Bears game 4: Sunday 10/2 vs CAR at noon on Fox

[gflore34]

Interesting but critical article by Biggs. At first it seemed like an anti cutler article but it's obvious his main critique is about the man that brought Cutler here.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-1002-jay-cutler-bears-chicago--20111002,0,4295070.story

 

If I was a more superstitious person I would swear that the football gods are dooming the Bears never to be a good passing football team. Seriously, what the hell do we have to do? Besides surround Cutler with sufficient talent and coaching.

 

On a more serious note, however, Cutler hasn't been nearly as bad as that article pretends he's been. He finished off 2009 strong after a horrendous start, had a good year last year, and has so far played alright this year. If people thought he would come here and become elite despite the lack of offensive talent around him then they were simply setting expectations too high. It's true that QBs like Brady and Brees seem to win regardless of their supporting cast, but Cutler isn't Brady or Brees, and he doesn't have to be for it to have been the right move to trade for him. He is still the best Bears QB since Luckman, and there is still plenty of time for him to take it to the next level, but he needs help doing that and right now he's not getting it.

 

Cutler' not to blame at all, when you've got a GM and HC who's idea of an offensive line is to cobble together a bunch of questionable talent, along with poor to average WR's what's left to do? It's like trying to brew a Pilsner with rice and corn instead of barley, you might be able to make the attempt look like a Pilsner but, it never will be a Pilsner. The bigger problem going forward is Angelo and Smith's inability to draft couple this with an aging defense and the days of 2-14 or 3-13 are on the horizon.

[JonJayCutler]

Cutler' not to blame at all, when you've got a GM and HC who's idea of an offensive line is to cobble together a bunch of questionable talent, along with poor to average WR's what's left to do? It's like trying to brew a Pilsner with rice and corn instead of barley, you might be able to make the attempt look like a Pilsner but, it never will be a Pilsner. The bigger problem going forward is Angelo and Smith's inability to draft couple this with an aging defense and the days of 2-14 or 3-13 are on the horizon.

 

Agreed, although barring an injury to Cutler or Forte I don't think we'll ever be that bad...but 5-11, 6-10 could be a reality sooner than we'd all like.

[JonJayCutler]

On second thought, 2-14 and drafting Andrew Luck doesn't sound all that bad to me.

[sneakypower]

what does Cutler need to do then, to deserve any blame? he's supposed to be a franchise QB and he trails McNabb, Dalton, Alex Smith in DVOA and last year wasn't much better, also posting a below-average season behind other QBs who even lost their job due to poor performance

[JonJayCutler]

what does Cutler need to do then, to deserve any blame? he's supposed to be a franchise QB and he trails McNabb, Dalton, Alex Smith in DVOA and last year wasn't much better, also posting a below-average season behind other QBs who even lost their job due to poor performance

 

When he starts becoming the reason we actually lose football games.

[rawaction]

Cutler has been very lackluster. He hasnt been as accurate as he could/should be. But I think 100% of Cutler's problems can be traced back to either the fear of or actually getting hit in the mouth on every play, or the inability of his receivers to create separation consistently. Not saying he would be perfect with the 90s Cowboys OL and the 80s 49ers WRs, but the only time Cutler was protected and had weapons, Cutler threw for 4000 yards.

[JonJayCutler]

Chris Harris out, Wright and Meriweather will be the starting safeties today.

 

Marion Barber will make his Bears debut. Corey Wootton will make his season debut.

[Guest]

That's disappointing. Didn't Harris practice midweek?

[JonJayCutler]

That's disappointing. Didn't Harris practice midweek?

 

Practiced Wednesday but sat out Thursday and Friday, so he probably had a setback. It is a bit worrisome considering Newton leads all QBs in passing plays over 20 yards. If we get vintage Steve Smith today it could be a long afternoon.

[sneakypower]

Cutler has been very lackluster. He hasnt been as accurate as he could/should be. But I think 100% of Cutler's problems can be traced back to either the fear of or actually getting hit in the mouth on every play, or the inability of his receivers to create separation consistently. Not saying he would be perfect with the 90s Cowboys OL and the 80s 49ers WRs, but the only time Cutler was protected and had weapons, Cutler threw for 4000 yards.

the Bears pass blocking has been pretty middle-of-the-pack so far, surprisingly

 

they've allowed QB pressures on 28 of 179 passing snaps so far; compare that to Atlanta who've allowed 53 pressures in 193 passing snaps. if you want to argue that it's residual effects from last year's abysmal OL play, that's a more understandable possibility

[minnesotacubsfan]

Knox will start over Williams, finally.

 

As for Cutler, I would put just about any other QB behind this line and in this system and expect nothing in improvement. DVOA is pointless in this argument.

[UMFan83]

Chris Harris out, Wright and Meriweather will be the starting safeties today.

 

Marion Barber will make his Bears debut. Corey Wootton will make his season debut.

 

Bennett inactive as well.

[rawaction]

Cutler has been very lackluster. He hasnt been as accurate as he could/should be. But I think 100% of Cutler's problems can be traced back to either the fear of or actually getting hit in the mouth on every play, or the inability of his receivers to create separation consistently. Not saying he would be perfect with the 90s Cowboys OL and the 80s 49ers WRs, but the only time Cutler was protected and had weapons, Cutler threw for 4000 yards.

the Bears pass blocking has been pretty middle-of-the-pack so far, surprisingly

 

they've allowed QB pressures on 28 of 179 passing snaps so far; compare that to Atlanta who've allowed 53 pressures in 193 passing snaps. if you want to argue that it's residual effects from last year's abysmal OL play, that's a more understandable possibility

 

Obviously, I'm talking about last year too. But those numbers are misleading. The OL was OK vs. Atlanta. But vs. NO, Cutler got sacked 6 times in 1 1/2 quarters of football (first sack was not until the 3rd quarter). Then he faces GB fresh off that 2nd half and off of last year when the Packers ended his season. Hopefully, he gets some confidence back vs. a Carolina D that should be blockable, but I still fear next time he gets pressure on 2-3 consecutive plays he will get happy feet again and either shutdown (hold onto the ball anticipating the hit) or overthrow like he did last week.

[Magnetic Curses]

anybody got a feed for the game?

[Formerly Snayke]

Knox will start over Williams, finally.

 

As for Cutler, I would put just about any other QB behind this line and in this system and expect nothing in improvement. DVOA is pointless in this argument.

 

Plus One'd.

 

For the second straight year, the Bears have the worst adjusted sack rate. Brady, Brees, Rivers, Stafford and Newton have all attempted more passes than Cutler and their lines have done much better. Blaming Cutler is laughable.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Cutler has been very lackluster. He hasnt been as accurate as he could/should be. But I think 100% of Cutler's problems can be traced back to either the fear of or actually getting hit in the mouth on every play, or the inability of his receivers to create separation consistently. Not saying he would be perfect with the 90s Cowboys OL and the 80s 49ers WRs, but the only time Cutler was protected and had weapons, Cutler threw for 4000 yards.

the Bears pass blocking has been pretty middle-of-the-pack so far, surprisingly

 

they've allowed QB pressures on 28 of 179 passing snaps so far; compare that to Atlanta who've allowed 53 pressures in 193 passing snaps. if you want to argue that it's residual effects from last year's abysmal OL play, that's a more understandable possibility

 

 

 

I didnt miss your post, John Kitna and Bulger? really? Yea, they were both sacked a fair amount (Bulger NEVER as much as Cutler), but even Kitna struggled to 80 QB rating. How are those two successes better the Cutler? They are right in line with what Cutler is doing. Sure, I'd love to see Cutler outplay them both, but I also realize he isnt a god.

[Butterscup1679666578]

anybody got a feed for the game?

 

http://www.firstrowsports.tv/sport/american-football.html

[minnesotacubsfan]

 

 

btw, your FBO boys have Cutler "most similar" to Jim Kelly and Stafford "most similar" to Matt Leinart. Solid analysis.

[sneakypower]

not really my boys, i just cited an objective measure of his performance; i could have similarly used QB rating, PFF's grades, EPA/p to illustrate my point the same

[minnesotacubsfan]

"not really my boys" - comon. You post their stats more then bukie. Not that I disagree with what they provide, they do a good job. but ok. In the end none of that really proves anything other then Cutler is playing the QB position in a Mike Martz offense at about a similar rate as other top tier QBs have in the same system.

 

I dont get the "beyond reproach" thing. If you dont think Bear fans get pissed when Cutler makes an awful throw, you arent paying attention.

Edited October 2, 2011 by minnesotacubsfan

[minnesotacubsfan]

OMG Cutler just helped deliver a BABY DID YOU SEE THAT SNEAKY

[kujay]

Great start.

[rawaction]

Getting nothing up front defensively so far.

[minnesotacubsfan]

man almost a pic

[minnesotacubsfan]

cant tackle today. thats good.