- Apparently the Jay Cutler-Broncos saga has gotten worse following a conference call between the quarterback and the team. The call was supposed to resolve any remaining issues between the two parties, but that doesn't sound like it happened. A Broncos source refuted this report, but really what we should be watching for is if Cutler shows up to the offseason conditioning program on Monday. If he skips it, then that will be a sign that he isn't content with playing in Denver and will likely request to be traded. I mention this obviously because the Lions are in need of a quarterback and already tried to trade for Cutler once before. Expect Martin Mayhew to phone the Broncos ASAP if this situation continues to get worse between Cutler and Denver.
- While on the subject of Cutler, I have to ask, what did he ever do to Mel Kiper? Yesterday in Kiper's "Tuesday with Mel" piece, he not only went after Cutler, but he absolutely tore him apart. He even said that Matt Cassel is a much better QB.
"[Cutler] throws one pass, he's a Hall of Famer," Kiper says. "I've seen the media put him in the Hall of Fame. I had to run to the bathroom quick. It was making me ill. I've been hearing this overhype.
Where in the hell is all of this hate coming from both for Cutler and the media that supposedly love him so much? It just seems so out of left field. Then again, it starts to make perfect sense once you go back to 2006 and look at Kiper's rankings. He had Matt Leinart (Vince Young, too, I believe) ahead of Cutler in his rankings and was never a big fan of Cutler. Now that Cutler clearly is a better QB than Leinart, it is becoming obvious that Kiper is trying to cover his own ass by hating on Cutler.
"This guy was overhyped at the combine, he was overhyped at Senior Bowl week, he's been overhyped before he was drafted. The media, they love Jay Cutler. Jay Cutler can do no wrong. I've been saying he's overrated since day one. Everyone's been pounding their chests saying, 'Oh, I love Jay Cutler, I'm a genius.' They have egg on their face now."
I used to like Kiper, but this guy seriously is becoming a bigger jackass by the day. He isn't a talent evaluator but a person with an enormous hidden agenda. I understand a person trying to make themself look good, especially with draft rankings being so hit and miss, but give it up, Kiper. You have been consistently wrong in the past and are becoming quite bitter over it. Get over yourself. - Speaking of getting things wrong, if ESPN's formula for measuring college performance proves to be accurate again this year, Kiper will be incorrect in having Matthew Stafford as the #1 overall pick. I say that because ESPN's formula, which has been very accurate in identifying busts, predicts that Stafford will be a bust. This is just another indication that taking Stafford with the top overall pick would be a huge mistake.
- Stafford visited the Lions on Tuesday and will privately work out with the team at a later date. Jim Schwartz said that the team has already watched every throw he's made in the last two years, but correctly pointed out that watching someone on tape and in person are two very different things.
- Because the Lions are going to hold a private workout with Stafford, Schwartz probably isn't going to attend Georgia's pro day next week.
- Schwartz thinks Aaron Curry can play both OLB in a 3-4 defense and ILB in a 4-3.
- Schwartz was asked about Jordon Dizon yesterday and said something that is very telling (in my opinion, at least).
On whether the Lions view Jordon Dizon as a starting outside linebacker: "The answer is ... we need to keep acquiring players.''
I'm guessing Schwartz would have said the same thing if asked about other players, but reading between the lines, it doesn't seem like Dizon is anything more than a backup. - According to Schwartz, Anthony Henry's play will determine if he lines up at cornerback or safety.
- The topic of Thanksgiving games is not on the agenda for the NFL's annual meeting later this month. That means that there will be no planned discussion about taking the game away from the Lions, which is great news.
- Tight end L.J. Smith is reportedly going to sign with the Falcons. (HT: Highlight Reel)
- Former Lions cornerback Leigh Bodden signed with the Patriots.
- The Rams released offensive tackle Orlando Pace.
- LaDainian Tomlinson is going to stay with the Chargers after restructuring his contract.
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Wednesday Notes: More Issues Between Cutler, Broncos; Stafford Visits Lions
By
Sean Yuille