Rodgers/Cutler statistical comparison, head to head

[Patler]

2008 Performance
Category - Rodgers/Cutler

attempts - 536/616
completions - 341/384
comp. % - 63.6%/62.3%
total yards - 4038/4526
yds/att. - 7.5/7.3
touchdowns - 28/25
interceptions - 13/18
comp. for 1sts - 182/222
sacks - 34/11
sack yds - 231/69
passer rating - 93.8/86.0
carries - 56/57
rush yds - 207/200

Cutlers biggest advantage - avoiding sacks
Rodgers biggest advantage - avoiding interceptions.
Could be that the two go hand in hand. To avoid a sack, Cutler makes a risky throw. To avoid the risk of an interception, Rodgers takes sacks.

Beyond that, not a lot of difference between the two in statistical performance.

[Fritz]

Thank you, Patler. As always, you try to keep us grounded in facts, so Packerrats who go off on idiotic tangents can be called out. Of course, that often does not stop the idiocy, but carry on we must.

So thank you. Better to try to fencourage people to ground opinions in facts, expert opinion, and logic. I'm not against emotion, but when one has a purely emotion-based opinion yet tries to argue it is grounded in logic, and then pulls "facts" out that are just complete fabrications - well, it's funny when Stephen Colbert does it, but when it happens here it's idiocy.

On a slightly related note, I was frankly just a little irked at a line in the JSO this morning - that Cutler is immediately "the most talented and accomplished QB in the division." Accomplished I can live with - Cutler has more game experience than Rodgers. But he is not obviously more talented, not by any stretch. In fact, based on the statistics you post, one could argue that if Cutler has more game experience, and if you accept that both QB's played for teams with similar talent levels, then you can conclude that Rodgers may have more talent, as he posted very similar numbers despite not having the game experience that Cutler has.

I wouldn't, myself, trade Rodgers for Cutler straight up. Sure, Cutler has a bit more history, but I prefer Rodgers.

We shall see.

[Patler]

Thanks Fritz.

I, too, would not trade Rodgers for Cutler at this point. However, if I had Cutler I might not trade him for Rodgers either. Obviously, we have no clue about their true personalities, but in the face of team and roster adversities faced by Rodgers in the Favre fiasco and Cutler in the Cassel fiasco and its fallout, Rodgers seemed to act the more professional and adult of the two. But then again, Rodger was the up and coming player benefiting from his teams actions, and Cutler was the king getting knocked of his pedestal by his team, so their different reactions might be expected.

It is clear that the Packers can not claim an advantage at the QB position in the NFC North, but I don't think they are at a disadvantage either. Cutler is a good improvement for the Bears. Time will tell if they can use that to shape their team into a legitimate SB contender, or if they will be like the Packers since their SB appearances, often a favorite to make the playoffs, but not a real SB contender.

[RashanGary]

I wouldn't want Rodgers to be much lower than 25. QB's (the year they win the SB) tend to have about that many. They're a little too high right now.

[Fritz]

Again on a slightly related note, I saw several posters here claiming that the Bears also have the second best running back in the division. There is no doubt that Peterson of Minny is the best - who wouldn't want that guy - but I wonder how, in the coming years, Grant will stack up against Forte.

As for the QB's there is nothing wrong with saying both Cutler and Rodgers are rather good. I do think the NFC North just took a step up - unless Cutler turns out to be Jeff George's illegitimate son.

[Patler]

Again on a slightly related note, I saw several posters here claiming that the Bears also have the second best running back in the division. There is no doubt that Peterson of Minny is the best - who wouldn't want that guy - but I wonder how, in the coming years, Grant will stack up against Forte.

Might as well do a Grant/Forte comparison too:

Category - Grant/Forte

carries - 312/316
yards - 1203/1238
Avg/carry - 3.9/3.9
longest - 57/50
receptions - 18/63
rec. yds - 116/477

Obviously, the huge advantage goes to Forte in receiving. Grant never has been incorporated well into the Packer passing game. However, I think you have to look a little deeper than just the raw reception numbers. GB doesn't even use Grant in passing situations on 3rd down, usually opting for Jackson instead. In Chicago, their two best receiving options on any down/distance are the TE and Forte. Not the case in GB where there are 5 solid options at WR and a decent receiving TE.

As runners, I'm not sure there is a lot of difference. As all-around backs, or just looking at ability as receivers, a clear advantage goes to Forte.

[Bretsky]

Again on a slightly related note, I saw several posters here claiming that the Bears also have the second best running back in the division. There is no doubt that Peterson of Minny is the best - who wouldn't want that guy - but I wonder how, in the coming years, Grant will stack up against Forte.

As for the QB's there is nothing wrong with saying both Cutler and Rodgers are rather good. I do think the NFC North just took a step up - unless Cutler turns out to be Jeff George's illegitimate son.

I'd trade Grant for Forte in a second; Forte seems to have an advantage seeing holes, juking, and catching the ball. Grant probably has more power.

[pack4to84]

Cutler's Stats from '08 vs 3-4 defense

SD, Den won 39-38
36/50 72% 350 yds 4 TD 1 INT 1 sack 11.1 yd avg passing

NE, lost 41-7
17/26 65.4% 168 yds 1 TD 2 INT 3 sacks 5.3 yd avg

MIA, lost 26-17
24/46 52.2% 307 yds 2 TD 3 INT 1 sack 6.5 yd avg

CLE, won 34-30
24/42 57.1% 447 yds 3 TD 1 INT 1 sack 10.3 yd avg

Jets, won 34-17
27/43 62.8% 357 yds 2 TD 1 INT 0 sacks 8.3 yd avg

SD, lost 52-21
33/49 67.4% 316 yds 1 TD 2 INT 6.4 yd avg

total
161/256 62.9% 1945 yds 324.2 yds avg 13 TD 10 INT 6 sacks

2007

SD, lost 41-3
23/36 63.9% 232 yds 0 TD 1 INT 1 sack

PIT, won 31-28
22/29 75.9% 248 yds 3 TD 2 INT 2 sacks

SD, lost 23-3
14/32 43.8% 155 yds 0 TD 2 INT 4 sacks

total
59/97 60.8% 635 yds 211.67 avg 3 TD 5 INT 7 sacks

totals for both seasons
220/353 62.3 2580 yds 286.67 avg 16 TD 15 INT 13 sacks

[Bretsky]

I agree with Patler; I think they are very comparable. I think those who think AROD is undoubtedly better...and there seem to be a lot.....are homers. I also this those who think Cutler is hands down the better QB are nuts as well. If you'd ask fans with some football knowledge with no bias either way who they would want at QB, I'd bet more would say Cutler

[Patler]

If you'd ask fans with some football knowledge with no bias either way who they would want at QB, I'd bet more would say Cutler

Probably true, but more on reputation than anything, I think. Cutler came in as a high draft pick, took over the last 5 games as a rookie, etc. Rodgers started out with a negative, falling far in the 1st round, playing hardly at all for 3 seasons, having unfortunate injuries, etc. Cutler is still living on the reputation he had going into the draft. Rodgers needs to reclaim his.

Cutler really hasn't accomplished anything yet either, especially the end of last season when a playoff spot was there to be had. It just surprises me that the team that knows him best seemed so disinterested in keeping him. I know, new coaching staff, history with Cassel, etc., etc. It still seems odd that they would throw away a top five or top 10 QB, if he really was one. Just a bit odd with a position so important as QB. Teams often struggle for years to find one. Denver has since Elway left. Then they let their relationship get destroyed with the best long term prospect they've had, and they gave up on trying to rebuild it with very little time or effort.

[packrat]

Taking the sack instead of throwing the interception is not a trivial difference. It is part of the reason why the change from Favre to Rodgers was made.

[Patler]

Taking the sack instead of throwing the interception is not a trivial difference. It is part of the reason why the change from Favre to Rodgers was made.

It depends. If it is a QB who often completes the risky throw, making plays that others could not, you will gladly take the occasional interception to also get those completions. That was the situation throughout much of Favre's career. A lot of good for a little bad.

[]{ilr]3]

I agree with Patler; I think they are very comparable. I think those who think AROD is undoubtedly better...and there seem to be a lot.....are homers. I also this those who think Cutler is hands down the better QB are nuts as well. If you'd ask fans with some football knowledge with no bias either way who they would want at QB, I'd bet more would say Cutler

A lot the talking heads in the media seem to think Rodgers is the better QB with out question.

I look forward to a lot of INT's next year for Culter and a lot of sacks. He had Brandon Marshall most of the year last year and a great O-line. Now he has nothing except Pace and the Rams let him go for more than just saving money i expect.

[sheepshead]

Today, I will take Arod for whats between his ears as evidenced in how he has handled himself during one of the NFL's ugliest soap operas in memory. Cutler on the other hand has health concerns, substance abuse and reacted like a cry baby these last few months. Not saying he cant overcome all this, but our guy doesn't seem to have this baggage.

Interesting Grant / Forte comparison. I thought the Bears ran him more. He looks like the real deal though and should get better with Cutler airing it out some.

[Zool]

If you'd ask fans with some football knowledge with no bias either way who they would want at QB, I'd bet more would say Cutler

The only reason that more would say Cutler is his extra year and a half of starting experience. Cutlers stats are going to go down this year with that WR core he's moving over to and Lovie always wanting to establish the run first. I'd take Rodgers over Cutler because I'm not a big fan of chucking the ball into coverage hoping for a play to be made. I also think Orton's stats are going to go up this year. He seems like a heady guy.

Cutler also doesnt seem to be beloved in the locker room. Urlacker has already said that he will miss Orton, and I bet a few other players have gotten some airtime in the Chicago area saying the same thing. Havent heard much of a peep from the Denver area yet.

I'd take Cutler over Rev Orton Heat but talent alone doesn't win games so I might be wrong.