An article written by one of our posters. http://sportstwo.com/content/4482-Automatic-First-Down-Is-Jay-Cutler-Done
When I saw the name of our thread I knew my response was going to be about our O Line. We desperately need help before we murder our QB core.
Cutler wasn't bad passing, but the running game has disappeared. They're throwing to Forte out of the backfield instead of handing the ball to him. And once GB got a lead, the Bears didn't even try to run. Must be nice for the defense to be able to play 6 defensive backs, knowing a pass is coming.
I don't follow football like I follow basketball, but it certainly *feels* like this is a problem with Martz. The Bears' offensive line and receivers are bad but I feel like they are also being put in bad situations.
I think they draft heavy on the defense side and the offense suffers for it. We've gotten lucky with a few offense picks. Like Forte and a couple of tight ends (that we let go). Cutler is a rare thing for the Bears: a quality QB. I would think the early draft picks would be WE and o line. But not!
IMO, what a team does in the first 3 rounds is most critical: 2005: Rd 1 RB Cedric Benson; Rd 2 WR Mark Bradley (no Rd 3 pick) 2006: Took Hester, who was originally listed as a DB, in Rd 2 2007: Rd 1 TE Greg Olsen; Rd 3 RB Garrett Wolfe 2008: Rd 1 OT Chris Williams; Rd 2 Matt Forte; Rd 3 WR Earl Bennett 2009: Rd 3 WR Juaquin Iglesias (team didn't have any first or 2nd round selections) 2010: No offensive players taken (team didn't have any first or 2nd round selections) 2011: Rd 1 OT Gabe Carimi I see this as reasonably balanced...and not very good. As for Cutler, I'm a fan. I've been an active Bears' fan for 50 years and he's the most talented Bears' QB I've seen. Certainly not the most successful, but the most talented. I'm also a firm believer that NFL success remains a matter of your big uglies beating their big uglies. The Bears' offensive line has simply been sub-standard since Cutler's been here. This problem has been exacerbated by the fact that their receivers have also been sub-standard.
McMahon was the best QB I saw on the Bears. As a rookie, he was able to read defenses like a seasoned veteran. When I see highlights of the 1985 season, his phenomenal passes stand out. He was a great down field passer, able to get it to Willie Gault. He led the bears to a remarkable come from behind win against the Vikings, in a game Steve Fuller started. McMahon was in traction and just released from the hospital. He played the last 1.5 quarters and threw 3 touchdown passes. Bears came from down 17-9 to win 33-24. http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/85bears/regular?id=5401532
God, I remember that Vikings game like it was yesterday. First 2 passes...2 TDs. Un-f'ing-believable. Agree McMahon was the best Bears QB I've seen. I think Cutler's more physically talented (size, arm strength, speed).
Yes. The most exciting game I've ever seen. Jay doesn't have that pizzaz. Should've gone to a Mormon school...
The title of the article is misleading. The problem isn't Jay Cutler but what the Bears do to surround Cutler with what he needs to be successful.