Cutler deserves this entire box for last week's effort

It’s painful to say, but reality is reality: the Detroit Lions have more talent and depth than the Chicago Bears.  We already know that the Packers are deep as well (look no further than last year’s Super Bowl win despite a plethora of injuries), but this Sunday’s matchup against Minnesota is a winnable one.  Sure, Adrian Peterson will be on display, but in recent years, the NFL has shown that elite running backs don’t necessarily translate into elite teams.  Detroit’s depth got to the Bears, as it seemed they trotted out an endless supply of fresh defensive linemen in the second half, all of whom overmatched Chicago’s front line.

This week, however, if Jay Cutler can get a little protection (an enormous “IF”), the Bears have a fighting chance to score a few times down the field and hopefully prevent some of the big plays while on defense.  For starters, the recent demotion of both starting safeties should help, but it might also help to actually make an effort to tackle a receiver or a back rather than simply running alongside trying to punch the ball out for 30 yards.  When it works, great.  When it doesn’t, it causes more trouble than it’s worth.

Kudos should go to Jay Cutler for last week’s gritty effort in the face of constant silver and blue.  Scrambling for his life, Cutler managed to escape unharmed and mistake free, albeit with another loss.  Of course, this is no surprise, because as readers of this website are well aware, trading for Jay Cutler ensured that mediocrity was the future in Chicago for years to come with very little left in the way of player development.  Perhaps the guy paid like a #1 receiver who is actually a #3 receiver at best can return a kick or two and return the Bears to .500 for a week at least.

Don’t kid yourself, folks: the Bears lost to the Lions.  Thanks to the refs, however, they are awarded a “W” in the standings.  Courtesy of the dumbest rule in sports, the Bears were victorious because Calvin Johnson refused to take the ball home with him and tuck it under his pillow.

The past is the past though, and the beauty of the NFL is that, unlike college football, an ugly win is no different than a pretty one.  There are no rankings, just standings, and as it stands, the Bears are in first place.

Jay Cutler threw for a ton of yards and actually looked nimble as he often had to scamper away from a lack of protection.  He only made one really bad decision which led to an interception. I can live with that. Coming up next: a Dallas team that looked hapless in Week 1.

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Martz

Well, at least Jay Cutler can’t blame his next offensive coordinator for his failings.  The Bears appeared to bend over backwards for Cutler, attempting to get an interview with his former QB coach Jeremy Bates, even though he had no experience as an NFL coordinator.  Then, they tried everyone else and failed to receive any interest until Mike Martz finally fell into Chicago’s lap.

Marinelli

I hate using phrases like “genius” or “mastermind” to describe professional coaches, because one is limited by the rules of the game and the talent on the field, but fans and talk shows hosts love to toss those words around when describing coaches like Martz.  The reality is that when his teams were talented (Rams), his record was good, and when his teams were not (Lions), his record was bad.  Thanks to a rumored dinner together, Jay Cutler and Mike Martz should be on the same page heading into the season.  From then on, it’s a crapshoot.  

As for the coaching behind Lovie, here’s a few of what the Bears are trotting out there:

• Rod Marinelli, after having led the Detroit Lions to a record setting 0-16 record two seasons ago, just before joining Chicago’s staff.
•  Mike Tice, former Vikings head coach who failed to maintain an air of discipline around a team best known for a boat party scandal.
• Mike Martz, successful head coach of the Rams and more recently the offensive coordinator for two miserable seasons with Marinelli’s Lions (including a 3-13 year in ’06) followed by a year in San Fran.

Tice

Guess who fired Martz from Detroit?  That’s right – Marinelli.  Then Rod followed it up with that 0-16 campaign, and now they all get to live happily ever after on Chicago’s staff.

Sigh.