Alaskan Grizzly

Wouldn't say you're crushing them, just questioning their choices. It's apparent Gase is a smart guy and considered league-wide to be a wunderkind so I'm sure he's looking at all the factors when he makes his choices for calls. And we know Fox is more Defensive minded so these choices probably weigh heavy on his final say. At any rate, I'm nowhere close to saying this is Gase's fault, just watching to see if he learns from what doesn't work. I think it safe to say we've seen enough of those that can't seem to get out of a rut, and to be fair he's only been the OC for two games. Plenty more to go.

Not sure I completely understand what you're saying BUT, did Alshon play last week? And if I remember right Bellamy did in fact score on a nice play. What I'm getting at is yes because presumably AJ is the better player and he and Bellamy were put in the same situation (in the red zone) odds are AJ would be the better option. My point is that they actually have to play in order to be a factor. And of the two Bellamy was the only one available, so thus not a factor. Again; coulda, shoulda, didn't. I understood what Hustla was trying to say but I was countering with the fact that his (Cutlers) stats are really no better in the red zone than are Jimmys at this point. And what's more Cutler is 2 TD vs 2 INT with a 78.5 passer rating for the season. So far these stats are on pace to his 2009 season, which wasnt very kind to him. http://www.nfl.com/player/jaycutler/2495824/careerstats

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No, not dumb at all. It's easy to miss something either in not reading it entirely or misconceiving the intent all together. Especially when its in written format. Believe me, done it many times here. You did get my point and thanks for addressing it. I don't mistrust Gase but like you said why would you call repeated pass plays when Forte is having a great day on the ground? Kinda like last year's super bowl; why would the Seahawks throw a quick slant when "Beastmode" pretty much carried them to the brink of the end zone? Perhaps Gase is trying to build up Cutler's confidence? We know that Fox said shortly after he was hired that Cutler's confidence level was pretty low at the conclusion of last year. And Cutler hasn't been great in the red zone so maybe Gase saw this as a way to try and build him up?

Yes I'll agree; coulda, shoulda but didn't. Stats is stats friendo.

Dude un-wedge your skivvys. Not an argument, just an observation and counter-point. Simple question which you managed to avoid and deflect. I'll ask it again, maybe slower this time. In red zone situations this year how has the TEAM done? Since there has only been two games there isn't a lot of data to dig. Cutler and Jimmy are pretty much similar. Cutler is 3 of 9 for 19 yds with 0 TD's and Jimmy is 2 of 2 for 8 yds and 0 TDs. Again, that being said and restating my question from before, is that a conviction of the offense play calling or the QB's themselves?

How many red zone opportunities against GB? I know of one that started and ended on the 2 yard line. All throws... who was the QB for that? Is this more a conviction of the offensive play calling or the ineptitude of the QBs?

Don't let Jason hear you say that....

First an historical reference on Bennett. This from right after he was signed by the Bears and reflecting on his time in Dallas: "I think early in my career, it’s no secret that I struggled earlier in my career," Bennett said. "But it wasn’t because of my ability or being able to make plays. It was more attitude. I think I never accepted my role in Dallas and I always was fighting with what my role was instead of just accepting it." And after the game last year against Buffalo where they lost 23-20 and Cuitler threw 2 INTS (one of which was to the Defensive Tackle Williams). Bennett said this about the other INT: ""I should have turned around quicker on that," Bennett said. "That first one was my fault.". (You notice he specified which was his fault?) As far as Cutler, all you have to do is review film over the last few years to see him grouse at a player when they don't either catch a ball or 'causes and int' to suspect he doesn't feel the blame. I fully understand the terminology "hot read" and thank you for thinking you needed to clarify it. I'll give you this; we may never know who was truly at fault. Does it matter now? Not really. I know consistently over the years who has been involved with most of Cutler's interceptions and turnovers, and that's enough for me. You can offer as many excuses as you want; bad oline, changing coordinators or not having the right receivers as you feel necessary. The constant is still there. Suffice to say I don't feel we'll win this weekend. Like Adam pointed out this was more than likely a foregone conclusion even with Cutler playing. There are a lot of factors going against our team as we head into Seattle. Least of them is whether Clausen starts or not. For what its worth though, I don't think Clausen will do as badly as you or others are hoping he will. How he does remains to be seen. One thing I am certain of. We do not currently have the QB on our roster that will get our team where it needs to be. Who that is whether it be through draft or other means also remains to be seen.

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Fox was interviewed after the game by Joniak. One of the points he made was there was a mistake on the "hot read" that resulted in an interception. Whether that mistake was from Cutler or Bennett was left to ambiguity. Historically we've seen Cutler blame others for the mistakes he's made (by the by, didn't see that here) and Bennett has admitted to the mistakes he's made (again, didn't see it here). If you watch the play develop and considering Fox used the word "hot read" that would mean Jay saw what he thought would be a blitz. In looking at the pre-snap configuration (sorry not smart enough to do snapshots of play by play) you'll see what looks like a dime form defense with the 'strong' loaded on the offensive right side to match the 'strong' offensive formation. As Cutler is setting up to take the snap he looks to his right and with two arms points in the direction of the 'heavy' coverage. Presumably (because I'm not privy to their calls) he's pointing out the "Mike" backer and the extra DB coverage (or possibly where he thinks a blitzer is coming from). Either way, he wants to be sure those players are accounted for most likely for a blocking assignment. After making that indication he scans to his left, checking off the "Will" LB placement (or in this case extra DB) and other DBs lineup on that side. He then motions straight up in the air, as if to suggest the receiver on this side, or primary look, will either run a fly/go or continue a route. Having hindsight as my ally I'm going to assume he was indicating to his primary look (Bennett) that he should continue his crossing route rather than stop. Reason I suggest this are two things; Bellamy (who was lined up as the weak side receiver) did a 'dig' route and came back to the ball - not a 'fly/go' route. Either to set up for a reception or set up the rub for Bennett to catch the underneath crossing route and shed his defender. The other being that Cutler may have thought the "Will" backer (position - covered by a DB this time) was going to blitz (which he ended up doing) and he intended to pass to Bennett in the "open space". He had single high safety coverage (probably the FS) as the weak side Safety moved back at the snap of the ball to cover that part of the field. The communication error happened either before the play or during the play itself. Bennett, to me, looked as though he was going to continue his crossing route and intend to catch the pass in the open space vacated by the blitzing CB. For whatever reason he paused, if only for a second, and Jay (maybe not knowing if Bennett didn't get the message) threw the ball way behind Bennett who was continuing across. And going with the belief that Cutler tends to lock on his players, Jefferson picked up where Bennett was going because he ran right to the spot almost immediately after the hike of the ball. Bennett never squared up as if he was expecting to catch the pass where it ended up going to, although he did turn to look into the backfield. Taking into account he was going to "stop" as you suggested, Jay should have thrown more to the left side of Bennett (or lead him) rather than where he did because he presumably knew the 'heavy' coverage was on the right. Instead the ball went right and into the hands of Jefferson.

You know that the sentiment I share about Cutler is not unique right? It's not like I'm the only one with the perception of how he plays directly effects the team to the negative on a REGULAR basis. Yes... he gradually shows improvement in each of the offensive schemes he's been a part of but almost every time he turns over the ball to the other team and a lot of the times those turnovers result in direct scores of the opposing teams. That is hard to overlook and hard to forgive. It's repeated time and again...year after year, season after season. The facts and the stats support it. The fact YOU don't like it is for you to wrestle with. I was more than excited to see Jay come to the team when he did. Had a man crush in fact, thought he'd take us to the 'promised land' but all he's turned out to be is a snake oil salesman. Just to be fair, what IF Jimmy Clausen somehow ends up winning this Sunday? And the following Sunday? Are you so convinced in what you think you know that you'd rather not see how he does in this offense? I would like to see the Bears win. If Jimmy does it great. If Cutler does it great...he hasn't yet, not this year.

I actually agree with you. Totally hate the idea of throwing the season just to get a better pick. Actually the very thought incenses me. Anyhow with Cutler and the current system as of right now gives our team the best chance. Mostly because of his direct familiarity and working with it on the starting team. Whether that means it will translate to wins is unknown. As many of you know, the success of our team doesn't just base itself on the success of the offenses. But all parts of the machine. Sticking with the offense though, what happens IF Clausen (or even Fales) shows a measurable level of success in the same system? What then?

Not for nothing but 5 of the total 14 penalties were on the defense. Unfortunately two of those on the D were the big PIs against Fuller and Ball. As Fox pointed out that pretty much sets up the opposition to score.

Isn't the bye week coming up? Perhaps coincides with that? Cutler does have a history with leg injuries mostly in the groin area so hard to say if there were any concerns of it affecting that. After hearing what the injury was and seeing another replay you can see him grab the back of his leg briefly after getting up.

If you'd read my past posts you'd see I don't. What I am is tired of his inability to play at the level he supposed...nay...expected to play at.

Right. When we have to say things like "he gives us our best chance to win" that says plenty. That means, given the sample we've seen these last 9 years, we're ok with a player who plays to his potential then almost predictably and inevitably fails us at the most inopportune time. Even last year when he arguabley had one of his best statistical years the footnote that we almost always see "...but led the league in 18(?) turnovers". That's what I've had enough of. Oh how I wish Tennessee would've been dumb enough to pull off that trade for Cutler now.

What's laughable is how you claim to know the game as an official but you are willing to dismiss what just about every other "expert" observers see as a heavy flaw in Cutler. The same message was repeated yesterday by one of the announcers that this is the 'fifth coordinator' he's played for since coming to Chicago and still manages to f#ck it up. History repeats itself yet you ignore it. Insisting that if he only had a line of first round draft picks he'd have more time, thus not throw interceptions. Well he had all the time in the world yesterday and the week before when he threw those INTs. And since you're a fan of revisions, I'm actually going to say they should consider starting Fales instead of Clausen but either way as long as it's not Cutler I'm good.

I don't know that you can qualify that as a "sit down" that Bennett made. He stuttered more than anything and Cutler fired about a half second later. I'm going to bet that he was watching Marty nearly the whole way allowing Jefferson (like Matthews like last week) to jump in and INT. something Jay might have noticed if he actually went through his progressions her'd have seen Royals defender fell down on the right and Bellamy was open for a nice come back just behind Martellus. Would've probably gotten the 1sr down too.

Besides that one int he threw at the beginning and some other early game plays he wasn't all that bad. He was successfully driving the team a few times until daunted by the cascade of penalties. Hard to succeed when you have nearly 200 yards in penalties.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Clausen does really well next week. Probably won't win but do a lot better than all of us expect. After practicing with the 1st string all week he'll turn in a good game in Seattle. Having Tim Tebow would be a circus that our team does not need. Although I know Fox has experience with him.

I think the penalties alone were nearly the defining reason this game was lost. So many positive gains were nullified by STUPID and repetitive penalties. And the lack of corner play.

Not that it's a fair comparison but wasn't it about this time last year when Aaron Rodgers said "R-E-L-A-X"? They were 1-2 at the point... Way to early to completely give up. And like you said Adam, these first three were going to be tough no matter what. It doesn't help that large pieces of your offense are out from injuries.

...and Ball. If not for their flippin PIs the D would be doing much better. IMHO

I've lost mass faith in Fuller. He really needs to pull his head out.