Can Jay Cutler Win a Super Bowl?..................

**soulman** · 09-04-2011, 11:17 AM

Cutler's game, not attitude, must improve to take Super step

By Elliot Harrison NFL.com
Analyst
Published: Aug. 30, 2011 at 10:23 a.m.
Updated: Aug. 31, 2011 at 05:04 p.m.
Liked: 9 | Comments: 325

Jeff Hanisch / US Presswire Jay Cutler has been the subject of much debate since leaving the NFC title game with a knee injury.

Is this the year? Does Jay Cutler turn the corner and become the top-10 quarterback he is supposed to be? Beyond that, how 'bout we ratchet this conversation up a notch and tackle the question people in Chicago really want to know: Will Cutler ever win a Super Bowl?

The Bears' immense investment in their "franchise" quarterback can be matured most effectively with, well, a shot of maturity. But don't be quick to judge Cutler personally, because the lion's share of his development must come in his game, not what his character is perceived to be.
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Cutler's persona has frequently come into question over the last several months. No one knows for sure what makes him tick. What we can say is that it looks bad to remove one's self from a game with a knee injury, then be walking around while window shopping with a starlet in Beverly Hills, Calif, days later.

Maybe the criticism that stemmed from that series of events was just window dressing for people's dislike of Cutler? Maybe not.
Either way, Cutler's responses to myriad salvos from reporters haven't exactly promoted a player ready to be a leader of a proud franchise or helped his public image. But putting his maturity on the sideline for a moment -- a place where many of us remember Cutler all too well during the NFC Championship Game -- it's not what is holding him back from success.

Cutler still throws off his back foot too often. Despite having a great release, he manages to hold the ball a bit long (particularly noticeable with the "Olé!" protection he gets from his offensive line). Both are issues that will occur less frequently as he develops on the field.

Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry always felt a quarterback was most effective north of 30, almost a decade into an NFL career. By that time, the game slows down enough to allow talented passers to pick apart defenses. That is, if their body doesn't break down in any number of ways -- reduced mobility, arm strength or their ability to withstand injuries.
That's where the organizational investment in Cutler could pay off. His arm strength should be there in spades at 33 or 34 years old, much like Roger Staubach (Landry's quarterback), Terry Bradshaw or John Elway, all of whom were better in their 30s than in their 20s.

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Some players take time to become great … Drew Brees won a Super Bowl in his ninth season. Ditto Peyton Manning. Ditto Bradshaw, whose first two Super Bowl rings were more the result of a legendary defense than his own play. Staubach's best seasons were at the end his career. Cutler, now 28, might be on the same timeline.

That's not to say a younger quarterback can't succeed. Ben Roethlisberger won the Super Bowl in his second season, Joe Montana his third. But you can't tell me Big Ben isn't a better player now than he was in 2005. Montana -- while great in 1981 -- might have been the best quarterback ever in 1989, his 11th season.

One thing those two quarterbacks had that Cutler does not is a strong supporting cast, starting with the offensive line. Until Cutler gets some kind of protection, he'll be forced to throw off his back foot or get face-planted. Not to mention that he still has no real No. 1 wideout. I'd like to see Montana or Aaron Rodgers win Super Bowls with Roy Williams as their top target.

Hired help aside, there's no use ignoring Bears fans or the critics in the media. Cutler can certainly afford to grow up -- as could all of us. Yet, his progress inside the lines is even more important than outside. With a couple more seasons and some better components around him, there's no reason everyone's whipping boy can't win Chicago its first Lombardi Trophy since 1985.

**soulman** · 09-04-2011, 11:19 AM

Well here's at least one writer who finally puts aside Jay's mental and psychological issues for the physical ones.

**soulman** · 09-04-2011, 11:24 AM

Who will be next QB to join list of Super Bowl winners?

By Jason La Canfora NFL Network
NFL Network Insider
Published: Aug. 30, 2011 at 10:29 a.m.
Updated: Aug. 30, 2011 at 08:36 p.m.
Liked: 22 | Comments: 501

By Jason La Canfora NFL Network

More Columns >

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They say this is the age of the quarterback. We've seen more spread formations, pass-first teams and quarterbacks posting ratings of 95 or better than we ever have before. Talk of "elite" quarterbacks seems to extend beyond a normal discussion of three or four passers, and the top tier may encompass more like six or seven individuals.

If you don't have a quarterback in this league, you don't have much. And if you do have one, well, join the club. But for all the quality play being displayed at the most important position, it remains true that only six current NFL QBs have a ring. It's an exclusive club, made even smaller with Brett Favre now retired, and Kurt Warner leaving the game a year before him.

Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers. Who will be next?

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To be sure, there are no flukes in this group. Brady, Peyton, Big Ben, Brees and Rodgers are all legitimately among the best 5-7 players in the world at their position. It's been a while since someone has pulled a Trent Dilfer and won the title backed almost entirely by a defense and running game and with hopes of the QB being nothing more than a game manager.

Given the continued evolution of offensive football, it could be quite some time before that occurs again. So, with that in mind, here's a look at who could be the next quarterback in line to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the first time, in order from most likely to least likely to do it in 2011:

Philip Rivers: All of the numbers are there, as is the moxie and poise and all that good stuff. He has a strong defense with him and a bevy of offensive talent. And he plays in a weak division. That's a prescription to get you high on this list every year, though some Chargers fans might point to the Norv Turner playoff factor as an antidote.

Michael Vick: It's all about his health. He stays healthy and the offensive line holds up and the Eagles are most certainly in the ring conversation. I don't believe 2010 was a fluke at all and his chemistry on the deep ball with DeSean Jackson is a thing of beauty.

Matt Ryan: I'd feel a little better about putting him this high had he won a playoff game previously, or had he looked more the part in the home loss to the Packers last postseason. But this kid is the total package and the Falcons are even more loaded on offense now, though that division is going to be brutal.

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Mark Sanchez: I'm not sold on this offense taking the next step, and Sanchez's accuracy and consistency need major upgrades in Year 3. But the Jets clearly have the right equation there and have been as close as anyone to the Super Bowl the past two years.

Joe Flacco: His regular-season play was excellent a year ago; his playoff performances, particularly against the Steelers, must improve. If the Ravens can find a way to get him a home game, and win a division title, then this club could well be playing deep into January. Needs recent draft picks at receiver and tight end to become factors with Heap and Mason gone.

Josh Freeman: Can't help but think the Bucs are a year or two away from true Super Bowl contention, but man, this kid is a superstar in the making. Love everything about the way he prepares and plays the game. The Bucs should be hanging around the playoff scene, and if you get in, well, who knows?

Jay Cutler: Not sure what odds I would put on him surviving the season, much less winning a Super Bowl, given the state of pass protection in Chicago recently. But the Bears showed playoff spirit in 2010 and if Cutler curbs his interceptions -- a huge if -- maybe, just maybe, the Bears celebrate in February.

Follow Jason La Canfora on Twitter @JasonLaCanfora

**The Benjamin** · 09-04-2011, 11:39 AM

CAN he? Sure. Anyone CAN.

**soulman** · 09-04-2011, 12:16 PM

I think the criticism of his somtime poor mechanics will subside if not all but disappear by the end of this year. Considering the work he did on his own in the offseason and from what I've seen so far in the preseason he's looking 100% better in that regard. All he needs is some half way decent protection and to make better decisions on some of his throws and this could be a real breakout year for him again.

**Henry Burris** · 09-04-2011, 12:19 PM

Wait, Roy Williams isn't still our "go to guy", is he?

**Blue Horse-shoe** · 09-04-2011, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by soulman

Well here's at least one writer who finally puts aside Jay's mental and psychological issues for the physical ones.

NOT when he says " He removed himself from the game " ...... that is a flat-out fvcking LIE . They ( the doctors and Lovie ) removed him from the game. Guess the bull$hit will never end.
The rest ...... about how Cutler just plain needs to play better is fair.
This : is a QB good enough to TAKE his team to the SB stuff ( that has been going on for years ) is also garbage. Dan Marino was always good enough to QB a superbowl team but his team mates weren't ever good enough for him to get there. Dilfer got there but he didn't 'take' his team there. 53 men "take" themselves to a SB. Any other TAKE on it, is made-up MEdia bs. The squids keep trotting out the same recycled garbage every year. Wow really interesting.

**4th and 26** · 09-04-2011, 05:00 PM

I would say no he can't unless we rid outselve of Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo and get a good GM that recognizes we need help instead of doing lame dick decisions with this team. Who have we brought in to help Jay since he has been here?

**Boochee Man** · 09-04-2011, 05:11 PM

Wasn't he just one game away last year with the worst OL in the NFL?

**soulman** · 09-04-2011, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Blue Horse-shoe

NOT when he says " He removed himself from the game " ...... that is a flat-out fvcking LIE . They ( the doctors and Lovie ) removed him from the game. Guess the bull$hit will never end.
The rest ...... about how Cutler just plain needs to play better is fair.
This : is a QB good enough to TAKE his team to the SB stuff ( that has been going on for years ) is also garbage. Dan Marino was always good enough to QB a superbowl team but his team mates weren't ever good enough for him to get there. Dilfer got there but he didn't 'take' his team there. 53 men "take" themselves to a SB. Any other TAKE on it, is made-up MEdia bs. The squids keep trotting out the same recycled garbage every year. Wow really interesting.

LOL, shoulda said ignored the mental issues for the most part huh? There's as little question in my mind that Jay Cutler is capable of that as I'm certain that Kyle Orton isn't. But that's just my opinion. The comparison of Marino to Dildo is a great one. For years Dan Marino carried his team but could never get to the show and there sits that arrogant asswipe Dilfer whose team carried him.

Jay Cutler has all the tools he needs to win a Super Bowl and eventually he will. I'm sure of it.

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