Cutler needs to believe there will be consequences if potential doesn't start getting results

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-1104-haugh-bears-chicago--20101103,0,3350135.column

With good humor Wednesday at Halas Hall, Jay Cutler responded to whether Mike Shanahan's 2-minute offense was more strenuous than most. Cutler played three seasons for Shanahan with the Broncos so naturally he could compare.

"I don't know,'' Cutler said with an actual smile. "You have to ask Donovan (McNabb) if they've changed it from whenever I had it. When I had it, I didn't think it was the most physically exerting thing.''

For Cutler, a stab at humor represents a 2010 breakthrough. Light-heartedness beats light-headedness any day.

The subject came up because Shanahan made the silly claim he inserted Rex Grossman for McNabb, the Redskins quarterback, with 1 minute, 50 seconds left in Sunday's game in part because of McNabb's conditioning.

But I suppose the better question to Cutler, the one unspoken but apparently obvious to Bears fans based on my inbox, is whether he wants to execute Shanahan's 2-minute drill again as early as next season.

Now is not the appropriate time for Cutler to address any possible reunion with Shanahan in Washington, but the idea that so much conversation in Chicago even would broach such trade folly 22 games into Cutler's Bears tenure indicates how quickly this supposed franchise quarterback has worn out his welcome to many.

I get the hypothetical. I know hometown darling McNabb, the anti-Cutler in terms of charisma, becomes a free agent in 2011 and the Bears desperately need draft picks, which Cutler could bring in return.

And if the Bears undergo a regime change that likely will occur if they miss the playoffs again, the next GM easily could view Cutler as a toxic influence who killed two coaching tenures.

But slow down. Consider any trade would put the Bears back in the spot of looking for a young quarterback to develop skills Cutler already possesses. Remember any typical football guy inheriting the Bears roster will look at Cutler's ability to do things only a handful of quarterbacks can do and believe he can be fixed. On film, Cutler's skills can be seductive and his flaws easier to accept.

That's what made trading for Cutler so exciting. Outsiders often see what they want to see. I did.

I understand now what was less obvious then. Cutler's unrelenting immaturity too often undermines his immense talent. And when he loses focus, he can lose teammates and games. That said, I still wouldn't trade a player the organization guaranteed $20 million who is still young enough to stop all those dreaded comparisons to Jeff George.

There's a difference in criticizing Cutler for his play of late and abandoning all hope that a gifted 27-year-old quarterback with no leadership skills to speak of can be rehabilitated.

Cutler doesn't need a trade to save his NFL life or the Bears from himself. He needs an intervention.

Admittedly, it may take Bill Cowher, Jim Harbaugh or Jeff Fisher — my early short list for potential Lovie Smith successors – to stage a successful one for Cutler. But if there's anybody in the organization interested in salvaging Cutler's final nine games this season, now would be a good time to deliver an urgent message that he must change.

If Cutler and his Cavallari attitude haven't noticed, this isn't going well.

Cutler has been sacked as many times in six games (27) as he was the entire 2007 season. A terrible offensive line and limited wide receivers give him a ready excuse. But his mechanics have deteriorated. He has developed sloppy habits and established bad trends. In 22 games with the Bears, Cutler has thrown four or more interceptions three times. He never did that in 37 starts with the Broncos.

He plays like someone who either hasn't been coached or is no longer willing to be. So coach him. Challenge him. Force greatness that is there.

Can you make a quarterback become a leader?

I have doubts Martz can. Martz has made a career out of designing ways to make quarterbacks pile up big numbers. What he has done mostly with Cutler is enlarge his ego. End the bro-mance. A struggling, self-destructive quarterback doesn't need to hear how brilliant he is. He needs to be threatened with his job if he throws four picks again.

The praise Martz lavishes on Cutler is as embarrassing as it is enabling.

If Martz strays from the run against the Bills' 32nd-ranked run defense and the lack of balance contributes to another loss, it will be time for the Bears to part company.

A smarter overall approach can save Martz's sagging reputation in Chicago.

And for all those ready to make an offseason deal, the same can be said for Cutler's career with the Bears.

[Shazam!]

How ironic the same criticisms of Cutler are many he had with Denver.

[rcsodak]

How ironic the same criticisms of Cutler are many he had with Denver.
How sad that such a stud Qb, wwith "IT", cant be given ProBowl wr's like PManning ha......oh....wait. My bad.
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[Poet]

I would argue that being the Bears starting QB IS the consequence for his actions.

[Northman]

Time is definitely running out on him to improve himself.

[Poet]

Time is definitely running out on him to improve himself.

Only because his offensive line is projected to shorten his career by 85%.

[rcsodak]

Wonder if Vegas has odd up for a shanny/cutler reunion? And what might those odds be?
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[Denver Native (Carol)]

This morning, the writer of this article was on 87.7theticket. I am waiting for them to put the interview up on their site.

One thing that really confused me was when, I think it was the host, stated something like - Cutler was a coach killer in Denver.

Now, I don't know if that is this particular person's opinion, or whether there were rumblings which connected Cutler to Shanahan's firing???????

[Northman]

Only because his offensive line is projected to shorten his career by 85%.

The line is a major problem but he still has a lot of mechanics problems that he hasnt fixed yet. From a more personal aspect he still has some work to do.

[Northman]

This morning, the writer of this article was on 87.7theticket. I am waiting for them to put the interview up on their site.

One thing that really confused me was when, I think it was the host, stated something like - Cutler was a coach killer in Denver.

Now, I don't know if that is this particular person's opinion, or whether there were rumblings which connected Cutler to Shanahan's firing???????

I highly doubt it. If Jay had problems with Mike he wouldnt of made such a stink about it when Mike was actually fired.

[KCL]

I highly doubt it. If Jay had problems with Mike he wouldnt of made such a stink about it when Mike was actually fired.

Maybe Jay could look at McD and see the future and wanted no part of his second season....:eek:

:lol:

[Denver Native (Carol)]

I highly doubt it. If Jay had problems with Mike he wouldnt of made such a stink about it when Mike was actually fired.

What I was thinking was - did Bowlen tell Shanahan that he needed to start pursuing a trade for Cutler, and Shanahan refused? I just found the "he was a coach killer in Denver" to be a very interesting comment.

[LordTrychon]

This morning, the writer of this article was on 87.7theticket. I am waiting for them to put the interview up on their site.

One thing that really confused me was when, I think it was the host, stated something like - Cutler was a coach killer in Denver.

Now, I don't know if that is this particular person's opinion, or whether there were rumblings which connected Cutler to Shanahan's firing???????

Only rumblings of the media.

Yes, I think Cutler needs to start improving.

Yet, he's in a new system this year... Don't QBs normally get some grace for that? Or just QBs that didn't piss off Denver?

Prior to having a horrible game (Although Drew Brees and McNabb did as well, and they aren't catching the same flack), he had only 3 INTs on the season. Now he has 7.

For the record, Brees has 11, So does Eli Manning and Brett Favre. Aaron Rodgers has 9, and Donovan McNabb has 8. Garrard, Hasselback, Palmer, and Rivers all have tied Cutler with 7 ints.

Yes, he's taken a lot of sacks... and yes, you can place some of that on him.

He leads the league in Sacks... here are the next few behind him though... Hasselback, McNabb, Orton, and Rivers. All within 6 sacks of him. None of them catching the same amount of blame as he is.

Yeah, Jay needs to get better... but it's being overblown. JMO.

[LordTrychon]

What I was thinking was - did Bowlen tell Shanahan that he needed to start pursuing a trade for Cutler, and Shanahan refused? I just found the "he was a coach killer in Denver" to be a very interesting comment.

Yeah... doesn't really mix well with the comments from Bowlen about McDaniels' rookie mistakes either. Unless Bowlen was referring to bringing in Dawkins.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Yeah... doesn't really mix well with the comments from Bowlen about McDaniels' rookie mistakes either. Unless Bowlen was referring to bringing in Dawkins.

Not sure how bringing in Dawkins would be considered a rookie mistake

[Dirk]

Maybe Jay could look at McD and see the future and wanted no part of his second season....:eek:

:lol:

That was just uncalled for....:tsk:

[KCL]

That was just uncalled for....:tsk:

You're right...my apologies to Jay...everyone knows he can't see into
the future.

[BigDaddyBronco]

Only rumblings of the media.

Yes, I think Cutler needs to start improving.

Yet, he's in a new system this year... Don't QBs normally get some grace for that? Or just QBs that didn't piss off Denver?

Prior to having a horrible game (Although Drew Brees and McNabb did as well, and they aren't catching the same flack), he had only 3 INTs on the season. Now he has 7.

For the record, Brees has 11, So does Eli Manning and Brett Favre. Aaron Rodgers has 9, and Donovan McNabb has 8. Garrard, Hasselback, Palmer, and Rivers all have tied Cutler with 7 ints.

Yes, he's taken a lot of sacks... and yes, you can place some of that on him.

He leads the league in Sacks... here are the next few behind him though... Hasselback, McNabb, Orton, and Rivers. All within 6 sacks of him. None of them catching the same amount of blame as he is.

Yeah, Jay needs to get better... but it's being overblown. JMO.
He's in a new system every year because he gets his coach or OC fired every year. :D

[LordTrychon]

Not sure how bringing in Dawkins would be considered a rookie mistake

Yeah. :laugh: Me either. Most people assume he was referring to getting rid of Cutler. :laugh:

Any thought that Bowlen actually fired Mike for not wanting to trade Jay is really LOOKING for reasons to hate Jay.

Jay is considered a coach killer just because he was on a team that got Mike fired.

So was Clady, Eddie, Champ, DJ... etc etc. As usual, all the blame goes to the QB.

It was Defense and GM that got Mike fired. Not the QB.

[Broncolingus]

I thought McD (and the Bronco's) were the cause of all of his problems and the trade to Chi-town was going to solve everything?

[silkamilkamonico]

Prior to having a horrible game (Although Drew Brees and McNabb did as well, and they aren't catching the same flack), he had only 3 INTs on the season. Now he has 7.

For the record, Brees has 11, So does Eli Manning and Brett Favre. Aaron Rodgers has 9, and Donovan McNabb has 8. Garrard, Hasselback, Palmer, and Rivers all have tied Cutler with 7 ints.

Brees, Manning, Rodgers, McNabb, and even some of the others you listed don't have a history or perpetualently turning the ball over. Brees, Manning, and McNabb have all won something of significance in their tenure.

Cutler's turnovers will always be magnified until he shows through an extended period that he fixcan take care of the ball.

Drew Brees was always known as "Mr fantasy football", because he couldn't win anything of significance. It took him a conference championship and SuperBowl to lose that label, and his historical issues don't come anywhere close to what Cutler is battling.

Cutler is going to have to go through a season taking care of the ball, and leading the Bears to a positive record, before he sheds the label of turnover machine, especially in comparison with others.

[silkamilkamonico]

Also, I don't think Cutler was even in the realm of conversation when Bowlen fired Shanahan. He was probably the one thing that made the decision difficult for Bowlen.

[broncofaninfla]

I thought McD (and the Bronco's) were the cause of all of his problems and the trade to Chi-town was going to solve everything?

Turns out both teams now suck......

[rcsodak]

I highly doubt it. If Jay had problems with Mike he wouldnt of made such a stink about it when Mike was actually fired.
Being a coach killer has nothing to do with personal problems. Its being made the face of the org. And failing, thus getting the coach fired.
Shanny reached by starting cutler his rookie season, hoping it'd extend his job. Instead, it got him fired...thus the term.
And AFAIK, jay/shanny shared tub duckies.
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[Northman]

Being a coach killer has nothing to do with personal problems. Its being made the face of the org. And failing, thus getting the coach fired.
Shanny reached by starting cutler his rookie season, hoping it'd extend his job. Instead, it got him fired...thus the term.
And AFAIK, jay/shanny shared tub duckies.
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I disagree. If Shanny starting Jay actually got him fired it would of happened in 07', not 08'.

Secondly, Shanahan was already running on borrowed time, same thing is going on with Lovie in Chicago.

[rcsodak]

That was just uncalled for....:tsk:
nor accurate. But it's KC, sooo........ :rolleyes:
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[rcsodak]

I disagree. If Shanny starting Jay actually got him fired it would of happened in 07', not 08'.

Secondly, Shanahan was already running on borrowed time, same thing is going on with Lovie in Chicago.
Agreee about lovie. But what I'm saying is I think shanny made a desparate move when he catapulted a not-ready-for-primetime-qb over plummer. He felt it would give him additional time with a rook qb. In the end, though, it did the opposite by ending the winning seasons with jake. The team regressed with cutler.
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[Northman]

Agreee about lovie. But what I'm saying is I think shanny made a desparate move when he catapulted a not-ready-for-primetime-qb over plummer. He felt it would give him additional time with a rook qb. In the end, though, it did the opposite by ending the winning seasons with jake. The team regressed with cutler.
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I can see that, ive always been one of the ones who didnt like the way Jake was performing so i didnt mind the switch. In hindsight, it probably wasnt the best move considering we were still in contention unlike now. As for the team regressing, it wasnt on Cutler. Jay was actually performing quite well for a young Qb. The major problem was Shanny's reluctance to fix the defense properly and get a better DC in there.

[Lonestar]

This morning, the writer of this article was on 87.7theticket. I am waiting for them to put the interview up on their site.

One thing that really confused me was when, I think it was the host, stated something like - Cutler was a coach killer in Denver.

Now, I don't know if that is this particular person's opinion, or whether there were rumblings which connected Cutler to Shanahan's firing???????

Is there any doubt in anyones mind that mikey was so infatuated with jay who I believe thoight if they scored enough points wins would happen.

So is he a coach killer? absolutely.
So far he has dinger, mike broncos,bears' turner, coming soon marz and lovie.

They did not rename him Jay George for nothing.
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[rcsodak]

I can see that, ive always been one of the ones who didnt like the way Jake was performing so i didnt mind the switch. In hindsight, it probably wasnt the best move considering we were still in contention unlike now. As for the team regressing, it wasnt on Cutler. Jay was actually performing quite well for a young Qb. The major problem was Shanny's reluctance to fix the defense properly and get a better DC in there.
but isnt that an 'excuse'? :D Personally, I think his constant ill advised int's put the D in too many difficult situations. MORESO THAN 3/OUTS, where a punt can turn field position.
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[slim]

Is there any doubt in anyones mind that mikey was so infatuated with jay who I believe thoight if they scored enough points wins would happen.

So is he a coach killer? absolutely.
So far he has dinger, mike broncos,bears' turner, coming soon marz and lovie.

They did not rename him Jay George for nothing.
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Much ado about nothing, IMO.

[Northman]

but isnt that an 'excuse'? :D Personally, I think his constant ill advised int's put the D in too many difficult situations. MORESO THAN 3/OUTS, where a punt can turn field position.
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Thats just it though, for a rookie he really wasnt doing any worse than Jake was after what? 9 or so years? So im guessing that Mike just wanted to see if Jay could provide a spark and in some ways the scoring and passing went up but because of his youth we still had turnover problems. Throw in the fact that guys like Rod Smith were displeased with the move made things rather difficult down the stretch. Like i said, in hindsight it probably would of been better to wait until the end of the season but Shanahan thought the move provide a spark.

The problem for Shanahan right now is that he isnt learning from his mistakes. The issue with McNabb is proof of that. You just cant call out your QB in public like that. And after watching Griese surplant Bubby, Jay surplant Jake, and now the confusion in Washington it would seem time has passed him by and he hasnt learned from those experiences.

[Lonestar]

I disagree. If Shanny starting Jay actually got him fired it would of happened in 07', not 08'.

Secondly, Shanahan was already running on borrowed time, same thing is going on with Lovie in Chicago.

Pat would have never fired mike after 07 knowing that jay showed potential that he did. Thinking mike was the guy to coach him up.

We all know that ike forsoke the D thinking jay would be his savoiur almost to the points of allowing him to go for the gusto instead of forcing him to hit the open man underneath.

Truly belive he thought that we had enough D to squeak by thinking that maybe they could pull a INDY upset scoring the most with the D stepping up in the playoffs.

But that and then refusing to fire slowick sealed his fate.

Glad he is gone and being questioned for his "smarts" of pulling a HOF QB to allow grossman to run the 2 minute drill. Priceless.
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[KCL]

nor accurate. But it's KC, sooo........ :rolleyes:
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And a couple of Bronco fans high5ed that post...sooo what's your point?

it's KC...Yes it is and I can see what's happened to your team...last place
in the division...and I bet you thought it would be the Chiefs instead.

[slim]

And a couple of Bronco fans high5ed that post...sooo what's your point?

it's KC...Yes it is and I can see what's happened to your team...last place
in the division...and I bet you thought it would be the Chiefs instead.

Careful, seasons not over yet.

There is plenty of room on the suck-heap for the chiefs.

[Day1BroncoFan]

And a couple of Bronco fans high5ed that post...sooo what's your point?

it's KC...Yes it is and I can see what's happened to your team...last place
in the division...and I bet you thought it would be the Chiefs instead.

The world is upside down now. :nod:

[KCL]

Careful, seasons not over yet.

There is plenty of room on the suck-heap for the chiefs.

I agree and plenty of room(more games to be played) for Denver.
Not really bagging on Denver...more so on rc..:D

[LordTrychon]

Brees, Manning, Rodgers, McNabb, and even some of the others you listed don't have a history or perpetualently turning the ball over. Brees, Manning, and McNabb have all won something of significance in their tenure.

Cutler's turnovers will always be magnified until he shows through an extended period that he fixcan take care of the ball.

Drew Brees was always known as "Mr fantasy football", because he couldn't win anything of significance. It took him a conference championship and SuperBowl to lose that label, and his historical issues don't come anywhere close to what Cutler is battling.

Cutler is going to have to go through a season taking care of the ball, and leading the Bears to a positive record, before he sheds the label of turnover machine, especially in comparison with others.

Fair enough... All I'm saying is this season, he's got a shot at doing that.

Give him a bit more blocking and catching help and it will only improve.