The superior play of the Denver Broncos this year has me puzzled to no end. How does a team lose a better quarterback and play better with a lesser quarterback? And how does Chicago not play significantly better with the upgrade?
I talked with fantasy football expert Nathan Holman briefly to get his thoughts.
DPS: Okay, Nathan. Here’s my MAIN QUESTION: Why would Denver become so good and Chicago so bad with the quarterback swap? I know that Jay Cutler has no awesome receivers at the moment, but he was considered head and shoulders above Kyle Orton in skill and ability. What’s the deal?
Nathan: Well… offhand, Denver is probably riding the over-performance / new coach / team unity high a little. It had to settle down at least a little eventually, which I think we’ve seen recently. Remember, Orton had little to no expectations to live up to. He just had to show up and play and be a serviceable quarterback until the Broncos could draft his replacement. No one in Denver really expected him to blow up like he did.
But Cutler’s problem is exactly the opposite. The high expectations and lack of offensive receiver weapons put him in a bind. Couple that with the fact that he had an offensive, quarterback-focused coach in Denver (Mike Shanahan). Now, with Lovie Smith, he has a defensive Head Coach and an inadequate Offensive Coordinator (Ron Turner). Based on his performance in Denver versus Chicago thus far, Cutler appears to need an offensive guru to thrive.
DPS: So IF Mike Shanahan came out of retirement and IF Chicago made the unlikely move from Lovie Smith to Shanahan, would Cutler thrive again?
Nathan: I think so. Chicago runs terrible formations under their current leadership. Plus, Shanahan always had a soft spot for Cutler while he was at Denver.
DPS: Which begs the next question: WOULD Chicago make that move, despite how much is left on Lovie’s contract, since they have more significantly more money invested in Cutler?
Nathan: Hmm… I hadn’t really considered that option because of Lovie’s remaining contract. That’s not the type of behavior you would expect from the Bears organization. That kind of move would seem a bit shady, and therefore unlikely.
DPS: Well, if NOT, will there be a new offensive coordinator next year?
Nathan: If they keep playing like this….I think so. At the very least, the fans and the Media will be calling for one. But the Bears’ organization as a whole doesn’t seem to value offense as much as defense, so it’s anyone’s guess.
DPS: Okay, so let’s assume Chicago keeps Lovie at the helm and Turner at OC. What does Chicago do this offseason to significantly improve their team? Do they look to draft a star wide receiver? Do they pick up a few free agent veterans? Or do they strengthen the Offensive Line?
Nathan: More than likely, they will take the best player available in the draft when their number is called, no matter what. The organization will claim that their wide receiver core is better with a year of Cutler under their belts. I think there will be some calls from national Media for an Offensive Coordinator. But I don’t see that move happening until they’ve endured one more lackluster offensive season.
DPS: Good stuff, Nathan. Thanks for your time.
