If Jay Cutler has looked more relaxed in the pocket during the past two games it's because he has been. It's the result of the offensive line only allowing two sacks during that span while also limiting the amount of times Cutler has been hit or has had to scramble to avoid pressure.
"I'll be very calm if they keep protecting like this and give me time to move around and make some plays," Cutler said. "That's all the difference in the world."
If you don't have a dominant, No. 1 receiver, the next best thing might be spreading the ball around like Cutler did Sunday when he completed passes to nine different receivers.
"It's hard on defenses," Cutler said. "They don't know who to key on, especially on third down. We've seen some exotic coverages on some guys, seen them bracket some guys but if we keep up the ability to move the ball around to different guys it's harder for them to key on somebody."
The inability to convert on third down was haunting the offense until the bye week. Since then, Cutler and Co. and coverted 18 of 31.
"Execution," Cutler said when asked the difference. "We're protecting well. We're hitting the hots. The ball is going to the right places. It's everything. When we were really struggling everyone was kind of taking a turn at doing the wrong thing."
My favorite play on Sunday was when Cutler stepped up in the pocket, avoided a Jared Allen rush, and threw a laser to his receiver. It was pocket presence at it's finest and it proved to me that Jay, and the offense, are making strides. That 25 yard scramble was also pretty cool.
Rick Morressey has it exactly right about the Bears. They are only a middle level team because only middle level talent appeals to the Addams family.
That's funny cause Cutler scrambled more in the Vikings game than he did against the Giant's. Was the line really that good?
J’Marcus Webb was responsible for six of the pressures that Cutler faced during the game, struggling all day to contain Ray Edwards. Webb was also at fault for a pair of penalties, one of which was declined. Webb was almost matched by Frank Omiyale, who allowed the sack, a hit, and three more pressures on Cutler. As bookend offensive tackles go, the Bears have some work to do.
That's great protection. Cutler used his feet all day to avoid the rush, but the tackles got beat all day. The Vikings just didn't close the deal.
The Bears cant beat a team in Creighton's mind. It is always how a team had failed themselves rather then the Bears playing a great game.
What a joke.
Creighton, someone stole my handle! I did not utilized your name and retort to your comment. I believe you may interpret my commenting style versus this phony Anon, hopefully.
Hey dude, if you want to utilized the handle Anon, at least man up and state you are Anon #2, NOT the original Anon. Creighton and I have jocularity as I do with any other poster in this blog. Some times we go at it too, but it is alright to rant and rave as well.
Dude, don't come in here hiding behind someone's else handle.
Anon
Why hasn't some NFL team hired Creighton by now? He's sheer genius. And his positive attitude contributes greatly to the constructive, enjoyable fiber of this blog. Creighton, go away.