At a time when more and more league observers are observing that agent Bus Cook is more of a problem-maker than problem-solver, more evidence has emerged suggesting that Cook, like many other agents, is using the representation of one high-profile client as ammunition for recruiting more of them.

Cook doesnt represent any of the elite members of the 2009 quarterback class. So at a time when we all should be more focused on the fates of Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez, and Josh Freeman, the Jay Cutler drama is engulfing the league.

And Cook is in the thick of it.

And we think he loves every second of it.

On Wednesday, Cook offered Cutlers spin on the roots of the problem that now exists between player and franchise.

Jay was disappointed in the firing of Mike Shanahan and met with the owner, Cook told Thomas George of NFL.com. The owner assured him everything would be fine. The owner said he had the second-best offense in football and would leave the offensive staff intact. Jay was good with that. Then he hires an offensive coach who gets rid of the staff.

Bowlen denied the allegation, sort of. I really have had no discussion with Jay or the agent, Bowlen said. Mike was fired right after the season. At that point, there was no need to have a discussion with Jay. Now, actually, to be fair, I dont think I had that discussion. I dont recall it. I know Im getting up there in age, and I am not sure of that discussion.

If Bowlen had the discussion and forgets, theres a reason for it better than advancing age. The discussion, if it occurred, wouldnt have been memorable to Bowlen because Bowlen doesnt need Cutlers permission when deciding how to run the business Bowlen owns.

And thats where this soap opera acquired its first hint of lather. Somehow, Cutler allowed himself to believe that being the quarterback also means calling the shots when it comes to hiring the coach.

Then again, Cook represented Brett Favre, who spent his last few seasons in Green Bay under the mistaken impression that he was also the General Manager of the team.

For those who say that Cook is merely a bystander in this process, we couldnt disagree more vehemently. Cook should have pulled Cutler aside early in the process, and Cook should have explained to Cutler that Favre played for four different coaches during his time in Titletown, and that its common for players to have to adapt to new coaches.

Cook also should have encouraged Cutler, explaining to him that if Josh McDaniels was able to help make Matt Cassel into a guy wholl make $14.65 million in 2009, then McDaniels could make Cutler into a Hall of Famer.

But Cook didnt. Instead, he instigated and agitated just enough to set the stage for the drama of the off season, and even if Cutler emerges with a new contract paying $30 million in guaranteed money, Cooks three-percent fee will pale in comparison to the value of the free advertising he has enjoyed.