Do You Really Want To Throw Jay Cutler Under The Bus Already?
Published by Adam Radochonski on September 14, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Is it fair to start the “Get rid of Jay Cutler” talk? Why are there rumblings about people losing their jobs after a single game? Isn’t this the National Football League, where all teams play 16 regular season games and have a chance to make the playoffs?
I mean, why should we really start making a mountain out of a molehill? Now, granted, that molehill called the Chicago Bears looked pretty bad out there, but why should we all of a sudden just surrender?
We should ask ourselves, WWGHD? If you don’t know who I’m referring to, you should stop reading this article-NOW.
The bandwagoners who-once again-got excited about a franchise quarterback are now calling for his head. But why? The four interceptions thrown, two by receivers breaking their routes away from the ball, one on the most athletically talented play from a 330-pounder I’ve seen in mid-air, and the dagger in the heart on a receiver just getting pushed around too hard.
Sure, let’s throw another quarterback under the bus. He’s Grossman 2.0. Same mentality in terms of getting the ball down field, but Cutler has way better physical skills.
But, once again, why not just take the easy way out and go after the player that is designated as the franchise? Did you see how many plays Cutler kept alive with his feet and avoid the rush? When was the last time we’ve seen something like that?
Let us give credit to the defense. This aging, brittle defense held down an explosive passing attack and did a great job of holding Ryan Grant in check to just 61 yards rushing.
The pass rush was evident by the nine quarterback hits and four sacks, including a safety by Daniel Manning. They also held Rodgers in check up until the last throw-a 50-yard strike to Greg Jennings-and didn’t let these wide-outs break anything long.
However, special teams was probably the most ineffective part of the game and a big reason why the Bears struggled. Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson returned four kicks for 124 yards, a 31 yard average.
Maynard was great punting and Robbie Gould converted his two field goals, but the botched punt play in the fourth quarter that set up a field goal was a huge misstep, especially after Lovie challenged that there were 12 men on the field and was off by about 3 seconds.
The coaching was sub par to say the least. Lovie did a nice job of calling the defensive plays and getting pressure on Rodgers. Obviously, the addition of Rod Marinelli as defensive line coach boosted a pass rush that was severely lacking last year. Ron Turner was not creative and didn’t do enough to let Matt Forte and Devin Hester, the offense’s two best weapons, operate in space and move the ball effectively down field.
As a whole, the Bears have a lot to work on. They showed that they can play with a good offense, but showed a lot of youth on the offensive side of the ball at the wide receiver position, and will have to get better next week for the defending champions. Until then, have faith in Jay Cutler, Lovie Smith, and the Chicago Bears franchise.
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