Busy day for Bears

[X-Clown]

The price for Cutler is a big deal here because he didn't end up a Panther

Kind of like how Kyle Orton was an awesome quarterback last year, but now he's a bum?

[X-Clown]

I actually kind of agree. Two firsts for a bonafide franchise QB isn't too shabby.

If you can say that Cutler is a definitely a "bonafide franchise QB". I would like to see him even make it to the playoffs before I would make said assertion.

[dimbee]

Kind of like how Kyle Orton was an awesome quarterback last year, but now he's a bum?

Who said that? As I've stated since the trade happened, I'm a big Kyle Orton fan and wish him nothing but success. He's a class act

[dimbee]

If you can say that Cutler is a definitely a "bonafide franchise QB". I would like to see him even make it to the playoffs before I would make said assertion.

Give 1/2 of a legit NFL defense last year, and that would have happened

[Mr. Scot]

For every 1st round pick that becomes a successful NFL player, there are probably 6-10 that do not. For every 1st round QB that becomes a successful NFL player, there are probably 15-20 that do not. First round picks are the highest risk picks available, the most expensive investment in an unknown commodity. The Bears converted those high risk, high cost picks into a known commodity. A proven commodity.

You can keep your Vince Young/Jamarcus Russell/Ryan Leaf/Tim Couch/Joey Harrison et al high risk, no reward 1st round draft picks, Mr. Scot. Let me know how they work out for you

Won't argue that first round picks are a gamble, especially at QB, but the Bears didn't just give up a single first round pick for Cutler. They gave up way more than that. As a result, Cutler needs to prove he's worth more than multiple players, not just one.

And while I'd agree with Cutler being a "known commodity", "proven" is a stretch. At this point, he's no more proven than conference rival Phillip Rivers who, while he's further along that path than Cutler, still isn't a guy I'd call "proven".

[dimbee]

I'd like to know your definition of proven, Mr Scot.

[mantal]

I'd like to know your definition of proven, Mr Scot.

No, Cutler to Chicago is a big deal because you, Epi and a few others that post here are Bears fans. Again, big price, but congrats...

[Mr. Scot]

I'd like to know your definition of proven, Mr Scot.

Off the top of my head, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Kurt Warner are proven. Favre is proven but old, and Roethlisberger you could argue.

Anyone else? Not proven.

[Skew]

Actually, # 1 pick QB's are about a 50/50 success/bust rate.

Just saying.

[dimbee]

Actually, # 1 pick QB's are about a 50/50 success/bust rate.

Just saying.

Not when they're picked by the Bears.

[dimbee]

Off the top of my head, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Kurt Warner are proven. Favre is proven but old, and Roethlisberger you could argue.

Anyone else? Not proven.

Only 2 out of your 5 "proven" QBs were first round picks.

[Mr. Scot]

Only 2 out of your 5 "proven" QBs were first round picks.

Your current starter is a first round pick, though not by the Bears.

Regardless, none of that makes Cutler any more "proven" and you're still ignoring the fact that more than just one first rounder was given up to get him. Again, Cutler needs to prove he's worth more than multiple players, not just one.

Yeah, he might, but it's going to take a hellaciously good season.

[dimbee]

Your current starter is a first round pick, though not by the Bears.

Exactly. We let another team put their balls in the vice and take the chance on whether he could produce at the NFL level. He produced and so we were more than willing to trade some high risk/expense picks in exchange for him.

Regardless, none of that makes Cutler any more "proven"

Well, considering most consider 60+% completion% to be the standard for good QB numbers, Jay has eclipsed that in both seasons as a full time starter, plus surpassing 4500 yards passing this past season. Those aren't numbers to shrug off no matter how much you try to discount them. Your repeated comparisons to Jeff George are a joke. Quit being a hater

[Mr. Scot]

Exactly. We let another team put their balls in the vice and take the chance on whether he could produce at the NFL level. He produced and so we were more than willing to trade some high risk/expense picks in exchange for him.

Well, considering most consider 60+% completion% to be the standard for good QB numbers, Jay has eclipsed that in both seasons as a full time starter, plus surpassing 4500 yards passing this past season. Those aren't numbers to shrug off no matter how much you try to discount them. Your repeated comparisons to Jeff George are a joke. Quit being a hater

Stats don't make you proven. If you look at NFL.com annually, you'll often find the QBs at the top of the stat lists are also guys who missed the playoffs.

As to the "hater" tag, I know there's a fair amount of Bear hate on this forum, but I'm not one of the people that's in on it. You're pulling a bit of a persecution complex here. There are things I like about the Bears (Lovie Smith and Matt Forte, for example) but Cutler isn't one of them.

Bottom Line: You believe Cutler is the Bears savior. Truthfully, given what they gave up to get him, he'd better be. Me? I'm not convinced. When the season rolls around, we'll see.