Jay Cutler: 10 Reasons He Needs To Take Week 5 Off for Bears
In Sunday night’s game, the Chicago Bears were embarrassed by the New York Giants. Even without a top pass rusher in Mathias Kiwanuka, the Giants managed 10 sacks against a struggling offensive line.
Quarterback Jay Cutler was thrown to the turf violently and repeatedly before leaving the game with a concussion. After seeing the long-term brain damage that can be inflicted by re-aggravating a head injury, it seems unlikely that Cutler will play next week against the Panthers. But should Cutler play?
10. Post Concussion Syndrome
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While playing for the Cowboys, Troy Aikman suffered more concussions then he can count, probably because the brain damage affected his ability to count. Due to the severe long-term ramifications that can result from playing with a concussion, the NFL has enacted stronger guidelines for when a player can return from a knock to the head.
With all the new rules put in place to protect the quarterback, this one could be the most beneficial to a players long-term health. If you’re a coach of GM, you care about winning, but you have to care about the safety of your players even more.
9. Cutler Looks Uncomfortable in Martz Offense
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Let’s be honest, this new Mike Martz offense looks terrible. While Matt Forte is the perfect receiving back for this high flying offense, the rest of the parts aren’t there.
Martz continues to dial up deep routes that take time to develop. Unfortunately, the time isn’t there, and Martz is one persistent S.O.B.
8. Problems Forcing the Ball
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Jay Cutler may have one of the strongest arms in the NFL. So what’s the problem? Cutler knows this, and tends to rely more on his arm than his mind.
JC loves forcing balls into tight spots, but more often than not, ends up shooting himself in the foot. Last season, Cutler threw a whopping 26 interceptions and has turned the ball over 77 times (66 INT, 11 Fumbles lost) in only 57 career games.
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7. Risking Further Injury
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If you watched Sunday night’s game, two things were obvious. One, Cutler needs to get rid of the ball earlier if he feels pressure. Two, that Chicago offensive line is all kinds of ugly.
There need to be changes made on the line, and until then, no quarterback is safe. A year after being sacked 35 times in 16 games, Cutler has been dropped 17 times in four games. Seriously, Cutler has been dropped more times than first period calculus.
Don’t risk further injury, let JC rock the headset this week.
6. Cutler Gave Up Last Week
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Did anybody else notice Cutler’s body language last week? He would slowly sulk to the huddle, and his head sunk in a look of utter despair. Not exactly the most encouraging behavior from your offensive team leader.
I can understand the frustration that comes with being sacked nearly a dozen times, but you can’t mope and pout. As the quarterback, the offense should draw strength from you. They lead the huddle and motivate their teammates. In that regard, Cutler failed on Sunday.
5. Receivers Can’t Get Open
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This is a two-part problem. Despite the fact that Cutler had no time in the pocket, Mike Martz continually called for routes that take a while to develop. The bigger problem? Cutler doesn’t have anybody to throw the ball to.
Greg Olsen is a serviceable tight end and Devin Hester is a great big play threat. Johnny Knox is an improving speedster, but none of these guys are ready to be the No. 1 or 2 option.
Part of the reason Cutler has to hold the ball so long is because his receivers are so often covered. They have track star speed, but poorly developed route running skills.
Cutler is probably the best option the Bears have at quarterback, but with these receivers, the former Vanderbilt star is a sitting duck in the pocket.
4. Opportunity To Improve Run Game
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Through four games Matt Forte has carried the ball 50 times for a mere 134 yards. That works out to a pitiful 2.7 yards per carry. Chicago has a Super Bowl caliber defense, but with a running game that anemic, they’d be lucky to make the playoffs.
With Cutler on the bench, the Bears could concentrate on improving this worthless run game. Matt Forte ran for over 1,200 yards as a rookie, and will need to regain that form for his team to make a deep playoff run.
Part of these struggles are based on an offensive line that fails to create running lanes, but it’s tough to be productive when you carry the ball fewer than thirteen times per game.
3. Kurt Warner 2.0?
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In 1999, a no-name, undrafted quarterback out of Northern Iowa was tabbed as the starter for the St. Louis Rams. The former AFL standout threw for 4,353 yards and had 41 touchdowns to 13 interceptions, with an eye-popping 109.2 QB rating.
Eleven years later, a similar situation has arised. Despite the age gap, the 6’2" Caleb Hanie shares a few similarities with the former league MVP. Both went undrafted out of small colleges (in this case, Colorado State). Both measure in at about 6’2", 220. Both play in a Mike Martz offense.
So could Caleb Hanie be the perfect fit for this all-out aerial assault? Probably not, but you never know if lightning’s going to strike twice.
2. Declining Performance
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In the first game of the season, Cutler was dominant. He threw for 372 yards and two touchdowns. The next week he was almost equally impressive, throwing for 277 yards and three touchdowns.
Week 3? Teams began adapting to Cutler’s reads in this new offense as JC threw for 221 yards a touchdown and an INT. Then in Week 4, well, we all know what happened in Week 4.
Cutler’s performance has dropped each week, and perhaps the best antidote is spending a week on the sidelines.
1. Why Not?
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Cutler is fighting through a concussion and the migraines that undoubtedly come with them. The offensive line offers less protection than my cut-rate insurance provider. The receivers are raw and inexperienced.
With no clear-cut frontrunner in the NFC, the Bears have the defense to compete with anybody. If there is any time to tinker with the offense, it is now with Cutler nursing a concussion. Head injuries are not to be taken lightly as most doctors and former players will attest to.
Let Cutler recover, and see what the youngster Caleb Hanie can do.
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