Week 10: Bears @ 49ers (Thurs, 7:20 PM NFLN, WPWR)

[UMFan83]

There were several times last night where Cutler needed to eat the sack. I think the reason he was sacked so few times last year is because he absolutely would rather sling it than take a sack (not to mention a much better offensive line) but he needs to eat it once in awhile. He's like the anti-Rodgers in that regard. If we didn't have to play from behind the sticks so much because the running game was getting stuffed then it wouldn't be as big an issue.

 

That's exactly part of the problem. I would say 2/3rds of his INTs this year have been a direct result of him trying to force something desperately trying to avoid a sack, or desperately trying to get a TD instead of settling for a FG in the Red Zone. He seems like a reasonably smart guy, but when the pressure is on and the ball is in his hands, he completely loses sight on perspective, and fails to assess the risk of his actions. He becomes intent on only one thing: don't get sacked.

[SpongeWorthy]

Maybe he's afraid of contact just like his starting running back and starting wide receivers are.

[jersey cubs fan]

There were several times last night where Cutler needed to eat the sack. I think the reason he was sacked so few times last year is because he absolutely would rather sling it than take a sack (not to mention a much better offensive line) but he needs to eat it once in awhile. He's like the anti-Rodgers in that regard. If we didn't have to play from behind the sticks so much because the running game was getting stuffed then it wouldn't be as big an issue.

 

That's exactly part of the problem. I would say 2/3rds of his INTs this year have been a direct result of him trying to force something desperately trying to avoid a sack, or desperately trying to get a TD instead of settling for a FG in the Red Zone. He seems like a reasonably smart guy, but when the pressure is on and the ball is in his hands, he completely loses sight on perspective, and fails to assess the risk of his actions. He becomes intent on only one thing: don't get sacked.

 

That is a bunch of moronic nonsense. The guy gets hit on nearly every play.

 

Seriously, that is stupid. He has to scramble on nearly every play and they aren't even deep drop backs. Maybe he gets too focused on one thing, "make a big play", but "don't get sacked"? Afraid of contact? He's a risk-taker without any receivers capable of bailing him out or blockers capable of protecting him, not a pansy.

[UMFan83]

Here are his Red Zone INTs this year

 

1. (vs. SF) 2nd and 10 from the 12, :08 left in game, down 4: Cutler throws into coverage trying to make something happen at the end of the game instead of throwing it away and running another play.

2. (vs. SF) 3rd and Goal from the 1, 1st quarter, tied at 0: Cutler under pressure throws the ball inbetween 3 SF defenders, trying to avoid a FG attempt

3. (vs. ATL) 3rd and 9 from the 12, 1st quarter, tied at 0: Cutler under pressure throws the ball right at ATL DB, trying to avoid a FG attempt

4. (vs. SEA) 1st and 10 from the 17, 1st quarter, down 7: Cutler under pressure throws a high pass that is tipped back in the air by Knox and INT

5. (vs. GB) 3rd and Goal from the 8, 2nd quarter, down 3: Cutler throws a check down pass to Forte (my memory is hazy on this one, was it tipped or inaccurate pass or just a good play?), intercepted by DT

 

Interesting to note about this INTs.....all of them were on the road, none of them came with the Bears winning (2 were tied, 3 were behind) and 3 of them were on 3rd down (and another one with the game on the line). To me it seems like a QB who is trying to do too much or force things.

 

I should also mention that there were 3 other instances of Cutler throwing an INT in FG range but not in the Red Zone (by FG range I define it is inside the opponents 33). So that's 24 points Cutler has likely taken away from the Bears this year. No doubt many if not most of those opportunities were given to us by Cutler's ability, but no one is arguing his ability to move the team down the field.

[UMFan83]

There were several times last night where Cutler needed to eat the sack. I think the reason he was sacked so few times last year is because he absolutely would rather sling it than take a sack (not to mention a much better offensive line) but he needs to eat it once in awhile. He's like the anti-Rodgers in that regard. If we didn't have to play from behind the sticks so much because the running game was getting stuffed then it wouldn't be as big an issue.

 

That's exactly part of the problem. I would say 2/3rds of his INTs this year have been a direct result of him trying to force something desperately trying to avoid a sack, or desperately trying to get a TD instead of settling for a FG in the Red Zone. He seems like a reasonably smart guy, but when the pressure is on and the ball is in his hands, he completely loses sight on perspective, and fails to assess the risk of his actions. He becomes intent on only one thing: don't get sacked.

 

That is a bunch of moronic nonsense. The guy gets hit on nearly every play.

 

Seriously, that is stupid. He has to scramble on nearly every play and they aren't even deep drop backs. Maybe he gets too focused on one thing, "make a big play", but "don't get sacked"? Afraid of contact? He's a risk-taker without any receivers capable of bailing him out or blockers capable of protecting him, not a pansy.

 

WTF? I wasn't questioning his toughness..?? I was questioning his ability to avoid the negative consequences of getting sacked (i.e. loss of down, loss of yardage). People have been talking about his inability to accept a sack and move onto the next play since before he got here...

 

And I'm not saying he shouldn't scramble and shouldn't look down field when he is running for his life. That is one of the things that makes him talented. It's when he's heaving it off his back foot into triple coverage, hoping that the WR is reading his mind and keeps breaking in one direction where he gets in trouble. In those situations, especially in the red zone he needs to know to either take the sack, or throw the ball away. Occasionally he will throw one like that and it will work out and everyone will praise him, but if he's scrambling around throwing off his back foot more often than not he's gonna put him team in a tough spot.

Edited November 13, 2009 by UMFan83

[SpongeWorthy]

I was mainly joking around about Cutler being afraid of contact (although I'm completely serious about our receivers and running back being afraid of it, I think it's obvious that they are).

 

He's not a pansy, he's just dumb, a lot.

[Old Style]

Well I feel a little better after looking at the replay and concluding that Cutler couldn't have made the endzone by running, after initially thinking he could have last night.

 

This game was a lot like the GB game. Outplayed the opponent but lost because we beat ourselves. I don't think I've ever seen such a lack of discipline on a football team, and that is all on Lovie. Since draft position doesn't really matter for us, we should just be focused on playing better football and getting on a winning streak so we at least have something good going heading into next year.

 

And I sure hope 49ers fans are being honest with themselves after this game despite the win. They don't have a good football team at all.

 

Plus it's so risky (probably too risky) to run in that situation given the clock.

 

It's a bit risky, but he had enough time to scramble throw the ball, have the ball get intercepted, and have the person who intercepted it dance around a bit before his own teammate tackled him and there was STILL 1 second left on the clock after (I believe the refs just let the clock run out because I distinctly remember seeing 0:01 on the clock immediately after the play when the SF players were celebrating).

 

Also, it would have been risky to run but less risky than trying to fit a ball through 2-3 SF defenders. Also, the one of the replays showed Bennett standing there at the goal line facing Cutler with a defender about 2 feet to his left. Now I can't tell if theres a defender to his right as well, but Cutler could have easily thrown the ball to his right and hit Bennett for a TD IMO. I have seen a couple of people bring this up in the press.

 

But the least risky thing he could have and should have done was throw the ball away and take one last shot at a play. He still had plenty of time to do that. People are making it seem like it was the very last play of the game but it wasn't.

Wasn't there a timeout left, too?

[UMFan83]

Well I feel a little better after looking at the replay and concluding that Cutler couldn't have made the endzone by running, after initially thinking he could have last night.

 

This game was a lot like the GB game. Outplayed the opponent but lost because we beat ourselves. I don't think I've ever seen such a lack of discipline on a football team, and that is all on Lovie. Since draft position doesn't really matter for us, we should just be focused on playing better football and getting on a winning streak so we at least have something good going heading into next year.

 

And I sure hope 49ers fans are being honest with themselves after this game despite the win. They don't have a good football team at all.

 

Plus it's so risky (probably too risky) to run in that situation given the clock.

 

It's a bit risky, but he had enough time to scramble throw the ball, have the ball get intercepted, and have the person who intercepted it dance around a bit before his own teammate tackled him and there was STILL 1 second left on the clock after (I believe the refs just let the clock run out because I distinctly remember seeing 0:01 on the clock immediately after the play when the SF players were celebrating).

 

Also, it would have been risky to run but less risky than trying to fit a ball through 2-3 SF defenders. Also, the one of the replays showed Bennett standing there at the goal line facing Cutler with a defender about 2 feet to his left. Now I can't tell if theres a defender to his right as well, but Cutler could have easily thrown the ball to his right and hit Bennett for a TD IMO. I have seen a couple of people bring this up in the press.

 

But the least risky thing he could have and should have done was throw the ball away and take one last shot at a play. He still had plenty of time to do that. People are making it seem like it was the very last play of the game but it wasn't.

Wasn't there a timeout left, too?

 

Yeah of course. If we didn't have that timeout, I wouldn't at all have been advocating scrambling to the end zone on that last play. With the time out there was plenty of time to scramble get stopped short and all a time out. Even if he gains 5 yards, there are probably a lot more plays you can try running from the 7 yard line vs. the 12.

[JonJayCutler]

Also, the one of the replays showed Bennett standing there at the goal line facing Cutler with a defender about 2 feet to his left. Now I can't tell if theres a defender to his right as well, but Cutler could have easily thrown the ball to his right and hit Bennett for a TD IMO. I have seen a couple of people bring this up in the press.

 

I saw this too, but it pretty much would have taken a perfect across-the-body throw to a very small target. Unlikely, but it would have had a better chance than where Cutler ended up throwing it.

[cubbyvirus00]

The bigger question: Is Jay Cutler the 2nd coming of Jeff George?

[JonJayCutler]

Well I feel a little better after looking at the replay and concluding that Cutler couldn't have made the endzone by running, after initially thinking he could have last night.

 

This game was a lot like the GB game. Outplayed the opponent but lost because we beat ourselves. I don't think I've ever seen such a lack of discipline on a football team, and that is all on Lovie. Since draft position doesn't really matter for us, we should just be focused on playing better football and getting on a winning streak so we at least have something good going heading into next year.

 

And I sure hope 49ers fans are being honest with themselves after this game despite the win. They don't have a good football team at all.

 

Plus it's so risky (probably too risky) to run in that situation given the clock.

 

It's a bit risky, but he had enough time to scramble throw the ball, have the ball get intercepted, and have the person who intercepted it dance around a bit before his own teammate tackled him and there was STILL 1 second left on the clock after (I believe the refs just let the clock run out because I distinctly remember seeing 0:01 on the clock immediately after the play when the SF players were celebrating).

 

Also, it would have been risky to run but less risky than trying to fit a ball through 2-3 SF defenders. Also, the one of the replays showed Bennett standing there at the goal line facing Cutler with a defender about 2 feet to his left. Now I can't tell if theres a defender to his right as well, but Cutler could have easily thrown the ball to his right and hit Bennett for a TD IMO. I have seen a couple of people bring this up in the press.

 

But the least risky thing he could have and should have done was throw the ball away and take one last shot at a play. He still had plenty of time to do that. People are making it seem like it was the very last play of the game but it wasn't.

Wasn't there a timeout left, too?

 

Yeah of course. If we didn't have that timeout, I wouldn't at all have been advocating scrambling to the end zone on that last play. With the time out there was plenty of time to scramble get stopped short and all a time out. Even if he gains 5 yards, there are probably a lot more plays you can try running from the 7 yard line vs. the 12.

 

I'm not sure if there would have been time left or not. Cutler threw the ball from the 16 yard line with 4 seconds remaining. By the time he takes off running, is tackled, and calls a timeout, there either would have been zero or MAYBE one second left on the clock. Would have been very close. Oh well, they lost. Can't do anything except for move onto Week 11.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah of course. If we didn't have that timeout, I wouldn't at all have been advocating scrambling to the end zone on that last play. With the time out there was plenty of time to scramble get stopped short and all a time out. Even if he gains 5 yards, there are probably a lot more plays you can try running from the 7 yard line vs. the 12.

 

Actually, the closer they get the fewer options they have to run. They were pressuring the QB with 4 guys leaving 7 defenders to cover a fairly tight field. He needed to just throw that out of bounds or very high where only Olsen could catch it.

[UMFan83]

Yeah of course. If we didn't have that timeout, I wouldn't at all have been advocating scrambling to the end zone on that last play. With the time out there was plenty of time to scramble get stopped short and all a time out. Even if he gains 5 yards, there are probably a lot more plays you can try running from the 7 yard line vs. the 12.

 

Actually, the closer they get the fewer options they have to run. They were pressuring the QB with 4 guys leaving 7 defenders to cover a fairly tight field. He needed to just throw that out of bounds or very high where only Olsen could catch it.

 

True. I was thinking more in terms of the fact that with the Bears crappy o-line they could use different routes like slant routes and stuff without having to worry about the pressure getting to Cutler before his receivers could run 12 yards. I didn't think about the fact that they were only rushing 4. That said, even rushing 4 constantly gives the Bears o-line problems. But then again if the pass rush breaks down with only 4 rushing, they are in big trouble regardless and Cutler probably still makes an idiotic throw so...

[Guest]

So the only way the Bears can improve the line is through free agency and there just isn't that much out there this offseason - there's Marcus McNeil, Logan Mankins and Jahri Evans.

[Soul]

So the only way the Bears can improve the line is through free agency and there just isn't that much out there this offseason - there's Marcus McNeil, Logan Mankins and Jahri Evans.

 

Of course not. That's the way it always goes, doesn't it?

[UMFan83]

So the only way the Bears can improve the line is through free agency and there just isn't that much out there this offseason - there's Marcus McNeil, Logan Mankins and Jahri Evans.

 

I'd love Logan Mankins, but I don't think the Pats will let him walk...then again Bill B likes to dump players about to get a payday and assume he'll replace them in the draft.

 

Maybe we can take an O-lineman with every pick we have left in the draft and hope one actually works and then replace everything else in FA.

 

I'm pretty sure the Bears are still quite a bit under the cap right? I remember people complaining about that in the offseason.

 

Edit: Oh...the Bears are roughly $8 million under the cap right now (I think) but none of that matters once the season is over...the cap will go up, many players will be cut and released or leave as FAs and we'll probably have enough to buy a player or two should they want to go that route.

 

Double Edit: Crap...I forgot there are still rumors of a capless season next year. I can't imagine how that will impact the offseason

Edited November 13, 2009 by UMFan83

[dew1679666265]

Yeah of course. If we didn't have that timeout, I wouldn't at all have been advocating scrambling to the end zone on that last play. With the time out there was plenty of time to scramble get stopped short and all a time out. Even if he gains 5 yards, there are probably a lot more plays you can try running from the 7 yard line vs. the 12.

 

Actually, the closer they get the fewer options they have to run. They were pressuring the QB with 4 guys leaving 7 defenders to cover a fairly tight field. He needed to just throw that out of bounds or very high where only Olsen could catch it.

 

True. I was thinking more in terms of the fact that with the Bears crappy o-line they could use different routes like slant routes and stuff without having to worry about the pressure getting to Cutler before his receivers could run 12 yards. I didn't think about the fact that they were only rushing 4. That said, even rushing 4 constantly gives the Bears o-line problems. But then again if the pass rush breaks down with only 4 rushing, they are in big trouble regardless and Cutler probably still makes an idiotic throw so...

 

Also, the closer you are to the end zone, the more guys the defense can bring on a blitz. Less ground for the DBs to cover, etc.

[Butterscup1679666578]

This is the bottom line on Cutler. He's going to throw a lot of picks. That's the type of QB he is. He's extremely confident in his arm, to the point where he thinks he can make any throw. We all know this. I don't think this is ever going to change. He's not the type of QB you can throw 35-40+ times with, because he'll throw a ton of picks. However, we're kind of stuck right now. Cutler is 7-13 in his career when he throws 35+ passes (1-5 this year). Without a decent running game, we're being forced to throw a ton, because you can't run the ball three times for two yards per carry and then punt the ball every drive. I have no problem putting a lot of the blame on Cutler, but this is exactly the type of QB he is, and he would limit his picks greatly with a competent running game.

[UMFan83]

I think the 35+ pass statistic is misleading because the types of situations you are throwing 35+ times are typically times when you are behind and have abandoned the run game. There's no doubt that Cutler is a much better QB than his numbers have shown...this is sort of a worst case scenario for him with inexperienced receivers, no running game, no pass rush and a bad defense that constantly puts his team behind. The fact that before yesterday his numbers looked somewhat decent is a credit to his talent. I don't think Tom Brady would have a good season with this type of team behind him.

 

But all that doesn't mean that he's not doing the same dumb things he's done his entire career and needs to improve as a QB.

[cubbyvirus00]

Can it be said he still has time to develop and grow? He's 25-26 years old, in his forth year.

[Soul]

I think the 35+ pass statistic is misleading because the types of situations you are throwing 35+ times are typically times when you are behind and have abandoned the run game. There's no doubt that Cutler is a much better QB than his numbers have shown...this is sort of a worst case scenario for him with inexperienced receivers, no running game, no pass rush and a bad defense that constantly puts his team behind. The fact that before yesterday his numbers looked somewhat decent is a credit to his talent. I don't think Tom Brady would have a good season with this type of team behind him.

 

But all that doesn't mean that he's not doing the same dumb things he's done his entire career and needs to improve as a QB.

 

If he does need to work on anything, I'm not sure he'll receive the coaching support that he might need.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Can it be said he still has time to develop and grow? He's 25-26 years old, in his forth year.

 

Absolutely.

[Guest]

So the only way the Bears can improve the line is through free agency and there just isn't that much out there this offseason - there's Marcus McNeil, Logan Mankins and Jahri Evans.

 

I'd love Logan Mankins, but I don't think the Pats will let him walk...then again Bill B likes to dump players about to get a payday and assume he'll replace them in the draft.

 

Maybe we can take an O-lineman with every pick we have left in the draft and hope one actually works and then replace everything else in FA.

 

I'm pretty sure the Bears are still quite a bit under the cap right? I remember people complaining about that in the offseason.

 

Edit: Oh...the Bears are roughly $8 million under the cap right now (I think) but none of that matters once the season is over...the cap will go up, many players will be cut and released or leave as FAs and we'll probably have enough to buy a player or two should they want to go that route.

 

Double Edit: Crap...I forgot there are still rumors of a capless season next year. I can't imagine how that will impact the offseason

 

Actually, I think Mankins is the most likely of the 3 to leave. In fact, I doubt Evans will get a chance to go anywhere. Ditto McNeil.

[Sammy Sofa]

Can it be said he still has time to develop and grow? He's 25-26 years old, in his forth year.

 

It would be rather stupid and worrisome to be able to conclude otherwise.

[CubbieBum]

Can it be said he still has time to develop and grow? He's 25-26 years old, in his forth year.

 

Absolutely.

 

He could learn but its not like he is a first year starter. He's been starting for three seasons now. I think eventually he will learn that taking a sack is better sometimes. He also doesn't seem to open to be criticized. I hope he works out because I'm more of a fan of his than not.