I don’t have any doubt Cutler was hurt in the NFCC game. After that game I remember a Chicago sports columnist calculated the number of times Cutler was hit (not just sacked) since coming to Chicago, including pre season games, and although I don’t remember the number, it was a ton. He was sacked over 50 times just in the last regular season. I don’t question his toughness – its easy “taking” those hits sitting on my couch – but if I were a Bears fan (SHUDDER) I’d worry about two things: First Cutler’s accuracy and the GM. In four regular seasons of starting, Cutler hasn’t completed even 64% of his passes in a season. His INT percentage has never been lower than 2.9% in a season and its been as high as 4.7%. I would also worry about Cutler’s desire to be a champion but that’s impossible to quantify.
IMO GM Angelo has shown an inability to draft well. And even regarding free agency, after acquiring what he believes is his franchise QB, he’s neglected the task of providing him with an adequate OL and WRs. Yes he drafted Carimi but he let Kreutz walk for NFL peanuts. (Kreutz looked better than any Bears OL last week.) Where is their stud LT? Playing LG – Williams was the 14th overall pick of the 2008 draft. (A little perspective for Packers fans who used to be disappointed in Daryn Colledge.) And look who mans their number one WR spot: Devin Hester is a HOF returner but he is by no means a number one WR and I think its safe to say he never will be. Poor Matt Forte, too much of the burden on offense is on him.
And what do the Bears get in return for this offensive neglect? Unfortunately for us Packers fans, a damn good defense which plays the Packers tougher than any other and very good special teams play. I hate to admit it, but I’ve gotta give it to Lovie: He got the Packers/Bears rivalry from the moment he arrived in Chicago. And IMO he’s ridden a play great defense, create turnovers, and get big plays on STs a lot farther than I would have thought possible. He got 'em to a Super Bowl and NFCC game. And in spite of my criticism, Angelo can make that claim, too. But because of the way he coaches, my guess is Cutler’s INTs just kill Lovie, no matter who - Martz, Cutler, the OL, or receivers - is most at fault.
I do think even pros get jacked up to play certain games more than others and, no matter what is said publically, I expect the Bears to have more than usual motivation for this game. The Packers did indeed go into their house and took their chance for a Super Bowl appearance back to Green Bay. Then rubbed it in by winning their second title since the Bears won their last one. But motivation only goes so far. I hope and expect the Packers superior talent on offense will win out. But it’ll be a dog fight. It always is.
