Cutler has definitely been the most successful of the 3 quarterbacks drafted in the first round. The other two, Young and Leinart, have yet to show the same kind of potential as Cutler. But has Cutler already peaked as a player? This year may tell a lot about what the future has in store for him.

The Bears were wise to bring in Mike Martz this offseason. What he was able to do offensively in St. Louis with Kurt Warner was nothing short of amazing. And the Bears are hoping that Martz can bring some of that magic to Chicago, with Cutler being the biggest benefactor. Warner and Cutler are two very different quarterbacks though, and not just talent wise.

Warner took to the teachings of Martz as good as any player could have. He fit into the system perfectly, his timing and accuracy were impeccable. The fact that Warner came out of the arena league supports the notion even more that he was very coachable. That’s probably why he was so successful with the Rams.

Cutler has been perceived by many, and at times has almost made it obvious, that he doesn’t take to coaching well. His body language on the sidelines and after plays tells a big story. He looks like he always has an excuse for mistakes he’s made, shaking his head as if he always knows what’s going on and giving the look that “Yea I know what I did wrong.”. This is an even bigger red flag because if he does always know what’s going and he keeps making the same mistakes he may not be able to fix them.

Cutler, up until this point, has been an improv gunslinger. His style doesn’t fit into a Mike Martz system that’s based on the two major strengths Warner had, timing and accuracy. In order to fit into the system Cutler has to change his game a little, he’s got to become coachable.

This is the biggest and best opportunity Cutler may get in his career and what he does with it will say a lot about him. If he has success with the Bears this year it will be because he took to the teachings of Mike Martz. If he comes out looking the way he has for the past 3 and a bit seasons he won’t have taken to the teachings of one of the best offensive minds the game has seen in a while. And if he doesn’t take to coaching this year, he may never take to it.

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They added another edge rusher to possibly spell off Peppers every once in a while by drafting Northwestern end Corey Wootton. He’s a big, athletic kid that, if healthy, will be able to contribute. The secondary saw a little more help brought in with Kansas State corner Joshua Moore being drafted. He should help bring some depth there. An interesting pick in Dan LeFevour, quarterback out of Central Michigan. He should turn into a serviceable backup for Jay Cutler under the guidance of Mike Martz and could one day be a starter somewhere.

West Texas A&M offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb is a large individual who, with a little work, should be a quality backup. The Bears were very active in free agency and have improved their team on paper. Now, if they can only get Jay Cutler to lead the league in touchdowns rather than interceptions they might get somewhere.

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Free agency started on Friday and teams were chomping at the bit for it to start. The Bears seem to have been the most active, or at least have signed two of the bigger names in free agency. They landed Julius Peppers to a 6 year deal with $42 million guaranteed. They also grabbed Chester Taylor away from the Vikings.

Karlos Dansby signed with the Dolphins for 5 years. The deal gives him $22 million guaranteed. Division rival New England Patriots signed Tully Banta-Cain to a three year deal and were able to reach an agreement with Vince Wilfork for 5 years with $25 million guaranteed.

Baltimore was able to trade for Anquan Boldin. Arizona gets Baltimores 3rd and 4th round picks this year in exchange for Boldin and the Cardinals 5th round pick in 2010.

Lots of action for the first few days of free agency, and I’m sure it won’t be letting up anytime soon.

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Mike Martz was hired on Monday as the Bears new offensive coordinator. Martz was last employed with the 49ers serving as their offensive coordinator in 2008. Of course his claim to fame is designing the greatest show on turf back in his days with the St. Louis Rams.

Cutler and Martz seem to be a match made in heaven. Cutler can make any throw you want a quarterback to make, and that should make Martz tight in his trousers thinking of all the 30 yard passing plays he can conjure up.

There is where the problem lies for the Bears right now. Martz is known for his wild offensive schemes, which often rely on the quarterback having to hold onto the ball for a little longer while the receivers run their 25-30 yard routes. The problem with that is Chicagos offensive line sucks. If Martz wants his offense to work, he needs to reconstruct that line.

So the Bears will be undergoing an offensive overhaul this offseason. Making sure that line is solid will be their first priority. Don’t be surprised if they are aggressive in the free agent market or try to fan-dangle a trade too. Bringing in a big play receiver would help this offense a great deal.

This marriage will be an interesting one. These two guys have “unique” personalities, border-lining on eccentric. Fireworks could be flying on and off the field for the Bears next year.

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When the Bears acquired Cutler from the Broncos before the season started the team had high hopes. Cutler gave them a gunslinger at the quarterback position and the whole city was energized with visions of an explosive offense.

The season has been anything but offensively explosive, it’s just been plain offensive. Cutler leads the league with 25 interceptions to only 19 touchdowns. Not quite what Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith envisioned for their team I’m sure.

But I don’t really think all the blame can be put on Cutler. The Bears are expecting him to make chicken salad out of chicken shit. When a team takes a return specialist/defensive back and has hopes of him being their number one receiver, you can’t really expect too many fireworks.

Another thing that’s hurt them is that Matt Forte hasn’t had the same year he was able to have his rookie season. It’s normal for a 2nd year player to struggle so I wouldn’t be too worried about that. But it’s frustrating none the less.

Chicago needs to focus on getting Cutler some help. If the team can add a genuine number one receiver to the mix it could make all the difference in the world. Year one of the Cutler experiment will end in disappointment. But fear not Bears fans, things will get better.

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But if the Bears want Cutler to survive they may want to throw him a lifejacket or two. The receiving core he’s had to work with is sub par on a good day. Devin Hester may work out okay but he’s not going to be a number one receiver in this league.

They could probably use a little help with the offensive line too. They’re average but  you don’t see too many superstar quarterbacks behind average offensive lines.

So yea, I guess I can see where Favre is coming from on this. Maybe Brett sees a little of himself in the young gun slinger. Those 18 picks by Cutler this year definitely reminds me of a young Favre, that’s for sure.

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When Chicago traded for Cutler at the beginning of the season they thought they were bringing in the savior of the organization. This team hasn’t had a top level quarterback since Sid Luckman, and that was almost 60 years ago. The excitement was high for the Bears and so were the expectations coming into the season.

Now at the halfway point Chicago fans find themselves scratching their heads. The Bears have little wiggling room from here until the end of the season. Anything less than 10-6 might not get you in the playoffs. That would mean the Bears could only afford to lose one more game.

Cutler played like crap last night and every time he went to the side lines he was either laughing or just shrugging it off. Maybe that’s his attitude with football, just whatever. Whatever his attitude is he better change it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who notices it.

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