The Record Of Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler's Starting record is 17-20.

His record has been cited as evidence that he's overrated.   He's been pegged for never winning at any level of football.  To which I reply, let's check the scoreboard.

During the period of time that Cutler was a starting qb, the Broncos defense was horrible.

Last year, the Broncos were ranked 30 out of 32 in terms of points let up.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&role=OPP&offensiveStatisticCategory=null&defensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&season=2008&seasonType=REG&tabSeq=2&qualified=true&Submit=Go

The other teams that were worse were the Detroit Lions, KC Chiefs.  A little bit better were the Rams and the Seahawks.   And yet, the Broncos went 8-8.
In 2008, the Denver defense gave up 30 or more points 9 times.   Comparatively, the Lions, who went 0-16, gave up 30 or more points 11 times.

Here are a list of some of the great qbs when their Defenses gave up 30 or more point:

Tom Brady: 5-8
Jim Kelly: 10-20
Peyton Manning: 9-25
Joe Montana: 6-17
Kurt Warner: 6-22
Jay Cutler: 3-13
Steve Young: 4-19
Ben Roethlisberger: 2-10
Brett Favre: 8-42
Terry Bradshaw: 4-20-1
Donovan McNabb: 3-16
John Elway: 7-41
Dan Marino: 7-52
Philip Rivers: 1-8
Jake Plummer: 4-37 (0-10 w/ Broncos)
Troy Aikman: 2-20
Jaws: 1-14
Eli Manning: 1-16
Jeff George: 1-40
Phil Simms: 0-20
(Special credit goes to Grossman08 on the webway monsters forum for providing this information)

Not one great qb on this list has had a winning record when their team's defense has given up 30 or more points.

Next year, Cutler will be on a team whose Defense gave up 21 or more points per game......right around the middle of the league.
Expect a huge jump in Wins for this guy next year.
And as for an inability to win at any level, I am reminded of the faint echos when the same critics use this philosophy for Shaq, who also had never won a championship at any level.   Shaq now has 3 championships and no one calls him out anymore.

In summary, Jay Cutler is a huge gain for the Chicago Bears, and a huge loss for the Denver Broncos