butkusrules

BackHomeSearch Sports Memo to Bears, Cutler: Go for it! Conservative play-calling on winning drive a downer CommentsSeptember 22, 2009BY CAROL SLEZAK Sun-Times ColumnistIhate to complain after a big Bears win, or for that matter after any Bears win, but what about that final drive? Was anyone else frustrated by the conservative play-calling down the stretch? The game was tied and the Bears had the ball at their 33-yard line with just over three minutes left, and -- silly me -- I expected them to go for it. Isn't that why they brought Jay Cutler to town? Any quarterback can hand the ball off to a running back for a one-yard gain. Any quarterback can complete a short pass that essentially serves as a run play. But Cutler isn't just any quarterback. I wanted to watch him lead the offense down the field. I wanted to watch a touchdown drive. Goodness knows there was enough time left on the clock, and the Bears were playing at home. I didn't want to watch them willingly settle for a 44-yard field-goal attempt. Only the Bears would pursue a gifted quarterback such as Cutler, then attempt to turn him into Kyle Orton's mini-me. A matter of trustTo be fair, I can imagine what offensive coordinator Ron Turner was thinking. The Pittsburgh Steelers have an outstanding defense, so there was no need to tempt fate when a field goal would do the trick. And coming off that four-interception game against the Green Bay Packers in the season opener, the last thing Cutler needed was to get picked off with the game on the line. I get it -- but I don't agree. Earlier in the game, the Bears ran a draw on third-and-13, basically conceding that possession. The message sent then and again in the fourth quarter: The Bears do not trust Cutler. If nothing else, I would have liked to see them make things easier for Gould at the end of the game by getting a little closer. That wasn't going to happen by handing the ball to Matt Forte four times in seven plays. The Steelers had rendered the Bears' running game useless all day long. Why would the final drive be any different? Sure enough, Forte gained nine yards on those four carries. Useless. And when Cutler wasn't handing off to Forte, he was reduced to throwing dinky short passes. The Bears didn't even try to stretch the field. The strategy worked, this time, thanks to Gould. But I hope the Bears don't make a habit of it. When you have a talent like Cutler, you should aim higher than getting into long-range field goal territory. Shouldn't you? With the defense looking better than anticipated -- and much of the credit goes to coach Lovie Smith, who has taken over the play-calling duties -- the Bears have a chance to be a good team. But they're going to have to score, and that's not going to happen if they're afraid to go downfield. Everyone should be pleased with Cutler's performance Sunday. After the Green Bay debacle and a week's worth of criticism about everything from his leadership ability to his facial expressions, he needed a solid outing. But at the same time, we know he's capable of more. And he knows he's capable of more. How long will he allow Turner and Smith to handcuff him before he gets antsy -- or angry? Take shackles off CutlerTwo games is not a large sample size. Between the offensive line's struggles and the inexperienced receiving corps, the offense is a work in progress. It should be enough, for now, that the Bears beat the defending Super Bowl champions. Cutler was sharp, Smith called a great defensive game and Gould was automatic. Game balls for all of them. (And while we're at it, let's toss one Jeff Reed's way; his two missed field goals were a lucky break.) But moving forward, what can we expect from the offense? I don't believe the Bears view Cutler as a game-managing type of quarterback, but old habits are hard to break. The Bears aren't used to having a quarterback who can make plays. The Bears are used to cringing every time their quarterback drops back to pass. Cutler will throw his share of interceptions, but the Bears knew that when they traded for him. They need to remind themselves of that fact and give him the freedom he needs to excel. They need to remind themselves that thanks to Cutler, rookie receiver Johnny Knox is showing signs that he could be a special player, tight end Kellen Davis has made the first five catches of his career and Devin Hester no longer looks completely lost at receiver. If the offense is going to reach its potential, the Bears must trust their quarterback. And their play-calling needs to reflect that. BackHome Font Size: SML © 2009 Digital Chicago, Inc. Powered by the mDog.com Mobile Portal

Omiyale will start at LOG but Beekman will be in the wings if he has trouble great news, i was worried they were going stand pat on this loaf. It was unnerving when i heard his after game interview where he said he though he played decent. Brown was saying how he didn't do enough and this lazy ass was grading himself ok after that loss.

http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/mul...lip=Y&rn=12 Nice kid, seems like a modest hard worker.

If you heard" that interview , Dungy was asked about it and while he said those words he could not be less emotional or enthusiastic about it. What is he supposed to say. "Marvin to the Bears?.....No Marvin is washed up? Frankly I think Marvin Harrison in Chicago would be nothing but trouble. He is at the end of his career and was used to being served filet mignon from one of the best QB's of all time. He has won his super bowl and he has nothing to play for but a few bucks. Plus the more I read about the gun/club incident the less and less I trust him.

I hope all the Bears and for that matter all sports players stop signing autographs . Its a stupid tradition and only gives losers something to talk about beyond their nerd role playing card games. I don't have a problem with little kids asking but there almost always seems to be some creepy guy behind the kid pushing him to ask. I think it would be best to just stop it all together.

Well no, some QB's are more disposed to getting hurt in the upcoming year. McNabb has a history of injury and Warner is in the twilight of his career as well as suffering through his own major injuries.

Seriously, I love the Bears, but he's got us ranked above Arizona, Philly, and Atlanta? I think we are better then Arizona and Philly. I dont think either one of those QB's get through the season w/o missing multiple games.

Those are great hits. It looks like that you tube video of that oversized kid playing pee wee football that was talked about alot on Dan Patirck

I think he comes in at DE-julius peppers like

http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingrepo...ron-Gilbert.php

I like TJ Lang alot. He is one of those OT to play OG that Angelo talked about plus he is a prick on the field which Angelo loves. Its not a sexy pick but Its a long term fix and Angelo already committed. Frankly when you look at WR, most don't really seem to pan out. (David Terrell) That being the case I just assume use our 2nd third round pick on one.

Too Late, Lions got em. I hate what our division is doing so far-not fun.

Louis Delmas Would look great in a Bears Jersey, especially since we have a more experienced Aaron Rodgers, Percy Harvin, Pettigout and Stafford to contend with next year.

+1

You know I honestly think that in Chicago if he didn't drink it would be more of concern for Bears fans.

How exactly do waivers work?

My bad.

"Top rated" was not the basis for the argument, it was really just more of an adjective. I could have just as easily typed "good" instead. My argument was that we need a Guard to step in because our current guard is playing on borrowed time.

I think if the Bears think Duke Robinson's shoulder is not a problem they go after the top rated guard in th draft. Garza's "no cartilage" miracle cant go on forever. I think they go WR in the third, maybe even taking a chance on Louis Murphy and hope a good QB makes an avg WR better.

Yeah I saw that when he ran away form his leased Lamborghini on the expressway. That was very leader-ish of him. All kidding aside, though I think Briggs and his infamous forearm is a much needed enforcer on the field.

Same here. I think its great that he said that.

here it is Much has been made about the Bears' lack of weapons at wide receiver, and certainly the team needs improvement. The team still has a second-round pick, and it should be used on a wide receiver. But rookies can't be counted on for immediate impact. The Bears learned that last year when third-rounder Earl Bennett never saw the light of day. Bennett is a close friend of Cutler from their days at Vanderbilt. Cutler values the receiver so much, he went back to his old school for Bennett's pro day before the draft last year so the receiver had a chance to show off his stuff. ''I know what Earl is capable of doing, and I will be able to get it out of him,'' Cutler said. ''I am 100 percent sure of that. That is not going to be a problem. You are obviously going to see a different receiver this year because I think everyone is a little down on him right now.'' Nothing wrong with creating big expectations. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...mully05.article

Anybody see that article in the weekend trib where Cutlers says he is "100%" sure he will make earl bennet productive? That was a strong statement-and the type leaders say?

Somebody post it. Thanks.

I've had enough of lovie. Anyone who can argue for hicks return is not someone I want coaching the bears. Period.