UMFan83

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I can't find the stat to back it up, but I heard last night that not only is Cutler leading the NFL in INTs in the Red Zone over the last 2 years (9), but the next closest person has less than half that many (4). That seems unbelievable to me. Also, Cutler was fined 20k for his "abuse against officials" in the Arizona game. He must have really verbally abused them because Tommie Harris was only fined 7,500 for punching another player.

Lovie keeps saying that there's a lot of football left to be played.....is that a threat??

why so the Broncos can get a top 8 pick and laugh in our faces?

Okay, maybe not indefensible, but I'm just really beside myself about losing that game in that fashion. That said, Olsen didn't seem to be looking for the ball at all and hence I thought it was indefensible. Indefensible may have been a bit of an over-reaction. it wasn't the last play of the game though. And he had a to he could have scrambled and maybe he gets in. He also would have had better odds throwing to Bennett who was in his field of vision and more open than where he threw it.

Cutler has opened up a 4 INT lead on Delhomme for best in the league

Wow you are such a genius.

How is that one not Cutler's fault? 5 INTs in the red zone this year

Fitting....4-5

Cutler to Olsen plz

I bet they review this

3 plays left they say....I think that's about right.

As soo as the 49ers get pressure Cutler will throw it away

I thought for sure that was another hold and was about to laugh hysterically

It is messed up...I think it's 2nd and 32 actually.

The Moneyball guy plays football too?

6 plays ran so far on this drive and we are 5 yards behind where we started the drive.

Literally a flag on every play and 75% are against the Bears.

4-5 Edit: Or not yet

Figures...yet another penalty.