Sports

Published on Friday, April 3, 2009

commentary

Bears general manager puts an end to question at QB spot, more answers needed


By JERRY BURNES
Last updated on 04/02/2009 at 9:56 p.m.

So Jay Cutler is a Chicago Bear.

What, did the Cubs win the World Series last year?

I was convinced that when Jerry Angelo said he was looking into a trade that it was a publicity stunt because — let’s face it — the Bears don’t make bold moves. I’ve never been so happy to be wrong.

The deal even works out in our favor – two first-round picks, 2008 and 2010, and Kyle Orton for Cutler and a third-round pick with Angelo’s poor history of first-round picks (Cade McNown, Michael Haynes and Rex Grossman).

For the first time in my lifetime, the Bears have a franchise quarterback. But who is he going to throw to?

Devin Hester is by no means a No. 1 receiver, and where’s the No. 2 guy? Brandon Lloyd? Earl Bennett? Rashied Davis? I don’t think so.

If the Bears want to succeed, they need to find Cutler a wide receiver to actually throw to. Without a first-round pick this draft, the Bears are not likely to find a No. 1 in the second round. So it’s time for Angelo to follow suit, just as he did with Orlando Pace and go after Marvin Harrison or Tory Holt. I know they’re old, but the Bears can’t be too picky; they have more talent than both of Marty Booker’s Bears stints combined.

Who’s going to protect him? Chris Williams is unproven, Pace is far past his prime and a huge injury risk, and the rest of the line is mediocre at best now.

If Bears fans want to judge Cutler, they need to do so with as much knowledge as they can have. There’s a great chance this will not work out this season given his supporting staff. But now the Bears have a quarterback who is worth spending money on to surround him with receivers, and his ability alone will be able to draw receivers to Chicago.

No longer will Chicago be known as “where wide receivers go to die.”

So before judging Cutler, Angelo should be judged first as to what supporting staff the Bears can build around him in the next few years. That is when this deal will look good or bad. That is when fans will know if Cutler is a bust or if Angelo is truly the inept general manager I always thought he was.

Until that time, let’s soak in the good feelings of having a highly talented quarterback and see what he can do with a makeshift receiving core, a shoddy offensive line, an aging defense and one of the best young backs in the league in Matt Forte.

Welcome to Chicago, Jay. Good luck; you’ll need it.

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