Bears Spotlight

June 12, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) passes during Bears-Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

Jay Cutler has thrown for over 18,000 yards in his first six seasons, but he has only been a top 10 fantasy quarterback once in his career when he threw for 4,500 yards in his last season in Denver.  Cutler hasn’t been higher than 17th while playing for the Bears due to poor blocking and turnovers.  There will be no excuses this season with the weapons surrounding Cutler.  Most mock drafts have him falling to the 11-13th selected quarterback which could and should prove to be a great value.  The past few seasons with Martz as coordinator it was way to risky to start Cutler on a weekly basis! With Brandon Marshall and rookie Alshon Jeffrey along with Earl Bennett and the Hester Package along with Matt Forte, this should be a huge season for Cutler and almost a shoe in for a top 10 quarterback season!

Fantasy Top 10 QB’S

1. Drew Brees-

Drew Brees -Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

In the post-Bountygate world in New Orleans, Brees is now the de facto offensive coordinator.  Brees has not thrown for less than 4,000 yards since arriving in Cajun Country, and without Sean Payton, you have to believe that the Saints offense will be even more pass happy.  There’s also a good chance that they will be trailing more than last year which will mean more Brees passing and #1 Qb in fantasy.

2. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers-Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

If Rodgers didn’t sit out the last week of the year he would have easily been last season’s #1 fantasy quarterback.  Rodgers had 45 touchdowns to 6 interceptions last season and there’s no reason to believe his production will slip.  The Green Bay Packers still do not have an established running game and have named James Starks as starting running back which translated in fantasy football terms means Rodgers could be passing 50 times a games.  Rodgers has been a top 10 fantasy QB since taking over for Brett Favre, and 2012 should be no exception.

3. Tom Brady

Tom Brady- Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

The old veteran now of fantasy qb’s.  Except for his one pass injury season of 2008, having Brady on your roster has always been a good thing.  The Patriots offense is always adding new twists from The Randy Moss years, to the two tight end passing game, and now Brady has a new toy to play with in Brandon Lloyd.  Brady only threw for 5,200 yards last year, and with the new addition the sky is the limit in 2012.  Draft Brady early because he will not be available very long in any draft.

4. Matt Schaub 

Matt Schaub-Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Schaub will be availble later in the draft then some other guys ranked lower in this ranking for one reason only—HEALTH.  Schaub and the Texans offense always put up great offensive numbers and they have some of the best weapons at ever postition in Foster, Johnson, and Owens.  Schaub has only completed 2 seasons which is alarming but when he’s on the field he puts up some great fantasy numbers.  He may be a red flag risk but the high end reward is there especially the later the round in the draft that he’s still available.

5. Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford- Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

It’s amazing what health and having arguably the best Wide Recevier in the league can do.  Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards in his first season where he played all 16 games.  Stafford had the luxury of Calvin Johnson which makes the QB job a lot easier.  Stafford will most likely be gone by the 2nd round at the latest in your draft.  The Lions early on will not have much of a running game and how well Leshore fits into the offense is still to be determined on Sundays so expect a lot of balls in the air in Detroit again this season.

6. Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan- Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

Ryan’s stats have been very consistent and improving every season since entering the league.  He leads a very boring offense which isn’t sexy but still puts up the stats every week.  This season could be a change from the vanilla to maybe neapolitan since Julio Jones after a very slow start came on at the end of the season and could burst on to the scene.  Jones could help Ryan become a top 5 QB like Johnson did for Stafford last season.  The Falcons are not going to abandon the run but it will not be surprising to see a lot more explosive plays from them this season and make Ryan and very good value as a fantasy QB.

7. Eli Manning

Eli Manning-Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

The good side of Eli is that his yards per season has increased the past four seasons and he’s very consistent in his TD’s per year.  The dark side of Eli is the interceptions! Everyone likes to harp on Jay Cutler for bad int’s but Eli has the same bad tendency.  In his Super Bowl season’s he has been able to steer clear of the turnover bug and put up good numbers.  He may be without Hakeem Nicks early on and will be missing Mario Manningham.  This could be a small decline in his numbers from last season but the decline shouldn’t be too drastic not to draft him in the t0p 4 rounds.

8. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning-Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

The former #1 fantasy quarterback for years now has a new home and address.  Drafting him will be a huge risk with the neck injury, but the reward could be huge if he stays healthy for the entire 2012 season.  Manning will be in a new system with unfamiliar players, but he’s just too good of QB not to believe he will make all the adjustments needed through his endless preparations to be highly successful in Mile High City.  In mocks drafts his position has been very unpredictable so where he gets selected will depend on the fondness for him by you or your league mates.

9. Cam Newton

Cam Newton- Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

Cam Newton did something no other rookie quarterback has done in fantasy football…Dominate from day 1.  His turnover ratio does need to improve, last year it was 21-17 but he was unstoppable by the goal line rushing for 14 touchdowns.  Defenses seemed to catch up to Newton’s passing skills  late in the season, so you may want to keep an eye on him during the pre-season action to see if his accuracy has improved, but his natural talents and progression could lead to even greater statistics then his first season.

10. Tony Romo

Tony Romo-Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Forget the fact that Romo chokes in the playoffs or when a possible playoff spot is on the line.  This is fantasy rankings and Romo is a stat machine.  Romo routinely puts up 4,000 yards 30 touchdown seasons.  Dez Bryant could be the next big receiver in the NFL which will be an added plus to Romo owners.  He still has his security blanket in Whitten, and he should have a good running game with Murray and Jones.  There has been little chatter out of Dallas this off season compared to other years which could lead to a Dallas revival!

Breakout Fantasy QB- Alex Smith

Alex Smith- Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE

Just like the Bears off season, the 49ers have added offensive weapons. Oldie but goodie Randy Moss and Super Bowl champ Mario Manningham have been added to a very average 49ers offense.  Smith had a rebirth under first year coach Jim Harbaugh throwing for 17 touchdowns and only 5 picks.  Smith may not leap into a top 10 fantasy qb this season but his stats could see a tremendous jump with the added offensive firepower surrounding him provided Moss plays at a high level for most of the season.

Bust Fantasy QB-Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco- Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

The bizzaro world of Tony Romo.  Flacco has tremendous playoff success but is a liability during the regular season in fantasy football. Flacco hasn’t missed a game and his stats are very similar the past three seasons but there has been no progression.  He has one of the top running backs in the league in Ray Rice, so you know the Ravens will force feed him as much as possible.  This is the season where no progression meets regression for Flacco.  They play the Steelers twice a year so that’s a guaranteed two weeks you won’t want to start him, and they will never go into a game with the philosophy of airing it out.  Steer clear of Flacco as your #1 qb this season.

The ball will be in the air more than ever this season! Who’s your top 10, sleeper, or bust?  Will Jay Cutler be a top 5 fantasy qb? I would be glad to see your lists in the comments section!!

Da BEARS!!!

November 7, 2011;Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a pass in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

Ron Jaworski, while being locked up in his offices at NFL Films is in the midst of his top 30 NFL QB’s.  I was very surprised that he ranked Jay Cutler at #8 in his countdown.  It’s not that I don’t think he has top 10 ability, but the fact that the national media destroys all aspects of Cutler’s game except for his big time arm.  Brett Favre was considered unorthodox and a gun slinger and threw some of the worst interceptions of all time at the wrong time, and he still never suffered from the amount of fallout as Cutler has from turning the ball over, even though Cutler hasn’t had a good line in front of him or the depth at wide receiver that Favre did in Green Bay.

Jaws is one of the few that has always defended Cutler’s ability.  Jaws got to see one of Cutler’s best games of 2011 in person when the Bears beat his beloved Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football in a game that Cutler went 18 for 32 for 208 yards and 2 TD’s.  Cutler led the Bears to 13 unanswered points in the final 15:21 to secure the victory 30-24. Jaws loves his big, accurate arm with deceptive athletic ability.

Jaws stated that Cutler, as we all know, needs to clean up his red zone turnover rate, which he did in 2011 when he didn’t record one interception in the red zone after turning the ball over an inexcusable 13 times in the previous three seasons. Cutler’s ability and importance to the team was never felt more than when Caleb Hanie took the field and squeezed the playoff life out of the 2011 season.

Where have the other NFC North quarterbacks ranked at?  Christian Ponder was ranked at #28, and Matthew Stafford came in the ranking at #14.  The only real question left  in the ranking will be whether Aaron Rodgers is first or second behind Tom Brady.

Nothing will be better than Cutler and the Bears offense breaking out this season with Brandon Marshall, and making a deep run to the Super Bowl, and then all the haters having to change their minds about Cutler.  Jaws then will have  to rank Cutler in the top 3 to match his big time talents next offseason.

DA BEARS

Brian Urlacher hangs his head in defeat after a 36-7 loss to the Patriots (Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune)

It was like sitting inside a snow globe.  So what if it was a Jetsons meet the Flintstones called Soldier Field, it was still a sight to see.  The scene was set for a showdown of first place teams but only one team showed up and it wasn’t the home team.  The New England Patriots came into Soldier Field and snow-blowed the Bears 36-7.  If you want to relive the painful memories, you can check out the highlights from NFL.com here.

The Bears closest competition in the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers had just fallen to the lowly Detroit Lions, providing an opportunity for the Bears to go up two full games in the NFC North with three to go.  Maybe that was the worst thing that could have happened?  Maybe the notion that they had a little breathing room in the division instilled a sense of complacency.  Maybe it was a team that thought they could sleepwalk through another half of football.

The Bears played the first half as if they had never seen snow and didn’t know how to deal with the elements.  Before they knew what hit them, they were down 33-0 at halftime.  Tom Brady and the Patriots offense exposed the Cover-2 defense while Mike Martz’s offense was never known as the Greatest Show on Skis for a reason.  Let’s start with Brady vs the Cover-2 after the jump.  (more…)

The last time the Bears went to the Super Bowl was in 2006.  That year, they played the New England Patriots too.  One of the plays I’ll never forget (for a bad reason) was Tom Brady juking Brian Urlacher out of his jock.  Here is the only video clip I could find of the play:

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The story lines abound.  You’ve got the Mad Scientist Mike Martz vs the Hoodie Bill Belichick, the middle linebacker Brian Urlacher vs the pretty boy quarterback Tom Brady.  Chicago vs Boston.  Midwest vs East Coast.  How about a re-match of the Super Bowl XX teams a mere 25 years after the Super Bowl Shufflin’ Bears captured their first Super Bowl title?

You can’t have an instant classic without great teams and some great stories, but the cherry on top will be the weather.  Sunday’s forecast?  Arctic winds, temperatures dropping into the single digits and a good chance for SNOW.  Soldier Field will be rocking on Sunday.  Let’s take a closer look at one of the key story lines – Mike Martz vs Bill Belichick after the jump.  (more…)

Even though the Bears‘ season is over (sigh), it doesn’t mean football season is over.  Wild-Card Weekend featured plenty of teams the Bears faced this season (5), ex-Bears runners, a crumbling dynasty, an ex-Chicago team and a hated Bears rival in an instant classic.   Here’s my wrap-up:

Jets 24, Bengals 14

Ex-Bears ran wild in this game, especially Cedric Benson, who ripped off 169 yards and a long TD run in a losing effort.  Former teammate Thomas Jones added a TD of his own as the Jets cruised past the Bengals behind Rex Ryan (yes, Buddy’s son) who runs a lot of the old Bears 46 defense.

The loneliest guy in Cincinnati has to be Shayne Graham.  It seemed like every time the Bengals tried to close the gap, he was missing a short field goal.  It’s going to be a loooong offseason for that guy.

The Jets head to San Diego to take on Phillip Rivers and the red-hot Chargers.   (more…)

Does Eli Manning's contract extension have Jay thinking big payday?

No one could have been happier for Eli Manning than Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.  Manning, the Super Bowl XLII-winning NY Giants QB just inked a 6-year $97.5 million contract extension.  Cutler’s 2009 $1 million salary essentially amounts to tip money compared to the roughly $15.3 mill that little Peyton will be pulling in next season. (more…)

It didn’t take long.  Jay Cutler hasn’t even thrown a pass for the Bears and he’s already getting the Boom lowered on himself.   What could the newest Bears sensation have done to get a target on his back, you might ask?

As reported by Page Six, Jay Cutler was recently spotted at Chicago hot spot Hub 51 carousing with “internet celebrity” Julia Allison.

It didn’t take long for Jay Cutler to acclimate to his new home. The newly minted Chicago Bears quarterback, who landed in the Windy City after being traded by the Denver Broncos, spent Saturday night canoodling with Internet celebrity Julia Allison at club Sub 51 in his new town. “He was sitting in a banquette and she was standing between his thighs, touching them and facing him,” says a spy. “They were all over each other. It was kind of gross. He was drinking beer all night but she stuck to water.” Our witness says Cutler and Allison left together, but not before he asked the deejay to play the Bears’ fight song.

This from Allison’s own Twitter account:

Jay Cutler told me he “liked [my] headband.” Without prompting, I might add. !!!!

Jay, Jay, Jay.  To say that I’m disappointed would be a drastic understatement.  Here you are, freshly anointed the “franchise quarterback” for the Chicago Bears and you’re caught cavorting in a club with some Internet hosebag?  Set the bar higher.

Tony Romo is dating Jessica Simpson.

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