Chicago Bears vs. Vikings: Talking Smack with The Viking Age
By Mike Praser
"Nov 2, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is sacked by Washington Redskins defensive end Jason Hatcher (97) during the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports It’s been a rougher start for Bridgewater than I would have expected. Watching his college tape, he was always safe with the football and avoided turnovers. Sadly, that hasn’t been the case in his NFL career, as he has already thrown 5 interceptions in his first 6 games. While those interceptions were mostly on tipped passes and were only contained in two of his games, it’s a bit of a downer since I expected a bit more from the youngster. There’s one thing Bears fans can be familiar with…and that’s the quarterback being the scapegoat of a bad year. Jay Cutler has felt that wrath on many occasions and Teddy Bridgewater’s struggling already had some fans calling for a quarterback in next year’s draft. However, I believe that if they are patient that they’ll see Teddy evolve into a solid quarterback in the NFL. He does show excellent pocket presence and the ability to extend plays while keeping his eyes down the field. He just had his 22nd birthday earlier this week, so fans should remember that he’s just a kid. Give him time. They should be pleased with the results. Speaking of quarterbacks, how are Bears fans feeling about Jay Cutler right now?"
I’m a big Jay Cutler fan, but he has been a turnover machine. Fumbles, interceptions, you name it, he does it. Statistically he has been having the greatest year in his career if you don’t count the last game verses the Packers. But that seems to be all he can be. A stat monster. Stats don’t win you games. Touchdowns do. And when the defense is giving up 50 points a game, what are you supposed to do? The Bears are in shambles. But you did ask how fans are reacting to Cutler’s poor performance. Let’s just say that most fans want him benched, but why? Is Jimmy Clausen going to do better? I don’t think so. And for those who didn’t want the Bears to sign Cutler, just tell me who was available who was better? No one.
If the Bears were to offer to trade Cutler for Bridgewater, would you take him?
"I don’t think I’d take that trade. But only for a couple reasons. First is that salary. I don’t see any way that the Vikings would be willing to take on a quarterback like Cutler if he’s making that kind of money. Secondly, they’ve already invested 6 games and a first round draft pick in Teddy Bridgewater. I firmly believe that the team’s brass wants to see what they’ve got in the kid. While Teddy’s future is a question mark, we all know what you get with Cutler. And I don’t think it’s worth the cap hit that he puts onto his team. Not by a long shot. Perhaps if he was a bit more consistent, I’d be more willing…but right now I’ll sadly decline. What is wrong with the Bears defense? Have injures really hurt them that badly? Or is it a scheme/coaching problem as well?"