Optimistic Jay Cutler one constant in Bears’ sea of change

SHARE Optimistic Jay Cutler one constant in Bears’ sea of change
jaycutler12016.jpg

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler at minicamp. (AP)

The offense quarterback Jay Cutler will run next season is defined by change. He has a new coordinator and three new starters on the offensive line. Wide receiver Kevin White will play his first snaps after missing his rookie season. Running back Matt Forte is out, and backup quarterback Brian Hoyer is in.

How will it all come together?

It’s June, and Cutler came off as very optimistic about what’s ahead for the 2016 season.

* Cutler connects with new coordinator Dowell Loggains, reiterating Tuesday what Loggains said last month: The two have an honest, direct dialogue.

“There is definitely some honesty there,” Cutler said. “He is not afraid to tell me when I am completely wrong and rightfully so. I tell him whenever I think we’re not doing things right or we need to change things. I think at the core of that, we kind of cut through some stuff and we get things done a little quicker. Instead of taking a few days and seeing if things work, we cut right to the chase.”

* Up front, Cutler said the Bears have “a really good group.” That includes newcomers Bobby Massie, who’s starting at right tackle, and Ted Larsen and Cody Whitehair, who are completing at left guard. Kyle Long is back at right guard, while Hroniss Grasu takes over at center. Cutler also is confident in left tackle Charles Leno Jr.

“Hroniss in the middle kind of controlling them,” Cutler said. “You know Kyle, he has let everyone know in Chicago that he is happy to be back at guard. He works out with Bobby, so he’s known Bobby forever. Chuck is on the left side and he is consistent every day.

“It’s a really good group. I think we’ve got some depth on the inside. It is just going to be experience with those guys. … There is going to be some growing pains, and there is going to be some stuff in preseason that we have to fix. Overall, [I’m] really happy with how they have progressed through the offseason.”

* Cutler has been impressed with White during the offseason program, saying the sky’s the limit for him. He said White can be physically imposing and dominant.

“He’s an unbelievable kid,” Cutler said. “You know that every day he comes to work he’s going to give you everything he has. His demeanor on or off the field doesn’t change. Physically, he can do anything he wants. He’s fast, he’s strong, he’s got good hips. He can get out of breaks. It’s just a matter of him mentally getting there, so that he can use all of his ability, instead of thinking so much.”

* Cutler already misses Forte and knows there will be “bumps in the road” for the young backfield. But he thought Jeremy Langford did well as a rookie.

“Jeremy is going to take his lumps,” Cutler said. “There’s going to be some things that he’s going to learn from and we’re going to have to grow in the backfield with him a little bit.”

* Adding Hoyer will help. He knows Loggains and his offense well, and Cutler said having another veteran quarterback will help communication with teammates.

“He can say things to the quarterback coach or to Dowell for me,” Cutler said. “He can talk to the receivers. He can talk to the O-line. It always doesn’t have to be me. I can let him do some of that stuff and take some of the pressure off my shoulders.”

The Latest
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.
The Hawks conceded the game’s only two goals within the first seven minutes and were shut out for the 12th time this season in a 2-0 defeat Thursday.