With the news that Denver is willing to trade cry baby quarterback Jay Cutler, the cry from Bear Nation is deafening: TRADE FOR CUTLER!

Is that what you really want?

On paper, Cutler is head and shoulders better than incumbent starter Kyle Orton.  But ask yourself, can anyone be successful in the Lovie Smith/Ron Turner run offense?  The Bears like short and intermediate passes, which is great if you have quick receivers who can catch them, find a seam and run, but not so good if you honestly believe that a converted DB/kick returner is your number one guy.

Trading for Cutler is not going to make that much of a difference if he doesn't have anyone to throw to.  You also open the door to the "clubhouse cancer" aspect of not only Cutler's personality, but of his agent Bus Cook.  Cook is the guy who helped drive a wedge between Brett Favre and the Green bay Packers.

So, we ask again, is Cutler what you really want?

How about Orlando Pace.  A former top choice out of Ohio State, Pace has age and injury issues against him.  He might be helpful if he stays healthy, but he has to stay healthy.  Can he?  Does he have enough juice left to play like the all-pro he once was or does he become the second incarnation of Fred Miller, a guy who was pretty good as a Ram but not so good as a Bear?

Sometimes with free agency, especially in football, you see a shiny name and want to add him to the roster.  But unlike fantasy football, names in the real world don't necessarily translate into success on the field.  I would be inclined to engage Pace in an incentive laden contract with the hope that he could mentor the Bears younger offensive linemen, especially Chris Williams.  At quarterback, I would let the notion of Cutler pass and look for someone else like Byron Leftwich.

I know the Bears have taken a lot of heat for not aggressively pursuing free agents.  On the other hand, maybe Jerry Angelo realizes that you do have to careful what you wish for.