Gridiron Insight » Jay Cutler

Chicago brings Mike Martz on board

Tyler McConachie — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:51:59 +0000

At the beginning of the season hopes were high for Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears. But after a disappointing season by Cutler that included a league high 26 interceptions the Bears felt they needed to go back to the drawing board. They did just that and have decided on bringing in Cutler a little help at the coaching position.

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.

Technorati Tags: Chicago Bears, Jay Cutler, Mike Martz, NFL

High hopes blown away in the Windy City

Tyler McConachie — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:10:59 +0000

To say the Chicago Bears season has been a disappointment would be a big understatement. The Bears are guaranteed a sub .500 season and the first year of the Cutler experiment is doomed to be labeled a failure.

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.

Technorati Tags: Chicago Bears, Jay Cutler, NFL

Favre positive Cutler and Bears are a great match

Tyler McConachie — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:34:59 +0000

So Brett Favre is confident that the Bears and Cutler marriage will work out fine. He says Cutler is as talented as any quarterback in the league and it’s pretty hard to argue that.

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.

Technorati Tags: Brett Favre, Chicago Bears, Jay Cutler, NFL

Cutler not living up to expectations

Tyler McConachie — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:12:59 +0000

Last nights game between the 49ers and the Bears proved one thing, Jay Cutler isn’t the player the Bears thought they were getting. At least right now he’s not. Cutlers 5 pics last night put his season total at 17 and helped the Bears fall to 4-5.

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.

Technorati Tags: Chicago Bears, Jay Cutler, NFL