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Around SBN: Stan Van Gundy Fired As Head Coach Of The Magic

Cutler Allows Bears To Open Up the Playbook

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There is nothing overly new or exciting about this article, but some interesting stats to read when looking to get excited about this upcoming season.

Even last year, when the perception was that the offense was as conservative as George Halas' fedora, the Bears passed the ball 56.6 percent of the time in the first half of games, when the score usually is not a major consideration in calling plays. That was 14th-highest percentage in the NFL, according to STATS.

Three pro scouts said Cutler's arm is the second-strongest in the NFL after Oakland's JaMarcus Russell. The Bears figure to try to take full advantage of Cutler's long throws, assuming someone can catch them. 

The two areas in which Cutler has a significant edge over Kyle Orton are deep balls and quick feet. Cutler had 55 completions of 20 yards or more last season -- second in the NFL, compared with 34 for Orton. On attempts of 20 or more, Cutler had a passer rating of 77.0 while Orton's was 49.3.

Cutler also had 151 more rushing yards than Orton, but his mobility is more valuable as a passer than a runner.

Turner has studied how the Broncos used Cutler, and he plans on picking the brain of former Denver coach Mike Shanahan.

"Jay has been everything we want him to be," Smith said. "He has come in on a mission to be one of the guys and get accepted in the locker room. He has done a super job with that. He has been in the trenches running every sprint, being helpful, moving into the leadership role."

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It'll be inteesting to find out how much input

Shanahan gives Turner

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on May 19, 2009 9:20 AM CDT reply actions  

It's very interesting

That every year Ron Turner has a scapegoat with his offenses. Last year it was lack of KO’s arm strength. This year i hear that phrase all the time ..‘we can finally open the playbook’. What kills me is if the offense flutters again this year he can blame it on the young inexperienced receiving corps.

It’s at a point now when i just accepted that Ron Turner is going to be our OC for a long time to come. I hope he finally makes the adjustments at halftime and finally calls the plays that will put us in the best position to win week in and week out.

by Chitownproduct on May 19, 2009 9:24 AM CDT reply actions  

heh...heh....heh...heh....

..you said deep balls….heh…heh….heh

by Mike Mueller on May 19, 2009 9:28 AM CDT reply actions  

That is quite interesting how that works out.

The Bears can talk to the former coach of franchise QB they just got on objective but intimate knowledge of strengths and weaknesses. On the other hand, it’s sort of sad that they have to talk to Shanahan to see how best to “use” him because they’re too incompetent to figure it out.

People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. --Bruce Bartlett

by tyger1147 on May 19, 2009 10:16 AM CDT reply actions  

Hey, I'm all for using resources that are available.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing to ask for other people’s insights and opinions on things…

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

by Dane Noble on May 19, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions  

true

but clearly Shanny did something right last year… couldn’t hurt to ask him what it was

by No It All on May 19, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions  

clearly, he did something wrong...

or we wouldn’t be talking to jay or shanny…

by windycity72 on May 19, 2009 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

How about opening the checkbook again?

Lets trade Turner for a pair of smelly socks

"It was a wise Man that invented Beer" (Plato)

by LarryCubFan on May 19, 2009 10:19 AM CDT reply actions  

Good for Turner to pick the Brain

Of someone who knows offense. Hopefully Turner uses that to his advantage and makes the best of it.

by Sam Householder on May 19, 2009 10:34 AM CDT reply actions  

Shanahan would make a great OC for the Bears

Mike Shanahan would fit in nicely, if the Bears believe that Turner is not up to the challenge of managing/developing a young QB. He developed John Elway and is very familar with Jay Cutler. He’ without a doubt, could help Lovie bring the Bears’ offensive scheme into the 21st century. He could serve as an assistant HC as well.

by rocko1 on May 19, 2009 10:34 AM CDT reply actions  

Or

He could be head coach altogether.

Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!

by ifuwannacrownem on May 19, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions  

Why not

hire Shanahan as a consultant this year? He doesn’t seem to have a job and he is a Chicago area native.

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell

by phastphil on May 19, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions  

It speaks volumes

We are the oldest NFL franchise and our OC can’t get the job done now that he has Cutler! Imo, that says it all. It’s time for Turner to go!

by rocko1 on May 19, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions  

Shanahan would be awesome for this franchise

He’s a Chicago native… he’s a winner… he’s a QB guru… and, he hand-picked Cutler.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on May 19, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions  

yes, yes, and yes... but...

you’re forgettting one thing, we win with our defense.

by windycity72 on May 19, 2009 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

what has he done lately.

He’s burnt out and way over rated.

LET's GO BEAR's

by LasVegasBearsFan on May 20, 2009 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions  

Ego...

You really think he would take the job?

Ha, two coordinators being “demoted”!

by Mathias-K on May 19, 2009 10:39 AM CDT reply actions  

I like Lovie, but If Shannahan's there, It's his job for the taking

the only time the Bears won a superbowl was when they had an offensive-minded coach.
Same with Baltimore
Same with Tampa Bay
Matter fact, That’s a great recipe for success: Hire a HC who is the opposite of your teams Strength. it worked for Indy as well.

Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!

by ifuwannacrownem on May 19, 2009 10:45 AM CDT reply actions  

I don't post here much...

but I have to say I am very excited for the Bears’ season. My #1 team is the Chiefs but I do the love the Bears almost as much. As a long time donkey hater I have to say the whole Cutler offseason debacle has really fun for me. I am so excited that not only did a rival lose their QB because of the QB the Chiefs got, but that Chicago got their QB. I know the Chiefs have a long way to go before they are contenders but here’s to the Bears going all the way this season!

There's always next week,,, and when we run out of weeks, there's always next year!

by Spiderwomn69 on May 19, 2009 10:53 AM CDT reply actions  

anybody got good cutler highlights??

anybody know anybody at Mile High Report that might know if Cutler and the Broncos ran the Wildcat at all last year.

Heard a lot about Cutler being able to move on his feet. while not being a burner I am excited by the possibility of a QB who can scramble to give WRs time to get open or just to run for the short first down on a broken 3rd down if need be.

by No It All on May 19, 2009 11:02 AM CDT reply actions  

We're not running the Wildcat.

We have a franchise QB… you don’t ask Tom Brady, or Peyton Manning to run the option and get clobbered.

Protect your QB.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on May 19, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions  

Didn't see any wildcat offense last year.

Cutler is definitely effective on his feet, but in the good way, not the Vince Young “panic because I didn’t see anyone open” tactic. While Denver’s offensive line was just about as good as advertised last year, you just don’t give up that few sacks if the quarterback doesn’t move. He can scramble and create some nice plays on the move. My observation from watching most of the Bronco’s games when he was there.

!

by Qgee on May 19, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'm new to the site and

have been a Bears fan for over 25 years. I’m also a Purdue grad and liked Orton. Last year, I viewed Kyle as being one of the few positives on the team. I believe he will continue to improve and eventually develop into a very good QB. I was not crazy about the trade, but have accepted it. It’s time to move on!
In Cutler, the Bears have a raw and talented kid. He has a tremendous amount of upside, but still has many things to improve upon before becoming a franchise QB. The Bears in the near future, will be required to extend Cutler’s contract and make the biggest investment in franchise history. This has to work, because if it doesn’t it will set us back big time. Jay Cutler is going to need the very best coaching staff around him. Only a great offensive coordinator and QB coach will get the job done. I simply don’t believe Ron Turner is the man for the job. What great QB has he developed? This is no time for on the job training!

by rocko1 on May 19, 2009 11:11 AM CDT reply actions  

Funnily enough, I read this on the ProFootballWeekly website a couple of days ago, dated Jan 2005:

Turner signed a three-year contract worth less than $2 million and was coveted, in part, because of his renowned reputation for speeding the development of quarterbacks.

It’s quite hilarious to read through Bears events, as they happened, dating back to 2002… how excited and how much they liked what they were seeing about Grossman, Bradley, Terrell, Gage, Wade, Benson (etc.). Might be worth summarising the optimism before each season began in a few lines, year by year, for a fanpost?

by Spongie on May 19, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions  

Angelo's trail

The Bears are sure great at putting a positive spin on everthing. Angelo’s track record speaks for itself doesn’t it.

by rocko1 on May 19, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions  

Legitimate concerns depending on how much you want to put on the quarterback

Winning isn’t a 100% quarterback stat as people seem to pretend it is. Until the whole drama before the trade no one questioned his leadership ability or his “mental toughness.” He seemed to do just fine the past 2 and half seasons. I could see him making an improvement in the red zone (Bears were better in the red zone last year) but you could debate the 2 minute offense. It really is a huge gamble by the Bears, but if they are confident in what Jay can do then they have set their team up for a long time on the other side of the coin.

!

by Qgee on May 19, 2009 1:05 PM CDT reply actions  

Only one issue now

We can debate Cutler’s strengths and weaknesses, but that accomplishes little. Only time will tell. The only issue for me – What actions do the Bears need to make, to make it work. We have a young player with tremendous potential. What is needed to provide the support required to help Jay Cutler reach his potential. Better wide receivers – yes. Better coaching – yes. Better offensive scheme – yes. Let’s find the very best offensive coordinator and QB coach. That would be a terrific start!

by rocko1 on May 19, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

It accomplishes much

it gives us something to talk about for another months.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on May 19, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions  

jay will be fine

As long as pace stays health ,hester remains fast, forte remains a threat, oleson works on his hands and earl gets into the grove of thing jay will be just fine.

by dabearz on May 19, 2009 4:58 PM CDT reply actions  

Please, Kyle Orton SUCKS.

Lovie Smith is a very good hc. I think he manages a team much better then Shanahan. Lovie has won a lot more with alot less than shanahan. Lovie got a team with no qb no rb no off at all, while shanahan got elway, davis, and a lot more. As for Kyle good luck to denver because they wont have a chance with a bad d and poor special teams. Cause without both Kyle wouln’t have won half the games he did. Spaghetti arm! We do need oc in the worst way.

by LasVegasBearsFan on May 19, 2009 9:32 PM CDT reply actions  

Lovie has won a lot more with alot less than shanahan

Lovie Smith career: 47-37 (2-2 playoffs)
Mike Shanahan: 146-95 (8-5 playoffs, 2 Super Bowl wins)

I’m not saying Smith ain’t a good coach, but he certainly hasn’t won more than Shanahan. I think Lovie is better suited as a DCoord than HC though.

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

by Dane Noble on May 19, 2009 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions  

oach!

Dang that was a upper cut to the chin, bustn out the stats. lol Thanks, just found this site and I love it its alot of fun.

LET's GO BEAR's

by LasVegasBearsFan on May 19, 2009 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions  

Welcome good sir.

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

by Dane Noble on May 19, 2009 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

also... welcome.

as i’ve learned and had to prove myself…. we love our stats!

by windycity72 on May 19, 2009 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions  

Lol.

He reminded me of you when I broke out the stats on you a couple of times.

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

by Dane Noble on May 19, 2009 11:44 PM CDT up reply actions  

rub it in why don't you...

and that’s that i’ve been gone for a week…

by windycity72 on May 20, 2009 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions  

Lol...

Not rubbing it in. But glad to see ya back.

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

by Dane Noble on May 20, 2009 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions  

You even pasted it with your post

but apperantly didn’t read it carefully. He said Lovie has won MORE with LESS. In other words Lovie has done well with less talent than what Shanahan had.

We are who we think we are.

by Bearfan1973 on May 19, 2009 10:15 PM CDT reply actions  

Shanahan lately.

He won with them early, with elway and davis. wern’t they there already when he got there. But your right he surly has had a much better oveall career so far, but look out we might pop a couple out now. CUTLER the savior. lol.

LET's GO BEAR's

by LasVegasBearsFan on May 19, 2009 10:28 PM CDT reply actions  

Cutler Needs Receivers to Step Up

Jay is a solid quarterback and he does have talented tight ends in Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen. Of course running back Matt Forte is always good in the passing game as well, but he needs a receiver or two step up this year. I believe this will happen as Cutler is the type of quarterback that helps receiver become better players. Lets face it when you have a gun and can fit the ball in tight spaces any receiver looks better.

by fantasy-info on May 20, 2009 2:23 PM CDT reply actions  

He's just prepping all of the blogs to start spamming I'm sure.

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

by Dane Noble on May 20, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

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