Cutler Era Has Begun (sort of!), But Funny That It Comes Day After Orton's Debacle

Has there been a more exciting start to the Chicago Bears preseason? Granted, the Cubs and Sox are still barely hanging on to solid playoff hopes, so the focus in Chicago should still be on the diamond. Yet, with all the talk surrounding the Bears' trade for Cutler, there must be plenty of focus on their first game tonight in Buffalo.

Plus, things are falling into the Bears' laps right now. Terrell Owens is out for this game with a toe injury, so the attention of the NFL is going to be on Cutler. Thank goodness...isn't a reality t.v. show for Owens enough?

Also, look at Kyle Orton's game last night with Denver. Orton, traded for Cutler in the offseason, threw three interceptions in four series. He has already received boos from the crowd during training camp, and if the game was in the Mile High City as opposed to San Francisco, there would have been plenty more hateful remarks coming his way during the game .

That horrible start sets up Cutler and the Bears pretty well. For one weekend, at least, a good Cutler performance in the first quarter will make everybody feel the trade was in Chicago's favor.

There are a few things that may get in Cutler's way. Does he have someone to throw the ball to? Apparently, guys like Earl Bennett have performed well and Devin Hester has developed. We will see how that goes tonight in Buffalo. Is the O-line ready to improve? Plus, the Bears remain a running team. I would hope that the offense does not revolve solely around Cutler because someone named Matt Forte may have a breakout year in the backfield.

Either way, this should be fun. Maybe the name Sid Luckman will go away, as the Bears finally have another QB that everybody loves and admires. We'll see how it turns out, but one thing is for sure. Yes, it is preseason and it will always be preseason, yet the excitement is still there going into tonight's game.

There may have also been some excitement in Denver, but after last night, it may not be for Orton anymore. Chris Simms is waiting for the starting job with the Broncos. Jay Cutler certainly has that job in Chicago.

A Very Merry Birthday List

For Luis C. Medina's birthday, I would like to send Phil Rogers and Kevin Gregg to this small island-nation ... permanently

Here at TBDS, I am the NBA guy. Normally I would write something exciting about the free agency period going on, like how there is going to be a UConn reunion in Motown in a matter of hours. 

But today is even more important than the beginning of NBA free agency. It is the birthday of the founder of The Big Dead Sidebar and sports blogger extraordinaire (and by that I mean the best sports blogger I have ever read), Luis C. Medina. 

So since it is his birthday, I would like to take this time to compile a list of birthday wishes I would have made reality had I been given the chance. 

1. Bryant the Bull: When Kobe says "You might as well buy a Bulls jersey," referencing his desire to play in the Windy City, than it should be a no-brainer to do everything possible to make a move for the best player in the NBA. Unfortunately, it was a brainer for Chicago's front office. They couldn't part ways with Luol Deng and bit the bullet for it. 

Had I been general manager, Mr. Medina would be one happy basketball fan right now. I would have traded Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas with a future pick for No. 24. Bryant would have come to the Bulls where he could play alongside Derrick Rose and create chaos in the East. But instead Deng is always hurt, Gordon is leaving for nothing in return and Thomas is still searching for consistency. The end result ... Rose is forced to carry a team and Luis is a sad birthday boy. 

2. Peavy rocks the Cubbie blue: Unlike the NBA, there is no salary cap in the MLB. Why the Cubs did not push harder to get the Cy Young winner in their rotation is beyond me. Now the Cubs are 36-38 and it's no longer early in the season. Luis is frustrated and it's all cause Chicago just couldn't part ways with Carlos Marmol or top-prospects or anyone else the Padres were interested in. I would have sent Marmol or Lilly or almost whoever the Padres wanted to get Peavy. But instead, Luis is shocked to see his favorite-to-win-the-division Cubbies in fourth place and under .500.  

3. Can we flip-flop: If missing out on Peavy wasn't bad enough, the Cubs virtually traded beloved Mark DeRosa for unbeloved Aaron Miles. If I had the power to give one single gift to Mr. Medina, it would be to make a trade right now sending Miles back home to St. Louis for DeRosa. I know it wouldn't vastly improve the club, but at least it would give Cubs fans a reason to smile and something to cheer about. There is something about DeRosa that just makes a baseball fan feel good inside. 

4. See you later: I would like to buy two tickets to Vanuatu (it's a small island-nation in the south Pacific). And I didn't buy them for Luis to take a vacation either. The tickets would be for my greatest gift of all. I would round up Phil Rogers and Kevin Gregg and send them on their merry way. With Phil Rogers gone, Luis could take his rightful place at the Chicago Tribune and with Kevin Gregg gone ... well that just makes everyone a little more sane. 

5. Make it rain: I am currently trying to track down Pacman Jones so he can make it rain on Hollywood. Someone needs to put up the money to make "Moneyball" a reality. I for one am not that excited for the movie, but it seems important to Luis and the only way I could see the movie being even better is to see Adam "Pacman" Jones name appear as the producer for the movie during the opening credits. 

6. The Bears get a QB: What's that? You say the Bears signed Jay Cutler? You mean the Pro Bowl quarterback right? Hmm .... Well then that wish has become a reality! It looks like while the other five failed to happen, this is true! With Matt Forte, a new defensive coordinator and a healthy offensive line ... well ...

It looks like you might have a happy birthday after all (though you will have to wait until September).

Bears to save money on "Cutler" jersey

Sources tell The Big Dead Sidebar the Chicago Bears were able to acquire quarterback Jay Cutler because of a cost-cutting move.

Someone familiar with how the game of football is played in the United States of America's National Football League has informed TBDS the Bears will equip Cutler with former Bears kicker Kevin Butler's jersey for the upcoming seasons. The source said the Bears' equipment manager will unstitch the "B" and switch it with a "C" -- which will save the Bears a few dollars.

Meanwhile, the source who asked to remain anonymous because of their affiliation with the League of Extraordinary White Gentlemen said Bears marketing department could see a profit with the sales of Cutler replica jerseys after spending a few bucks on changing one letter on the jersey worn by the former Bears kicker.

"(Bears GM) Jerry (Angelo) said we gonna make it rain on dem tricks after we get dat dough fo' dem Cutler jerseys," the source said. "Yeeeaaah boiiii."

On a serious note: Welcome to Chicago, Jay. I'll take my jersey double-XL!

The Bears got their QB and I j***ed in my pants

"Oh my God, the Bears might actually be good next year."

Those were the words uttered by a DE sports writer who happens to be a Green Bay Packers fan after learning the Chicago Bears have acquired quarterback Jay Cutler in exchange for a boatload of draft picks and QB Kyle Orton.

That's right Bears fan, out with the Neckbeard, in with a quarterback who won't underthrow Devin Hester.

Unless there's a hitch in the deal, Jerry Angelo has just climbed the ranks of Chicago's best general managers.

Bears get their quarterback in trade for Cutler [Chicago Sun-Times]

Broncos, Bears should make a match

This Jay Cutler-Denver Broncos fallout thing is serious, huh?

“I’m upset. I mean I’m really shocked at this point I could see why they want Cassel. I don’t know if they think I can’t run the system or I don’t have the skills for it. I just don’t get it. Or if they don’t think they can sign me with my next contract. I just don’t know what it is. I’ve heard I’m still on the trading block.”

As quick as I was to jump on the Tyler Thigpen bandwagon, I friggin hi-jumped on the Jay Cutler bandwagon.

Of course, then Vaughn McClure of The Trib went out of his way to tear down this blog before I could even get it started:

Although ESPN reported that an irate Jay Cutler wanted to be traded, don't expect anything to happen with the Denver Broncos quarterback and the Chicago Bears.

ESPN's Bill Williamson listed Chicago as a possible destination. But Cutler's agent, Bus Cook, told the Tribune he has heard nothing about any connection between his client and the Bears.

Quick. I can find a connection.

The Broncos and their quarterback are at odds. The Bears do not have a quarterback.

Found it!

And this, from McClure again, will always puzzle me about the Monstrosity of the Midway.

The Bears might bring in a veteran backup behind Kyle Orton, but it is highly unlikely they would trade for a bonafide starter such a Cutler. The organization already has expressed great support for Orton and doesn't want to betray him.

How about the betrayal of Bears fans, who haven't had a bonafide quarterback since Jim McMahon. And really, they haven't had a knock-out No. 1 stunner of a quarterback since Sid Luckman.

Don't know who Sid Luckman is? Kids, open your history books. Not those new, shiny books. I'm talking about the old ones falling apart at the seams.

Yeah, that one.