Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears / Photo: Newscom

The truth is, Jay was fined $20,000 for abusive conduct toward a game official in last week’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals. So, it really depends on how you look at it. The bottom line is that Jay Cutler threw five interceptions and the next day he was fined $20,000. The punishment fits the crime.

Source: NFL.com

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Jay Cutler Throws Interceptions, Gets Fined

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears / Image: Zuma Press

Source: ChicagoBears.com

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Jay Cutler Gets Two-Year Contract Extension

Gaines Adams traded to Chicago Bears / Image: Zuma Press

Gaines was widely considered one of the “faces” of the Tampa Bay franchise—hey, he was even one of four players who modeled the throwback orange creamsicle unis this season—so this comes as a shock in that sense. But when you look at his lack of production (13.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 37 games)—and head coach Raheem Morris’ no-nonsense (and no-patience) style—I can’t say I’m surprised that the Bucs chose to beat the NFL trading deadline by four days in dealing Gaines.

Coach Morris put the handwriting on the wall just a few weeks ago:

“He hasn’t (put forth the production), and I think Gaines knows that. Gaines is one of those guys that knows that he is judged on whether he touches the quarterback or not. Right now he is not getting production as far as not just touching the quarterback, the tackles, the sacks. He’s not getting any of that. He is not playing up to par right now. He’s holding himself accountable. We have to hold him accountable, and it is tough right now. He is not getting it done. There are no excuses. There are no explanations. Gaines is not getting it done right now.”

I’m not sure this deal makes a lot of sense for the Bears. They get a young defensive end with a lot of potential. But it’s just potential. And he’s not going to start ahead of Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown. So, why would you give up a second round pick for an unproven, backup defensive end?

I hope I’m wrong, but Gaines’ best football might already be behind him. His numbers have been declining. And when you consider what the Bears are giving up (the aforementioned second round Draft pick), I think it’s too much of a risk—especially because with this deal complete, they are now without a first and second round selection in next year’s Draft. Remember, they let go of their number one pick in 2010 when they acquired Jay Cutler from Denver. Gaines Adams better have a tremendous career turnaround to justify this kind of commitment by the Bears.

Sources: PewterReport.com, ChicagoBears.com

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Bucs Trade Gaines Adams to Bears

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears / Photo: Newscom

This afternoon, Jay redeemed himself with a 27-of-38 passing performance for 236 yards and two touchdowns against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. And during the eight-play, game-winning drive in the rain, Jay completed all three of his passes to setup kicker Robbie Gould for the game winner.

Source: NFL.com

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Jay Cutler Leads Bears Over Steelers

Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears / Image: Zuma Press

It’s an understatement to say this is a huge loss for the Bears defense, one in which I believe they will have a very difficult time recovering. Starting LB Pisa Tinoisamoa sprained the PCL in his right knee and will also miss some time. That means more playing time for Hunter Hillenmeyer, Nick Roach and Jamar Williams. But the Bears will certainly be scouring the waiver wire for available veteran backers immediately.

Source: Chicago Tribune

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Brian Urlacher Out For the Season

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Devin Hester Under Armour Commercial

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears / Photo: Newscom

It could simply be a case of temporary culture shock. I understand that Chicago is not exactly Denver. But Jay will have to realize his unwritten obligation to the Chicago fans. It wouldn’t hurt him to sign a few things, smile and shake a few hands. The fans are what make the game successful and by turning them away (and off), he’s only hurting his image. Jay should give a little something back to the fans for their support. It’s a lot like being a role model. You might not think you are one. But you are one—like it or not.

Source: Chicago Tribune

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Jay Cutler Alienating Bears Fans?

And even though Jay says he’s not a savior for the franchise (and I agree with him), I think a lot of Bears fans are looking to him as exactly that. Yesterday, I referred to him as the team’s first franchise quarterback since Jim McMahon, so I was probably laying that on him as well. But that wouldn’t be fair:

“I don’t see myself as that (savior) at all. In this league I’ve learned over the past three years it takes offense, defense, special teams and it takes great coaching. If you don’t have all four of those, you’re not going to go very far. Expectations are high everywhere in this league. Obviously in this town they’re going to be a little bit higher because of the fans and how much they cherish the Bears. But it’s going to take everyone in the locker room and everyone upstairs to get it done.”

The Bears have to be thrilled with the tremendous upgrade at the most important position on their team. And even though Orlando Pace isn’t a long term solution, it will be an improvement to have him protecting Jay’s blind side. Nevertheless, it will, indeed, take a team effort to get the Bears back to playing championship football. All things considered, it’s easy to get excited about Chicago Bears football right now. And in my opinion, they are the team to beat in the NFC North. Detroit should show signs of improvement (how could they get any worse?), but the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers could be stagnating or stepping backwards in 2009.

Source: ChicagoBears.com, Photo: Newscom

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Chicago Bears Welcome Jay Cutler

This deal was surprising in that all signs were pointing toward a trade to the Washington Redskins until the Bears stepped in and made the deal worth Denver’s while. Chicago GM Jerry Angelo was understandably excited and pleased about the acquisition. And he could’ve cared less about Jay’s recent reputation for being “difficult” to deal with:

“We felt that he’s a very good person, a good leader. He had some things that happened in Denver. We recognize those, but we treated them as just speed-bumps, part of the growing process. He’s highly competitive, he’s highly emotional. That just comes with the territory.”

Even though they gave up a lot to get Jay, the Bears now have their first “franchise quarterback” since Sid Luckman. OK, I’m kidding. But you can go back as far as the Jim McMahon era to find one and that was over 20 years ago. That’s right, it’s been a running joke around the NFL (and especially in the NFC North) about the number of quarterbacks who have started for the Chicago Bears since 1986. I mean, they had four different starting quarterbacks in 2004 alone. Even when the Bears went to Super Bowl XLI just three seasons ago, it was almost in spite of their starting QB Rex Grossman. Put Jay Cutler on that particular team and I think they beat the Indianapolis Colts.

It was a happy day at Halas Hall. And one Bears fans might remember forever.

Source: ChicagoBears.com, Photo: Newscom

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Broncos Trade Jay Cutler to Bears

The Chicago Bears hired former Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli as their defensive line coach/assistant head coach today. On the surface, this seems like a demotion. But it might actually be a promotion when you consider the organization coach Marinelli left. He has experience in this role. Coach Marinelli led the Tampa Bay Bucs defensive line from 1996-2005 and helped transform Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice into Pro Bowlers. So he had become accustomed to winning. Until he accepted the Detroit job, that is. In Chicago, he’ll enjoy working with Tommie Harris and Adewale Ogunleye (among others). This is an outstanding and very fortunate addition for the Bears.

Source: ChicagoBears.com

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Chicago Bears Add Rod Marinelli to Staff