New York Jets: To Jay Or Not To Jay?

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

I haven't spent too much time entertaining the idea of Jay Cutler coming to the Jets because I wasn't sure how serious Mike Tannenbaum was about pursuing him. Obviously, the Jets were going to perform their due diligence but I never really saw them as one of the top 2-3 teams who were really going to go after him.

Yet, the early word out of today's league meetings is that the Jets are very seriously considering making a push to acquire Cutler. When you look at the Jets current depth chart, it makes sense to pursue him but how much are they willing to give up?

Is Jay Cutler worth two first day draft picks and another player on top of that? Do the Jets even have enough ammunition to make Denver consider making a deal with them? I don't want to see Darrelle Revis or Leon Washington leave in order to acquire Cutler.

It isn't common for 25-year-old pro bowl quarterbacks to become available, which is something the Jets have to consider. Yet, does Cutler fit the identity of this team? The last time I checked the Jets have built their team to run the ball and play defense. They aren't looking to throw the ball all over the field with a receiving core that consists of Jerricho Cotchery, Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney, and Brad Smith.

If they trade for Cutler, they aren't going to have the draft picks to acquire another weapon for him at receiver and may be forced to give up one of the few weapons they already have on offense.

I know the Jets are high on Kansas State's Josh Freeman and if the Cutler deal doesn't happen they could very well end up picking him at number 17. Most people don't think Freeman will be ready to play right away, but most people thought the same about Joe Flacco last year and the Ravens were a quarter away from the Super Bowl.

If the Jets defense plays to their potential, Leon Washington's role is expanded, and somebody steps up at receiver, the Jets will be good enough to make a run late into January with either Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff, or Josh Freeman at quarterback.

I remember last year when the Jets spent the entire offseason building their team to run the football, play ball control offense, and rely on their defense to win games for them. Their four month game plan was changed at the last second when they acquired Brett Favre and the result was a third place finish in the AFC East. 

Jay Cutler is a very good quarterback but he has made the playoffs the exact same number of times as Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff, and Josh Freeman...zero. Great teams are built through the draft, a strong defense, and a running game that can carry an offense in December and January. Teams don't win championships by giving up the rumored asking price for Jay Cutler.

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