No matter how many INTs he throws, Bears QB isn't going anywhere. Matt Bowen
Twenty-five and counting.
That is the number of interceptions attached to Bears QB Jay Cutler’s name right now. And, I would not be surprised to see Cutler get to 30 by the end of Week 17.
Can we call Cutler a bust in Chicago? Really? Already?
Bears fans, you are stuck with Cutler for now, for the next season and the season beyond that. He isn’t going anywhere, especially after GM Jerry Angelo pulled off the biggest trade in franchise history that has left this Bears team — a team that is full of gaping holes — with an unloaded gun going into this year’s draft as a result of the picks that they had to give up to replace Kyle Orton.
But, was Orton going to win a championship as the Bears QB? Probably not, and the hope behind that trade was that this club could get a franchise QB, one that they could build around for a decade. I remember the day the deal went down. Living here in the city of Chicago, you would have thought that tickets to this year’s Super Bowl had already gone on sale.
In fact, I would say that the deal to bring Cutler to Chicago brought in so much hope, so many expectations, that you would have thought Ditka was back.
However, that was in the spring. And as we sit here today after another Bears beating and yet another awful performance by Cutler, to say that this is what we expected is so far from the truth.
We can go back to the Thursday night game against the Niners, last week’s home contest against the Packers, and again yesterday in one of the worst performances we have seen under Lovie Smith, and argue that Cutler looks almost, well, confused. From a football standpoint, or from the view of analyzing the X’s and O’s of his season, he almost seems to be predetermined when he comes out the huddle — throwing the ball in places on the field that we usually see from a rookie — and a bad rookie at that.
His first pick yesterday, a slant route thrown against 2-Man coverage — where the corner takes away the inside — speaks volumes of where he is right now as a QB. You can’t throw that ball versus that defense. And Jay should know better. But I am wondering how I am going to still defend a QB whom I think has top-ten talent in this league.
Cutler forces passes, he shows us poor technique and he puts so much faith into his right arm that his arrogance on the field is backfiring in the numbers of interceptions he has thrown. Yet, I still like him for some odd reason.
Yes, the Bears have no running game to speak of, their offensive line has major issues, the wide receivers corps looks like the second team in training camp and Lovie Smith’s defense is anything but challenging to offensive coordinators in this league. However, Cutler should still take the heat, should still find a way to produce and should still win games. Because now that he is in Chicago, he is the franchise. Part of the job, you could say.
And Bears fans will have to grow to appreciate that, because whether Ron Turner, QB coach Pep Hamilton or even Lovie Smith ends up taking the fall for this disaster of a football season, Jay isn’t going anywhere. No, he is here to stay in Chicago — and that is the only sure thing for this franchise right now.
Actually, would I even win an argument putting Cutler in the top ten right now?
Doubt it.
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For more on Bears GM Jerry Angelo's comments regarding Lovie Smith, check out this article from Bleacher Report.
It still looks like Cutler doesn't even care when he throws a pick. Guy just chucks it off of his back foot, shrugs his shoulders, and then goes to find his orange hat on the sideline.
Please explain to me where this elite talent around Cutler is? Who is he throwing the ball to? A QB can't do it by himself. Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees - they all have talent around them to help them out. Cutler is trying to make plays because he doesn't have the receivers or OL.
yes, i think the same of him now as before the trade, an overhyped, baby, who never won anything, EVER!
Cutler is the fourth best QB in the NFC North
1. Favre
2. Rodgers
3. Strafford
4. Cutler
This is what you get for a 1st and 3rd in the draft? Joke.
jay cutler can't read an NFL defense to save his life
great thrower, terrible quarterback
It amazes me how so many people make excuses for cutler. He doesn't have the WR, a running game, and offense line etc. Reality check that is part of playing football in the NFL. You deal with the hand your dealt with. What that tells me is that Cutler is only good when he has probowl players around him. The problem with that logic is he had a great offense in Denver and yet he never had a winning season as a starter. Face it he doesnt make the players around him better.
The complete collapse of my beloved Chicago Bears this season has got to fall on Smith's shoulders, even if there are people above him that are more to blame. It is Smith's JOB to get his team ready based on the talent of each player, and to say he's failed miserably would be an understatement.
Cutler can't be blamed for this mess. In fact, it's like we brought him here to kill him. Yeah, I know - he's got some serious issues to overcome, and the interceptions are a symptom of those. But they aren't the problem.
Once we took the game's greatest return man ever and told his 5'8" self that he was a wide receiver, things were on their way downhill. That was a stupid, stupid move, and indicative of the mentality of our coaches.
Lovie Smith, Ron Turner, and Babich all need to be fired at season's end. Period. If as Lovie has said at various press conferences in the past, that the buck stops with him, then it's time to take it away from him and give it to someone else.
Fire Lovie Smith & his coaching staff except Toub. Now. Then get coaches who can address everything from top to bottom, including how to get Cutler back on the track he deserves.
Cutler reminds me of another talented thrower but bad QB. Jeff George. Otherworldly throwing skills but never a good QB.
I don't think Cutler is as talented as George, but he will be given lots of chances to develop because of his throwing talent. I don't see it happening.
Cutler is terrible. The NFL should fine him for driving down the value of the league's marketing appeal every time he takes the field. The only intrigue left in his career is the chase for Favre's interception record.
The problem at this point seems to be, as you note, a complete lack of understanding with respect to what he is seeing from the defense. Either that or he is second-guessing himself on the analytical aspects. Either way, his problem appears to be an innate reckless streak combined with an utter failure of coaching. Even though he wasn't winning a ton of games in Denver the last two years, he was producing and was certainly not turning the ball over like he has this season. Although he has been in the league for three years or so, he is still relatively young, and it appears his confidence is absolutely shattered. Chicago will clearly need to take a different approach with him next year, whether that is a new QB coach or new OC. I have to believe Cutler is still salvagable as a franchise QB, but right now he is a train wreck.
Come on....
Everyone (and I mean everyone) on this website applauded the move to get Cutler. And actually lambasted many of the other teams in the Cutler sweepstakes for not doing more (I think Lombardi critiqued Childress mercilessly about the Vikings going after Favre instead of Cutler).
The error is not in how much Cutler has failed this season, but how much of a pendastal he was put on by this website and many others before the season.
Cutler has never won at any level and while his physical skill might make ex-GM's mouth water, everyone knows there is more to being quarterback than "physical skills". Cutler just lacks something in between his ears and his demeanor.
I think Cutler will get better. And he will probably end up being a good quarterback someday. But the way this website made it out this summer, this was Roethlisberger or Rivers being traded, which was an incorrect assessment of what Cutler is.
there's nothing better than watching the Bears spend top dollar for what turns out to be a gigantic pile of toxic waste.
What's amazing is that they acquire a good back last year and what should be a good back this year and then surround them with the walking dead on the Oline. Orlando Pace can't run block and is barely a speed bump in pass pro.
But don't worry, they'll use their draft picks,....... ooops.
Jay Cutler is not the problem hear,let face it when you don't have a line and no one of substance to throw to no quarterback will help. I don't care if Joe Montana was the quarterback. These receivers don't even finish the routes.The Bears need to address the line first then get a proven receiver a.k.a. Randy Moss Anqian Boldin or even Miles Austin. Trade Devin Hester for any draft pick they can get they have three return guys on the roster know in Manning and Knox. Last but not least fire the entire staff from Angelo on down. Here is my Christmas wish GM Jimmy Johnson coach Bill Cowher and OC Charlie Weiss and DC Ron Rivera and I'll bet yo have a five game swing in the standings at the least. Not going to happen so bring on the Bulls and Cubs so my pain can continue.
Robbie, I feel your pain, which is my pleasure. What I wonder is just how much work Cutler puts in off the field? Does he spend extra time working on routes with receivers? Is he big on film study? I think the Packers' McCarthy felt very comfortable giving the franchise keys to Aaron Rodgers because of Rodgers' study habits as a backup. Rodgers has been even more vocal this year and is definitely the team leader. As a previous poster noted, Cutler seems to amble on the field, toss a pick, amble off to the bench to find his orange hat. He seems to show very little interest in the game.
I forcast tough times ahead for the Bears. Cutler is extremely talented physically but lacking in the intangibles and is not a winner. The Bears have little offensive firepower to support Cutler, an aging offensive line, and a defense that needs upgrades in several areas. Not having a 1st or 2nd round pick in April's draft won't help them to restock the roster either, and unless they're big spenders in free agency I don't see how they can improve much this offseason. Bringing in a new coach might put some energy back into the organization, but it's going to be awhile before the Bears are contenders again.
Da Bears quarterback needs to take care of Da Ball.
He's hyper in terms of competitiveness, to the point he's trying too much.
If the defense was set they could go station to station and be in games with a lot of what is there at skill, but the offensive line needs help.
The entire defense needs help, credit coach Smith for throwing nobody under the bus. If you try everything different you lose identity of who you are. It could probably be said that the current personnel cannot use any one system to win, but if you master nothing it dilutes a team to greater extent.
If you plan on staying, use your system, and the players who become part of it through leans times perhaps develop into team strengths when more help is added. If you have not evaluated those players from trying to do things you would not install then you've just made rebuilding twice as tough a task.
Lovie didn't come out saying "we're rebuilding" to start this thing, he can't do it. He has to stay strong in what he coaches and bring some Bears along until they can step up again. This isn't about the blame game at this time, it's about players making careers out of the sport and finding which ones are in for the long haul.
"Here is my Christmas wish GM Jimmy Johnson coach Bill Cowher and OC Charlie Weiss and DC Ron Rivera and I'll bet yo have a five game swing in the standings at the least."
Ask for a pony while you're at it.
The excuse-making that follows Cutler around is boggling.
Lets be honest, the Chicago Bears not only are not a very good team, they do not have very many good players. No O line, no running game and no wide receivers, you could have Joe Montana back there and things would look pretty much the same.
This Bears team has a bunch of work to do and that is to start bringing in football players. They also need to taylor an offense around Cutler and not try and fit Cutler into their offense. They have the QB, now they need to fill most of the other positions on both sides of the ball because they are lacking.
How could anyone be surprised by this? The year before Cutler takes over in Denver, they are hosting the AFC championship game. The year after he leaves, they're on the cusp of getting a wildcard spot. With Cutler 17-20.
Chicago the year before Cutler arrives: 9-7 (missed playoff by a half game). Record with Cutler (so far): 5-9.
The Broncos were winners immediately before and after Cutler. Losers with him. The Bears were winnners immediately before Cutler. Losers with him.
All the talk about his talent, lack of talent around him, etc: The bottom line is results. Denver and Chicago were playoff caliber teams without him and sub .500 teams with him. Those are the facts. Everything else is just talk.
Sorry folks, but the reality is that if you took that exact same grouping of personnel on the Bears offense and gave them to any of a dozen different quality offensive minds, there would be a latency of 4-6 weeks to get them up to speed in what an actual NFL offense is and from there on out, their output would increase a minimum of 50%, probably more. The problem isn't Cutler, the problem isn't the receivers, the problem isn't the line.
The problem is that Ron Turner is a moron who couldn't design an offense to win the Big Ten or SEC much less professional games. When players consistently fail at the fundamentals of the game, like not running routes correctly and constantly dropping balls, that's coaching. When your line consistently fails to block in both pass pro and run because they are very poor in fundamentals, that's coaching. How many Bears fans even realize that right now, your team has rushed the ball the second fewest times in the league and yet has still managed to put the ball on the ground while the rushing the fifth most times?
@MM
Jeff George? First time I've heard that. Pretty unique thinking there.
I'll take Cutler back in Denver in a heart beat. Again, with Denver, when his D showed up, he had a great record. Give the kid some talent and he'll produce wins. I
Also, QBs should't get bent out of shape about INTs. If they are thinking about the last one, it's going to cause another one. Jamarcus Russel spends a lof his time trying not to throw them and he puts up a nice 4ypa for his effort.
I just think it's funny through all of this that the past few years Bears fans have been calling for Orton's/Grossman's head on a platter, and telling us how great the team would be with a different QB, while now there are so many Cutler apologists for a guy that can't match what Orton/Grossman did with THE SAME PERSONNEL. lol.
You gave up a couple of QB's you HATED for inconsistent play, along with some high draft picks that should cement the Broncos for the foreseeable future, for a QB that is, in fact, giving you much more consistency.lol. Guess you guys should have been asking for consistently GOOD play, not just consistent play.lol.
The Bears may have made the mistake that costs them a decade, kind of like the Vikings did in the eighties, trading the Cowboys multi-championship team to them for Walker, or Ditka trading his entire draft for RIcky Williams. Draft picks are gold, that shouldn't be squandered.
And to think McDaniels preferred someone else....shocking! It amazes me that Cutler had such an ego and wanted out of Denver... Don't you need to be good to have an ego?
As long as the bears have GM Jery Angelo they will remain a bottom 5 team.
Can any of you experts dispute the fact that angelo is terrible at drafting talent and really sucks at bringing in vets who can contribute. Sure -angelo has hit on a late round pick every couple of years-but who hasn't.
Forget the talk of replacing Lovie until you get rid of the mope who assembled this talentless pile of dog shit they call the bears.
Cutler will be OK with the proper coaching. Like that will ever happen under angelos watch.
Go Hawks
I just think it's funny through all of this that the past few years Bears fans have been calling for Orton's/Grossman's head on a platter, and telling us how great the team would be with a different QB, while now there are so many Cutler apologists for a guy that can't match what Orton/Grossman did with THE SAME PERSONNEL. lol.
You gave up a couple of QB's you HATED for inconsistent play, along with some high draft picks that should cement the Broncos for the foreseeable future, for a QB that is, in fact, giving you much more consistency.lol. Guess you guys should have been asking for consistently GOOD play, not just consistent play.lol.
The Bears may have made the mistake that costs them a decade, kind of like the Vikings did in the eighties, trading the Cowboys multi-championship team to them for Walker, or Ditka trading his entire draft for RIcky Williams. Draft picks are gold, that shouldn't be squandered.
"In fact, I would say that the deal to bring Cutler to Chicago brought in so much hope, so many expectations, that you would have thought Ditka was back."
The city of the big shoulders is becoming known for its unfulfilled audacious hopes.
Kevin, I'll modify your NFC North QB rankings a bit:
1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Brett Favre
3. Tavaris Jackson
4. Sage Rosenfels
5. Jay Cutler
6. Matthew Stafford
Jackson has quarterbacked a team that made the playoffs. I'd put Ferotte on this list too if he were still with the Vikings.
Rodgers is definitely ahead of Favre at this stage. Had Favre faced the early season pressure that Rodgers did, the Vikes would be a .500 team and Favre would have a 15-15 TD to INT ratio. Heck, after the Cardinal game Favre admitted he got flustered after getting sacked and tossed a pick right down the middle of the field on the next play because of his flustration.
I wouldn't touch Cutler with a ten-foot pole. Some guys are cancers, and I think he's one. At the most important leadership position, he brings nothing. I doubt he does much work off the field; doesn't inspire anyone on the field. Fortunately, the Bears tossed Cutler that fat extension so they're locked into Double-Chin Jay. The future looks bright...for the Packers!
Let me congratulate all the comments for sticking to sports. The way half of them dumped on Cutler I am surprised he has not been accused of voting for Obama.
Cutler was great in Denver and is now having a little trouble adjusting but I don't think you through him away unless you have zero faith in your football program.
Cutler came in after mini-camp into a new offense, his third OC in three years, two rookie receivers (Bennett didn't play last year) and a converted DB to throw to. He has talent, he NEEDS coaching.
With Cutler set as a fixture in Chicago and Childress' extension in Minnesota, The Packers have a bright future ahead of them.
I've watched Cutler since his college day, and other than his arm, it's hard to see what else anyone sees in him that makes them think he can win a division championship, much less a Super Bowl. Very immature, and shows no signs of growing up...but heck, what does he care...the Bears gave him a nice bank account. IMO, Jay Cuter = Coach Killer.
How come back in the spring no one wondered why Denver was so interested in Cassell and was willing to trade a QB in his prime? Alarm bells should've rung out. Instead Chicago made the trade with not much help coming in the draft any time soon and are now stuck with this headcase. Buyer be ware!
Please!!! Most of you posters want to blame Cutler for the problems going on in Chicago? When your team is built around running the ball and playing "D" why would you even consider throwing the ball as often as the bears do on 1st down. Cutler has been put in too many situations where he has had little opportunity to succeed!!!
The Bears need to get rid of Ron Turner and bring in an OC that realizes the strengths of his team (I do realize that Chicago doesn't have many strengths on offense) and utilize those strengths to their maximum potential!!! Basically, the BEARS NEED TO RUN THE BALL!!! Jay Cutler would have been a Pro Bowl QB this year if the bears would have given the ball to Matt Forte and allowed Cutler to throw the ball in the play action game. Anyone who saw the Bears beat the Vikings knows that the bears dominated the first half because of their ability to run the ball and complete passes through the play action game!!! During the second half they sucked because they went back to running shot-gun on first down when they don't have the players to do that.
Next year the bears will get a new OC and I guarantee they will be playing for a division championship !!! Cutler will also be a PRO BOWL QB!!!
Jay -- It's great that you're optimistic, but where will the Bears get the help they need to contend for a division championship in 2010?
1)Their first pick in the next draft is in the third round. 2)That trademark defense from the Bears' most recent superbowl appearance will be one year older and continuing its steady decline. 3)The Bears are stuck with Cutler. They gave up too much to get him to just ship him off again - and even if they do, who is their QB? It's a shame, but this team needs a wrecking ball taken to it.
It's funny. I listen pretty regularly to 670 The Score and the fellas on that station regularly spew the line, "Well, Cutler didn't just go from being a pro bowl quarterback to being an average or below-average quarterback without some help" ... or something to that effect. If that's the only argument to be satisfied with Cutler, that's pretty weak. Look at this years pro bowl selections. It is a very subjective honor.
Granted, Jay Cutler had a rough year. But I've been a Bears fan for 40+ years and in my opinion he has more raw talent than any other Bears quarterback I've seen. I think that most Bears fans recognize his ability, are still very glad to have him despite this year's performance, will be patient, and expect him to ultimately become a franchise quarterback. He simply needs some good coaching and time to mature. He needs for his talented speed receivers to gain more experience, run more disciplined routes and get in sync with him. Hang in there Jay. You’ll ultimately be one of the great ones! I’ve seen it in you.
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Dec 21, 2009
03:09 PM
Jay can only get better in 2010, right?
Actually wouldn't mind seeing Ditka back on the sidelines soon. But, does the Bear let Lovie walk with $11 mil? No way for the cheap Mccaskeys.