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Jerry Angelo says Jay Cutler is, "A good bet to have a top year"

Former Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo, the man that traded for Jay Cutler, and former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, have each given their thoughts on the four NFC North quarterbacks. We'll spotlight their impressions on Cutler.

By Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Jensen, former Chicago Bears beat writer, and currently covering the Minnesota beat for the Pioneer Press, talked with two former NFL general managers about the four starting quarterbacks in the NFC North. Jensen picked the brains of former Bears GM Jerry Angelo, and former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum. Both former GMs are intrigued by the Cutler / Marc Trestman pairing.

Angelo was the man that shipped off two number one draft picks and change to acquire Cutler from the Broncos, so he may be a little biased in his assessment.

From the Jensen article;

"He has all the physical tools," Angelo said. "But his numbers are pedestrian, given his talent level."

Angelo said Cutler needs to distribute the ball better and improve his efficiency in the red zone. He added that the combination of new Bears coach Marc Trestman and Cutler could be a fruitful one.

I dug this stat up a couple weeks ago, and it's relevant based off of JAs red zone comments. Since throwing 6 red zone interceptions in 2009 (to 19 red zone TDs), Cutler cut his red zone TD-Int ratio to 15-3 in 2010. The last two years he hasn't thrown one red zone pick, going for 19 TDs to zero Ints in that time.

Angelo did say that Cutler is a "A good bet to have a top year", a thought that is mixed among NFL experts.

Mike Tannenbaum didn't go that far with a prediction on Cutler, but he is high on the potential of working with Trestman.

Tannenbaum said Cutler-Trestman is one of the most intriguing story lines of the 2013 NFL season.

"All Marc Trestman has known is success, especially at the quarterback position," Tannenbaum said. "I'm really curious to see how Cutler plays under Coach Trestman."

He calls Cutler risky at times, and compares him to Brett Favre.

Some highlights from the GMs on the other QBs in the NFC North.

Both, as expected, heap praise on Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers.

They both believe a better running game is needed in Detroit to help Matt Stafford. Angelo says, "More runs and less throws equals more wins" for the Lions.

Minnesota's Christian Ponder receives the biggest criticism from Angelo, but Tannenbaum can envision a bright future for Ponder. Angelo calls Ponder a "potential game manager", and Tannenbaum says the Vikings are "winning, and he's developing."

Be sure to check out the entire Jensen article, then let us know what you think about the QB situation in the NFC North.

It wasn't my intention to make this a Cutler-centric day at WCG, but it is what it is. As I said in my earlier Cutler post, remember to follow the community guidelines. It's ok to participate in a lively debate, just don't make it personal, or take things personally. Attack the topic, not the WCG member.

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