Tucker needs to be scapegoat for Bears defense

As the realization sets in that there will be now games for my Chicago Bears this weekend, the one thing clear to me (after the fact that Jay Cutler needs to be resigned) is that changes need to be abound on the defensive side of the ball, starting with Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker.

I'm not usually the guy that calls for coaches to be fired just for the sake of making the change, but in Tucker's case it seems like a logical move to start over for a unit that did nothing but disappoint after being the backbone of the team for so long.

This Bears defense was worst in the league in rushing yards per game (161.4) and per carry (5.35) and with Lance Briggs out for seven games the unit went on to give up 100-yard rushers in six straight games, another franchise record.

Yes, this defense was historically bad, but the question around how much blame to place in Tucker's lap goes back to the fact that seven of the 11 Opening Day starters missed significant time. That led to two starting rookie linebackers playing for most of the second half of the season and teams running at will on the Bears.

Tucker was brought in because head coach Marc Trestman's thought was to continue running the Cover 2 which had been so succussful under Lovie Smith. Tucker continued the status quo on that side of the ball and continued to use the same vocabulary even. 

Even at the start of the season, it was clear this wasn't Lovie's defense and us as fans hoped they could figure things out. Some improvements were made, but things took leaps backward in the Eagles game in Week 16 where they gave up 54 points.

Then there's the Packers game and two plays may have spelled Tucker's fate with the fumble that led to a free touchdown for the Packers and the scoring play for the Packers in the final minute. An all-out blitz with man coverage on the outside, that fell apart when Chris Conte decided to jump a route at the first-down marker. 

All of the progress that had been made over previous weeks fell apart over the final two weeks. Add to that the personnel changes that could be a big factor in things, as well, with Charles Tillman, Craig Steltz, Major Wright and Tim Jennings among the free agents that might not be back. 

After the team surrendered a franchise record 6,313 yards (breaking the 24-year record by 584 yards), a change of some sort has to be in the works. If GM Phil Emery and Trestman are going to retool the personnel, it would make sense they bring in a new coach, as well.

Would it be 100 percent fair? Not necessarily, but the Bears have a history of doing so. In Lovie's first year, offensive coordinator Terry Shea after he struggled. He had quarterbacks Craig Krenzel, Jonathan Quinn and Chad Hutchinson under center that year, so it was hardly fair. It had to be done though and three years later the Bears were playing in the Super Bowl.      

Resigning Cutler, McCown must be top priority to Bears

If Brandon Marshall said it, we have to believe it. Right? If we should believe Marshall, who will probably later be creditied as "a person close to the situation," at his postgame press conference Sunday night, Jay Cutler will be back as quarterback of the Bears. And with him Josh McCown needs to be back, too. But let's start with Cutler.

It seems all parties involved want there to be a contract signed to keep Cutler, the Bears' franchise leader for passing yards, under contract going forward. From General Manager Phil Emery and the signal caller himself, the writing seems to be on the wall.

The only group that seems to be torn on this matter is some Bears fans. To steal a line from Stephen A. Smith "The fact of the matter is this..." No Bears offense has produce like the Bears offense did this season, under this coaching staff, with these weapons, than it has in the history of the team.

Cutler, the all-time leader in passing yards in franchise history with 14,913 yards. And he did that in only five seasons under center. The sky seems to be the limit with Cutler having Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennet and Matt Forte to throw the ball to for the forseable future under the tutelage of head coach Marc Trestman. At some point over the next two years Cutler will become the all-time touchdown leader with the Bears, needing just 36 to tie Sid Luckman, who has 137.

We all knew what Marshall brought to the table this year. His numbers came down a little bit, with 94 catches for 1,221 yards and 11 touchdowns, but that helped the Bears offense become multidimensional and Jeffery emerged as a top-tier receiver in this league with 86 catches for 1,341 yards and seven touchdowns. Add to that Martelus Bennett's 64 catches for 744 yards and five TDs and the Bears have big targets to make defenses crazy.

Would a change make sense there? No. Keep the parties invovled intact moving forward and let them keep building a chemistry that could carry this team going forward. It's one of those things where if a change is giong to be made, there has to be good reason. Do not do it for the sake of making a change.

Going into the draft looking to land a quarterback would be something to do with Cutler on the tail end of his career. But not right now. 

To that end, that emplores the Bears to bring McCown back, too. Some would ask why he would settle to be a backup when some team has to give him a starting job, but he seemed content being the backup in Chicago this year and this system is one he flourished in during his time with Cutler out with injury. It only makes sense the Bears would entertain the idea and they should.

For those asking, why pay a backup QB decent money, take a look around the league. Sure the Packers made the playoffs this season, but it wasn't pretty and there was a huge let down. The Bears didn't have that this year. The backup quarterback is the most important guy on the team everyone hopes never sees the field. 

When called upon, McCown delivered by completing 149 of 224 passes for over 1,800 yards and 13 touchdowns to just one interception, which computes to a 109 passer rating.

With Cutler's history of missing 12 games over the past three seasons, having a solid backup QB would be an important signing for stability of this team. That makes McCown, who is also one of Jay's best friends, that much more important to this team.

Note: This is my second blog in a week and I have plans for many more over the next month. Be sure to check my Twitter @acwilber for links and comment with any questions you have about my two favorite teams, the Bears and Brewers.

Nothing personal: All eyes on Cutler in Week 17

Nothing like a big game to bring Wilber's Way back from a near year-long hiatus! This one is for all the marbles. 

As much as the return of Aaron Rodgers to the Packers lineup Sunday seems to have pumped Green Bay fans with confidence, the key to the game lies with No. 6 Jay Cutler. Yes, Rodgers has flippped the point spread from three points in favor of the Bears to  4.5 points for the Packers, but everyone knows if Cutler has a good game, the Bears will have a shot in this NFC North title game.

His numbers against the Packers are not anything to get excited about. Since joining the Bears he's 1-7 against Green Bay during the regular season since joining the Bears in 2009. As Michael C. Wright writes on ESPN Chicago Cutler has completed 55.3 percent of his passes against the Packers for 1,702 yards with nine touchdowns and 16 interceptions. That adds up to a 61.5 quarterback rating. Comparitively against the rest of the NFC North, the Santa Claus, Indiana native has thrown for 33 touchdowns and 16 interceptions during that span.

So why would a Bears fan have confidence in Cutler? Well, just as he said, he has not played against the Packers with this offense and this coaching staff. Marc Trestman pumped Josh McCown up enough that he was able to lead this Bears team to a 27-20 win on November 4 with 442 yards of offense.

It was the first time the Bears beat the Packers since the 2010 season. Yes, there was no Aaron Rodgers, but what the Bears offense was able to do that night at Lambeau Field has shown itself over and over this season, albeit with a backup quarterback.

Cutler said in his press conference at Halas Hall earlier this week, this game was not personal and it was not about just him and "it would take everyone on the team" for the Bears to win this game and he is right. He is going to need help if the Bears are going to win this game and make the playoffs, but he still holds the key to the outcome. 

"He is in a new offense, with new coaches all around him. And I think that's probably the direction and what he was thinking," Trestman said of Cutler's comments.

According to Football Reference, Cutler is having his best year since his Denver days in terms of completion percentage (63.1), yards per game (239.5), passer rating (88.1) and the ESPN equivalent, QBR (63.81).

Last week, he had a touchdown and an interception that was returned for a touchdown, but didn't play bad in the lopsided loss. One would be more apt to look back to the Cleveland game in Week 15 for a truer gauge of where Cutler is in his progression within this offense. Trestman has been dubbed the "Quarterback Whisperer" and has turned things around for McCown. The Bears and their fans have to hope he has his QB's ear this week to put his demons to rest in this game.

Carlos Gomez extension struck at right time for Brewers

If you had told me prior to last season the Brewers would extend Carlos Gomez into his free agent years, I would have said they were crazy. Well, that's exactly what the team did today in tying up the center fielder through the 2016 season.

After last season's success, which was Gomez finally realizing what the Twins, Mets and Brewers had all hoped for, it's a move that is very telling of a Brewers franchise, finally gaining financial stability and gaining credibility along with the ability to sign players long-term.

Signing Ryan Braun through the 2020 season makes sense because he's an MVP. Signing Yovani Gallardo makes sense because he has the potential to be the ace of a pitching staff. Signing Gomez initially seems like a stretch, but actually makes sense, too. The 27 year old had already cemented himself has a stellar defender, but the Brewers were waiting for him to emerge as the type of offensive player they could rely on to play every day.

Baseballreference.com shows they finally have that player. Gomez had his career best output last season in many key offensive categories. His batting average (.260), on-base percentage (.305), slugging percentage (.463) and OPS (.768) are reasons why he now has a $24 million contract. He also had career highs in doubles, homers and stolen bases.

While he still showed signs of that player who seemingly had a bet going with Yuniesky Betancourt as to who could be worse at the plate (he struck out 98 times and walked just 20 times last season), the offense was livable consistently for the first time since he arrived in Milwaukee last season.

As Gomez told Adam McCalvy in his story on Brewers.com, he knows he has work to do. Manager Ron Roenicke agrees, but likes the direction Gomez is going and should be part of a solid team that will remain together until at least 2015.

The contract extension for Go Go comes just in time for the year he gets his first bobblehead. Fittingly enough it is of him making a catch. It's what he does best. Plan for it June 9!

Brewers unveil Corey Hart bobblehead

Did somebody say bobblehead? Oh baby! This year of the bobblehead thing has got me even more excited about the upcoming season. Just think, every two weeks Sunday Funday at the ballpark will include a bobblehead giveaway at Miller Park!

Today the Brewers released the Corey Hart bobblehead. It's a little different than the one released a few years ago. This one, the Brewers say, is to honor the 100-year anniversary of the Minor League Brewers first American Association championship, and will be given out May 5.

Early reviews of the bobble are that it looks nothing like Corey. Well, this isn't the first time and it probably won't be the last a bobblehead looked nothing like the person it was representing. Some have noted the tattoos are missing. Well, they're kind of ugly anyhow. Plus, this bobble looks healthy and Corey will not be active when this day comes after his knee surgery last week. That said, it's a different idea to have a player in this uniform. How many times could they have a player that's been with the team longer than anyone in the current uniform and still have people interested in it? I get it. It should be fun.

Bobblehead days have always been a great way to have a draw for the team. When the Brewers announced they were going to have 10 bobblehead giveaways I figured they would have some weekday giveaways to help draw attendance. I know they lost millions last year with payroll and regardless of when these days were scheduled it would draw gate revenue. Sunday is not a hard day to draw until September so a weekday would make sense.

Here is the full schedule of bobbles from Brewers.com and below are the first two released bobbleheads. Pretty sweet!


The Nori Aoki bobblehead giveaway is set for April 7 (yes the first weekend of the season) when the Diamondbacks are in town. This is a great likeness to Nori and maybe one of the closest ones to a player in along time.


The George Scott bobble will be given away April 21 in a game against the Cubs. I love the gold gloves and his gold chain. Totally late 70s and early 80s.

2013 Brewers On Deck redeems itself to this fan

The winter after my Milwaukee Brewers won the National League Central title, I should have been ecstatic about getting back with my summer family and hitting up Brewers on Deck in 2012, but 15,000 people all seemingly not as big a fan as me totally turned me off.

The 2013 edition of Brewers On Deck may have saved the event in my eyes, however. The event still had longer lines than Six Flags with a ride that lasted just seconds watching a player sign a sheet of paper, but got me engulfed in the team I love and motivated me to write this.

After a tad of crazy bad luck both during the week and this morning, I actually went to the event by myself. Crazy, I know, but there were going to be friends there I could check in with and not be a complete loner the whole day, so it worked out OK.

Since I was shut out on the autograph front, I actually made a B-line to one of those long lines I was talking about. After two hours, I got a chance to greet and get an autograph from Carlos Gomez.





Waiting in line for the autograph actually made it easy on me to get in line for what could be the biggest surprise of the event, which is the success of these grab bags the team sells. Basically it's a bag of leftover bobbleheads from the year before. I know we all love bobbles, but I don't need another Randy Wolf, thank you. An Aramis Ramirez one, which I did not get last year, however, I will take! Make that one of the "rare" bobbles and it's an even bigger win. Add to that the 2011 commemorative DVD and a voucher for two free tickets Opening Week of the season, I'm I just found out why they are so successful. That's how you make $25 count!



After that, I pretty much lived at the Main Stage where the team had a Q & A with the newest Brewers, "Milwacky Squares," their play on Hollywood Squares, "Brewers Faceoff," a play on Family Feud and a media round table discussion with the beat reporters from the team (which in Milwaukee is about four guys). This was the one area I always thought the team did very well on throughout the years at their On Deck events. Well, that is if you don't count the inclusion with Dennis Haskins, who played Mr. Belding on Saved By the Bell eons ago.

There the storylines for Spring Training and the season were discussed. From Corey Hart's knee surgery and how Mat Gamel will fare at first base, to the revamped bullpen and the "Baby Brewers" starting rotation. I'll delve into all of them in the next couple of weeks as we get closer to pitchers and catchers reporting on February 12, but as the Journal-Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt said, "(GM) Doug Melvin and (owner) Mark Attanasio sat out here and are actually honest in saying they think those guys can get it done" in regards to the starting pitchers. I'm actually on board with the move, too, with the six guys vying for four spots heading to Maryvale ready to duke it out and earn their spot in the rotation. How that will fall, we have to see how it unfolds, but at least one is going to end up throwing out of the bullpen to start the season.

Things look promising for this team and there is flexibility if the team is in contention to make a move with a payroll under $80 million heading into the season. A good talk with my man +Brewer Nation motivated me to stay focused on this writing game and I'll try to focus on the Brewers, especially after the Super Bowl.

Be sure to click below for more of my photos from the day!

Emery, Bears being thorough not frantic, in coach search

Some have called it frantic. Others have asked if Chicago Bears General Manager Phil Emery's head coaching search had any direction. Things had seemed to get so out of control ESPN had a page dedicated to ranking the candidates. But putting the pieces together from interviews around the league and it seems quite the contrary.

As ESPN's NFC North blogger Kevin Seiffert sited in his story up this weekend, Titans GM Ruston Webster said, "I know Phill Emery and Phil Emery is about as thorough a human being as I have known."

NFL insider extraordinaire Adam Shefter took that a step further after talking with two of the thirteen coaches that have been interviewed. They both said they hadn't "interviewed with anyone who was as prepared and detailed as Emery."

That said, the time has to be about up to strike for the best candidate over the course of the next week. It's become public knowledge Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians interviews today (Sunday) with the Bears. He might be the leading candidate and the advantage the Bears have is they are the first known scheduled interview stop.

The main theme amongst the candidates is an offensive mind is likely to get the job. Arians would be a choice that could work as could Mike McCoy the offensive coordinator of the Broncos. McCoy is another guy that has been linked to multiple teams and is a hot commodity.

As a fan, that would be the way I'd like them to go. Will the new coach change the scheme on defense? That is to be decided. It wouldn't necessarily have to be. The personnel is very good at running the Cover-2 scheme and a change would certainly close the window on the aging unit in its final years. Plus, as the Bears' team Web site wrote this week, a change in scheme could mean the certain departure of Brian Urlacher, something I'm not wanting to do.

Either way, stay tuned, the next week could be interesting to see how this thing shakes out!