Former NFL offensive lineman Jamie Dukes came out swinging in his blog today, and he delivered a few uppercuts to Denver Broncos rookie coach Josh McDaniels.
The NFL Network analyst hammered McDaniels for having a “problem with honesty,” adding that other players besides former Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler have “privately expressed concern.”
Considering a lot of players, including disgruntled Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall, pass through the NFL Network studio in Los Angeles, that’s an intriguing comment.
Dukes referenced how Cutler said that the reason he asked to be traded stemmed from McDaniels repeatedly refusing to admit that he had tried to acquire quarterback Matt Cassel via a prospective trade.
Dukes also pointed out that McDaniels told Denver reporters earlier this year that he had met with Marshall following the wide receiver’s meeting with Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.
Days later, though, McDaniels acknowledged to KDVR-TV that he hadn’t actually met with Marshall.
In conclusion, Dukes delivered a verbal forearm shiver to McDaniels.
“As a former NFL player, I can tell you that trust is the foundation between the player and the coach,” Dukes wrote. “When players trust their coach, they play at another level. Unfortunately, truthfulness seems to be a character trait that Bill Belichick didn’t pass down to young McDaniels.”
Ouch.
Of course, it’s worth nothing that a lot of NFL people don’t always tell the truth for strategic reasons and other purposes.
It’s also fair to say that Dukes might not be getting a Christmas card from McDaniels.
