Is Cutler benchable?

[Mr. Scot]

Question to ponder: Who's having a worse 2009 season between Panther fans and Bear fans?

Panther fans went into the season with the memory of last year's playoff disaster fixed firmly in their brains. That, plus the knowledge that the QB at the heart of it all had just received a blockbuster extension. Even the most optimistic fan had to wonder "What if it happens again?" Sadly, that fear was realized, repeatedly.

As a result, the team's record through thirteen games: 5-8

Bear fans, on the other hand, went into the season with high hopes. The team had traded for a franchise quarterback, and that trade had many thinking Super Bowl. Since then though, those dreams of glory have come crashing down, and they've watched the QB that was supposed to be the key to victory throw even more interceptions than his counterpart in Carolina.

As a result, the team's record through thirteen games: 5-8

So what hurts more: Having your high hopes dashed or having your worst nightmares come true?

(tough call, in my opinion)

Despite the failures, Delhomme kept his starting job. It wasn't until an injury prevented him from playing that his backup (an undrafted free agent) took over. Results since then have been mixed.

But what about Cutler?

There are similarities. Like Delhomme, Cutler's worst games also followed in the wake of a contract extension. Also like Delhomme, Cutler is backed up by an undrafted free agent. And it's worth noting that both have head coaches with histories of sticking stubbornly to starters even in the face of adversity.

Still, as QBs go, Delhomme is in his twilight years while Cutler is still in his prime. There's reason to hope that with a few tweaks to the offense and a bad season behind him, Cutler might still turn out to be worth what the Bears gave up (which was a lot). My personal belief is that there is legitimate cause for optimism in Chicago going into next year. The possibility that Cutler could turn it around does indeed exist.

But what if he doesn't?

Given what Chicago gave up in order to get him, combined with what he's being paid and the fact that the guy behind him is an undrafted player, regardless of who's coaching, is it even conceivable that Cutler could be benched, this season or next? Or is that just too bitter a pill to swallow?

[thefuzz]

He needs to be benched, to get that ego in check.

Cutler is a pretty bad QB, with a fantastic skill set. He can be coached up, but not from the type coaching staff that is currently in Chicago. Shanny would be the obvious pick to go there in the off season, but I think they may need more than him to get Jay pointed back in the right direction.

We are in a much worse QB position than Chicago, but better overall position as far as the team itself.

And to answer your question, yes he can be benched, and should be, but it can't happen by this coach/GM....it will take an overhaul for him to be benched.

[Epistaxis]

Bench him so you can usher in the Caleb Haney era?

I don't think so.

The Bears have issues with both the Oline and Dline, WRs, Defensive Secondary....pretty much everything else BUT QB.

They have a rather pedestrian GM, a "just ok" head coach/DC, and a bland OC.

A housecleaning of the coaching staff, front office, etc. is something I would embrace.

Build the team around Cutler, and look forward to a better tomorrow.

The hardest part is finding the QB, which I believe has been done.

I mentioned in some other thread that I felt the Bears would finish this season 6-10 if everything broke bad. 10-6 if everything went awesome.

Sadly, everything broke bad.

I hope the new "powers that be" make better decisions on draft day, evaluate talent better, and the players buy in to a new system.

Will this happen THIS year? Not sure. Doubt it. I think Ron Turner and Pep Hamilton get scapegoated and this regime gets next year to right the ship. Won't happen, and they get canned next year.

After next year, hopefully the new people recognize the glaring needs, make smart moves like return Hester to KR and PR, and attempt to surround Cutler with suitable weapons.

[dimbee]

The 22 picks are a glaring sore spot to the season, but to run out the "Bench Cutler" banner and essentially tag him as the scapegoat for this miserable season would be misplaced blame and responsibility. It ignores the fact that the defense has been toothless, the O Line has been a revolving door, and the run game virtually non-existent. Cutler has had some absolute garbage games, yes. The same can and should be said about every player on the Bears team. So, no, I don't think he should nor will be benched. I do think the Ron Turner era is coming to an end and I see the Bears bringing in an OC with a track record of coaching up the QB.

[Mr. Scot]

Would you suggest getting a viable backup just in case Cutler's issues continue?

[dimbee]

I have no problem with doing anything that results in an improved team

[Epistaxis]

Given Cutler's durabilty, even in the face of the beating he has taken this season, I would hope emphasis is placed on pretty much every other position on the field rather than back-up QB.

[thefuzz]

Given Cutler's durabilty, even in the face of the beating he has taken this season, I would hope emphasis is placed on pretty much every other position on the field rather than back-up QB.

Not bashing here...just calling them like I see them.

Cutlers problem is not his physical health, but his mental health.

He does not "see" the field all that well, and as the field shrinks, i.e. red zone, it seems to get worse. Not saying that you cut Cutler, or bench him forever, but to ignore the elephant in the corner is foolish IMO.

Someone needs to be brought in to push Cutler, it never happened in Denver, and it has not happened in Chicago. He may need to be tutored by a vet QB, something that he has never gotten.

As I have said many times before, this is a boom or bust trade for the Bears, as a Panther fan, I should hope for bust, but I don't. It may work out, but from the very start of it, I didn't like it at all, and he has done nothing to prove me wrong.

[Mesmer]

A housecleaning of the coaching staff, front office, etc. is something I would embrace.

Build the team around Cutler, and look forward to a better tomorrow.

The hardest part is finding the QB, which I believe has been done.

Bingo. I'm not saying that Panthers fan feel worse or anything, but finding a QB is usually the most challenging task for a front office. The team likely needs a new coaching staff and some added offensive power to compliment what's there right now, and I think they're quickly back to being a contender.

Signing Orlando Pace was a terrible mistake. The pass protection has been awful for Cutler, even though yes, he is to blame for much of his play. He needs people around him though.

Bottom line, Cutler can improve and regain his past form. Delhomme is done.

[Mr. Scot]

I have no problem with doing anything that results in an improved team

Someone needs to be brought in to push Cutler, it never happened in Denver, and it has not happened in Chicago. He may need to be tutored by a vet QB, something that he has never gotten.

The question is how to do it.

I think you'd have to have it clearly positioned as a backup only. Cutler has the kind of personality that doesn't necessarily respond well to the notion of being challenged.

[Darth Hater]

No, because "Jay is our quarterback!" just like "Rex is our quarterback!" and "We're close!" In all seriousness i doubt even peyton Manning would look decent in Jay's situation. Epis post has it all laid out and is spot on.

[thefuzz]

The question is how to do it.

I think you'd have to have it clearly positioned as a backup only. Cutler has the kind of personality that doesn't necessarily respond well to the notion of being challenged.

Not really sure how I would do it, but I can promise you that if I were the GM/HC of that team, I would have a seasoned vet QB right beside him for the next two years.

Tough to bring in someone just for that reason, but I would most likely put Pennington in that spot, if I had that ability.

The only vet he ever had to learn from was Jake the Snake....and you can form your opinions on that one.