ARI ATL BAL BUF CAR CHI CIN CLE DAL DEN DET GB HOU IND JAX KC MIA MIN NE NO NYG NYJ OAK PHI PIT SD SEA SF STL TB TEN WAS
QB RB WR TE PK | All Non-IDP | DT DE DL ILB OLB LB CB S DB | All the news | FBG News Blogger Archive
News Items Powered By: 
Bears | Cutler fined Fri Nov 13, 01:30 PM
ESPN.com reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler was fined $20,000 Friday, Nov. 13, for abusive conduct toward an official during the team's game against the Arizona Cardinals Nov. 8.
Link to storyJay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler throws five INTs Week 10 Fri Nov 13, 12:43 AM
The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler was 29-for-52 for 307 yards with a career-high five interceptions Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers. Cutler has thrown four or more interceptions in a game twice this season, and he currently leads the league with 17 interceptions this year. He is the first Bears quarterback since QB Billy Wade in 1962 to have two games with four or more interceptions.
| Our view: Cutler threw two red zone picks, including one in the end zone to end the game. Cutler also threw a pick that happened because Devin Hester feel in his route, and another one when the umpire got in Hester's way, so it wasn't quite as bad as it looks. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler plays well in Week 9 Sun Nov 8, 05:26 PM
The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler went 29-for-47 for 369 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in Week 9.
| Our view: Cutler was effective and got the Bears back to within 34-21 with momentum, but threw an untimely interception to end the Bears hopes. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Offensive line gives up four sacks Week 8 Mon Nov 2, 02:21 AM
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bear QB Jay Cutler was sacked a season-high four times and hit seven times Week 8 by the Cleveland Browns.
| Our view: The Browns were able to get to Jay Cutler at will sometimes, and bloodied his chin along the way. The pressure was part of the reason why Cutler failed to throw a touchdown against the Browns. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler pressured Week 8 Sun Nov 1, 05:27 PM
The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler went 17-for-30 for 225 yards and one interception in Week 8. He was pressured throughout the game and was sacked a season-high four times.
Jay Cutler player page Bears | Cutler struggles with 2 TD deficits late Thu Oct 29, 10:13 AM
Dam Pompei, of the Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler has not won any of the 11 games in his career when his team was down by at least 14 points entering the fourth quarter.
| Our view: Too often Jay Cutler forces the football into coverage because he has ultimate confidence in his arm. However, there were times in Denver - and now times in Chicago - when Jay needs to be more patient and take what the defense gives him. He is a gunslinger by nature, but so far that playing style hasn't led to any big comeback wins. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler throws three picks Week 7 Sun Oct 25, 07:58 PM
The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler was 26-for-37 for 251 yards with a touchdown pass and three interceptions Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
| Our view: As Broncos fans learned, Cutler tends to take risks and throw more picks than a QB of his ability should throw, and in this game, that tendency put the Bears in a big early hole. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler not worried about Forte Wed Oct 21, 09:28 AM
ESPNChicago.com reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler said Tuesday, Oct. 20, that he is not concerned with RB Matt Forte's struggles so far this season. Forte has just 294 yards rushing, including a 121-yard effort versus the Detroit Lions. Cutler said Forte and the offense must adapt to defenses who are taking away the deep pass and focusing on the run. 'We're not seeing a lot of Cover 2 yet which is understandable,' Cutler said. 'People are going to do different stuff against us and take some stuff away outside and make us try to run it. We're seeing some crazy looks. We've seen a lot of safety blitzes, we're seeing a lot of corner blitzes, we're seeing a wide array of stuff which is pretty typical early in the year.'
Link to storyJay Cutler player page
Matt Forte player page
Bears | Cutler agrees to extension Wed Oct 21, 09:17 AM
John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Chicago Bears and QB Jay Cutler agreed to a two-year extension that will keep Cutler with the team through 2013, and a source confirmed it will pay him $30 million in new money. Under terms of the deal, Cutler will receive $20 million in guarantees, the source confirmed.
Link to storyJay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler turning ball over in red zone Tue Oct 20, 09:37 PM
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler has thrown three of his seven interceptions this year while inside the red zone. Head coach Lovie Smith said, "We can't have those interceptions down there. Jay realizes that, but was trying to make a play."
| Our view: Ask the Broncos about this. Cutler was not put in the greatest positions by his defense last year, but there were several instances throughout the season where he paid back the favor with an untimely turnover. Too often Cutler tries to make a big play when nothing is there. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler agrees to two-year contract extension Tue Oct 20, 09:12 PM
Jason La Canfora, of the NFL Network, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler has agreed to a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through 2013. The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money and roughly $30 million in new money.
Link to storyJay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler throws for 300 yards Week 6 Mon Oct 19, 12:22 AM
The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler was 27-for-43 for 300 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons.
| Our view: The Falcons made a point to stop Matt Forte on the ground, so the Bears had to take to the air in order to move the ball. Cutler was also the Bears leading rusher on the day, gaining 34 yards on three carries. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Extension for Cutler not a priority Thu Oct 8, 10:07 AM
Jeff Dickerson, of ESPNChicago.com, reports Chicago Bears president Ted Phillips said during a radio interview that there is no sense of urgency to sign QB Jay Cutler to a contract extension at this time.
| Our view: Phillips said they will get a deal done with Cutler at the right time. He didn't indicate if that would be during the regular season, or after the season is over. The Bears are more than happy with Jay Cutler as their quarterback, and we don't see a new contract being a problem. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler throws three TD passes Week 3 Mon Sep 28, 12:48 AM
The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler was 21-for-27 for 247 yards with three touchdown passes and one interception against the Seattle Seahawks Week 3.
| Our view: Cutler started slow against Seattle, but finished hot and rallied the Bears to a victory on Sunday. The chemistry with his receiving corps is coming around, and Cutler should start to feel more confident with his new team every week. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler throws two TD passes Week 2 Sun Sep 20, 10:58 PM
The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler was 27-for-38 for 236 yards with two touchdowns Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
| Our view: Cutler was under a ton of pressure from the Steelers (of course), but he made some nice plays on the move and generally showed great touch and accuracy in less than ideal conditions. Johnny Knox is also emerging as a weapon, and Greg Olsen made some plays today, so Cutler's targets aren't looking as weak and thin as they did going into the season. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Martz and Mora Sr. down on Cutler Tue Sep 15, 02:38 PM
Brad Biggs, from the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Mike Martz, a close friend to Bears head coach Lovie Smith who lobbied hard for him to get a head coaching job, has piled on the Bears new quarterback - Jay Cutler. Martz and Jim Mora Sr. made pointed remarks about Cutler's postgame press conference Sunday night at Lambeau Field after he threw a career-high four interceptions in a 21-15 loss to the Green Bay Packers. "When I saw that postgame press conference last night, I thought he looked completely immature,'' Mora said on the premier of The Head Coaches on NFL Network Monday night. "He acted like he didn't even care." What's much more disturbing from the Bears' standpoint, however, is the criticism that came from Martz, who suggests the team is not handling him properly. "He just doesn't get it,'' Martz said. "He doesn't understand that he represents a great head coach and the rest of those players on that team ... somebody needs to talk to him."
| Our view: The Bears stalled in the redzone, going 0-3 when they neared paydirt. At the post game press conference Cutler strung together a series of cliches and said miscommunication was partly to blame for the poor performance. Somewhere Broncos fans are smiling with this news, but the reality is Jay Cutler needs to be more accountable. The shoving, whining, and deflecting of blame aren't making him look any better in the eyes of his coaches, teammates, or fans. Defenses are going to be fired up to frustrate Jay Cutler, and with Brian Urlacher out - more of the pressure is going to be on the quarterback's shoulders. An oh yeah, the Bears have the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers coming to town this week. Good luck with that Cutler. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler throws four picks Week 1 Mon Sep 14, 12:41 AM
The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler was 17-for-36 for 277 yards with a touchdown pass and four interceptions during the team's Week 1 game.
| Our view: The Packers and Bears have the longest running rivalry in NFL history, and this is a very bad way for Cutler to start off as the Bears starting quarterback. The Packers defense, led by Dom Capers, switched to a 3-4 scheme and they were bringing pressure from all over the field. Cutler was confused, harassed, and hurried most of the night which led to his poor performance. Somewhere Broncos fans are smiling. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Olsen has become Cutler's best friend Sun Sep 6, 12:41 PM
Dan Arkush, of Pro Football Weekly, reports that Chicago TE Greg Olsen has become QB Jay Cutler's best friend on the team, just as TE Tony Scheffler was in Denver. A team insider told Arkush, "Cutler has bent over backward to speak positively about every one of his receivers, but it's become obvious Olsen is the guy he has the most faith in. I said at the start of the offseason that I thought he had a good chance to catch 80 balls this season with Cutler throwing to him (Olsen had 54 catches, the most among Bears receivers, last season), and I still feel that way."
| Our view: The news about Olsen and Cutler having a connection has been steady and strong throughout the offseason and preseason. If you are going to target a TE in the 6-8 range instead of waiting for the last of the 11 viable TEs to harvest the most value, Olsen should be your target. He has the potential to put up top 3-5 numbers at his position this year. |
Greg Olsen player page
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler throws TD pass Sunday Mon Aug 31, 12:15 AM
The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler was 15-for-21 for 144 yards with a touchdown pass during the team's preseason game Sunday, Aug. 30.
| Our view: Cutler and the Bears were triumphant in his return to Denver. Some described the game as one of the most intense preseason games they've ever seen. Cutler was very effective and played under control, despite being bombarded with one of the chilliest receptions a player has ever had returning to the home of his former team. This will go a long way towards establishing him as one of the leaders of the Bears on and off the field. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler shines in win over Giants Sun Aug 23, 10:48 PM
SeattlePI.com reports Jay Cutler was impressive in his Soldier Field debut, as the Chicago Bears made short work of the depleted New York Giants, 17-3, in Week 2 preseason action. Cutler went 8-for-13 for 121 yards and a touchdown over three series for Chicago. Caleb Hanie went 10-of-18 for 120 yards in relief of Cutler. Matt Forte totaled 58 yards and a score on nine touches, while Earl Bennett garnered 42 yards on two grabs.
Link to storyJay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler rebounds in second preseason game Sun Aug 23, 06:19 AM
Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler had a better second showing during the preseason Saturday, Aug. 22, as he went 8-of-13 for 121 yards with a touchdown pass.
| Our view: Just like Kyle Orton, Jay Cutler looked much more comfortable in the offense in his second preseason game. Next week he travels back to Denver to play the Broncos at Invesco Field, and he'll be out to prove that letting him go was the biggest mistake the Broncos have made in recent history. Well, that and drafting Maurice Clarett. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler's leadership ability in question? Sun Aug 16, 08:31 PM
Brad Biggs, from the Chicago Sun Times, reports Tony Dungy and Mike Ditka have questioned the leadership ability of Jay Cutler, and the quarterback made the point worth pondering again in post-game remarks. Cutler was asked an innocuous question about what happened on the interception by Leodis McKelvin on an underthrown. Cutler appeared to throw off his back foot, and he pretty much implicated wide receiver Devin Hester. "Devin is more of a go-get it guy, he is not really a back shoulder or jump up and get it [guy],'' Cutler said. "You learn from it. We made some mistakes. It's the first preseason game. Luckily enough, we have some time to correct them and keep going."
| Our view: Bears fans will need to get used to this. Cutler has a very strong arm, perhaps the strongest in the league, and he sometimes relies on it too much when a play doesn't go as planned. Had Cutler set his feet on that throw (or at least had better form) he would not have underthrown the pass. Sometimes it's best just to throw the ball away, rather than take a sack or throw an interception. However, Cutler is supremely confident that his arm can make any throw - from any position, so chances are he'll launch one down field trying to make something happen if a play breaks down. |
Devin Hester player page
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler struggles in preseason debut Sun Aug 16, 01:55 AM
The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler, making his preseason debut with the Bears, was inconsistent Saturday, Aug. 15, against the Buffalo Bills. Cutler went 5-of-10 passing for 64 yards with an interception, which came on a poorly under thrown pass. He almost threw another interception, but the defensive back dropped the ball. Cutler said it is too early to panic and he feels fine. He also noted starting RB Matt Forte and starting TE Greg Olsen were rested.
| Our view: Cutler didn't exactly show leadership when he blamed Devin Hester for an interception even though he threw the ball off of his back foot. At least Denver fans can take solace in the fact that Cutler didn't look that much better than Kyle Orton. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler would like say in final roster Thu Aug 13, 11:27 AM
Bob LeGere, of the Daily Herald, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler said he would like to have input on which players make the final roster. 'I think they're definitely going to ask me. If they don't ask me, I'm going to tell them what I think because I've got to be the one throwing to them on game day, and I've got to trust them. But [offensive coordinator Ron Turner] and I have been on the same page since the start of training camp in what guys we wanted to see working in with me and what guys have stepped up and what direction we want to go with this group,' Cutler said.
| Our view: Pretty bold statement by Cutler. The Bears can't rebuke him publicly without risking a problem, but we find it hard to believe that they're ok with the starting QB asserting a right to have a voice in personnel decisions. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Try Wildcat formation Sunday Sun Aug 2, 08:52 PM
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears tried using the Wildcat formation for one play during practice Sunday, Aug. 2. WR Devin Hester lined up at quarterback with QB Jay Cutler lined up at wide receiver.
| Our view: The Wildcat offense is all the rage in the NFL, so it's not surprising the Bears would practice a new wrinkle in their offense. Cutler is more athletic than some defenders realize so it's possible he may actually get a target or two this year because he could make something happen after the catch in the open field. |
Devin Hester player page
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler and Olsen have instant chemistry Fri Jul 31, 08:14 PM
Vaughn McClure, from the Chicago Tribune, reports Jay Cutler obviously has a chemistry with Greg Olsen. The two have connected on some outstanding plays, including Olsen stretching for one on the sideline in front of Kevin Payne.
| Our view: One of Cutler's favorite targets in Denver was TE Tony Scheffler (and he was Jay's best friend on the team) so it makes a lot of sense that he would befriend Olsen both on and off the field. Instead of checking down all day to Matt Forte (like Kyle Orton did) Jay Cutler should challenge the defense deep and Olsen could be in line for the best season of his career. |
Greg Olsen player page
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Smith says nothing wrong between Cutler, Urlacher Thu Jul 30, 04:02 PM
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith said there is no issue between QB Jay Cutler and LB Brian Urlacher after talking to both players.
| Our view: Urlacher has already stated there's no truth to the rumors, but this story won't go away as the Bears start training camp. Some speculate that Urlacher is jealous because he's no longer considered the leader of the team. It's been proven time and time again that teammates don't need to get along to be successful - especially when they're on opposite sides of the ball. By the time the regular season starts this story will be a non-issue. |
Brian Urlacher player page
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Urlacher calls Cutler a bad word? Wed Jul 29, 07:39 PM
Vaughn McClure, of the Chicago Tribune, reports that Minnesota WR Bobby Wade said that Chicago LB Brian Urlacher called new Bears QB Jay Cutler "soft, but only in harsher terms" in an interview with KFAN.
| Our view: Wade is trying to create dissension among the ranks in the Bears, and it probably won't work, but it's worth a shot. Maybe Wade was missing the distraction around his own team now that Brett Favre has re-re-re-retired, and he felt the need to create one for a division rival. |
Brian Urlacher player page
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Offense built around Olsen? Tue Jul 21, 07:27 PM
John Czarnecki, of FoxSports.com, predicts that "the Bears win with this summer's rebuilt offense around Greg Olsen, actually a tight end who will emerge as Cutler's top receiving option while doubling his production from 2008."
| Our view: That would give Olsen an absurd line of 108/1148/10, but he could be a lot closer to that line than last year's 54/574/5. Olsen can likely be had out of the top six TEs in most every league, and he's another reason to wait on TE in your draft. |
Greg Olsen player page
Jay Cutler player page
Broncos | Lynch critical of Cutler trade Sat Jul 18, 08:14 AM
ESPNChicago.com reports former NFL S John Lynch told a Chicago radio station that the Denver Broncos erred in trading QB Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears this offseason. 'This is a guy, in my mind, that's a once-in-every-15-year-type talent. He's got that kind of skill,' Lynch said. 'I think he'll grow into the other things. I sometimes think during this whole ordeal, they tried to paint him as a bad guy, but he's not a bad guy at all. He's got some growing up to do, but hopefully he learned something from this whole ordeal and offseason.'
| Our view: Everyone's got a strong opinion about this deal, and it seems like the prevalent one is that the Bears got the best of the Broncos in the trade. If Kyle Orton can execute Josh McDaniels system true to its design, people will be singing a different tune in a few months. |
John Lynch player page
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Waiting on a new deal for Cutler could only be more expensive Wed Jul 15, 12:02 AM
Brad Biggs, of The Chicago Sun-Times, reports the longer the Chicago Bears wait to rework the contract of QB Jay Cutler, the more expensive it may be for them. The Bears have more than $17.5 million in salary cap room available at this time, and signing Cutler to a new deal now would allow them to apply a portion of it to this year's salary cap. Cutler is under contract through 2011, but has a $12 million roster bonus due in his final year of the deal. The Bears are already committed to him long term after giving up a lot to acquire him, so tacking on more years to the deal now makes sense. If they wait and other quarterbacks receive new deals, it could only push the price up. Furthermore, if they go into 2009 with his current deal in place and are successful, his asking price could go up, too.
| Our view: The Bears are probably waiting to see how Cutler performs this year before they break the bank to secure him for the long haul, but as Biggs points out, they'll pay a price for the extra time to make up their mind. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler going out of his way to get #23 the football Mon Jul 13, 06:43 PM
In an interview on our podcast, The Audible, John Crist from Bear Report Magazine and BearReport.com stated that during the OTAs new QB Jay Cutler was going out of his way to get Devin Hester the football.
| Our view: Jay Cutler is a smart QB, so it's not surprising that he's finding different ways to get Devin Hester the football. Crist noted that it wasn't a "frick and frack" thing like Cutler had with Brandon Marshall. Too often Cutler would force the ball to Marshall when the play broke down instead of scanning the field for other options. In Bears minicamp Cutler has done a good job throwing to all of his targets and may have learned from his time in Denver that you can't just force the ball to one guy. |
Link to message board thread
Devin Hester player page
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler saying and doing right things in the media Sun Jul 12, 07:05 PM
Dan Arkush, of Pro Football Weekly, reports that Bears QB Jay Cutler continues to say and do all the right things in the media, from saying the team still belongs to the veteran leaders like Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, and Olin Kreutz, to saying he wants to prove himself on the field before he starts taking local endorsements.
| Our view: Cutler had a bit of PR mess to clean up in Denver after the way he left town, and it's clear that he understands that being a QB is more than just what happens between the numbers, or even what happens with the team. Chicago is a city that defies its sports heroes, and if Cutler plays it right, he could be embraced and put on a pedestal, too. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler has offense down Tue Jul 7, 11:35 PM
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler has worked very hard in the classroom this offseason to pick up the team's system. Not only has he been able to grasp it, he is also able to execute the offense on the field. Some of the verbiage and reads in the offense are the same as they were with the Denver Broncos, allowing him to pick things up quicker. Quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton has been impressed with his arm strength.
Link to storyJay Cutler player page
Bears | Looking to work the deep passing game? Tue Jul 7, 11:34 PM
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears QBs coach Pep Hamilton said he wouldn't be surprised to see the team try to utilize QB Jay Cutler's strong arm and WR Devin Hester's game-breaking speed together this season by trying to get Hester behind the secondary on deep routes.
Link to storyDevin Hester player page
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | C. Bailey has high praise for Cutler Tue Jul 7, 11:17 AM
Vaughn McClure, of the Chicago Tribune, reports Denver Broncos CB Champ Bailey said during a Chicago radio interview that he believes Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler has the ability to be the NFL's top quarterback. 'Well he's definitely in the top 10 as far as what he's done to this point,'' Bailey said. 'Now where he can be, he can be the best in the game, he has that ability. The guy is very smart, very sharp, a good arm; he has all the stuff you'd want. He reminds me of a Marino, Elway type of guy, and he's going to be a great winner for them. It's unfortunate for us that we had to lose a guy like that, but we've got to move on, we've got some quality guys back there that can definitely get the job done so we've just got to go out and handle business as necessary.'
Link to storyChamp Bailey player page
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Run/pass ratio won't be dramatically different with Cutler Mon Jul 6, 07:25 PM
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports that the Bears offensive run/pass ratio should not change dramatically from the 54/46 (pass/run) ratio they had last year, even though they have improved at QB with the addition of Jay Cutler.
| Our view: Cutler benefited from a pass heavy game plan in Denver last year. He shouldn't be counted on to reproduce his 2008 numbers this year. It's not a good idea to take him as one of the first 8-9 QBs off the board in your fantasy draft. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler turning down endorsement deals Mon Jul 6, 03:16 PM
Bob LeGere, of The Daily Herald, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler has been offered several endorsement deals but has turned them down because he has not played for the Bears yet. 'With all the excitement that's happened so far, there have been a lot of endorsement opportunities. But I've kind of steered clear of those because I haven't even stepped on the field yet. I'm trying to take care of that before I step into that (other) realm,' Cutler said.
Jay Cutler player page Bears | Cutler to get new contract? Sat Jul 4, 09:54 AM
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears will look to get a long-term contract done with QB Jay Cutler, perhaps during the upcoming season.
| Our view: They will likely need to make a move in October, in order to take advantage of cap room and apply money to this season. Although Cutler has three more seasons under contract, he has a $12 million roster bonus in 2012 that the team would probably like to avoid. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Looking for Cutler to improve play of wide receivers Wed Jun 24, 12:23 AM
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler said after the team's final OTA that he is 100 percent comfortable with the wide receivers the Bears have on roster. 'We're good to go,' Cutler noted. He went on to say he feels the Bears have more than enough talent to compete. The Bears are looking for Cutler to raise the level of play of the wide receivers. 'You don't win because of wide receivers. You don't win because of running backs. You win because of the quarterback,' general manager Jerry Angelo said.
| Our view: Angelo is hoping Cutler can reproduce the results he had in Denver, when a fourth round pick (Brandon Marshall) and second round pick (Eddie Royal) became one of the most productive receiver tandems in the NFL. A lot of people are looking for Cutler's college teammate Earl Bennett to raise his level of play, but keep an eye on rookies Johnny Knox and Juaquin Iglesias, who both got a ton of praise for their performances in OTAs. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler has spoken with Marshall Tue Jun 23, 10:56 AM
Marty O'Brien, of The Newport News Daily Press, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler said he has spoken with disgruntled Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall and would not have a problem reuniting with Marshall if the Bears were able to land him. 'I talked to 'B' a few days ago. Just checking in on him and seeing how he's doing, because I went through a similar thing that he's going through,' Cutler said. 'I played with Brandon for three years and I think he's one of the best receivers in the NFL. I think he can be one of the greatest ever to play. He's big and fast, and can do everything you want him to do, on the field and in the meeting room. I don't know what we're going to do. That's up to the guys upstairs. If we make a run at him, we make a run at him.'
| Our view: The Bears already gave up a king's ransom to get Jay Cutler, so one must wonder how much they would actually have to exchange for the services of Brandon Marshall. Establishing trade value for Marshall is tricky because of his off-field behavior. Teams know that one more strike in the eyes of the league for the talented WR could mean a 1-year suspension. As reported by our very own Cecil Lammey last week, the Broncos are in no hurry to trade Marshall and would only do so if another franchise gave them an offer they couldn't refuse. This isn't Madden - you just can't trade a player with a push of a button, so as of right now it looks like Marshall is staying in Denver, whether he likes it or not. |
Jay Cutler player page
Brandon Marshall player page
Bears | Cutler comfortable with receivers on team Wed Jun 17, 05:00 PM
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler said he is comfortable with the current wide receivers on the roster and the team does not need to add another receiver.
| Our view: 'I'm 100 percent comfortable [with the wide receivers],' Cutler said. 'I think we added some depth with some younger guys and then some of the older veterans are stepping up and playing well. So I think we've got more than enough to compete.' Cutler already has great chemistry with 2nd-year WR Earl Bennett who was his favorite target when they played together at Vanderbilt. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Chemistry key on Cutler's report card Mon Jun 15, 08:19 PM
Mike Mulligan, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports that the Bears are doing everything they can to build chemistry between new quarterback Jay Cutler and his receivers, including making sure that at least two of the top four wide receivers and one of the top two TEs are on the field any time Cutler is.
| Our view: Devin Hester has also only caught passes from Cutler. ''Every snap [in the offseason] is about developing that chemistry,'' Turner said. ''It's just a matter of those guys trying to establish their relationship on the field. It takes time to get on the same page. It's a process.'' |
Devin Hester player page
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Planning to take advantage of Cutler's mobility Fri May 22, 08:22 PM
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports the Chicago Bears are planning to take advantage of QB Jay Cutler's mobility. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner said, "We will have some designed movement plays. We're moving the pocket with him, and then he has the ability to create things on his own when it's not there---if the coverage isn't what we wanted or if there's a protection breakdown. That's something the receivers will have to get used to and something we'll work on definitely more than what we've done."
| Our view: Although this article could be classified as "offseason fluff", it does say all the right things - that Cutler is spending several hours a day with offensive coordinator Ron Turner, and that Turner is impressed by Cutler's work ethic, leadership, and ability to process new information. It seems most people are assuming a precipitous drop in Cutler's production, so he's going at cheap price for a QB coming off a 4500 yard season. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler looks sharp again Thursday Thu May 21, 07:35 PM
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler looked sharp again during practice Thursday, May 21. 'I feel like we're starting to click,' said WR Devin Hester. Teammates have been impressed with Cutler's attitude so far and he has shown leadership skills.
| Our view: Devin Hester also commented on Cutler's calm nature. Let's see if Cutler can hold it together in crunch time when the Bears need to get into the endzone. He was known to wear his heart on his sleeve in Denver and opposing defenses fed off his frustration. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler impressed with Forte Thu May 21, 07:34 PM
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler has been impressed with the receiving ability of second-year RB Matt Forte. Forte caught 63 passes for 477 yards and four touchdowns last season, breaking Bears' records for receptions by a rookie. 'He's a smart player,' Cutler said. 'I'm excited about him. I think we're going to be able to move him around a lot.'
| Our view: After playing with the likes of P.J. Pope in 2008 Jay Cutler must be thrilled to have a RB like Matt Forte lining up in the backfield with him. Cutler is expected to improve the Chicago passing attack and Forte's presence will help keep defenses honest in addition to providing a reliable target out of the backfield. |
Jay Cutler player page
Matt Forte player page
Bears | Cutler welcomes pressure on him Thu May 21, 05:35 PM
Larry Mayer, of the ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler said he is welcoming the pressure placed on him this season after the Bears gave up several assets for him. 'Any time a team wants to make a trade like that and gives up what they gave up, there's going to be a lot of pressure and a lot of high expectations, and I welcome that. It's going to be fun. It's going to be a good challenge. I've got a lot of time to work with the guys and get ready for Game 1,' Cutler said.
| Our view: Devin Hester recently commented on his new QB's calm demeanor during practice. We'll see if Cutler can maintain that carefree attitude when it's crunchtime in the regular season. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Turner impressed with Cutler's arm strength Thu May 21, 05:23 PM
Larry Mayer, of the ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner said he is very impressed with QB Jay Cutler's arm strength and accuracy. 'His arm strength, I've never been around anything like that before, and he's shown very good accuracy the little bit I've been around him,' Turner said.
| Our view: Cutler hasn't missed a single day of the Bears' offseason program. He's spent four days a week the past six weeks lifting weights, meeting with coaches and throwing passes to his offensive teammates. After having his off field behavior criticized in Denver Cutler is showing the Bears that he's all business on the field. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Could use large salary cap room on Cutler extension Wed May 20, 12:32 PM
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears have $20.8 million in salary cap room remaining and, while general manager Jerry Angelo doesn't have it burning a hole in his pocket, it could be used to give QB Jay Cutler a contract extension.
| Our view: Cutler is signed through 2011, but the Bears did not give up two first-round draft picks and previous starting QB Kyle Orton for a three-year fix. |
Jay Cutler player page
Bears | Cutler about to go on display Wed May 20, 12:31 PM
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears new starting QB Jay Cutler will have all eyes on him when the Bears open their OTAs Wednesday, May 20.
| Our view: The off field issues for Jay Cutler can officially go on the back burner if he comes out and performs like many people expect in the 2009 season. It all starts now and (with the exception of former Vandy teammate Earl Bennett) Cutler needs to build chemistry and timing with his new receivers. |
Jay Cutler player page
