The identity of the Chicago Bears has almost changed overnight.

The offseason acquisition of quarterback Jay Cutler has suddenly transformed Da Bears into a team that relies on the pass to set up the run; for decades, it used to be the other way around. In fact, Chicago fans had been waiting for a strong-armed quarterback to aid their ground game, not hide its weaknesses.

Through five games this season, the Bears have attempted 172 passes to only 119 rushing attempts. They’re throwing nearly 60% of the time, which, for the Bears, is unheard of.

On Tuesday, Cutler and the Bears agreed to a two-year extension that will keep the quarterback in Chicago through 2013. Does the move signal the end of the Bears’ philosophy of being a run-first team? Given Cutler’s gun-ho mentality as a passer and Chicago’s sudden desire to throw the ball more, one would think that Chicago’s smash-mouth days are over.

But a closer look tells a different story. The Bears are currently 27th in rushing yards per game this season, averaging 89.8 YPG. They haven’t run the ball much this year because quite frankly, they can’t run the ball. The changes the Bears made to their offensive line in the offseason haven’t amounted to much as Orlando Pace, Frank Omiyale and the rest of Chicago’s O-line has failed to gel. And while people are quick to assume running back Matt Forte is suffering from the dreaded sophomore slump, the fact of the matter is that the line hasn’t been opening up holes for him like they did last year.

So are the Bears becoming more of a pass-first team with Jay Cutler? Yes, but that’s only because their O-line is under performing. If the line starts opening more holes for Forte (who seems to be tiptoeing into holes more this season because of the amount of licks he’s been taking), the Bears will undoubtedly become the balanced squad that they envisioned when they traded for Cutler.

Until then, don’t expect the Bears to stop putting it in the air. And as long as they’re throwing, offensive coordinator Ron Turner better start calling more vertical passes in order to take advantage of Cutler’s strengths.

David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune had this interesting tidbit about Jay Cutler in his latest column:

I know Cutler already has alienated enough small pockets of fans at various appearances in Chicago to produce a flurry of furious e-mails, such as the one from a guy at Wrigley Field last week who criticized the quarterback for waving off autograph seekers. “His lack of appreciation for fans will be his undoing in Chicago,” Glen. R. wrote me.

We’ll see, but if Cutler experiences an undoing in Chicago it will have more to do with the people on the field than in the stands. Generally speaking, the same folks complaining about Cutler’s insouciant behavior will be cheering him on his first 350-yard Sunday.

Sure, Cutler could do himself some favors by exuding more charm or suffering the occasional fool with a little less outward disdain. But those who have been Bears fans for two decades, or two generations, need to remember Cutler has been here for two months. There will be — and has been — a degree of culture shock. Denver isn’t Chicago. Eventually, Cutler will adjust because he will learn life is easier that way in this tradition-rich football city. If he doesn’t, then he will get what he deserves.

But it’s too early in his tenure to predict that.

Cutler isn’t the first athlete who shunned autograph seekers and he won’t be the last. Unless it’s obvious they’re being outright pricks to fans, I try not to let it bother me when athletes don’t sign because we have no idea what kind of schedule they’re on. For all we know they’re running late as it is. Sure, it would be nice if they signed autographs until the last person is gone, but that’s not reality.

As far as Cutler is concerned, Chicago fans are going to embrace him if he performs well. And actually, they’ve already embraced him because they’ve been dying for a quarterback for decades. As long as he performs, it’s going to take a lot for him to ruin his image in Chicago. He’s safe for now – I don’t care what a handful of people say.

The NFL released the 2009 NFL Schedule today, so I’ll do what the 4,000 other websites do and list some of the more juicier matchups of the year. (Although in the sake of being at least a little creative, I’ll list one interesting matchup for each of the 17 weeks on the schedule.)

Before we get to the matchups though, let me state for the record that it’s a complete farce that the Cowboys get six nationally televised games next year despite not making the playoffs last season. I guess “America’s Team” opening a brand new stadium is worth major national exposure…six times a year.

Week 1: Bears at Packers, 8:20PM ET
Jay Cutler’s first game in a Bears uniform will be at Lambeau against the rival Packers on Sunday Night Football. How much will John Madden overplay the, “The Bears finally have a quarterback” angle after every pass Cutler completes?

Week 2: Giants at Cowboys, 8:20PM ET
One of the ‘Boys six nationally televised games, Dallas will open up their new stadium against division rival New York on Sunday Night Football. How much will John Madden overplay the, “Tony Romo and Wade Phillips must win now because Jerry Jones built this brand new stadium and he wants a contender” angle?

Week 3: Falcons at Patriots, 1:00PM ET
The over/under on the number of times Matt Ryan is compared to Tom Brady in this game has officially been set at 800,994,990.

Week 4: Chargers at Steelers, 8:20PM ET
AFC Divisional Round rematch in Pittsburgh – let’s see if the Chargers can hold onto the ball for more than 17 seconds in the third quarter unlike the last time these two teams met.

Week 5: Patriots at Broncos, 4:15PM ET
If Bill Belichick shakes Josh McDaniels’ hand at midfield after this game, I’m calling shenanigans on the behalf of Eric Mangini.

Week 6: Bears at Falcons, 8:20PM ET
Here’s hoping the Bears’ secondary figured out that they have to cover the out pattern when that’s the only route Matt Ryan can look for when there’s 11 seconds on the clock and he needs to get his team into field goal range.

Week 7: Cardinals at Giants, 8:20PM ET
Kurt Warner seeks maximum revenge against Eli Manning for taking his starting job in New York in a few years ago. This is also the battle of two goofy (yet loveable) quarterbacks. (Look, I know Warner is a good guy but you have to admit those gloves he wears look ridiculous.)

Week 8: Giants at Eagles, 4:15PM ET
I’d write something humorous about this matchup, but there’s just nothing funny about the NFC East – or Philadelphia fans. People may die…

Week 9: Dolphins at Patriots, 1:00PM ET
The Big Tuna returns to his old stomping grounds in what could be a midseason battle for first place in the AFC East. Unless of course Miami was a fluke last year, Tom Brady re-injuries himself or the Bills and Jets are in first place by a wide margin. But seriously, if those things don’t happen, then this could be a midseason battle for first place in the AFC East.

Week 10: Patriots at Colts, 8:20PM ET
Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning – finally, a forum where fans can debate who the best quarterback is in the NFL. I’m tired of not having the opportunity to discuss who the better quarterback is between Brady and Manning because these two teams never play each other.

Week 11: Chargers at Broncos, 4:15PM ET
Think Ed Hochuli’s crew will be asked to officiate this game?

Week 12: Packers at Lions, 12:30PM ET
Good to see the NFL is still honoring the tradition of keeping Thanksgiving in Detroit. Hopefully this game remains interesting for more than the seven and a half seconds that it was last year when the Titans drubbed the Lions in one of the worst Thanksgiving Day games since Drew Henson and the Cowboys took on Craig Krenzel and the Bears in 2004. (Does anyone remember that game? At one point during that game I actually cursed God for blessing me with vision.)

Week 13: Jets at Bills, 8:20PM ET
T.O. gets his first opportunity to play in front of a national audience in his new city of Buffalo…actually the game is being played in Toronto. Too bad only four people will get the chance to watch it since the game will be on the NFL Network.

Week 14: Panthers at Patriots, 1:00PM ET
Hopefully by this point in the season Tom Brady will be leading the Pats back to the playoffs and Jake Delhomme will have figured out how to get through an entire game without turning the ball over seven times and generally crapping himself. (Side note: There’s no proof that Delhomme has ever crapped himself during a game. I just flat out don’t like him.)

Week 15: Giants at Redskins, 8:30PM ET
Were the guys in charge pissed at the Giants when they were making this schedule? Check out this stretch of games to finish the season: vs. Dallas, vs. Philadelphia, at. Washington, vs. Carolina, at Minnesota. Yikes.

Week 16: Ravens at Steelers, 1:00PM ET
If this game is anything like the three these two teams played last year, we should expect plenty of anger, mass hysteria and controversy.

Week 17: Giants at Vikings, 1:00PM ET
Hey, remember when the Vikings needed to beat the Giants in Week 17 of the season last year in order to get into the playoffs? And they barely did, even though New York played its back ups for most of the game? Well this will be a replay of that game for those that missed it.

In one day, the Bears seemingly addressed their 20-year old quarterback problem and also added a significant piece to their offensive line. In one day, the Bears might have gone from a .500 team to the perennial favorites in the NFC North.

It’s way too early to be getting into predictions for the 2009 NFL Season. Voluntary workouts have begun, but the draft is still weeks away and teams are still trying to reshape their rosters.

But with the trade acquisition of Jay Cutler and the signing of left tackle Orlando Pace, the Bears significantly upgraded their offense and hopefully made current players like Matt Forte, Devin Hester, Frank Omiyale and Chris Williams better.

Make no mistake – Chicago is far from a Super Bowl contender. They still need to upgrade their wide receiver position, could use another defensive end to throw in the mix with Alex Brown, Adewale Ogunleye and Mark Anderson, and even though they signed Josh Bullocks this offseason, they could still use an upgrade at safety as well.

But while every team in the division has arguably gotten weaker, the Bears have upgraded. The Vikings are still pretty strong, but they lost long-time center Matt Birk and still have questions to be answered at quarterback. The Packers are planning to run a 3-4 defense next season, but have done next to nothing to add true 3-4 personnel and the Lions will continue to take a sandblaster to their entire roster.

Perhaps the biggest thing holding the Bears back is offensive coordinator Ron Turner, who can be less than innovative at times. Maybe that’s only because he hasn’t had the personnel to run his offense at full tilt, but the bottom line is that Cutler is the type of quarterback that Turner will have to unleash. It would have been foolish for the Bears to acquire a big-armed quarterback if they’re not going to push the ball up the field through the air. I’m not saying they should go Run n’ Shoot because after all, that’s never been the Bears’ style. But now that Turner has weapon in Cutler, he needs to use him.

Again, it’s early. The draft will give us a better indication of how the Vikings and Packers will look next season and the Lions could even improve if GM Martin Mayhew uses all of his picks intelligently (i.e. not like Matt Millen). But anyone who thinks Chicago was fleeced in the Cutler deal hasn’t been paying attention. GM Jerry Angelo makes his money in rounds 2 through 7 and now that he doesn’t have to worry about squandering yet another first round pick, he can do what he does best – find gems in the middle rounds.

Assuming Cutler can put down the Kleenex for two seconds and stop crying about his situation and just play ball, the Bears are going to be tough to beat in the North next year.

Shortly after sending multiple draft picks and quarterback Kyle Orton to the Broncos to acquire Jay Cutler, the Bears signed former Rams’ left tackle Orlando Pace to help protect their new signal caller.

Pace will sign a two- or three-year contract and will be inserted as the starting left tackle meaning that 2008 first-round draft pick Chris Williams will have to stave off newly signed veteran Kevin Shaffer to claim a starting job at right tackle. Pace, 33, missed 25 games over the last three seasons but started 14 last season and cleared a physical when he visited the team on Monday. Agent Kennard McGuire praised the visit and it led to quick negotiations.

Pace is considered a better pass blocker, and that will allow the Bears to perhaps get a better run blocker in Williams or Shaffer on the right side. A lot of teams are right-handed when it comes to running the football. The depth chart looks much different than it did when minicamp ended two weeks ago and free-agent pickup Frank Omiyale, originally signed to play left guard, was running at right tackle with Williams on the left side. There were no backups in place.

This is a great signing for a couple of reasons. One, if Pace can stay healthy he offers an immediate upgrade at the left tackle position for the Bears. Although aging, Pace still has enough left in the tank to give Chicago one or two quality seasons until they can secure a more long-term answer. The Pace signing also allows the youngster Chris Williams to move to right tackle, which might be a better position for him because he doesn’t have to worry about protecting the quarterback’s blind side. Lastly, Omiyale isn’t a tackle. I don’t know why the Bears signed him to be a tackle, but at his size and quickness he’s more suitable for guard. With Pace now on board, Omiyale can shift down to guard and now as a unit, Chicago’s offensive line has been completely upgraded. (It’s not spectacular by any means, but they’re in better shape now than they were at this point last season.)

You have to give the Bears a ton of credit. They played possum all offseason, waited for their time to strike and then stole Cutler and Pace away from other teams. I know fans are probably waiting for their next signing to be Torry Holt, although he seems destined to land in Tennessee. Then again, I wouldn’t count the Bears out of anything right now.

Several media outlets are reporting that the Broncos have traded quarterback Jay Cutler to the Bears in exchange for first round picks in 2009 and 2010, a third round pick in 2009 and Kyle Orton. Denver will also give up an undisclosed draft choice in the later rounds.

It’s amazing how this entire situation unraveled. Two months ago there wasn’t a peep about a potential Cutler trade and now he’s set to become a Bear. One has to wonder whether Cutler wanted out as soon as Denver fired Mike Shanahan and when he saw an opening (i.e. Josh McDaniels’ supposed interest in former Patriots’ quarterback Matt Cassel), he took it and ran with it.

Even though they gave up a king’s ransom to acquire him, Chicago fans have to be ecstatic. They get a young quarterback with plenty of starting experience and one that has a strong arm to play in poor, late-season weather conditions. The bottom line is that the Bears haven’t had a reliable quarterback in nearly 20 seasons and now they have one who has the potential to succeed. Two first round picks are a steep price, but as I wrote yesterday, GM Jerry Angelo was probably going to blow those picks anyway (Chris Williams instead of Branden Albert, Jerry? Really?!) so Chicago might as well get a franchise-type quarterback instead.

Another note about the compensation, you have to remember that Cutler is a young quarterback with starting experience and who was sought after by multiple teams. And when you factor in how weak the quarterback class is this year, any team that wanted Cutler was going to have to give up several high draft picks like the Bears eventually did.

Cutler should also make guys like Matt Forte better around him. And if the Bears can sign Orlando Pace (which shifts Williams over to right tackle and Frank Omiyale to guard), then the offensive line would be upgraded as well. If the team could land a decent receiver prospect like Ohio State’s Brian Robiske in the second round, then the Bears, who had been quiet, would have turned in a solid offseason.

For the Broncos, the two first round picks are nice, but now they have a glaring need at quarterback. “Neck Beard” Kyle Orton has shown flashes of potential and maybe given quality receivers like Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal, along with a more innovative offense like the one McDaniels is set to run in Denver, he can succeed. But chances are neither Orton nor Chris Simms is the Broncos’ long-term answers at quarterback and they’ll look to select a signal caller in one of the next two drafts.

The nice thing is that McDaniels now has the opportunity to pick the quarterback he fills can best run his offense, because rumor had it he didn’t believe Cutler could. It remains to be seen whether or not Denver will target a quarterback prospect like USC’s Mark Sanchez in this year’s draft, but at least now they’ve rid themselves of the Culter mess and can concentrate on reshaping their roster again.