Jay Cutler Is in Redskins' Wheelhouse

Jay Cutler is out in Denver. There are no if's, and's, etc., about that. The only debate is where he'll end up, and frankly, it's a pretty intriguing debate.

Word on the street is that the Redskins are, right now, the "leading candidate" to land Cutler in a trade with the Broncos. Of course, they won't be the only team attempting to make a play for the young gunslinger. The Lions, Buccaneers and Jets are also directly in the picture for the Broncos. But the Redskins, despite what many fans will say, are a very nice fit for Cutler. Kind of.

---

---

This is true for several reasons. First off, Jason Campbell is, at times, an excellent quarterback. But is he a franchise quarterback? No, he is not. Mister Irrelevant broke down the differences between Cutler and Campbell today, but decided to "take out counting stats." I understand the logic behind that (oftentimes, counting stats are a byproduct of a certain situation) but when you're talking NFL quarterbacks, you simply don't throw passing yards and touchdowns thrown out the window when comparing quarterbacks.

So, with all due respect to the Mottrams, while the statistics can be slightly skewed to make Campbell look like a true peer of Cutler, it's really not that close. Using some of Football Outsiders' statistics (which are highly beneficial, whether you want to think football stats can be smart or not), it becomes increasingly obvious. Cutler's DVOA (value per play) sat at 22 percent last year. Campbell checked in at 8.3 percent; -- not even close, especially when Cutler's three-year increase shows more growth than Campbell. Likewise, Cutler races past Campbell in DYOA (essentially value measured in yardage) for 2008, doubling up Campbell 1382 to 656 last season.

However, a trade to the Redskins obviously wouldn't be QB-for-QB; it would almost certainly involve the Redskins' 13th overall pick and Campbell.

Which would mean the 'Skins upgrade at quarterback, but theoretically downgrade at either offensive or defensive line (assuming that whoever they draft in the first round doesn't somehow manage to achieve negative value for the team).

But waxing statistically about the differences for Washington in the trade, while logical, doesn't exactly vibe with the way that Dan Snyder runs his team. Instead, what does make sense with Snyder at the helm is that the 'Skins manage to believe they're getting Cutler's old coach, Mike Shanahan, after next season. That, and the immediate "flair-upgrade" for Snyder by bringing Cutler into the fold as Washington's quarterback of the future.

So, yes, "wheelhouse" is the perfect word, regardless if Cutler's the perfect fit or the deal even makes sense. And that's precisely why Snyder will make sure he outbids whoever else is involved in the chase for Cutler and bring the former Vanderbilt star to Washington.