Get Over Orton; Chicago Bears Need to Lock Down Jay Cutler

Written By: Kendahl Damico for Mouthpiece Sports

Now that the Denver Broncos have made it official that they entertain trade offers for their quarterback Jay Cutler, the Chicago Bears need to push themselves into the mix for the 25-year-old rocket-arm.

Now that the dust has settled and Denver has officially chosen to recognize Jay Cutler’s disinterest in staying with the team, it’s time to shop around the 25-year-old QB and move on.

Though he comes with some baggage following this whole ordeal, that’s no reason to overlook the potential Cutler has to offer a new team, not to mention, victories. If there’s any decency left in this sport, the Chicago Bears need to move swiftly and productively to snatch Cutler before the Buccaneers, Lions or Jets do.

Cutler is 17-20 as Denver’s starter and has amassed 4,526 passing yards in his two seasons in the NFL. An 11^th overall pick out of Vanderbuilt in 2006, Cutler has quickly risen to the top of his game despite some apparent emotional issues.

Though Orton was moderately consistent in 2009, Cutler was constant. If the Bears secured Cutler, they’d find a more-than-reliable back-up QB in Orton and an unwavering starting QB in Cutler -- someone who has proven they can bring their A-game day in and day out.

This is a no-brainer for the Bears and at this point in the off-season; Chicago needs to move swiftly if they’d like to improve upon last season’s disappointment and head straight into the playoffs this year.

The potential hiccups for locking down this deal, however, are serious: as previously mentioned, timing is of the essence here. Tampa Bay, New York and Detroit have already made their intentions known, so the competition is steep. Plus, there’s always salary to combat.

Cutler is currently half-way through his 6-year, $48 million contract with Denver. Considering Chicago needs to fill a handful of other key positions, money, per usual, may quickly make or break this pursuit.

As any businessman knows, you need to spend money to make money and if the Bears want to set their sights on Tampa this season, GM Jerry Angelo better starting digging into those pockets and make the money talk. Period.

Chicago Bears Start Minicamp Early; Orton Comments on Cutler

By Associated Press

At minicamp this week, QB Kyle Orton commented on the rumors surrounding the stability of the team's quarterback position. After much media speculation concerning the Bears acquisition of Denver QB Jay Cutler, who has asked for a trade, Orton stepped up to set the record straight.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP)—On a strange day for football, Kyle Orton was unfazed by speculation, offseason comments or any challenges to his standing as the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback.

As the Bears kicked off a minicamp two months early and the weather on a windy March day soared to 70 degrees, Orton was asked about comments from general manager Jerry Angelo last December that Chicago needed to stabilize the quarterback position.

“I haven’t talked to Jerry. I leave all that stuff to my agent. That’s what I pay him for so, all my concentration this year has been getting healthy, getting in good shape and being ready to come out here and perform,” Orton said Tuesday after a two-hour practice at Halas Hall.

Angelo’s comments came after the Bears finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs for a second straight season since they made the Super Bowl.

Orton passed for 2,972 yards while completing 272 of 465 passes and throwing more touchdowns (18) than interceptions (12) after beating out Rex Grossman for the starting job. But a sprained ankle midway through the season hurt his mobility.

Angelo said he believed in Orton but wanted to see more competition at quarterback. Backups currently are Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez.

“It starts with the quarterback. It’s all about the quarterback. You don’t win because of wide receivers. You don’t win because of running backs. You win because of the quarterback. We’ve got to get the quarterback position stabilized,” Angelo said.

Orton said he wasn’t upset or surprised by Angelo’s remarks.

“No, I just really didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to it. I know what I’ve got to do to get ready. I’m worried about myself and taking care of all the things I need to do to be the guy in this organization for a long time,” Orton said.

“It’s the most important position. You’ve got to get it right and he’s got to know it’s right. I think that I’m that guy. I feel like with my work and my play, I’m just going to make him believe that it’s right as well and end up being the guy here for a long time.”

There has also been speculation—most of it in the media—that the Bears should try to acquire disgruntled Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, who has asked for a trade.

“I haven’t heard that, to be honest with you. I don’t know,” Orton said. “There’s rumors every single year, whether it’s him or somebody else. I’m happy with where I’m at. I think the organization is behind me and I know my teammates are, so that’s really all that matters to me.”

Head coach Lovie Smith wanted his team to get a jump-start on the season and decided to have the three-day minicamp early instead of after the April draft.

And he made it clear he was firmly behind Orton.

“I think we got good play from our quarterback position before Kyle injured his ankle. So I’m excited about a healthy Kyle playing an entire year,” Smith said, adding that Orton’s not distracted by rumors.

“Kyle’s not listening to much of that. He had a big smile on his face today,” Smith said. “Quarterbacks in general, they’re going to have to answer questions. That’s just a part of the life of a quarterback, but it doesn’t faze him much.”

The Bears are still hoping to re-sign tackle John St. Clair, especially now that John Tait has told the team he plans to retire. They’ve added a safety in Josh Bullocks and an offensive linemen in Frank Omiyale.

But some of their biggest offseason changes have come in the coaching staff where they’ve signed former Lions head coach Rod Marinelli as defensive line coach and Jon Hoke to coach the defensive backs.

Smith, who was the St. Louis Rams’ defensive coordinator before being hired by the Bears, will take over much of the play calling on defense—even though Bob Babich will retain the title of defensive coordinator. Babich will spend his time with the linebackers.

Chicago’s defense finished 28th (354.7 yards per game) in 2007 and 21st last season (334.7 ypg) under Babich.

Marinelli, whose Lions finished 0-16 last season, is a longtime friend of Smith’s from their days coaching together in Tampa Bay. Marinelli said he was glad to be back on the field and in meetings so quickly.

“It’s fun being in that room with your guys again. I mean it’s a ball, I love that part of it,” he said.

“It’s absolutely wonderful.”

Lovie Smith Moves Omiyale to Starting Right Tackle

By Associated Press

Newly acquired Frank Omiyale was named the Bears starting right tackle by head coach Lovie Smith. The Bears lost John St. Clair to a three-year, $9 million free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns shortly after their first minicamp practice on Tuesday, and had already lost 2008 starting right tackle John Tait to retirement.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP)—Losing a second starting tackle prompted Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith to take immediate action.

Smith on Wednesday moved newly acquired free agent Frank Omiyale to starting right tackle from backup guard.

The Bears lost John St. Clair to a three-year, $9 million free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns shortly after their first minicamp practice on Tuesday, and had already lost 2008 starting right tackle John Tait to retirement.

“I’m not surprised, that’s a part of it,” Smith said about losing St. Clair in free agency. “Some of your players leave. Most of the time it opens up an opportunity for someone else to step in and that’s what we’re looking to.”

St. Clair started at left tackle for the Bears last season and figured to start at right tackle if he returned in 2009, as last year’s first-round draft pick Chris Williams moved into the starting left tackle spot.

Omiyale, a former Carolina Panther, signed with the Bears at the outset of unrestricted free agency and began minicamp at guard while second-year undrafted free agent acquisition Cory Balogh lined up at starting right tackle.

But the loss of St. Clair and one day of minicamp practices prompted Smith to change it up—and he wasn’t in a mood to experiment.

“We’re trying to lock guys in,” Smith said. “He’ll play right tackle right now. It’s hard enough learning a new system playing one position, so we’ll lock him in there for a while and go.”

Balogh moved back to second-team tackle with the switch.

Omiyale appreciated the extra time he’ll have to get ready at the new spot, especially since he started only one NFL game with Carolina. That was on the left side and not at right tackle. He did play right tackle in preseason games.

“I’ve got to get the whole offense down, period, but just switching my mechanics from the left side to the right side, that’s the biggest thing,” he said.

Omiyale, a 6-foot-4, 310-pounder from Tennessee Tech, was cut after being drafted by Atlanta in the fifth round in 2005. He went to Carolina and last year played in 10 games for the Panthers, including an Oct. 5 start against Kansas City in which the Panthers ran for 205 yards in a 34-0 victory.

“We knew we had flexibility with Frank,” Smith said. “He’s an athletic guy, eager to learn, and of course (offensive line coach) Harry (Hiestand) will do a great job with him. So this was an easy decision.”

The Bears could also add help at tackle in free agency or next month’s NFL draft.

“We’re always looking to improve our ball club, whether its free agency,” Smith said. “Right now, of course, we have the draft coming around, too. We need to get our numbers up with the offensive line right now because you can see we don’t have a lot of guys.”

Omiyale finds working with veteran players like Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz and right guard Roberto Garza a huge benefit.

“There’s a bunch of characters on this line, so they’re making it easy to not even think of work, just having fun and keep doing our jobs,” he said.

The non-contact minicamp drills conclude Thursday for the Bears, who have been able to avoid injuries to this point.