Another big reason to like Cutler

Jay Cutler is saving me a lot of aggravation.

If the Bears hadn't acquired him from the Broncos to play quarterback, I would be like other faithful followers of football in other faithful football towns grappling with the Michael Vick issue.

Like, without Cutler here would Vick be the Bears' best quarterback option even though he just served nearly two years for involvement in a dogfighting ring?

Heck, if not for Cutler I would be pining for Brett Favre to land here instead of in Minnesota, or for Vinny Testaverde to come out of retirement to play for the Bears ahead of Kyle Orton.

But the more realistic dilemma - one facing many NFL teams - would be whether to pursue Vick when Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates him.

The complications range from how good a quarterback Vick was even before he went to prison, to whether he could adapt to the Bears' style of play, to whether the Bears could adapt to his style of play.

Even before any of that, however, would come whether Goodell should ever let Vick play in the NFL again, whether if he did we should want him living in our community, and whether the chaos animal lovers would create at Halas Hall and Soldier Field would be worth the trouble.

I have been pretty consistent over the years in saying that after the legal system frees an athlete like it has Vick, he should be permitted to return to making a living at whatever occupation he chooses.

If, that is, someone will hire him.

Isn't the idea, or ideal, that ex-cons assimilate back into the outside world and contribute to society by becoming solid citizens?

That takes care of that part of the equation: Of course Vick should be allowed back into the NFL, sooner than later, whether Goodell agrees or not.

Now comes the difficult part.

Would I be OK with the Bears being the team that employs a player who participated in heinous crimes against dogs?

No, I wouldn't. Why? Because I prefer he not live in my community and certainly not next door.

As confusing and conflicted as all this sounds, let me explain.

I believe Vick should be allowed to play in the NFL as soon as this season - again, as long as one of the league's 32 teams determines it's in its best interest to sign him.

However, the Bears never should be that team - easy to say now that they have Cutler (though it would be tempting to employ Vick as a backup and deploy him in the wildcat formation).

But if Al Davis thinks it's worth enduring the wrath of PETA by bringing Vick to Oakland, that's fine. If Bill Belichick wants him in New England, good for him. If any other team sees this particular quarterback as a ticket to the Super Bowl, help yourself.

I don't understand Goodell being able to speak for 32 owners by saying not a single one of them may give Vick a second chance.

Sure, playing in the NFL is a privilege. Any job is. If somebody in the NFL wants to risk bestowing that privilege on Vick, so be it.

Thank goodness Jay Cutler made the issue moot around here.

mimrem@dailyherald.com