Jay Cutler needs a new team. The Minnesota Vikings need a quarterback. It's time for Rick Spielman to get on the phone and dial the Denver area code.
I encourage everyone to read the ESPN story linked in Judd Zulgad's post above. Josh McDaniels isn't blameless in this, but the more I read, the more I'm wary of Cutler. He comes off as a diva - thin-skinned, hyper sensitive, and someone you'd have to coddle and pacify every other day to keep happy. That kind of player can wear a team down.
But the guy threw for over 4,000 yards last year. He went to the Pro Bowl. He's 25-years-old.
Last year the Vikings made a bold move. They traded three high draft picks for Jared Allen. Things had gotten messy in Kansas City over a new contract and Allen wanted out. Allen came with a risk, as he had an alcohol problem and was one mistake away from a year-long suspension. Some Viking fans thought the risk was too great. The Vikings made the deal anyway.
It's time for the Vikings to attempt another bold move. Cutler will cost them some high draft picks and maybe a player or two. But the payoff could be huge.
Of course, as bad as things are, the Broncos don't have to trade Cutler. He is under contract to them. But when a player wants out as badly as Cutler wants out, the player usually gets his way.
Do the Vikings have the right assets to convince the Broncos to trade Cutler to them? Spielman has to at least try to find out.
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7 comments:
This is all true. Without a doubt, everyone would have cause to get excited about Cutler coming here.
All of the comparisons to Cutler and Jeff George are also looking accurate. Tremendous talent - but will he go through a career putting up big numbers in every town he goes to, only to wear out his welcome after a few seasons?
The other issue is our trade stock. Unless we can sell them Jackson (HA HA HA!) the Broncos would be wanting a serviceable QB in return.
I would imagine the Vikings front office, right or wrong, holds some allegiance to Rosenfells and Jackson. Chili would have to throw his "all of the QBs are under constant evaluation" mantra out the window. It would also leave us one expensive backup in Rosenfells.
I could see Cutler getting traded, but not with us. I'd like to see us get him - but the tea leaves do not suggest it to be likely.
Travis:
I also don't think the tea leaves suggest it's likely. It looks like you're not going to get Stafford or Sanchez with the #22 pick and the Broncos aren't interested in TJack or Rosenfels as stop gaps. And the Broncos have to get a QB from the team they trade Cutler to.
If the Bears get him though, boy, are Childress and Spielman going to feel a lot of heat.
The Bears won't get him. There are reports that their ownership is short on cash and Orton has potential. That said I agree with Travis. The Vikes would do well to get him, but if DET is serious than there is no other team that can compete with their offer.
NHV:
Detroit does have the draft picks that would interest Denver. But would Cutler agree to a trade to the gallows of the NFL?
DC: good question. Probably not now that it looks like BUF has interest as well as a good draft pick and an arm they can give back in return.
The Cutler - George begs the question: will Denver require a 1st, and 3rd, and a conditional 2010 pick (2nd or 1st depending on Cutler's performance)? That's what the George trade was back in, um, '94 I think.
Is that too much for the Vikings to give up? They'll be depthless and in trouble for a few seasons if they do this. They'd better win a lot of games while they can, if they get Cutler.
Peter:
I wonder if the George compensation from '94 is really the standard. Slightly different circumstances, I realize, but if Matt Cassel only cost the Chiefs a second round pick, what do you have to give up for Cutler?
However, I would make a George-like deal. It still leaves the Vikings with a similar amount of picks as last year and that draft netted them a Pro Bowl DE (you have to include Jared Allen as part of your draft, I think), plus two other starters this year – Tyrell Johnson and John Sullivan. And Letroy Guion made the team and Jaymar Johnson is on the practice squad.
Not having a first round pick three years in a row is the wrong way to look at this. The Vikings actually got a first-rounder in Allen and would get another in Cutler if the trade was made. You would lose your first rounder in 2010. Oh well, you have to break some eggs to make an omelette. Based on how the Vikings fared in last year's draft, the draft wouldn't necessarily be gutted completely. They'd still have a second pick and Cutler in the fold.
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