jason

It's not fair because you're placing so much blame on Cutler for win percentage when it's obvious that the team had massive holes for pretty much every year he's been in Chicago. This is a team game, and you minimize that aspect in your anti-Cutler sentiment. You and I both know Cutler hasn't been what was expected, but the W/L record blame while he has been in Chicago deserves to be spread around quite a bit. That's what I'm saying. The other aspect of this is what Cutler needs and what a game-manager needs. Cutler needs either a good OL and average defense, or simply a good defense to succeed. The former means he'll put up points and outscore the other team. The former means the defense will do the heavy lifting. A game-manager, on the other hand, doesn't usually win with the first scenario because he doesn't score enough to make up for the average defense. Call them excuses if you want, but I'll call them reasons. It's fairly obvious that pretty much no QB would have had great success in Chicago over Cutler's tenure, which also included multiple scheme changes. I'm not even a Cutler apologist. I don't care one way or another about whether the Bears keep him. I think he's probably our best QB since McMahon, and it worries me to potentially go back to the dark years of Moses Moreno types, but I actually hope the trade goes through just for salary purposes. I'd rather see a Brad Johnson type at QB with an 1985 defense. I've been on the OL/DL bandwagon since birth, which is why it's been infuriating how the Bears have searched for success. Build a nasty OL, and any NFL-caliber QB succeeds.

I don't think that's fair. I know the NFL hinges on QB play, but the Bears have been a mess for the majority of the time Cutler has been under center. What you've basically done is blame someone driving the car for not going far enough, while ignoring the fact that either the tires are flat or the engine needs work. 2014 - Historically atrocious defense; OL regressed 2013 - Horrible defense; injury shortened 2012 - Dumpster rages on with Webb, Louis, Spencer; good D; pathetic draft 2011 - Dumpster fire continues to burn; injury shortened; virtually no TE; pathetic draft 2010 - Dumpster fire of an OL (Omiyale AND Webb); led the NFL in sacks; bad draft and no 1-2 rounders 2009 - OL played very poorly; decent draft but virtually no 1-3 rounders So you have four straight years of absolute trash protecting Cutler, and then when that starts to get figured out, the defense absolutely implodes. WTF was he supposed to do?

Damn! I just saw a quick hitter on TV about Long being released.

Bennett couldn't convince his brother, but could Long? The Rams just cut their Long...that would be a good get IMHO.

A swap of 2nd and 3rd would mean the Bears are doing this for basically a salary dump.

Please let this be true. Especially if it's Wisniewski. That's an immediate upgrade.

Let's pray this is not true. All the stuff people complain about with Cutler would be minimal compared to this guy. Unless of course you want Fox and company to switch to a wishbone.

Agreed. Jay could easily have broken 4K last year, but he was injured. But that's the only year, and even then all anyone talked about was Good Jay vs Bad Jay.

I sure hope so, but as a Bear fan I'm an eternal pessimist. For nearly three decades I've disagreed with more Bears moves than I have agreed with, and it appears that I, along with most Bears fans, have been right in criticizing the moves considering the lack of success. Maybe this new front office finally changed that perspective.

As a guy who wants talent more than character, and has openly called for questionable players on the Bears - many who have succeeded elsewhere - I agree with your sentiment. Suh is a dirty bitch, and probably one of only a few players in the NFL that deserve a massive, season-ending injury.

The quote is not a shocker to me. It's true. But pretty much every year with the Bears there has been a huge Achilles heel. Either an atrocious OL, horrible scheme, non-existent defense, etc. While in Chicago, Cutler had yet to see a complete effort to maximize his potential.

Good. Dude has sucked for years. I wonder how much Lovie will sign him for? LOL

Meh. Never wanted him. Too much scratch for a team with several other holes to fill.

PRE-cisely. Gives AJ more room underneath.

Meh. The Bears defense, much like its offense, needs speed. They need guys who can run down offensive players and destroy them. They don't need fat LBs who don't cover well and who rarely wrap up. Now, that wouldn't be that bad if he still delivered bombs like he used to, but he doesn't. Give me a team full of young pups who are flying around creating chaos everywhere...especially if it's in a 3-4.

Since you appear to be asking me, I'll answer. The Bears need speed. I think Smith is faster. On top of that, I'm not as sold on Cobb as I am on Smith. Cobb produced with Green Bay, where, let's be honest, just about any decent WR can put up stats. They have an incredible QB, a consistent system, and complimentary receivers that draw attention. Meanwhile, Torrey Smith had a pretty good QB, but nowhere near Rodgers. And I can't even think of other Baltimore WRs, so you know Smith was getting the #1 DB every time. Last, but most important, is money. Cobb will cost a ton. Smith will not.

Well, if that dude is the inside knowledge guy, he is also saying Cutler and Forte are potentially going away. Should be interesting.

Torrey Smith. Great speed, perfect compliment to AJ. Sign him and the Marshall trade is forgotten fairly quickly.

Good quote in relation to this trade and locker room issues: "Bears kept key veterans like Kreutz and Urlacher 2 shutup divas, cheaper than firing GM, 2HC's, 4 OC's and Cutler's contract"

Think he will drive his Lambo out of Chicago?

Agreed about the financials, but what is peace of mind worth? What is team harmony worth? That's what they are probably thinking of the most. I think it's a risk/reward sort of thing. Keep Him another year and risk that he will behave and/or stay healthy?

My thoughts: you sell before value is lessened. You might not catch the peak, but it's better than waiting for that falling knife. 4th and 5th...use one of those on a promising WR and then maybe find a FA placeholder and it's not bad.

Just read somewhere that it was a 4th and 5th rounder. That's not great, but it's something at least. Does that change the draft? Do we need to use a pick for a WR? Or is the Alshon and Wilson combo enough?

Yeah, I feel the same way. So because Cutler didn't work the system that Trestman had that makes him someone you can't win with? I don't buy it. A malcontent? Sure. But you can win with Cutler. You just can't win with an unhappy Cutler who decides to ignore your system and do his own thing. Give Cutler a system he likes, support him with a strong OL, move him around and outside of the pocket, then I bet Cutler suddenly becomes a happy camper you can use to his maximum.

Agreed. I think the Bears should probably make the move to get something for BMarsh while they can. Hartline isn't BMarsh, but it just pushes Alshon more into the limelight as the #1. Then pick up a speedy guy or a Edelman type and the WRs are set.