With the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the win-less Detroit Lions select to trade the rights to University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Denver Broncos for franchise quarterback Jay Culter.
Shenanigans. Did someone call shenanigans?
After the Broncos blew a three-game lead over the San Diego Chargers with three games to go, Denver owner Pat Bowlen fired his long-time friend, his Hall-of-Fame head coach and his hard-working general manager, Mike Shanahan.
During his 15-year tenure in the Mile High City, Shanahan made seven playoff appearances, winning two back-to-back Super Bowls behind John Elways' arm and Terrell Davis' legs and finishing with just two losing seasons.
With the 11th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos drafted Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler: Mike Shanahans' guy—A poor man's Elway who throws hard and accurate.
Bowlen soon replaced Shanahan, with former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, as head coach for the AFC West's past-perennial playoff contenders.
During his four years as Pats quarterbacks coach, McDaniels worked with three-time Super Bowl champion, two-time Super MVP, and Hall-of-Fame lock, the newlywed Pats starting quarterback Tom Brady. Last season's pro-bowl-like breakout stats from the now Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassell that saw the Pats finish six games above .500 and still miss the playoffs, partly a credit to McDaniels offensive play-calls and individual work with Cassell and Brady.
As one of the youngest coaches in the NFL, first-year head coach McDaniels must bring the Broncos back to the playoffs after three straight seasons to second-place finishes, last losing in 2005 AFC Championship to eventual Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
But just like every other NFL head coach or general manager, McDaniels needs his guy at the helm over center, running his offensive grandiose schemes, and winning his team Super Bowl rings.
Jay Cutler is not McDaniels' guy.
Prematurely labeled a franchise QB, Cutler has started every Broncos game for the past seasons, competing passes over 60 percent, tossing 45 touchdowns to 32 interceptions, winning percentage below .500, and failing to make to playoffs both years. Even when he replaced Jake Plummer for final five games of his rookie campaign, Cutler still showed he losing ability with half as many INT than TD and a 2-3 record.
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