The Bears Are Making a Run

On the same day that the Bears add a new quarterback, they get a new offensive tackle.

First things first.  The Chicago Bears, a team known for it’s defense and special teams, has made some major strides on the offensive side of the ball over the last couple of years.

It starts with the running game.  In the second round of the 2008 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears selected Matt Forte, running back from Tulane University.  Forte went on to rush for 1238 yards (1715 yards from scrimmage) and 8 TDs.  That’s the most yards since Thomas Jones gained 1335 in 2005. It is the most for a Bears rookie running back since Anthony Thomas gained 1183 yards in 2001. Even more than statistics indicate, Forte gave the fans hope. He showed flashes of elusiveness and bursts of speed that indicate he could be the franchise running back they have been looking for since Walter Payton

Denver gets:

• Kyle Orton
• Bears 2009 1st round pick (#18)
• Bears 2009 3rd round pick (#84)
• Bears 2010 1st round pick

Chicago gets:

• Jay Cutler
• Broncos 2009 5th round selection (#140)

The trade leaves Denver with 11 picks in the 2009 draft.  I have a feeling they will be rebuilding their defense.

Now that the Bears have franchise quarterback, they need to protect him.  The same time Chicago was working the deal for Jay Cutler, they signed free agent Offensive Tackle Orlando Pace.  Pace was the top selection of the 1997 NFL draft and was a blocker for three straight NFL MVPs (Kurt Warner in 1999 and 2001, Marshall Faulk in 2000).

One has to believe that the Bears are retooling to win now.  The loss of two first round draft selections and a third round draft selection means they have mortgaged the future.  They need to win now because their stout defense is aging and Orlando Pace has only one or two more years in him before he will be forced to hang ‘em up.

With the additions made this season, many people have the Bears favored to take the NFC North Title. I have one question though...who will Cutler throw to?

Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

240 days ago

Score 1

The Bears may have made a pivotal turn here from being a medicore team to being a contender. I'm sure they can make do with whatever receivers they have until they can gather a corps together.

As for the Broncos, if I was a Denver fan, I'd be looking to show Josh McDaniel the nearest exit. Quite an inauspicious way to enter your first season as coach.

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CheezerAll-Star

240 days ago

Score 1

Yeah, the Bears traded away their future, but if Cutler doesn't go crazy and continues to perform at the same level then they may make out like bandits

Anyway you look at it, the NFC North is getting more and more interesting every day.

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

240 days ago

Score 4

I thought in the NFC, being mediocre made you a contender.

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CheezerAll-Star

240 days ago

Score 6

Don't make me bring up cheating.  ;-)

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False ProphetAll-Star

240 days ago

Score 0

The bears are still without a decent WR, and I feel Cutler's a bit overrated. He threw 600+ passes (2nd most in the nfl) had only the 14th highest completion percentage, and was 16th in passer rating. He was also second only to favre in INTs. My point is Cutler had a good season, but to say Cutler has catapulted himself into the upper echelons of NFL QBs is crazy...

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False ProphetAll-Star

240 days ago

Score 0

and Cutler and a 5th rounder for Orton, 2 first round picks and a 3rd rounder is a steal for Denver. No way he's worth that...

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CheezerAll-Star

240 days ago

Score 1

Based on standard metrics like TDs and Yards, Cutler is in rarified air with Brees and Warner as the only QBs to pass for at least 4500 yards and 25TDs in 2008. If you include 2007, you can add Manning to the list and you have 4 QBs to pass for at least 8000 yards and 45 TDs.

It is also useful to note that of all the quarterbacks listed above, Cutler is the youngest at 25. Manning is 32, Warner is 37 and Brees is 30.

Cutler may not be in the upper echelon of QBs, but he's pretty close

However, as a Packer fan, I am looking forward to the 4 picks the secondary will get off of him on Sep 13 on national TV.

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SSreportersLegend

240 days ago

Score 3

As well as the Packers offensive line plugging up the holes so Ryan Grant doesn't run anywhere? ;)

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

240 days ago

Score 2

Picks are part of the game. If you can accept Favre and his interceptions because he played his heart out, then this same consideration should be (at least extended) to Cutler. Clearly, he is no Favre, but he could be something close.

If you're going to let him chuck for 4500+ yards, you have to accept that some of those passes (likely a high number) will go the other way. If you can accept this risk - and it's not uncommon for QBs that throw a lot to have a lot of picks - then you should be fine.

It's an upgrade for Chicago. This move spares them from making poor draft decisions. At least they know they're getting somebody with excellent upside and...he's young. It could be worse - they could still have Orton under center...

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

240 days ago

Score 1

Oh - and SSR, love the new avatar! Drebin is the man! Or is that Enrico Polazzo?

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

240 days ago

Score 1

Picks are part of the game, and for a QB, they're the WORST part of the game.

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CheezerAll-Star

239 days ago

Score 0

BTW FP-I forgot to add that I believe the Bears overpaid for Cutler. I was totally off base with what I thought he was worth on the open market.

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SSreportersLegend

239 days ago

Score 1

Mayor Barkley: Oh Drebin. I don't want any more trouble like you had last year on the southside. Understand? Thats my policy.

Frank Drebin: Yes, well. When I see five weirdos dressed in togas stabbing a guy in the middle of the park in plain view of a hundred people, I shoot the bastards, that's my policy.

Mayor Barkley: That was a Shakespeare in the Park production of Julius Caesar, you moron! You killed five actors! Good ones!

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False ProphetAll-Star

239 days ago

Score 1

Rawb is right, even if you're having him throw the ball up that much, turnovers are not something that is just "part of the game". Good teams don't turn the ball over. You could call this the Brett Favre phenomenon: Teams with high turnover rate are GENERALLY not as successful as teams with lower turnover rates. A lot of this comes down to the QB, and if the QB is going to be throwing a lot of INTs because you're giving him the ball and telling him to throw it so much, then you need to change your offensive strategy. Btw, it's not just the INTs, it's also completion percentage. The other 3 Qbs you guys have mentioned (Brees, Warner, Manning) are all top 8 in completion percentage (Warner was second, Manning was third, and Brees was 8th). Even Favre was in the top 5. Qbs who are going to be throwing a lot CAN be accurate and they CAN avoid throwing INTs. Warner, Brees, and Manning threw fewer INTs last season than Cutler. Hell, all three of them are also in the top 5 in QB Rating (Cutler is 16). You can throw the ball alot, and have this Gunslinger style without being Favre.

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CheezerAll-Star

240 days ago

Score 0

By the way, Holt and Harrison are still available. With Olsen to work the seam and the middle and Hester running deep, a veteran that can work the underneath routes would help them. Even if that veteran has lost a step.

Maybe Forte won't lead the Bears in receptions in 2009.

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Lickmysack99Little Leaguer

239 days ago

Score 0

GREAT MOVE BEARS!!! It's about time you did something worth talking about!!! Bring on the SUPER BOWL BABY!!!

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The BeastAAA-er

238 days ago

Score 1

As a Packer Backer, I'm still not too worried about the Bears. Who is Jay Cutler going to throw to and who is going to block for him? He doesn't have a great OL and the WRs aren't all that great. Brandon Lloyd? Devin Hester? Common. I know Cutler has a fantastic arm, but it's hard to make great throws when you're on the ground or when you're receivers are covered.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

238 days ago

Score 0

Nice to see you 'round, beasty... Here's a question: How many playofff games has Cutler won in his career (on a team with WRs and an OL)???

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The BeastAAA-er

238 days ago

Score 0

Thanks Manny. With the school year winding down and summer approaching, I think I'm gonna be a little more active here at AGM. I will never leave, but I can't contribute as much as I want to at times. Now, onto the main topic of this post: Jay Cutler and the Bears. I think you're being a little harsh on Cutler for his team's 8-8 record. Was it Jay's fault the Broncos' defense was so horrible and couldn't stop a high school JV team? No, the Broncos didn't make the playoffs because of the D not Cutler. If you gave Denver a half-way decent defense, I bet Cutler would have a few playoff wins under his belt. But he doesn't because of the D. But Cutler deserves a lot of the blame for Denver's collapse towards the end of the year. In the final 4 games, Cutler had a touchdown-interception ratio of 4-5. Not exactly "clutch."

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