'TD'

Bengals, because I am from Ohio, and then Denver because of Manning. There's not a better role model or offensive mind in football in my opinion, he deserves a 2nd Super Bowl ring for playing at such a high level at his age while being hurt.

It's all a moot point right now. He's starting again with Cutler not healthy. I still hope the Bears can make the playoffs. Ratliff's looked good for his first game with the team. Briggs should be back by the playoffs and Tillman would be ready for the play. This could be a different D at that point, and the Bears could possibly make a serious run. If the Bears lose to the Cowboys, I would love for Cutler to start the rest of the season. It would give the Bears a better chance to assess what to do in the off-season. In 4 weeks, or preferably in February, we can get back to the discussion on the discussion on if Cutler should be retained. I'll still continue to get McCown's back when I feel he deserves it in the mean time.

I'm sorry, I wasn't making this thread on a basis of why McCown is the better future for the Bears. My opinion aside, I wanted to point out some misconceptions that I have read here and on the radio recently. I planned on what stats I wanted to post to clear those things up, and they would have been posted whether Cutler was better or not. The Bears did score more points with Cutler, but I honestly thought it was going to work out to higher. I clearly remembered the defense was producing more turn overs at that point. I just wanted to point that out with stats. Another misconception I felt was that McCown was bad on third down and in the red zone. Once again, I thought Cutler was going to blow away McCown with TD's in the red zone, but I thought McCown would have respectable numbers to show he wasn't that bad. My arguement was going to be, look he can get it done but Trestman's running instead. However, McCown was actually better in the red zone than Cutler. Also, I wanted to show he has been competent while trailing, when it's often stated that Cutler could lead comebacks better. I think there are solid arguments against proceeding with McCown. His age is an obvious argument against that 2 or 3 years is the most the Bears could hope for. His past career in the NFL doesn't exactly promote confidence that he is the real deal. Obviously, the QB carousel is another argument and for good reason considering the Bears past history. The Marshall argument fits on the smaller sense, but I don't think that would be as big of an issue here. My arguments against going forward with Cutler wouldn't be based on the red zone or third down. He's been respectable in that area this year minus the 2 ints with in the 10.

I know this could have went in other threads, but honestly it's its own subject. It's not about Trestman screwing the pooch and it's not about McCown being Gannon 2.0. This thread is going to start with bare facts about the Bears 2 QB's. I'll be looking at 11 games specifically. I'm throwing out the Redskins game as they split the time there. Points scored by the offense per game: Cutler: 22.4 McCown 21 Passing yards per game: Cutler: 268.9 McCown: 292.8 Rushing yards per game: Cutler: 98.3 McCown 122.5 Defensive turn overs per game: (minus ones that went for a TD) Cutler: 1.86 McCown: 0.75 (following stats are for the year) On 3rd or 4th and 1-2 yards to go" Cutler: 4 of 10 81.3 rating McCown 6 of 9 87.7 rating On 3rd or 4th and 3-8 yards to go: Cutler: 19 of 36 94.8 rating McCown: 12 of 22 104.5 rating On 3rd or 4th and 9+ yards: Cutler: 21 of 29 101.5 rating McCown: 9 of 15 109.3 rating When Trailing a game: Cutler: 77of 129, 7 TDs, 3 Ints, 92.2 rating McCown: 91 of 133, 8tds, 1int, 111.2 rating In the red zone: Cutler: 22 of 44, 11 tds. 2 ints, 81.1 rating McCown: 10 of 21, 6 tds, 0 ints, 96.0 rating Within 10 and goal: Cutler: 6 of 17, 5 TDs, 2 ints, 44 rating McCown: 5 of 13, 4 TDs, 0 ints, 86.2 rating

Did you watch the last 2 games? The line was getting McCown killed, he may have benefited from it early but hasn't lately.

I think kinks in his armor has showed, but I don't think his over all play has went down. Trestman has just been overly conservative. Look at OT the last game. He ran nonstop, then kicked a long field goal on second down instead of trusting his offense. I think people remembering the team incorrectly under Cutler's this year.

On the score the other day, they said the difference was less than 3 points when you take out defensive TD's . I think that also ignores the drive against Detroit when he led the TD drive and Cutler didn't do much all game, and the Redskins when Cutler had a bad first half and McCown lead a very productive offense in the second half. The scoring isn't really much different. I do think the play calling has been worse in the red zone with McCown at times. Trestman has seemed to get too conservative and trying to run more often when the line can not open holes.

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/i...info-answered-2 It matters. Especially on a 47 yarder and having to sit there through 2 time outs after warming up. They shouldn't have tried that on second down no matter how you look at it.

Yea especially after both the Bears and Vikings iced him.

It's really odd going for it here.

Lol time to stop them fireworks!!

Cutler has 2 near picks ever quarter. The one that was called back, McCown most likely knew it was a throw away pass and passed it. You're right tho on the shovel pass, it was very Cutler like. However, if Cutler made the 2 throws that McCown made to Jeffery for a TD and the one to Forte on the sideline, people would be talking about how only Cutler can make those throws.

Great placement on the ball, but wow what a catch by Jeffery

what a run by forte

Cutler should be back then and is 1-7 vs the Packers. I'd rather put my money on the Lions losing more than one gmae.

I'd rather see the Lions win. They are more likely to collapse than Green Bay with Rodgers.

To be honest, I wouldn't care if Cutler went to Minny. However, the Bears can have say in where he goes and get draft picks by tag and trading him. There's no reason to let him walk for nothing when they can get some value.

I imagine he will be trying for 18-20 million a years with over 50 million guaranteed. He may settle for 14-16 million a year after what happened this year.

The Score is saying he my have a torn tendon and miss the rest of the year. The Bears and Cutler are denying it.

If they can trade SMC for something decent, I am for it. But, he will cost almost twice as much against the cap to get rid of him then to keep him.

http://overthecap.com/teamcap.php?Team=Bears&Year=2014 This is the first site I always see on google when I search. They have him at a 9.8 mill savings, but I think the number is different after the restructuring this year.

The current Bears roster is built due to poor management over the last 10 years or so. Tillman and Briggs were the best players drafted during Angelo's reign and they are near the twilight of their careers. The Patriots have had solid management for years, and they have a constant supply of players being infused to their offenses and defenses. The Broncos was pretty well built in the draft, but had to give decent sized contracts to Manning and Welker. The Patriots are in the top 10 in or around the top ten on offense and defense due to good management. The Broncos, while they do have play makers, are showing what happens to a D you have to invest so much into a QB. Their defense allows 26 points a game and the 26th most yards this season. The Bears are in a bad situation this off season due to bad management. The Bears struggles to find impact players through the draft led to the addition of larger contract players like Bushrod, Marshall, and Peppers. Not only did management not find stars, but they didn't leave a solid infrastructure. There is a need either due to age, depth, or lack of talent at every position on defense. Things can be done like cutting Peppers, but the 10 million in savings will also leave 9 million in dead cap space. Teams like the Broncos and Patriots don't have that. If there is 10 to 15 million saved by losing Cutler, that may add 2 new starting D-linemen that can fill holes so that teams can't run all over the Bears. It may bring in Tillman or Jennings replacement and a competent Safety. There is so many holes on the team and only so many draft picks to fill the holes.

I don't see anything of much value outside of tagging Cutler or Melton and trading either for maybe a 2nd rounder or something.

Actually, the quarterback discussion was due to the elephant in the room. It all started with the idea that if McCown can produce near, equal, or better results than Cutler, then Cutler's pay could be better spent on improving the defense and retaining players. There's also a possibility of getting extra draft picks to improve the D through a tag and trade of Cutler ala Cassel a few years ago.

He'd definitely be able to tackle better with his strong arm.