Cutler? We Don't Need No Stinking Cutler!

At least that's what Vikings brass at Winter Park seem to be telling themselves. Word came last night from Broncos owner Pat Bowlen that Jay Cutler is officially on the trade block. This after their QB apparently did not return phone calls for 10 straight days as the Broncos tried to convince Cutler they really DID want him to be their QB- even though they made a failed attempt to land former-Patriot-now-Chief Matt Cassell. I think we've been through what happened in Denver already, but just in case, here's the cliff notes version: Denver was really, REALLY foolish to try to deal Cutler and not get it done. If new coach Josh McDaniels knew from the moment he was hired that he wanted to bring Cassell with him from New England, he should have been on the phone with his old colleagues the moment he was hired in Denver. Instead, all reports indicate Denver waited way too long, and missed the opportunity to make a deal. That wasn't smart.

However, Cutler pulling a hissy fit because the Broncos tried to deal him is also pretty dumb. It sounds like McDaniels has made every attempt to reconcile with Cutler and apologize, and the former Vandy standout has refused to listen. Be a man and go out and prove to Denver why they're lucky the deal never happened, and prove why you're as good as you think you are. Don't pull this crap.

Yet he is pulling this crap, and now a 25 year old quarterback who I would say is one of the ten best QB's in the league is available- and the Vikings seem only mildly interested, which makes perfect considering...ok it makes no sense. None sense. Completely and totally non-sensical. Is The Purple head coach Brad Childress so infatuated with Tavaris Jackson that he can't see doing anything and everything to get Jay Cutler is the safest way to keep his job? Jackson has proven he is not a starting QB in this league (and I don't think ever will be), and Sage Rosenfels has proven little more so far. This on a team where it seems the Vikes have done everything possible to address needs and do whatever it takes to put a winning team on the field- except at the position that matters most.

I'd love to know whose decision this has been? They're willing to go all-out to get Jared Allen, sign Bernard Berrian and Madieau Williams to huge deals, and make a genuine effort to put a Super Bowl caliber team in Minnesota- except at quarterback. Why hasn't owner Ziggy Wilf sat down and asked his staff this? Why hasn't he held Childress and the Triangle of Power at Winter Park accountable for not having gotten this team a quarterback? If I'm ZIggy, I'm telling Childress that if you believe this strongly about T-Jack and you do not make every effort to get Cutler, then if things don't work out this year he's gone. Maybe he is anyway, but I'd love to see some sort of rationale for all of this.

Hey maybe the Vikes are working the back channels for Cutler. We do know they were in on the intial Cutler trade talks when Denver was trying to deal him to Tampa in a three way trade to get Cassell, but so far have been very quiet. If the Vikes don't make a serious run at getting the disgruntled Denver signal-caller, I hope those in charge in Minnesota will get the message that they did indeed need Cutler- and I hope they realize it when they're handed their pink slips.