2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[JonJayCutler]

Wow that is ridiculous. Talk about picking and choosing which stats to use. Using W/L records when for the most part each team's defense has been on the opposite ends of the spectrum (except for recently). He doesn't throw in the fact that Cutler's career QB rating (87.1) is substantially better than Orton's (71.1) or Grossman's (70.2). I know QB rating can be a deceiving stat, but not anymore than W/L. And say he throws for 1,000 more yards, its going to make a huge difference in field position and more importantly field goals for who I think is one of the best kickers in football. At least one of the most accurate.

 

Then he throws in the fact that Cutler was the offensive leader for a team that blew the division lead. Kind of hard to win when your defense gives up 112 total points in the last three weeks including 52 in the final game of the season. I'm more worried about not having any established WRs than I am about Cutler at this point. I hope whoever said that the QB makes the WRs is correct.

[Magnetic Curses]

Comparing them because they tend to turn the ball over is not an awful idea, however, they are still different in that regard. Cutler will take chances that result in turnovers. Grossman will close his eyes and throw the ball straight up in the air while falling backward. Grossman wasn't so much taking risks as he was throwing it away.

 

Cutler has the skill to make his chances pay off occasionally. Grossman relies almost entirely on prayer. :)

 

it's not really that. it's that grossman is so unconfident in the pocket that he tends to rush his throws. cutler has more confidence and can move around, but likes to throw back across the field, which he CAN do as well as anybody in the game, but when you do that, you tend to throw more picks.

 

cutler int% isn't anything concerning, it was basically the same exact int% as orton has in his career. and orton only got 2 reads and knew who he was throwing to before the snap and generally threw it quickly before the defense had a chance tor eact.

[rawaction]

I pointed out right after the trade that a large portion of Cutler's INTs (7 of the 18, I believe) came with his team down by over 16 or down in the 4th quarter. I think it was a clear case of him trying to do too much. That's not to say he won't do that this year, but the Bears should do a much better job of NOT getting his offense behind by 2 scores.

 

After mid-2006, Grossman was turned into a game managing QB and still threw bad INTs. He never had the same type of INTs Cutler has had.

[Banedon]

http://espn.go.com/chicago/columns/blog?post=4321301&name=dickerson

 

Greg Olsen talks about the WR's, and also Urlacher...which I thought was exciting...

 

Switching to the defensive side of the ball, Olsen marveled at Brian Urlacher's offseason, saying he anticipates a big year out of the middle linebacker.

 

"I think he's trying to show people he can get back into his true mold," Olsen said. "He wasn't coming off any injuries this year, you know he had the neck and the back and I think that set him back in his offseason training, but I think he's back in his old mold. He's bigger, he's stronger, he looks like he's 25 again. I think he's going to go back to being the dominant force that he was for us, and I think that people are going to be real excited to see him this year."

 

Man I hope he's right. I admit I'm skeptical though.

[Soul]

I love how he heaps losing the division lead on Cutler, ignoring the lack of defense and no running game - a recipe for disaster in any event, but especially for teams who play outdoors in winter-weather cities.

 

The Bears are obviously superior in both those categories, which accounts for the disparity in "QB records" (something which, when used in a published article, should automatically disqualify you from being able to apply the word "scientist" to your title), yet he never mentions this.

 

Then he complains that someone called him an idiot. What do you expect?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The question on Urlacher is... is he rededicated?

[Soul]

Olsen seems to think so.

 

I like to wait until the season starts. The level of dedication is often influenced by how a guy feels after a few nights in the hot tub after having been pummeled for 60 minutes.

[SpongeWorthy]

Here's another look at Cutler v. Rex v. Orton: http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/jay-cutler-vs-kyle-orton-vs-rex.html

[Banedon]

Here's another look at Cutler v. Rex v. Orton: http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/jay-cutler-vs-kyle-orton-vs-rex.html

 

Thanks for that. A lot more meaningful analysis than what Joyner came up with.

[rawaction]

http://espn.go.com/chicago/columns/blog?post=4321301&name=dickerson

 

Greg Olsen talks about the WR's, and also Urlacher...which I thought was exciting...

 

Switching to the defensive side of the ball, Olsen marveled at Brian Urlacher's offseason, saying he anticipates a big year out of the middle linebacker.

 

"I think he's trying to show people he can get back into his true mold," Olsen said. "He wasn't coming off any injuries this year, you know he had the neck and the back and I think that set him back in his offseason training, but I think he's back in his old mold. He's bigger, he's stronger, he looks like he's 25 again. I think he's going to go back to being the dominant force that he was for us, and I think that people are going to be real excited to see him this year."

 

Man I hope he's right. I admit I'm skeptical though.

 

Happened w/ Ray Lewis, about the same point in his career. He went from a good young LB to the best LB in his prime. He then fell off for a year or two, then went back to one of the best in the league.

 

Hopefully, Urlacher can follow that path.

[rawaction]

I love how he heaps losing the division lead on Cutler, ignoring the lack of defense and no running game - a recipe for disaster in any event, but especially for teams who play outdoors in winter-weather cities.

 

This is a huge misconception. Cutler had a pretty decent running game last year. They were 12th in the league with 1862 rushing yards (more than teams like the Bears, Steelers, and Jags who most consider big run 1st teams). Their 4.8 ypc was tied w/ Carolina for the best in the league. They didnt' have anyone over 350 yards, but whoever they plugged in ran the ball very well behind what was an OL that is better than what the Bears have for 2009.

[Soul]

I love how he heaps losing the division lead on Cutler, ignoring the lack of defense and no running game - a recipe for disaster in any event, but especially for teams who play outdoors in winter-weather cities.

 

This is a huge misconception. Cutler had a pretty decent running game last year. They were 12th in the league with 1862 rushing yards (more than teams like the Bears, Steelers, and Jags who most consider big run 1st teams). Their 4.8 ypc was tied w/ Carolina for the best in the league. They didnt' have anyone over 350 yards, but whoever they plugged in ran the ball very well behind what was an OL that is better than what the Bears have for 2009.

 

After looking at it, you are right, I fell victim to the misperception. They did, however, have a poor defense, and poor special teams according to the rankings I saw. I'm not going to say the Bears are this great incredible team over the Broncos in everything, but we *should* be better on defense, and I would be surprised if our special teams don't deliver better field position on the whole.

 

Again, none of these factors are even taken into account by the scientist.

[rawaction]

I love how he heaps losing the division lead on Cutler, ignoring the lack of defense and no running game - a recipe for disaster in any event, but especially for teams who play outdoors in winter-weather cities.

 

This is a huge misconception. Cutler had a pretty decent running game last year. They were 12th in the league with 1862 rushing yards (more than teams like the Bears, Steelers, and Jags who most consider big run 1st teams). Their 4.8 ypc was tied w/ Carolina for the best in the league. They didnt' have anyone over 350 yards, but whoever they plugged in ran the ball very well behind what was an OL that is better than what the Bears have for 2009.

 

After looking at it, you are right, I fell victim to the misperception. They did, however, have a poor defense, and poor special teams according to the rankings I saw. I'm not going to say the Bears are this great incredible team over the Broncos in everything, but we *should* be better on defense, and I would be surprised if our special teams don't deliver better field position on the whole.

 

Again, none of these factors are even taken into account by the scientist.

 

Despite being 2nd in the league in total yards, the Broncos were 16th in points scored (less than Bears). Their defense though may have been the worst in the league though as they forced a league low 13 turnovers, 9 fewer than anyone other than Jacksonville! Allow the 4th most yards without taking the ball away from the other team is a recipe for disaster.

 

The Bears had better be a ton better than that defensively.

[Soul]

I'm worried about our defense, still.

 

I don't think we'll be Broncos bad, but it's the same lineup that blew those 4th quarter leads last year. That hurt. Bad. That challenged my faith as a Bear fan. We don't do that.

[Banedon]

I'm worried about our defense, still.

 

I don't think we'll be Broncos bad, but it's the same lineup that blew those 4th quarter leads last year. That hurt. Bad. That challenged my faith as a Bear fan. We don't do that.

 

I was just coming here to make fun of Pete Prisco on Sportsline for saying something similar...

 

Playoff chances: So-so. Cutler doesn't play defense and the Bears couldn't defend the pass last season. That remains a worry. Expect shootouts.

 

I really think that having the offense on the field more, and give the defense more time off (and not asking them to carry the team and do the bulk of the scoring) will help the defense...not to mention Lovie doing the play calling.

[Soul]

I'm worried about our defense, still.

 

I don't think we'll be Broncos bad, but it's the same lineup that blew those 4th quarter leads last year. That hurt. Bad. That challenged my faith as a Bear fan. We don't do that.

 

I was just coming here to make fun of Pete Prisco on Sportsline for saying something similar...

 

Playoff chances: So-so. Cutler doesn't play defense and the Bears couldn't defend the pass last season. That remains a worry. Expect shootouts.

 

I really think that having the offense on the field more, and give the defense more time off (and not asking them to carry the team and do the bulk of the scoring) will help the defense...not to mention Lovie doing the play calling.

 

I'm not saying expect shootouts though. I'm saying that those 4th quarter blown leads were disheartening, and it's going to be mostly the same people on the field. Hopefully the change in coaching will help, but I'm still worried about it.

[David]

I could see all three units being top 10 units. That should be enough to be a very very good team.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm worried about our defense, still.

 

I don't think we'll be Broncos bad, but it's the same lineup that blew those 4th quarter leads last year. That hurt. Bad. That challenged my faith as a Bear fan. We don't do that.

 

I was just coming here to make fun of Pete Prisco on Sportsline for saying something similar...

 

Playoff chances: So-so. Cutler doesn't play defense and the Bears couldn't defend the pass last season. That remains a worry. Expect shootouts.

 

I really think that having the offense on the field more, and give the defense more time off (and not asking them to carry the team and do the bulk of the scoring) will help the defense...not to mention Lovie doing the play calling.

 

I'm not saying expect shootouts though. I'm saying that those 4th quarter blown leads were disheartening, and it's going to be mostly the same people on the field. Hopefully the change in coaching will help, but I'm still worried about it.

 

The blown leads were as much a result of an offense that couldn't get a big lead in the first place, or add to the lead throughout the game. Instead they'd give it right back. The defense would generally play well for their first 30 minutes on the field, but it was when the opposition started getting TOP past the 30 minute mark that they did much of their damage. This is not the elite defense that could nearly win games entirely on its own. But they are good enough to team with an above average offense to win the majority of their games.

[cubweiser03]

Despite being 2nd in the league in total yards, the Broncos were 16th in points scored (less than Bears). Their defense though may have been the worst in the league though as they forced a league low 13 turnovers, 9 fewer than anyone other than Jacksonville! Allow the 4th most yards without taking the ball away from the other team is a recipe for disaster.

 

The Bears had better be a ton better than that defensively.

 

Hmmm, interesting. The Bears scored more points despite being outgained by the Broncos by 100 yards a game, damn. The Bears had 32 TO's to Denvers's 13, meaning they flipped the field 19 more times. If the Bears can continue to get turnovers (history suggest they will be one of the better teams in the league) maybe this year they will have an offense that can take advantage of the shorter fields and REALLY make the other team pay for its mistakes. This is just turnovers, the Bears defense last year gave up 40 less yards, an improvement or even equal there again means less yards for Cutler to hit the endzone. Cutler is going to see a lot shorter fields than last year.

[Soul]

I could see all three units being top 10 units. That should be enough to be a very very good team.

 

If that happens start planning your playoff parties.

[David]

I could see all three units being top 10 units. That should be enough to be a very very good team.

 

If that happens start planning your playoff parties.

 

 

That's pretty much what I expect to be doing.

[rawaction]

Bears were dead even in points allowed 1st and 2nd half. Of course, a lot of that was due to them sleeping thru a 23 pt 1st half vs. Detroit. But the Min, Ten, Car, and Hou losses were clear cases of an offense that couldn't sustain 2nd half drives, keeping the D on the field too long.

 

I think that's Cutler's biggest plus. His abilities will allow the Bears to convert more on 3rd to stay on the field, and will open up the playcalling to the point where 3rd and 6 isn't an automatic run or 2-yard pass.

[Soul]

Bears were dead even in points allowed 1st and 2nd half. Of course, a lot of that was due to them sleeping thru a 23 pt 1st half vs. Detroit. But the Min, Ten, Car, and Hou losses were clear cases of an offense that couldn't sustain 2nd half drives, keeping the D on the field too long.

 

I think that's Cutler's biggest plus. His abilities will allow the Bears to convert more on 3rd to stay on the field, and will open up the playcalling to the point where 3rd and 6 isn't an automatic run or 2-yard pass.

 

No argument with what you say, except:

 

All this stuff about the defense being so tired. They're too tired, can't get it done. This was never an acceptable excuse before. If they get too tired, then that also means they aren't as good.

 

They used to get it done IN SPITE OF being too tired.

[Banedon]

Bears were dead even in points allowed 1st and 2nd half. Of course, a lot of that was due to them sleeping thru a 23 pt 1st half vs. Detroit. But the Min, Ten, Car, and Hou losses were clear cases of an offense that couldn't sustain 2nd half drives, keeping the D on the field too long.

 

I think that's Cutler's biggest plus. His abilities will allow the Bears to convert more on 3rd to stay on the field, and will open up the playcalling to the point where 3rd and 6 isn't an automatic run or 2-yard pass.

 

No argument with what you say, except:

 

All this stuff about the defense being so tired. They're too tired, can't get it done. This was never an acceptable excuse before. If they get too tired, then that also means they aren't as good.

 

They used to get it done IN SPITE OF being too tired.

 

They got older, and beat up. I mean come on...the D carried this team during the Super Bowl run, and the best parts of the last 9 years or so at a minimum. Now the defensive stars have aged and dealt with injuries, and really we haven't had any new young defensive stars emerge. Some nice players, but Briggs and Harris are really the youngest "stars" that we have on defense. I don't think it's a problem to admit that they might just not be up the task of carrying the team at this point the way they have in the past, and that Cutler helping bring a better offense into town will help mitigate that.

[Magnetic Curses]

Bears were dead even in points allowed 1st and 2nd half. Of course, a lot of that was due to them sleeping thru a 23 pt 1st half vs. Detroit. But the Min, Ten, Car, and Hou losses were clear cases of an offense that couldn't sustain 2nd half drives, keeping the D on the field too long.

 

I think that's Cutler's biggest plus. His abilities will allow the Bears to convert more on 3rd to stay on the field, and will open up the playcalling to the point where 3rd and 6 isn't an automatic run or 2-yard pass.

 

No argument with what you say, except:

 

All this stuff about the defense being so tired. They're too tired, can't get it done. This was never an acceptable excuse before. If they get too tired, then that also means they aren't as good.

 

They used to get it done IN SPITE OF being too tired.

 

it is an acceptable excuse because performace deteriorates the longer a defense spends on the field, no matter who the players are.