What if it works?

[Killericon]

I, like seemingly everyone here, have written this season off. Putting in Cutler has robbed me of what little remaining hope I had for our shot at the Super Bowl, and now even the Playoffs...but what are the chances this actually works? The Defense gets motivated by this vote of non-confidence from the coaching staff, and steps it up. The Offensive leaders step up their effort in response...and Cutler steps in and throws a better ball than Plummer.

Does anyone here think it's possible? If so, please convince me, because I'm starting to look forward to the draft and Free Agency more than I am the next game, which makes me sad on the inside...

[bloodsunday]

I think it will be okay, if the rest of the TEAM picks it up.

Jake hasn't changed that much, those around him have let down a little bit. If they give the same effort they were giving earlier in the season, we'll be okay.

We're playoff bound baby.

[2KBack]

Even without a championship, there is no reason to not enjoy the rest of the games this season. Cutler will at least make for a little excitement, and I'm sure there will be more experiementation to come.

[watermock]

We lost our shot at the SB when we lost to Indy and SD. Then KC.

It's humorous that we lost our chance to win a SB by benching Jake. If Shanahan thought we had a shot in hell he wouldn't of pulled the string. Period.

[SoCalBronco]

I want that mid first round pick, so I wouldn't mind going 2-3, or even 0-5.

[bloodsunday]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

I want that mid first round pick, so I wouldn't mind going 2-3, or even 0-5.

WTF?! I hope you are kidding...

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by bloodsunday

WTF?! I hope you are kidding...

Actually, I'm not.

I don't believe this team has what it takes to really do anything in the playoffs anyway. However, even with Jay's inexperience, he will probably play better than Jake, just on pure talent alone, so I don't think the whole team is going to collapse or anything, if anything, our level of play on offense will probably get better, even with rookie mistakes. Jay is a great talent.

But....if we lose some games, that isn't going to bother me. If we lose all of our games, that will not bother me, either. I will be ecstatic. We know we won't be a player in the playoffs, too many issues, so I definitely would not mind maximizing our draft positioning. It's WIN-WIN to me.

[bloodsunday]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

But....if we lose some games, that isn't going to bother me. If we lose all of our games, that will not bother me, either. I will be ecstatic. We know we won't be a player in the playoffs, too many issues, so I definitely would not mind maximizing our draft positioning. It's WIN-WIN to me.

WTF are you saying? You don't care if we lose all our games! How do you call yourself a fan of this team? Man what a stupid thing to say. What does a mid-round #1 selection get us? Another mid-round pick that won't help us next season, that's what it gets us.

I don't understand at all how you think drafting 5 or 7 spots higher is worth throwing the season. In fact, that might be the dumbest thing I have ever read on this board.

I hope everyone that reads this NEG-REPS you.

[HEAV]

In this league I have seen strange things. So I won't rule anyhing out. I just want to see the kid play and make an evaluation after I see him play with real bullets and not preseason BS.

[DBroncos4life]

Originally Posted by bloodsunday

WTF are you saying? You don't care if we lose all our games! How do you call yourself a fan of this team? Man what a stupid thing to say. What does a mid-round #1 selection get us? Another mid-round pick that won't help us next season, that's what it gets us.

I don't understand at all how you think drafting 5 or 7 spots higher is worth throwing the season. In fact, that might be the dumbest thing I have ever read on this board.

I hope everyone that reads this NEG-REPS you.

SoCal could call my mom a slut and I wouldn't hit him with NEG-REPS.


as for the subject, it better work.

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by bloodsunday

WTF are you saying? You don't care if we lose all our games! How do you call yourself a fan of this team? Man what a stupid thing to say. What does a mid-round #1 selection get us? Another mid-round pick that won't help us next season, that's what it gets us.

I don't understand at all how you think drafting 5 or 7 spots higher is worth throwing the season. In fact, that might be the dumbest thing I have ever read on this board.

I hope everyone that reads this NEG-REPS you.

A mid first can almost guarantee us a certain franchise power back, thats what it can do. It is win-win.....if we win games, that is obviously good (although since we know we can't really hang with the big teams on the road in the playoffs, its just sort of a temporary benefit), if we lose, there is a substantial long term benefit too, so im not going to mind losing. It's win-win. I'm not going to change my opinion simply because you don't like it.

[Dudeskey]

I think its reasonable to say the seasons over w/ a Rookie under center seeing how it is Cutler is still in the development stage of his NFL career. But I'd be damn surprised if he comes in & lights it up... either way if the teams still have aspirations of making a serious playoff run, everyone has to take it up a couple notches...

[HEAV]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Actually, I'm not.

I don't believe this team has what it takes to really do anything in the playoffs anyway. However, even with Jay's inexperience, he will probably play better than Jake, just on pure talent alone, so I don't think the whole team is going to collapse or anything, if anything, our level of play on offense will probably get better, even with rookie mistakes. Jay is a great talent.

But....if we lose some games, that isn't going to bother me. If we lose all of our games, that will not bother me, either. I will be ecstatic. We know we won't be a player in the playoffs, too many issues, so I definitely would not mind maximizing our draft positioning. It's WIN-WIN to me.

Don't we swap picks with the Skins if they have a worse record than us?

I still have little faith in Shanny's first round talent evaluations. Hell he most likely will trade down (again) and get more picks. Instead of drafting a RB or DE.

I just hope that this offseason freeagents have:
A: No ties to the Browns
B: Are names and not scrubs
C: Make me not freakout (like the last 3 years)

[bloodsunday]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

A mid first can almost guarantee us a certain franchise power back, thats what it can do. It is win-win.....if we win games, that is obviously good (although since we know we can't really hang with the big teams on the road in the playoffs, its just sort of a temporary benefit), if we lose, there is a substantial long term benefit too, so im not going to mind losing. It's win-win. I'm not going to change my opinion simply because you don't like it.

A mid first rounder guarantees us nothing. We blow as many picks as we make good on. But that's beside the point.

The point is that fans root for their teams in thick and thin. Why doesn't Oakland just throw games so they can get the #1 pick? Its flawed thinking. I don't expect you to change your mind to make me happy. But I just don't get how a fan can say they don't care if their team wins or loses. That is ass-backward to me.

AND....

Where does your logic extend to? Should we have started losing games two weeks ago after we realized our D sucked and we couldn't win? If we start out 0 - 3 next season should se just toss aside all those games so we can get the #1 overall pick?

There's gonna be lots of seasons where you can't win the Super Bowl but you don't just mail-it-in.

[telluride]

Originally Posted by watermock

We lost our shot at the SB when we lost to Indy and SD. Then KC.

It's humorous that we lost our chance to win a SB by benching Jake. If Shanahan thought we had a shot in hell he wouldn't of pulled the string. Period.

I think you have it exactly backward. Shanny pulled the string to preserve whatever shot we have at the SB. It was obvious the Jake wasn't taking this team there. If it can make it, it will because the rookie guides us there.

Listen, there's no reason not to be excited. Win three games and we'll likely sneak into the playoffs. From there, anything is possible. To give up on the season already is absurd. Hell, this move makes me far more excited about this season -- what remains of it -- than I have been all year.

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by bloodsunday

The point is that fans root for their teams in thick and thin. .

I am rooting for this team. I love this team more than you can imagine. We simply have a disagreement over what course is in the team's best interest. I root for the result that is in the team's best interest. I'd be happy if we win, but im not going to cry if we lose, because that also helps the team's interests, arguably more than winning does, given the surrounding circumstances on the team and in this conference. Either way, I will be pleased.

[youcandoit1687]

i want the best for the franchise. if that means we win out, dont make the playoffs, but carry a ton of momentum to next year, hell yeah. if that means we lose out and get some great picks to take us the next step next year, hell yeah. i just wnat the best.

i personally think that getting jay a playoff game under his belt would be pretty valuable. wed likely still be drafting in the early 20s. there are a lot of DTs in the draft most likely. im on record wanting to draft defense, the offense already has plenty of talent in all facets(IMOOC)

[snowspot66]

I think we'll see him trade up for a RB if there's a good 1st round quality one available.

[Rascal]

I agree with Socal to an extent, but I think we will go 2-3 (win against 49'ers and Cardinals, but lose to Chargers, Seahawks, and Bengals).

We get Lepsis back healthy, shore up the RT position, and RB.

Then get a legit DE and DT and make a run for it next year.

[Mile High Shack]

Originally Posted by Rascal

I agree with Socal to an extent, but I think we will go 2-3 (win against 49'ers and Cardinals, but lose to Chargers, Seahawks, and Bengals).

We get Lepsis back healthy, shore up the RT position, and RB.

Then get a legit DE and DT and make a run for it next year.

we are either going to finish 8-8 or 9-7, the San Fran game is no gimmie, they can run the ball down our throats

Leinhart will throw a lot on us too

but I think we'll win that one

but I still say 8-8, we are only going to win one more game

[footstepsfrom#27]

Why anybody at this point is still looking back at the performance Jake put up and thinking that a change...ANY change...even one to a rookie...diminishes our chances of a Superbowl run is beyond me. Even if Cutler throws picks right and left just like Jake did he will at least balance that off with the ability to thow the deep pass routes, which in turn will keep defenses honest and open up the running game. The best thing that can happen is that we still make a playoff run with Cutler but even if we don't, the experience we'll get from his over the next 5 games is going to outweigh the advantages of just taking an early playoff exit. Elway went 13-3 in his second year after taking his lumps the first time around. I think Jay is better positioned with this team than John was by far. He's got a better coach, better defense, more weapons...and the benefit of having watched for 11 games now. I think we have an outside chance at going 4-1...probably more like 3-2...the rest of the way. There's no evidence Jake could do any better than that anyway. In fact if we kept him in there I'd say nothing more than 2 wins would be reasonable (Arizona and SF) so if anything, we've made a move up not down.

[Taco John]

Write off the season? I'm more optimistic about our chances than I was before. We just became a better team.

[BlaK-Argentina]

I always love it when this board writes the team off because that's when we seem to play better. I know it's stupid, but that's how it went the last three years. Every time people on this board claimed we could sleep-walk thru a team we got our asses handed to us... and the other way around.

I'm not giving up on this season. The crappy Chargers just got a win handed to them in a way I've never seen before, at HOME, against the Raiders. We have a chance.

I can't agree with SoCal. Winning is all that matters. That's why they play the games.

[labronx]

Originally Posted by killericon

I, like seemingly everyone here, have written this season off. Putting in Cutler has robbed me of what little remaining hope I had for our shot at the Super Bowl, and now even the Playoffs...but what are the chances this actually works? The Defense gets motivated by this vote of non-confidence from the coaching staff, and steps it up. The Offensive leaders step up their effort in response...and Cutler steps in and throws a better ball than Plummer.

Does anyone here think it's possible? If so, please convince me, because I'm starting to look forward to the draft and Free Agency more than I am the next game, which makes me sad on the inside...

You see, that's where I think the "Jake Crowd" had it all wrong. The moment I watched Plummer and Cutler in the preseason, I knew Cutler, even as rookie, gave us a better chance.

He opens up the offense with his arm, and especially his quick release and decision making. His progressions will only keep getting better and better. His poise is uncanny for a QB his age and experience.

I think alot has to do with his experience playing for an afterthought of a football program at Vanderbilt in possibly the most talented conference and easily the most passionate and competive.

Think about it.....none of Cutler's teamates even got a sniff of the draft scouts.

He is the real deal. "He gives us the best chance to win, that is why Shanahan has him as the starter", as the Plummer backers have been saying all season.

"If he is that much better than why isn't he playing then?"

You are now about to see how much better than Plummer he is.

It's time and I am ready.

Let's shock the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Taco John]

I think the only people writing off the season are the Plummer whiners, and the usual whiners who nothing is good enough for. A vocal minority.

And personally, I'm not saying that we're going to the Superbowl. I'm just more optimistic about our chances now. Plummer was a roadblock.