frankly more talented.

However, there are two main problems with saying that the best player of all time isn’t the most dominant in his era

First of all, in reality we can’t compare eras. While it’s easier to assume that teams in the ’60s are inferior to teams now, it’s not as easy to assume that the best teams in the ’80s are worse than the teams right now.

Secondly, if we don’t base it on dominance in eras, then eventually as athletes inevitably get bigger and stronger, the greatest players of all time are going to be the ones who are playing or have recently played their sport, and the history of the game will be forgotten.

An easy solution to this problem would be for us not to try to name the greatest players of all time, but rather just of their eras. But of course that is not a real solution, because the arguments are inevitable.

We are all infatuated with the question of who is the greatest. And as we continue to argue it, unfortunately nobody will ever be right, and nobody, no matter how unintelligent their answer is, will ever be wrong. However, despite this and the fact that there are so many problems with this question, we are always going to keep asking it, because being the greatest is the ultimate goal of playing the game.

Brought to you by TheSportingTruth.com

 

If You Can Play Quarterback, the Jets Are Accepting Applications

It’s not a good time to be a New York Jets fan.

The Jets were supposed to be a Super Bowl contender last season. They were supposed to be the team who finally knocked the Patriots off their AFC East perch.

Brett Favre was supposed to be the solution to their quarterback problems. He was supposed to lead the Jets to the promise land.

Instead, the Jets did EXACTLY what I predicted prior to the season: They won nine games and barely missed the playoffs.

Not to toot my own horn, but here’s an exact quote from my August 20th preview:

The Jets will go 9-7, barely missing the playoffs. Then Favre will retire.

Then he’ll un-retire.

We’ll see about the second half of that prediction.

The Jets were very easy to predict last season. Their defense was OK. Their offense was OK. But their quarterback situation was, to be kind, shaky.

Anyone who’s watched the NFL for more than a season or two understood the Jets weren’t winning anything with Brett Favre at the helm.

Unless they do something soon, they risk going into next season with an even worse quarterback situation.

You think Favre was bad? How about this motley crew:

Erik Ainge, Kellen Clemens, and Brett Ratliff

Of the three, only Kellen Clemens has any real NFL experience.

In his three seasons, he’s started eight games (all in 2007) and played in 14. He has the same number of fumbles (five) as he does touchdown passes. He’s thrown 2.2 interceptions for every touchdown pass. His career QB rating is a paltry 59.3.

Neither Brett Ratliff or Erik Ainge has ever thrown a pass in the NFL.

The Jets are moderately excited about Ratliff based on his preseason performance last season, but the NFL street is littered with quarterbacks who’ve looked good in the preseason.

Basically, their QB situation is an absolute mess.

The Jets are reportedly interested in trying to swing a deal for disgruntled Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler.

But not so fast.

Josh McDaniels doesn’t seem to be interested in dealing his QB just yet, and the Jets locker room doesn’t seem to be all that interested in welcoming Cutler to New Jersey.

ProFootballTalk.com reported a couple of weeks ago that the Jets might be interested in guys like Byron Leftwich, Jeff Garcia, J.P. Losman and Kyle Boller. They may also be waiting to see if Marc Bulger becomes an option.

But hey, according to Ron Borges of the Boston Herald, Rex Ryan is happy with the guys he has on his team.

From a Patriots’ perspective, that’s all good news.

Let me put it this way: If they Jets don’t resolve their quarterback issues before September, that’s one less team the Patriots will have to contend with in the AFC East.

For more Jets news, check out our two Jets examiners: Angel Navedo and Tyson Rauch.

This article originally appeared on the New England Patriots Examiner page. To read more articles like this one, check them out here.

Sean Crowe covers the New England Patriots for Examiner.com and writes a bi-weekly column for Sports-Central.org.

He is a Senior Writer and an NFL Community Leader at Bleacher Report. You can email him at scrowe@gmail.com.

A Modern Approach for NFL Drafting: Principles for Better Mocking

On crisis times, the financial risks are more luxurious than ever, so every NFL front office is more pressed to make the right selection on draft day.

But as in any optimization task, that goal may move between distinct points of view. The rare part of this is football as sport, not necessarily represents the most important aspect; There are other key factors:

1. Any franchise is trying to keep in business, so they need a face to sell tickets, jerseys, helmets, mugs and almost any thinkable item. So they need to maintain happy their fan base, and if there’s no way to move soon your team into playoff, you must give them some hope and that may come from the coolest pick available, one projected to make tons of points, normally a talented QB, WR or RB. Use as example any of both Mannings.
2. Drafting is a task that needs a lot of brain and any involved guy must show there’s some additional benefit within the selection process. So in order to prove the worth of the scouting crew, several front offices take surprise picks or trades that nobody understands. Picking the unexpected guy, or one projected for later rounds, trading up to draft someone, those are (normally wrong) calculated risks that may help or sabotage the franchise. Do you remember any of this draft cases: Ted Ginn Jr.? Troy Williamson? Shawn Andrews?
3. Other face of the business is to maintain sanity among salaries and potential value of the player. Trading up may require more millions for contracts, while trading down may put some gems out of your hands. So front officers must keep in mind their salary cap. Having first overall is a great responsibility in terms of money, but allows you to deal with several guys in order to lower their demands, as shown by Texans some years ago with Super Mario.
4. Trading an expensive veteran for draft picks, typically represents obtaining players with smaller contracts and less risk of injuries. But on football that can translate into a very different tale: you are exchanging a well trained guy, one ready to play under your schemes, for guys that will require a lot of guidance. So you trade draft picks if you’re one guy away of being a serious contender and you trade players if your team is under rebuilding, because you have different requirements and approaches for drafting. Look at Cowboys trading with Detroit for Williams last season.
5. Front office also must try to anticipate what other teams are trying to do and deal with that. One way to be better is to lower the power of my conference rivals, so picking their needs may be a smart move. The other side of that is to recognize player that won’t be part of other team but fill a hole in mine, if I know that a team will cut a player I need i don’t trade for him, but make sure to be ready to deal with him as soon as possible. The same goes for picking a guy that is followed by other teams as trade bait. This approach is valid only for draft gems and those are pretty rare, Eli Manning being the last one.
6. Finally, all mocks are contextual to the moment when they were created. Every week we read a lot of information about the free agency, injury recovery, and voices of coaches and team representatives. This data must be used carefully because this guys try to hide or distract the opinion. I remember Nick Saban trying to put smoke before picking Ronnie Brown.
7. The safe pick is a general concept of using a high pick in a guy that won’t impact too wrong when playing wrong, and can impact more than fine when playing well. There are three normal safe picks: OT, DE, and RB. Both lines need a lot of bodies to resist a season and all of them can help. Young running back come in different flavors but it’s easy to use them a lot to carry the load while they’re young. If you have no great depth for passer role, QB can count as safe pick, because you may declare open the position, and if given the case that veteran wins, there’s no big problem about it. Jake Long was a safe pick last season.
8. Best available player is a nice formula, but every draft board has different position for the same player, because draft board contain aspects of the team as schemes, needs, and scouting staff opinion. Vince Young was down on several boards than Leinart but was picked before.

This draft is particularly hard to pick because there’s no obvious superior talent in the class, so picking first is more linked to the first three factors.

As homework, check any mock draft and analyze if they are picking just to put a name in the list or following the recipe.

Why the Cards Can’t Part Ways with Anquan Boldin

It’s week 17 and I’m watching the Cardinals struggle against a waning Seahawks team early in the first quarter when our entire section begins to chant, “Same ‘ol Cardinals!”  Four Kurt Warner touchdown passes later, it was obvious that these weren’t the “same ‘ol Cardinals” anymore.  So why would they jeopardize their chances of another Super Bowl run in 2009 by parting ways with their Pro Bowl receiver, Anquan Boldin?

 

Let’s face it; Arizona didn’t exactly set the regular season on fire finishing one game above .500 in the NFL’s worst division. But they peaked at the right time and brought the playoff scene to their house for the first time since 1947 and finished one defensive stand short of a Super Bowl win. 

The Cardinals finished the 2008 regular season ranked second in passing offense, throwing for 292 yards a contest and put up the third most points in the league at just over 26 points per game. There are three obvious keys to this explosive offensive production: Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin. So why would the front office even think about dealing one of those pieces now that things are finally coming together? 

 

As the draft approaches and questions linger, management is holding steadfast to their commitment to their Pro Bowl receiver, but the rumor mill seems to be working overtime and Boldin is not a happy camper. His current agreement runs for another two years, but he has clearly outperformed his contract and is demanding market value compensation.  He is seeking a contract similar to that of his counterpart, Larry Fitzgerald.

So, should the front office pay the wideout? Absolutely. Boldin is the best number two in the game and a perfect complement to Fitzgerald’s great hands and excellent leaping ability. If you’re of the opinion that AZ would be fine without Boldin, let’s take a closer look at the impact of his departure. In 2008, Boldin caught 89 balls, accumulated 1,038 yards, and scored 11 touchdowns…in only 12 games. He’s big, physical, aggressive, and not afraid to go over the middle and make tough catches in crowds. He is an expert at catching balls near the line of scrimmage and breaking big runs, having finished second in the league (behind Wes Welker) in yards-after-catch with 595 yards. This aspect of Boldin’s game allows the offense to keep defenses from pressuring Warner, and allows their QB a reliable option to check to before the snap.  

Sure, Steve Breaston would be a nice number two if Boldin leaves the desert, but you have to consider how Breaston’s promotion would change the offense. Breaston is a fast, agile receiver who can use his speed in space, but doesn’t break tackles and won’t provide the dump off option that Boldin does. Playing a larger role in the offense, Breaston would no doubt be relieved of special team duties and leave the special teams without the big play threat he provides.  He was the primary punt returner and split kick returning responsibilities with the recently departed J.J. Aarington last season. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxo0fISiPHg)

Having a speedy slot receiver like Breaston creates mismatches against slower nickel cornerbacks and outside linebackers lacking coverage skills. If you don’t think this is an important aspect of emerging offenses, ask Wes Welker how he makes a living. If Breaston is promoted, the slot position is likely to go to Jerheme Urban, a capable role player, but less agile receiver who doesn’t pose as significant a mismatch against defenders.

Is the situation a result of the organization’s salary cap headaches? You can make an argument that paying your QB and two receivers such a large portion of your cap is unreasonable, but is it really? Where are the Cardinals without Boldin in 2009 and beyond? Not in the Super Bowl, that’s for sure. In 2008, Boldin’s $2.5 million dollar paycheck was half of that of Edgerrin James’, who the team is likely to release prior to the draft, and minuscule in comparison to Fitzgerald’s $17 million dollar price tag. With the release of James, the Cardinals save around five million in 2009 and will have some ability to work a deal with Anquan Boldin.  

Kurt Warner has offered to take a pay cut if the team can come to terms with Boldin, and why wouldn’t he? He understands the value Anquan brings to the offense and the organization. He proved his worth last season. Number 81 bounced back from a devastating hit delivered by Jet’s safety Eric Smith in week four, that required surgery to repair a broken bone in his face. Critics were skeptical about his ability to return and play like the same “Anquan Boldin.” In his first game back, he caught nine balls and two touchdowns and put to rest any ideas about his confidence being shaken. He played through hamstring injuries in the playoffs and performed well in the Cardinal’s outstanding playoff run, and hauled in eight balls for the Cardinals in the Super Bowl.   

The bottom line is that there is no player in the draft or free agency that can step in and produce for the Cardinals like Anquan Boldin.  The only compensation AZ is likely to get will be in the form of draft picks, but there’s not a player in the draft that can have his kind of impact in 2009. The Cardinals have positioned themselves for another playoff run next season, but doing so without Anquan Boldin will be a big challenge.

This is an issue of respect. Respect that Boldin has earned. Pay the man.

Cop in Moats’ Case Also Detained Thomas’ Wife

We all know about the awful tragedy involving Ryan Moats and a Dallas City police officer.

The officer in this case, Robert Powell, grossly abused his power in detaining Moats while his mother-in-law lay dying in a hospital bed. During the 17 minutes or so, Powell had pulled his gun on Moats and prevented Moats from seeing his mother-in-law before she passed on.

Well it seems that this has not been the first time for Officer Powell.

Apparently less than a year ago, Powell had a run-in with Maritza Thomas, wife of LB Zach Thomas.

Powell pulled Mrs. Thomas over for making an illegal U-turn. She was then also cited for failure to show proof of insurance, running a red light, having an improper address on a driver’s license, and not having a registration sticker on the windshield. The latter four were later dropped.

In this case, Powell decided that it was necessary to handcuff and arrest Mrs. Thomas in lieu of simply writing her tickets.

Read the rest of this story at 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

Is This the Year the Oakland Raiders Fortify the Front Seven?

The Oakland Raiders have multiple holes to fill and as of now not enough draft picks to get it done. The Raiders have actually had a successful offseason signing the majority of their own free agents and filling holes on their offensive line without over-spending on free agents.

The team is currently two deep or better at every position on the offensive line prior to additions from the draft or un-drafted players.

The next step has to be attacking the two biggest weaknesses on the team; the defensive line and linebacker group. The scouting department will have to come up big here two ways 1) scouting talent 2) presenting these findings to Al Davis.

The Raiders have been horrible at stopping the run, the team ranked 31st in the league in 2008 allowing 159.7 yards per game with an average of 4.7 yards per carry. The best way to stop this trend is drafting a run-stopping defensive tackle or two.

The worst decision would be to roll out the same group without a new addition. Draft-wise the position has been grossly neglected. If the common goal is to draft a starter in every round it hasn’t worked out as planned in Oakland.

Over the last five years the Raiders have had 39 draft picks; of those only five are starters, 16 are backups, eight are on other teams, and another eight are out of the league. One of the five first round picks was traded (Fabian Washington), another was benched after a five-game tryout at free safety.

In the past ten years at Defensive Tackle the Raiders have drafted Rod Coleman (’99), Daren Yancy (’99), Junior Ioane (’00), Chris Cooper (’01), and Attaj Hawthorne (’05). Rod Coleman was recently signed and given a chance at a comeback with the Saints.

My statement is justified when you consider Tommy Kelly was an un-drafted free agent in 2004. There have been many who came to the Raiders via free agency this practice has been more of a stopgap than a fix and needs to stop.

This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on Rich Snead and Keith Rowan, the newest members of the player personnel staff. It has been great to see that the Raiders have been re-building through the draft as of late or acquiring young players in free agency.

That trend needs to continue on the defensive side of the ball improving the front seven. First of all, the Raiders essentially went with a three man rotation at the position in 2008 as oppose to the standard four man rotation needed for a 4-3 base defense.

Seven of the top 10 teams against the run in 2008 made the playoffs, the three that didn’t allowed less than 100 yards per game.

Minnesota led the league against the run but still drafted a DT in the fifth round. Philadelphia ranked fourth, fueled by two former first round picks, but still drafted a DT in the second round.

The Titans ranked sixth against the run but drafted a DT in the second round; due to the loss of a DT in free agency will draft another DT this year.

The Raiders were able to restructure several contracts to provide the team more cap space to work with but youth needs to be served on the defensive line. The team has nine players on the team age 30 or older; the four guys at DT are ranging from age 28-30.

If the team decides to not draft two defensive tackles in this years draft what happens next year when the group is a year older?

What indications do the Raiders or we have as fans have that this group can accomplish stopping the run and getting after the passer in 2009 when it had great difficulty doing just that in 2008?

When it comes to the Raiders draft there has been a lot of talk that the team needs to address the offensive tackle or wide receiver position in the first round. There is some validity to these claims but the offensive line was addressed in free agency.

Wide receiver is still a need that can be filled after the first round but more important is addressing the front seven. During the draft there usually is a run on certain positions in 2008 that position was offensive tackle with eight going in the first round and the Raiders not cashing in on one of them.

This year like every year, there are no guarantees but that position could be linebacker and the Raiders need to acquire one of the best in the draft to improve the position. That means selecting one in the first two rounds. The same can be said for the defensive tackle position.

The Raiders need a run stopper; guys that have the size and strength to fill that need are B.J. Raji, Ron Brace, Fili Moala, Terrance Taylor, and Sammie Hill.

The Raiders also need a Strong side or Middle Linebacker; the guys that have the size and strength to fill those needs are Aaron Curry, Rey Maualuga, James Laurinaitis, Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews, Larry English, and Clint Sintim

Here is where the problem comes in, several other teams have switched base defense to a “3-4 front” and are in need of nose tackles and linebackers to fit their scheme.

If the Raiders decide to pass on drafting at these positions in the first two rounds the majority of the guys mentioned will be off the board.

Adding center Samson Satele to the team was nice, keep in mind that in the deal the Raiders traded away more than just a sixth round pick. Oakland swapped fourth round picks and moved down 18 spots.

As always I’m hoping that the Raiders will draft well and continue to improve the team. I want the defense to dramatically improve at stopping the run. I want the improvement to be so dramatic a change that you’ll have to place a warning placard in Oakland the reads “Frequent Stops.”

I know what you’re thinking, but a guy can dream can’t he?

The team as of now doesn’t have a fifth or a sixth round pick. My middle round “sleeper pick” at outside linebacker for the silver and black is Jason Williams of Western Illinois.

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