No Cutler in survey? Not a good sign

**The Benjamin** · 07-05-2011, 04:32 AM

By Mike Imrem

If the Bears don't want to look into their own mirror, they should look into the one that the NFL Network is holding up for them.
The cable-TV outlet surveyed players around the league and ranked the “The Top 100 Players of 2011.”

Not surprisingly, the Bears' offense barely rated. Only Devin Hester made the list, at No. 32, and he's there basically as a kick returner.

The most important reflection of the Bears' offensive wasteland is a particularly bad sign: Quarterback Jay Cutler is nowhere to be found, other than of course at a Cubs-White Sox game with his reality-TV squeeze.

The Bears aren't going to win a Super Bowl unless Cutler becomes one of the game's premier QBs. They might get lucky and reach the NFC title game like last season, but most years their luck will run out much sooner.

Encouraging is that Cutler is due, perhaps overdue, to reach his potential as he approaches his sixth NFL season (if there is an NFL season this year).

Anyway, the Bears' defense did OK in the NFL Network survey with Julius Peppers at No. 10, Brian Urlacher No. 49 and Lance Briggs No. 92.

But none of those guys is as important as Cutler. You don't think that quarterbacks rather than defenses win championships? Then why is the MVP of the Super Bowl usually a quarterback?

Look, I'm not telling you anything you don't know. After not having a great quarterback for most of our lifetimes, Bears fans especially understand what one means.

Just as the Cubs have been uncanny in their inability to win a World Series for longer than a century, the Bears have been uncanny in their inability to find a franchise quarterback for longer than a half-century.

Cutler is supposed to be up to the challenge. But Bears fans still are waiting for him to be everything his size, arm and athletic ability project him to be.
Myriad reasons explain why Cutler hasn't been yet, not all of them associated with his infamous personality and body language. Add revolving offensive coordinators, along with the Bears' dubious wide receivers and offensive line.
Still, round up all the excuses, uh, make that reasons Cutler hasn't been all he should be and the fact remains that, well, he hasn't been all he should be.
Even if Cutler is No. 101 — the list doesn't go there — that wouldn't be good enough to fulfill expectations of him.

Twelve quarterbacks are in the Top 100: Tom Brady (No. 1), Peyton Manning (2), Drew Brees (9), Aaron Rodgers (11, and how fast would you trade No. 10 Julius Peppers for him?), Michael Vick (20), Philip Rivers (26), Ben Roethlisberger (41), Matt Ryan (52), Tony Romo (72), Josh Freeman (86), Joe Flacco (90) and Donovan McNabb (100).
Tony Romo ahead of Cutler? Josh Freeman ahead of Cutler? Joe Flacco? Even the struggling Donovan McNabb?

Yes, yes, yes, and yes, according to this survey of NFL players. That doesn't speak well of Cutler, or the Bears' hopes for that matter.

Quarterback rankings and Super Bowl titles don't always line up perfectly. Eli Manning won one, still is in his prime and didn't make the Top 100.

But with no other offensive headliners in these ratings, the Bears require a quarterback to make his teammates better.

If the NFL Network survey is remotely credible, Jay Cutler has a long way to go to be that quarterback.

The mirror doesn't lie.

mimrem@dailyherald.com

**loki520** · 07-05-2011, 05:38 AM

The fact is.... Cutler simply isn't considered that good by actual players. Fans of the teams he plays for love him, but the other players... not so much.

He is surely better than the vast majority of Bears QB's. He may be, in fact, the best QB you guys ever have had.

But, let's face it.... that's not saying a lot.

**matsellah** · 07-05-2011, 06:32 AM

#@*% this list.

**loki520** · 07-05-2011, 07:24 AM

I'm thinking the participants that it was best 100 "Playa's" instead of players. Nothing else explains McNabb or Romo in 2011.

**4th and 26** · 07-05-2011, 07:30 AM

Archie Manning is probably furious that Eli is not on this list.

**The Benjamin** · 07-05-2011, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by matsellah

#@*% this list.

Who do you think should be on the list, and where should all the Bears players be ranked?

**Jimmors** · 07-05-2011, 09:21 AM

Didnt know they handed out SB Trophies based on popularity polls. Who cares who is "ranked" where? this aint College, its the pros...and only winning matters.

But none of those guys is as important as Cutler. You don't think that quarterbacks rather than defenses win championships? Then why is the MVP of the Super Bowl usually a quarterback?

ORLY? Tell that to Hall of Famer, Richard Dent.

**XaosGorilla** · 07-05-2011, 09:28 AM

Some players are on the list based on their body of work, others due to spectacular performances the last season or two. Even the players don't seem to agree on the criteria to be on the list.
The only things the list proves is that the players and fans disagree on who the best players are, and that teams can win the super bowl without a QB considered to be one of the top 100 players in the NFL.
On the list or not, the players are who they are. Has anyone attempted to argue that Cutler is as good a QB as Brady or (Peyton)Manning? I know I haven't. In spite of the columnists' opinion most people agree that Cutler is the best QB that has played for the Bears in a very long time. Given more time I expect the numbers will show that to be true, and numbers don't lie. A mirror, on the other hand, can only reflect what is shown to it, thus it is only as accurate and unbiased as what is shown to it.

**bubbashucker** · 07-05-2011, 09:50 AM

Obviously, Imrem does not remember last season at all. A quick check of the stats from last year shows the Pitt was the #`1 scoring Dfense, and Gb was #2. I YPG Pitt was #2 and GB was #5.

Also, GB scored a defensive TD in three of the 4 playoff games. Arguably, they do not make the SB without the TD off of Hanie.

Defense wins championships, always has

**soulman** · 07-05-2011, 09:58 AM

Ho hum, I could care less right now about where this guy or non-Bears fans think Jay Cutler should rate. If guys like Romo, McNabb, and Vick rate ahead of him I question the value of this top 100 anyway. A list that has Ray Lewis in the top ten but Brian Urlacher barely in the top fifty is far more a list based on popularity as opposed to skill anyway. I don't think you could rate Devin Hester ahead of Urlacher in terms of contribution to the Bears either.

So far Cutler has had an up and down career and with the exception of being elected to one pro-bowl while with Denver he hasn't exactly astounded anyone. Couple that with his lack of popularity and it really isn't much of surprise that he's not on a list that's primarily based on popularity is it? Jay's a whipping boy for the press and even when he does well he doesn't get the credit he deserves and may never get respect from them. They don't like one another very much. Can you tell?

Even had Jay Cutler not been injured in the NFC Championship Game and had gone on to win the Super Bowl instead of Aaron Rodgers he still wouldn't be rated anywhere near as high as Rodgers and the press would still be questioning his abilties. Frankly I don't give a shit what they say or where he ranks in others minds. To me he's the best QB we've had since Mac and the only reason I can see the Bears remaining in competition for a Super Bowl berth in the years to come. If they keep the defense strong and give Cutler the tools he needs he will win a Super Bowl during his career. Then we'll see how they rank him.

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