Jay Cutler

r a week of waiting, we finally have to watch what the Bears 2011 regular season looks like without Jay Cutler. Chicago travels to the Black Hole today, taking on the Raiders in a hostile environment, led by fourth year back-up Caleb Hanie.

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ngly deep) pool of my own tears, I figured it was time to comment on the impending thumb surgery of Jay Cutler and what it means for the Bears in 2011.

Speaking of Jay himself, I could not have been any sadder. To see him go through the post-game motions with nary of hint of what he suspected was admirable, but it ultimately led to a greater feeling of shock once the news broke about an hour later. It’s a crushing blow to a Bears team that many (including myself) had deemed as rising to become a legitimate challenger in not only the NFC, but the NFL. Lovie Smith has stated they’re hopeful he could be back for the end of the regular season, but I’m not really buying into that. It sounds like Lovie’s trying to avoid a thousand Bear fans plunging into Lake Michigan. As much as I want to see Jay back in action, I don't want to rush him back and risk his thumb long-term for a half-hearted playoff push if he's not completely ready. The Bears feel the same way and won't put risk his future.

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tempts.

 

(7-3) Chicago Bears 31
(4-6) San Diego Chargers 20

Coming to the rescue, Jay Cutler had an absolutely monstrous second half. After a first down conversion on a throw to Roy Williams as he’s falling to the ground, Cutler got kneed in the back of the head. He got up slow and a mite woozy, but then he turned it on. Two more first down throws to Williams were followed by a 42 yard throw to Johnny Knox at the one yard line. Finishing the drive was Jay himself, leaping over the pile at the goal line for the score. Getting the ball back quickly off a Charles Tillman force and recovery, Cutler went for the jugular on a 24-yard bomb to Knox at the back of the endzone. That put the Bears up 31-17 and all but shut the door on the Chargers’ hopes of getting to .500. Jay was on his game and clearly one-upped Philip Rivers, who looked downright awful. We should all write Philip a thank you letter, by the way. He gift-wrapped this one.

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orte should have little resistance as he shreds the Soldier Field turf, but look for a big day from Jay Cutler. He needs to avoid forcing throws towards safety Eric Weddle, but otherwise the San Diego secondary isn’t to be feared. On the injury front, the Chargers will be without linebacker Shaun Philips, who is one of their better pass-rushers as well as defensive end Luis Castllo. For the Bears, another shift on the offensive line: Instead of Chris Williams, who was lost for the season after emergency wrist surgery, Edwin Williams will get the call at left guard. Williams should be fine in pass protection, which leads me to believe the o-line will continue its progress and Cutler won’t be under duress all day. I need another strong outing from Earl Bennett, who should see a lot of the crafty Quentin Jammer. For the rest of the Bear wide-outs, this might be the one game where they have an advantage over the opposing secondary.

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quo; 

It was a fantastic game Bears fans! Your team is 6-3! Live it up! Bear Down and Happy Jay Cutler day!

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Bears 37, Lions 13"

Time for revenge! Following their ugly Monday night loss to the Lions in week five, the Bears have won three in a row and are nipping at the heels of Detroit in the NFC North standings. If the Bears win they’ll be tied with Detroit for second in the NFC North and in prime position for the first Wildcard slot come playoff time. Let’s break down this incredibly important contest.

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second opening drive TD this season.

On their next drive, Bennett continued to prove his worth to Jay Cutler with another big first down. In Eagles territory a failed wildcat (of course if fails) and then quick draw play up the middle made Lovie settle for a field goal, putting Chicago up 10-0. But the chaos was about to ensue as the half drew to a close. Vick led the Eagles down the field for a 47 yard field goal, giving the Bears two minutes to hopefully steer momentum back to their favor. With less than 1:30 on the clock, Cutler threw two passes which were promptly dropped by Hester and Sanzenbacher. A third down pass to the flat to Forte ended in a fumble which was snapped up by rookie linebacker Brian Rolle who ran it 22 yards to pay-dirt. It was suddenly tied at 10-10 after a nearly complete half of domination by Chicago.

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reak this one down.

(4-3) Chicago Bears at
(3-4) Philadelphia Eagles

In a season where Jay Cutler has avoided making bad decisions and kept his interception total down (6), he gets to match skills with the vaunted Eagles secondary at a time when they seem to be hitting their stride. He can’t tempt fate against Nmandi Asomugha, Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, all of whom can shut down any Bear receiver they choose. Don’t be surprised if Andy Reid doesn’t stick with the same match-ups all game in order to give Cutler several looks. Missing Gabe Carimi could hurt the offensive line week, as Trent Cole will play havoc on the outside edge against whatever tackle he’s facing. J’Marcus Webb will have his hands full, so expect a tight end or back to chip and help out whenever possible.

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A high pass from Jay Cutler to Marion Barber tipped off the running back’s hands and into the mitts of Tanard Jackson for a 42 yard return. On the VERY next play, Josh Freeman throws a ball deep over the middle that Chris Conte simply removes from Mike Williams’ grasp for should have been a momentum-changing interception. Instead, a Matt Forte run on the following play was held up in the endzone by Ronde “Old Man” Barber for a safety, getting the Bucs two points and the ball. It was a frantic and freakish series of plays that gave the Bucs the opportunity to jump ahead with a score. Thankfully Chicago’s defense kept the Buccaneers in check for most of the afternoon.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Bears 24, Buccaneers 18"

After their embarrassing, penalty-plagued Monday nighter, the Chicago Bears are in primetime in a divisional match-up for the second straight week, this time taking the Sunday Night Football stage against Minnesota. At risk of falling in last place in the NFC North, the Bears can’t afford to lose.

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etroit Lions 24
(2-3) Chicago Bears 13

First and foremost, everyone can get the HELL OFF of Jay Cutler’s back. If any game during his tenure in Chicago illustrates what he can do for this team, it was this one. With only Matt Forte and a rookie wide-out, Jay managed to put points on the board when the rest of the offense took the night off or false-started in their pants. Cutler kept plays alive, made accurate throws and good decisions, and stood in the pocket and took solid shots to the chin all night. They were several drives that took up chunks of clock that only continued because Cutler willed it. If you’re still hating him, you’re part of the problem. ‘Cause Jay sure the hell isn’t. I’m done with all the unwarranted complaints about his body language and his demeanor. He gets his ass kicked every week and never moans or complains. He takes his beating like a man and tries to win every single time he steps on the field.

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But as Tony Romo showed us last week, Jay Cutler can’t afford to air-mail any balls to Lion defenders. His receivers should find separation in the soft zones between the linebackers and secondary.

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Thanks to the rushing attack, defense and special teams, Jay Cutler barely had to throw the ball, chucking it four times in the first half. He ended up with 17 attempts for 102 yards with one interception on an overthrown ball when the score was at 24-23. Cutler clearly felt some pressure when it wasn’t there at times today, necessitating the need for a ground game. To their credit, the offensive line showed up and made holes for Forte despite some more rotation. At one point Lance Louis, Chris Spencer and Frank Omiyale were rotating between right guard and right tackle for various reason. The continuity on the right side of the line is suffering.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Bears 34, Panthers 29"

They have eight sacks on the season, so that number will probably get to double-digits today. If Jay Cutler can find the open receiver without overthrowing, the Bears shouldn’t have any trouble getting to the 21-24 points necessary to seal up the win. (Unless they let Newton get going… that’d be a bad idea.)The Odds:

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Good luck next week boys.

Bear Down and Happy Jay Cutler Day!

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Packers 27, Bears 17"

icism and concern for Chicago’s pass protection stemming from the six sacks and multiple hits Jay Cutler took at the hands of the blitz-happy Saints, the Bear offensive line won’t get any breathers this week. Green Bay’s edge rushers are dangerous, no matter which one is coming. Clay Matthews is obviously tops on that list, so he’ll be moved around to take advantage of his speed against either offensive tackle. J’Marcus Webb doesn’t get low enough to off-set Matthews’ speed and Frank Omiyale is just plain terrible. Lance Louis might get back on the field at guard, but it won’t fix the problem. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers also likes to blitz safety/corner/linebacker Charles Woodson, creating several different looks using the All-Pro. He can blitz because he’s got the most under-publicized shut-down corner in the NFL in Tramon Williams and an excellent nickel corner in Sam shields.

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Let’s just keep it together and hope Cutler stays on his feet.

Happy Jay Cutler Day!

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Recap: Saints 30, Bears 13"

Keeping Jay Cutler on his feet is paramount however, because if he gets time he can shred this secondary. Starting corner Tracy Porter will be out with an injury and safety Roman Harper will play despite an ankle injury. The openings will be there for Cutler, even if Roy Williams is sitting out with his groin issue. Where Martz can’t get lackadaisical is on the ground. Matt Forte is clearly their best offensive talent, and running the ball 25+ times is always a recipe for success. Getting screen passes to Forte and Hester will take advantage of the blitzing Saints, leaving them open for big plays and taking pressure of the offensive line. The Saints defensive line is solid inside with Sedrick Ellis and Aubrayo Franklin, but they’re inexperienced on the outside, with Cameron Jordan getting snaps at end because of Will Smith’s suspension. There will be points on the field for the taking if Martz can take advantage.The Odds:

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US Presswire

Aside from a late pick-six (an excellent play from Kroy Biermann), Jay Cutler had an outstanding day in front of the Chicago crowd, going for 312 yards and two touchdowns. He was knocked around quite a bit though, getting sacked three times, which caused the offense to settle for field goals in the early-going. (And gave me my only heart attack when Cutler was woozy getting up in his own end zone.) Screen passes to Matt Forte and Devin Hester worked to perfection, with the first scoring directly and the second leading to a Matt Spaeth score on the next play. Forte got better as the game drew on, despite some early rushing woes. He finished with 68 yards on the ground and five catches for 90 yards to lead the team in both receiving categories. Even Roy Williams had an impressive debut, catching three passes for first downs (complete with annoying signals) before leaving the game with a groin injury.

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Recap: Bears 30, Falcons 12"

e going to be dealing with a ton of speed of the edges, which could lead to more than a few hits on Jay Cutler. Cutler is going to have his chances to hit open targets today, but he’ll have them against corners not named Brent Grimes. With the way the Bears’ receivers are without a true number one, look for Grimes to stay on the left side of the field and shut down the receiver across from him, rather than taking one specific individual all game long. Devin Hester or Earl Bennett coming out of the slot are going to find mismatches against lesser corners, so as long as he has time to throw, Cutler must find them. The Falcons run defense was decent in 2010, giving up close to 106 yards a game, but Matt Forte is going to have his opportunities to break out of the backfield.

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After an offseason filled with drama surrounding the lockout, Jay Cutler, players unhappy with their contracts, new faces and crappy turf, the Chicago Bears are finally ready to take the field for regular season action. Before that happens, let’s preview each aspect of the team, starting with the offense.

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Martz needs an extended look at Sanzenbacher so he can finalize his plans for the position.Jay Cutler Benched?

Because he better not be playing tonight. No one needs to Jay-Rough my QB in a meaningless fourth preseason game. I’ve got my eye on you Lovie.

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oked crisp while the starters were on the field, converting five of their seven third down chances. Jay Cutler’s offseason work is clearly evident in his play. His footwork is as clean as I’ve ever seen it, making his delivery clean and on-target. On several drives on Saturday, Jay stepped up in the pocket and made quick decisions followed by accurate throws. He hit eight different receivers in the first half while never taking a sack. He’s ready for the regular season.

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e? I need to see the Bears’ newest receiver make an impact and form some sort of rapport with Jay Cutler or else the rumors of his quick demotion in favor of Johnny Knox are sure to come true in a hurry. Word from camp is that he’s been less than impressive and is slow to catch on in an offense that is very similar to what he excelled in during his Detroit days. Step up Roy.Major Wright: Major Mistakes?

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After both defenses traded three-and-outs early, the Giants finally found their way on the scoreboard in a 41-6 win over the Bears in preseason action Monday night. For you Bear fans that aren’t throwing your computers away in despair, here’s what I took away from this (meaningless) loss.

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Stay tuned!

Also, Bear Down and happy Jay Cutler Day! (Yep, I said it. Wanna fight about it?)

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Recap: Packers 21, Bears 14"

Even if the Bears get their running game going early, Jay Cutler can make this game a blow-out… for either team. He’s been dynamically careful in the past 9 weeks, lowering his interceptions and racking up the wins. Is it somehow related to the fact that he’s not taking seven-step drops and being pummeled like he was early in the season? Could be… Regardless, Cutler must continue winning in the post-season if he’s going to shake the criticism. Tossing four picks just isn’t going to cut it, and against the corner tandem of Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson, he could have issues if he forces a ball where he shouldn’t. Williams and Woodson should see time on Knox, Hester and Bennett most of the game, but Greg Olsen could have another explosion on Sunday. Green bay has given up big yards to tight ends this season and Olsen has the speed to capitalize on their man-to-man coverages. Aside from Matthews, Green Bay’s linebackers aren’t extraordinarily speedy. And if they waste Matthews by putting him on Olsen on passing downs the Bears win that match-up by default. Erik Walden came on late in the season, but he’s not consistent enough in pass coverage to be a game-changer. A.J. Hawk is as solid as they come, but he’s a bruiser, not a flier. If Martz gets Olsen involved early like he did against Seattle (but never came back to), Green Bay’s defense could be loosened up for runs on the edges.

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uition on Sunday as Greg Olsen erupted for 113 yards in the first half, including a 58 yard bomb on Jay Cutler’s first pass of the game. From there it was all Bears… and some food.

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eams met in week six, Seattle exploited Chicago’s then-porous offensive line for six sacks of Jay Cutler, who was still being called on to pass nearly every down. It’s been three months since that loss and Mike Martz has flipped the switch on his offensive gameplan, calling a balanced attack and keeping Cutler upright. Mike Tice’s o-line experience is starting to show its true color, solidifying a line that had been ultimately horrific.

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at today if the Bears are going to out-shoot the Packers with a likely limited number of plays with Jay Cutler. Cutler will obviously be pulled from the game at some point, especially if there’s no chance of improving their standings. Be prepared for a very conservative gameplan from Martz, who will be under strict orders to keep Cutler healthy. So only a few seven-step drops will be on the docket for today against Clay Matthews and a Dom Capers defense. Matt Forte and Chester Taylor will get the bulk of the action today, but Taylor really needs to see serious action before the playoffs start. He’s been under-used this season and it’s been a shame that he never sees the holes that Forte gets. Today has to be a work-out for Taylor if nothing else.

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rnoon, but that’s exactly what happened in the Bears’ 38-34 win over the New York Jets. Jay Cutler came alive in an electric third quarter for the offense, but it was a late Chris Harris interception that sealed Chicago’s eleventh win of the season and kept their hopes for the number two seed in the NFC alive.

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the Bears at all, who put up 40 points thanks to some fantastic special teams play and an on-target Jay Cutler throwing darts to his receivers all night long. Johnny Knox was the recipient of one of Cutler’s bombs, taking a deep pass 67 yards past a confused Vikings secondary for the Bears’ first touchdown of the game.

Continue reading "Gameday Recap: Bears 40, Vikings 14"

Make him regret starting tonight.

Bear down and happy Jay Cutler day!

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oup and prepare for the Minnesota Vikings, wherever they’ll be playing.

Bear down and happy Jay Cutler day.

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Recap: Patriots 36, Bears 7"

is undoubtedly their best pass-rusher, but they don’t send many defenders to the quarterback. Jay Cutler has to do his best Brady impression today and find his speedsters over the middle and on the outside. Those short, accurate passes have been giving the Bears the edge as of late, propelling them on this five game win streak. Keep an eye on corner Devin McCourty, who has been making a name for himself with timely interceptions. Chester Taylor must continue to be showcased alongside Matt Forte in the running game in order to pound away at the Pats’ young defense. (Though running to the outside is best, since big Vince Wilfork is a black hole in the middle of their 3-4 defense.) Brandon Spikes it out because of a PED violation, weakening the line-backing unit. Game on.

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e pressure from the Lions’ front four (especially Cliff Avril, who was in his grill all day), Jay Cutler played an efficient game, hitting at an 80% completion percentage for 234 yards and a fourth quarter touchdown to Brandon Manumaleuna. Mike Martz stuck to another balanced gameplan this week, calling 26 passes and 27 runs (not counting one Cutler scramble). And while the running game wasn’t overpowering, Chicago controlled the ball down the stretch to seal the victory with over 33 minutes in time of possession.

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But here it goes…

Jay Cutler was phenomenal. He was as efficient as he’s ever been in a Bear uniform, completing 14 of his 21 passes for 247 yards and a whopping four touchdowns. He made smart decisions with the football on nearly every play, either making the perfect throw or scrambling for first down yardage. This was the

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Recap: Bears 31, Eagles 26"

(Peppers, I'm looking at you.)

Offensively Chicago won't have as tough a time. (I hope.) Jay Cutler gets a a break today as the Eagles' best corner Asante Samuel will not see action today. After Samuel, the corner depth for Philly isn't outstanding, so the Bear receivers may find some openings. The Philadelphia defense loves to send the blitz, so Mike Tice's offensive line can't miss their assignments. Ever. Philly's defensive line is underrated (look out for Juqua Parker and Trent Cole on the outside) and their linebackers are solid. Stewart Bradley has been making plays in the middle and Ernie Sims was a great pick-up for them. Were I Mike Martz, I'd get Matt Forte and my running game going and lean on it today, using play-action to pick on those corners as the game goes on. But that's just me.

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;from the sidelines, using short passes to the outsides to take advantage of the Dolphin secondary. Jay Cutler had plenty of protection for most of his 25 pass attempts thanks to an improving offensive line. Martz called 68 offensive plays on the night, controlling the time of possession (37 minutes) and keeping Miami's defense on their heels. Thanks to Matt Forte's 97 yards and the only touchdown of the game, Martz was able to stick with the run all night and wore down defenders in the second half. Cutler tore apart the defense on third down and picked the perfect spots to scramble down the field. Solid field position from Devin Hester returns (or opponents kicking away from him) put the offense in charge on each drive. I'd like to see less field goals and more touchdowns, but I'll take a win like this any day.

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Go get it!

Bear down and happy Jay Cutler day!

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ettle for gield goal attempts, but the problems that have plagued them for so long did not show up. Jay Cutler had plenty of time in the pocket thanks to an improved offensive line performance, He only made one or two really bad decisions with the football, one of which being another costly red zone interception. Luckily it didn't hurt the Bears, as Minnesota had to punt on the following drive. Chicago went 11 for 19 on third down, a nice switch from the horrid production we've seen.

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Recap: Bears 27, Vikings 13"

easily get the better of Frank Omiyale at left tackle, but it hasn't been a normal year for Allen. Jay Cutler will get his chances on drop-backs as long as there isn't another collapse of monumental proportions. Unfortunately, the pass rush for the Vikes has been slow but their run defense is just as stout as ever. With the Williams boys in the middle of the line, running Forte and Taylor to the outside is strongly advised. Olin Kreutz will start at center today despite some nagging injuries, but he never has his best days against Minnesota. They're too good in the middle.

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After an off-season that saw a great many changes in the coaching staff, front office staff and gameday roster, the Chicago Bears are halfway through a do-or-die season. Eight games into the 2010 NFL campaign, Lovie Smith's Bears are 5-3, a mark that has surely pleasantly surprised some while infuriating others. Are they as good as their record indicates? Have they been the benefactors of a weak early schedule? I'll dive into these topics and more in my mid-season grades for the Monsters of the Midway.

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Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije are a terrifying inside tandem on special teams.

Jay Cutler had a solid day under center, making better reads and getting time on enough throws to find receivers down-field, even if he was called on to throw more than I'd like. Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett found plenty of balls coming their way (had to write it) when Jay was under duress. Showcasing his athleticism, Cutler scrambled five times for 39 yards. His running ability is always overlooked by defenses, but I have no idea why.

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the bye week? Did you have an enjoyable Sunday without the aggravation and frustration of watching Jay Cutler on the turf and Lovie Smith on the sidelines? Worry no longer friend, because the Bears are in Toronto today to take on the 0-7 Buffalo Bills. Let's break it down!

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On the next play after the failed challenge, Jay Cutler appeared to break the plane of the end zone on a rare QB sneak, but the ball was knocked loose after he stretched it out. Lovie chose not to challenge that call, costing the Bears seven points. Whoever advises Lovie on possible challenges needs to be replaced immediately by a monkey and a coin-flipping machine.

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Mike Shanahan's 3-3 'Skins head to Soldier Field to take on his former quarterback Jay Cutler and the Bears. Following a tough loss to Seattle last week, can Lovie Smith's squad bounce back? Let's get to the analysis!

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The offensive line was atrocious, giving up six more sacks on Jay Cutler, who looked rattled and nervous in the pocket. He never threw an interception (he got close once or twice though), but he never threw a TD either. Cutler was under assault for the entirety of the game thanks to an inept and stubborn gameplan from Mike Martz, who is showing move Lovie Smith personality traits every week. Martz refused to establish the run at any point on Sunday, putting Jay at risk behind a line that never picked up an outside blitz. Every time a corner or linebacker rushed from the outside, there was Frank Omiyale or J'Marcus Webb looking to the inside towards defenders that were already engaged. A week after Matt Forte ran for 166 yards and two scores, he gets eight carries for 11 yards today. Unacceptable.

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Recap: Seahawks 23, Bears 20"

p>What gives the Bears a competitive and emotional advantage this week is the return of quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler, cleared of his concussion, will aid an offense that was completely anemic through the air last week. He'll be staring down a surprisingly decent Seattle defensive unit which ranks twelfth in the league in points allowed at 19.3 per outing. While they give up nearly 375 yards a game, they don't let you in the end zone. Carroll, known for his defensive schemes, drafted a playmaker in secondary when he took safety Earl Thomas with the 14th overall pick. Thomas is a ball-hawk and will be waiting for any errant pass over the middle that floats too long. The Seattle secondary is full of names you'll know like corner Marcus Trufant and veteran safety Lawyer Milloy, but they're long in the tooth and won't be able to keep up with the Bears' speed on the outside with Devin Hester and Johnny Knox. Cutler should carve them up if he's patient.

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How I miss my Jay Cutler. All things considered, this was a calming/boring game. I prefer them that way.

After years of hearing sexual innuendos all over NFL TV broadcasts, I've decided to start noting the best one-liners or TWSS moments of the game. This week's? "Robbie Gould really got it up on that one." Loved it. 

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the Bears' week five match-up.

(3-1) Chicago Bears at
(0-4) Carolina Panthers

Following Jay Cutler's concussion after sack number nine, 39-year old Todd Collins gets the start this week in Carolina, with Caleb Hanie serving as the back-up. Less mobile than Hanie, Collins knows how to get the ball out quickly and avoid taking the sack. As nice as it would have been, the Bears will not get left tackle Chris Williams back this week as he's still out with a hamstring injury, which keeps the offensive line in flux. If they struggle early against a Panther defense with 12 sacks this season, Mike Tice and Lovie Smith are likely to keep tinkering with the line-up during the course of the game. Carolina's front four includes ex-Colt Ed Johnson and Panther draft picks Everette Brown and Charles Johnson. They're inexperienced and lack the raw talent of the Giant front that caused so many problems for the Bears.

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Concerns abound for Lovie Smith's team, who never got in sync on offense and lost Jay Cutler to a concussion at the end of the first half. There are plenty of areas to pick on, but here's what I noticed from Sunday night's debacle.

Continue reading "Bears lose Cutler in 17-3 loss to Giants"

This week Jay Cutler will face the fourth ranked pass defense in the NFL, but that stat is marred since the Giants give up more than 135 yards on the ground per game. If Matt Forte and Chester Taylor are going to find their rhthym, this is the game to start looking. With defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka out, the Bears have one less end-rusher to worry about. Kiwanuka has accounted for four of the Giants' six sacks this season, so Perry Fewell's defense is going to have trouble generating pressure from the front four. Add in Osi Umenyiora not playing at 100% thanks to a knee injury and the Bears shouldn't have problems blocking even without Chris Williams. If they can handle the gammut of pass-rushers that Green Bay threw at them, Mike Tice and the Bears will be fine against the 4-3 scheme of the Giants.

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lf, the Bears drove back down the field to the goal line after a good return by Devin Hester, where Jay Cutler dropped it into Greg Olsen for their first score of the game.

Getty Images

Continue reading "Bears stun sloppy Packers on Monday night"

rt pretty, but the Chicago Bears offense showed up and came out of Dallas with a much deserved win. Jay Cutler looked phenomenal in a 27-20 win over the Cowboys on Sunday, leading the the Bears to a 2-0 record. If you missed this great game, here's what you didn't see.

Continue reading "Cutler out-duels Romo as Bears win in Dallas"

ffense looked fluid and functional against the Lions last week, an odd change-up from recent years. Jay Cutler was on target with his throws and made great decisions with the football. However, that was against the Lion defense. If the they could muster four sacks on Cutler, how much is the line going to struggle to block exceptional tackle Jay Ratliff, end Marcus Spears or linebackers Anthony Spencer, Bradie James or All-Pro DeMarcus Ware? I'm not thrilled at their prospects. Chris Williams will have his hands full. Look for plenty of Mike Martz screen passes to the running back to off-set and take advantage of the 'Boys' rush, but eventually he'll have to take his shots downfield. Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins have speed and toughness at the corner position, but they will be out-of-place on occasion. Devin Aromashodu should be able to take advantage of his size as Knox may struggle to get open if Newman's on his back.  As much as he avoids it, Martz can't ignore the running game today, or

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ers kept the Bears from completely blowing the doors off the Lions Sunday at Soldier Field, despite Jay Cutler throwing for 372 yards and two scores. The offense moved the ball well early and often, with only a few miscues from the receivers (mostly Johnny Knox) and one poor decision made by Cutler to throw into triple coverage. Greg Olsen, Matt Forte and Cutler all fumble during the course of the game, killing drives in Detroit territory on a regular basis. What kept the offense going were screens and short passes to the running backs, one of which accounted for Forte's 89-yard touchdown. Forte had 201 all-purpose yards and the final game-winning grab on Sunday, more than making up for his one lost fumble. Cutler showed great mobility in the pocket, evading the rush and gaining first downs. However, taking four sacks and seven hits is unacceptable for the offensive line.

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eness in the preseason, the Chicago offense should have a chance to get on track against the Lions. Jay Cutler should be able to pick apart a porous Detroit secondary that might be without starting safety Louis Delmas, the only real play-maker in the back seven. Where the Bears may run into trouble is in the trenches. Chris Williams is going to need some help against end Kyle Vanden Bosch, likely in the form of a tight end or running back chip-block. Freakishly strong Ndamukong Suh is going to give Roberto Garza and Olin Kreutz fits up the middle and shouldn't see many single blockers if the Bears intend on keeping Jay upright. If I ran the Bear offense, I would establish Matt Forte and Chester Taylor early and bring the Lions into tight coverage to guard against the run. If they're expecting the pass, then gash them with the run. Since the Lion secondary is so weak, the downfield throws will eventually open up and Cutler will be able to take advantage on play-action throws if they've made a concerted effort to set-up the defense. If they don't score in the high 20's, Mike Martz's offense should feel ashamed.

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ect to see some growing pains and miscues early.

The Offense 

As we all know, strong-armed Jay Cutler will be under center for the Bears when the season starts. As polarizing an athlete as the city has seen in some time, Cutler has to improve his decision making skills after taking the snap. He can make all the reads as well as all the throws, but Cutler's mechanics tend to degrade when he's under duress, as with most quarterbacks. Unfortunately when that happens he also makes bad choices and acts like he's playing flag football in his backyard. In this offense Cutler will be saddled with more responsibility than ever before and he will be asked to trust that his receivers will be in position. I trust  Jay, but after a 27-TD and 26-INT season in 2009, the pressure is on. Backing him up will be Todd Collins, a journeyman back-up that will competently run the offense if needed, but let's hope it never gets to him.

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So no one should be calling for Jay Cutler's benching after seeing this ONE game. He'll make Lovie Smith sleep better at night, but let's hope nothing else.

Hey look Ma, Greg Olsen!

We finally saw some highlights from tight end Greg Olsen! After not getting enough from that position during the preseason, it was nice to see Olsen with the redzone grab. Hopefully Martz has found a well-derserved spot for Olsen in this offense.

Continue reading "Collins impresses in Bears' final preseason game"

! Here's what else to watch for tonight before the roster cuts on Saturday:

Who needs starters?

Jay Cutler, Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Olin Kreutz, Earl Bennett, Hunter Hillenmeyer, Major Wright, Nick Roach, Caleb Hanie and Craig Steltz. That's the list of Bears that will be sitting out tonight's contest. I've heard some hubbub about not seeing Cutler tonight, but I don't care in the slightest. I don't want to see him take unnecessary sacks in a meaningless game for one series. Here's to scrubs!

Continue reading "Joe's Preseason Preview: Bears at Browns"

Well, if this third preseason game was any indication of how the regular season will look, Bears fans are in for a bumpy ride. The Bears' offensive woes continued against the Cardinals as the first-team unit failed to score any points. Here are my notes from Saturday night's 14-9 loss to the Cardinals.

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erms, the Bears finally signed veteran back-up Todd Collins to "provide insurance" behind Jay Cutler if Caleb Hanie isn't ready to return by the season opener. Don't expect much out of him tonight though. He'll likely see most of his action next week. Do you feel safer already?

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nemen Chris Williams and Lance Louis were beaten by their rushers to allow two consecutive sacks of Jay Cutler, of which there were five in the first half. (Four by new Raider Kamerion Wimbley, who most often beat Chris Williams in one-on-one match-ups.) It was an ugly start. The offensive line improved over the first half, opening a hole for Forte on an 89-yard TD run, but their protection needs considerable work. Mike Tice should start earning his paycheck.

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ing for during Saturday night's contest.

-Jay-Mart: Part 2

 Okay, so nobody quite expected Jay Cutler to be pulled after only eight plays. This time around Cutler should play into the second quarter, giving fans a slightly clearer picture of what this offense will look like when the regular season rolls around. All of Mike Martz's bells and whistles won't be on display, but the basics of the system should come into view.

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y notes from tonight's 25-10 preseason loss to the Chargers:

-He wasn't in the game for long, but Jay Cutler looked well enough in the eight plays he was on the field. He completed both of his pass attempts to Johnny Knox for 47 total yards. Otherwise it was hand-offs and a sack for Jay tonight in a bland offensive gameplan. Still, there's a noticeable difference on that side of the ball thanks to Martz. We'll see how it looks going forward. Some fans were surprised at Cutler only playing one series, but I was fine with it. He'll get plenty of reps in the next two games. Though I honestly doubted Lovie's claim of playing his starters close to a half. Yeah, right.

Continue reading "Wright, Aromashodu stand out in Bears' ..."

Still, it will be fun just to see Jay Cutler again. Getting the starters out healthy is their main concern. (Speaking of which, keep an eye on Brian Urlacher to see if he's really at full-speed.)

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first night and a half. 

Jerry Angelo traded away this year's first rounder for quarterback Jay Cutler last off-season and his second-rounder for the late Gaines Adams. With no picks in the 2010 NFL Draft until round three, the Chicago Bears can't afford to swing-and-miss on any "projects" this year. No more Michael Okwo's or Dan Bazuin's or dare I say, any Danieal Manning's. Jerry Angelo can't reach past a player's worth. He'll need to focus on players that have experience at playing ONE position, not these safety/corner/return man combinations of which he seems so fond.

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an break out in a route and catch a pass, but Manu's here to help out with the run game and protect Jay Cutler at all costs. However, the move leaves the Bears with four tight ends on their roster and provides plenty of questions as to the future of Greg Olsen. With such a weak offensive line free agent market, Manumaleuna was the next best thing.

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Completing the circle of "Lovie's guys," Bears defensive line coach Rod Marinelli was promoted to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator on Friday. The move was among many staff decisions made by Smith and GM Jerry Angelo. Shane Day, quality control coach with the San Francisco 49ers, was hired to become the new quarterbacks coach and Eric Washington was promoted to defensive line coach. Seattle's Mike DeBord was signed on Tuesday, assuming the tight end coaching vacancy. 

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y sat down with Bears brass, followed by a trip to Tennessee to have dinner with Bears franchise QB Jay Cutler. After Jay expressed his support for Martz, Lovie Smith hired the man he wanted all along.

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Take that to the bank. That should be more than low enough. Jay Cutler and the offense should have no trouble tearing apart the second-worst defense (worst pass defense) in the NFL. Matt F

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Lovie Smith's job status could have been decided already. Jay Cutler was going to have a poor season either way, right? That being said...

Eff you Minnesota. Seriously. Take that Brett Favre. Hope you enjoy playing the first weekend of the playoffs because you just lost out on the number two seed in the NFC. 

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By the end of the first quarter Bears QB Jay Cutler had already tossed two interceptions. The Baltimore Ravens had already exchanged those gifts for fourteen points. After six total turnovers and nary an offensive score to be found, the lesson was obvious. I already knew my Bears sucked. Now I know they suck, have given up on their coach and may not win another game this season.

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Though so far Lovie's been focused on trying to win meaningless games and not the future.

Jay Cutler needs to establish a rapport with his younger receivers, especially if the staff wants them to make an impact next season. Nothing can truly simulate game experience, so what is the harm in getting some rookies out there? Chris Williams has three games to showcase some hope at left tackle, because there's no other option available after the failed Orland Pace experiment.

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When Jay Cutler likes a receiver, he's going to look for them. Period. Just see what Johnny Knox has done this season. Aromashodu's 8 catches for 76 yards and one impressive endzone grab came only because Devin Hester was on the sidelines. As the only big wide-out on the roster, Lovie Smith must be able to see the match-up problems he can cause. He may not be Randy Moss, but with Cutler he won't have to be.

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in concern, but he's not putting his team in the best position to succeed at it.

Switching sides, Jay Cutler should fare much better than his trip to Lambeau. Two things support my position: First, it's a home game. Second, it's not at night or in prime-time. The problem is the offensive line is the same amount of awful no matter what time it is. Chris Williams didn't look all that great at left tackle last Sunday, but at least I know he still has a pair of knees. (Sorry Orlando Pace.)  I'd say running the ball would help keep that pressure off Jay, but we all know that's an unlikely prospect. Chances are we'll have to air it our at least 30 times and probably over 40. That being the case, I want to see 6-8 catches from Greg Olsen and 15-20 from my wide receivers. 

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So what did I learn from this much-needed win?

Unfortunately, not much. Jay Cutler injured his hand during the contest but it certainly doesn't look to be anything overly serious. Ron Turner put an obvious emphasis on running the ball, force-feeding the ball to Matt Forte and Kahlil Bell 38 times for 120 yards. Cutler only threw 18 times, a sure side effect of an injured hand. Still, the Bears went downfield early, attacking a porous St. Louis secondary. Devin Hester made his best catch of the season and Earl Bennett caught his first career touchdown.

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Continue reading "Bears are demolished by Vikings 36-10"

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Well, it wasn't a barrage of Jay Cutler interceptions that led to Chicago's loss to Philadelphia at Soldier Field Sunday night. Instead of tossing red zone picks, Cutler played smart and checked down to his receivers, setting up four Robbie Gould field goals. Thing about field goals is, a touchdown's better than two of them. That simple math led to the demise of Lovie Smith's team and the deflation of their playoff hopes as they fall to 4-6.

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lay an egg when they play the Eagles this Sunday night? Easy: they're playing at home.

It's true, Jay Cutler has not fared well in night games this season, tossing a whopping 11 interceptions after dark. But his play at home has been steady if nothing else, and the Bears are beyond desperate for a victory. 4-6 would provide an early end to meaningful football in Chicago, but 5-5 would keep them relatively alive for a wildcard berth.

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Ten penalties and five Jay Cutler interceptions prevented Chicago from leaving Candlestick Park with a victory. I won’t bother boring you with the minutiae.  The final score: San Francisco 10, Chicago Bears 6.

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Their awful half was wholly responsible for this loss, just like in Cincinnati.   

Jay Cutler and the offense moved the ball fairly effectively for most of the game, but penalties and bay play-call’s prematurely halted drives early, leading to punts instead of scores. Cutler played almost as well as he has all season, completing 29 passes for a whopping 369 yards and three scores, all to Greg Olsen. Unfortunately, an interception with a little less than seven minutes to go sealed the victory for Arizona. He was under pressure all day again, sacked four times and hit eight more. At this rate, Cutler won’t last all season, especially if the Bears have to keep abandoning the running game.

Continue reading "Bears can't catch up to Cardinals, lose 41-21"

Still, the victory was not without its major flaws, as Jay Cutler’s battered body can attest to. Chicago’s franchise QB was sacked five times, not including a “Jay-Roughing” penalty on massive Shaun Rogers which left Cutler’s mouth bloody. I’m officially coining the term “Jay-Roughing” to be used on roughing the passer calls. So I should get a quarter every time you say it. I hope I don't make too much money off it though, as Cutler needs to stay mostly upright during his lengthy stay under center for Chicago.

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dams at defensive end and Nathan Vasher filling in at times at the free safety spot.  

Jay Cutler and the offense shouldn’t have much opposition from the Browns. Their dead-last-ranked defense gives up over 400 yards and 25 points a game. If O-Coordinator Ron Turner can’t reach 30 points, it should be considered a bad offensive day. Matt Forte will have no better chance for a break-out game than against Cleveland’s front seven. As much as Turner may love throwing the ball with his new favorite, Matt Forte will have to carry this team to the playoffs.

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It simply isn’t working. 

-Jay Cutler and Matt Forte aren’t the problem, the offensive line is. Sure, Jay will throw a ball or two into triple coverage, but that’s his style. He’s single-handedly kept the Bears in games they had no business winning, even while working with a receiver corps no one gave any credit. Speaking of which, Devin Hester was one of the lone bright spots against the Bengals, showing true wide receiver ability.

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Of course, that will be an easier task if Jay Cutler and the offense jump out to an early lead.

Cincinnati’s defense is rated 22nd overall, giving up over 350 yards a game, most of which coming through the air. Still, they only give up 19.7 points a game (noticing a trend?), which mean Marvin Lewis is perfecting the “bend but don’t break” defensive scheme. Cutler’s Bears are putting up close to 24 points a contest, so if the averages hold true, Chicago should escape this one with a victory. But nobody wins a single game on paper.  

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A Jay Cutler interception on the first drive and a Matt Forte lost fumble in the third quarter (after a Forte recovered fumble the play before) took at least six points off the board. Cutler also overthrew Greg Olsen early in the second quarter in the middle of the field to end another Chicago drive. Cutler needs to keep his red zone mistakes down and Forte MUST curb this fumbling problem he’s discovered. 

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t even listed on the injury report, so expect to see Chicago’s two burners on the outside for Jay Cutler. 

Speaking of Franchise Jay, it may be time to see an aerial assault from the Chicago Bears. Atlanta has the 10th best pass defense in the league, letting opposing quarterbacks complete only fifty-seven percent of their passes. However, Cutler was the only quarterback to win at the Georgia Dome last season when he helmed the Denver Broncos. With the right play-calling, Cutler can expose the Atlanta secondary for some big plays.  

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It was unimpressive statistically, but Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears dominated the Detroit Lions in the second half en route to a 48-24 win on Sunday. 

Even though Detroit’s offense ran 76 plays compared to Chicago’s 50 and racked up nearly 400 yards, it wasn’t enough to overcome losing the field position battle. All of the Lions’ 13 drives started from within their own 30-yard line. Out of the Bears 13 drives, only three started behind the 30. With that kind of field position,

Continue reading "Bears Demolish Lions in Second Half of Blowout Win"

o turn it into a streak, with the Chicago Bears playing their second victim.  

For Jay Cutler and the offense, it should be a fairly simple philosophy: don’t turn the ball over. Detroit’s defense is allowing an average of close to 29 points a game and 400 yards to their opponents this season. Options on the ground or through the air should be open to Ron Turner and this still-developing offensive system. The wide receivers must continue to make strides with Cutler, but their progression has been a pleasant surprise after the fervor from writers (including me) over the off-season. 

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Despite a Jay Cutler interception and fumble, the Bears found a way to win. After three heart attacks and defibrillator attention, I found a way to write this story. 

After getting great field position on the opening drive, Robbie Gould missed a field goal, giving the Seahawks good field position of their own. Driving the ball down the field, back-up QB Seneca Wallace dropped the ball off to running back Julius Jones who broke two Bear tackles en route to a 39-yard touchdown. Two Olindo Mare field goals put Seattle up 13-0 with five minutes left in the first half.  

Continue reading "Cutler leads Bears to 25-19 win in Seattle"

If they don’t, they can only blame themselves.

Bear down and happy Jay Cutler day!

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on Pittsburgh Steelers!

A week after his less-than-stellar outing against the Green Bay Packers, Jay Cutler came home to Chicago and proved to be worth the king’s ransom that was paid for his services. Though there is certainly room for improvement, this is a win the Bears desperately needed.

Continue reading "Bears Shock Steelers with Late Field Goal"

This certainly has been a troublesome week for Bears fans after a confounding opener in which Jay Cutler threw four interceptions and Brian Urlacher dislocated his wrist, ending his season. With a load of criticism being heaped Jay’s way and a depth chart shuffle since Monday, the Bears now have to focus on Sunday’s match-up to avoid starting this season 0-2. Unfortunately their mountain to climb is steep, as the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to town.

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Like it goes in the NFL, the quarterback is going to get most of the blame. Jay Cutler threw four interceptions in Chicago’s 21-15 loss to the rival Green Bay Packers Sunday night.

To his credit, three of those interceptions came in the first half, and the Bears were still only down eight points. Ron Turner’s play-calling did nothing to stop the bleeding, as he completely abandoned Matt Forte and the running game in the first half. Maybe Turner didn’t realize that you should take the ball out of your QB’s hands when he’s throwing interceptions? You let him settle back down with some hand-offs and then ease him back into throwing. Cutler is not Tom Brady; he gets emotional and needs to be reigned in every now and again. Deal with it.

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What I’m pretty sure you heard is that Jay Cutler is a Chicago Bear. 

  

Wait, you didn’t know that? Stop reading this blog. Now. 

For the informed, let’s get you ready for this Sunday night opener on the not-yet frozen tundra! Lovie Smith and the Bears are coming off a solid preseason where they saw glimpses of what their new QB was capable of. Their first-team offense scored 17 first-half points on both the Giants and Broncos while the defensive starters held their counterparts to only a field goal in each of those contests. 

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After a Zack Bowman interception on the first play from scrimmage, Jay Cutler took the field and handed off to back-up running back Kevin Jones six times, leading to a Robbie Gould field goal. Matt Forte didn't even play. After those first seven plays, it was scrub time.

Continue reading "Bears Answer Few Questions in Victory Over Browns"

;Crybaby Cutler” t-shirts and “There’s no “Jay” in team” signs, Jay Cutler came out and delivered a strong performance against his former team. Fighting a raucous crowd and two near safeties on the first drive, Cutler handled the pressure and led Chicago to seventeen points in the first half, matching the output of the Giants contest.

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