Time to end the Cutler era in Chicago?

In a season that could easily be classified as the biggest disappointment in the NFL this season, the Chicago Bears will mercifully end their season Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium.

A game that means nothing for the Bears in terms of playoffs, but everything for head coach Marc Trestman and seemingly moreso for quarterback Jay Cutler. It's been something that hard for me to fathom after the huge contract he signed at the end of last season that guaranteed him $54 million the next three years.

The fact of the matter is, Cutler's goose may alreadty be cooked, but talk of his demise has been greatly exaggerated. in reality 2014 has been one of his best years statistically in terms of touchdowns (28 is a career best), completion percentage (66.1 is a career best) and yards (He needs 57 yards to have his best season since 2008, his final season in Denver).

Of course the number that sticks out are the 18 interceptions are what everyone is talking about. It is a number that leads the NFL and is his most since his first season in Chicago, when he appeared to be trying to do too much.

Numbers will say what they will. His say, the offense has not been consistent all year. Every Trestman postgame presser starts with him saying the game was "disappointing." Most all of that falls back on the head coach and the preparation. The quarterback has to wear that, as well, and for the second half of the season it is clear the coach has lost the team, mainly because he didn't have the answers to solve the problems on either side of the ball.

As many characterized it after Cutler signed his contract, Trestman and Cutler became married at that point. They were tied to each other in success and failure and with the contract, the Bears were hoping and banking on success.

That put a ton of expectations on Cutler's 2014, and from the first game of the season he has failed to deliver. I've been one of his biggest supporters throughout the years and after a 2013 that saw the potential start to come out of him, finally, he appeared ready to take the next step. 

Give him the tools in standout wide receivers in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, a tight end in Martelus Bennett that catches anything in his vacinity and a running back in Matt Forte that is one of the best in the business and the offense was poised for greatness.

Somewhere along the way, Cutler and Trestman got their signals crossed and seemed out of sync from the first game of the season. Things have spiraled out of control the last four games and opened up on Jay, leading to his benching in the Week 16 loss to the Lions. 

All of the talk this week has been that no one at Halas Hall is safe from the CEO Ted Philips to General Manager Phil Emery, Trestman and Cutler. I have called for a house cleaning myself, but to see them all go would be unprecidented and while Cutler is the highest paid player in the league this season, he wasn't the only problem on the team, so seeing him sent packing would be far fetched.

A coaching change and a chance for Emery to take one more shot at it seems more likely. Regardless, we shall see come Monday if Trestman makes it through Black Monday.

Who stays, who goes amongst Bears free agents

Not in my memory has a team had as many players unrestricted free agents as the Bears and General Manager Phil Emery have this offseason. Last offseason Emery made the offense a focal point, retooling the offensive line and taking it from the worst units in the league to the strongest unit of the team.

He has promised to do the same this offseason. He has to start in deciding if Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker will be back and beyond that has some tough choices to make starting with the players that played in Chicago this season.

Before the team signed kicker Robbie Gould and fullback Tony Fiammetta signed contracts before the Week 17 showdown with the Packers, the Bears had 29 players eligible for free agency after this season.

The list of players is long, but contains some big names, including Jay Cutler and Charles "Peanut" Tillman. I've been clear how I feel about Cutler and backup quarterback Josh McCown, who is also a free agent, but things seem to be taking shape on some of the other players. Tillman's injuries the last couple seasons make him a guy that could be on his way out. He says he's not done playing football, but might be a guy the Bears are willing to let go.

The biggest name outside of Cutler and Tillman is Devin Hester, who still has ability to be a game changer and did so throughout this year. It was his first season as just a return man and he seemed to do well. He earned just $2 million this season and if they can agree on something around that this year, I would be behind bringing him back. Otherwise, Hester has been clear he'd like to reunite with Lovie Smith, where ever he ends up this winter.

Cornerback Tim Jennings, who plays opposite Tillman, should be a guy the Bears look at signing. He's young enough and is a great playmaker. Whether he can play man coverage is something that could play a role in that.

Linebackers D.J. Williams and James Anderson are free agents, as well. Williams was the starting middle linebacker at the start of the season, but injury ended his season early on. He makes just $1 million and has been clear he wants to be back. For that salary, it would be hard to let him walk away, for depth purposes alone. Anderson could be a casualty with rookie James Bostic showing himself worth in Lance Briggs' absence during the year.

Along the offensive line center Roberto Garza was the lone holdover from last season and proved himself worthy this season. I'd be inclined to keep this group together for another season as they started all 16 games this season. Left guard Matt Slauson has said he wants to be back and I'd like to see him back, too.

Finally, Julius Peppers is an interesting name that's been brought up this week. He's not a free agent, but is set to make $18.133 million next season. If the Bears are looking to find dollars to spread around to the free agents and draft picks, that might be a spot they look to make a move. Peppers led the team with 7.5 sacks this season, but was not nearly the force he's been in past year.

I'm glad I'm not the guy crunching the numbers and dealing with the agents, but it will be interesting to see fall into place as Emery and Trestman put a team together over the next six months.

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.

The NFC North: Wildest Division in the NFL

Yep, we have arrived at the final NFL divisional preview and I'm guessing I'm going to catch some crap for who I pick to win it. Don't worry, I've got facts to back my thoughts up. Hopefully for your argument you bring facts, too.

The NFC North is shaping up to be one of the funnest divisions to watch in the NFL this year as the quarterbacks around all four teams (even my Bears) have the ability to light up opposing defenses. Three of those teams have legit cases for a division title, but as you can already guess, I've made my decision. Let's take a look at each team.

NFC North
Chicago Bears
As you know, this is my team. Jay Cutler, Devin Hester and Matt Forte are the names you know. But it's the one's your aren't familiar with that will make the difference this year. Get to know Earl Bennett. The last pass he caught in college was from? You guessed it, Jay Cutler at Vandy. It is Bennett's second season and the first ball he catches will be No. 1 of his career, so he is essentially still a rookie, but that familiarity will help him blossom. Plus, I'm calling right now that Greg Olsen is going to be a go-to target of Cutler's and make the Pro Bowl.
Defensively, it comes down to secretary against the quarterbacks in the division. Charles Tillman is questionable for Sunday against the Packers and his health will allow Danieal Manning and Kevin Payne to stay back at their safety positions.
Most important player: As Tommie Harris goes, so goes Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. The Cover-2 is built on getting pressure with the front four and allowing the linebackers to fall back into coverage. Tommie is one of the best in the game at the three-technique position when healthy. Only problem, he hasn't been healthy for a couple years, until now. With Rod Marinelli on to coach the defensive line, he'll energize this group and Tommie will have a great year.

Detroit Lions
Will the Lions be as bad as last year? No way. New coach Jim Schwartz is trying to rebuild from the ground up. They are starting a rookie quarterback this year and will have to endure some early growing pains, but there's no way they go the whole season without a "W."
Things look managable until both the Bears and Vikings added solid QBs to their teams. Now with Cutler and Favre (who shreds the Lions) twice each, it could be trouble.
Most important player: Success on this team lies in the hands of the offensive line. Keep the rookie QB upright and give Kevin Jones some lanes to run in and they can be competitive.

Green Bay Packers
The team that had the best preseason in the league is becoming a sexy pick to go to the Super Bowl. The way Aaron Rodgers looked, 9 TD in 13 possessions, it's hard to argue with that. But it's hard to put everything behind preseason performances because you don't know how much teams are prepping, but the Packers gained a ton of confidence in what they are doing with their stellar showing.
The biggest key is their defense which under Dom Capers is now a 3-4. He's one of the best in the biz with this and has already started to make his mark.
Most important player: Not going to go with one here, but Cullen Jenkins, Johnny Jolly and B.J. Raji (Cue Howard Finkel introducing them at a combined 900 lbs) can man the middle line spot on early downs and create havoc. This will set up the other eight guys to fly all over the field.

Minnesota Vikings
The addition of Brett Favre only makes this team better. Well, at least for the first half of the season. As we learned last year, Favre will wear out in the second half after getting beaten up for eight games. Look for him to claim some sort of injury and Adrian Peterson will have to shoulder more and more of the offense.
If the Williams boys are allowed to play through their supplement issue, they can plug up any chance of a running game in the middle. This is probably the most solid team in the division from top to bottom.
Most important player: Peterson is the man her without a doubt. When he is on he can take over the game and control both sides of the ball. With a solid QB now, he should be fresher come the fourth quarter. And with only one cold weather game (Dec. 28 @ Chicago), the schedule plays in their favor.

OK, Prediction time. (Be sure to sling your crap in the comments!)
Chicago Bears 11-5 -- Defense returns to 2006 form with Marenelli and Cutler makes this offense a force.
Green Bay Packers 10-6 -- Turning those close games into wins from last year. But 3-4 shows minor hiccups in the few losses they have.
Minnesota Vikings 10-6 -- All Day and the defense make up for some Favre shortcomings later in the season.
Detroit Lions 4-12 -- Yes 12. Lions could play spoiler and the rebuilding project begins.

That's all the division. Tomorrow is my playoff predictions. Be ready. Might have some surprises for you. Be sure to go back and fill yourself in on who I picked where.
Sept. 1: AFC South
Sept 2: AFC West
Sept. 3: AFC East
Sept. 4: AFC North
Sept. 7: NFC South
Sept. 8: NFC West
Sept. 9: NFC East
Sept. 10: NFC North (Today)
Friday, Sept. 11: Playoffs and Super Bowl XLIV picks

OK. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let's get into some fun things today. I know you're going to be watching the Steelers and Titans tonight. This commercial might make the game. A candidate for best commercial ever!



This next video is one that I found on Twitter today. It's a movement for Breast Cancer. Like it matters though. SAVE THE BOOBS!



We've reached everyone's favorite portion of the program, the Nussie Hunter. I know your girlfriend makes you watch "The Hills" and one of the reasons you don't argue is Audrina Patridge. She's on the cover of Maxim this month. There's more of what's below here. You're welcome!