Jay Cutler Almost Traded? Brandon Marshall Arrested? Say It Ain't So Broncos

Regardless of the why, in a little over two months after the significant firing of Mike Shanahan, the Denver Broncos have already changed a great deal.

Bowlen hired a new head coach in the young Josh McDaniels, who quickly assembled his new staff, which includes some big names, and some relative unknowns.

Mike Nolan, formerly head coach of the 49ers, has come in to run the defense. Mike McCoy, Carolina Panthers’ ex-passing game coordinator, is the new offensive coordinator for Denver.

One Mike has gained fame flashing suits on the sidelines, the other Mike is a wild card.

Brian Xanders was hired as the Broncos’ new GM, and released seven players in his first 24 hours in Denver. The cuts included Dre’ Bly, an overrated star who many fans loathed.

With free agency came more changes, including the signings of Brian Dawkins, and Jabar Gaffney, who should both start in 2009.

Most of the Broncos’ transformation has been seemingly positive, until the story broke that Jay Cutler was rumored in trade talks.

According to ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson, the Denver Broncos were in trade talks with Detroit, Tampa Bay, and New England about young gunslinger Jay Cutler.

The Lions offered their 33rd pick in April’s draft, and possibly a future pick, while Tampa Bay offered its first- and fourth-round picks for Cutler. The deal with the Patriots would have sent Matt Cassel to Denver, and Cutler to Tampa Bay, in a three-way trade.

The talks have been denied by the Broncos’ organization, ones they describe as only inquiries by other teams.

McDaniels explained to the Denver Post, “We've received trade calls on a number of players, which is not uncommon this time of the year. I also think the sensitivity of the other trade that was occurring, with my relationship with New England and the whole Cassel thing, I think that stirred the pot even more.”

McDaniels showed support for his newly adopted quarterback, saying, “"We don't want to trade Jay, we never did. He's our quarterback. We're excited about this season.”

Cutler was supposed to be in Denver this coming week to continue learning the Broncos' new offense, but instead decided to take some space.

Cutler explained in a phone interview, “They want me to come in and talk to 'em but I'm not doing it right now; I'm going to lay low. The [Broncos] deny everything. That's a problem. We know for a fact they tried to trade me.”

But it seems Cutler did not take the rumors as lightly as the Broncos had hoped, refusing to speak to the team, for now.

“I'm upset. I mean, I'm really shocked at this point," Cutler declared to The Denver Post. “I could see why they want Cassel. I don't know if they think I can't run the system or I don't have the skills for it. Or if they don't think they can sign me with my next contract. I just don't know what it is. I've heard I'm still on the trading block.”

Cutler was reportedly fired up after the shocking firing of Shanahan, and dismissal of Jeremy Bates, ex-Broncos’ play-caller. These trade rumors have only fanned Cutler’s emotional flames.

What good did McDaniels and Xanders think would come out of trading Cutler?

Cassel was good, not great, last year for one of the NFL’s best offenses. He is a system quarterback.

Cutler made the Pro Bowl after a great 2008 season. He is an athletic specimen and is a fiery leader who could flourish in almost any offense.

In the breaking news section of this bad Broncos news weekend, Brandon Marshall was arrested in Atlanta on charges of disorderly conduct, reportedly getting into a fight.

Really Brandon Marshall? You got arrested again? After having a 2008 suspension lowered from three games to only one, assuring Commissioner Roger Goodell you would stay out of trouble? Was someone egging you on about the Cutler trade rumors?

Most likely, it was another case of a young, wealthy, athlete getting too loud, or showing off too much, to the wrong people.

Now, Marshall confronts likely a much longer suspension this time around. He could miss up to eight games of the 2009 season, an amount given to other players with numerous off-the-field issues. (See Cincinnati Bengal Chris Henry, who missed eight games in 2007.)

Marshall, the Broncos’ No. 1 receiver in 2008, went to his first Pro Bowl less than a month ago. He was looking for a huge new contract, but this news may hinder some of those dreams.

For Broncos fans, this was not the change they were looking for. The new, inexperienced head coach and GM are already at odds with the face of the franchise quarterback. The star receiver is in trouble with the law, after seemingly maturing.

If nothing else, these talks have shown how loved Cutler is to Denver fans. Two different dedicated Broncos’ fans have already reacted, disclosing to me that if indeed Cutler was traded, they would not be Denver Broncos fans anymore.

A rift has just been created by McDaniels and Xanders. They sit on one side, with Cutler and Broncos fans on the other. The question is now whether they can patch things up, and in a hurry.

The draft is approaching, and there are many question marks that surround the team. The one position that seemed set was quarterback, and that may be up in the air now.

With the arrival of McDaniels came his complex offense, in which Cutler needs as much time as possible learning. Denver does not want its starting quarterback to be unready for the 2009 season.

As of now, the firing of Shanahan might end up haunting Bowlen in the long run if McDaniels cannot figure out this complicated situation quickly.