By SEAN GARNER

Senior Reporter

Well, it looks like the Jay Cutler ship has sailed , and I, for one, do not think Lions fans should be the least bit discouraged about this bit of news.

According to espn.com, the Denver Broncos have announced that they are not actively pursuing, nor are they passively entertaining, trade offers for the rocket-armed fourth-year quarterback out of Vanderbilt. After listening to Detroit talk radio and talking with my friends about the possibility of acquiring Cutler, I seem to be a lone wolf opposed to this idea.

I have several reasons for not being inclined towards the Lions making this move. For one, I really do think Matthew Stafford, the Georgia QB, widely projected to be the first overall pick of the Lions in April’s NFL Draft, will be a better quarterback in time.

Stafford’s critics say he lacks consistency and accuracy, and that he couldn’t elevate a considerably talented Bulldog team to greatness. First off, Georgia did finish the 2007 season No. 2 in the country and won its BCS bowl game by 38. Secondly, that Georgia offense was far from the juggernaut many are now making it out to be. The offensive line mostly stunk during Stafford’s collegiate career, and, outside of superstar running back Knowshon Moreno, his offensive skill threats were less than intimidating. Stafford did make the Bulldogs better but not beyond many prognosticators’ unrealistic expectations.

Also, I saw Stafford make throws that only a handful of NFL QBs could deliver, putting the ball right on the chest of double and triple -covered receivers 40 yards down the field. If he was inconsistent, it was only because he was being forced to carry a greater burden for the offense than any player should, much like this season Rookie of the Year, Matt Ryan, was forced to do a year earlier at Boston College.

Let’s not forget as well, that the grades on Cutler and Stafford coming out of college were/are very similar. Both had super strong arms, but sometimes struggled with accuracy and consistency. The difference is that Stafford is actually grading out a little ahead of where Cutler was in 2006. Why give up valuable early draft picks for one player when you can stay put and take virtually the exact same player without giving up a damn thing.