Jay Cutler, Devin Hester Look to Provide Deep Ball Combo in 2009
Published by Scott Shniderman on May 28, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears had a very busy offseason. Perhaps their biggest acquisition was Jay Cutler, Pro Bowl quarterback from the Denver Broncos. In 2008, Cutler had the best season of his career, throwing for over 4,500 yards and 25 touchdowns. However, the personnel in Denver and Chicago are quite different.
In Denver, Cutler got to work with Brandon Marshall, an All-Pro WR who has had over 100 receptions in the last two seasons for the Broncos. Cutler also helped Eddie Royal, a rookie WR for Denver in 2008, haul in 91 grabs.
The Bears’ leading wideout, Devin Hester, had 51 receptions last year. Both RB Matt Forte (63 rec) and Greg Olson (54 rec) had more catches than any wide receiver on the Bears last season.
In addition to Hester, the only returning Chicago WR that had a catch in the NFL last season was Rashied Davis. Cutler certainly has a tall task to come in and be the savior of the offense with so few options to work with.
While some might think that the Bears will completely revamp their playbook to accommodate their new golden arm, the team will probably just include additional plays to put Cutler in a position to succeed.
Bears fans should still expect a heavy dose of Matt Forte with a lot of play action mixed in. With 63 grabs in 2008, Forte had the most receptions of any running back in the league last year. Forte was third in the NFL last year in yards from scrimmage with 1715. Matt Forte will and should continue to get his touches.
The best thing that Jay Cutler brings to the table is the ability to throw the deep ball. It was something that the Bears’ last quarterback, Kyle Orton, couldn’t do with enough accuracy to keep defenses honest.
”I think Jay has a knack for throwing it in places where he gives them a chance to make plays,” said Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who held the same position with the Broncos during Cutler’s first two seasons.
”His accuracy is excellent. I’ve never seen anyone throw the deep ball like him. He throws it as hard as he needs to for a fast guy and can touch it for a guy who is not so fast. I was shocked how he could touch the ball into certain places where guys can make plays.
“Maybe that comes from being at Vanderbilt, where he didn’t always have the top receivers in the nation. There are not many quarterbacks in this league who can do what he can.”
By adding a quarterback who can throw the deep ball, it will provide a big change in what play calls offensive coordinator Ron Turner can go to during games in 2009. Devin Hester has been thought of as a big-play receiver.
However, without a QB that was able to get him the ball in full-stride, the Bears were not fully able to take advantage of his speed and playmaking ability.
”Regardless of what happened [at quarterback], Devin was going to make the move this year,” Turner said at team OTAs last week.
”He showed it at the end of the season last year. He’s had a tremendous offseason. Even before we made the trade for Jay, he was in here working hard. He was thinking, seeking something and then making an adjustment. Now he’s reacting to adjustments. He’s just playing so much faster; he’s so much more confident.”
Hester is ready to make the jump to be one of the best WRs in the league. The Bears also drafted speedster Johnny Knox, a WR out of Abilene Christian, in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Knox ran an eye-popping 4.31 second 40 yard dash at the combine. With Knox and Hester on the ends and the way Cutler can throw the deep ball, this team can show a real knack for the deep pass that has been lacking for the last several years.
Cutler has that “it” factor. He can zing a ball into tight spaces, he can move out of the pocket when it collapses unexpectedly and even the way he carries himself both on and off the field oozes confidence.
The ability for Turner to confidently call for the bomb during the game will open up all facets of the offense. The offense will desperately need to improve upon its 26th overall ranking in 2008 if they plan to make the playoffs in 2009. Cutler and the new passing attack might just be the needed change that puts them into that position.
