Northman
03-01-2009, 11:03 AM
Before i get the influx of hateful high five's or sarcastic responses let me point out that
this is just an open minded post. Yes, i loved Shanahan but as ive stated numerous times
since his departure i am more than willing to give Josh McDaniels a chance to do his thing
in Denver. However, there have been some other moves that have me scratching my head
and wondering if Mr. Bowlen made the right call on our new Coach. I do feel we needed to
go into a younger direction with the coaching but was McDaniels the right guy?
Although im positive that Bowlen had his hand in the departure of the Goodman's just as
much as McDaniels that was one move i really didnt understand. The last couple of drafts
were VERY positive for this team and didnt seem like it was going to slow down. Now, maybe
this year will continue that trend we will just have to wait and see. And i know that when you
get a new coach there is this tendency to want to strip it all down and get your own guys
into the fold but what does that really say about your ability to work with those you arent
familiar with?
When the move was made to bring in a new coach i figured we would bringing in someone to
make some moves with player personnel while leaving the rest of it intact. This team isnt that
far from a chance at a title. Maybe 2 years max if you make the right aquisitions and draft picks.
But, it would almost seem that McD (and maybe Bowlen) are trying to start from scratch all
over again which would put this team from a Championship farther down the road. That doesnt
sound like progress to me especially what we were able to accomplish with what lack of
talent we had last year. Going 8-8 with the problems that we had was pretty damn good considering
and with just a select few of moves we could easily jump to a 10-6 or 11-5 team.
I understand the business side of things and i know coaches generally entertain offers of all
kinds but most coaches also dont bite the hand that feeds them. Dan Reeves once thought he
would be slick and try to trade Elway and that eventually bit Reeves in the ass and signaled
his doom in Denver. Now, i understand that Jay isnt John Elway but it cant be denied that the
kid possesses that kind of talent as long as he has the weapons at his disposal and the chance
to mature with time. But, most coaches would see this right off the bat. Especially after what
kind of season Jay had last year so i have to question McD's qualifications as a HC here. He is
not only screwing the pooch on losing a franchise QB but he is doing so on the risk of trying to
replace him with a QB who had one solid year with a team that was more competitive.
Yes, Cassell may end up being a great QB for KC. But he may also become the next Derek
Anderson. Teams now have game film on Matt and i highly doubt he will be as successful
next year. Again, maybe he will be fine but the truth of the matter is that is a HIGH risk to
make and banking one of the most important positions on the team like that is not the smartest
of moves. Now, again i know this is a business and life isnt always fair. But, there is also the
responsibility of being a professional about it even more so at the HC position. McDaniel's poor
judgement in his handling of communication with Jay has been very disappointing.
I know some people see this as blowing over and i really hope they are right. However, coming
in for the first time to a team you dont even really know and essentially telling the star QB
that he is expendable without being man enought to discuss it with him first is pretty tacky
and cowardly and totally unprofessional. And keep in mind, this not only affects Jay's mental
state going into next season but now what do other players on the team think? Our best
wide receiver loves Cutler so if Jay gets traded what does that do to the psyche of the rest of
the team? This is just a poor move on McDaniel's part to me. If your going to entertain the idea
of trading your franchise player (which is ok) then at least be up front with the guy about it.
We know Jay wasnt crazy about the firing of Shanahan so maybe Jay doesnt want to play
for Josh. But it sounds like McDaniel's is trying to be sneaky here and if i was a player on this
team i wouldnt be none to happy either. Be a man and be up front with the players otherwise you
take the risk of losing the entire team and the respect that you really need to have. I really hope
that this doesnt damage the relationship between the team and the HC. That would set this team
back even further at this point. A week or so ago i was toying with the idea of posting a new
topic proclaiming "its a good thing im not the GM/HC of this team". And i was going to list all
the UVA players that i would trade Jay and certain players for having Aaron Brooks as our
starting QB.
Yes, i love my UVA players but that was from a fan point of view and just trying to be silly. But
looking at what is starting to transpire here i am beginning to wonder if McDaniel's is treading
down a dangerous path much like a certain Steve Spurrier did when he was trying to get all his
Gators on his team. McD is supposed to be a good judge of talent but the way he has handled
this situation with Jay has me scratching my head if he was the right choice for us. Lets hope that
im wrong here and that he can mend the wound he has cut open here.
this is just an open minded post. Yes, i loved Shanahan but as ive stated numerous times
since his departure i am more than willing to give Josh McDaniels a chance to do his thing
in Denver. However, there have been some other moves that have me scratching my head
and wondering if Mr. Bowlen made the right call on our new Coach. I do feel we needed to
go into a younger direction with the coaching but was McDaniels the right guy?
Although im positive that Bowlen had his hand in the departure of the Goodman's just as
much as McDaniels that was one move i really didnt understand. The last couple of drafts
were VERY positive for this team and didnt seem like it was going to slow down. Now, maybe
this year will continue that trend we will just have to wait and see. And i know that when you
get a new coach there is this tendency to want to strip it all down and get your own guys
into the fold but what does that really say about your ability to work with those you arent
familiar with?
When the move was made to bring in a new coach i figured we would bringing in someone to
make some moves with player personnel while leaving the rest of it intact. This team isnt that
far from a chance at a title. Maybe 2 years max if you make the right aquisitions and draft picks.
But, it would almost seem that McD (and maybe Bowlen) are trying to start from scratch all
over again which would put this team from a Championship farther down the road. That doesnt
sound like progress to me especially what we were able to accomplish with what lack of
talent we had last year. Going 8-8 with the problems that we had was pretty damn good considering
and with just a select few of moves we could easily jump to a 10-6 or 11-5 team.
I understand the business side of things and i know coaches generally entertain offers of all
kinds but most coaches also dont bite the hand that feeds them. Dan Reeves once thought he
would be slick and try to trade Elway and that eventually bit Reeves in the ass and signaled
his doom in Denver. Now, i understand that Jay isnt John Elway but it cant be denied that the
kid possesses that kind of talent as long as he has the weapons at his disposal and the chance
to mature with time. But, most coaches would see this right off the bat. Especially after what
kind of season Jay had last year so i have to question McD's qualifications as a HC here. He is
not only screwing the pooch on losing a franchise QB but he is doing so on the risk of trying to
replace him with a QB who had one solid year with a team that was more competitive.
Yes, Cassell may end up being a great QB for KC. But he may also become the next Derek
Anderson. Teams now have game film on Matt and i highly doubt he will be as successful
next year. Again, maybe he will be fine but the truth of the matter is that is a HIGH risk to
make and banking one of the most important positions on the team like that is not the smartest
of moves. Now, again i know this is a business and life isnt always fair. But, there is also the
responsibility of being a professional about it even more so at the HC position. McDaniel's poor
judgement in his handling of communication with Jay has been very disappointing.
I know some people see this as blowing over and i really hope they are right. However, coming
in for the first time to a team you dont even really know and essentially telling the star QB
that he is expendable without being man enought to discuss it with him first is pretty tacky
and cowardly and totally unprofessional. And keep in mind, this not only affects Jay's mental
state going into next season but now what do other players on the team think? Our best
wide receiver loves Cutler so if Jay gets traded what does that do to the psyche of the rest of
the team? This is just a poor move on McDaniel's part to me. If your going to entertain the idea
of trading your franchise player (which is ok) then at least be up front with the guy about it.
We know Jay wasnt crazy about the firing of Shanahan so maybe Jay doesnt want to play
for Josh. But it sounds like McDaniel's is trying to be sneaky here and if i was a player on this
team i wouldnt be none to happy either. Be a man and be up front with the players otherwise you
take the risk of losing the entire team and the respect that you really need to have. I really hope
that this doesnt damage the relationship between the team and the HC. That would set this team
back even further at this point. A week or so ago i was toying with the idea of posting a new
topic proclaiming "its a good thing im not the GM/HC of this team". And i was going to list all
the UVA players that i would trade Jay and certain players for having Aaron Brooks as our
starting QB.
Yes, i love my UVA players but that was from a fan point of view and just trying to be silly. But
looking at what is starting to transpire here i am beginning to wonder if McDaniel's is treading
down a dangerous path much like a certain Steve Spurrier did when he was trying to get all his
Gators on his team. McD is supposed to be a good judge of talent but the way he has handled
this situation with Jay has me scratching my head if he was the right choice for us. Lets hope that
im wrong here and that he can mend the wound he has cut open here.