Wow. Simply Wow. I couldn't believe it when the news trickled into the office yesterday. The Bears traded for Jay Cutler. It is official. We have completed our set of Vanderbilt commemorative glasses!  The 25 year old quarterback whose ego was bruised when Denver tried to trade for former Patriots backup Matt Cassel got what he wanted.

He got out of Denver.

Jerry Angelo has to be given credit this morning. Angelo put em on the table folks. He is all in. This move is his legacy in Chicago. With the transfer of 2 first round draft picks(this year and next year), Kyle Orton, and a 3rd rounder this year, Mr. Angelo has erased all of his previous draft picks. Rex Grossman is an afterthought. Dan Bazuin? Never heard of him. Every single one of the bust-outs or mild successes he has brought to the franchise are dwarfed with the Cutler deal. I'm going to applaud this move only on the basis that the Bears did something. Inactivity in this league eventually catches up with you. Go ask the Rams, Lions, or any of the other floundering franchises in the NFL. You can't stand Pat. Pun intended.

I still don't think Cutler is the next coming of Joe Montana. I'm skeptical. And you should be skeptical too. A healthy dose of skepticism can go a long way Bears fans. I understand Cutler's "great potential". I know he is 25 years old, coming off a ProBowl, and has a cannon for an arm. I get all of that. I'm also fully aware of how terribly he handled himself in regards to the business of the NFL. I'm not concerned if he can't handle the trade talk. I care if he can throw more touchdowns than interceptions. I care if he can do better than 17-20 in his NEXT 3 years.

Cutler comes to Chicago and is going to be welcomed by a decent tight end that we never throw to, a young running back who carried us last year, and his new best friend Orlando Pace. And that's it. It has been pointed out by a lot of sports writers in this town, Cutler will quickly realize that the cupboard is bare after that.  Where are Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall? Sorry Jay! You get Devin Hester who has yet to learn the playbook and your old buddy Earl Bennet. Reality hits you like the windchill in this town.

We have been searching for this elusive franchise quarterback as if it were the magic pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It has haunted this franchise for a generation. I've spend the better part of my young blogging career complaining about the horrible QB play. I'm kind of lost without that bit. If this deal works out, Jerry Angel has put me out of business. The cynical tone I've taken all these years has to evaporate like a fart in the wind. I won't be able to do the "I told you so" bit either. There is no point. All I wanted to see as a Bears fan was a committment to winning. The additions of 2, count them, 2 PROBOWLERS sent the message loud and clear.

Wow. Simply Wow.

Jerry Angelo was right when he slipped up after the season ended:

"It starts with the quarterback. It's all about the quarterback," Angelo said. "You don't win because of wide receivers. You don't win because of running backs. You win because of the quarterback. We've got to get the quarterback position stabilized."

I couldn't agree more. I just didn't know you had it in you Jer.

BEAR DOWN