10 ways to make Bears better
Rob Ryan called.
The Browns defensive coordinator revealed that his sideline exchange Sunday with Jay Cutler consisted of: “You were $#$#%$# better in Denver. ... And your offensive line is $#$%$## too!”
Just kidding.
But when offering 10 suggestions for an offense that has stalled the past three games, as special as Cutler can be, it seriously starts with the quarterback.
1. Get even more out of Cutler.
He has been good. Unfortunately, this Bears team needs Cutler to be great. Some of Cutler’s worst errors have come from him trying to make too much happen. But Cutler is the best player on the roster, a top-10 quarterback, and the offense will remain stagnant until he resumes making the did-you-see-that kind of plays he did during a three-game win streak.
2. Make calls that make Cutler more
efficient and explosive.
When the offensive line couldn’t protect Kyle Orton, deep drops were eliminated. Cutler is a gunslinger, but that style isn’t compatible with a line that can’t protect the passer longer than 3 seconds. So keep more blockers in.
3. Keep tinkering with the offensive line.
Lovie Smith stated Monday no more changes are coming, but the Bears shouldn’t stop with inserting Josh Beekman at left guard.
4. Use more run-pass options in the red zone.
The Bears need to try something else. In 18 red-zone plays Sunday, they gained 27 yards, gave up a sack and committed a penalty. Cutler has proved he can run and take a hit.
5. Scrap the Wildcat.
Forever. The formation works only with the right personnel mix, and the Bears don’t have it.
6. Don’t get too cute in the red zone.
No matter what a predetermined rotation calls for, Garrett Wolfe never should replace Forte close to the goal line, as he did Sunday on the 13.
7. Stop making Greg Olsen a myth.
The Bears scored touchdowns on only two of six red-zone possessions against the Browns. None of those trips included an attempt to throw the ball up to Olsen to see if the 6-foot-4 athlete could go up and get it.
8. Get creative with Hester.
Now that Hester quietly has emerged as a legitimate wide receiver, mix in reverses, sweeps off motion and screens along with his usual downfield repertoire.
9. Incorporate the no-huddle once a quarter.
Keep the good defenses on their heels and improve the tempo and pace of an offense that too often looked lethargic coming out of the huddle against the Browns.
10. Devise more ways to get Forte into the open field.
Whether it involves more swing passes or outside runs, Forte needs more opportunities to make people miss. A line lacking push has limited Forte, so the Bears need to come up with perimeter plays that isolate him on defensive backs instead of linebackers and defensive tackles.
