Cutler to Chicago

The Chicago Bears ended up being the winners in the Jay Cutler sweepstakes, dealing quarterback Kyle Orton, along with two first round draft choices, and a third rounder. The Bears also received a fifth round choice in the draft.

The Redskins never fail to bring the circus to town, but I never expected Cirque du Soleil to be coming to town this year. Seeing the Giant Man sign a $100 million contract was just the opening act to a much greater show.

These trade allogations now place the Redskins in pretty much the same position the Broncos were in a month ago, trying to trade their starting quarterback, and failing. The biggest difference has been the quarterback's reaction. Campbell has been showing up for practice, not letting any of the show around him detract from his focus.

"I still went and worked out," Campbell told local reporters. "My teammates said, 'Jason, why are you here?' And I told them: 'I'm still the quarterback of this team until they get rid of me. You haven't seen the best of me. I'm not here for ownership. I won't miss days working out with you, and I won't miss time preparing for the season. Who knows? A trade may not work out.' "

And let's be happy it didn't. If every player on that team doesn't see that this guy isn't here for the money, or anything else other than to win, they'd be crazy. This situation, in some sick way, could help this time. A team always looks to their quarterbacks in times of despair, and right now their are seeing theirs in his lowest moment, and seeing him react with courage. This should be in the back of every players minds the rest of the season, and take any doubt out of their minds that he's ready to lead.

Trade at QB coming?

Newsdays's Bob Glauber reported today that the Redskins could be in the mix for a trade involving Denver quarterback Jay Cutler.

Please let him be wrong.

The trade would go against everything this organization has been saying they need to do to get back to the Super Bowl. They preach about consistency. They speak of a desire to minimize player overturn so everyone can grow together in the schemes.

NEWS FLASH: Trading for a new quarterback would be starting over...again.

Last year the 'Skins started over by hiring first time head coach Jim Zorn. Zorn, 55, brought his version of the West Coast offense with him, which the entire time had to learn. And in any offense, the quarterback has the most work ahead of him.

The man in this position, Jason Campbell, performed admirably in his first year in the new system, which was his third system in four years. He didn't throw an interception in the first 8 games, but also threw only eight touchdowns in that span. While playing behind a deteriorating offensive line, he never threw around blame and concentrated on getting himself better every week.

So what would be beneficial from trading a quarterback who performed well in a system and can only improve in it with more familiarity, for a quarterback that comes in with no knowledge of Zorn's system?

Well, Cutler, 25, does have a big arm. He also has been to a Pro Bowl. Furthermore, he's thrown a whopping 19 more touchdowns than Campbell, 27, over the last three years. What could this kid possibly be lacking?

Try character, a quality Campbell has shown many times throughout his career. He always has the team as his priority, not letting outside distractions (like these trade rumors) get in the way of doing his best. Cutler, on the other hand, is on the trading block because he can't get along with his boss, newly hired head coach Josh McDaniels.

McDaniels, the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots last season, reportedly tried to trade Cutler in a three way trade, receiving the Patriots backup quarterback, Matt Cassel, as compensation. Cassel, 26, was forced into the starting role last year after a season ending injury to famed starter, Tom Brady, and Cassel excelled.

The only guy McDaniels would have wanted to trade Cutler for was Cassel. He wouldn't have to teach a quarterback a new system, which, I'm not sure if you've heard, is kind of hard. McDaniels had to take a shot at it. The deal, however, wasn't struck and Cassel landed in Kansas City instead.

McDaniels reassured Cutler after this saga that he was their quarterback, and they would no longer be trying to trade him. Cutler responded by requesting to be traded while not showing up for the beginning of off season workouts, which is critical for quarterbacks to be at because they are supposed to be the leaders of their teams. Even if you aren't going to get along with someone at work, you can't bring everyone else down too.

Campbell, of course, showed up right on time.

I know many people don't have confidence in Campbell, but it's not all about numbers. It's about leadership and determination. Campbell has become a leader on this offense because he plays for his teammates. He hasn't had the luxery of starting in the same system for consecutive years, but has still performed well. With a full off season becoming more comfortable in the offense, Campbell is getting the consistency that he and this organization needs to succeed, and it would be ridiculous to give that up now.