Bears 73....Broncos 0?
Forgive us for reaching all the way back to the score of the Bears' 1940 NFL title game to come up with an appropriate analogy to the spring deal that sent Denver's emerging QB Jay Cutler to the Windy City in exchange for a couple of number one draft picks and Kyle Orton. Perhaps it's just the "trade gods" finally getting around to paying back Chicago sports fans for having decades to stew about that 1964 deal that sent Lou Brock from the Cubs to the Cardinals for Ernie Broglio. Or perhaps they're merely letting Denver have it for a trade that allowed the Broncos to steal John Elway away from the Colts 26 years ago. But you get the idea: rare commodities like Cutler usually aren't available for auction at this stage of their career, especially when they've already flashed uncommon star power, as Cutler did when passing for over 4500 yards in '08. So, after decades of enduring the likes of Jack Concannon, Larry Rakestraw, Virgil Carter, Bobby Douglass, Gary Huff, Bob Avellini, Mike Phipps, Vince Evans, Steve Fuller, Rusty Lisch, Mike Tomczak, Peter Tom Willis, Will Furrer, Rick Mirer, Moses Moreno, Cade McNown, Steve Stenstrom, Henry Burris, Rex Grossman, and Orton, Chicago might finally have its first bona fide star QB since Sid Luckman in the 1940s.
Cutler has his critics, most of whom cite the fact that he's never been QB of a winning team in college or the pros. But his performances must be taken in context, given that he spent four seasons at Vanderbilt and the past three trying to lead a Denver team that was similarly deficient in several areas. The fact is that Cutler made his Commodore and Bronco teams a lot more competitive than they would have been without him. For those who thought Cutler acted a bit pouty when he found out that new Broncos HC Josh McDaniels was trying to trade for his old Patriots QB, Matt Cassel, almost as soon as McDaniels stepped off the plane at DIA, the fact is that Cutler probably didn't behave too differently than any QB would have off a 4500-yard season.
Our concerns about Cutler have more to do with how he'll mesh in the clubhouse, where his sometimes-aloof demeanor was said to have chafed a few Denver teammates. How he gets along with Brian Urlacher, among others, could be interesting. Moreover, his new o.c., Ron Turner, once rescinded a scholarship offer to Cutler when Turner was HC at Illinois. But early indicators are that Jay has let bygones be bygones with Turner (who's now thrilled to have Cutler on his side) and is getting on quite well with his new comrades.
But Jay's arrival in Chicago has put a gun to the heads of HC Lovie Smith and GM Jerry Angelo in 2009. The Bears will be expected to return to the playoffs...immediately. The attack ought to uphold its end. Turner's version of the West Coast offense will still stress the run first, with '08 rookie sensation Matt Forte (1238 YR LY) again featured, which should help Cutler sell the play-action easier. Turner often ran double-TE sets last fall featuring underrated Greg Olson (54 catches LY)) and Desmond Clark, but now the o.c. is going to be more willing to look downfield and utilize Cutler's electric arm. The wideouts at the receiving end of those Cutler missiles remain a main question. Angelo could have delivered Turner (and Cutler) quite a present if he had signed ex-Ram WR Torry Holt, but he couldn't; Holt instead landed with the Jags. So, barring possible summer moves (which could include a risky addition such as Plaxico Burress or Cutler's old target Brandon Marshall, who has one foot out the door in Denver), Cutler will make do with what's available, which means return ace Devin Hester, journeyman Rashied Davis, or the ultimate sleeper, Cutler's old Vandy teammate Earl Bennett. Meanwhile, the OL appears to be a work in progress; much depends on vet FA Orlando Pace, expected to anchor the crucial LT spot, but at 33 not the frisky colt he was in his best days with the Rams. Another Vandy product, 2008 first-round pick Chris Williams, will slide to RT to make room for Pace on the left.
Lovie's defense has tailed off a bit since the 2006 Super Bowl season, but upon inspection still does plenty of things right. Consider how high the Bears ranked in some key defensive stats last season; third in yards per rush (3.4), second in TOs forced (32), and sixth in yards per pass (6.2). A bit better than Denver's numbers, to be sure. Lovie, some believe to his detriment, still remains committed to classic Tampa-2 schemes, but will likely introduce a few more wrinkles to goose the pass rush. The roving Urlacher remains a dominant force, and most of the other playmakers on the platoon (such as LB Lance Briggs, DE Alex Brown & CB Nathan Vasher) are still in their prime.
Bottom line...Those who have wondered what Chicago might have done the past few years with a real QB get their answer this fall. Cutler changes the dynamics for not only the Bears but also the entire NFC North. Our main question is if Chicago has enough quality receiving options to take advantage of Cutler's arm. The other pieces appear in place, both offensively and defensively, to perhaps make another Super Bowl run.
