Trent Dilfer Knows Average Quarterbacks, Calls Out Cutler

When it comes to low standards, ESPN just might take the cake.  And while that wasn't a Brooke Hundley fat joke, it could have been.

Maybe it should have been, seeing that this blog is already headed down a slippery slope.  For years, baseball fans had to deal with Steve Phillips' "analysis" of front office moves.  But it was truly hard to put stock in the analysis of the guy who traded Scott Kazmir for Carlos Victor Zambrano.  And that brings us to this week's mediocre ballplayer turned expert.

So, who does Trent Dilfer think he is to call Jay Cutler an average quarterback?

The guy whose career record as a starting quarterback is a pedestrian 58-55?  The player that never threw for more than 3,000-yards?  The QB that never threw more than 21 touchdowns in a season.

Yep, I want to get my football analysis from him like I want parenting advice from Shawn Kemp and Travis Henry.

In the NY Times story (linked above), Dilfer had this to say about the Chicago signal caller:

“He was never as good as everybody said he was. ... He has great talent and remarkable upside, but he’s a very average player.”

My issue with the statement isn't the statement itself, it is from where the statement is coming from.  If it was Troy Aikman or Steve Young criticizing Cutler, I would tip my hat and acknowledge it without much hesitation.  But when it comes from a guy like Dilfer, I roll my eyes, head to my computer and start pounding away at my keyboard.

I mean, he does have a point, especially since the Bears are coming off consecutive losses to San Francisco and Philadelphia in which had Cutler would have single-handedly won had he lived up to the preseason hype.  Instead, JC played like a POS as he threw drive-killing, game-ending picks in each.

But for Dilfer to call out Cutler would be like Bobby and Whitney called out Amy Winehouse for having a substance abuse problem.  Granted, if anyone knows average quarterback play, it would be the former journeyman quarterback.  You know, the guy who threw more touchdowns than interceptions in only three of his 13 seasons in the NFL.  The guy with 113 career touchdown throws and 129 interceptions.

Seriously, if you're taking what Dilfer says to heart without analyzing it on your own, then you might as well take weight loss advice from Charlie Weis.

And before you get started on the "Trent Dilfer has a Super Bowl ring" argument, stop yourself.  Stop yourself right now.  Dilfer was as important to the Ravens Super Bowl run as Adam Morrison was to the Lakers' NBA title run.

Come on, Rex Grossman led a team to a Super Bowl.  Enough said.

Apparently, Dilfer didn't he read the following preseason memo that said without even having to put on a uniform Cutler was the most talented, therefor, greatest quarterback in Chicago Bears history.  Better than Steve Walsh, Erik Kramer and Jim Miller rolled into one.

Unfortunately, Cutler missed the same memo as well.

Was McNabb's Advice To Cutler 'Ignore Turner' ... It Should Have Been

It's Wednesday, and I finally figured out what Donovan McNabb told Jay Cutler after Sunday night's loss to the Eagles.

When Ron Turner calls a play, you call an audible.

It's time for something radical Bears fans, so sit back, relax and strap it on for one of my stupidest most outlandish ideas ever.  And really, it's not that bad of an idea when you take into consideration taking playcalling from Ron Turner is like taking marriage advice from Kevin Federline and Britney Spears.

At 4-6, it is time for Cutler to take matters into his own hands.  And it is not as if this is an unheard of strategy.  It was one used by former Bears quarterback Brian Griese in a win two seasons ago against the Philadelphia Eagles.  When the Bears had no timeouts and Griese lost communication with Turner via headset, Griese took it upon himself to lead the Bears to victory.  He called the plays in a flawless last-minute, game-winning drive.

That's what Cutler needs to do, except do it for the entire game.

I'm being serious here.

When Turner calls for a bubble screen on 3rd-and-11, audible out of it.  When he calls a draw play and 2nd-and-20, audible.  If on a manageable third down, Turner calls for routes that do not go beyond the first down marker, make sure the receivers run smart routes to get the first down.

Remember in Varsity Blues when Jonathan Moxon and the rest of his rag-tag group of West Canaan Coyotes wore thing of Bud Kilmer's regime and played the spread en route to a state championship victory?  That's exactly what Cutler and the Bears need to do.

Don't trust Cutler?  Why not?  After a brutal start, Cutler posted three straight games in which he had a passer rating of 100 or higher and completed 68 percent of his passes.  In his last four games, Cutler has completed 57 percent of his throws.

All of a sudden it's all just on Cutler?  I don't think he suddenly sucks.  The answer here is to not change the quarterback, but to change the scenery around the quarterback.

It might be the Bears' only hope to salvage the season.

Cutlerf*cked & The Rest Of Your Pigskin Pimpin

The last two Chicago Bears games have ended with Jay Cutler interceptions.  The Bears are now 4-6, and a team that once had Super Bowl aspirations is in the toilet bowl.

It seems as if the only guy who has more problems scoring at night than the guy in my mirror is Cutler.  (The other thing we have in common is that we both need booze to get through the night unscathed.)

The Bears have a really good player at a really important position, but unlike in many other sports, without the help of others, said player is struggling like a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest.

Putting 100 percent of the blame on Cutler would be like a star basketball player taking all the shots because his supporting cast consists of guys who can't pass, shoot or get into position to pass or shoot.

Or it would be like blaming a star hitter for a loss because the home runs he hit were solo shots because the top of the order couldn't get on base if it were given a free pass ... or a pitcher who loses because his offense decided to leave its bats at home.

Jay Cutler is screwed.  Better yet, he's Cutlerf*cked, and unfortunately, the Bears can't up-and-tank this season because they won't be getting that 1st round draft pick.  Nor will they be getting a second-round pick either.  Thanks Gaines Adams.  Thanks a whole frickin' lot.

The coaching sucks.  I'm sure you're tired of reading this tired old complaint because I'm sure as heck tired of writing it.  In fact, there were times when writing this blog -- in an effort to save time -- I honestly thought about going back to earlier blogs and throwing down some CTRL + C, CTRL + V action on my PC.  Instead, I decided to keep it fresh for you folks.

Do you want to know why Jay Cutler's not playing like the Pro Bowler?  Because the Bears aren't calling plays that allow him to use the skills that made him a Pro Bowler.  Watching Jay Cutler play in a Bears uniform after watching game tape of him in Denver makes it look as if Cutler went back in time to play for the Chicago's pre-historic offense.

You might as well put the Bears back in Wrigley Field and watch the game on a black and white television set.

The Bears are having an identity crisis like a 16-year-old girl.  Lovie Smith is oftentimes found asking himself, "Do we want to be the prudish, conservative running team" or "Do we want to play fast and loose, whore it up and chuck the ball down the field."

Until Lovie hits puberty figures it out, the Bears are screwed.

Watching Orlando Pace depresses me.  I remember when he was a dominant lineman at (the) Ohio State University.  Then, I remember when he protected Kurt Warner like he was El Presidente and led blocks for Marshall Faulk as if Faulk was piggybacking off Pace to get to a hot deal on Black Friday.

I thought the Bears could get one good year out of pace.  Now I'm hoping they can get one game out of the aging vet.

I don't even know how mad I can honestly be with Cutler's overthrows.  I mean, sure, he left points on the field, but if Kyle Orton is under center, we'd be bitching about underthrown balls and how much we wish we had a quarterback that could lead a receiver.

Too bad Cutler is leading them too much.  The pressure is starting to get to the kid.  It's evident in all phases of the offense.  He has no faith in his offensive line to give him enough time to throw the ball.  He has no faith in his receivers to get a jump ball, so much so that he would rather throw it beyond them rather than risk throwing another interception that would lead to more profanity-laced commentary toward his direction.

In other news ... There was a Mike Vick sighting.  It's kind of funny.  His 34-yard run was something out of his college playbook.  Sometimes, I wish that Ron Turner would upgrade from his high school playbook.

Who do the Bears think they are in stashing their best talent on the taxi squad?  Not Matt Forte ran for 72 yards on his first run.  That's 38 more yards than Actual Matt Forte ran in the entire game.  (In fact, let the record show that it took Actual Matt Forte 14 attempts to do what Mike Vick did in one play.)

But let there be no doubt in your mind that Bell's run should have been a touchdown run.

Kahlil Bell was so slow on that run, I got out of my seat, flipped the chicken wings on the grill, cracked open a Keystone Light, updated my Facebook status about how much I was enjoying Mr. Bell's run and sat down ... only to watch Johnny Knox out-run him to throw a block before being taken down by a Philadelphia defender.

So much work ... all for three measly points as Ron Turner followed it up with a one-yard completion, a one-yard rush and an incomplete pass.

If I had any foresight, I would have seen that as a sign of things to come for the Bears offense.

Why can't it be Halloween more often?

The Honeymoon Ends For Jay Cutler

And with one ill-advise throw as the clock dwindled down, the honeymoon period for Bears fans and savior quarterback Jay Cutler came to a screeching end. OK, so it was more like five poorly thrown passes, I think you get my point.

Cutler picked a bad day to have his worst game of the season.  The loss dropped the Bears to 4-5, and while Lovie Smith says the Bears aren't completely eliminated from the playoff hunt, they might as well be.  But unlike the Cubs, who should have put the horses in the stable (see: Ted Lilly's shoulder surgery), Chicago's football team cannot afford to do so.  Its first round pick goes to the Broncos this season, and how embarrassing would it be to see it be a top 10 pick the Broncos use to -- I don't know -- possibly improve at the quarterback position.

You want Kyle Orton back, don't you? I know you do. I've got the texts and tweets to prove it. Apparently, erased is your memory of Monday night's Broncos-Steelers game. Or the three interception game at Minnesota last season that was the beginning of the end of the 2008 Bears. Sure, Cutler has thrown more interceptions this season than Orton threw in his last two seasons in Chicago. But let's make one thing clear, the Bears would not have been in a position to screw the pooch in such a manner if not for Cutler's presence under center in the first place.

I'd like to encourage those out there who want Cutler's head on a stake to remember that it was No. 6 who single-handedly defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.  And did it again in Week 3.  A lot of folks out there are drawing the comparison to Rex Grossman, but Grossman never looked as good as Cutler has when all systems are go.

Cutler is reminiscent of your prototypical prodigious power hitter in baseball.  Think Dave Kingman.  His arm strength provides instant offense, but sometimes those big swings turn into big misses.

Cutler will take most of the heat for the loss, and it is deserving for the most part.  The Bears' red zone offense continued to sputter and that is one of Cutler's biggest responsibilities.  But without an offensive line and a running game, Cutler and his receivers might are fighting a short-handed battle.

And by no means should Cutler take all of the blame.  How many teams do you know that win games when throwing the ball 52 times?  Not many, if any.  Fifty-two times is a lot of times to chuck the pigskin, especially for a team that claims to come off the bus running.  This year, it's been more like a team that is coming off the bus, tripping over its own two feet and falling face first in a pile of dog doo-doo.

Through nine games, some of Cutler's numbers are scarier than Sammy Sosa's white-face routine.  In the three games in which Cutler has thrown for at least 300 yards, Cutler has thrown five touchdowns, eight interceptions ... and the Bears are winless.  In the Bears' five losses, Cutler has thrown 15(!) picks and only seven touchdowns.

In Da Bears' three prime-time games, Cutler has thrown three touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Not at all what was expected out of a guy who was expected to help the Bears win those kinds of games.  And somewhere in the NFL Network studios, Deion Sanders' "Prime Time" nickname is safe.

The disappointing thing about these stats is that they are not too far off from his career numbers.  In Denver, Cutler was 5-6 in games in which he reached the 300-yard plateau.  He threw 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in those games, but he's thrown nine of the 13 picks in the six losses.

So, what do we make of all this?

Well, for starters, Lovie Smith has got to go.  It's easy to say that after a loss, but when your team is penalized so many times you have more penalty yards against you than rushing yards for you at the end of the game, something is wrong.  Over the last three years, Bears players have shown a lack of discipline.  Tommie Harris' suckerpunch was just the tip of the iceberg.  Plays like that have happened before in Chicago, and will happen again if Smith continues to run the show.

Jerry Angelo, step right up to the plate because you're next.  No offensive line, led by a center whose skills are clearly diminishing.  Wide receivers who when they run the right routes, they don't finish them.  And when they do finish them, they drop catchable balls.  An offensive coordinator whose playbook hasn't been updated since John Shoop was let go.  A defense that is living off a reputation that has long passed its prime.

All that has come under your watch.  Fix it, or inform Ted Phillips and Virginia McCaskey that they need to find someone who can. 

As for Cutler, his failures are being blown up because he is no longer in Denver and is no longer hidden by the Rocky Mountains.  Welcome to the big show, kid.  The city is yours if you want it.  Or throw it in the lake.

At least it won't get intercepted there.

Bears Buzz: Damned In The Dome

Dave Kaplan used 97 words to describe Jay Cutler's on-field performance in Sunday night's 21-14 loss against the Atlanta Falcons.  He used 110 words to describe Cutler's post-game performance.

Yep.  It's going to be one of those kinds of Mondays in Chicago.

There might be nothing that annoys me more than annoyed members of the press.  How many times have we as fans heard media members complain about how a player or coach responds poorly to a loss?  In my eyes that's a good thing. 

As a fan, don't you want your players to be as ticked as you are after a defeat?  I do.  It shows a sense of accountability -- that what they do on the field is more than just something that pays the bills and garners groupie love.  Growing up in Santa Claus, Ind., Cutler was raised a Bears fan.  After learning that Josh McDaniels wanted to bring in his secret lover former quarterback in New England, Cutler bitched and moaned until he became a Bear.

Just like John Elway bitched and moaned his way out of Baltimore.  Just like Eli Manning whined his way out of San Diego and into New York.  (Seriously, Eli, WTF where you thinking?  San Diego had sunny weather, pretty girls and a healthy LT.  All for the sake of marketability. Really?  I digress.)  From now on, I don't want to hear anyone from the Chicago media complain about a player's post-game presser unless they say something offensive, fraudulent, explicit or so-damn-funny it needs to be on YouTube immediately.

If it doesn't fall under those categories, I don't want to hear Chicago's finest bitch and moan about someone bitching and moaning.

Want something to bitch about?  How about the running game?  Better yet, how about the lack of a running game?

Where have you gone Matt Forte?  One fumble all of last season, then to have two in one red zone drive hurts.  The first fumble was a slap to the face.  A wake up call that Forte is not an impenetrable force.  A reminder his hands were not made of Stick-Em.  The second fumble.  Well, that was like a kick in the nuts.

This is where it would be great if the Bears had a better than average back-up running back.  If anything, the NFL is a copy cat league, so I'm trying to figure out why the Bears haven't put used the copy and paste method on this ideology.  Each of the NFC's first place teams have a dynamic duo of backfield.

Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor in Minnesota.  Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw in New York.  Reggie Bush, Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas in New Orleans.  Frank Gore and Glen Coffee in San Francisco.

The Bears have Forte and ... "The Other" Adrian Peterson?  Garrett Wolfe?  Those names haven't excited anyone outside of Georgia Southern or Northern Illinois University upon graduating and moving on to the NFL.  Chicago could have selected Coffee in the third round, but instead went with the guy whose claim to fame is jumping out of a swimming pool. 

The career expectancy of a running back is short.  Forte's shelf life is probably going to take a hit because all the hits he takes.  Maybe a fresh tailback gets into the end zone on that leap to cross the goal line.

Maybe a better offensive line gets a push.

Just a thought.

The Bears defense played well.  Not well enough.  That touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to Tony Gonzalez was too easy.  How hard is it to cover a team's most dangerous red zone target?  Hard enough where there wasn't a single Bears defender in the 770 or 404 area codes on the play.  And where was the red zone "D" on Michael Turner's touchdown scamper.

Northern Illinois University can still bite a fat one as far as I'm concerned.  (Still bitter about being put on that waiting list even though I really always wanted to go to SIU.  I'll tell that story one day.)

Anyone know whether or not Gaines Adams is going to make the transition to linebacker because that is where the Bears truly need help.

In the end, this TBDS Tweet said it all.

I think you get the picture.

Cedric Benson, Kyle Orton Enjoying Post-Chicago Renaissance

 

Cedric Benson spent a lot of time on his back in Chicago. Now he's (statistically) the best running back in the NFL in 2009.

Cedric Benson is leading the NFL in rushing with 487 yards on 111 carries.  Kyle Orton has completed 63 percent of his passes, thrown for 7 touchdowns and his only interception went to Randy Moss.

So, how are the Bears only 3-1.  Oh, that's right.  Neither plays for Chicago anymore.

Despite said 3-1 mark to open the season, GM Jerry Angelo and head coach Lovie Smith are taking some heat for letting these two walk the plank.  Those coming from that angle have misplaced their anger.

Brandon Jacobs is among the late-round running backs to have out-produced Cedric Benson. Both were members of the 2005 NFL Draft class.

If you want to blame Angelo and Smith, just take a look at the players they missed on in the 2005 draft in which they chose Benson with the No. 4 overall pick in the first round and Orton with pick No. 106 in the fourth round.

The first round was littered with busts including Alex Smith, Troy Williamson and Mike Williams.  The jury is still out on Benson and Braylon Edwards.  Same can be said about Adam "Pacman" Jones -- but that would be a different kind of jury.

As for some of the misses, the Bears can look at Pro Bowlers such as offensive tackle Michael Roos (41st pick), linebacker Lofa Tatupu (45th pick), Nick Collins (51st pick) and stud wide receiver Vincent Jackson (61st pick).  The misses continue in the third round as running back Frank Gore (65th pick), defensive end Justin Tuck (74th pick) have panned out to be Pro Bowl players.

If you're brave enough to look at the fourth round players that have gone on to play well, continue reading.  That is where the Bears selected Kyle Orton with the 106th overall selection in the draft.  The following players came off the board in succession:

• RB Marion Barber III (Dallas -- 109th)
• RB Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants -- 110th)
  
• WR Jerome Mathis (Houston -- 114th)
• S Kerry Rhodes (New York Jets -- 123rd)
• RB Darren Sproles (San Diego -- 130th)
  

Bears draft picks that season not named Orton and Benson included Mark Bradley (39th), Airese Curry (140th), Chris Harris (181st) and Rod Wilson (220th).  The most productive player to stay on the Bears and make a name for himself was an undrafted free agent by the name of Robbie Gould.

As for Benson and Orton, there is a truly simple explanation why their stocks have skyrocketed since leaving town.

BENSON BURN OUT

Bears fans should have seen this coming.  After being drafted with the team's first round pick, Benson wept and talked the talk as he seemed primed to be the next great Bears running back.  He was coming off great years at the University of Texas, a school known for producing productive NFL backs.  Crazy.  But productive.

But Benson didn't walk the walk as he and his agent Eugene Parker engaged themselves in a lengthy hold out.  When it came to his run in Chicago, it was all about money for Cedric.  The Bears might have been better off leaving $17 million worth of singles at the doorstep of Pacman Jones.  Benson showed his true colors in the team's Super Bowl loss against Indianapolis, where Benson suffered a tweak injury and never returned.  Not because he was unable to, but because he was unwilling to. 

Then, when the Bears were willing to give him a second chance, he would have rather partied on a boat with several attractive single white females.  And his mother, of course.  The off-the-field issues and the lack of production on the field was the perfect storm which led Angelo to launch Benson to the stratosphere.

With his talent and checkered past, he was meant to be a Bengal.  The only difference with Benson now is that he wants to play football.  You can hear it in his post-game interviews, but you can really see it on the gridiron.  He finishes runs now like he did in Texas.  And he actually executes pass blocks.

Maybe he and Pacman did have a go or two at the club, for Benson is playing like someone looking for a hefty payday.

Kyle Orton couldn't beat out Rex Grossman for the No. 1 QB gig, now he's a star? How did this happen?

As for Orton, I'm still confused.

His defenders will say that he has better talent around him.  That argument will fall upon my deaf ears.

Some will say Orton is benefiting from playing with a great defense.  It's not as if he didn't play with a great defense in Chicago, who allowed a league-low 202 points in 2005 when Orton was the starter for most of the season and posted a 10-5 record as a starter.  It's not like he didn't play with talented teams either, as Orton was around for both of Chicago's playoff runs.

In the end, it comes down to this.  Orton couldn't beat out Rex Grossman for the starting QB job.  Because of that, Orton never reaped the benefits of a 13-3 season that helped catapult the Bears into the 2006 Super Bowl.  That is because at that time, Orton was not more talented than Grossman.  Look at the numbers, they might as well have been the same guy.

That is why Jay Cutler is the Bears' starting quarterback while Orton was shipped out to Denver and Grossman sent to exile.

And no one should be complaining about Cutler's play in Chicago.  He has led two come-from-behind wins against two solid NFL ball clubs as he has lived up to expectations, especially in the guts of the game in the fourth quarter.  And since the season-opening debacle, Cutler has thrown for 624 yards and 7 touchdowns (plus 1 rushing TD), while only throwing one pick.

There is plenty of football to be played this year, and there is a chance that Orton and Benson return to earth.  Benson will get his chance against the Bears in Week 7 in Cincinnati.  But unless Cutler and Orton square off in the Super Bowl, Orton's success in Denver doesn't matter to me -- nor should it matter to Bears fans.

Bears Buzz: They Are Who We Thought They Were (And They Still Suck)

Bears Buzz is the new segment which provides insight, analysis and below-the-belt shots at Chicago's opponents throughout the year. This week, the Detroit Lions reverted to their old ways.  Not that it wasn't expected, and believe me, no one in Chicago minded.

The numbers were deceiving.

The Lions ran 18 more plays, gained 122 more yards, converted 11 more first downs and possessed the ball for 13 more minutes.

And they still lost.

Welcome back to reality, Detroit.

Jay Cutler completed 18 of 28 passes (64 percent) and threw for only 141 yards and posted a passer rating of 100.4.  I'm unsure how I should feel about Cutler some times because he's not putting up the gaudy numbers I expected him to put up upon arrival in Chicago.  An aerial attack it has yet to become with Cutler under center.  For the most part he has played right into the hands of Ron Turner's inept, yet somehow, efficient offense.  Last year, Bears fans would have thrown a parade down Michigan Avenue had the team scored three red zone touchdowns in a game.  Now, they're ticked if they have to settle for a field goal.

And the Bears didn't need lengthy scoring drives, especially not when they were starting every other drive in enemy territory.  In fact, only one player touched the ball on the team's longest scoring drive of the day.  Johnny Knox, welcome to the good life.

In the first half, it looked like a professional football team lined up opposite of the Bears.  Then, the real Detroit Lions showed up.  You know, the ones that was win-less 19 of its last 20 attempts.  Yeah, those guys.

The Lions performed like a typical Ford product.  After losing its luster in the first-half, Detroit crashed, burned and was deemed as a complete and utter wreck in the second half.  It was reminiscent of how most Ford owners feel after purchasing their new ride only to watch it fall apart as soon as it leaves the lot.

Matthew Stafford threw for 296 yards and a touchdown, living up to the billing of why he was the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft.  But after he was injured on being sacked by Adawale Ogunleye, on came Dante Culpepper.  In 2002, that would have meant doom.  But without Randy Moss, the one-time Madden cover boy was subdued.  So was the rest of Detroit's offense.  Running back Kevin Smith's existence became neutralized because he was nowhere near the goal line as he rushed for only 30 yards.  The Lions went three-and-out on three of their four third quarter possessions.  All that added up to scoring three measly points after intermission.

The Bears' offense wasn't much better at times in the second half.  However, Chicago was without it's top wideout in Devin Hester.  What's Detroit's excuse?

Oh, wait.  They're the Lions.

Thom Brenneman and the FOX broadcast team gushed over how confident the Lions were coming out of the gate.  They played like the kid who finally got laid after a lengthy drought as they made up for lost time, taking advantage of their emotional high.  But when they looked in the mirror, it all fell apart.  It won't be long before Detroit will be calling Washington out for another bail out plan as the Cowardly Lions will face Pittsburgh and Green Bay before hitting the bye.

Then everyone can strap themselves in for what will be the worst professional football game in the history of pro ball as the Lions host the St. Louis Rams.

First team to get into the red zone wins.  Deal?

Oh yeah, Robbie Gould, thanks to your 14-point week (and 52-yard field goal), you helped my fantasy team avoid complete embarrassment as you outscored Marques Colston and Darren McFadden. Unless Percy Harvin and Minnesota's defense go ape shit, while Adrian Peterson sits out thinking there will be a playoff game in The Dome tonight, I'll fall to 1-3 on the season.  Oh, and I have Donald Driver too.  Can you say conflict of interest?

Dear Matt Forte, 

Thanks for showing up to the party.  And double thanks for not showing up empty handed.  Please make this a weekly occurrence. 

Sincerely,

Bears fans

Cutler vs. Orton Picking Up Steam After Week 4 Wins. Are Possibilities Endless?

At times, I find myself peeking on the status of Kyle Orton as if he was an ex and as if his games are his Facebook status updates.  I really do not care what Orton does for the most part, because I'm happy with my new love interest quarterback, Jay Cutler.

Cutler, again, was better than good as he creeps toward being spectacular in the Chicago Bears' 48-24 win against the Detroit Lions.  He completed of 18 of 28 passes -- two of which went for touchdown scores.  One of said TD passes was a 4th-and-1 pitch-and-catch with tight end Greg Olson after Cutler also ran in for a 5-yard touchdown, flying through the air in way that resembled John Elway's Super Bowl scamper against the Green Bay Packers in 1998.

The 121 passing yards fall about 179 short of what I expected him to do, but in the end, it's about the wins right?

And that is exactly what people said about Kyle Orton's time in Chicago and what they're saying about his 4-0 start with the Denver Broncos.

For the second time this season, one of Orton's receivers turned an underthrown ball into a game-winning touchdown.  This time, it was Brandon Marshall, who came away with a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terrance Newman and ran it in 51 yards for a touchdown.  And unlike Cutler, Cowboys QB Tony Romo could not pull out a game-tying score as he continues to fail miserably and fall short of the lofty expectations laid at his feet by the mass media.

If there is such a thing as a group of "Football Gods," it seems as if they are sending the Bears and Broncos on a collision course that would culminate in a Super Bowl that will be filled with more drama than Eugene Robinson's night with a hooker cop.

Bears Buzz: Cutler's Clutch Performance, Forte's Fantasy Value & Seattle's Sickening Unis

Bears Buzz is the new segment which provides insight, analysis and below-the-belt shots at Chicago's opponents throughout the year.  Come on a journey, won't you...

After being spotted with a 13-0 lead, the Seattle Seahawks were reminiscent of the staggering drunk girl at last call.  Their jerseys made them unwatchable, but you couldn't help but to keep your eyes on them as you awaited their next ill-fated step toward failure.  LOL at Seneca Wallance for thinking he was back at Iowa State during the first half.  LOL louder at T.J. Houshmandzadeh who talked like Chad Ochocinco on Wednesday and played like he was worth ochenta y cinco centavos on Sunday.  (That's 85 cents for those of you who are not Spanish speaking members of the TBDS community.)  Houshletdadogsout showed why Jerry Angelo he did not want to sign a No. 2 receiver to a contract worthy of a No. 1 guy.  That's what he wanted to do all along, right?

Where are the Jay Cutler jersey burners now?  Oh, right.  Still in Denver.  Gotcha.  I didn't want to give you an "I told you so" speech, but whenever someone starts a sentence like that you know you're going to get one anyway.  It doesn't take a Harvard Law degree to figure out that Cutler was going to be more like the guy who helped win the Bears' Week 2 match-up against the Steelers than the guy who played like he and Rex Grossman played life swap.

My only mistake might have been trusting numbers too much not to start Cutler on my fantasy team.  The Seahawks defense looked like a statistical inpenetrable wall against the pass.  A closer look would have revealed that the QBs they faced were St. Louis' Marc Bulger and San Francisco's Shawn Hill.  It's not like they went up against Peyton Manning or Tom Brady.  If anything, Cutler's Week 3 performance might serve as a boost to quarterbacks of the NFC West.  I'm sure Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are licking their chops awaiting their shot at Seattle's shoddy secondary.


And to think Cutler has yet to be spectacular in Chicago.  This week he threw for 247 yards, which ranked 13th among starting quarterbacks and has yet to throw for 300 yards.  But what he has lacked in eye-popping numbers, Cutler made up in accuracy, perserverence and a will to win.  Something that hasn't been found in a Chicago quarterback since Sid Luckman Jim McMahon. After struggling in Week 1 with a Rex Grossman-like 43.2 QB Rating, Cutler has posted back-to-back 100+ QB ratings, including a 126.4 mark which ranked him behind Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers this week.

Oh, and if you're looking ahead in the schedule, Cutler and the Bears' next five opponents rank in the bottom half of the league's defensive standings in regard to passing yards per game allowed and total passing yards.  Arizona, Detroit and Cleveland rank 19th, 28th and 31st in points per game allowed.

There's no way Cutler finds his way on my fantasy team's bench during that stretch.

Matt Forte picked up 106 yards of total offense Sunday as he produced his first double-digit fantasy week of the season.

It's still not good enough.  Especially for a guy who was a consensus top-5 fantasy pick.

The Bears are no longer the team that comes running off the bus.  With Cutler under center, the Bears have an added dimension to an offense that has been quite offensive to the eyes in recent years.  Having Cutler on the team is a gift and a curse of sorts to Forte.

No longer does the second-year back out of Tulane have to carry the bulk of the offense as he is no longer the focal point of the team's offense.  However, team's are still treating him that way -- and that is one of the reasons Cutler can spread the ball around to Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, Greg Olson and others.

But could Forte be fighting through a sophomore slump?

Sure.  It's possible.  But the reason could be that teams are so focused on stopping him, they passing offense is getting away by sneaking past a bunch of drawn-in defenders.  Forte should bounce back against the Detroit Lions next week, a team that won its first game since December 2007 and allowed Forte to rush for 126 yards and a touchdown in the last match-up between the two bitter NFC North rivals.

In the end, the Bears and their fans don't care about putting up numbers as the team is more concerned with putting up letters.  Preferably, 'W's.

Chicago Football Has Moved Into The 21st Century. Thank You Jay Cutler.

Kyle Orton, your Broncos are 3-0 and I'm really happy for you (not) and I'm gonna let you finish. But Jay Cutler had one of the best game-winning drives of all time!

OK.  Maybe not.  And while it would be totally wrong to anoint the Chicago Bears as Super Bowl champions now, there are some facts that just need to be said aloud right here and right now.

There is no doubt in my mind that Rex Grossman would have thrown an interception during that fateful fourth quarter drive.  Kyle Orton would have made several underthrown attempts to make pass completions only before fumbling away a game-winning opportunity like he had taken several shots of Jack Daniels while the Bears were on defense.

Make no mistake about it, Jay Cutler won this game.  And to think, one brave NFL prognosticator said Cutler would throw three TD passes against Seattle in Week 3.  Um, yeah.  I'll be taking your praise in the form of cash, credit, check or full frontal-nudity.

If Orton or Grossman is under center, there is no way the Bears score their first touchdown because they would have sent Robbie Gould onto the field for the safe three points.  Real NFL quarterbacks make those passes.  Not average QBs like Orton.  Not flashes-in-the-pan like Grossman.

Legit NFL signal callers make those kinds of plays.

And that is why I'm happy to be a Bears fan after the team's 25-17 win against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Cutler Did It: Bears beat Steelers 17-14 behind Cutler, Gould

Judging by your texts, tweets and Facebook status updates, there is not anyone in Chicago regretting the Jay Cutler trade.  Well, not this week, at least.


After a forgettable Week 1 effort which saw Cutler throw four INTs in a 21-15 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Bears fans saw the pros behind having a gunslinger under center.  Cutler threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns -- but most importantly -- zero interceptions in the Bears' 17-14 win against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers..  One of the best debates on any sports blog is the definition of clutch, and no matter your definition, it would be difficult to make me think Cutler's TD passes were anything but.

The first tied the game at 7-7 before halftime, capping a 97-yard drive, which would have been unthinkable had Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton been slinging the pigskin around the gridiron.  The second, a 7-yard strike to Johnny Knox, tied the game again in the fourth quarter to end a 72-yard drive with an exclamation point.

To Bears fans, this is experience is kin to a first kiss with a real girlfriend after years of drunken debauchery and slumming with hoodrats.  Sunday's performance has brought the Chicago Bears offense into the 20th century.  As long as Ron Turner is calling shots as the offensive coordinator, I'm not going to be ready to upgrade the team to 21st century status ... but having Cutler in the pocket makes me feel a lot better than Kyle Orton ever did.

It would be easy for Steelers fans to point at Troy Polumalu's absence due to injury for the three-point loss.  But the Bears were without their best defender, too.  So wipe that excuse off the board.  Then there was Jeff Reed's inability to make field goals in the final stanza.  Those two boots weren't gimmes by any stretch of the imagination, so to say the Bears were lucky would only be doing a disservice to a Bears defense that stiffened up when it needed to.  Take your Haterade and put it in a cooler and save it for next week's game at Seattle.

Then there was Robbie Gould.  There aren't enough superlatives to say about Mr. Gould, who seemingly always finds himself winning or tying games with what I assume to be a goulden platinum right foot.  Other than Adam Vinatieri, who taught Gould everything he knows about kicking, I'm not sure there is any other kicker I would want in the NFL if my team was in a tight spot.  I say this of course knowing full well that Gould has yet to make a 50-yard field goal in his career.  Part of that blame can be laid on the Bears offense, which has struggled at times to get the ball past the 50-yard line in the first place.

In the end, a victory against the defending Super Bowl champs to open the home schedule is exactly the kind of start the Bears needed after losing a very winnable game in Green Bay.  There are still problems lurking in the secondary, but those can be addressed at a later time, date and blog post.

Until then, drunken debauchery with hoodrats can ensue as the Bears beat the Stealers 17-14.

Pigskin Pimpin' On A Saturday

I'm sure Peyton Manning's fantasy updates include Reggie Wayne.  Poor Dallas Clark probably feels a little out of the mix.  After the jump, stuff about football.

 

Florida is about to pound the living snot out of Tennessee, so much so that Vols fans will be already looking forward to college basketball season.  On second thought, maybe not.  For all his flaws, at least Lane Kiffin has brought the Tennessee football program out of the druthers that Bud Kilmer Phil Fulmer had put it in.  Never have I seen a game that was so certain to be a blowout reach such levels of hype.

Any guesses when Florida coach Urban Meyer will call off the dogs?  My prediction is somewhere around the year 2012.  Unless, of course, he's at Notre Dame.

The other big game of the weekend is Texas Tech visiting Texas in Austin.  The Longhorns will have revenge on their mind as they will likely try to run it up on the Running Rebels, who helped knock them out of national title contention last year.

It shouldn't be a difficult task if you take into consideration that Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree no longer reside on campus.  Sure, Mike Leach is an offensive wizard, but every coach will tell you that you don't win games without talent, no matter how good of a coach you are.

Texas talent > Texas Tech talent.

Well, then there's Texas "talent" ... amiright?

Texas takes center stage again on Sunday night when the Cowboys host the Giants in the regular season debut of the 'Boys' new stadium.  This game looks a lot different than it would on Madden 2009, that's for sure.

Gone from the Giants is the receiver that Plax'd himself.  Gone from the Cowboys is the receiver fans wish would Plax himself.  Instead, starring in this game are a pair of alumns from Directional State Universities from the great state of Illinois.

Dallas will lean on the right arm of former Eastern Illinois great Tony Romo.  New York will likely hand the rock to former Southern Illinois Saluki great Brandon Jacobs.

Having met Jacobs personally, he's a nice guy.  So I'll go with the Giants to spoil the party -- then party with the cheerleaders afterward.

Oh yeah, then there's the Bears' home opener.  Quarterback Jay Cutler desperately needs to do two things.  A) Erase last week's game from his memory -- at least the parts where he threw four INTs.  B) Figure out how to beat the 3-4 defense.  He struggled last year against the Chargers, who use that system.  He struggled mightily against the Packers, who just started using that system and have made Dom Capers look like a genius again.  Now he goes against a team that has perfected the defense and has the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

If only Dick LeBeau could turn his defensive prowess into a head coaching job.  Oh right, he did.

Here's hoping Cutler avoids a scene like this tomorrow.

Don't Fool Yourselves Denver, You Still Suck

Move over John Elway, Kyle Orton is coming through.

Orton's miraculous game-winning touchdown toss-tip-catch play, combined with Jay Cutler's struggles has got Broncos fans thinking about big things.  News flash to Denver, you scored 12 points against the Cincinnati Bengals.  In more breaking news, the Bengals suck, and if you're only getting 12 points against them, I'm not sure how you'll score against a real team.

There isn't a GM in any sport that wouldn't trade Orton and draft picks for Cutler.

So enjoy this week of triumph, Broncos fans.  You'll only get this feeling three more times this season.

Jay Cutler & The Voice Of Reason

If I put my hands over my ears, I can't hear the bad things you say about me.

If your initial reaction to Sunday night's loss was to find the receipt for your recently purchased Jay Cutler jersey and head to your local retailer for a refund, this blog is for you.
Before you continue to pile on Rex Grossman Cutler, consider this.  If No. 6 was not under center, that 68-yard completion to Johnny Knox would have never happened.  Neither would the 36-yard touchdown pass to Devin Hester.  Cutler's 277-yard passing performance represents the most yards thrown for a Bears QB since Kyle Orton threw for 283 yards in the team's 48-41 win against Minnesota.

With that said, the Grossman-esque, four picks were inexcusable.  Even the one on the 3rd-and-Goal screen pass.  More on that later.

Bears fans looking for a good sign should take note of the following sentence.  The last time a Chicago quarterback threw four interceptions in a game was in 2006, when Grossman thought he played for the Arizona Cardinals.  Despite Grossman's horrific game, the Bears won 24-23, which led to one of the greatest post-game rants ever ... and the Bears' last Super Bowl appearance.

The most troubling thing about the loss might not be the four-INT game by the savior.

First, there's Ron Turner and his play calling.  First, I am convinced Turner is the only offensive coordinator at any level that would call for a screen pass on 3rd-and-Goal ... and then later on 3rd and 22.  At what point does Lovie Smith stop Turner and say, 'Hey, that might not be the best call for this situation.'  Or, at what point does Cutler die of laughter upon hearing said play being called.  And while Devin Hester emerged as a No. 1 target this week, I cannot be the only person wondering what happened to last season's best pass catcher.  While Matt Forte struggled to move the ball (24 carries, 55 yards) on the ground, I'm still trying to figure out how the team's leading receiver last year did not come up with any receptions last night. 

Here's hoping that Jerry Angelo has los juevos to give Turner the axe and call Mike Shanahan and see what his plans are for next Sunday.  I'm sure Cutler has got him on speed dial.

On the other side of the ball, the Bears didn't completely suck.  In fact, for about 57 minutes, it looked like the Monsters of the Midway.  Adawale Ogunleye played like a man looking for a contract extension possessed, picking up a sack and harassing Aaron Rodgers as if he owed him child support money.  Then came Nathan Vasher's slip as Greg Jennings slid right past him for an easy touchdown.

It's the same play the Bears were burned on last year against Minnesota.  And the same play the Colts were able to smoke the Bears on in the Super Bowl.  If legit offenses run that play against the Bears, I can almost guarantee a scoring play on at least 9 of 10 attempts.  The other attempt comes one-yard short of a touchdown, as the open receiver takes a knee at the one so his teammate can get the one-yard touchdown run to preserve his fantasy football team's win.

Oh yeah, and Brian Urlacher is going under the knife Monday.

Did I mention the defending world champion Steelers come to Chicago in Week 2.

It could be worse, Bears fans, you could have been born a Lions fan.

POLL: Bigger Disappointment: Jay Cutler Or Your Fantasy Team?

Alright, so Jay Cutler threw four interceptions in the Bears' opening night in Green Bay.  So, what?  Chicago still has 15 more games to go.  Plenty of time to make sure that Rex Grossman didn't show up to Lambeau Field wearing a white No. 6 jersey.

Cutler threw for 277 yards despite the four picks.  Don't get me wrong, the four picks won't fly when the Bears host the defending world champs next week, but imagine what he will be capable of when Detroit comes rolling into town in Week 4.

Then there's your fantasy team.  And by "your" fantasy team, I mean mine.

Marques Colston and Frank Gore were spared single-digit scoring games thanks to touchdown scores.  Willie Parker might as well have been running backward for the Steelers, and Brett Favre needs to find Vinsanthe Schiancoe for some touchdowns.  If it wasn't for Favre, no one would have even known Mark Chmura existed.  Well, except for his babysitter.  Then there was T.J.H.'s forgettable debut in Seattle.  Matt Hasselbeck throws three touchdowns (in a win) and you don't catch one of them?  That's what I call disappointment.

I really do not want to have to rely on Kevin Smith (not that guy), Vernon Davis, Felix Jones and Donald Driver to carry me to a fantasy championshp, so I'm hoping my fantasy (and reality) team get it together.  And fast.

Jay Cutler or Your Fantasy Team: Who Had The Worse Week?

• Cutler! He stunk.
• My fantasy team! They stunk.
• Luda's fantasy team! Luda's just a dumb drafter.

Created on Sep 14, 2009

View Results

poll by twiigs.com

Jay Cutler, Bears Prevail In Denver

Cutler: I caaaaan't heeeaaar yooouuu!!!!

If you asked any football fan who they would prefer as their starting quarterback if their choices were Jay Cutler and Kyle Orton, I'd predict that 90 percent of the poll's respondents would pick Jay Cutler.

No wonder Denver Broncos fans booed so lustily last night.

Oh well.

Denver, you're stuck with Kyle Orton, he of pedestrian career numbers which eerily resemble the dearly departed Rex Grossman.  Brandon Marshall is suspended and Knoshown Moreno is injured.  Orton claims he's got weapons he's never had in Chicago -- but it's looking now like he's a few bullets short of a full chamber.

Then there's Cutler, who bitched, babied and bullied his way out of Denver and into Chicago.  Signs are pointing upward for the Bears, and not just because their quarterback doesn't suck anymore.

Cutler saw his touchdowns and passing yards go up after his first year as a full-time starting quarterback.  And with a schedule that will include games against Detroit (twice), Cleveland, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Seattle and St. Louis, the sky might be the just the beginning (not the limit) for Cutler.

The Bears have two solid tight ends (no homo), a star-in-the-making at running back and an up-and-coming speed-burning wide receiver.  No, the Bears offense will never be confused with one of those mid-90s Dallas Cowboys squads or the Patriots from a few years back, but Chicago might actually have its offense outscore its defense once in a while.

In the end, if the Bears go on to win the Super Bowl, there is one question that desperately needs to be asked.

How much credit does Josh McDaniels deserve ... and what's his ring size?

Cutler Era Has Begun (sort of!), But Funny That It Comes Day After Orton's Debacle

Has there been a more exciting start to the Chicago Bears preseason? Granted, the Cubs and Sox are still barely hanging on to solid playoff hopes, so the focus in Chicago should still be on the diamond. Yet, with all the talk surrounding the Bears' trade for Cutler, there must be plenty of focus on their first game tonight in Buffalo.

Plus, things are falling into the Bears' laps right now. Terrell Owens is out for this game with a toe injury, so the attention of the NFL is going to be on Cutler. Thank goodness...isn't a reality t.v. show for Owens enough?

Also, look at Kyle Orton's game last night with Denver. Orton, traded for Cutler in the offseason, threw three interceptions in four series. He has already received boos from the crowd during training camp, and if the game was in the Mile High City as opposed to San Francisco, there would have been plenty more hateful remarks coming his way during the game .

That horrible start sets up Cutler and the Bears pretty well. For one weekend, at least, a good Cutler performance in the first quarter will make everybody feel the trade was in Chicago's favor.

There are a few things that may get in Cutler's way. Does he have someone to throw the ball to? Apparently, guys like Earl Bennett have performed well and Devin Hester has developed. We will see how that goes tonight in Buffalo. Is the O-line ready to improve? Plus, the Bears remain a running team. I would hope that the offense does not revolve solely around Cutler because someone named Matt Forte may have a breakout year in the backfield.

Either way, this should be fun. Maybe the name Sid Luckman will go away, as the Bears finally have another QB that everybody loves and admires. We'll see how it turns out, but one thing is for sure. Yes, it is preseason and it will always be preseason, yet the excitement is still there going into tonight's game.

There may have also been some excitement in Denver, but after last night, it may not be for Orton anymore. Chris Simms is waiting for the starting job with the Broncos. Jay Cutler certainly has that job in Chicago.

A Very Merry Birthday List

For Luis C. Medina's birthday, I would like to send Phil Rogers and Kevin Gregg to this small island-nation ... permanently

Here at TBDS, I am the NBA guy. Normally I would write something exciting about the free agency period going on, like how there is going to be a UConn reunion in Motown in a matter of hours. 

But today is even more important than the beginning of NBA free agency. It is the birthday of the founder of The Big Dead Sidebar and sports blogger extraordinaire (and by that I mean the best sports blogger I have ever read), Luis C. Medina. 

So since it is his birthday, I would like to take this time to compile a list of birthday wishes I would have made reality had I been given the chance. 

1. Bryant the Bull: When Kobe says "You might as well buy a Bulls jersey," referencing his desire to play in the Windy City, than it should be a no-brainer to do everything possible to make a move for the best player in the NBA. Unfortunately, it was a brainer for Chicago's front office. They couldn't part ways with Luol Deng and bit the bullet for it. 

Had I been general manager, Mr. Medina would be one happy basketball fan right now. I would have traded Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas with a future pick for No. 24. Bryant would have come to the Bulls where he could play alongside Derrick Rose and create chaos in the East. But instead Deng is always hurt, Gordon is leaving for nothing in return and Thomas is still searching for consistency. The end result ... Rose is forced to carry a team and Luis is a sad birthday boy. 

2. Peavy rocks the Cubbie blue: Unlike the NBA, there is no salary cap in the MLB. Why the Cubs did not push harder to get the Cy Young winner in their rotation is beyond me. Now the Cubs are 36-38 and it's no longer early in the season. Luis is frustrated and it's all cause Chicago just couldn't part ways with Carlos Marmol or top-prospects or anyone else the Padres were interested in. I would have sent Marmol or Lilly or almost whoever the Padres wanted to get Peavy. But instead, Luis is shocked to see his favorite-to-win-the-division Cubbies in fourth place and under .500.  

3. Can we flip-flop: If missing out on Peavy wasn't bad enough, the Cubs virtually traded beloved Mark DeRosa for unbeloved Aaron Miles. If I had the power to give one single gift to Mr. Medina, it would be to make a trade right now sending Miles back home to St. Louis for DeRosa. I know it wouldn't vastly improve the club, but at least it would give Cubs fans a reason to smile and something to cheer about. There is something about DeRosa that just makes a baseball fan feel good inside. 

4. See you later: I would like to buy two tickets to Vanuatu (it's a small island-nation in the south Pacific). And I didn't buy them for Luis to take a vacation either. The tickets would be for my greatest gift of all. I would round up Phil Rogers and Kevin Gregg and send them on their merry way. With Phil Rogers gone, Luis could take his rightful place at the Chicago Tribune and with Kevin Gregg gone ... well that just makes everyone a little more sane. 

5. Make it rain: I am currently trying to track down Pacman Jones so he can make it rain on Hollywood. Someone needs to put up the money to make "Moneyball" a reality. I for one am not that excited for the movie, but it seems important to Luis and the only way I could see the movie being even better is to see Adam "Pacman" Jones name appear as the producer for the movie during the opening credits. 

6. The Bears get a QB: What's that? You say the Bears signed Jay Cutler? You mean the Pro Bowl quarterback right? Hmm .... Well then that wish has become a reality! It looks like while the other five failed to happen, this is true! With Matt Forte, a new defensive coordinator and a healthy offensive line ... well ...

It looks like you might have a happy birthday after all (though you will have to wait until September).