The Denver Broncos finally open camp this week at Dove Valley after a crazy off-season that had the media acting like they were chasing hormonal teenagers doused in AXE.  Now that the smoke has cleared, and Baby TO realizes he needs that NFL paycheck to keep him in the lifestyle to which he (and his women) have become accustomed, the new 2009 Broncos don’t look too bad.  They certainly look as good on paper as the Dolphins, Cardinals and Vikings did at the beginning of 2008 and they all made the playoffs.

Let’s break it down.

• Receiving corps is young but talented and quick provided Baby TO stays away from McDonald’s and ATL bars.
• The O Line is one of the best in the league and should get even better given its youth.
• QB has more talent than Matt Cassel, so if Coach McKid can replicate the NE offensive scheme in Denver fans will soon forget Crying Cutler.
• Defensive secondary got good real fast with the addition of Dawkins and other veterans signed to help out Champ.
• The 3-4 part of the 3-4 D is questionable. We really don’t have any idea what these guys can do if a defensive coordinator is allowed to coach, so let’s hope Champ doesn’t end up with team high tackle totals again.
• Special teams could get a boost from some of the rookies and let’s hope Prater follows the path of his predecessor’s career.  By the way, Elam should have another great year with the Falcons if Ryan plays as well as in his rookie season.

Are you ready for my prediction? I’m mostly “the beer mug is half full” kind of gal, so I’m laying it out there and saying the Broncos will finish 10-6. What is your prediction?

Drew Suppes

According to ESPN, Broncos QB Jay Cutler and his agent, Bus Cook, met with head coach Josh McDaniels and GM Brian Xanders in Dove Valley on Saturday.  Apparently the two parties met for approximately 20 minutes, and Cutler left unsatisfied with their conversation.  He said that he does not plan on attending the team’s first meeting on Monday, and will not attend voluntary workouts.  After reading various reports, it seems that not much has changed after this meeting between Cutler and McDaniels.

I’m sure by now, everyone knows what side I stand on in this McDaniels-Cutler debacle–(see Letter to Jay Cutler).  But, McDaniels handling and Cutler’s mishandling of this situation in the past few weeks was merely reinforced in their meeting Sunday.  The bottom line is that Jay Cutler needs to grow up.

In response to the meeting Cutler told ESPN,  “[McDaniels] made it clear that he could still entertain trading me because, as he put it, he’ll do whatever he feels is in the best interest of the organization.”

First of all, I’m confused.  For the past two or three weeks, Cutler has done nothing but demand a trade.  So how does it make matters worse if McDaniels is still entertaining the notion of trading him?

Secondly, McDaniels’ comment to Cutler, that he will do “whatever he feels is in the best interest of the organization,” can be interpretted one of two ways.

1. You have been a member of an underachieving team for the past three years.  New management comes in, starts cleaning house in the free agency market, and has 10 draft picks in the upcoming draft in April.  One might see this as an opportunity to prove to new management that he is man for the job.  One may also see this as beneficial, in that your new head coach is not playing favorites with any players on the team, and is willing to put together a team that is 100% dedicated to winning.  Hint to Jay Cutler: if you haven’t figured out by now, Josh McDaniels is questioning your dedication to winning.
2. You adopt the “Jay Cutler” mentality.  You don’t see this as a challenge to prove to new management that you are part of the winning formula for a team like the Denver Broncos, that carries a winning tradition.  You demand a promise from a coach, that has yet to see you on the practice field, that he commits to you long term.

However, I feel that the media is blowing this story entirely out of proportion.  Despite telling reporters that he will not be attending voluntary workouts, Cutler said that he will report for the mandatory sessions.

“I certainly went back there, expecting I’d be there [Monday] but not now.  It’s not mandatory. I’ll attend every mandatory mini-camp and training camp but that’s it. Really, it’s best for me to move on. As coach said, he needs every eye in the meeting room to be on him and not me.”

I that think jumping to any kind of conclusions at this point would be foolish.  Let’s stick to the facts.  Cutler is unhappy.  He demands to be reassured that he is wanted in Denver longterm, or he wants to be traded.  However, he still has two years on his contract, and has stated that he will report to mandatory mini camps as long as he is a member of the Denver Broncos.  McDaniels is standing stong that he will do what is in the best interest of the organization.  Whether it is in the best interest of the Broncos to keep Cutler, or trade him, has yet to be determined.  Unless Jay Cutler grows up quickly and accepts the business side of the NFL and, this may be a stalemate that carries on into Summer practices.

Until then, lets not get too carried away, Broncos fans.

Stay Tuned.

Cave Dale, Castleton, Derbyshire

Here is a jewel of the Peak District National Park; Cave Dale is located immediately to the west of the ridge on which Peveril Castle stands.  It is a steep sided limestone valley, or dale, in Derbyshire terms. Cave Dale’s steep sides are almost impossible for attackers to scale at this point, forming nearly sheer walls around 200 feet high, which is why the Normans (lead by William Peveril) chose this site for their castle. Underneath this  dale, there are huge cave systems such as Peak Cavern, most of which can be accessed from Castleton. The dale is scattered with outcroppings of old lead workings, and some of these can be dangerous, so walkers need to be careful. Rock climbing enthusiasts enjoy the ‘pitches’ at the top end of the dale, as some of them are rated ‘Very Severe’. 

If you look closely, you will see two walkers going down the dale, several hundred feet below you; they are on the Limestone Way, which goes from Castleton, all the way to Rochester in the Dove Valley in Staffordshire . The route is extremely interesting, affording many beautiful views of the Peak District, and includes such notable spots as Miller’s Dale, Youlgrave, Winster, Matlock, and Tissington (about 50 miles, in total). If you want to tread this pretty bridle path, then follow the small, green ‘Derby Ram’ signs!

This Thanksgiving, Marylanders families are encouraged to purchase farm-fresh local turkeys from any of several Maryland turkey growers across the state. In 2007, 750,000 turkeys totaling more than 26.3 million pounds were raised in Maryland with a total value of $13.7 million. Turkeys sold directly from the farm to the consumer account for a small portion of the total production. A list of some of the Maryland farms offering to sell fresh turkeys directly to consumers can be found on the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s website at www.mda.state.md.us.

Begin by cooking the celery, red pepper, and onion in the butter until tender. Stir in the oysters and cook an additional two minutes. Place the stuffing mix into a large bowl and gradually stir in the oyster mixture and thyme. Sprinkle the broth onto the stuffing in order to moisten it and mix together. Place your stuffing in the appropriate sized turkey or casserole dish. Preheat your oven to 325º F. Cover and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through.

It looks like the Broncos and the Cowboys will be meeting for about two days in training camp together. Currently coach Mike Shanahan will be discussing with the the Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones the idea of having the two teams meet at Dove Valley during Training camp. This will play a role in the idea that the two teams will play each other in the pre-season.

This is one of those Training Camps that I would like to be at. Tony Romo vs Elvis Dumervil. Jay Cutler vs Greg Ellis. Terrell Owens vs Champ Bailey. Brandon Marshall vs Terrance Newman. This is one of those match ups you’ve got to enjoy.

On Sunday Shanahan claimed that he would have the pre-season schedule by the time their meetings were over.

Both coaches explained to their teams that they wanted them to play hard but not to erupt in any brawls. You can only imagine the friendly nature these two franchises share towards each other.