Rex Grossman’s Dad: Not Cutler’s Fault

“It’s a self-perpetuating problem that is not Jay Cutler’s fault,” said Dan Grossman, who played quarterback at Indiana in the ’60s. “It’s not Rex Grossman’s fault. It’s not Kyle Orton’s fault. It’s not every other quarterback who has been through that system’s fault. It’s the fault of the organization for not understanding what a quarterback needs.
“What’s amazing to me is, here we go again with Jay Cutler. He came in and he was going to be the franchise quarterback and lead the Bears. I heard some people say they were going to the Super Bowl this year. And here we are, back in the situation where … because the team is not really built around a passing game, he has struggled. I don’t really blame it on Jay Cutler.
via Rex Grossman’s dad tees off on Chicago Bears organization; feels bad for Jay Cutler — chicagotribune.com.

And so, at the nadir of a 4-5 season, a pleasant blast from the Super Bowl past. A proclamation from a forgotten prophet.

Is Grossman the elder correct? Of course he is. Consider these preseason facts:

1) Devin Hester was viewed as the best Bears receiver. TE Greg Olson was viewed as the best threat in the passing game. Their combined stats from last season: 106 catches, 1239 yards, eight touchdowns–or the equivalent of one elite NFL wideout. Two is not better than one. We’re talking the NFL Olson here, not the Olson twins.

2) After upsetting Tennessee 28-24 in his final game at Vanderbilt, Cutler’s record as a NFL starter was 17-20 (it’s now 21-25). Not exactly Manningesque (either one will do).

3) An old offensive line (average age at start of season: 29.2). An even older defense.

The Bears must figure out an identity. Either embrace Cutler’s craziness and surround him with weapons, or fully commit to RB Matt Forte and the running game. You can still do both–just look at Minnesota–but you need to prefer one. It seems Cutlermania forgot that coach Lovie Smith prefers a running-based attack, and by blaming Cutler you neglect that tiny tidbit.

This season has been a lesson in unfair expectations. Cutler + Forte < Favre + Peterson. It’s true.

If Chicago is to get off this .500 schneid, fans need to be patient. Make one definitive choice and stick with it.

The night is darkest before the dawn … and dawn may still be a few years away. Let’s allow Cutler to grow into his Bears uniform, and take the words of Poppa Grossman to heart in the meantime.