I must admit—of all the teams that are still undefeated in the National Football League, the Denver Broncos are the most surprising. When new head coach Josh McDaniels came to town and stirred things up by dealing Pro Bowl quarterback (and arguably Denver’s best player) Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears, I questioned his sensibility. And when receiver Brandon Marshall—despite his immense talent—was playing the role of disgruntled diva and dividing (or so I thought) a locker room that was most likely not willing to put up with his childish behavior, I feared the worst for this team. In all …read more

In the wake of Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall’s suspension earlier today, there was no questioning his motive in practice this week. He walked while his teammates ran. He punted the football instead of handing it to a ball boy. And he swatted at a pass rather than catching it. Check out this video of his antics. He wants out of Denver and this is his childish way of attempting to get what he wants. The only problem is, he’s not getting what he wants. But I don’t blame him for trying. Quarterback Jay Cutler pouted his way out of …read more

Jay Cutler complained his way out of Denver. Now Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall is trying to do the same. Brandon has made it known he wants to play for another team (”I think I want to be traded” is what he told team owner Pat Bowlen), but if Denver is willing to wheel and deal, it will be a pretty high price tag for any prospective suitors.
The Broncos would probably want a first and third round pick and Brandon would command somewhere in the neighborhood of $9 million (or more). Considering his checkered past, it’s a pretty high risk. Then …read more

In an unexpected turn of events late this afternoon, the Denver Broncos traded quarterback Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears. Here are the details: the Bears get Jay plus a fifth round Draft pick this year. The Broncos get quarterback Kyle Orton, two first round Draft picks (one this year and one next year) and a third round Draft pick this year.

This deal was surprising in that all signs were pointing toward a trade to the Washington Redskins until the Bears stepped in and made the deal worth Denver’s while. Chicago GM Jerry Angelo was understandably excited and pleased …read more

It appears Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is going to get his wish to be traded.

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen released a statement today explaining the team’s plans to deal Jay to another team:
“Numerous attempts to contact Jay Cutler in the last 10 days, both by head coach Josh McDaniels and myself, have been unsuccessful. A conversation with his agent earlier today clearly communicated and confirmed to us that Jay no longer has any desire to play for the Denver Broncos. We will begin discussions with other teams in an effort to accommodate his request to be traded.”
Compared to …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Is anyone else tired of hearing about the ongoing soap opera between Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Jay Cutler? At the NFL Annual Meeting today, coach McDaniels said Jay is still the team’s quarterback and he’ll do what he can to improve their strained relationship:
“I’ve always been optimistic. He’s on our team, he’s under contract, and I understand there’s things we have to work toward in our relationship. I’ve heard (Jay’s trade request) but have not heard it from him personally. No one has contacted me, called me, text-messaged or e-mailed me. …read more

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The NFL announced its 2009 Kickoff Weekend primetime television schedule today — including a Monday night “AFL 50th” doubleheader — and the Thanksgiving Day national TV tripleheader.
In a tradition that began in 2004, the Super Bowl champion annually hosts the NFL Thursday night season kickoff the following year. This September 10 at 8:30 PM ET on NBC, the Super Bowl XLIII champion Pittsburgh Steelers will host the AFC South champion Tennessee Titans, who had an NFL-best 13-3 record last season. The Sunday night primetime game (8:30 PM ET) on NBC will feature a division …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels has a real mess on his hands. By trying to get quarterback Matt Cassel to join him on his trip from New England, he alienated Broncos QB Jay Cutler with trade discussions that told Jay he wasn’t good enough to fit into coach McDaniels’ new system in Denver. And from the events that have happened since (a conference call and face-to-face), it doesn’t appear he’s done a whole lot to remedy the situation because Jay’s more miffed than ever. In fact, he now wants to be traded.
At the …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler was upset to hear his name being thrown around in trade talks this weekend. And I can’t say I blame him. Before Matt Cassel was traded from New England to Kansas City yesterday, Jay’s name came up in a proposed three-way deal with the Tampa Bay Bucs that would have brought Matt to Denver (and reunited him with his former offensive coordinator from New England and Broncos new head coach Josh McDaniels) and sent Jay to Tampa Bay. It obviously didn’t work out but the trouble had already started as …read more

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Brian Dawkins will always be remembered as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. But it looks like he will be spending the remainder of his career with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos signed Brian to a five-year, $17 million deal today. The contract includes $7.2 million in guaranteed money. And so distraught were the Eagles (but apparently not enough to keep Brian with the team), that team Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie released the following statement upon the official news of Brian’s departure:
“Brian Dawkins has been one of the pillars of this franchise for 13 years. He …read more