"The trade" pays dividends
The off-season trade that brought Jay Cutler cost the Bears Kyle Orton, two first-round picks and a third-rounder, but the Broncos also threw in a fifth-round pick (140th overall) in the 2009 draft.
Even before Cutler opened the season with 4 interceptions against the Packers, critics complained that the Bears gave up too much. But there hasn’t been much talk about that since last Sunday, when Cutler redeemed himself. And that’s not the only reason the trade is looking like a steal in the Bears’ favor. That fifth-round pick they got is starting to look like much more than a throw-in.
The Bears used that fifth-rounder to select -- drum roll please -- Johnny Knox, who is No. 1 among all rookies and ninth in the NFL with 152 receiving yards. He's tied for the top spot among rookies with 8 receptions.
"He's done a great job," said offensive coordinator Ron Turner, who was impressed with Knox almost immediately. "We also have to remember it's two games, (but) we like what he's done. He's got a lot of talent, has great speed and everything has gone really well mentally and emotionally. We're excited about what he's done, and he's done it from Day One."
According to the Denver Post, the number one we sent to Denver, Robert Ayers is lining up wrong, going to the wrong spots and seems to have no clue.
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_13403979
Nice blog entry, but a bit incomplete. Who did Denver pick with our first round and third round pick this year? How have they produced? I would find it interesting to periodically see a comparison of both sides of "The Trade" moving forward. Thanks.
Two middle to late first round picks for a 26 year old franchise QB is a steal for the Bears as it would be for any other team. Do you think Indy would say that about a 26 year old Manning? Or NE would agree regarding Brady when he was 26? What about Pittsburgh and Roethlisberger?
Most of the time these guys are first round picks anyway so all the Bears really did was throw in one more first round pick for a guy with a couple of years of experience under his belt. Well worth it for potentially 10 years of stability at the most important position in sports.