Alaskan Grizzly

I couldn't help but notice this weekend Ditka shed the Packers sweater and not only did they (GB) win, the Bears lost! Can someone call Ditka and tell him to get that sweater back on before Thursday?

I think technically that second turnover was ruled a fumble. But whatever you're right it was a good play by Miller. And do recall why it was Cutler reacted the way he did in that situation (throwing the tablet)? That was right after the play where he missed Mariani wide open on the left side of the endzone where instead Cutler forced a throw towards double coverage. He could have even run in that instance for more a gain than the incompletion that he ended up throwing. It's times like this, especially in the red zone, where Cutler seems to get that tunnel vision and doesn't look to see what all his options are. Admittedly they are less but still happen from time to time and at key moments. Edit: here's a link to a story about it. In the video clip take note who Cutler threw the tablet towards. Hopefully we don't see another week or two out because of it. http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-footb...n=chicago-bears

Agreed, he has done much better than in the past. The fact you acknowledge that tells you me you recognize he's not been good, or at least 'franchise-worthy', for most of these last 10 years (or whatever he's been playing for). The one factor that seems to have made the difference? Gase? I'll pose you the same question, how 'lucky' will you feel if Gase leaves for a HC job elsewhere and Cutler reverts to his old ways? The measure of "Jekyll-Hyde" has been lessened because of his improved play. Where he looked sharp in the St Louis game he looked lackluster in the Denver game. Yes he did some good things but did an equal amount of 'meh' plays where as others pointed out, his passing was just 'off'. (Minus the two turnovers).

Well since I was speaking 'metaphorically' I find it interesting you took it literal. And I take solace in that I don't need explain myself to a guy who once quit this site because he couldn't handle the pressure from other posters (only to come back at a later time because, I assume, you weren't getting the recognition you though necessary or are a glutton for punishment). That being said, I want the team to compete every week and never ever hint at the prospect of 'throwing a game' just to up their chances in the draft. Several will agree that the draft is a crapshoot at best in most instances. However in seeing what Pace has been able to already do with the crop he brought in and some from the more recent management (Leno, SMC, Carey) I'm confident he'll be able to find the talent no matter the round or position on someone else's draft board.

Did you miss that one shot where Mariani was wide open in the end zone? I know Jay did. He saw it too afterwards. And in regards to the run game it seems to me that Carey was having some success until he was knocked out of the game. They focused on Langford throughout the game. Wanna say Marshall was following him around quite a bit.

Agree 100% . It's not like the guy has never been to the playoffs or the Super Bowl before. He must have some clue what he's doing.

Yeah the "play calling" was at fault. Before I go any further; Jason your commentary about how the team should continue to lose to get a better draft pick is pure unadulterated patheticness. I'm glad I never played on a team where you were a member. As Singletary would say "can't win with them!". Not sure what everyone else saw but I saw a lot of mediocre from Jay. As has been the case a few times over the years 0, nada, zilch in red zone passing conversions. A key turnover late in the game; not the one where he lost the ball to the d-lineman but the one he threw direct to Trevathan. Sure Cutler is showing some signs of improvement but if you still think Cutler will ever lead the team to a playoff win let alone a Super Bowl, you're fooling yourself.

Yep. I saw the same things that both you and Ashkum saw. And agree totally that he's grasping that role, at least outwardly.

Very good point. And they made similar comments about Bryce Callahan and how well he played despite his background. I'm encouraged for the teams future based on what I'm seeing thus far. Reminds me a little of how Seattle built itself up about 4-5 years ago. And at the risk of being burned (Jason), I'd like to see more of Mariani playing out of the slot. He may not be all that flashy in the return game but he made some nice catches last night and certainly looks like he could play the Amendola,Welker, Edelman role in the slot. Speaking of return men, when are they going to give Smith a shot at it?

At the risk of hurting Hustla's sensitive proclivities (because I'm going negative for a minute) but not sure how you can see that AJ was "pulled". If you look at the video from the game he made a decisive cut TO HIS LEFT as if to catch the ball inside. If, as you suggested, he was "pulled" inside I think we would have seen him turn right and would have been facing more to his right looking over his right shoulder while FALLING to his left. Whether or not there was contact between he and the defender, in this instance, is of no consequence. Gruden even pointed out that AJ and Cutler had done this same play five times the week prior when playing Minnesota. In fact Gruden further pointed out that Verrette (who had presumably been studying film) said he was going to jump that route. And guess what...he did. Sweet top it all you want, Cutler made an error. This doesn't completely debunk your theory but here's a comment from Cutler in the Chicago Tribune. "I felt like (Jeffery) got pulled (inside) a little bit," Cutler said. "I put the ball where I wanted it. It should have been a completion." The way I see it you should be asking how do you translate; "...I put the ball where I wanted"? I know, I know most of you will point out that 'yeah but..this or that' I'm just telling you what I saw and have been seeing. This from an ESPN tweet earlier today: "Jay Cutler has the 2nd most turnovers (160) since 2007. Eli Manning has the most with 181." Thing to note here is that Eli has two SB wins in that timeframe. I know, I know... 'But Lovie didn't do this, and Emery did this, and Webb sucked, and on and on....' Again apologists aside, it is what it is. I've said it once I'll say it again, others (QB's) have faced as much or more adversity and still managed to do more. So looking at this last week's competition; San Diego. Formerly ranked 2-6 and now 2-7 where did they rank in total defense? 20th. Where do the next three opponents rank? The Rams (5th), Denver (1) and GB (23rd). I might add Cutler is 1-11 versus GB in the last 12 meetings (or something similar). Anyhow, my point that if he plays as well as he has been as of late, against respectable teams without making these potentially game changing mistakes then maybe I'll back down my rhetoric and doubt. Shifting my thinking to the positive, if only for a minute. From the same Tribune article I referred to earlier, this from Jeffery right after that interception: "When we came to the sideline, I told Jay on the next play we just need a go route. I don't care what the coverage is. Let's go right back at him." On the next snap, Cutler went back to Jeffery, back at Verrett, connecting on a deep ball up the right sideline for 47 yards." To that end, I'm very encouraged that Cutler did not give up. I'm glad he persevered and played to the last whistle. As a fan, that's all I can ask for. He did good. And admittedly is looking more comfortable in Gase's system...against weaker teams. These next few weeks will be a true test. And no Hustla, Stringer or anyone else who insists I'm "hoping" for Jay to screw up, I'm not.

Not having a 'pick six' might have made a difference too. ?

Not having a 'pick six' might have made a difference too.

Nice one kiddo. ? I'm not sure why you insist on saying I wish Cutler would f*ck up. I don't have to, he nearly every time does it at the most inopportune time. And when he does ... Boy oh boy. But I suppose it if it makes you feel better to think that way keep it up skippy. Whatever you need to do to cope. I suppose it's better than thumb sucking.

Yep

Why are you such a buffoon?

Hes baaaackkkk!

Looking good so far!

I was looking for that article and found something else intriguing in the Tribune that I didn't know before. Apparently Gase was also a candidate for the SF HC job but didn't like the management "heavy-handedness" and wanted to keep Fangio on as DC but they weren't interested. He ultimately chose Chicago as did Vic. It would seem viable that we could lose both in a manner of ways.

I don't care how you dice it. You NEVER EVER throw games to get better draft picks. That's absolutely ridiculous.

My two cents. I think a lot of it is based on last year in a lot of ways. Most realized the abysmal condition our team was in and since Fox has come in and despite being 2-5, the team is a more "respectable" 2-5 (if you can say that) than their record indicates. Most of the losses have been minimal not blowouts. Throw in that the defense, although completely re-engineered from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and has a ton of youth has a lot of weight . And they are still holoding their own. I think and continuing to use last year as a gauge names like Pace and Fangio, who were both front runners, haven't really hurt their stock. (Some may consider Gase a wunderkid or miracle worker for the reasons you list). Especially if they manage the team to .500 (or better) record. Then all bets are off. So yes we can probably expect our team will get a lot of scrutiny for the remainder of the year. One quick last thought. I'm of the opinion that there may be an agreement of some sort between Fox and Gase and Bears management that allows Gase to become HC when Fox retires. Not sure exactly when that will be whether it's this year or next. But something I've considered since they interviewed Gase last year for the HC job and despite not getting it still came over as OC.

Update: trade deadline came and went...in a fizzle. (Unless you consider Vernon Davis going to Denver a big deal - my family does as many of them are in the Denver area). FWIW I'm glad neither AJ nor especially Forte were traded as speculated. Moving on...

....and today they release their former #1 back Randle as one report puts it; "too much baggage". Instead they're putting faith in oft-injured Darren McFadden to carry the load at RB. Weird. What a "show" indeed.

Props to Jay. Good to have AJ back.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS KYLE FULLER KID?!?!