Maturity won't be the problem folks

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I love this time of the year. Not only do you have the NBA Playoffs, NHL Playoffs, and division races in the MLB heating up, but the NFL is still taking up headlines as well!

Tony Dungy, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, has decided he will be joining NBC as a studio football analyst. Yesterday he came on "Waddle & Silvy," a morning sports talk show in Chicago and was asked about a variety of football topics. Being interviewed by a Chicago station, of course the talk steered towards the new quarterback in town, Mr. Jay Cutler:

"[The Bears] took a risk [trading for Cutler]. I think they took that risk specifically with beating the Green Bay Packers in mind," Dungy said. "I really think Chicago gave up a lot to get a quarterback who they believe is going to be the final piece of the puzzle. But I am not sure he has won enough to merit that yet."

When asked specifically about him having the maturity to lead the Bears, he had this to say:

"That remains to be seen. He is a very talented guy who can throw the ball very well. But quarterbacking is so much about leadership and so much about doing things under pressure. There is going to be a lot of pressure on him," Dungy said. "We'll see about his maturity level. That's what I would question. And some of the things that happened leading to him leaving Denver ... that would concern me as a head coach," Dungy added, according to the report. "He can make all of the throws, but quarterbacking is much more than just making throws."

Here is the link to the article on ESPN.com and radio bit.

Welcome back to the football world Coach Dungy, glad to see your back! People close to me know I have been supporting the trade that brought Cutler over from Denver, even after that messy divorce. They paid a high price but a price that will be worth it if Cutler continues to grow as a player the way he has his first several seasons in the league.

However, people have been on both sides of the fence when it comes to Cutler and how he handled the situation with new Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels. Supposedly, after the last coach, Mike Shanahan, was fired, Cutler asked owner Pat Bowlen for assurance that no one else from the offensive staff would be let go. Bowlen said sure and soon after the staff was axed. McDaniels then comes on board, tells Cutler he is excited to work with him and develop him into an even better quarterback. Word comes out soon after that McDaniels had been actively trying to trade Cutler in hopes to bring Matt Cassel, the quarterback he worked with at his last stop, the New England, to the Broncos.

What followed was a he said this, he said that dialogue between Cutler, McDaniels, and Bowlen. Lot of bad talk, ignored phone calls and text messages, and essentially feelings hurt. It was quite the soap opera that had the NFL world hooked, seeing what would happen next and where Cutler would end up. The result was a Cutler trade to the Chicago.

Here's what I think of that situation: No one handled the situation perfectly, not even Jay Cutler. That said, if the information that came out is true, that Bowlen went back on his word about the offensive staff and that McDaniels came in thinking to himself that Cutler was not ideal for his offense and wanted to trade him from the start, then I got some real beef with that. New coaches who come in and make wholesale changes rarely have immediate and/or long-term success. I think how Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the defending world champion Pittsburgh Steelers, handled getting the job several years back. Tomlin was a defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and a strong supporter of the 4-3 defense. He did not come in saying they must switch from the 3-4, a staple in Pittsburgh throughout the years. He also had dinner with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, outlining what he wants to do and hear what has been successful. He got on the same page with everyone right from the start.

McDaniels needs to do a lot to make up for running the franchise quarterback out of town. If McDaniels hadn't gotten hired, Cutler would still be there most likely. The fact remains that Cutler was extremely well liked by the fans and more importantly his teammates. He was getting better every year, already with a Pro Bowl appearance under his belt. The trade the Chicago Bears made for Cutler is a once in a lifetime kind of deal. You do not see 26 year old quarterbacks who aren't even in their prime yet go on the trade market. YOU JUST DON'T. Teams usually cater to these guys, these potential superstars, knowing they will be the face of the franchise for the next decade. They know these guys will make or break season ticket sales and fan support for the years ahead. Why do you think the Los Angeles Lakers picked Kobe Bryant over Phil Jackson and Shaquille O'Neal?

We clearly don't know everything that happened behind the scenes in Denver. Some of the media and some fans began to label Cutler as a "crybaby" or a "prima donna." Again, I say maybe he didn't handle the situation perfectly but he is afforded some respect and deserves some honesty. Denver made a commitment to him, both verbally and by rewarding him with a new deal, and then they hire a young guy to run the team and who wants to run him out of town. Something isn't right.

Now regarding what Coach Dungy said, there is no doubt the Bears took a risk. Any time you give up your quarterback and two first round draft picks, you are taking a risk. In regards to his maturity level, time will tell. Again, this guy had teammates who loved him and the same with his coaching staff. I believe Bears general manager Jerry Angelo when he says they did their homework and believe this is an isolated situation. Like I said, it's not every day when a 26 year old Pro Bowl quarterback is available. Angelo knows what character issues can do to a team and I have faith that he won't bring a guy with maturity or leadership issues on board.

I'm more excited for this upcoming season than any one in recent memory. I've already seen a Cutler jersey on the streets of Chicago and they will begin to pop up everywhere. Bears fans should have faith in this guy and believe in him and the team. All too often we are too negative about this stuff and want to jump on an individual and/or an organization. I think the Bears got this one right. If Jay Cutler fails in Chicago, it won't be because of "maturity" issues.