This One\'s For You Bedard...
By PackerAaron
Daily readers of Cheesehead TV will remember my stance when the Bears traded for Jay Cutler. Basically, I saw a desperate move. This was followed by my somewhat (admittedly) snarky response to Greg Bedard's anointing Cutler the best quarterback in the division before Cutler had even so much as snubbed an autograph seeker at Wrigley. Needless to say, I'm glad our readership was spared the back and forth that ensued between Mssr Bedard and myself via email. ;)
So it was extra special sweet to read today that a Super Bowl winning coach somewhat agrees with me. What Bedard and his ilk don't seem to understand is that the quarterback position is not about the measurables. It's not about how many yards a guy can throw for or how many touchdowns he throws. It's about leadership, first and foremost. It's about strength of character. But don't take my word for it.
Take it away Tony:
I think he is a very talented guy who can throw the ball very well. But quarterbacking is so much about leadership and so much about doing things under pressure. There is going to be a lot of pressure on him in Chicago because he is being viewed as the missing piece to the puzzle to get them back to the Super Bowl. We'll see about the maturity level. That's what I would question, and some of the things that happened leading to him leaving Denver. That would concern me as a coach. So that's my question. I think he can make all the throws, but quarterbacking is much more than just making throws.
I said it when Cutler was traded and I'll say it again - Rodgers is the best quarterback in the division.
With Greg on vacation for the next week or so, I look forward to revisiting this topic at the end of June... ;)
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Comments (6)
June 03, 2009 at 01:09 pm
Great point.
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Best example: Jeff George. That dude was as talented a quarterback as I have ever seen. I honestly believe that he would be in the HOF if he had a better attitude. Instead he was a journeyman QB that will be all but forgotten in 10 years.
June 03, 2009 at 01:36 pm
I think Bedard was spot on when he said Cutler was the "most talented and established quarterback in the division." Don't get me wrong. I think Rodgers is the better leader and, will probably take over the mantle of most established this season, but Cutler is more talented.
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Neither QB has made the playoffs, but Cutler has made the Pro-Bowl, even without the benefit of sitting behind a future Hall of Fame QB for 3 years and learning the system. Cutler has put up nearly 2 and half seasons of relatively good football, especially considering the guy played a full year without knowing he had diabetes, while people are still questioning whether Rodgers was just a one year wonder (see link). For right now, Cutler really is the more established QB.
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Talent is a little harder to prove through a verbal argument, but I believe the tape speaks for itself. Cutler's raw ability is impressive, even if his decision making skills and maturity are not. Cutler is kind of like Favre in that regard. Because he knows that he can make a lot of very difficult throws, he tends to make many throws that he shouldn’t. His talent level actually inhibits the development of his decision making skills.
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Now, again, I'm definitely not saying Cutler is the BETTER QB, I'm just saying he's more talented and better established right now, which is exactly what Bedard said. If Rodgers has another good season and makes the playoffs, I'll say then that he's the more established and better QB, but until that point, I can't make that judgment.
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One last note, Aaron, I'm not sure what it is about Bedard that makes you want to pick him apart so badly, but it's getting kind of old. It's getting to the point where it seems that if Bedard said the sky was blue you'd run to the window and check. I know he doesn't see things through the same green-and-gold-tinted goggles that the rest of us do, but, really, his analysis isn't as bad as you seem to want it to be.
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http://www.nfl.com/fantasy/story?id=09000d5d81068a93&template=with-v...
June 03, 2009 at 01:42 pm
DDD perfect example, except in 10 years Goeff Jeorge will still insist he's better than whatever QB the Vikings trot out.
PackerAaron
June 03, 2009 at 01:57 pm
Jayme - I have a good relationship with Greg, that's why I like to needle him. I agree with him a lot more than I disagree. Sorry it's 'getting old'. I'll start picking on Demovsky.
June 03, 2009 at 02:08 pm
I know that I've made the Jeff George comparison here on multiple occasions. I'm gonna start demanding royalties.
June 03, 2009 at 05:37 pm
First off, Dungy must think highly of the Packers if thats his take.
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Then I love the puzzle analogy, because the Bears are missing some pieces along the edges, maybe even a corner or two. Lost the top of the box, when it comes to Ron Turner. The puzzle is getting a little worn out in the middle, and they have that one piece they just cant put down anywhere, trying to make it fit.