Cutler an elite QB?

[KYPack]

One of the biggest stories of the '09 off-season is the Bears acquisition of Jay Cutler. Let's examine the notion that Cutler is one of the league's elite quarterbacks by looking at some key statistics last year and where he ranked . Cutler had an impressive season in a few categories, but was average to poor in some other key areas.
The yards and touchdowns are impressive, but they also a by-product of the high number of passes attempted.
The more a quarterback throws, the more yards and TDs he should accumulate. Completion percentage and passer rating are not dependent on attempts and, in those measures, Cutler was only middle-of-the-road last year. That fact is buttressed by his QB rating of 86. That rating puts him 16th in the league, right in the middle, where I think he belongs.
His Pro-Bowl status was gained by the pick for that spot dropping out of the game, former Packer QB Brett Favre. IMHO, that was a function of the selectors making their picks way too early. Neither Cutler or Favre were true pro-bowlers last season. Both QB's went out with a wimper, in a flurry of interceptions and team losses.
Cutler has a laser arm, but needs to improve in a number of areas to be an elite QB. He has a slow delivery, makes poor reads in the short game, and is suspect as a leader. He's a great prospect, and may yet be a great QB. But he ain't there yet.


CUTLER 2008 STATS


Total Rank


Yards 4,526 Third
TDs 25 Seventh
Comp. % 62.3 14th (tie)
INTs 18 Second
Rating 86.0 16th
Attempts 616 Second

[MadScientist]

Compared to anything the Bears have had in the last 2 decades, he is an elite QB. Compared to NFL standards, he has a ways to go, but could get there. Hopefully he was pushed up by good receivers in Denver instead of him making average receivers look like stars.

[Packnut]

Cutler

When examining any qb, you have to look at the whole picture. He had a better year in 07 (all around preformance) than 08 IMO. The reason for that is simple. Last season he had about 150 more attempts. Denver's D sucked so he had to throw the ball much more. It's just simple math that more attempts = more picks.

Let's also remember, Cutler only has 2 full seasons. He's a very young QB who is still learning. He's not an elite QB. Neither is Rodgers. Manning and Brady are elite QB's.

Just like Rodgers, Cutler has the potential to be an elite QB. I do believe Rodgers has the edge simply do to the talent he has at WR. I expect him to have a better year than Cutler.

[Patler]

I've been waiting for a good thread to post this in, after the initial emotions subsided over the Cutler trade.

Last month I was at a dinner function and was seated at a table with a gentleman from Denver. He went to numerous Bronco games every year. A real football fanatic, very knowledgeable about the league and teams as a whole. (He would fit in good on this board!) He wanted to talk football all night, pro and college. Naturally, I eventually asked about his feelings regarding the Cutler trade.

He said right away that he had mixed emotions. He was glad to see Cutler gone from the Broncos. He said the guy had absolutely no leadership skills, and that he was unable to rally the team behind him. He had turned the fans off by his attitude long before the blow-up this off season. He had physical skills but lacked game skills, etc. etc. He said players seemed glad Cutler would be gone.

So, I asked, why the "mixed emotions"? The gentleman then revealed that he had lived in Denver about 15 years and had become a Bronco fan out of necessity. He actually lived his entire life before that in Chicago, was a Bears fan through and through, and couldn't stand the fact that he was stuck with Cutler again on a team he cheered for!! He said he would rather have Orton, less talented physically, but a guy who has been a winner and a team guy in college and the pros.

[MadScientist]

He said right away that he had mixed emotions. He was glad to see Cutler gone from the Broncos. He said the guy had absolutely no leadership skills, and that he was unable to rally the team behind him. He had turned the fans off by his attitude long before the blow-up this off season. He had physical skills but lacked game skills, etc. etc. He said players seemed glad Cutler would be gone.

He's in a new situation in Chicago where fans and from early reports, the team are ready to rally behind him. So the question is will this help him become a true leader, or is his lack of leadership skills set.

[Packnut]

Cutler

I've been waiting for a good thread to post this in, after the initial emotions subsided over the Cutler trade.

Last month I was at a dinner function and was seated at a table with a gentleman from Denver. He went to numerous Bronco games every year. A real football fanatic, very knowledgeable about the league and teams as a whole. (He would fit in good on this board!) He wanted to talk football all night, pro and college. Naturally, I eventually asked about his feelings regarding the Cutler trade.

He said right away that he had mixed emotions. He was glad to see Cutler gone from the Broncos. He said the guy had absolutely no leadership skills, and that he was unable to rally the team behind him. He had turned the fans off by his attitude long before the blow-up this off season. He had physical skills but lacked game skills, etc. etc. He said players seemed glad Cutler would be gone.

So, I asked, why the "mixed emotions"? The gentleman then revealed that he had lived in Denver about 15 years and had become a Bronco fan out of necessity. He actually lived his entire life before that in Chicago, was a Bears fan through and through, and couldn't stand the fact that he was stuck with Cutler again on a team he cheered for!! He said he would rather have Orton, less talented physically, but a guy who has been a winner and a team guy in college and the pros.

Well, I hope Cutler's in-maturity is his down-fall. I would love to see him thrash around at QB. IF he fails, the Bears as a team and organization will implode. One can only hope..............

[Scott Campbell]

I watched Cutler in the 1st game against San Diego last year - the one the Ed Hochuli bailed him out of. I wouldn't have traded all those picks for the guy.

[KYPack]

Re: Cutler

When examining any qb, you have to look at the whole picture. He had a better year in 07 (all around preformance) than 08 IMO. The reason for that is simple. Last season he had about 150 more attempts. Denver's D sucked so he had to throw the ball much more. It's just simple math that more attempts = more picks.

Let's also remember, Cutler only has 2 full seasons. He's a very young QB who is still learning. He's not an elite QB. Neither is Rodgers. Manning and Brady are elite QB's.

Just like Rodgers, Cutler has the potential to be an elite QB. I do believe Rodgers has the edge simply do to the talent he has at WR. I expect him to have a better year than Cutler.

PN, You and I have gone at it at times, but this is an occasion when we both agree. I like our guy better mesself. ARod has shown me he has leadership skills. Rodgers sulks a bit at the wrong times, most young ones do. But he seems to have taken on the mantle of leadership a lot better than Cutler. Cutler's high picks are in part due to the high number of tosses and lack of an effective run attack. But there is more to it than just that. Cutler played a lot of shotgun in his career. His dropback technique is still lacking. His 1 and 3 yard technique is clumsy and still not crisp. His slow delivery tips the defenses and he makes critical interceptions when his team can ill afford it.

P, your guy should be somewhat happy. His two teams will still have Orton and Cutler at the controls.

[Packnut]

Re: Cutler

When examining any qb, you have to look at the whole picture. He had a better year in 07 (all around preformance) than 08 IMO. The reason for that is simple. Last season he had about 150 more attempts. Denver's D sucked so he had to throw the ball much more. It's just simple math that more attempts = more picks.

Let's also remember, Cutler only has 2 full seasons. He's a very young QB who is still learning. He's not an elite QB. Neither is Rodgers. Manning and Brady are elite QB's.

Just like Rodgers, Cutler has the potential to be an elite QB. I do believe Rodgers has the edge simply do to the talent he has at WR. I expect him to have a better year than Cutler.

PN, You and I have gone at it at times, but this is an occasion when we both agree. I like our guy better mesself. ARod has shown me he has leadership skills. Rodgers sulks a bit at the wrong times, most young ones do. But he seems to have taken on the mantle of leadership a lot better than Cutler. Cutler's high picks are in part due to the high number of tosses and lack of an effective run attack. But there is more to it than just that. Cutler played a lot of shotgun in his career. His dropback technique is still lacking. His 1 and 3 yard technique is clumsy and still not crisp. His slow delivery tips the defenses and he makes critical interceptions when his team can ill afford it.

P, your guy should be somewhat happy. His two teams will still have Orton and Cutler at the controls.

Rodgers is obviously more mature than Cutler at this point. The whole Favre saga made Rodgers grow up pretty quick.

I would argue strongly howver that this is a bigger season for Rodgers than Cutler. I think Cutler will be given a little time to get acclimated to his new team. Also, if he struggles, the Chicago media will blame it all on lack of WR's for him to throw to.

A-Rod has no such luxury this season. Expectations are high. He has no excuse to fail. I expect him to take a dramtic leap in his play. There is no reason why he can't have a pro-bowl type season.

[Scott Campbell]

Re: Cutler

I think Cutler will be given a little time to get acclimated to his new team. Also, if he struggles, the Chicago media will blame it all on lack of WR's for him to throw to.

You may be right, but I don't think they gave up all those picks just to get a developmental prospect. I'd like to see Cutler have the weight of the world on his shoulders beginning in week 1. Then I'd like to see Bear fans with BRING BACK GROSSMAN signs by week 6.

[sharpe1027]

Re: Cutler

Also, if he struggles, the Chicago media will blame it all on lack of WR's for him to throw to.

Think of all the WR's that the Bears could have drafted with those picks they traded away...

I agree that Culter may be given an early pass. I think everyone will come down harder on him in the end if things don't turn around though.

[Lurker64]

The interesting thing is how long will it take Jay Cutler to have a winning season, since he hasn't had one since high school.

In 2004 for Vandy he was 2-9
In 2005 for Vandy he was 5-6
In 2006 for Denver he went 2-3
In 2007 for Denver he went 7-9
In 2008 for Denver he went 8-8.

Will this be the year he finally breaks through?

[sharpe1027]

Re: Cutler

Also, if he struggles, the Chicago media will blame it all on lack of WR's for him to throw to.

Think of all the WR's that the Bears could have drafted with those picks they traded away...

I agree that Culter may be given an early pass. I think everyone will come down harder on him in the end if things don't turn around though.

[rbaloha1]

Physically Cutler is an elite NFL qb. Strong arm with the ability to make all the throws. Cutler reminds of a young Favre.

However the leadership issue is still prevents Cutler from being a top 5 qb. IMO Cutler is on the cusp.

Cutler instantly makes the Bears receivers better in the same manner BF made Bill Schroeder a good receiver in the Packer offense.

[Gunakor]

Cutler instantly makes the Bears receivers better in the same manner BF made Bill Schroeder a good receiver in the Packer offense.

I'm not sure they have any WR's quite as talented as Schroeder was. Still, 10 points for the Bill Schroeder reference. Didn't think I'd ever hear that name again outside of a FS-WI Brewers telecast. Well done sir.