FanPost

Okay, Let's Talk Quarterback...

I'm not an expert that can breakdown mechanics, throwing motion, or even proper check-down progression. However, I don't think I need to assess any of those qualities to examine the "McCown v. Cutler" debate. As I sat in happy disbelief following the beatdown the Bears offense just handed to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football, I really gave thought to the idea that Josh McCown could be the starter for this team.

First let me set up an analogy to help me explain my opinion: Finding the right quarterback for a team is a lot like choosing a new car for your family. There are lots of choices, new ones come out every year, and if you do it right you can find a vehicle that matches your family's needs perfectly. Some families want a safe, reliable family sedan. A Camry may be boring and lack style, but it is safe, ownership will be worry-free, and the cost of ownership is low. Others families need to stay on a budget due to past financial indiscretions and get stuck with what they can afford. Nothing wrong with a new Nissan Versa or Ford Fiesta, but let's be honest - no one hangs posters of a Chevy Spark in their garage. I can go on - there are families that will be best served by a minivan, an SUV, an expensive luxury import, you get the idea. Again, I am talking a family car - no two-seat street-legal race cars in this analogy.

Okay, you get it - right? Tom Brady and Payton Manning are the Lexus/BMW of QB's - very expensive, great performing, reliable, elite quarterbacks. Micheal Vick, Phillip Rivers? Looking at European imports, think Jaguar/Volkswagon - expensive and excellent when they are working, but they breakdown a lot. Wilson? Kaepernick? those are specialty vehicles - large SUVs or sports cars that excel in providing specific features, but are limited in others.

So which quarterback fits our team? We have two on the roster who seem to fit, yet they are really very different in terms of playing style and ability. McCown is a safe, reliable, mistake-free quarterback who can make the necessary throws and offers some mobility, best yet, he won't break the bank. Let's call him the Honda CRV. Whereas Cutler is talent, aggressive play, and arm-strength coupled with questionable decision-making and some issues with durability, but he is also somewhat expensive. I'd probably say he's a Mercedes SLK - somewhat expensive, good performance, but temperamental, requiring lots of maintenance.

In other words, which is best is probably very dependent on the driver and the needs of the family. Trestman and the Bears can ride comfortably in their CRV while the Mercedes is in the shop, and they need to decide if they want their old ride back. The Mercedes is faster, and certainly can perform better, while the CRV plods along, unfailingly. Your opinion about which QB you want likely reflects your personal aversion to risk weighed against the desire to have performance. The Bears' decision will likely be made in much the same way.


This Fanpost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.