Jay Cutler! Noooo!

The panic button has apparently been hit by Bears fans and the bandwagon has begun to empty. Following the Bears loss to the 49ers, a game which I chose not to comment on because I think it spoke for itself, I haven't been able turn on Chicago radio, open a newspaper or power up my interweb without seeing a picture of Jay Cutler in distress, you know, like the picture above.

It's gotten so bad that today when I picked up my Trib and flipped to the sports page I saw this: Grossman's dad says organization to blame for poor play at position.

Is that what's it's come to? Have we sunk that far in nine games that we are now seeking out Sexy Rexy's father for commentary on our QB situation? It's nine games people! Nine games on a team that stinks right now, from Cutler on down. Yes Jay is to blame for some of what has happened this season, but is this why we picked up a Pro Bowl quarterback, to blame him for the entire team's ills? Aren't the flaws of this team so glaringly obvious that so much focus on Cutler might just be irrational?

Maybe a savior was expected. I heard that word tossed around. Maybe there were grand delusions of Super Bowl glory when Jay was brought over. Are those delusions the fault of Jay Cutler?

What Bears fans should have known was this. Cutler has a tremendous arm. He has a tremendous upside. He has tremendous potential. They should also know that at this stage in his career, he will throw interceptions. They should also realize that he does not have a Brandon Marshall type receiver.

In 2007 and 2008 Marshall recorded back-to-back 100+ reception seasons (206 total) amassing nearly 2,600 yards in those two seasons with Cutler throwing him the ball. In that same span Devin Hester and Bernard Berrian led the Bears in receiving with 1,616 yards combined on 122 catches with Kyle Orton under center.

Now flip that around. Brandon Marshall in 2009 is on pace to nab 87 receptions and go just over 1,000 yards. Hester, who led the Bears in receiving in 2008 with 51 catches for 665 yards is on pace to catch 85 passes for 1,059 yards. This is a 5' 11" converted defensive back people. Not a 6' 4" true wide receiver.

Read that again.

That is the effect that Jay Cutler has on an offense. In 2008 the Bears NFL ranks were as follows: 26th in total offense, 21st in passing offense and 24th in rushing offense. In 2009 they are 18th in total offense, 10th in passing offense, and 30th in rushing offense.

What has Kyle Orton done for the Broncos? Denver has gone from the third best passing attack in the NFL to the 17th best.

I don't want to make this an indictment on Orton. My point is to show you what effect Cutler has had on this team, both positive and negative. The interceptions are obvious. Some have been inexcusable, especially those in the red zone. But they can be corrected. You can't teach some of the skills Cutler has, and as he grows in this league (he is only 26) there is hope that he can improve still.

When Peyton Manning came into the NFL it wasn't all glory from the onset. His first four seasons were loaded with INT's, 81 to be exact. Brett Favre was throwing balls all over the field in his early career, 64 in his first four seasons. Heck, he threw 22 last season and a career worst 29 in 2005.

Interceptions aren't the determining factor of a quarterback's value, especially in his early career.

2009 may be a lost season, and by may I mean will. What Jay needs to do now is focus on limiting his mental mistakes, and correcting his footwork, that is when he is not running for his life. Hester is not going to suddenly turn into Marshall. Earl Bennett is not going to be Greg Jennings. Cutler has no "go-get-it" receiver and he won't have one this season.

Every throw has to be nearly perfect. That being the case, it will come down to his decision making. Good decisions will make for a watchable final seven games. Poor decisions will lead to rough and long end to the season with many more dumb articles like this one that just pander to the football retarded.

Comments (5)

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great post man.

docksquad , November 17, 2009 | url

using a slur

the word retarded as you used it is a slur. imagine how someone with special needs must feel reading your title. YES!!! They are human beings who can read, they're not sitting in some corner drooling. Show some respect. The only thing dividing you and them is a few lousy IQ points and a whole lot of dignity.

BillyJack , November 18, 2009

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BillyJack, we can officially anoint you a retard for that stupid comment.

Dictionary.com says that a retard (while also sometimes referring the drooling kind) is also defined as one experiencing retardation. Retardation is defined further as:

"slowness or limitation in intellectual understanding and awareness, emotional development, academic progress, etc."

So, Rex's use of the term simple states a slowness or hinderance of Football IQ.

Get off your fucking high horse, doucher.

wik13 , November 18, 2009

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Now for the real comment I wanted to make. I love the post, it puts things in perspective. Nice find with the Peyton Manning interceptions. I had no idea...

Did you have to go to the Orkman well though?

wik13 , November 18, 2009

My sincere apologies

Let me offer my most sincere of apologies. I had no idea I was offending anyone with my insensitive words.

I should not have mentioned Kyle Orton in this story. Please forgive me.

Rex Jaybels , November 18, 2009 | url

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