Week 15: Bears (7-6) @ Browns (4-9) Noon, FOX

[UMFan83]

Browns currently favored by 2.5 points.

[ctcf]

Whaaaaaaaaat

[RynoRules]

We've been shitty on the road. They've been covering at home.

[rawaction]

God, I think I'm starting to drink the Kool Aid. At some point, the Bears gotta go with the hot hand. What if Cutler comes back and there is an offensive dropoff (due to rust or mistakes made in a more open offense)? The offense can't afford to miss a beat, as the defense isn't good enough for this team to win if they don't hit their average of 28 ppg.

 

Not really worried about Cutler not being able to move the ball. Moreso about turnovers. I'm convinced Jay has the same yardage or better than McCown the last few weeks. But he almost certainly has more turnovers (though McCown has been extremely lucky several of his passes haven't been picked off).

 

The Bears say they haven't decided on Cutler's future, but how could they have not? If you are even leaning toward NOT bringing Cutler back, then you might as well stick with McCown. If you're the other way, Jay has to be back in there when able.

[ctcf]

So say the Bears decide to let Cutler walk and put that money elsewhere in the team. Do you see them trading up to get a QB in the draft?

[jersey cubs fan]

So say the Bears decide to let Cutler walk and put that money elsewhere in the team. Do you see them trading up to get a QB in the draft?

 

No.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

So say the Bears decide to let Cutler walk and put that money elsewhere in the team. Do you see them trading up to get a QB in the draft?

 

That would seem to defeat the point. Go with a lesser QB to spread the depth around, then hurt your depth by trading up.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I will say this: I don't think Cutler is an ideal fit at this point. I've always thought of him as a QB who could do an elite job at overcoming a bad offense. Having an actually good offense doesn't mesh perfectly with his strengths.

 

But it's not like there's an infinite number of QBs out there and you can always just go find the one that fits you perfectly.

[USSoccer]

You can always put McCown back in if Cutler is ineffective. Which he won't be. And re: turnovers, McCown, in the last 2 weeks, committed a terrible turnover in Minnesota late (and couldn't get a 3rd down conversion to save his life), and had 3 INTs dropped/called back by penalites last night by an absolutely pathetic Dallas defense.

 

When the field gets compact, McCown doesn't have the arm strength to make the necessary throws. And average-and-above defenses aren't going to leave our wideouts uncovered in the end zone like Dallas did.

 

If anyone on the staff really thinks the Bears can sneak in and make a run, you need Cutler back in there. And against Cleveland is the perfect game to let him shake the rust off.

[rawaction]

So say the Bears decide to let Cutler walk and put that money elsewhere in the team. Do you see them trading up to get a QB in the draft?

 

That's the thing, I've been very pro keeping Cutler (still am) not only because I think he's a good QB, but the alternatives aren't nearly as good, and I don't think you can conceivably put that money elsewhere and have it be of better use. It's not like you're going to find a 5-10mil/year QB that's going to have similar production. Sure you can sign 2 stud defensive players for 17 mil or whatever, but that's not going to make the defense good enough to combat the likely decline in offense.

 

As for trading up for a QB, I don't think that happens. Their draft board is going to be the same with or without Cutler. If you're desperate enough to trade up for a QB, then you keep the QB you already have. No reason to put yourself in that situation.

[jersey cubs fan]

When Jay is ready to dress for the game, are you going to have him sit on the sidelines and wait for McCown to revert or get hurt?

 

Are you going to prevent him from dressing to avoid the "he's been demoted" controversy?

 

If the decision has been made to let him walk, resign McCown and draft a new guy, then you have to activate Cutler as the backup eventually.

[rawaction]

You can always put McCown back in if Cutler is ineffective. Which he won't be. And re: turnovers, McCown, in the last 2 weeks, committed a terrible turnover in Minnesota late (and couldn't get a 3rd down conversion to save his life), and had 3 INTs dropped/called back by penalites last night by an absolutely pathetic Dallas defense.

 

When the field gets compact, McCown doesn't have the arm strength to make the necessary throws. And average-and-above defenses aren't going to leave our wideouts uncovered in the end zone like Dallas did.

 

If anyone on the staff really thinks the Bears can sneak in and make a run, you need Cutler back in there. And against Cleveland is the perfect game to let him shake the rust off.

 

Cleveland has a pretty good pass defense (9th in the league). And I don't think the Bears will be able to take Cutler out if he's ineffective. Not an ego thing, but simply because you have to win out to get in. Messing around at QB is a good way to lose. The right choice has to be made at the start of the game.

 

Oh and I agree, Cutler struggling isn't likely in this offense. He didn't struggle when he was healthy. And worst case, you give him the easy throws McCown has had and he does similar.

[jersey cubs fan]

I will say this: I don't think Cutler is an ideal fit at this point. I've always thought of him as a QB who could do an elite job at overcoming a bad offense. Having an actually good offense doesn't mesh perfectly with his strengths.

 

I'm sure that makes sense in your head somewhere.

[rawaction]

When Jay is ready to dress for the game, are you going to have him sit on the sidelines and wait for McCown to revert or get hurt?

 

Are you going to prevent him from dressing to avoid the "he's been demoted" controversy?

 

If the decision has been made to let him walk, resign McCown and draft a new guy, then you have to activate Cutler as the backup eventually.

 

Not necessarily. It's late enough in the season that you can IR him and spin it as him not able to get back to 100% if he's indeed lost his job and has no future with the team.

[jersey cubs fan]

When Jay is ready to dress for the game, are you going to have him sit on the sidelines and wait for McCown to revert or get hurt?

 

Are you going to prevent him from dressing to avoid the "he's been demoted" controversy?

 

If the decision has been made to let him walk, resign McCown and draft a new guy, then you have to activate Cutler as the backup eventually.

 

Not necessarily. It's late enough in the season that you can IR him and spin it as him not able to get back to 100% if he's indeed lost his job and has no future with the team.

 

But then you are choosing avoidance of controversy over giving your team the best chance to win. Cutler is going to be healthy enough to return at some point this regular season. And he clearly provides an upgrade to Palmer. McCown already has a near concussion from last night and has had a few "Cutler is irresponsible" moments when running the ball.

[USSoccer]

You can always put McCown back in if Cutler is ineffective. Which he won't be. And re: turnovers, McCown, in the last 2 weeks, committed a terrible turnover in Minnesota late (and couldn't get a 3rd down conversion to save his life), and had 3 INTs dropped/called back by penalites last night by an absolutely pathetic Dallas defense.

 

When the field gets compact, McCown doesn't have the arm strength to make the necessary throws. And average-and-above defenses aren't going to leave our wideouts uncovered in the end zone like Dallas did.

 

If anyone on the staff really thinks the Bears can sneak in and make a run, you need Cutler back in there. And against Cleveland is the perfect game to let him shake the rust off.

 

Cleveland has a pretty good pass defense (9th in the league). And I don't think the Bears will be able to take Cutler out if he's ineffective. Not an ego thing, but simply because you have to win out to get in. Messing around at QB is a good way to lose. The right choice has to be made at the start of the game.

 

Oh and I agree, Cutler struggling isn't likely in this offense. He didn't struggle when he was healthy. And worst case, you give him the easy throws McCown has had and he does similar.

 

I don't even see why this is an issue. One of the quarterbacks is more talented than the other, and the offense was productive with him. It's not like Cutler can't make those throws, and if turnovers are the issue....look at his INTs this year. The @Detroit game was the only one with picks that were idiotic throws. The others were all tipped or bobbled by a wideout.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I will say this: I don't think Cutler is an ideal fit at this point. I've always thought of him as a QB who could do an elite job at overcoming a bad offense. Having an actually good offense doesn't mesh perfectly with his strengths.

 

I'm sure that makes sense in your head somewhere.

 

Cutler's strengths: Squeezing balls in when WRs fail to create separation, improvising under pressure. Good WRs and a good offensive line makes both of those less necessary. Not unnecessary, but less necessary.

[UMFan83]

I will say this: I don't think Cutler is an ideal fit at this point. I've always thought of him as a QB who could do an elite job at overcoming a bad offense. Having an actually good offense doesn't mesh perfectly with his strengths.

 

But it's not like there's an infinite number of QBs out there and you can always just go find the one that fits you perfectly.

 

The Bears had the 24th best offensive DVOA last year, 30th in 2011, 28th in 2010, 28th in 2009. Even with bad pieces, that doesn't strike me as doing an elite job with a bad offense.

[Old Style]

Must win game.

[UMFan83]

Looking at Bears individual statistical performances and their ranking in the NFL:

 

Cutler/McCown:

64.7 completion percentage (would be 7th in the NFL)

3,715 yards (would be 6th in the NFL)

26 TD (would be T-5th in the NFL)

9 INT

98.3 Rating (would be T-8th in the NFL)

 

Total QBR: McCown - 85.7 (1st), Cutler 63.2 (10th). McCown's Total QBR is the 4th best of any qualified QB in the 8 years ESPN has tracked it. Only 2006 Manning, 2007 Brady and 2011 Rodgers had higher ones.

 

Projections over a full 16 game season:

4,556 yards, 32 TD, 11 INT

 

Forte:

1,073 yards (4th in NFL)

4.6 YPC (T-8th among RBs with at least 90 carries)

7 TD (T-6th in NFL)

58 rushing 1st downs (3rd in NFL)

 

Projections over a full 16 game season:

1,321 yards, 80 catches, 638 yards receiving, 11 total TDs (9 rushing, 2 passing)

 

Marshall:

84 catches (4th in NFL)

1,090 yards (8th in NFL)

9 TDs (9th in NFL)

 

Projections over 16 game season:

103 catches, 1,342 yards, 11 TD

 

Jeffery:

75 catches (T-7th in NFL)

1,193 yards (5th in NFL)

6 TD (T-22nd in NFL)

 

Projections:

92 catches, 1,468 yards, 7 TD

[sneakypower]

http://i.imgur.com/DColmcD.png

[Guest]

@ESPNChiBears #Bears vs. #Eagles on Dec. 22 has been flexed to Sunday night.

[jersey cubs fan]

@ESPNChiBears #Bears vs. #Eagles on Dec. 22 has been flexed to Sunday night.

 

 

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

 

 

My wife got me tickets.

[UMFan83]

@ESPNChiBears #Bears vs. #Eagles on Dec. 22 has been flexed to Sunday night.

 

Interesting. There's some good games they are skipping over, but I'm guessing they want a game that's more likely to effect both teams chances of making the playoffs.

 

It seems almost certain that either Eagles-Cowboys or Bears-Packers will be flexed in Week 17 so one of these 2 teams will get 2 SNF games in a row.

[Guest]

@ESPNChiBears #Bears vs. #Eagles on Dec. 22 has been flexed to Sunday night.

 

Interesting. There's some good games they are skipping over, but I'm guessing they want a game that's more likely to effect both teams chances of making the playoffs.

 

It seems almost certain that either Eagles-Cowboys or Bears-Packers will be flexed in Week 17 so one of these 2 teams will get 2 SNF games in a row.

 

Plus Bears/Eagles should be entertaining because shootout.