BEARS ACQUIRE QB JAY CUTLER FROM DENVER
By Paul M. Banks
It’s rare that I get an endless stream of text messages about a news story. It’s also unique to see one news item dominating the status updates on Facebook and Twitter- and then when you acknowledge it in your status update, you have a few comments almost instantaneously. But what the news broke that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior was coming to Chicago. Whoops, wrong JC! But given all the hullaballo about a franchise savior arriving, you can understand why I thought judgment day was upon us. Because I always wondered what would happen first: the Bears have an exciting and enthralling passer (instead of a “game-manager” at best) at the quarterback position, or the end of the world. Who knows at this point, the Bulls might actually have a big man that can score! You’ll see Jessica Simpson in Mensa before that happens. But enough nabobs of negativism, this is a day for hallelujah!
Here were the specifics:
LAKE FOREST, IL — The Chicago Bears acquired QB Jay Cutler and a 2009 fifth-round draft pick (140th overall) in a trade with the Denver Broncos today for QB Kyle Orton, a 2009 first round draft pick (18th overall), a 2009 third round draft selection (84th overall) and a 2010 first round draft pick.
Cutler was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2008 after passing for a Broncos franchise record 4,526 yards in 16 starts. He completed 384 of 616 pass attempts (62.3 percent) with 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions for a 86.0 passer rating last season. Cutler’s 29 completions of 25-plus yards ranked tied for seventh in the NFL and his eight 300-yard passing contests were second most.
In three NFL seasons after being selected 11th overall by the Broncos in the 2006 NFL Draft, Cutler has completed 762 of 1,220 passing attempts (62.5 percent) for 9,024 yards, 54 touchdowns and 37 interceptions for an 87.1 passer rating in 37 starts. Since being named the Broncos’ starting quarterback in Week 13 of the 2006 season, Cutler’s 9,024 passing yards rank third in the NFL, his 54 touchdowns rank tied for seventh and his 60 completions of 25-plus yards rank tied for fifth.
JAY CUTLER’S CAREER STATISTICS
Regular Season
Year Team G GS Att Cmp Pct Yds TD Int Lg Sack Lost Rate
2006 Den 5 5 137 81 59.1 1,001 9 5 71t 13 85 88.5
2007 Den 16 16 467 297 63.6 3,497 20 14 68t 27 153 88.1
2008 Den 16 16 616 384 62.3 4,526 25 18 93t 11 69 86.0
Totals 37 37 1,220 762 62.5 9,024 54 37 93t 51 307 87.1
Additional Statistics: Rushing – 113 rushes for 423 yards, 3 touchdowns
Given that most outlets were reporting Cutler would go to the Redskins, this is a great surprise! I must admit I am a bit sad to see Kyle “Captain Neckbeard” go however. He’s an environmentalist, was an extremely hard partyer and probably my favorite Bear, if not the most colorful one. Still it’s worth the sacrifice to finally have a franchise QB in place- especially since the offensive line has received a major upgrade this offseason.
O and there’s a new Pace to the O-Line too!
And on the same exact day no less….
LAKE FOREST, IL – The Chicago Bears agreed to terms with T Orlando Pace on a three-year contract today. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The seven-time Pro Bowler (1999-2005) has started 154 of 158 career games played in 12 NFL seasons, including 14 contests in 2008. The 6-7, 325-pounder was the first overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams out of Ohio State . During his string of seven-straight Pro Bowl seasons, Pace helped lead the Rams to the Super Bowl XXXIV title, a Super Bowl XXXVI appearance and blocked for three-straight NFL MVPs (QB Kurt Warner in 1999 and 2001 and RB Marshall Faulk in 2000).
Tackle Kevin Shaffer who started pretty much every game for the Cleveland Browns the past 5 seasons was signed on March 25th. Last year’s number one draft pick Chris Williams is now healthy and rarin to go for his sophomore campaign. Also, some of last year’s starters are now gone: John Tait retired, Terrence Metcalf was cut and John St. Clair declared free agency. So things will be looking much different (i.e. much better regarding whom the new quarterback will have blocking for him). Now if we could find a legitimate NFL worthy wide receiver!