I think the sting of losing our former offensive stars is hurting less and less.
The trade for Cutler essentially netted the following players
QB Kyle Orton
QB Tim Tebow
WR Demaryus Thomas
WR Eric Decker
TE Richard Quinn
DE/OLB Robert Ayers
S David Bruton
Truly the real overhaul was trading Cutler, Marshall and Sheffler in a 1 year period. One of the Marshall second rounder's were packaged to get Tebow. Denver also drafted a fifth round prospect for Sheffler.
So here is what McDaniels has to show for shipping off the two pro-bowl players and a top pass catching TE that were at the core of the second rated offense in 2008
QB Kyle Orton
QB Tim Tebow
WR Demaryus Thomas
WR Eric Decker
TE Richard Quinn
DE/OLB Robert Ayers
S David Bruton
CB Parrish Cox
2011 second round pick
Analysis of contributions to date
2009 picks and players
B =QB Kyle Orton—Become a serviceable starter. Lead Denver out to 6-0 record, but never was able to be more than a game manager in first year.
F =TE Richard Quinn—Did nothing in 2009
D =DE/OLB Robert Ayers---Did very little in 2009
C+ = S David Bruton—Was a solid special teams contributor in first year. Has potential to contribute more in 2010.
2010 Picks
INC=QB Tim Tebow—Rookie TBD (Is the real replacement for Cutler. Let's see how he looks in preseason)
INC=WR Demaryius s Thomas—Rookie TBD (Has all the tools to be as good as Marshall)
INC=WR Eric Decker—Rookie TBD (An Ed Mcaffrey type WR)
INC=CB Parrish Cox—Rookie TBD (Has some solid coverage skills and can return punts and kicks)
2011 Picks
2011 second round pick—TBD (this could be a defensive player, but who knows)
I actually feel like the trading of our offensive stars of 08 will bring some good things and maybe even a shot at title some day.
*Denver traded 3 players for 9 players.
*Orton was the stopgap not the replacement for Cutler. He did his job.
*Tebow is the replacement for Cutler. I would like to see how he can do. The Cutler trade truly cannot begin to be evaluated without seeing the first season that Tebow starts. This will be the make or break of the trades.
*Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker are the replacements for Marshall and Sheffler. These two players have the potential to be great, but fall into the same category as Tebow and we need to see their first year starting to even make a judgment
*Bonus Players Robert Ayers, Richard Quinn, David Bruton, Parrish Cox, and the 2011 pick are still too early to judge. If two of them end up being at least solid starters that would be unbelievable value. If Ayers produces in 2010 like I think he will than we have potential pro bowler as a bonus player.
