Thread: O-line still a concern for Cutler

O-line still a concern for Cutler
Bears QB points to question marks on the line, says his thumb is fine

By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter

8:50 p.m. CDT, May 14, 2012
As he gushed over the possibility of a dynamic offense, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler tempered his enthusiasm slightly when it came to the offensive line.

"The offensive line is definitely going to be a concern,'' Cutler said Monday, "and seeing where those guys fit in and seeing what five we go with. You know, if Gabe (Carimi) comes back, if J'Marcus (Webb) pans out (and) Chris Williams, where we're going to put him … there are some question marks there. Until we really get that resolved, get our front five settled, we've got some work to do on the offense.''

Cutler, Type 1 diabetic, made an appearance at Perspectives Middle Academy on the South Side to emphasize the importance of being tested for diabetes. He interacted with an exuberant group of students for about 20 minutes before addressing the media.

Cutler assured his surgically repaired thumb is fine and ready to go. Then the offensive line became a topic of conversation.

During the team's offseason workout program, veteran center Roberto Garza apparently has been the only lineman to consistently work with the first team, according to team sources. Carimi remains sideline coming off knee surgery.

Cutler was asked if the switch from Mike Martz's complex offense to a different system under new offensive coordinator Mike Tice could alleviate pressure on the line.

"It helps,'' Cutler said. "It's not a cure-all by any means. They're still going to be asked to protect. There are going to be times it's third-and-8, it's third-and-10, we're going to have to take seven steps, we're going to have to have a longer route, and they're going to have to protect.''

New quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who coached Cutler with the Broncos, has talked about moving the pocket more to take advantage of the quarterback's mobility. That could assist the offensive line too.

"It's definitely going to help them: moving the pocket, getting rid of the ball quick,'' Cutler said. "They're not going to be under the distress game in and game out that they were last year."

Cutler has played under duress since joining the Bears. He was sacked 23 times in 10 games last season. He has been sacked 110 times in 41 starts with the Bears as opposed to 51 times in 37 starts with the Broncos.

During the 2010 season, Cutler endured a nine-sack outing against the Giants that resulted in a concussion. Improved line play could help him avoid more of the same, although he knows concussions come with the territory.

"I signed up to play football,'' Cutler said. "I understand you're going to take hits; you're going to get beat up. The league and Roger Goodell is trying to take every measure possible to protect people.

"And the end of the day, it's a tough sport. You're going to take shots in the head and you're going to get concussions from time to time. But no one made me play football. No one put a gun to my head and said, 'You have to play football.' It's what I love to do, and I knew the risks and the benefits going into it.''

Chicago Bears: Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler says offensive line still a concern - chicagotribune.com