Jay Cutler Is in Redskins' Wheelhouse

Jay Cutler is out in Denver. There are no if's, and's, etc., about that. The only debate is where he'll end up, and frankly, it's a pretty intriguing debate.

Word on the street is that the Redskins are, right now, the "leading candidate" to land Cutler in a trade with the Broncos. Of course, they won't be the only team attempting to make a play for the young gunslinger. The Lions, Buccaneers and Jets are also directly in the picture for the Broncos. But the Redskins, despite what many fans will say, are a very nice fit for Cutler. Kind of.

More Coverage: Washington Closing In on Cutler Trade?

This is true for several reasons. First off, Jason Campbell is, at times, an excellent quarterback. But is he a franchise quarterback? No, he is not. Mister Irrelevant broke down the differences between Cutler and Campbell today, but decided to "take out counting stats." I understand the logic behind that (oftentimes, counting stats are a byproduct of a certain situation) but when you're talking NFL quarterbacks, you simply don't throw passing yards and touchdowns thrown out the window when comparing quarterbacks.

So, with all due respect to the Mottrams, while the statistics can be slightly skewed to make Campbell look like a true peer of Cutler, it's really not that close. Using some of Football Outsiders' statistics (which are highly beneficial, whether you want to think football stats can be smart or not), it becomes increasingly obvious. Cutler's DVOA (value per play) sat at 22 percent last year. Campbell checked in at 8.3 percent; -- not even close, especially when Cutler's three-year increase shows more growth than Campbell. Likewise, Cutler races past Campbell in DYOA (essentially value measured in yardage) for 2008, doubling up Campbell 1382 to 656 last season.

However, a trade to the Redskins obviously wouldn't be QB-for-QB; it would almost certainly involve the Redskins' 13th overall pick and Campbell.

Which would mean the 'Skins upgrade at quarterback, but theoretically downgrade at either offensive or defensive line (assuming that whoever they draft in the first round doesn't somehow manage to achieve negative value for the team).

But waxing statistically about the differences for Washington in the trade, while logical, doesn't exactly vibe with the way that Dan Snyder runs his team. Instead, what does make sense with Snyder at the helm is that the 'Skins manage to believe they're getting Cutler's old coach, Mike Shanahan, after next season. That, and the immediate "flair-upgrade" for Snyder by bringing Cutler into the fold as Washington's quarterback of the future.

So, yes, "wheelhouse" is the perfect word, regardless if Cutler's the perfect fit or the deal even makes sense. And that's precisely why Snyder will make sure he outbids whoever else is involved in the chase for Cutler and bring the former Vanderbilt star to Washington.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-01-2009 @ 9:34PM

Sexy A *** said...

Get rid of that scared bum in JC and get someone who is not scared to throw in tight spaces. I was done with JC by the '07 season. He still cant look off of recievers. I thought they teach that to QB'S in Training Camp. Bring Cutler and we all as skins fan will be happy.

4-01-2009 @ 9:55PM

#1SkinsFan said...

OK, not simply to disagree with S.A.N. above, but I personally don't want Cutler anywhere near DC unless he's playing in Baltimore, which ain't likely. It's got nothing to do with Campbell; though I think he's gotten a raw deal with the multiple coaching changes, offense changes and a horrible O-Line.

We don't that kind of trouble in the clubhouse now that we've already wasted too much money on Haynesworth.

Snyder is seriously trying to be the next Jerry Jones and it scare the hell out of me!

lazyindiankid4 said...

As much as I like Jay Cutler, I dont want him here as a Redskin. I mean I wouldn't mind, but i'll pass. The guy is good, really good but I think we need to give Campbell more time to develop (just this season). He has been in a new system every year and has improved every year. Now this is a season where he has no new system and a talented corp of players around him. If we can teach him to be more confident with his passes and if zorn can get a better Oline, then we r a pretty legit football club. and if no playoffs this season, then get rid of Campbell and there will be plenty of QB's in the 2010 draft and we always have Brennan if we need him. Enough Said

HAIL

4-02-2009 @ 4:20AM

mike f said...

How many times can u give this qb a chance. They make the system a little bit easier so he throw short little passes and he can't even do that. Jason has a strong arm. I think that is all I can say about his ability. Last year as soon as Jason threw he first interception the year was over. He has been given tooooooo many chances already. I want my team to win and I respect Mr. Snyder for doing whatever it takes to win.

4-01-2009 @ 9:57PM

Adam said...

FFFFFUUUUUU etc, etc

If we get Cutler, I'll wish him the best, but I really would rather keep Campbell.

The o-line will be an issue for whoever is our QB, so it would be awfully risky to trade away a our 1st pick for a QB who might be under pressue the entire season. The whole thing seems too much of a risk in draft picks, money, and always the possibility that Cutler simply won't work out.

Meh. I'm getting really tired of Danny and Vinny's antics.

4-01-2009 @ 10:05PM

imchilin247 said...

I believe getting cutler would be for the better for the skins. However, i would trade a series of Future picks and Campbell. The linebacker from USC has alot of potential. Adding him to the redskins Defense would be a major impact. Trading for Taylor last year was a mistake the 2nd rounder could have been handy this offseason.

4-01-2009 @ 10:14PM

ettev6791 said...

BOOOOOOOOOOO and im a die hard skins fan. I hate this move

4-01-2009 @ 10:24PM

Sexy Ass Nigga said...

I agree with imchillin247. Get rid of JC and give up next years 1st rounder and we still get that LB from USC or LB/DE from texas. Besides im for brennan. I wanted him to start over JC last season, but we all know JC had to be the starter. And thats only cause he was the only proven QB. I mean how far can this BUM JC go when he learned behind another bum in mark brunell. I mean i know all of u guys were happy when Mark went to the saints. Obviously most of the fans that dont want cutler will be the same fans coming back next year saying the same thing that JC is to inconsistent. JC is just as good as any back-up in this league if u ask me. Those new coaches and offensive scheme excuses are getting old. Why is it Brett favre and drew brees were able to do good in different offenses in 1 year. Please JC is not worth my time anymore. LET HIM GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4-01-2009 @ 10:27PM

golfguru40 said...

I think that cutler can so many things for the skins. he is one of the "elite" qb's in the nfl and the skins havent had one of these since baugh. cutler will automaticly make the redskins offense ranked in the top 5 in the nfl. we have a good back field (portis, betts, alridge, sellers etc.) and decent recievers which i hope to see excell this year. kelly and thomas have mass potential but just need to stay in shape and be healthy. the skins also have wonderful te's in cooley yoder and davis. cutler would pretty much put the skins in the playoffs. although it will be tough not having a pick until the 3 round. saying that we trade our 1 pick and dont get any in return.

4-01-2009 @ 10:53PM

jeremiah said...

I HATE THIS MOVE. I LIKE CUTLER BUT WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN HE GETS UNHAPPY IN DC. IS HE GOING TO JUST STOP PLAYING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEASON, DEMAND ANOTHER TRADE, STOP SHOWING UP AND JUST IGNORE MANAGEMENT. HES MAKING MILLIONS AND CANT EVEN PLAY OUT HIS CONTRACT AND PROVE HIS WORTH LIKE A MAN LIKE ALBERT HAYNSWORTH. HES BEING A BIG BABY AND HASNT EVEN GOT HIS TEAM A WIN IN THE PLAY OFFS. THEN WE LOSE CAMPBELL, CUTLER, AND OUR FIRST ROUNDER, SOUNDS TOO RISKY TO ME. WE ALL KNOW COLT IS JUST AS MUCH OF A GUN SLINGER AS CUTLER. GIVE COLT THE JOB AND SEE WHAT HES MADE OF AND NEXT OFF SEASON LOOK FOR A QB IF HE DOESNT LIVE UP TO THE HYPE. I AGREE WITH S.A.N. ABOVE CAMPBELL DOES SEEM SCARED TO THROW THE BALL, BUT I THINK HE IS MORE SCARED TO LOSE HIS JOB. COLLINS STEPS IN WHEN GOES DOWN AND GETS THE TEAMS TO THE PLAY OFFS. LAST SEASON WITH JIM ZORN COMING IN COLT SHINES IN PRESEASON WITH LEARNING A NEW SYSTEM JUST LIKE CAMPBELL. SO I THINK SAYING CAMPBELL IS GOOD BUT HES IN A LEARNING CURVE IS A SORRY EXCUSE. CUTLER LOCK ON TO HIS FIRST READ AND FORCES PASSES TO MUCH, WHICH HE WONT GET AWAY WITH IN THE NFC LET ALONE THE NFC EAST. COLT IS THE BETTER FIT FOR THE REDSKINS OFFENCE. JUST BECAUSE HE WASNT A FISRT ROUND PICK HE DOESNT GET A CHANCE TO START? SOUNDS LIKE BULL TO ME LOOK AT TOM BRADY, DREW BREEZ AND MATT CASSLE. PLUS LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER STARS IN THE NFL IN OTHER POSITIONS THAT WERENT FIRST ROUNDERS. LOOK AT CHRIS HORTON. WE WANT COLT!!!

4-01-2009 @ 11:33PM

gernjewels24 said...

Keep in mind, Jay played inthe lame-ass AFC West,(where the best record was 8-8) and Jason Campbell
played in the toughest division the NFC East...now would you rather play Oakland,K.C., & Chargers twice a year??? Or face Dallas, Philly, the Giants twice a year??? Tell me your stats would be the same! The guy who wrote the above article, did so with his head up his own A**!!!

4-02-2009 @ 2:18AM

marc said...

Danny hasnt given Campbell an extension and when they worked out Mark Sanchez Danny was on-site which doesnt really happen. What makes anyone think we would draft an OT anyway? WE DONT NEED TO ADDRESS THE ONLINE THIS YEAR!!! Samuels has a few good years left and Stephon Heyer is going to be very good. Jansen is also on the roster and we added Dockery. ENOUGH ABOUT THE OLINE IDIOTS! I do agree about trading future picks instead of this years first because I would like to see Maualuga in burgundy and gold. As for Campbell, 4 years is enough. At this rate he will never pan out into the player we want and it is best to take a QB like Cutler while we have the given opportunity.

4-02-2009 @ 11:05AM

A.J. said...

Uh...isn't this the same thing that got Cutler pissed off and got things to this point in the first place? Leave well enough alone. I'm not sure how well Cutler would do playing football on the East Coast, anyway. I mean, no disrespect to the Broncos, but the only team that will ever challenge them for the division anytime soon is the Chargers - and that's assuming that they win in spite of Norv Turner rather than because of him. You can't win a division with 8 games around here. In fact, 8 wins will possibly find you in last place.

Not saying that Cutler can't come up to the level of competition, but he'll find it hard to duplicate his former numbers when he's not working against soft AFC West defenses six times a year. Redskins fans, being the way they are with quarterbacks, will want him on the next train out of Washington.

And, on top of it all, a trade like this would totally blow up team chemistry and expose the Redskins front office (who would not refuse to move Campbell from his starting job for 2009) as a bunch of liars.

It might look tempting, but all this trade - or even talking about it, for that matter - is going to do is make Zorn look like McDaniels.

4-02-2009 @ 1:27PM

Soft defenses? Oakland has a pretty good defense. They have no offense. In fact Oakland has the bst corner in the league. San Diego has Cromartie and a few other stars on the team. Kansas City is the only team with a weak defense. idiot

4-02-2009 @ 4:44PM

marc,
Respectfully, you've got to be kidding, right?

AFC West overall record last year was 23-41
NFC East overall record last year was 38-25

The top record in the AFC West last year 8-8
The low record in the NFC East last year 8-8

AFC West record last year against NFC 5-11
NFC East record last year against AFC 8-5-1

Pretty clear which division is better!