Jay Cutler: 5 Players the Chicago Bears Need To Surround Their QB with

Jay Cutler is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. He oozes talent from every pore, yet still hasn't taken that leap into the elite pool of quarterbacks in the NFL. Some of that is Jay, but much of that is the talent surrounding him.

In Denver, Cutler had a suspect defense and a team that wasn't built to win in all phases of the game. Here in Chicago, he doesn't have the weapons he needs nor the protection around him.

With that cannon of an arm, his mobility and athleticism, I'd love to see what he could do with a solid offensive line and some real weapons to throw to. Now that would be something to watch.

Then, if he failed to succeed, his many critics might be justified.

But for now, Cutler toils in a Bears offense that allowed him to get sacked 57 times last season. He has talented-but-raw receivers around him that don't run particularly good routes.

So, let's build him a team that would truly exploit his talents and see what he can do.

Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers sets to block against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2008 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Volunteers won 21 - 17. (Photo by Al Mess

The first player the Bears need to surround Jay Cutler with is an offensive lineman (or two). Carimi—a big, strong and mean tackle out of Wisconsin—would certainly fit the bill if he should happen to fall to the Bears at No. 29 in the draft later this month.

If not, that player could instead be Derek Sherrod, a tackle out of Mississippi State. He has great size, very long arms and big hands, but there is a question about his toughness and strength. I'd much rather have Carimi.

Of course, if center/guard Mike Pouncey is still on the board when the Bears pick, he will be extremely difficult to pass up. Offensive line coach Mike Tice has made no bones about the fact that Pouncey is his guy. And with good reason.

Pouncey could play guard for a year even if the Bears re-sign Olin Kreutz.  

Tice did a great job of adjusting the line play as the season went on, and the fact that Roberto Garza came back and the Bears were able to play a regular rotation on the line certainly helped.

Offensive tackle is the biggest concern, as J’Marcus Webb and Frank Omiyale gave up a combined 20 sacks last season. And it doesn't appear that Chris Williams is the answer there; in fact, he may not be the answer anywhere.

While there may be some concern about Carimi's footwork not being good enough for him to stay at left tackle in the NFL, I'd take my chances. The Bears simply must upgrade here.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 2: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a touchdown against the San Francisco 49er during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Cutler lacks a true No. 1 wideout with size to throw to, though the Bears seem to think they are fine at the position. A big, physical wide receiver would be greatly appreciated, though the chances of the Bears trading for Fitzgerald is slim to none.

Still, a fan can dream, and this is a guy who could solve a lot of problems for Chicago.

The retirement of Kurt Warner greatly affected the Cardinals offense, yet Fitzgerald was still able to catch 90 passes for 1,137 yards and six touchdowns. After the season, he was named to his fifth Pro Bowl and his fourth in a row.

Now, hold onto your seats folks, for this may shock you. I am proposing the Bears trade Devin Hester for Fitzgerald in a straight-up swap.

Now, before you suggest I get committed to the nearest insane asylum, consider that Hester is not a No. 1 wideout and never will be. Sure, he changes the game on the punt return, but the new kickoff rules may limit what he can do in that aspect.

Make no mistake, Hester is great at what he does. But Fitzgerald is too. And what Fitzgerald does may be more important for a Mike Martz-led offense.

Fitzgerald is unhappy with Arizona, having been unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension before the CBA expired. He will be welcomed with open arms here in Chicago.

Harvey Dahl, Guard, Atlanta Falcons

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Harvey Dahl #73 of the Atlanta Falcons in action against Stewart Bradley #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty I

With Carimi drafted to be the left tackle for next season and beyond, the Bears target the best interior lineman of the free agents with Atlanta's Dahl.

Dahl is a right guard who is very nasty and forms a dominant right side with Tyson Clabo for the Falcons. But since both are free agents, perhaps they are unable to sign one of these guys, and my money is on re-signing their tackle as a priority, possibly leaving Dahl for the Bears to pluck.

If there is a season, a new CBA may be reached at the last minute, leaving precious little time for free agents to find a home. With Atlanta focused on Clabo, the Bears may have a unique opportunity to steal away Dahl to greatly improve the offensive line around Cutler. 

Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

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PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Derrick Coleman #33 of the UCLA Bruins runs away from Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers during the second quarter at the Rose Bowl on November 6, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Hey, you have to keep the defense strong if Cutler is going to be able to lead the Bears to victory.

With the departure of Tommie Harris, the Bears use their second-round draft pick to select a defensive tackle to help Julius Peppers generate pressure on the opposing QB.

Paea is coming off an injury, which is why he could drop to the second round, allowing the Bears to pluck him. He set the combine record for bench press, and the former rugby player is as tough as it gets and never wears down during a game.

If they wait to select a tackle until the third round, Marvin Austin of UNC would be a decent selection, although he has questions about his work ethic. 

Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

So, let's say the trade for Larry Fitzgerald doesn't materialize. I know, that's far-fetched, as the trade is a slam dunk (sarcasm alert), but work with me. Then I say the Bears surprise everyone and draft a wideout in the second round.

I don't know if Baldwin makes it until that late in the second round, so the Bears may need to trade up to get him early in the round, but this is a guy who reminds scouts of Brandon Marshall. And Cutler was at his best throwing to Marshall in Denver, if you recall.

He may not have quite the speed of Marshall, but Baldwin is a fearless wideout who will go over the middle, has great hands and won't drop many passes.

He has excellent size and gets a lot of yards after the catch. What may hold him back from being drafted in the first round are concerns that he lacks the speed to be a home-run threat at the next level.

But the Bears will gladly take a strong, tall, possession receiver. Um, just in case that Fitzgerald thing doesn't work out, that is.