Broncos decide they will attempt to trade quarterback Cutler

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos said Tuesday they will grant Jay Cutler his request and try to trade the disgruntled Pro Bowl quarterback.

There is no shortage of teams interested in the 25-year-old rocket-armed quarterback whose unhappy off-season began with Mike Shanahan's firing and has haunted new coach Josh McDaniels' budding regime.

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen released a statement saying both he and McDaniels had been unable to get Cutler to call them back over the last 10 days. Bowlen said he spoke with Cutler's agent, Bus Cook, on Tuesday and came away convinced "that Jay no longer has any desire to play for the Denver Broncos."

Therefore, Bowlen said, "We will begin discussions with other teams in an effort to accommodate his request to be traded."

Cutler's been unhappy ever since learning that McDaniels failed to inform him about trade talks in which the Broncos showed interest in Matt Cassel. Cassel wound up being traded by New England to Kansas City, and then Cutler asked to be traded.

Former UA linebacker Spencer Larsen, now a Bronco, said: "It's shocking. It didn't seem like he was going anywhere. This is the worst-case scenario."

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Palo Verde's Gin retires

Palo Verde boys basketball coach David Gin has retired after 19 years.

The Tucson native coached in the Tucson Unified School District for 36 years. He retired from teaching in 2003.

His overall record at Palo Verde was 274-269. Palo Verde went to the state playoffs in 11 of the past 13 years.

He emphasized competition, fun and good academics in his students, he said.

"Not everyone's going to be an All-American," Gin said, "so I just tried to make every kid be the best that he can be."

Gin, 58, said he would like to coach a freshman team to stay involved with coaching and take time off to visit his grandchild.

"It's been a great ride. I've enjoyed every minute of it," Gin said. "It's time to step back and reflect a little bit. Nineteen years: I guess that's a pretty long time for a head coach."

PIMA COLLEGE

Baseball, softball teams sweep

Mark Damon threw a shutout in the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday, and the Aztecs baseball team swept visiting GateWay 2-0 and 10-0.

Damon (6-1) scattered six hits over his seven innings and struck out five. At bat, he was 2 for 3 with a home run.

Kody Johnson was 3 for 4 with a home run in the nightcap.

• Chelsea Evanoff led a softball sweep against host Scottsdale CC. She shut out the Artichokes in the first game 10-0 and improved to 18-3.

Iliana Teran improved to 12-2 in the second game, a 4-1 Pima victory.