Dilfer Off the Mark; Cutler will make Bears WRs
ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer has been leveling Jay Cutler on NFL Live and related programs since Cutler's spat with the Broncos began. For over three months now, Dilfer has criticized Cutler for his decision making in "crucial situations." Dilfer has also indicated that he believes Cutler was a product of Denver's skilled receiver corps, and is in for some sort of "rude awakening" surrounded by Chicago's.
Dilfer is an outstanding analyst overall -- his rehash of Tony Romo's delivery is impeccable -- but I sense jealousy in these comments. Dilfer, who did not possess anything close to Cutler's skill set as a player, often hints that he believes quarterbacks should be game managers, not risk takers. Kinda like him.
I watched a lot of the Broncos last season, and Cutler undoubtedly needs to improve his composure. Too often Cutler tanked when his team was losing. His TD to INT ratio was 13:6 with the score tied or Denver ahead. It was 12:12 when the Broncos were down.
But as to Dilfer's other assessment, it isn't as if Cutler had a ready-made Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall, a 90-reception Eddie Royal, or an accomplished deep threat tight end Tony Scheffler when he took over the Broncos. He was surrounded by Javon Walker, 36-year-old Rod Smith, and a rotating backfield of Bells. Marshall and Scheffler were rookie backups. Royal was at Virginia Tech.
Along with Mike Shanahan, Cutler turned Marshall -- a fourth-round pick -- into an annual 100-catch receiver with a surplus of targets and relentless confidence (f.y.i., Football Scientist KC Joyner believes Marshall is "one of the league’s most overrated wide receivers". Mike and Jay morphed Royal from return/slot receiver prospect into Rookie of the Year candidate.
Only time will tell if Cutler and offensive coordinator Ron Turner can work similar magic with Chicago's weapons, but there's plenty of reason to think that Marshall and Royal were more dependent on their quarterback than the super-gifted passer was on them.
With an already borderline legendary blend of arm strength, accuracy, and athleticism, Cutler doesn't need Marshall, Royal, or Scheffler. Greg Olsen, Earl Bennett, Matt Forte, and Devin Hester need him.
Comments
Cutler is a great young QB and he will make a star out of Greg Olsen and a capable WR out of Devin Hester, but he needs a true WR1. Plus, he will not be passing 600 times like last season. He is going to miss his Denver WR's without a doubt.
And while Cutler certainly did make B-Marshall and Eddie Royal better, it works both ways and they both helped him develop as well. They are both very legit WR talents, and even with a downgrade to Kyle Orton, they are going to be beastly.
Posted by: BeastOrBust | June 3, 2009 04:58 PM
Don't bet the mortgage on that boy genius...
Posted by: Beast or Bust? | June 3, 2009 05:02 PM
the broncs won't throw 600 times either. knowshon moreno will be the focal point of their offense. he's the new face of the franchise, that's why they drafted him in the first round after trading cutler.
Posted by: Jack | June 3, 2009 05:12 PM
with all the cutler critizism of this offseason aside, it must be known that cuter is the next great quarterback. he is an elway-in-progress. sure his decision making is in need of improving, but what young qb's isnt. when i saw him play his rookie year, i knew he was gonna be something special. he was an immediate target in dynasty drafts while most people were guaging how much success V.Young would have the following season. He won the rookie QB class of 06 and is at least "comfortable" being outside of denver. i agree with your assessment of him making his receivers better - thats what great quarterbacks do - so we shall see how "bad" his transition will be to Chicago. i dont think a brandon marshall/eddie royal talent is lying there on that receiving corps, but dilfers comments are painstakingly off the mark. he will make his receivers better and when he does get a real talent, he will make him elite just like he did marshall.
i think cutler, royal, marshall, will all have stellar seasons this year and years beyond. it was sad to see that combo broken up, but theres a strong possibility something better can come out of it. like u said, no one thought that offense would explode last year. so its been know that talent can suprise u. given cutlers talent, i think he will suprise u in chicago. if not this year (think of 07 stats this season), then definately next year.
Posted by: scott c | June 3, 2009 05:20 PM
Silva, you make some good points. We've never seen Royal or Marshall or Scheffler do anything without Cutler behind center. Their numbers will go way down with Orton at QB.
I especially think Earl Bennett will break out. Cutler's old buddy at Vanderbilt. If Cutler targets Bennett like he did Baby T.O., Bennett could be The No. 1 Fantasy Sleeper.
Posted by: Bob R | June 3, 2009 05:20 PM
btw.. wow, jim fassell is coaching an UFL team?! what the..? wow, how far things turn.. from the superbowl to UFL.. man.
Posted by: scott c | June 3, 2009 05:45 PM
scott c.,
It must be known? I'd love to have heard your thoughts on Jeff George 15 years ago.
I think Evan's analysis is fair though. I agree with Dilfer. Cutler is a head case and he most definitely has issues with crucial situations.
What wasn't pointed out was that the same KC Joyner called Jay Cutler the quarterback with the most "bad decisions" in the NFL ... by far.
But we're talking fantasy, right? For 2009, the Bears receivers deserve an upgrade ... even if Cutler can drink Silva under the table with one arm tied behind his back.
Posted by: wess | June 3, 2009 05:53 PM