adam

A loss equals the 7th pick, and a win means we move to 8th and then pass every other 6 win team except Car and STL. So we want ATL to beat Car, and NO to beat TB. That would give us the 9th pick. NYG winning moves us to 8th and the MIN game will decide between 7 and 8 essentially.

Guys we are currently 7th, and due to SoS we can actually drop all the way to 11th with a win if all those other teams finish with 6 wins. STL is the only team that would finish after us if tied. So we cannot win next week. We also can do no better than 7th because WAS has a worse SoS than us.

That was one of the best news conferences he has ever had. Odd timing, almost like he knows it is over, and there is no longer any pressure on him. I agree that he was very professional and didn't have to even do the presser. He has definitely earned back some points there, but his play on the field is hard to ignore.

Jay Cutler is the highest paid player to be benched (healthy scratch) ever!!!!

Yeah, we have 2 players left from 2009-2011 (Conte and Paea) tied with CAR (Newton and Hardy). Every other team had at least 3 players or more. GB had the high at 22 players from 2009-2011 still on their roster and 33 from 2009-2014.

1. Evaluating talent, seeing if Clausen should be retained, even as an interim starter 2. Preventing Cutler from getting hurt (especially against DET) so he can be traded 3. Preventing Cutler from reducing his value any further (if that is possible) with another listless performance 4. Trestman showing that even an average QB can flourish under him (even if Clausen has an average game against DET because Cutler has been putrid against them) 5. Telling Cutler that he is done as a Bear 6. Showing fans/media that regardless of contract status, if you don't perform, you won't play (accountability)? 7. Showing that Kromer's statements were correct (even though the approach was wrong)

We drop from 10th to 26th by average when you add those 3 years, so I believe we were dead last in those years (meaning we have retained less players from 2009-2011 than any other team).

I honestly would not be surprised if he retired within the next few years.

I will hold judgement until after the playoffs. He is the same height as Winston, just 11 lbs lighter. This is what Walter Football says about him: Either way I doubt Mariota or Winston get out of the top 5.

That is exactly what is happening and I have heard that numerous times. Almost like every area of the defense is on a different scheme at the same time. So LB's and DB's are almost always out of position. I still believe Emery is pretty good (with his scouting background), I just think he got the coaching hire wrong. Looking at his picks, Drafttek has a pretty cool feature here: http://www.drafttek.com/ConsolidatedNFLDra...HI#.VJItSnvdf-s which shows the pct of players still on the drafted team roster from 2012-2014. The Bears are 10th at 80%, but 25th for overall retained at 16. This is due to lack of draft picks, however, Emery has actually done pretty good with the 16 retained with 12 seeing a lot of playing time. The craziest thing is to look at 2009-2011: http://www.drafttek.com/ConsolidatedNFLDra...HI#.VJItYXvdf-s We drafted 19 players in those 3 years and have only 2 left on the roster. That is insane.

but it is a valid concern, and he has mentioned that he has felt it while playing. I have read how others have had to stop playing pro sports because it was too hard to keep their numbers within range. I am just wondering when he is really off that if it has something (not all) to do with his diabetes.

I know right, not only that, but Jared Allen and Lance Briggs will both be extended. Also, with Clausen, I believe he is the 6th QB to start since Cutler started every game in 2009 (Cutler, McCown, Campbell, Hanie, Collins, Clausen); 9th since Rex started every game in 2006 (+Rex, Griese, Orton); 22nd since Kramer in 1995, and 32nd since we last won the Super Bowl in 85/86. In stark contrast, NE has had 1 QB start every game since 2009, 2 since 2002 (Brady/Cassel), 3 since 1999 (Bledsoe), and 4 since 1994 (Zolak).

Teams that miss out on Mariota or Winston will be looking. HOU, STL, TEN, and WAS all could be in play. TB as well. HOU and STL are not drafting high enough to get one of the 2 premier QBs. I can't see how anyone would do it, but the coaching fiasco may make other teams believe Cutler didn't get a fair chance (almost started laughing as I wrote that).

This is based on the fact that we are playing the NFC and AFC West divisions and the last place teams in the NFC South and East. HOME DET (10-4) GB (10-4) MIN (6-8) ARZ (11-3) SF (7-7) DEN (11-3) OAK (2-12) WAS (3-11) AWAY DET (10-4) GB (10-4) MIN (6-8) STL (6-8) KC (8-6) SEA (10-4) SD (8-6) TB (2-12) 9 tough games, 4 winnable games, and 3 easier games. Looks like a brutal schedule as both West divisions are pretty tough. OAK has played tough and TB should be better in Lovie Year #2.

He also said:

New Orleans game was last one Cutler will ever play for the Bears. There is no way he comes back from this.

Now has anyone ever considered that his blood sugar levels could be affecting his play/decision making? Having first hand experience with Type 1 Diabetes, their blood sugar is always on their mind, and there are times where they are just "off". Lows cause shakiness, confusion, dizziness, etc. Just thought this was a interesting take on the situation as it is rarely discussed or mentioned in the media. Check out this article: http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/dia...type-1-diabetes

There are only 2 collegiate QBs that had a better season QBR than what Mariota has this year, Andrew Luck in 2010 and Russell Wilson in 2011. That is some pretty good company. He also has 3 seasons in the top #17 QBR since 2004. No other QB has even 2 seasons in the top 20. He has a TD-INT ratio of 101-12. Insane.

Wow

You could also do some fun drinking games so you don't remember the game afterwards: Drink once on any Bears penalty, every 3 and out on offense, and for every first down allowed on defense Drink twice for every missed tackle on defense, and when the opposing team scores Drink three times when Cutler gets sacked, throws an INT, or fumbles Drink four times if commentators say "unbelievable" "unacceptable" "wow" "I don't know" "terrible" "speechless" "loss for words" "bad" Drink five times for a blocked punt, FG, botched fake punt or onside kick, or a failed challenge

When looking at the teams that have a need at QB: NYJ, STL, TEN, TB, HOU, and possibly BUF. STL, HOU, and possibly BUF would fit that mold. They all have great defenses, and a varying amount of playmakers without a QB. With Mariota and Winston going early, you have to assume TEN, TB, or NYJ will take a QB. I don't think he would work in NYJ and TB would be odd with Lovie/McCown unless Lovie really liked him. So that leaves only TEN, which he does have some ties to playing for Vandy. A long shot would also be ARZ or SF (especially if Harbaugh goes). However, I don't know how teams can look at his entire body of work and not think he has always been at least part of the problem.

What do you call us right now? I think we are down right terrible and he has definitely not elevated anyone to anywhere. He needs an opportunistic defense to equalize his turnovers and to give him great field position. Without that, he basically sucks.

Why wait? Fire him now and make a statement to the fanbase. Put an interim coach (Hoke) in for a couple of games and evaluate players for next year. I would hire a new coaching staff, and let them make the decision on whether to keep or release Cutler. I would rather cut him and move on.

I am actually rooting for Buffalo now, a great defense, Orton at QB. If they can make it into the playoffs, they are going to be a tough out.

I was just posting those to show how off stats alone can be. Cutler has shown he has zero leadership traits and has lived up to and beyond his persona as a petulant little child. He can't read defenses, is not really that mobile, goes down like a cheap prostitute, and even his throws are not really accurate anymore. Basically he has zero traits of a franchise QB and one of the biggest contract busts of all-time. The sad part for us is he is now basically the franchise leader in every passing statistical category. After last night, I can't see how any team would be fooled into thinking they can fix him.