NFL: Jay Cutler and Bears likely parting ways

[cycloneworld]

The defense won't be fixed in a year's time, no. But locking up Cutler means looking past next season. To keep Cutler long term and make the defense good again, they're going to have to eventually cut loose at least some of the weapons that Cutler has right now.

The offensive line was, why can't the defense? The defense was killed by injuries this year. Healthy players + a free agent or 2 + more experienced young players + draft, all could lead to a much, much better defense next year (can't get much worse). 2 years ago, the defense was good...losing Urlacher didn't make them go from a top 10 defense to the worst.

 

[CyJack13]

The defense won't be fixed in a year's time, no. But locking up Cutler means looking past next season. To keep Cutler long term and make the defense good again, they're going to have to eventually cut loose at least some of the weapons that Cutler has right now.

Or they could sign Fitzpatrick as you are advocating and be average on offense and average at best on defense again and still have to worry about finding a long term QB. Not a real solid solution there either.

 

[tm3308]

They aren't winning anything of significance next year, no matter what they do. So they can afford to think a couple years ahead.

A guy like Fitzpatrick can have success behind an improved offensive line with Forte in his backfield and Jeffery, Marshall and Bennett to throw to. It'd take a truly horrible quarterback to look bad in a situation like that. I don't think McCown is a long-term answer, but there's a reason he looked so good when he came in.

 

[tm3308]

The offensive line was, why can't the defense? The defense was killed by injuries this year. Healthy players + a free agent or 2 + more experienced young players + draft, all could lead to a much, much better defense next year (can't get much worse). 2 years ago, the defense was good...losing Urlacher didn't make them go from a top 10 defense to the worst.

Signing a free agent or two that's going to make a big impact is going to require money. Money that might be tied up in Cutler's FA contract.

 

[CyJack13]

They aren't winning anything of significance next year, no matter what they do. So they can afford to think a couple years ahead.

A guy like Fitzpatrick can have success behind an improved offensive line with Forte in his backfield and Jeffery, Marshall and Bennett to throw to. It'd take a truly horrible quarterback to look bad in a situation like that. I don't think McCown is a long-term answer, but there's a reason he looked so good when he came in.

Because he played against some of the worst pass defenses in the league.

 

[tm3308]

Because he played against some of the worst pass defenses in the league.

That obviously helped, but he wouldn't have looked so good without the elite supporting cast, either.

 

[cycloneworld]

Signing a free agent or two that's going to make a big impact is going to require money. Money that might be tied up in Cutler's FA contract.

It didn't take much money on the offensive line. So again, why would it take so much on defense? Especially when injuries played such a big factor.

As Denver has shown, a powerful offense can offset a below average defense. We aren't asking the Bears defense to go from worst to first next year. Just be average...or even slightly below average. If that happens this year, the Bears easily win the division.

 

[tm3308]

It didn't take much money on the offensive line. (1)So again, why would it take so much on defense? Especially when injuries played such a big factor.

(2)As Denver has shown, a powerful offense can offset a below average defense. We aren't asking the Bears defense to go from worst to first next year. Just be average...or even slightly below average. If that happens this year, the Bears easily win the division.

(1)Well, for one thing, they're likely going to have to spend some pretty sizable cash to keep the potential FA's they already have (most of whom they need if they want to improve). It's looking like Peppers won't be around, which means finding a pass rusher is going to be a priority.

(2)Denver hasn't shown anything yet. They have to make something happen in the playoffs before we talk about how they're changing the dynamic of championship teams.

 

[mcblogerson]

They aren't winning anything of significance next year, no matter what they do. So they can afford to think a couple years ahead.

A guy like Fitzpatrick can have success behind an improved offensive line with Forte in his backfield and Jeffery, Marshall and Bennett to throw to. It'd take a truly horrible quarterback to look bad in a situation like that. I don't think McCown is a long-term answer, but there's a reason he looked so good when he came in.

Even if Cutler gets tagged and traded to someone willing to drastically overpay for him, Mccown will be retained as the starting QB. So best case scenario for this Fitzpatrick dream of yours is he backs up Mccown next year. The Bears are a playoff capable team next year, just as they surprisingly were this year thanks to Detroits meltdown. If there was wasted money on the payroll it was from Tillman, Melton, Briggs and Peppers, who either underperformed or were injured most of the year. The NFL is an offense centered league now, the Bears aren't going to hang their hat on defense anymore.

 

[tm3308]

Even if Cutler gets tagged and traded to someone willing to drastically overpay for him, Mccown will be retained as the starting QB. So best case scenario for this Fitzpatrick dream of yours is he backs up Mccown next year. The Bears are a playoff capable team next year, just as they surprisingly were this year thanks to Detroits meltdown. If there was wasted money on the payroll it was from Tillman, Melton, Briggs and Peppers, who either underperformed or were injured most of the year. The NFL is an offense centered league now, the Bears aren't going to hang their hat on defense anymore.

Like I said a long time ago, they can go with McCown or find another option (they're going to have to find someone either to start or back up McCown anyway).

As for the bolded, the offense is flashy. But defense is still what's winning championships. And of the favorites for this year's crown, only Denver doesn't play top-notch defense. I love Peyton, but I'll be surprised if anyone outside of Seattle, San Francisco or Carolina wins the Super Bowl.

 

[Tre4ISU]

Even if Cutler gets tagged and traded to someone willing to drastically overpay for him, Mccown will be retained as the starting QB. So best case scenario for this Fitzpatrick dream of yours is he backs up Mccown next year. The Bears are a playoff capable team next year, just as they surprisingly were this year thanks to Detroits meltdown. If there was wasted money on the payroll it was from Tillman, Melton, Briggs and Peppers, who either underperformed or were injured most of the year. The NFL is an offense centered league now, the Bears aren't going to hang their hat on defense anymore.

Offense gets you to the playoffs, defense wins Super Bowls, generally speaking. Unless you have Peyton Manning, you are going to get beat. Even when he won that Super Bowl, his defense bowed up for the playoffs.

 

[mcblogerson]

Offense gets you to the playoffs, defense wins Super Bowls, generally speaking. Unless you have Peyton Manning, you are going to get beat. Even when he won that Super Bowl, his defense bowed up for the playoffs.

Exactly, thats why the Bears won't change what worked and will retool the defense.

 

[Rural]

I've been a Bear fan since the 1950's and after reading page after page advocating for Ryan Fitzpatrick, I believe I've entered the Twilight Zone.

Internet forums deliver the stupid right to your door.

 

[ISUFan22]

I've been a Bear fan since the 1950's and after reading page after page advocating for Ryan Fitzpatrick, I believe I've entered the Twilight Zone.

Internet forums deliver the stupid right to your door.

That they do.

 

[gocubs2118]

Bears would go 6-10 next year with McCown as their starting QB.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Bears would go 6-10 next year with McCown as their starting QB.

Which would be better than locking in 5+ years of mediocrity by giving Cutler a big contract.

 

[BigBake]

Offense gets you to the playoffs, defense wins Super Bowls, generally speaking. Unless you have Peyton Manning, you are going to get beat. Even when he won that Super Bowl, his defense bowed up for the playoffs.

Ironic....in the last SB the Bears were in (with a stellar defense) they LOST to Peyton Manning. So no, a defense does not win Championships.

 

[BigBake]

Which would be better than locking in 5+ years of mediocrity by giving Cutler a big contract.

Cutler, I have no interest in going back to the Orton/Grossman years.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

Defense wins championships is obviously the worst cliche in sports. It even crosses between sports. I mean, sure, you probably won't win if your defense isn't pretty good.... but your offense has to be pretty good to.

To be the best team out of 32 everything you do has to be pretty damn good.

 

[BigBake]

Defense wins championships is obviously the worst cliche in sports. It even crosses between sports. I mean, sure, you probably won't win if your defense isn't pretty good.... but your offense has to be pretty good to.

To be the best team out of 32 everything you do has to be pretty damn good.

Yep, and the Bears tried the "defense wins championships" approach the entire Lovie/Angelo era and didn't have anything to show for it.