Bears Blitz

Published by Bryan Tuika-Soske on October 19, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

As the Bears gear up for their Week 7 matchup against the Buccaneers in London, quarterback Jay Cutler has to wonder if the beating will continue or if he’ll be safe.

Through the first six weeks, Cutler has been sacked 19 times, second only to St. Louis QB Sam Bradford. This coming after the pounding he took in 2010, when he was dropped 52 times. Yet, no significant changes have been made to the offense by offensive coordinator Mike Martz or offensive line coach Mike Tice.

But who is to blame for the Bears offensive woes? Is it the offensive line that, at times, is reminiscent of a subway turn style? Could it be the underachieving wide receiver core led by the overrated prima donna, Roy Williams? Could it be, head coach Lovie Smith’s for having too much loyalty in this cut throat business? Every single one of those questions can be answered with one defining answer: general manager Jerry Angelo.

Angelo put this team together. Angelo let the leader and anchor of the offensive line, Olin Kruetz, take his talents to the bayou. Kruetz actually signed for less to play with the New Orleans Saints. Angelo then settled for an injury prone outcast from the Seattle Seahawks in Chris Spencer, not because he was an upgrade, but because he had to fill a roster slot.

Yes, the Bears did draft Gabe Carimi from Wisconsin with the 29th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, but that was the only move made to solidify an offensive line that led the league in sacks allowed. Cutler can’t complete passes when opposing defenders are having team meetings over his slumped body.

Angelo orchestrated a trade in 2009, with the Denver Broncos sending over Kyle Orton and two first-round draft picks in exchange for Cutler. Since the trade, Angelo has set Cutler up for failure. He has given Cutler, Devin Hester a WR who really is not a WR. Hester was drafted out of the University of Miami as a defensive back and return specialist. The No. 2 receiver is Johnny Knox, who continues to cut routes off early leaving Cutler hanging out to dry. There is not a true No. 1 receiver on the squad.

The one consistent weapon on the offense is running back, Matt Forte, who is in the final year of his contract. Forte decided not to hold out during training camp because Angelo said a deal would get done between the two sides. Forte reported that before the season opener in Chicago against Atlanta, Angelo said contract negotiations between the two sides would have to wait because they would be a distraction. Forte has put up monster numbers. He leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 908. He is also the Bears leading receiver with 36 receptions. That’s more than double of any other Bears receiver.

There is a common denominator in all of the Bears issues and his name is Jerry Angelo. He’s wasting talent at QB by not giving him talent at WR or the O-Line. The way things are going, the RB might walk for a bigger payday, elsewhere.

Yes, Jay. As long as Jerry Angelo is pulling the strings, the Bears offensive woes will undoubtedly continue.

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