Chicago Bears: 6 Reasons Jay Cutler Will Turn in a Pro Bowl Campaign in 2011

Jay Cutler's season ended on a much publicized and heartily criticized note when the Bears QB suffered a knee injury in the NFC Championship game against the hated Packers and couldn't finish the game.

But a new season brings with it the hope and promise of a new day. And for Cutler, an improved offensive line and better weapons to throw to will result in a breakout season from the talented, if not enigmatic, QB with the cannon arm.

Of course, that is assuming a lot. It is assuming that GM Jerry Angelo and his brain trust actually go out and improve the club. That is, over and above the additions made in the draft.

Look, the Bears can't be satisfied with Gabe Carimi; they need more help for a line that gave up the most sacks in the NFL last season.

Meanwhile, it would be awfully nice if they went out and acquired an honest to goodness No. 1 wide receiver.

So, let's put on our rosy glasses and fill our glasses half full, because I have six reasons why Cutler can have a Pro Bowl season in 2011.

Cutler Is Entering His Prime and Is Talented

Cutler has been talked about so much and has been so high profile that some people tend to forget that the man only recently turned 28 years old.

In the rough and gruff NFL world, 28 is not a baby, but it's not exactly AARP time yet either. Cutler should be just coming into his peak years over 2011 and 2012.

As a point of reference, Drew Brees had his first 4,000-yard passing season at age 27 and had his most yardage at 29.

Tom Brady was 28 when he first hit 4,000. And his first full season QB rating over 100 didn't happen until he was 30. Same with Peyton Manning—he was 28 when he posted his first 100-plus rating.

Now, those are Hall of Fame QBs, but the point is that even the great ones tend to get better with age, up to a certain point. Cutler should just be entering his prime, and that's another reason why I still believe in him as the future of the Bears franchise.

Meanwhile, his talent can't be denied.

Even his biggest detractors admit he has a cannon for an arm. He has another year to be used to Mike Martz and his receiver routes, and more importantly, the talent to become even better than he has been.

He's Got Legs...He Knows How to Use Them

In today's NFL, the stereotypical pocket passer is a thing of the past for the most part. QBs who are mobile enough to elude the pass rush tend to stay upright longer, have more extended careers and simply end up with better results.

Now, despite Cutler's mobility he hit the dirt way too much last season—we recognize that. But did you notice that once the Bears adjusted at the bye week, Cutler started rolling out more and using his legs to his advantage?

Now that the Bears will start the season knowing this, perhaps it will results in better production from Cutler.

The man can run. He can be elusive, although he still does not seem to feel the rush, especially on his blind side. That's where the line protection needs to help.

The term "mobility" doesn't have to mean that a QB is the next Fran Tarkenton or Mike Vick. But it is critical to be able to buy time for receivers to get open, especially in the Martz scheme.

Cutler can do this and do it well.

Better Blocking Upfront

As I commented in the introduction, the Bears simply can't afford to rest on their laurels now. Sure, having Gabe Carimi fall to them at 29 in the first round of the draft was a godsend, but they shouldn't stop there.

There are plenty of free agents to sign that could help keep Cutler upright this season. That includes one of their own.

Yes, the Bears need to re-sign Olin Kruetz.

Perhaps a guard would be the best addition as Carimi plays right tackle and J'Marcus Webb moves over to the left. No matter what, an improved line will go a long way toward helping Cutler have a good season.

Assuming these things happen, this should be a much better blocking team that last year's version.

Meanwhile, I hope the Bears abandon the Chris Williams-as-starter experience. I know he was a No. 1 draft choice, but he hasn't looked good anywhere he's played.

Improved Weapons to Throw to (Hopefully)

The offense needs a proven, big physical wideout to complement the young and inexperienced (and short!) WRs they currently have on their roster.

There are some that should be available once the lockout mess is over, so the Bears must go get one. I'd love Sidney Rice, but I'll take Mike Sims-Walker or Malcom Floyd.

Assuming they do go out and sign a free agent wideout, Cutler will be more comfortable, like he was throwing to Brandon Marshall in Denver.

But even if they do not, the current crop of receivers should be better, simply based on the fact that they have another year under their belts, and should be much more comfortable in the Mike Martz offense. ,

Did I mention how good Rice would look in orange and blue?

Mike Martz Has Learned from Last Year's Unbalanced Disaster

Prior to the bye week in 2010, the Mike Martz offense featured a very unbalanced run-to-pass ratio. We all know he likes to throw the ball, but with the offensive line the Bears had, that wasn't working.

In fact, it almost got Cutler killed in the Giants game.

So, a "come to Jesus" meeting occurred among head coach Lovie Smith, offensive line coach Mike Tice and Martz, and the Bears offense improved greatly.

This year, the Bears will have the benefit of that wisdom from day one. So you can expect a healthy dose of Matt Forte, which should open up the passing game.

Cutler's Maturity

Even if you do not buy the criticism that Cutler lacks maturity, one has to figure that each year a player spends in the NFL, they get another year older, more wiser and more mature.

Hey, despite the apparent calling off of his engagement to Kristin Cavallari, maybe as Cutler gets older, he will realize he has something else to play for, and he will take the game even more seriously that he has in the past.

Personally, I feel that Cutler wants to win and do well as badly as anyone, but just doesn't show it all the time.

But regardless, I think that Cutler will come into this season with a big chip on his shoulder, out to prove his critics wrong.

Now, for a player without much talent, having a burning desire in the belly may not be enough. But for an obviously talented guy like Jay, that should go a long way toward improving his game.

The way last season ended can't sit well with Cutler. Sure, he laughs it off, but I'm sure that deep inside, he was very insulted by all the people, and especially the NFL players, that criticized him unfairly when he really was hurt.