ESPN’s Chicago Bears Blog lists Jay Cutler’s progress learning the new offense as the number 1 storyline for Bears minicamp. This is unofficially the 1 millionth story about the so called difficulties of an NFL system. Is any system really that complex, especially for people already ingrained in the game of football?!

Only a nimrod would devise a system so complicated that the users couldn’t figure it out.  Not taking anything away from professional athletes, but a majority of them are in their occupation because of their athletic abilities.  Mental ability can certainly separate the great players from the good players and make borderline players successful, but a high IQ Harvard grad who runs a 5.8 40-yard dash isn’t going to last a single day in minicamp despite the big brain.

In other words, Martz’s system can only be as complicated as the lowest common denominator.  It’s safe to say that Vanderbilt grad Jay Cutler is not that guy.  Sure, the quarterback has to know where everyone needs to be on every play while the receiver only cares about the receiver (for the most part), but it’s not rocket science!  With a very long offseason with nothing to do but work out, film the occasional commercial, make the occasional charity visit, and study the new playbook, if Jay Cutler (or any QB for that matter) can’t figure it out by training camp, then he shouldn’t be an NFL quarterback anyway.  Conversely, if Martz’s schemes are so complicated that an NFL QB can’t grasp the concept, then Martz shouldn’t be a coordinator.

My point?  Both parties have had these jobs before, so suggesting that “learning a new system” is somehow as complicated as quantum physics is a complete non-story.  What matters is if Cutler can throw it to the receiver in stride on a play.  If the concern is if Cutler even KNOWS the play, then the Bears are done before the season even starts.  Even I give Cutler a lot more credit than that.

I fully expect Cutler to have his playbooks memorized and to get comfortable with his receivers and linemen in camp.  What will matter when the season starts is Cutler’s physical ability to make the plays he has memorized.