Chicago Bears: QB Jay Cutler Comes Out Firing

It’s difficult to measure success and failure when it comes to football players running around in shorts and helmets without tackling or blocking.

When the Bears debuted new quarterback Jay Cutler in Thursday’s first training camp practice in Bourbonnais, however, no one could have interpreted it as anything but a resounding success.

“I thought it was a good first day,” coach Lovie Smith said. “We have a long ways to go; our entire team does. But you need to get that first day under your belt. He was able to do that and hopefully we can just continue to make progress from here.”

It was more than the laser-like precision Cutler showed by hitting on nine of his first 12 passes in seven-on-seven drills, before going on to hit Devin Hester and Greg Olsen for gains of 35 to 40 yards on sideline routes in full squad work.

Cutler’s ability to handle the offense and command the huddle both spoke volumes about why general manager Jerry Angelo traded for him.

“I think he’s in total control,” Smith said. “He has a track record. Guys realize that, so they’re going to listen to what he tells them. He has a way about telling them."

“You won’t see him scream or yelling at guys, but he’ll get his point across, and with his personality, it allows the guys to really gravitate to him.”

The man who made the trade for Cutler was equally impressed.

“He’s got talent,” Angelo said. “We saw that in the (June organized workouts). He looked good.

“Just working with the receivers and working within the framework of the offense it will take a little time before everything starts really clicking like we like. Right now was a good day.”

Cutler had about a dozen team activities in June to work with receivers and also said he worked with them on his own to help him get ready for training camp. He still couldn’t wait to start.

“I was anxious if anything,” he said.

The two big plays along the sidelines stood out, in addition to a bullet Cutler drilled over the middle to Rashied Davis, who had slipped but had the presence of mind to get back up and make the catch.

“Yeah, you know, Greg looked good,” Cutler said. “Devin looked good, fell down a few times but we’re getting there.

“It’s a good sign to be hitting some of those early that we did, some of those big plays, because those are hard to come by.”

Even Bears defenders who tried to stop Cutler were impressed.

“He’s giving the wide receiver just enough room to maneuver and it’s good to see out of our offense," cornerback Nate Vasher said.

A crowd estimated at 7,000 by Olivet Nazarene University school officials roared with every completion. Fans started lining up three hours before practice to be part of Cutler’s first workout.

The crowd fueled Cutler, too—except possibly the man who stood up and screamed during a lull: “marry me Jay Cutler!”

“I think it’s a fun atmosphere,” Cutler said. “It adds to the practice a little bit.

“But once we get locked in I don’t hear them at all.”

Fat farm for Harrison

The news wasn’t all good. Second-year defensive tackle Marcus Harrison weighed in Thursday around 325 pounds and because he failed to make weight, he went on the non-football injury list. The Bears athletic trainers put him through individual paces on the sidelines to try and get him in shape.

“Disappointed that Marcus isn’t out there with his teammates right now, but don’t know exactly how long,” Smith said.

“This wasn’t a part of the plan for him to be on the sideline, but he’ll do his work, and as you can see, he’s working hard to get back in shape. I know he’ll do it.

“But in the meantime our team has to move on. (Defensive tackles) Anthony Adams, Dusty Dvoracek are good football players, and when he comes we’ll welcome him back then.”

Injury front

Danieal Manning had the only real injury of the first day. He said he suffered from calf cramps and had a tender hamstring, so Craig Steltz played free safety with starters and Kevin Payne strong safety.

Also on Day 1

Free agent acquisition Pisa Tinoisamoa took most of the snaps with the first team at strong side linebacker, with Nick Roach getting some, as well. Veteran Hunter Hillenmeyer was limited to backup duties at the spot and also a backup middle linebacker role.

Free agent acquisition Frank Omiyale did not play with starters at left guard. Instead, Josh Beekman did. Last year Beekman was the starter at that spot.

Backup quarterback Caleb Hanie had a miserable first day of practice. He fumbled his first snap from backup center Tyler Reed. Then he threw well behind running back Kevin Jones in the flat on a short pass.

After that, Nate Vasher and Zack Bowman both intercepted Hanie passes. Hanie did get a measure of revenge with one touchdown bomb to Brandon Rideau.