Bears Blitz

Published by Bob Warja on May 23, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

We all know what a nightmare of a debut season it was for Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler. Yet despite the misery, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for Cutler.

And it’s not a train.

For as rough of a season as 2009 was for Cutler, better things are on the immediate horizon.

Early reports indicate promise between Cutler and new offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

The two appear to have an excellent working relationship, mainly because Cutler respects the new offensive coordinator .

If the bond between them remains strong, Cutler’s second year in Chicago should be dramatically different than Year 1, when the former Pro Bowler posted a career-low 76.8 quarterback rating.

Meanwhile, last season wasn’t all Cutler’s fault.

Yes, many of his 26 interceptions were the result of bad decisions, but one cannot discount the negative effect of having to work with a QB coach and offensive coordinator you don’t respect had on Cutler.

In addition to a weak offensive line, an inexperienced receiving corps, and a non- existent running game, Cutler had to deal with two men in Pep Hamilton and Ron Turner who he simply did not get along with.

But in 2010, not only will Cutler likely have  better blocking in front of him, and more options at wideout and running back, he will benefit from a very successful offensive coordinator in Mike Martz.

By moving Chris Williams to the left side and replacing the washed-up Orlando Pace, the Bears will likely have better blocking for Cutler. Plus, the offensive line seemed to gel as the season wore on.

As for the receiver corps, it wasn’t until very late in the season that the talents of Devin Aromashodu became apparent.

The Bears’ receivers are certainly an explosive group with speedsters such as Devin Hester and Johnny Knox in the mix along with Aromashodu, Earl Bennett , and  Juaquin Iglesias .

Martz’s intricate system relies on timing and route precision, and the club shouldn’t have a problem with coaxing such attributes out of the current group.

In the running game, the signing of Chester Taylor will help not only in pushing a Matt Forte who seemed to have lost a step, but coming out of the backfield as a receiving threat.

And let’s face it, an improved pass rush courtesy of Julius Peppers and the return of a healthy Brian Urlacher will help the offense as well.

But it’s the arrival of Martz that will carry Cutler to the Pro Bowl in 2010.

That’s right, I said “Pro Bowl.”

Hey, Cutler threw those 26 interceptions, but he also had 27 TDs and 3,666 yards, completing almost 61 percent of his passes even in what was an admittedly bad season.

And that was working in an offense designed by a coach who didn’t know what he’s doing.

Over the years, Martz has demonstrated his ability to turn even average QBs into outstanding performers.

Sure, he had Kurt Warner, but consider what Martz did for an average QB in Marc Bulger.

So why shouldn’t a real good QB like Cutler thrive in his system?

Look, this much we know: Cutler has the tools to be a franchise QB, he just needs to believe in the system and have some talent to work with.

Cutler has a rocket arm and has had success in the past.

But the difference is, he now has an offensive coordinator who is good at making his QBs into star performers.

And here’s betting that Jay Cutler will be Martz’s latest success story in 2010.

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