Cutler to Chicago: Bears gain is Bucs loss

 Photo: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Sorry, Bucs fans.

Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler will be adding to his already gaudy fantasy stats from the Windy City come fall, not partying with the pewter pirates at Ray J(ay).

Although the Tampa press predicted a "frenzy" of activity in the race to acquire Cutler, the Bucs appear to have exited the process with barely a whimper.

With little to offer, the Buccaneers were quickly passed over in favor of the Chicago Bears, who arrived at the bargaining table with both barrels blazing.

The Monsters of the Midway then proceeded to gleefully swoop down on the Vandy grad with the awesome arm by sacrificing an arm and a leg of their own.

When the smoke cleared, Chicago had dealt away quarterback Kyle Orton, two first-round draft picks, and a third round pick in their quest for Cutler. Denver also gave up a 5th round pick in the exchange.

Some analysts are heralding the move as the biggest sports acquisition in Chicago since Air Jordan.

In going to Chicago, Cutler will reunite with fellow Vandy alums, three-time All-SEC receiver Earl Bennett and 2008 #14 overall pick offensive tackle Chris Williams.

The Bears have also signed veteran left tackle Orlando Pace to protect their latest investment.

The Cutler-Turner Connection

Ironically, Ron Turner, the Bears offensive coordinator and former coach at the University of Illinois, reportedly offered a high school Cutler a scholarship to play for him, only to later renege on the yet-to-be-inked deal.

The Bucs' Role in McJayGate

The Buccaneers' interest in Cutler dates back to the team's rumored involvement in the three-way Cutler/Cassel trade talks that marked the beginning of the end for the burgeoning relationship between the face of the Broncos franchise and first-time Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels.

Of course, the Bucs organization has been trying to downplay their interest in Cutler since the drama began.

Even on Wednesday, after acknowledging that "franchise guys don't come along often," new head coach Raheem Morris changed the subject to focus on the team's running game, leading some observers to wonder whether Tampa realized the flashy young gunslinger might not be the best fit for a team that historically prefers to run first and pass later.

Now that Cutler is no longer a prospect, however, it remains to be seen just exactly who will be running the ball for the Bucs. Although the coaches still seem confident in the "trifecta" of Cadillac Williams, Ernest Graham, and recent free agency acquisition Derrick Ward, Bucs fans are still skeptical, smarting over last season's embarrassing year-end collapse and contemplating what the franchise will look like minus Gruden, Kiffen, Brooks, Dunn, and Co.