Hampton_99

Let me start by saying this is not an “excuse” blog for why cutler threw INT’s. It is intended to analyze the Cutler's position in the framework of the team in 2009, and set expectations for 2010.

One of the things that I think has gone slightly overlooked is overall melding of “relationships” that occurs with a QB.

Let's pick apart some key relationships.

QB & Center / Offensive line:

Problem: Cutler and "Kruetz and Co." were not on same page day 1.

It was very clear that Jay was not on the same page with Kruetz. One of the things I noticed is that when Jay went back into the shot gun, a lot of snaps were hitting him in the knees. There are several reasons this may occur:

   1) Kruetz wasn’t used to snapping in the shotgun.
   2) Kruetz was rushing the snap to get out of the crouch and into position.
   3) Kruetz is just bad at it.

Whatever the reason was, Olin Kruetz needs to fix the issue. In the Shotgun the QB visually picks up the DB’s and the LB’s pre-snap. Having to drop his head to catch a ball breaks concentration. By the time he recovered the snap, D’s had moved. This seemingly insignifant action is a HUGE deal for QB’s.

The other thing I saw a lot last year was; when under center, Kruetz often stepped on Jay’s foot as he took the snap. This just can’t happen. I think more reps in practice fix this for these 2.  Lastly, there was a broken dam to Kruetz’ left  (Pace and Frank Omiyale).

Take a look at Game 1 highlights… You will see exactly what I am talking about.

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In watching highlights from several early season games, I note that it seems as though not only were there gaping holes on the left side, Kruetz seemed to not be helping out on that side enough. It was almost as if blocking assignments were missed and Jay was forced to roll right, fire early, or risk getting obliterated by back-side pressure.

Why I think 2010 will be better:

1) Several Oline shifts resulted from an injury to Orlando Pace.  Doing so seemed to help immensely. They looked liked they played a lot better together by the end of the year. 
2) Kruetz and Cutler now have a full year working with each other together.
3) Pace is gone. Williams is now anchoring the left side - 3rd year hopefully prime.
4) We will now have a big blocking TE to help out who is familiar with Martz’ system.
5) Wildcard: Hopefully Josh Beekman or Omiyale will play solidly at Left Guard or we can pick someone via trade or draft.

QB & OC:

Problem: I do not believe Turner and Cutler ever really got along.

It likely all stared in college. Cutler, coming from a H.S. in Indiana, accepted a scholarship to Illinois turning down interest from Purdue, Duke and Maryland to commit. Ron Turner, of course, was the head coach at the time. Cutler's high school football season led straight into basketball season (he was a three-sport star athlete who also had enough  talent as a switch-hitting shortstop to play professionally). He couldn’t make the trip to Champaign for his official visit until the end of December,  at which time Turner told him they were rescinding the scholarship. The offer instead went to a super-stud quarterback from California, named Mike Dlugolecki (who?), who promptly transferred away from Illinois to San Diego State (passing for a career 2,597 yards with 10 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.)

By the end of 2009, Turner was making comments about simplifying the offense – an obvious deflection of blame away from him and on to his players. And, Cutler was in no mood to defend Turner when questioned about him – not throwing him under the bus, but not helping him out either.

“The synergy between the quarterback and play caller is paramount to the success of the team."

Why I think it will be better:

One reason: Turdner is gone – fresh start. Mike Martz and Cutler have no history to get in the way of a good OC / QB relationship. It seems to have gotten off to a great start by all reports.

QB & Receivers:

Problem: No chemistry or experience at the receiver position.

Cutler began training camp begging for a big receiver. He’s the kind of QB that tries to make things happen even when things are going bad. Some will say this is gunslinger mentality. Others will say it’s what makes a good QB a great QB. Either way, he was dealing with essentially 2 rookies (Earl Bennet and Johnny Knox) and Devin Hester (converted PR/KR/DB).  While we saw glimpses of good receiving, we rarely saw a receiver bail Cutler out.  And we saw far more examples of receivers and Cutler being on different pages. This lead to lot’s of miscues and receivers out of position.

The one bright spot, and the reason the Bears Tight End was tops in a lot of fantasy leagues was the pre-season relationship that had developed between Greg Olsen and Cutler. However, the rest of the NFL took note also. And with a lack of experience at the other receiver positions, teams picking their poison chose to match their best DB’s up with Olsen. Although Olsen had the best statistically year of his career. The relationship never reached expectations.

Why I think 2010 will be better:

1) Devin Aromashodu fits the bill for the tall, fast, sure handed, good route running receiver Cutler is looking for. There are questions about Mash’s ability to read defenses and pick up Martz’ playbook. But the last 4 games of the season looked very promising for this relationship.
2) Knox and Bennet now have a year together with Cutler. Knox showed flashes of greatness last year – I expect more in 2010.
3) Hester will go back to PR/KR as primary and be brought in for special situations as a weapon.
4) Martz should be much better at getting Olsen the mismatch, taking advantage of his height and speed. This seemed to be something Turner had difficulty with.

Good article on Devin Aromashodu:

http://www.rototimes.com/article/20
10/3/Impact-Report-Devin-Aromashodu

QB & Playbook:

Problem: Cutler had to cram learning a new playbook, and offensive scheme.

There’s a lot more to this than anyone has given credit to. Turner, while not running the most complicated offense in the world, also did not run the easiest. When free agency began in 2009, (Feb March, April and dating back to Josh McDaniel hire) Cutler was meeting with and learning Josh McDaniel’s new Playbook. Until Cutler began hearing rumors that he was trade bait, he thought he was the QB for the Broncos and was training and learning accordingly.

When he was traded in April, he had to crash course learn a whole new playbook.  Even into the End of May and OTA’s, Cutler still had not completely learned the playbook. Now, keep in mind, a playbook is not just about telling a receiver to “Go deep” and throwing a ball.  It includes formations, pre-snap shifts, cadences, motion, blocking schemes, audibles, hundreds of plays, route trees, screens, runs, drop backs, timing patterns, pick-ups, defensive schemes, reactions to defensive schemes, etc... All this with weird names associated like,  “Float RT Zoom Scram LT Pigeon 731 H Flat”

Jay may have had the basics by the time the season started. But he did not have it all. It wasn’t until likely mid season before the playbook was thoroughly learned.

Why I think 2010 will be better:

Jay and team have now had Martz’ playbook since February 1st. This is a full 2 months more than last year. As important, Jay has known for months the Bears were not staying with Turner. He’s not shifting gears right in the middle.

I think these 3 relationships will be better in 2010. In fact, they have to be. While in 2009 I was charged up because we finally had a franchise QB, in 2010 I’m charged up because we have a team that now has a year together of gelling, a great OC, and a QB who will have the playbook down by Game 1.

Go Bears!!!