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Jay Cutler upset with Broncos after trade talks

In one of the more bizarre stories this offseason, Jay Cutler reportedly was almost traded by the Broncos in a three-team deal involving Matt Cassel, the Chiefs, the Patriots, the Lions, the Bucs, a milkshake machine, a monkey, a tricycle, a kazoo and a whistle.

The deal obviously never went through because the Patriots agreed to send Cassel and linebacker Mike Vravel to the Chiefs for a second round pick, but apparently Cutler is now upset that his name was even brought up in a possible trade.

Tampa approached Denver to try to make a three-way trade that would have sent Cassel to the Broncos and quarterback Jay Cutler to the Buccaneers. The Broncos entertained the notion and pondered it but ultimately decided against it.

Also, the Lions approached the Broncos about a trade for Cutler, trying to dangle Cassel as bait. Once again, Denver debated the deal and opted against it apparently. What made it a moot point was that while all Tampa, Detroit and Denver engaged in trade talks with New Engalnd, the Patriots went ahead and dealt Cassel to the Chiefs.

This is what Cutler said in response to the trade talks:

“I’m upset. I mean I’m really shocked at this point,” he said. “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. I just don’t get 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.”

According to ProFootballTalk.com, Cutler was as good as gone from Denver at one point, but you have to take what PFT says with a grain of salt because their unnamed sources only hit about 50% of the time.

This is a wild rumor and if it’s true, it makes sense. McDaniels is more familiar with Cassel then he is Cutler and if he felt that Cassel gave the Broncos a better chance to win, then seeking a trade isn’t that far-fetched.

And I don’t blame Cutler for being upset. His new head coach isn’t giving him a vote of confidence by trying to trade for Cassel, although Cutler also has to strap on the big boy pants and be a professional. Trades happen. If this rumor is true and the trade fell through, Cutler still has an obligation to the Broncos. Buck up, Jay.

Marbury solid in Celtics debut

Stephon Marbury played 13 minutes off the bench last night and went 4-6 from the field, posting eight points, two assists, a steal, a rebound and three turnovers. More importantly, he helped the shorthanded Celtics beat the Pacers, 104-99.

I saw his second half stint and he played solid defense and found Ray Allen for an open jumper. It’s going to take him a while to get back into the groove, but there is so much focus on how he fits in with the Celtics that I think he’s going to bend over backwards not to be a headache.

Broncos sign Brian Dawkins to five-year deal

NFL.com’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Broncos have reached a deal with free agent safety Brian Dawkins (Eagles) on a five-year, $17 million contract with $7.2 million guaranteed.

Brian DawkinsDenver signs free agent safety Brian Dawkins to a five-year, $17 million deal that includes $7.2 million guaranteed. The contract also has escalators that could boost the value of the deal to $27 million over five years, but the deal also could be voided to two years, $9 million.

Considering Dawkins is already 35 years old, chances are the two-year deal will be the one that comes into play. But even at 35, Dawkins has always remained in fantastic shape and the Broncos landed a true veteran leader. He’s always been one of the classier players in the league and here’s hoping he has a few more productive years left in him.

It’s going to be weird not seeing Dawkins in a Philadelphia uniform next season.

Patriots trade Cassel and Vrabel to Chiefs for second round pick

Scott Pioli is quickly turning the Kansas City Chiefs into the Patriots of the AFC West after he was able to acquire quarterback Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel from New England in exchange for a second round pick (No. 34 overall).

NFL.com’s Adam Schefter, who first reported the story, claims that the two teams have agreed on the compensation, but details are not yet available. Rotoworld.com, however, confirms that the compensation for Cassel and Vrabel is a second round pick, which seems incredibly light for a starting quarterback and linebacker.

Did Bill Belichick do his old buddy Pioli a favor by only letting Cassel go for only a second rounder? Did Pioli have incriminating photos of New England front office members and was set to release them unless they agreed to trade Cassel for as little as possible? How they hell could the Pats only get a second rounder for Cassel and Vrabel?

Three years ago, the Falcons traded backup quarterback Matt Schaub to the Texans for two second round picks and the teams also swapped first rounders (Atlanta got the 8th overall pick, while Houston got the 10th). How did the Falcons get two second round picks and jump up two spots in the first round for Schaub, yet the Patriots were only able to muster a second rounder from the Chiefs for Cassel, who is coming off a full season as a starter?

Obviously New England was petrified of having Cassel’s cap number on their books for the 2009 season and decided to jump when KC offered up a second round pick. Vrabel only saves the Pats $3 million in cap space, so it’s still unclear why he was part of the deal, although maybe this is where the aforementioned favor comes in. Vrabel was set to take a lesser role next year in New England, but in KC, he’ll be a starter and a mentor in the Chiefs’ new 3-4 defensive front.

This was a nice move by the Chiefs. Cassel already has a season under his belt as a starter and now gets to work in a pass-happy situation in KC under new head coach Todd Haley. He also has Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez (if he’s not traded) to throw to, as well as Larry Johnson (if he stops bitching about wanting to be traded) to take some pressure off him in the offense. The Chiefs still have to sign Cassel to a long-term deal, but their questions at quarterback have finally been answered.

As for the Patriots, they’ll clear a ton of cap space off their books, but it’s shocking how little they received for Cassel in the end. He may never pan out in Kansas City, but his value had to be more than a second rounder, right?

MMA Fighter Profile: Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva
“The Spider”
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185/205
MMA Record: 23-4
UFC Record: 8-0

Anderson “the spider” Silva started his fighting career back in 2000 in the Mecca (Vale Tudo) organization. He started off with a decision loss, but quickly went on a nine-fight win streak. Silva is one of the most feared strikers in the world, showcasing world class Muay Thai kick boxing skills, which were honed at the infamous Chute Boxe Academy in Brazil. He also happens to have a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, earning impressive victories over Travis Lutter and Dan Henderson via submissions.

Silva started his pro MMA career in Vale tudo Brazilian fights under the Mecca organization. After several wins he moved to Shooto and then moved to Pride FC and Cage Rage. He amassed a very impressive record, which prompted the UFC to sign him to a multi fight deal. He left Cage Rage and began his destruction of the middleweight division in the UFC, leaving such fighters as Nate Marquardt, Chris Lebon, and Rich Franklin still feeling the bite of the spider.

Now Silva has run through every UFC middleweight and is still currently the champ at 185. He has stated that he hopes to retire soon from fighting after his current UFC contract is up. He is currently ranked the number one-pound for pound fighter in the world by many MMA sites. His next title defense is set at UFC 97.

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