Cutler's Not Gonna Cut It

So I'll start things out with a rant. And what easier character to cut loose on than the loose cannon himself...Jay Cutler. Loose cannon is the perfect way to describe his performance Sunday night as he made the Packers aged secondary feel young again. Four INT's and a handful of other passes that could've been picked off. It seems that Cutler has this sense of invincibility and thinks he can force passes into double and triple coverage with his strong arm. Well he still has a lot to learn.

I hate how everyone considers Cutler a "star" quarterback. What has he done to earn such accolades? This is just his third year as a starter and he still hasn't appeared in a playoff game. His strong arm and big mouth are strikingly similar to a previous QB who was supposed to be the next star...Jeff George. Yes, Cutler did throw for over 4,500 yds last season. But when his team needed him most, he collapsed, throwing just two TDS and four picks in his final three games leading to the Broncos' epic failure of missing the playoffs. Show me poise and composure under pressure and then I'll call you a "star" quarterback. The Mannings, Bradys and Roethlisbergers have shown me that...you haven't.

What's worse with Cutler is his attitude on the field. You might not think too much of body language, but it's what wins over fans and your teammates in the huddle. From looking at Cutler you'd think he was being forced to play football. He's always got the pouty look of an eight-year-old brat that didn't get the toy he wanted at the store. It's no wonder he's maybe the most hated player in football right now. Only God knows how his teammates handle the attitude. Right now Cutler reminds me of Willie Beamen in Any Given Sunday, the QB that thinks stardom should be handed to him on a silver platter. Soon the Bears might turn into the Miami Sharks and not play for their egotistical QB.

With all of this being said, Sunday night's performance isn't all Cutler's fault. At least two of his picks could be blamed on inexperienced receivers stopping in the middle of their routes. And Desmond Clark did the same thing on a sure touchdown in the back of the endzone. But this just proves that the Bears made the wrong choice...they should've looked for a big name receiver this past offseason. Of course the Bears want to jump the gun on any opportunity to bring in a big-name QB...they haven't had one since Jim McMahon. But Bears football has never been defined by a high-flying offense, it's always been about a smash-mouth rushing attack and a bruising defense. Let's remember this team made the Super Bowl just three years ago with Rex Grossman as their leader.

Kyle Orton was the perfect guy for the Bears. A quiet leader who could manage the game and would let Matt Forte carry the load for the offense. People forget that Orton led this weapon-lacking team to a 9-7 record last year. Cutler only went 8-8 last year with a stacked offense in a much weaker division (albeit a much weaker defense too). With Orton and a top-notch receiver (Boldin or T.O. maybe) this team could've been a real contender.

So the real question is who established that Cutler=Orton + Two first-round draft picks + a second-round pick? That's just absurd. Orton is a winner who maximizes his potential. Cutler is a primadonna who writes checks that his arm won't be able to cash in Chicago. But it's the Bears management who's really to blame. They could've built this offense around Forte and the stout defense. Instead they're stuck with a big mouth QB and no future with all the draft picks they've given away.

The pressure is only going to build as the season goes on. Chicago isn't Philadelphia, but the city can be tough on it's teams and athletes. If Cutler thinks it's going to get easier, he's mistaken. The Vikings and Packers aren't going anywhere and the defending champs are coming to town. Good luck, Jay.