Jay Cutler + Red Zone = Disaster
When Chicago acquired Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos this offseason, it was all Bear fans could do from booking their plane tickets to Miami. They figured that since they finally had a franchise quarterback under center and that the offensive line had improved, there’s no way Da Bears wouldn’t challenge for a Super Bowl berth.
Then the games actually started and now they’re starting to realize that there’s a reason why the Broncos never got to the playoffs with Cutler as their quarterback.
Cutler threw a mind-boggling five interceptions in the Bears’ 10-6 loss to the 49ers on Thursday night. Not all of those picks were his fault, as Devin Hester fell down on one pass, the ref got in the way on another and San Francisco safety Mark Roman may have gotten away with interference on yet another.
But that doesn’t excuse Cutler for throwing two horrendous interceptions in the red zone – an area in which he continues to struggle this season – to kill drives. It’s almost like whenever Chicago reaches that spot of the field, Cutler breaks out into a cold sweat and forgets how to play. He’s so deathly afraid of the red zone that Lovie Smith might as well trot kicker Robbie Gould onto the field and take three points because there’s a good chance Cutler is going to throw a pick.
Cutler is a good quarterback with all the physical tools needed to succeed in the NFL. But he’s getting zero help from his running game and Ron Turner’s play calling is questionable at best. (Why the hell didn’t Turner call more screen passes to Matt Forte after the Niners showed repeatedly that they couldn’t defense it?)
That said, Cutler has to be better in the red zone. It’s the area of the field where Tom Brady has made a living and where Peyton Manning drives a stake through the heart of his opponents. I’m not comparing Cutler to Brady or Manning, I’m just stating the obvious: Quarterbacks that win know how to convert in the red zone.
As for the 49ers, their defense played a solid game but Cutler also handed out gifts like he was Jolly Saint Nick on Christmas Eve. The offensive line never gave Alex Smith time to throw either, and without Frank Gore the Bears win this game 6-3.
Either way, both of these teams are brutal. They’re not Lions, Browns, Chiefs, Raiders or Bucs brutal, but they’re about as brutal as two 4-5 teams can be.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
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When I first read the title of this article I figured there would be a lot more Cutler bashing just like the rest of the articles all over the web. However this article actually speaks the truth about last nights game, Cutler had 5 picks, 2 of which I would actually blame him. I think it’s time Lovie sits Cutler down and has the Grossman/Orton talk with him. Telling Cutler that he doesn’t have to do everything, its ok to get field goals From watching these games so far this year, it’s a shame that the Bears, with a somewhat easy schedule, will have blown their chance at getting into the playoffs. They got away from running the ball, and Cutler is throwing all the time. Granted a lot of that was due to the Bears playing from behind, but they tried to be something they weren’t. Last nights game was a perfect example of a game that could have easily been won but was given away. If the bears try to run the ball twice in the red zone, then on third down look to pass and if nothing is there throw it away, they could have won that game last night with field goals. (not to mention I have Robbie Gould as a fantasy kicker).
Until Cutler learns that you can hold onto the ball and settle for field goals, this is going to be a long season with him forcing throws.
The-Riot,
Thanks – I apperciate that, and agree with your points.
That’s a game that the Bears have to win. The 49ers weren’t any better, they just benefited from the five picks. You can see that for whatever reason, Cutler is trying to do too much and it’s costing him and his team. His final pick of the night was his worst because he simply just threw it into traffic. That’s him trying to do too much.
I think it’s going to be tough for the Bears to come back after falling to 2-4 in the conference. But for the future, I agree with you that they have to get through to Cutler so he doesn’t continue to think he has to win games on his own.
TRADE Cutler now!!! Michael Vick???