15 on 6: Cutler was Catalyst for Bears on Sunday

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Monday, October 5th
CSNChicago.com
Jay Cutler proved to be the catalyst on Sunday as the Chicago Bears played down to the level of their opponent during week 4. Many times, as a player, you sense your team is just not "feeling it" on gameday. You build upall week preparing mentally and physically for Sunday. I have been through great weeks of practice where your confident everyone is "locked in" as a team, only to go out andlay an egg. Other times, practices were so wretched you worried of the embarrassment along with the wrath of coaches that would soon follow a poor performanceonly to besurprised when the team put forth one of its best efforts. Normally, a player steps up and stops the bleeding in the later scenario which Jay Cutler did today.

I couldalways tell in the huddle if we were going through the motions.Asthe startingquarterback, you are in charge of the group. You have to do something to get the blood flowing in the offense. It could be changing the tempo with snap count, the inflection of your voice calling plays to create a sense of urgency, or it could be flat out making a play. Jay infused not only the offense, buthisentire team. The excitement from asell out crowd was his bonus. Three times with great plays, Jay stopped the bleeding for the Bears in the first half. Otherwise, it could have been a long day.

1. Look at the reactionfrom Bear teammates whenJay leaped into the end zone for the Bears first score. Heearned more trust displaying he willsacrifice his bodyfor his team when called upon. When you have a chance to score in the NFL, YOU DO IT! Too many things can go wrong on any play. Just look at the 3rd downand goal situation early third quarter as reference. Jaytried to hand offa power play to Matt Forte but was stepped on by pullingRG Roberto Garza thus,the Bears had to settle for a field goal by Robbie Gould.You must seize the opportunity when you have it and Jay knowing the moment cashed in withunselfishness and great effort on his touchdown run.

2. I originally thoughthis second big play was a double post, but after seeing the replay, it was a deep dig route (in cut)toEarl Bennett. Hester was in the slot with Bennett on his outside. Jay faked the play action to his left, which is tough actionfor a right handed thrower. The reason is your eyes come off the safeties as you drop to fake and your back is to the defense. Also, you are dropping opposite of what you need to set your feetto deliver the football. You need to make your fake a good onetofreeze thedefender over the slot and the middle linebacker who could potentially drop into the lane of the throw. Once you reel around you better locate that backside safety quickly because he is your key. If the safety bites on the dig route, Jay may have potentially hitHester down the middle who was influencing by clearing him deep. Lions safety Ko Simpsonwas threatened enough by Hester's speed for Jay to pull the trigger for a 25 yard gain to Bennett, which set up the two yard TD pass to TE KellenDavis.

3.Touchdown number one when Jay called his own number influenced touchdown number three to Greg Olsen in the second quarter. Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner wanted to put the ball in the hot hand of Jay at this point. It was a 4th down and goal call. Give Jay the run pass option. The Lions already witnessed Jay running for a score. They immediately reacted when Jay bootlegged out to prevent him from doing it again. It became an easy touchdown toss to Greg Olsen in the back of the end zone to put the Bears ahead 21 to 14.

This is why the NFL is a QB driven league. A quarterback like Jay Cutler can elevate everyone's play. It's what franchise QB's do. You can't tell me the Indianapolis Colts defense is better than the Bears. Why are the Coltsundefeated? When the offensive line is notup to snuff, Manning makes a play!WhenJosephAddai got hurt last year, Manning made plays! When soonto be Hall of Fame WR Marvin Harrison retired, the offense has not missed a beat! Be thankful for Jay Cutler. Ron Turner is! His play calling just got a hell of a lot easier this year. The last three weeks have proved it withso-called nowide receivers and an offense that supposedly can't run the ball.

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