Cutler’s Leadership Birth in a Nutshell

For as long as I can remember Ralph Routon has been the lead sports editor here in Colorado Springs for the Gazette.  Recently Ralph took an executive editor position for our other paper, the Independent or “CSIndy”.  They are more of the anti establishment, anti-gazette paper.  I was never particularly enamoured with Routon’s work at the Gazette so when I came across this article I was impressed.  Cutler’s Words Might Stop Broncos’ Woes Routon does a nice little writeup on the Cutler-Marshall, Elway-Cutler, Cutler-Elway mini saga we’ve had of late.  He also calls out his fellow sports writers on misreporting just about every quote.

Then there was Elway, asked for the millionth time in the past nine years (since his retirement) what he thought of the Broncos’ latest soap opera. Candid as always (OK, almost always), Elway said he was surprised at Cutler’s tactics, especially being so public about it, and the Hall of Famer added that he preferred to deal with such problems one-on-one.

Presto, instant headlines. Even though, actually, Elway added some thoughtful follow-up remarks, but those words got lost in the hubbub. He said perhaps this was simply Cutler using the situation to show his readiness — and willingness — to take charge of the team as a true, forceful leader.

Elway’s actual words: “I was impressed by the fact it meant something to him to come out and say something about it, which I think is something that the Broncos need … The situation Jay’s in as a quarterback, he’s the leader. You have to take a leadership role. You need somebody to take over, and that’s one thing I saw on Jay’s part. … It’s a matter of when you get the respect of your teammates. That’s when leadership comes.”

On that note, old No. 7 was right on target.

The entire article echoes the sentiment here at Broncotalk and our fellow blogs.  It really has a few great gems and shows the quaility writing that I’ve come to expect at the Indy.  He doesn’t even try to rip Shanahan even though it seems popular of late.  He calls Shanny a terminator firing employees to try and get the team out of it’s recent “malaise”.  Apparently Routon also thinks the head coach could get crazy in the first round and grab a play maker at receiver.

In fact, though nobody else is saying this, you have to wonder if Shanahan might consider using Denver’s first-round draft pick for another receiver, perhaps even trading up to do so. There’s a strong crop of potential playmakers at wideout for Denver’s pick at No. 12 (unless the Broncos might move lower and still get what they want), including DeSean Jackson of California, Mario Manningham of Michigan, Early Doucet of LSU, Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma, Devin Thomas of Michigan State, James Hardy of Indiana, Limas Sweed of Texas and Taj Smith of Syracuse.

Put somebody like that on the field with Marshall (assuming he fully recovers) and Stokley, and that could help open up the run game even more.

It’s nice to see a fresh breath of air in Colorado sports reporting.  Instead of stringing together cynical, negative articles one after another a writer has come out and posted facts and follow up, not sensationalism.  Well done Ralph, well done.  Maybe getting out of those staunchy offices at the Gazette did help you out after all.