When It's Over....

Now that we have closure on the story that has been beaten worse than Rihanna at a Grammy after party, here are my closing thoughts on today's blockbuster trade sending Jay Cutler to the Bears:

1. Whether it was the fear of being outbid by other teams or GM Jerry Angelo getting conned by Denver's asking price, I can't help but think the Bears overpaid for Cutler. Two first rounders, a 3rd and a starting quarterback for a guy with a losing record as a starter coming off his first Pro Bowl season who just pissed and moaned his way out of town? I understand that 25-year old quarterbacks with a lot of football left in them come at a premium but was Kyle Orton that bad last year that the Bears absolutely HAD to have Cutler? Cutler's presence has given the city of Chicago what it's been force-fed for 100 years: false hope. It seems like wishful thinking that a guy, whose numbers are a bit inflated due to a superior supporting cast and solid offensive line, will make a team with no true # 1 reciever and a shaky offensive line into an instant contender in a division in which you have to believe all three other teams are bound to improve. Two firsts and a third in this league can get almost anybody and with the Bears' need for a top reciever, it seems silly to me that Angelo couldn't just offer the same package to Arizona in exchange for WR Anquan Boldin. Boldin is the type of tough, physical reciever that would fit it well in a rough and tumble city like Chicago and would be a great complement to freakish speedster Devin Hester. If you're a Bears fan, would you rather have Kyle Orton throwing to Boldin and Hester or Jay Cutler throwing to Hester and.......Earl Bennett? Cutler's presence gives them an upgrade at QB, but it sure doesn't make them contenders. Speaking of wishful thinking, it seems mighty hopeful for the Bears to think they'll get three quality years out of oft-injured, 9-time Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace.

2. So where do the Broncos go from here? Rumors have circulated that Denver has interest in USC QB Mark Sanchez, but that might be a smoke screen. Why would GM Brian Xanders and owner Pat Bowlen be so adamant on having a quarterback be included on any deal for Cutler if they were planning on tabbing Sanchez all along? And let's not write off Kyle Orton being a success in Denver. He's stepping into a weaker division, with a significantly better offensive line and recieving core. Orton went for 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns playing behind a line that gave up 29 sacks and with his # 1 reciever being a reformed cornerback/kick returner. Imagine what he can do with Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal and some time to throw. The best move for Denver would be to rebuild that horrible defense and this draft is stockpiled with defensive talent. Picking 12th and 18th, the Broncos could have a shot at guys like Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji, USC inside linebacker Rey Maualuga and Ohio St. defensive back Malcom Jenkins, to name a few. If Orton fails to pan out, the Broncos are armed with two firsts next year to move up to snag one of the two prized franchise quarterbacks in next year's draft: Heisman winner Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and Texas' Colt McCoy. Let's also not forget Florida's Tim Tebow, who could be a interesting weapon in McDaniels' creative schemes.

3. The big loser in this mess has to be Jay Cutler. He trades in a world-class supporting cast and the oppurtunity to shine under the tuteledge of one of the NFL's brightest, young offensive minds for the chance to run for his life in the impatient Windy City. Cutler's arrival already sparks hope of Super Bowl aspirations for the Chicago faithful and it will be interesting to see how someone as thin-skinned as Cutler can handle the boo-birds if he gets off to a slow start. While it's understandable to be a bit heartbroken when you're surprised by unexpected trade rumors, you have to wonder if this was all worth it for Cutler? Because of his steep price tag, the Bears won't be able to build around Cutler for at least the next two years and the fact that his blind side is being covered by the clearly declining Pace can't be too reassuring for a guy who was only sacked 12 times last year. Cutler has three years remaining on his rookie contract and his PR can't take another hit if he attempts to whine his way out of town again. So now Cutler faces the harsh price of being unwilling to swallow his pride in a cutthroat business by being forced to play the role of savior for a team with bleak future.

4. With Cutler off the market, this opens the door for the other teams and players on the outside looking in of the Cutler Sweepstakes. The Lions will no doubt tab Georgia QB Matt Stafford with their first pick, with the hopes of finding him some protection later in the draft. The Jets will probably make an attempt at one of the two notable free agent QBs: Byron Leftwich and Jeff Garcia(though Garcia is a long-shot). Tampa Bay will probably try its damnedest to select Kansas State QB Josh Freeman and rebuild around him. If Sanchez doesn't end up in Denver, there's the more likely scenario of him going to San Francisco with the 10th pick(or an even bigger curveball, Seattle at # 4). An interesting scenario to watch will be Washington, who for some peculiar reason were more interested than need-be in Cutler and now face the possibility of an unhappy Jason Campbell now that word has gotten out.

Until next time, your favorite blogger's favorite blogger.....Dave Leonardis