Change of plan: Bears sign QB Todd Collins

BearMarket - take a deep breath - it's going to be OK - well maybe, Collins is like my age, as we both hold AARP cards, so it's best this guy's not really needed - can he play, well maybe - does he know Martz's system, yeah somewhat familiar as played with him as an OC at one time if not mistaken - is he the type of QB that Martz likes, oh yeah, well except for that "retired" part, because as we all know Martz and QB protection is a joke - no wonder everyone from Green, Huard, to McCown said thanks but no thanks, and McCown is really somewhat telling - he's not that old, and for him to say eh, no thanks tells you what you need to know - the Martz system is a QB killer - just look at Bulger, hopefully he can find himself again with the Ravens as at one time he was one heckuva QB...it's always the same w/Martz, everyone's lovey dovey to start, oh yeah, we're gonna light up the scoreboard and be the toast of the town, then after a few games when the QB is limping around like a guy with Parkinsons after three games of being lit up and realizing he's toast, then the second guessing, the recriminations, and Martz is yet again down the road & this tiime of course he'll be taking Lovie with him as it was Lovie's ONLY option at OC this offseason - nobody else would even interview let alone take the job...

Todd Collins? That's the best we can get? Best fit? It's gonna be a long year if they are gonna continue with this OL. Man, they are bad. 4 sacks from a Kamron Wmbley?? Are you kidding me? I know, its preseason but 4 sacks??? Teams are going to tee off on this OL all year long.

Two games into preseason it is not Mike Martz who is getting Cutler blown up, it's the OL. But they have enough learning material from the last game to learn from. Ha!

Matrix, I am taking a deep breath because I don't it's settled on the OL. In his post game interviews Olin Kreutz was pissed - at himself and his linemates. Both he and Cutler are excellent leaders. They don't make excuses and they don't throw anyone under the bus. They just wear it. But man they have a lot of work to do to get ready for Deeptroit. Cutler can take a licking and keep on ticking but enough is enough.

The guy is the key to the season, If he goes down, well, at least if it's a game or two Collins gives us a chance to keep rolling. But which direction are we rolling - front or back? No one can say but we know where the stepping up has to come. WRs were flying open against Oakland.

Seven step drops killing Commodore Cutler? Shit, he could barely take three and on the TD pass that guy was on him like white on rice.

Cutler, an excellent leader? Whining, self-absorbed, cocky Jay Cutler?

Clearly we are watching different Chicago teams.

BearMarket wrote: "Seven step drops killing Commodore Cutler? Shit, he could barely take three and on the TD pass that guy was on him like white on rice."

Yeah - and as you may or may not know, Martz's system does not use a moving pocket - which as with Elway is to Cutlers strenghts - Martz system utilizes the "no audible" allowed rule, play-the-play, 5 & 7 step drops, line blocking only, read the coverage, and oh - nevermind the truck that just hit you, hold the ball until the receivers are at their spots and release - this year could end badly, very badly for the Prez, and personally love Cutler, his skill set and who he is as an NFL QB; however, he orchestrated this situation, and he's going to have to live with it - at least for this year...the Bears offense will look very good at times, when they play a defense that neither has the personnel or the scheme to blitz effectively; however, they're going to get hammered within their own division by the Lions D-line, and any team that is committed to the blitz...this could really get ugly - yet still believe the donkeys will finish worse than the Bears this year if it's any consolation BearMarket - they look horrific in their run game, and not getting adequate pressure from the D-line, a few nice pressures from their OLB's will make the loss of Dumerville less devastating - yet who knows, neither the donkeys or Bears IMO will be contenders for much of anything except prime daft position this year...

Bears fan here. I think it is premature that we dismiss Mike Martz. He was criticized as a head coach. It was said that he was only an offensive coordinator, his title with the Bears. He turned the RAMS into the greatest show on turf. Kurt Warner (grocer), Marshall Faulk (traded malcontented superstar), Isaac Bruce (productive anonymity) and first round pick Tory Holt (at time a potential dime a dozen receiver) are all hall of famers elevated by Martz's version of the Air Coryell offense. Obviously, the key is the offensive line. The problem lies with Jerry Angelo and his inability to address this position adequately. He is inept. However, if Matt Forte and Chester Taylor are able to impact the game even a portion of Marshall Faulk or even Gary Anderson (80's Chargers), we will win games. Todd Collins effectively led the Washington Redskins to the playoffs a few years ago. He is adequate. In this offense, the quarterback needs a certain comfort level. He has that comfort. I think we may need him for a game or two. No protection may force him to play. Impressed with Hanie though. Forte and, to a lesser degree,Taylor will have to protect him with blocks, good downs and distances, receiving and draws. Olsen will play the role of Marshall Faulk in the passing game. I feel funny about this season. There are some good teams in our division. Alot of question marks too on our team. By nature, I am an optimist. Go Bears !

Matrix, Martz might not use the rollout - though he will if he thinks he needs to - but that doesn't mean the Commodore has to be a statue.

Martz will utilize all the strengths of his players. He's not one dimensional. Just like the myth that he won't use the TE the idea that Cutler must stand there and not use his great ability to buy time to make plays. And Cutler said in his post game that the WRs have specific responsibilities if they see him move. His is to keep the play alive, theirs is to go to spots and get open.

Jeez, if this guy is really an offensive genius, and I think he is, I think he'll be flexible.

I don't want to go into all the crap about how McHoodie mishandled the Cutler situation.

But to JouneyMan, yeah, I'll stand by what I said. I dont' care how you perceived him in DonkeyTown. I know what I've seen last year and this year and the guy is the furthest thing from whining and self-absorbed. He's been a standup guy much loved by his teammates.

Who the frig cares about his smirks and smiles? When he takes a big hit and pops up, when you takes the blame for a pick after the game, when he doesn't point fingers but just wears it - sounds like a leader to me.

Much loved by his team mates? Don't know about that one Bear Market...

....time to trade Olson for a bag of balls, this guy continues to underwhelm!

Lwood, do you live in ChiTown? Are you a Bears fan? If you are, we can talk. If you're not, if you don't follow the team, if you don't read the papers and listen to talk radio, then you really don't know what you're talking about.

What I am telling is the truth. Re Olson, he's not going anywhere. He caught one 15+ yd pass, blocked down on Hester's end around and because Culter was pressured had a sure TD go off his fingertips.

I cannot wait until the Bears begin lighting up scoreboards. Well, if the OL can keep the Commodore upright. There's no problem with Cutler. He's got it all.