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rationalfan
03-17-2009, 04:38 PM
From Don Banks at SI.com:

Watching the slow-motion car crash that is the Jay Cutler-Denver divorce in the making, I can't help but get the feeling I've seen this particular movie before. From the looks of it, it's once again a five-star Bus Cook Production.

For the third time in four NFL offseasons, Cook, the veteran agent who doesn't mind going public when the need arises, has one of his big-name quarterback clients locked into some sort of ugly and protracted stand-off with his particular team. There was Steve McNair's messy exit from Tennessee that stretched throughout the spring of 2006, Brett Favre's never-ending melodrama with Green Bay in 2008 -- the story that ate the summer -- and now we get to witness Cutler and the Broncos exchange ideas on what exactly constitutes a breach of faith these days.

The details of each case are all a little different, but after spending time the past two days talking to sources within the NFL, I found it apparent that the similarities of the three recent quarterback sagas have been duly noted around the league.

And the consensus is that with Cutler we're probably in for another story that generates hostage-crisis level coverage (which, alas, has already started) before culminating in both parties going their separate ways amidst some level of recrimination. That's roughly how McNair became a Raven for the last two years of his career, and how Favre pulled on that green and white Jets jersey for one last celebrated go-round on the quarterback carousel.

Now it's Cutler's turn, and Cook is doing his level best to shoot his young star's way out of town. His client wants a trade, and Cook has a tried and true playbook for leveraging that particular scenario. Interestingly, Cutler, Favre and McNair are the only three NFL quarterbacks Cook represents, and the latter two are retired.

"Bus has a pattern here with this sort of thing,'' one veteran NFL general manager told me Monday afternoon. "And he's been successful with it before. What you have here is an agent trying to dictate the position of an entire franchise. He sees an opportunity, because he knows [the Broncos] are vulnerable to pressure. They've got a new, 32-year-old head coach [Josh McDaniels], a new young general manager [Brian Xander], and an owner in Pat Bowlen who has only recently re-engaged in the decision-making of his team.

"Bus is turning up the heat because he knows there has been a tremendous amount of change going on there in Denver. He's trying to break the organization, break the ownership, now that it's just Bowlen and these two young guys. There are new people in Denver and they exposed themselves with the dabbling they did [in trade talks], and now they've got an agent trying to make it as miserable as he can for them. He's creating some pressure through the media, and trying to see how strong these three are going to be. Will they sit there and be able to take the heat? Something like this can bring an organization to its knees.''

One veteran agent with several high-profile NFL clients said that everything that has unfolded in Denver regarding Cutler in the past three weeks fits nicely under the heading of a "classic case of an agent trying to get his guy traded.''

Another longtime agent I talked to said few are better than Cook at "busting a guy out of there'' when a player wants to be traded, and that he has a history of using maximum leverage against a team.

"If the client wants out, then he's doing the will of his client,'' the agent said. "And Bus' M.O. is to play it out very publicly. If this was another agent, things could be done behind the scenes and you wouldn't be hearing about it. But just like coordinators have their own schemes that they like, so do agents. By now, teams should have seen film of Bus, and scouted him well. They know what's coming when he has a client who wants out.''

The football-speak may sound funny when talking about an agent, but it's true in Cook's case. I talked to a Packers official who said the organization gleaned valuable insight during last summer's Favre showdown from what happened between McNair and Tennessee in 2006. He said the "whole Steve McNair playbook'' helped the Packers because they were determined not to give Cook any reason to claim that the team had shown Favre any disrespect when he returned to Green Bay during training camp.

Due to the team's concerns about being liable for his $23 million salary cap number should McNair get injured during offseason workouts, the Titans quarterback had been locked out of the team complex that spring, an indignity that Cook used superbly in the public-relations battle against the franchise. The Packers threw open their doors for Favre and gave him free reign to use anything he wanted, including his luxury suite. Some Titans officials even offered advice to their counterparts in Green Bay on what to look out for when facing a battle with one of Cook's quarterback clients.

Another echo from the past that has reminded some of Favre's stance last summer has been Cutler's refusal to meet with his new head coach, McDaniels, without Cook in the room, or on the phone, at the same time. Packers general manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy have privately maintained that they felt Cook poisoned the relationship between Favre and the Packers decision-makers. Broncos sources say the same dynamic is in place regarding how Cutler feels about the new power structure of McDaniels and Xander in Denver.

Some NFL sources I talked to believe Cook's ultimate goal in getting Cutler out of Denver is really more about landing him a new contract with a new team. Cutler has three years remaining on his relatively low-paying $48-million, six-year rookie deal, signed in 2006 after Denver traded the 15th and 68th picks to St. Louis to nab him at No. 11. He likely wouldn't be in line for a contract extension from the Broncos until 2011.

"My feeling is this is all about a contract,'' said the veteran NFL general manager. "He's got three years left, and that's a lifetime in this league. I think it's being orchestrated for money, and to get rid of the last three years of that deal. Either he gets traded and wants a new five-year deal from his new team as part of a trade, or it's about trying to get the Broncos to show how committed they are to him, by giving him a long-term deal.

"I'm curious to see which way it goes. But it's getting uglier by the day. The agent and the player are saying other things, like Cutler can't trust McDaniels and he's not comfortable with the new regime, but I think it comes back to the contract. I know this much: It's all going downhill like a snowball at this point.''

One NFL source pointed out that with both Favre and McNair retired, Cook doesn't have two of the best advertisements for his services playing in the league any more. Other than New England receiver Randy Moss, Cutler is Cook's highest-profile client (although he also represents Falcons running back Michael Turner and Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas). Successfully agitating Cutler out of Denver will perhaps help recruit new clients and keep Cook's name both in the news and on the A-list of agents.

But while McNair and Favre were both traded near the end of their long and successful careers, Cutler's case is very different in that key respect. He's entering only his fourth NFL season, and third full year as a starter. While he's known as an obvious talent with a gifted right arm, he's not the proven commodity that McNair and Favre were when Cook worked to relocate them to a new NFL venue.

That leads some NFL sources to question whether Cook's methods are as wise to employ on behalf of Cutler at this point in his career as they were on veterans such as McNair and Favre?

"In this league, you really only get to cry wolf once in your career, and Cutler's using that option pretty early on,'' a longtime NFL agent said. "To get a short-term result, meaning a trade, certain methods may be more effective than others, and going public and to the media like they're doing is always one of them. However, for the long-term development of your quarterback mentally, it's debatable whether that method is helpful. It could backfire on them.''

In case of McNair and Favre, of course, both had a great deal of initial success with their new teams, but it didn't last long. McNair retired after an injury-plagued 2007 season, his second in Baltimore, and Favre re-retired this offseason, after his one roller-coaster year in New York. If Cutler and Cook get their wish from Denver, their gambit better not wind up being described over time as having backfired. Some divorces are a mistake in retrospect, but it's too early to judge whether there will be any potential winners if the breakup of Cutler and the Broncos comes to pass.

If Cutler does get to the trade market this offseason, the methods Cook used to land him there may be quickly forgotten or overlooked. As one NFL source reminded me:

"If you're Cutler, you know you're young, you're good, and you've got a good arm,'' he said. "You're banking on 31 other teams. Thirty of them might think you're a knucklehead, but it only takes one team to take the contrarian view and think they're smarter than anyone else and want to prove it by trading for you. Young quarterbacks are always going to get another chance, and the benefit of the doubt.''

In Denver at the moment, there's no short supply of doubt on any number of fronts. We don't know yet if or how the Broncos' Cutler saga will end, but there are chapters in this story that have grown quite familiar.

DenBronx
03-17-2009, 04:40 PM
someone wake me up on draft day.

yardog
03-17-2009, 04:53 PM
Bingo.

bcbronc
03-17-2009, 04:54 PM
more like Bus cooks meth.

tomjonesrocks
03-17-2009, 05:08 PM
McDaniels is an idiot.

NightTrainLayne
03-17-2009, 05:11 PM
Obviously Don Banks doesn't know that the Packers and Titans Front-office's are jam-packed with McLying Mcliars too. Obvioulsy the Packers and Titans so mis-treated Favre and McNair that they had no choice. .. they couldn't trust the coaches and staff anymore. . .

[/sarcasm]

Buff
03-17-2009, 05:15 PM
I'll ask again. What is the incentive for Bus Cook smoothing things over here?

(Hint: There isn't one)

Kapaibro
03-17-2009, 05:49 PM
Bus Cook is an ear pissing SOB

Shazam!
03-17-2009, 05:49 PM
...if Denver cracks and offers a big new contract. He'll get new clients.

claymore
03-17-2009, 05:52 PM
McDaniels is an idiot.

I think Im in love with you.

Broncolingus
03-18-2009, 11:05 AM
Hey everyone...

Apologies to those who may have already posted this, but I like the article by Don Banks of SI...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/03/17/cook/index.html?eref=T1

Buff
03-18-2009, 11:07 AM
http://www.broncosforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35372

Northman
03-18-2009, 11:09 AM
Problem is, if Cook is the instigator Jay puts way too much faith in him which wont help his immediate situation. And im guessing the parents are just as gullable.

WARHORSE
03-18-2009, 01:33 PM
I'll ask again. What is the incentive for Bus Cook smoothing things over here?

(Hint: There isn't one)


The incentive for him smoothing things over here are that there is no better team for Cutler to thrive immdediatly or in the long run in than Denver. If you know what best for Cutler, you want him to light it up this year which includes: Winning in the post season, cutting down on turnovers, being more mature in dealing with public issues and public relations. That equates to mega deals getting put in place.

The Pros and Cons.

The offense is stacked. We have just about every piece in place, and can only add players to make us even better.

We have a young coach, who may be an idiot in dealing with managerial positions, but he is an offensive young 'mastermind', in fact, the best in the league. He also is instituting a team first mentality which will bring more wins.

We have a defense that is going to be improved upon, an already huge overhaul is taking place, and we will not be the same defense this year. Change in scheme will give opponents more to overcome.

If Cutler goes to Detroit, Tampa, or teams like that, he will be the same QB, but he will not have the same success........not initially.

Right now, if Cutler is traded, he will demand a new contract from his new team, and he will get one: a very good one. But is that what in the best interest of Cutler? His jerseys will sell hugely in whatever market he is moved to, but in the general population of fans, the ship jumpers.....his jerseys wont sell at all. Why? Cause people view him as a crybaby, a whiner, etc, etc because of all the press out there right now.

Right now, if Cutler plays here, he will in all probability produce at a very, very high level, in an offense catered to the quarterback. Since he has a very good line, a very good complete set of WRs, and now some very good RBs who can run, catch and block, the offense is set to explode, even prior to picking up a possible offensive talent in the draft.

If Cook is thinking of Cutler, he is thinking about his marketability as well as his football contract. Right now, he has his player viewed as a malcontent in a large circle of fans. If he comes in, speaks professionally to the press, says all the right things, ie: team first always, and move to DOWNPLAY the issues between him and McDaniels, then lights up the scoreboard on this team, taking us into the post season.......THEN, Cutler not will not command a new very good contract, he will command a MEGA contract.

Not to mention he will become a very marketable QB.....which leads to........large contracts with big money corporations who would like to place his face in a synonymous familiarity with the everyday consumer........you listening Cook?


If Cutler goes to a Detroit, and the team loses, whether its Cutlers fault or not, he will be blamed. He will become the whipping boy in the media, and his marketability will plummet even further. Not only that, for an ultra competitive player like Cutler, he will not be happy. Peyton Manning would not be happy in that set of circumstances. No QB who cares about winning will be happy in that mindset.

Bus Cook has asked for a trade on behalf of Cutler. But they also stated they will not miss any mandatory team events. If he comes in and plays, and plays well in Denver, winning will soothe the egos, Cutler will get paid very possibly the largest contract in league history.

Prolific passing numbers along with huge wins is the recipe for getting PAID.

There is no team primed for Cutlers success right now than the Denver Broncos.

OB
03-18-2009, 01:40 PM
The incentive for him smoothing things over here are that there is no better team for Cutler to thrive immdediatly or in the long run in than Denver. If you know what best for Cutler, you want him to light it up this year which includes: Winning in the post season, cutting down on turnovers, being more mature in dealing with public issues and public relations. That equates to mega deals getting put in place.

The Pros and Cons.

The offense is stacked. We have just about every piece in place, and can only add players to make us even better.

We have a young coach, who may be an idiot in dealing with managerial positions, but he is an offensive young 'mastermind', in fact, the best in the league. He also is instituting a team first mentality which will bring more wins.

We have a defense that is going to be improved upon, an already huge overhaul is taking place, and we will not be the same defense this year. Change in scheme will give opponents more to overcome.

If Cutler goes to Detroit, Tampa, or teams like that, he will be the same QB, but he will not have the same success........not initially.

Right now, if Cutler is traded, he will demand a new contract from his new team, and he will get one: a very good one. But is that what in the best interest of Cutler? His jerseys will sell hugely in whatever market he is moved to, but in the general population of fans, the ship jumpers.....his jerseys wont sell at all. Why? Cause people view him as a crybaby, a whiner, etc, etc because of all the press out there right now.

Right now, if Cutler plays here, he will in all probability produce at a very, very high level, in an offense catered to the quarterback. Since he has a very good line, a very good complete set of WRs, and now some very good RBs who can run, catch and block, the offense is set to explode, even prior to picking up a possible offensive talent in the draft.

If Cook is thinking of Cutler, he is thinking about his marketability as well as his football contract. Right now, he has his player viewed as a malcontent in a large circle of fans. If he comes in, speaks professionally to the press, says all the right things, ie: team first always, and move to DOWNPLAY the issues between him and McDaniels, then lights up the scoreboard on this team, taking us into the post season.......THEN, Cutler not will not command a new very good contract, he will command a MEGA contract.

Not to mention he will become a very marketable QB.....which leads to........large contracts with big money corporations who would like to place his face in a synonymous familiarity with the everyday consumer........you listening Cook?


If Cutler goes to a Detroit, and the team loses, whether its Cutlers fault or not, he will be blamed. He will become the whipping boy in the media, and his marketability will plummet even further. Not only that, for an ultra competitive player like Cutler, he will not be happy. Peyton Manning would not be happy in that set of circumstances. No QB who cares about winning will be happy in that mindset.

Bus Cook has asked for a trade on behalf of Cutler. But they also stated they will not miss any mandatory team events. If he comes in and plays, and plays well in Denver, winning will soothe the egos, Cutler will get paid very possibly the largest contract in league history.

Prolific passing numbers along with huge wins is the recipe for getting PAID.

There is no team primed for Cutlers success right now than the Denver Broncos.

Its not about Cutlers success :der: its about the MONEY$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ :coffee:

WARHORSE
03-18-2009, 01:48 PM
Its not about Cutlers success :der: its about the MONEY$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ :coffee:

Um, that translates to the same thing.:tsk:

Den21vsBal19
03-18-2009, 01:51 PM
Its not about Cutlers success :der: its about the MONEY$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ :coffee:
And by forcing either a big contract from the Broncos, or a trade with a big contract, he makes himself more attractive to the rookie class.....................:tsk:

And he could do with the new business, as the cash-cow that was Brett Farve is gone

OB
03-18-2009, 01:59 PM
Um, that translates to the same thing.:tsk:

How do you figure - if Cutler gets a new big contract from the broncos (thats not loaded with incentives) he is guaranteed a certain (large portion) of that money whether he sucks ass or not

WARHORSE
03-18-2009, 02:04 PM
How do you figure - if Cutler gets a new big contract from the broncos (thats not loaded with incentives) he is guaranteed a certain (large portion) of that money whether he sucks ass or not


You obviously did not read the first post you responded to.

Which explains alot.

WARHORSE
03-18-2009, 02:07 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?eref=T1 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/03/17/cook/index.html?eref=T1)

"Jay was understandably upset with the initial trade talk, but he knew he had to move forward and he went there last Saturday with every intention of working it out and moving on,'' Cook said. "It was explained to him what had happened, but then McDaniels in essence told him he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't entertain trade talk again at some point. He told Jay, 'I can't tell you we wouldn't trade you in the future, if that was in the best interests of the team.'
"I just don't think that's the right thing to say to a guy who's still a little hurt from hearing the trade talk to begin with. With that, Jay said I don't know if I want to be here, and he did ask to be traded at that time. He said I don't think it's going to work here. I'm not sure I can go with this. At that point, my job is to represent my client and do what's best for them.''
Though Cutler was a no-show when the Broncos offseason program began this week, Cook ruled out any chance of a training camp holdout in an attempt to force Denver into a trade.
"Obviously they hold all the cards right now,'' Cook said. "Jay's under contract. And he will show up. He'll be there at the mandatory [mini]-camps, and maybe sooner. That would be up to Jay. But he'll definitely be there for the mandatory camps, and training camp. So they're the ones who control the situation. Not us.''
But one veteran agent with several high-profile NFL clients said that everything that has unfolded in Denver regarding Cutler in the past three weeks fits nicely under the heading of a "classic case of an agent trying to get his guy traded.''

OB
03-18-2009, 02:10 PM
You obviously did not read the first post you responded to.

Which explains alot.

If Cutler was going to do it your way - put up big numbers for a big contract - none of this would be happening right now - Bus is trying to get the big Kx for his client right NOW not next year and IMO - Jay has yet to prove he deserves the big money as of right now - (not all his fault) but....if all he wanted was to win and play well he would have shut up and gone about his business this year knowing we were tying to put together a winning team (like you pointed out on our improvements etc) - and maybe he could have shown everyone what a great QB he could be with a decent team that plays defense but he chose to make this into an ordeal now - and there are reasons behind that (many of which are selfish)

OB
03-18-2009, 02:14 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?eref=T1 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/03/17/cook/index.html?eref=T1)

"Jay was understandably upset with the initial trade talk, but he knew he had to move forward and he went there last Saturday with every intention of working it out and moving on,'' Cook said. "It was explained to him what had happened, but then McDaniels in essence told him he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't entertain trade talk again at some point. He told Jay, 'I can't tell you we wouldn't trade you in the future, if that was in the best interests of the team.'
"I just don't think that's the right thing to say to a guy who's still a little hurt from hearing the trade talk to begin with. With that, Jay said I don't know if I want to be here, and he did ask to be traded at that time. He said I don't think it's going to work here. I'm not sure I can go with this. At that point, my job is to represent my client and do what's best for them.''
Though Cutler was a no-show when the Broncos offseason program began this week, Cook ruled out any chance of a training camp holdout in an attempt to force Denver into a trade.
"Obviously they hold all the cards right now,'' Cook said. "Jay's under contract. And he will show up. He'll be there at the mandatory [mini]-camps, and maybe sooner. That would be up to Jay. But he'll definitely be there for the mandatory camps, and training camp. So they're the ones who control the situation. Not us.''
But one veteran agent with several high-profile NFL clients said that everything that has unfolded in Denver regarding Cutler in the past three weeks fits nicely under the heading of a "classic case of an agent trying to get his guy traded.''

Well this post goes more to proving the point that Jay is being a puss about this whole thing

The Broncos wont guarantee that he will be a lifelong bronco so he wont play here - are you kidding me - if every player got all pissy everytime a team just talked trade possibilities with another team no one would play

WARHORSE
03-18-2009, 02:26 PM
Well this post goes more to proving the point that Jay is being a puss about this whole thing

The Broncos wont guarantee that he will be a lifelong bronco so he wont play here - are you kidding me - if every player got all pissy everytime a team just talked trade possibilities with another team no one would play


It also says that if KC comes with a Cassell for Cutler trade on draft day that looks like a doer, Cutler is gone.

If you dont want to tell me theres no need to look over my shoulder, then dont ask me to come in for voluntary workouts to learn the offense I possibly wont be running next year.

Which means, McDaniels has yet to learn from his FIRST rookie mistake.

WARHORSE
03-18-2009, 02:27 PM
If Cutler was going to do it your way - put up big numbers for a big contract - none of this would be happening right now - Bus is trying to get the big Kx for his client right NOW not next year and IMO - Jay has yet to prove he deserves the big money as of right now - (not all his fault) but....if all he wanted was to win and play well he would have shut up and gone about his business this year knowing we were tying to put together a winning team (like you pointed out on our improvements etc) - and maybe he could have shown everyone what a great QB he could be with a decent team that plays defense but he chose to make this into an ordeal now - and there are reasons behind that (many of which are selfish)


Thanks for the explanation.

I understand even more now.

WARHORSE
03-18-2009, 02:28 PM
Case you came away from that last response without the honey dripped sarcasm..........let me help you.

OB
03-18-2009, 02:38 PM
It also says that if KC comes with a Cassell for Cutler trade on draft day that looks like a doer, Cutler is gone.


Well thats the first i heard that tidbit of "factual" information - I didnt read that in the article - are you getting this from your apparent inside sources since you seem to know everything that was said in the meetings and such, based on your rash judgments of everyone involved

KCL
03-18-2009, 02:47 PM
It also says that if KC comes with a Cassell for Cutler trade on draft day that looks like a doer, Cutler is gone.

If you dont want to tell me theres no need to look over my shoulder, then dont ask me to come in for voluntary workouts to learn the offense I possibly wont be running next year.

Which means, McDaniels has yet to learn from his FIRST rookie mistake.


Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

DenBronx
03-18-2009, 03:35 PM
McDaniels is an idiot.


idiots too nice of a word.

DenBronx
03-18-2009, 03:38 PM
It also says that if KC comes with a Cassell for Cutler trade on draft day that looks like a doer, Cutler is gone.

If you dont want to tell me theres no need to look over my shoulder, then dont ask me to come in for voluntary workouts to learn the offense I possibly wont be running next year.

Which means, McDaniels has yet to learn from his FIRST rookie mistake.



pioli would be smart to deal for cutler but he wont give up a 1st for him. i could see him dealing cassel/lj/3rd. something along those lines. i wish jerrod allen still was a chef.

KCL
03-18-2009, 03:48 PM
pioli would be smart to deal for cutler but he wont give up a 1st for him. i could see him dealing cassel/lj/3rd. something along those lines. i wish jerrod allen still was a chef.

:tsk::tsk:

I agree about Allen.....stupid Carl.

Broncolingus
03-19-2009, 05:46 PM
I still dont get this...

If Cutler wanted to make things right at the last meeting, then why did he walk out of that meeting and demand a trade?

...AND why is his agent doing so much talking that sounds so damn familar (almost exactly) like the Fave-ree and McNair fiasco's...

What EXACTLY did Bowl-on and McD do that was so unforgivable?

Kapaibro
03-19-2009, 08:30 PM
I still dont get this...

If Cutler wanted to make things right at the last meeting, then why did he walk out of that meeting and demand a trade?

...AND why is his agent doing so much talking that sounds so damn familar (almost exactly) like the Fave-ree and McNair fiasco's...

What EXACTLY did Bowl-on and McD do that was so unforgivable?

They didn't beg and grovel to Jay and promise on the blood of their children that Jay would be a Bronco til the day he died, and oh yeah here's some more money even though you still have a contract that still has time on it.

Lonestar
03-19-2009, 11:15 PM
They didn't beg and grovel to Jay and promise on the blood of their children that Jay would be a Bronco til the day he died, and oh yeah here's some more money even though you still have a contract that still has time on it.


about time someone did what needs to be done on this agent.. maybe jay will see the light soon and get his ass back in camp and learn the facts and truth not just listen to what his agent has to say..

Thought you had to be smart to go to vandy.. guess not..