omac
04-02-2009, 11:33 PM
http://www.broncosforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36522&page=3
Chicago Bears players warm up to Jay Cutler
They think quarterback brings something team has lacked
By Vaughn McClure | Tribune reporter
10:01 PM CDT, April 2, 2009
The negative perception of Jay Cutler started to build with every mention of his rift with the Denver Broncos.
Through it all, Brian Urlacher's opinion of Cutler never changed.
The Bears linebacker received positive feedback about Cutler in the past from teammate Hunter Hillenmeyer, who played at the same college [Vanderbilt] as Cutler. And Urlacher sympathized with Cutler's plight in Denver.
"I would be ticked off, too, if someone was trying to trade me and didn't tell me about it," Urlacher said.
"I don't think Jay is going to be an issue. We have a pretty good locker room, so I'm not worried about that. … I'm not worried about him fitting in."
Urlacher was as shocked as anyone when the Bears pulled Thursday's stunning trade, sending Kyle Orton, two first-round draft picks and a third-rounder to Denver for Cutler and a fifth-round pick.
"I guess we got better as a team," Urlacher said. "You get a quarterback who is a Pro-Bowl guy.
"But I will say this: I think Kyle Orton is a good quarterback. He's a great teammate. I hope he does really well in Denver."
Orton was reached by phone late Thursday night but declined comment on the whirlwind events. He was tied up gathering his family and bags for the trip to Denver.
His ex-teammates were bracing themselves for the wild ride yet to come.
"His numbers speak for themselves," linebacker Lance Briggs said of Cutler. "He has proven in three years that he can produce. Now we get to enjoy his presence here in Chicago."
Receiver Devin Hester discussed Cutler on Sporting News radio's Monty Show.
"I feel like [general manager Jerry Angelo] and those guys are really making big steps. They're doing whatever it takes," Hester said. "They're shocking me because they're making big moves and things that you know we've been striving for to get back to being a Super Bowl team. The moves that they're making are incredible."
No move potentially benefits Hester more than the addition of Cutler, a quarterback known for his powerful arm. Bears fans could grow accustomed to long pass plays between the two. Plus the threat of the deep ball is sure to open up running lanes for Matt Forte.
"I think Jay is a great quarterback," Hester said. "I've watched the film on him, I've played against him and, you know, just hearing rumors around that he throws some of the most incredible passes.
"… I'm looking forward to playing with him this year and I think he's going to come out and shock the world."
Bears fans hope Hester's words are prophetic.
vxmcclure@tribune.com
*****************************************
The Bears traded Kyle Orton and two-first round picks for Pro-Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler. What do you think?
77.7% They got a Pro Bowl quarterback! I love it! (10733 responses)
5.2% They should've stuck with Orton. (720 responses)
17.0% They gave up too much. (2354 responses)
13807 total responses (Results not scientific)
Chicago Bears players warm up to Jay Cutler
They think quarterback brings something team has lacked
By Vaughn McClure | Tribune reporter
10:01 PM CDT, April 2, 2009
The negative perception of Jay Cutler started to build with every mention of his rift with the Denver Broncos.
Through it all, Brian Urlacher's opinion of Cutler never changed.
The Bears linebacker received positive feedback about Cutler in the past from teammate Hunter Hillenmeyer, who played at the same college [Vanderbilt] as Cutler. And Urlacher sympathized with Cutler's plight in Denver.
"I would be ticked off, too, if someone was trying to trade me and didn't tell me about it," Urlacher said.
"I don't think Jay is going to be an issue. We have a pretty good locker room, so I'm not worried about that. … I'm not worried about him fitting in."
Urlacher was as shocked as anyone when the Bears pulled Thursday's stunning trade, sending Kyle Orton, two first-round draft picks and a third-rounder to Denver for Cutler and a fifth-round pick.
"I guess we got better as a team," Urlacher said. "You get a quarterback who is a Pro-Bowl guy.
"But I will say this: I think Kyle Orton is a good quarterback. He's a great teammate. I hope he does really well in Denver."
Orton was reached by phone late Thursday night but declined comment on the whirlwind events. He was tied up gathering his family and bags for the trip to Denver.
His ex-teammates were bracing themselves for the wild ride yet to come.
"His numbers speak for themselves," linebacker Lance Briggs said of Cutler. "He has proven in three years that he can produce. Now we get to enjoy his presence here in Chicago."
Receiver Devin Hester discussed Cutler on Sporting News radio's Monty Show.
"I feel like [general manager Jerry Angelo] and those guys are really making big steps. They're doing whatever it takes," Hester said. "They're shocking me because they're making big moves and things that you know we've been striving for to get back to being a Super Bowl team. The moves that they're making are incredible."
No move potentially benefits Hester more than the addition of Cutler, a quarterback known for his powerful arm. Bears fans could grow accustomed to long pass plays between the two. Plus the threat of the deep ball is sure to open up running lanes for Matt Forte.
"I think Jay is a great quarterback," Hester said. "I've watched the film on him, I've played against him and, you know, just hearing rumors around that he throws some of the most incredible passes.
"… I'm looking forward to playing with him this year and I think he's going to come out and shock the world."
Bears fans hope Hester's words are prophetic.
vxmcclure@tribune.com
*****************************************
The Bears traded Kyle Orton and two-first round picks for Pro-Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler. What do you think?
77.7% They got a Pro Bowl quarterback! I love it! (10733 responses)
5.2% They should've stuck with Orton. (720 responses)
17.0% They gave up too much. (2354 responses)
13807 total responses (Results not scientific)