There has never been a question about Jay Cutler's natural ability, but former NFL general manager and president Bill Polian believes the Chicago Bears quarterback has the intangibles to be great as well.
"He wouldn't be the type of quarterback he is without the intangibles," Polian, now an ESPN analyst, told "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN Chicago 1000 Wednesday. "Just stop and think about this: What was he surrounded with at Vanderbilt? I saw him as a sophomore ... in the Swamp take Florida to the wire and come back about three or four times in that game. It took a miraculous play by the Gators, who were then in the top 10 in the country, to win the game.
"This is a guy who's done a lot with a little throughout his career. And his receiver corps -- it's no secret -- his receiving corps in Chicago has not been stellar during his time there. I don't know why people would question the intangibles. He's done a lot with a little throughout his career."
Cutler, who started all 45 career games at Vanderbilt before being picked in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, enters the final year of his contract with the Bears in 2013. Cutler has said he is content to play out the final year of his deal if he can't come to an agreement on an extension with the Bears before the season.
Polian, who drafted Peyton Manning during his 15-year run as president of the Indianapolis Colts, likes what he sees from Cutler, who he believes has rare talent.
"I see an incredibly talented guy. He's got a great arm, he's got a great delivery, he's got good knowledge of what defenses are doing to him," Polian said. "He's got really good timing; he can deliver the ball on time. He can make every throw. He can get it into tight windows which is extremely rare in quarterback talent. He's got some escapability. He can buy a second chance. He's not RGIII by any stretch of the imagination but he can buy a second chance. He's courageous; he'll take the hit in order to get a first down.
"I think if he's surrounded with better receiving and protection talent he'll shine. He's a very, very talented quarterback."