1. I’m avoiding sports radio locally this week. Not that I don’t enjoy it, but Chicago Bears fans really aren’t what the doctor ordered. Injuries are a part of football, so let’s stop blaming turf of Johnny Knox for Jay Cutler.
2. It’s my gut feeling that Cutler will not play again this year. While I’d love to be proven wrong here, this is an injury that needs to heal properly. He’s way too young and important to risk further damage to his hand. Cutler’s a tough SOB that wants to be Superman. I just don’t think his cape will be long enough to play at this high level until the injury heals.
3. I believe Kyle Orton will end up back being a member of the Chicago Bears. His release from the Denver Broncos suspiciously happened right after Cutler was hurt. I’ve heard whispers that Orton wants to be a Chicago Bear and has told other teams not to claim him because he won’t report. While this cannot be confirmed, it is reported that the Bears put in a waiver claim. There are teams ahead of the Bears that also need a quarterback namely the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. Both of these teams also lost their starting quarterbacks. While the Texans seem like a potentially logical place for him to go, reports are that the Texans aren’t interested. I’m not sure if Orton makes the Chiefs that much better. Both the Chiefs and Texans are ahead of the Bears for waiver priority.
4. I’ve waited this long to discuss Caleb Hanie because I really don’t have an opinion either way. If I had to lean one direction of another, I think he will be fine. And many of you know I’ve been accused of being too negative with the Bears. He just needs to be a bit worse than Cutler. What does that mean? Complete the passes he should complete and not make critical mistakes. If you look at his performance from the championship game, he essentially did that under some difficult circumstances. His poise from that game was impressive. I wasn’t impressed with his throws during training camp, but he’s had a few months to correct his mechanics.
5. Even if the Bears lose on Sunday, the season isn’t over. However, there will be some that feel the sky is falling. This coaching staff has some work to do with this offense and there will be some frustrating moments against the Raiders. Just remember how Mike Martz and company figured things out after a month.
6. The biggest reason for the Bears success this season has been the defense and special teams. The offense’s improvements are helping, but certainly not the major reason why this team is winning. As long as the defense continues to play at this level and the special teams dominates, this team should make the playoffs.
7. I’m really hoping the loss of Patrick Mannelly doesn’t come back to bite this team in the ass. He’s been the steadiest Bear for many years, so his loss can’t be overlooked. The Bears brought in an old face in Jake Laptad from the preseason. He played well as both the long-snapper and defensive end, so there’s a thought the Bears may be developing their long-snapper of the future.
8. Lovie Smith and Brian Urlacher are really stepping up this week. At the end of the day, these are only words. But it’s a tone that’s set through the organization.
That’s all for now. Follow me on Twitter at ChicagoBearJewv.
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This article sucks.
Good luck with your broadcasting career Boom Goes the Dynamite
Well said CBJ! I would love to see Orton back. I think you are correct with Cutler not being back this season.