Carolina Panthers Moving Ahead Whether Fans Approve Or Not

It is a well-accepted fact that professional sports teams operate pretty independently from the whims of their fans. Even while fans believe that their widespread complaints about a franchise’s decision-making can ultimately have an effect, they really know that no one with power actually cares.

At least I hope they do.

Frankly, the decision-makers of the Carolina Panthers could care less what their fans think they should do.

I think this is a good thing.

Beginning with the Monday morning after Carolina’s meltdown against Arizona, local talk show hosts fielded angry fan after angry fan complaining that their ire for Jake Delhomme was justified, and the Panthers should fire him post-haste.

After John Fox was quoted as saying that the team “picked a bad day to have a bad day,” fans started calling for his head once again (even though they were trumpeting him as Coach of the Year just 48 hours earlier).

When Julius Peppers declared through his agent that he wanted to move on from the Panthers’ 4-3 scheme, fans vilified the man that had given them more spectacular feats of human physical achievement than they could have ever deserved.

What actually happened on that fateful Saturday night in January will linger just as long, if not longer, with all of the players and coaches involved; as it will with the fans.

They will re-evaluate the Panthers’ soft zone, and decision not to man up Larry Fitzgerald. They will look at the first, and second, down plays in the first half where Carolina went play action instead of run. They will break down the timing of Jake Delhomme, and the attack moves of Julius Peppers, and they will see so much more than any fan can hope to understand.

What the Panthers have done so far in the offseason is much like a delayed draw.

They have let Peppers say his peace, they have let the defensive coaches move on to better jobs and they have allowed the aging dead weight of guys like D.J. Hackett, Jeremy Bridges and Ken Lucas to move on.

Now, just like De’Angelo Williams waiting at the line for a hole to open after a defender attacks, the Panthers have gone on the offensive.

John Fox has spoken out in support of Julius Peppers, allowing him to continue his process of trying to be traded, while assuring fans that he will be back and not be a cancer to the locker room.

About this, John Fox is right. He usually is, except when he’s not.

Peppers will probably be returning, and despite his hold on the Panthers’ cap space, he will continue to cause match-up problems. He will continue to be a rather neutral figure in the locker room, allowing Jon Beason and Chris Harris to do their thing.

The Panthers also started negotiating a contract extension with Jake Delhomme. The same Jake Delhomme that threw a combined 12 interceptions in games against Tampa Bay, Oakland and Arizona.

The same Jake Delhomme at whom fans spewed vitriolic anger.

The Panthers, however, are rewarding the Jake Delhomme that led the team to it’s third playoff berth in six years. The same Delhomme that connected for over 3,200 yards, and led five different second-half comebacks, in the team’s 12 wins.

Panther fans are upset that Carolina didn’t make a splash in free agency, and don’t have a first-round draft pick.

Realistically, the Panthers already made their mark. They signed three Pro Bowl-caliber players in Chris Gamble, Jordan Gross and Julius Peppers. They drafted an ox of a lineman in Jeff Otah to anchor the opposite side of the offensive line. They also brought in a new defensive coordinator with fresh ideas.

The Panthers have done plenty already.

They are just letting the blocks set up, sitting behind the line and waiting for the defense to commit. They will bust through the line into open space and the fans will finally cheer once again.

At least until they don’t.

Can JaMarcus Russell Lead The Raiders Out Of The Wilderness In 2009?

Following a year in which no AFC West team really deserved to qualify for the NFL playoffs (cue Jim Mora: did you say PLAYOFFS?), the Oakland Raiders could be poised to make big strides in 2009—if the last two games of the 2008 regular season are any indication, anyway.

With the Kansas City chiefs coming off their worst season since the pre-Marty-Ball days, the San Diego Chargers appearing to slide further every year under Norv Turner, and the Denver Broncos in upheaval (isn’t it nice to see the soap opera in the Mile High City for a change?), now would seem to be the time for the Raiders to reassert themselves if they’re ever going to in the Al Davis regime.

It has been an uncharacteristically quiet offseason for the Raiders, at least compared to recent offseasons with the head-butting between former head coach Lane Kiffin and Davis now in the rear view mirror.

Rob Ryan is in Cleveland, Terrell Owens is thankfully not the Raiders’ problem, stars Shane Lechler and Nnamdi Asomugha were re-signed; so where does that leave the Silver and Black in 2009?

With Erik Pears, Khalif Barnes and Samson Satele added to the offensive line and Jake Grove subtracted, how well will the O line gel? That seems to me to be the key to the Raiders’ hopes to improve, along with the development of JaMarcus Russell.

With good targets in Zach Miller and Darren McFadden providing help in the short passing game, can the blockers give Russell enough protection to hit the downfield passes? If so can Javon Walker and the young wideouts catch the deep throws that have been the Raiders trademark for so long?

With Johnnie Lee Higgins leading the wide receivers with only 20-some catches in 2008, Chaz Schilens and some of the other youngsters must show improvement. Even if Michael Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin are drafted, they will still be rookies.

Crabtree’s speed has been questioned and what with his recent surgery, his selection at No. 7 would be dicey. Maclin did not run a blazing 40 time at the combine.

Second round possibility Hakeem Nicks reportedly scored an 11 on the Wonderlich test which would make one believe he might have problems learning an NFL offense.

Therefore, in my opinion, most of the added production will have to come from players already on the roster.

McFadden, if healthy, and Michael Bush can form a formidable one-two punch in the running game, making Russell’s job much easier. Paul Hackett and Ted Tollner should give Russell the guidance he needs to step up his game. The rest is up to JaMarcus Russell.

Russell needs to demonstrate to his coaches and teammates that he has the dedication to excel in the NFL. The first way to do this is to work hard on conditioning and show up in shape for the mini-camps and training camp.

This could be a make or break year for JaMarcus Russell in Oakland. If he is to live up to his immense talent, Russell must show he has leadership qualities and the intangibles that have been lacking in his game thus far.

Put Up or Shut Up: The Dallas Cowboys

America’s Team has become Americas laughing stock. Once the heavy favorite to capture the coveted sixth Lombardi the team collapsed amidst a tidal wave of injury and controversy.

In an effort to turn the franchise around owner Jerry Jones has taken drastic measures. he cut the teams big play receiver in Terrell Owens to make the team more “Romo friendly” and let go of underachievers Pacman Jones, Roy Williams (safety) and Tank Johnson.

He has also ordered Philips handle the defensive play calling personally. Despite the losses Dallas remains one of the most talented teams in recent memory. Entering the 2009 season, Dallas has to either put up or shut up.

 

Offense

QB: With Tony Romo at the helm Dallas has an undeniable talent guiding their high-powered offense. On any giving Sunday his Brett Favre like ability to create will ensure you get your money’s even if he drives you crazy doing it.

But his losing record in December and, more importantly, January cannot be overlooked. While he hasn’t helped matters the blame cannot be put entirely on his shoulders.

Injuries and inconsistent play by the entire team helped more than anything to lead to these collapses but Romo still needs to play better.

And despite what many say about Romo’s turnover problem its not as bad as made out to be. Hall of Famer’s Dan Fouts and Terry Bradshaw both were very turnover prone and Bradshaw won FOUR Super Bowls.

Brett Favre a three time MVP, Super Bowl winner and future Hall of Famer is the NFL’s career leader in interceptions. So obviously Romo’s turnover problem is greatly exaggerated.

Besides, how many times did he have a game-ending turnover? Meanwhile backup Jon Kitna provides stability behind Romo who can come in and win games should anything happen to Romo.

 

WR: This is a position with several question marks. With only two proven producers on the roster, depth seems thin. Even the starters have question marks like Roy Williams, despite all his talent he only has one season of production. But his talent is great.

A possession receiver by nature he runs crisp routs and has sticky hands. He also can make the tough acrobatic catches in traffic that T.O. never made.

Patrick Crayton is also a sure handed receiver who runs great routs but he lacks ideal speed and despite being able to produce as a solid number two he is better suited to the slot.

Miles Austin oozes talent but needs to stay healthy. He has ideal size (6’3″, 215 pounds), deep threat speed and has a great chance to break out this year if he can stay healthy. Meanwhile, receivers Sam Hurd and Isaiah Stanback are intriguing talents that need to show what they can do.

 

O-Line: Last season the o-line started to show its age with every starter being over 30. The hardest hit by Father Time was Left Tackle Flozell Adams. After having an All-Pro year in 2007 he was at times atrocious in 2008.

But having Left Guard Kyle Kosier back figures to help. Center Andre Gurode and Guard Leonard Davis are both among the best at their respective positions and Right Tackle Marc Colombo is a quality player.

Pass protection must improve if this team wants to even make the postseason this year, but a greater emphasis on the running game should help tremendously.

 

Tight End: This is one of the few positions with no question marks. Jason Witten is arguably the games best TE, and young Martellus Bennett is a special talent that can produce big plays.

 

Running Backs: Marion Barber is the games best closer and fourth quarter runner and his hit or be hit running style is perfect for this offense, but he needs to be properly spelled to be effective. Felix Jones was having a Rookie of the Year caliber season when he was lost midseason.

His explosive speed and natural playmaking abilities make him the teams premier home run threat and having him back at full health will be a huge bonus. Third stringer Tashard Choice also proved his worth late last season when he ran for nearly 100 yards on the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

While not flashy he is effective and has a running style similar to the games all time great back, Emmitt Smith.

 

Defense

OLB: DeMarcus Ware is easily the games best linebacker and pass rusher. His 20 sacks lead the league and he also provides great run support and has excellent cover skills. He is the MVP of the defense and without him this team has no chance for postseason play.

On the other side Greg Ellis is a quality player who provides enough heat off the edge that teams are forced to watch him as well and young Anthony Spencer has shown flashes of greatness.

 

ILB: Bradie James was a Pro Bowl snub. A fiery leader and great player he can do it all. He lead the team in tackles for the fourth straight year and had a career high eight sacks. He also proved to be a quality cover man.

Keith Brooking was an excellent pickup as he provides valuable experience and leadership. He’s also experienced in Coach Phillips system having played for him while Phillips served as Atlanta’s Defensive Coordinator from 2002-’03 which coincidentally were his best seasons.

 

D-Line: Pro Bowl Nose Tackle Jay Ratliff is a disruptive force in the middle of the line. Though he lacks ideal size for his position he nonetheless has a knack for putting QB’s on their back as his eight sacks show. 

DE Marcus Spears is a solid player who plays the run well and newly acquired DE Igor Olshansky is a quality lineman who plays the run well and can get after the passer.

 

Secondary: Terence Newman when healthy is a premier Corner who can shut down a teams top receiver or deep threat. Second-year players Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick both posses great talent and will have to compete in training camp for the starting job.

Though at this point, Scandrick seems to be the favorite due to his great play during the 2008 season and he is a feisty player who’s confidence borders being just plain cocky. Despite his talent Jenkins needs to get more physical if he wants to be a player at this level.

If he can his combination of size and speed will allow him to become a premier Corner in the league.

At Safety, Ken Hamlin’s play fell off from his stellar 2007 season and needs to rebound in 2009 to justify the large contract he signed in the summer of 2008. Gerald Sensabaugh provides quality coverage at the Strong Safety spot that was sorely lacking during his predecessor Roy Williams tenure with the team.

While he isn’t in Williams class as a run stopper he is still above average. He also has a knack for stealing the ball away from opposing teams as his 4 interceptions in 2008 show.

 

Special Teams

Kicker: The Cowboys are set at kicker with Nick Folk. He’s young, accurate, has a powerful leg and most importantly is clutch.

Punter: With Mat McBriar’s return from a foot injury the Cowboys punting game will return to the leagues elite. He has a strong leg and is excellent at directional kicking.

 

Outlook

The Cowboys have a good outlook for the 2009 season. With the removal of several team cancers and bringing in “Phillips guys” Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips have gotten the locker room back under control. And the team remains one the the leagues most talented and its core players are in their prime.

If they can stay healthy this team can be a serious force in the NFC this year. But its up to them whether they want to put up or shut up.

I’m Concerned with Roger Goodell’s Quest To Expand the NFL to an 18-Game Season

As many of you may have learned today, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has high aspirations for expanding the NFL’s Regular Season. He would like to add an additional game or two to the schedule and has an interesting plan to make that happen.

As of now, the NFL runs on a 20-game schedule. Sixteen regular-season games and four preseason games. According to Goodell, “If the NFL’s name is attached to it, it should be high quality. Preseason games do not represent that quality, that’s clear.”

So his plan is to take one or two of those preseason games and turn them into regular season games.

I’m not sure how everyone else feels about the preseason, but I am very supportive of it.

People might complain about the quality of the games but they have to understand that preseason is nothing more than a glorified practice. It enables players to have the opportunity to prepare for the regular season by practicing against opposing teams instead of each other.

The issue with preseason games is the fact that they are meaningless.

Whether a team wins or loses, it does not impact the future of their regular season. At the same time, fans should not expect the same level of competition out of these games.

In the same way that if you visit your local team’s training camp, you also realize that it is practice that you are watching.

The NFL stands to make additional income by expanding the regular season. Obviously, fans are going to pay more to see the starters compete for longer, during games that are relevant.

I’m not as much against the expansion of the regular season as I am with Goodell’s perception of the preseason.

Who is he to determine the value of preseason games? The problem is that he is judging them as if they are on-par with regular season contests when they aren’t.

The value of preseason games is the player’s ability to become game-ready. They gain this far more through exhibition contact than through practice. Goodell says that you don’t need four preseason games to become ready to play the regular season.

Again, who is he to make that determination?

Jeff Fisher spoke on an alternative that could be provided for the missed snaps that younger players would lose.

Obviously shortening the preseason would take away opportunities for less proven players to showcase their talent. Fisher feels that the snaps could be made up in training camp or practice.

I have to question that.

I’m certain that these developmental players could in-fact get more practice snaps, but that is not enabling them with the same opportunity that preseason games do. Not by a long shot.

Goodell touched on the possibility of establishing a developmental league (similar to NFL Europe). While that is a nice thought, where are the actions being taken to establish such a league because I don’t see any. I also don’t see any proposed ideas for keeping a future developmental league from going belly-under like NFL Europe did.

Another concern is the health of the NFL players. How will their bodies hold up after playing an additional game or two?

Goodell’s counter to this concern is that they are establishing new rules to better help protect the players.

The vibe I got from him is that the new protective rules would off-set the additional playing time. He didn’t say that in so many words, but that is the message he delivered.

Again, I’m concerned with Goodell making these kinds of assumptions while not going into greater detail about the pluses and minuses involved. He said that, “Any time you have change, there is some reluctance,” as if that is all the explanation needed for the many concerns that people would have.

My personal take is that expanding the season by a game or two might prove to be a good idea. It certainly worked when the league expanded the schedule from 14 to 16 games.

My issue is with removing preseason games in an effort to add regular-season games.

Judging preseason games and regular-season games by the same standard is ridiculous. Anyone who watches or goes to these games understands what it is they are going to see.

Preseason games are not provided for our entertainment. They are played as more sophisticated practices so that way teams can better prepare for the games that we do get so excited for.

With serious issues such as facing an uncapped season in 2010, I do not feel that now is a time to complicate issues further. My advice would be to settle the salary-cap issue before attending to these revolutionary concepts.

These ideas might prove to be beneficial in the future, but that doesn’t mean that they are being handled in the best fashion.

My Latest Gripe: A Longer NFL Regular Season

For those that usually follow my “Gripe” series, you would know the usually follow the professional wrestling world but I do like to broaden my horizons some.

It has recently come to my attention that Roger Goodell wants to make the NFL regular season longer by one or two games.

I am not entirely sure how this would all play out, but come 2010 we might have football into the middle of February.

For most football lovers, this would seem like a time to rejoice.

For me, that is not the case, unless certain things were to change.

Now, I’m not sure if the extended season means less preseason games, but I definitely feel that the exhibition games need to be shorten.

Preseason, not just in football but all pro sports, is entirely too long.

Most of the players who fans want to see don’t play in all the games and if they do, it’s not for very long.

If you arrive at a preseason game a few minutes into action, the star quarterback might have already played his one or two series for the game.

Then you have the bye week.

Bye weeks should also be scrapped. Why?

Teams usually play once a week, why do you need a whole week of rest?

I know football is a tough sport.

I know teams practice throughout the week. But is it really necessary to award a bye week?

What’s worse are teams can get a bye in week four, while another team gets one in week 11.

Is that fair anyway?

Momentum could be halted for one team. Another team could get the time to have players heal.

Get rid of the bye week, it’s unfair.

With the obligatory bye week now gone and one less preseason game, Goodell now has his 18-game regular season.

And we won’t have to go mid-way into February.

Of course, we all know why this is being done though.

This is all about the all-mighty dollar.

The NFL is a cash generator and more regular season games are going to produce more green.

At the end of the day, that’s what it all comes down to—money.

Vegas, Baby, Vegas!

Just voted in a poll on ESPN’s homepage (scroll down to find it) regarding whether or not the NFL should extend the regular season to 17 or 18 games, or keep it as is with a 16-game regular season schedule. I was not expecting much out of the results; in fact, I figured NFL fans would want more regular season football.

As it currently turns out, however, the majority of NFL fans are in favor of keeping the current 16-game regular season intact. That kind of surprises me, honestly, given that most fans despise the four-to-five week preseason and enjoy fantasy football in record numbers every year.

But there was something a little more interesting in the results. 49 of the 50 states are in favor of keeping the 16-game schedule. Guess which state is in favor of extending the regular season to 18 games?

Bingo! Nevada is in favor of an 18-game schedule, and does it come as a surprise to anyone? Two more meaningful weeks of football means millions upon millions of dollars for the football-gambling industry centered around Las Vegas.

Funniest poll results ever. But come on NFL fans, let’s get more regular season games on the schedule huh?!

Atlanta Falcons: Not Many New Eggs in the Nest So Far

There won’t be any new eggs hatching at the team’s practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., anytime soon. The Atlanta Falcons have appeared cool, calm, and collected.

The only addition made to the team was Mike Peterson, a 32-year-old vet who is known to bring energy to the defense—he even gets in trouble for doing so. He isn’t a young Sean Jones, or a troublesome Pacman Jones. He is a leader, and a productive one at that.

While many will grunt and groan about the lack of movement in free agency, let us first consider what exactly the Falcons are about. The Falcons aren’t flashy. If this were high school, they would most likely represent the goofy-looking guy with freckles, frisky hair, and Coke-bottle glasses. While everyone finds some new intriguing facet to gaze upon, he sits…developing his master plan. What exactly does this master plan include? Only a foundation for the future.

Flying low on the radar of an already exceptional draft class is Chevis Jackson. He has a knack for being around the ball often and making plays. He may not be the fastest guy, but you can be sure he knows where the ball is.

Also, consider second-year player Thomas DeCoud as a potential starting safety for the ’09 season. He was a force to be reckoned with on special teams. Imagine his ability once he’s on the field for 16 games.

Steven Nicholas will most likely see a larger role on the team as well.

Once you factor in the new guys, it’s kind of difficult to see why some make the lack of activity in free agency a big deal, isn’t it? The Falcons do need a tight end but that may be addressed in the draft.

They could have gotten L.J. Smith at a relatively low price but decided to pass. Maybe they saw a future draft prospect with potential. General manager Thomas Dimitroff has a knack for doing things like that, doesn’t he? I mean, you don’t work for the Patriots for five or more years and not learn anything do you?

Sure there are many needs and many holes to be filled. Every NFL team has them. But could it be, that the answers to many questionable holes are already filled?

It’s easy to pick on the goofy guy with freckles, frisky hair, and Coke-bottle glasses when everyone else appears to be having fun.

I mean, look at the Redskins, they picked up Albert Haynesworth. The Bills picked up Terrell Owens.

But don’t we see teams do this every year? Teams like…the Oakland Raiders ring a bell?

The fact is, the Falcons are doing what they do best…wait. Through the draft they will fill positions of need and prepare their guys for an intense 2009 season. The Falcons aren’t building a team that will just win now, they want to win in the future.

So while everyone laughs at the goofy guy with the freckles and weird hair, I won’t. Because one day, he’ll reveal his master plan.

And while there may not be new eggs in the nest, we can be sure that somewhere, the ones already in existence are hatching. And when they hatch, no one will be laughing, but the goofy kid with glasses and frisky hair.

Philadelphia Eagles’ Needs Could be Filled by the Kansas City Chiefs

Word is, that no matter how much the Chiefs say that Tony Gonzalez doesn’t want to be traded, people close to him have said different.

Larry Johnson has also seemed to have worn out his welcome in KC, and will most likely be put on the trading block, if he’s not there already.

So what does this mean for the Eagles? Plenty.

Most fans would agree that our biggest need is a big back to complement Brian Westbrook, and to upgrade at the tight end position. Johnson and Gonzalez would solve both of those problems, respectively.

Granted, Gonzalez isn’t young anymore and Johnson has a lot of miles on him, but they would be better than anything we could find in the Draft while contributing immediately.

The going rate on a tight end seems to be a second and a fifth. This would be no problem for the Eagles to oblige because of their abundance of draft picks, and is well worth it for one of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game.

Johnson is still a great talent, and would be a wonderful second punch to Westbrook because of his combination of size and agility.

Because of how disgruntled he is, the Chiefs may part ways with him for a third-round pick and a veteran player, maybe a guy like Matt Schobel or Reggie Brown.

These are obviously short-term solutions, so the positions would still need to be addressed. Perhaps the Eagles could still grab Pettigrew in the first round, or maybe Cornelius Ingram out of Florida in the fourth (if he‘s still there, which is a possibility), while grabbing a guy like “Beanie” Wells or LeSean McCoy with our other first round pick.

This way we have veteran guys who can fill in immediately for a couple years, while grooming the younger talent.

This would be a huge deal to go down for the Eagles since they have a problem with parting ways with draft picks, but they may do it if they don’t feel their rookies would be able to contribute right away.

Read this and more at 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

Also check me out at GCobb.com, run by former Eagles LB Garry Cobb and SportsFullCircle.com

 

Why the NFL Should Not Expand the Regular Season

Light at The End of the Tunnel in Jay Cutler Situation: Can We Just Move On?

This has ground on too long. The now-infamous “McJay-gate” as coined by Mike Klis and Woody Paige of the Denver Post, among other local sports reporters, should be over. It should have been over weeks ago.

This is really an issue that was blown far out of proportion by Cutler and his agent, Bus Cook.

Now, however, the important thing is moving on. Moving on for the fans, the players, the management, the analysts, and Jay Cutler.

Josh McDaniels made it clear, in his interview with Scott Hanson, that he is ready to move on.

Despite the swirling rumors, the recent talk of an imminent trade, and the constant speculation on ESPN and NFL Network, Cutler and McDaniels can end this. Face to face, man to man. The way it should have been handled from the onset.

At the very beginning of this problem, I said the two should simply meet, share the blame for blowing the story out of proportion, and move on. Obviously, that did not happen. But I, unlike many analysts around the NFL, do not believe this situation is irreparable.

This is not about assigning blame. Blame is one of the major roots of this entire problem. Every man has an ego, and, in general people do not like being blamed for a problem or a mistake.

The situation turned into finger-pointing, the need to assign blame to either Jay Cutler or Josh McDaniels by the media, the fans, and the two men themselves.

If one of them had simply said, “I am sorry. I made a mistake, and we both need to move on,” I think this could have been a much smaller and less public issue.

Nonetheless, McDaniels says he wants to move on with Jay Cutler as quarterback.

The ball is in Jay’s court, and it is his time to step up, walk into his coach’s office, and take the initiative to fix this situation from his end. I am confident that if Jay makes the effort, Josh McDaniels will not “turn him away.” 

Jay Cutler needs to realize he is much better off in Denver.

The Broncos and their fans need to realize they are better off with Jay Cutler at quarterback.

Enough speculation about where Cutler might go, or what the Broncos might get in return. There is no quarterback available who would be better then Cutler.

Matthew Stafford has potential, but not as much potential as Cutler had coming out of Vanderbilt in ’06.

Jason Campbell, Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson—these guys are all adequate, but like it or not, they are not on the same level as Cutler.

Could McDaniels develop a Brady Quinn-type player over the course a season? Of course he could, but he wants to win now.

And so do the fans. And so does Pat Bowlen. And Jay Cutler. And the veterans of the defense, Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins.

McDaniels had a very successful free agency. He was able to land some of the bigger names by telling them the team they were joining was going to win now.

Without Jay Cutler, the Broncos have a much lower chance of winning now.

That being said, maybe Cutler is not the leader we (the fans) wanted him to be.

Champ and D.J. Williams are among the best at their respective positions, but they are not really leaders.

Yes, they were “captains” but the captain does not always have to be the best player.

The team will have its share of men truly worthy to wear the “C” on their uniform. Brian Dawkins will be the undisputed defensive and locker room leader.

I think Daniel Graham is worthy of that post on offense.

Cutler, despite his on-field skill set, should not wear the “C” on his jersey. He does not have the right charisma to be a team captain.

After all is said and done though, I think there is a good chance Jay Cutler will be back under center for the Broncos in 2009.

After the storm of speculation and rumors, there is once again hope that the quarterback and the coach will begin to make amends.

When Josh McDaniels was hired, before all of this was even a thought, fans were excited to see the offensive genius improve the Broncos offense that was already ranked second.

To many fans, that did not mean trading Cutler. And, in the end, it might not.

Can we please move on?

 

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