Big Question: How will Cutler’s INTs hold the offense back?

For all intents and purposes the Bears roster is set. While fans and even players might dream of the addition of Plaxico Burress or another veteran wide receiver, GM Jerry Angelo doesn’t seem to share that vision and seem content to go with this roster.

So during this lull, where few changes are likely to be made, it’s a good time for reflection and self-evaluation. Breaking down this roster and trying to determine what the biggest questions facing this team still are.

Over the next few weeks I am going to ask some of those questions and do the best I can to answer them. Most of them are obvious, but there are a few that might surprise you. The first question revolves around the man thought to be the great answer: Jay Cutler.

Will Cutler’s interceptions keep him from significantly improving the Bears’ offense?

It seems blasphemous to suggest that the great savior has a flaw, after all considering what’s been trotted out under center for the Bears most of the last 20 years Cutler really might seem perfect.

But lost in all the character assassination of Cutler – with NFL experts and journalists calling him a party boy, prima donna, and questioning his leadership – has been a stunning lack of analysis of other parts of Cutler’s game.

Everyone knows about the 4,000 yard season, the 25 touchdown passes, and the Pro Bowl appearance. Everyone talks about the big arm and surprising mobility. But far too many have neglected to mention the 32 interceptions over the last two seasons, or that he posted a QB rating under 80 in half of his starts last year.

Most of Cutler’s struggles, such has his career 17-20 record, have been explained away as the result of Denver’s terrible defense the last few years. Supports say he’s 13-1 when he’s team holds their opponents under 21 points.

That all may be true but he’s also 2-6 over the last two seasons when throwing more than one interception in a game. Cutler also has only nine interception free games over his last 32 starts and only three of those came in 2008.

KC Joyner – the football scientist – has even gone as far as to suggest Cutler will remind fans of Rex Grossman. While that may seem insulting Joyner has also been quick to remind people that Rex also quarterbacked the Bears to a Super Bowl.

Now KC isn’t suggesting that Cutler is suddenly going to be fumbling snaps, throwing off his back foot and taking terrible sacks, but Jay’s arm strength – like Rex’s – is both a blessing and a curse. It allows him to make big plays and fit balls in tight spots, and it also encourages him to throw passes he shouldn’t.

That was something the Bears could overcome in 2006 as offensive mistakes were quickly erased by a dominant defense. However, over the last two seasons the Bears have stayed afloat by not making mistakes and forcing other teams to drive the length of the field.

Without a dominant 2005 or 2006 style defense it does seem reasonable to raise the question of whether or not the Bears will be able to overcome Cutler giving opponents a short field. Because for all those deep balls fans are envisioning landing in the arms of Devin Hester, there are going to be a few that also end up in the hands of defenders.

Cutler is still a young quarterback and maturity and a stronger supporting cast could lead to less risk taking and fewer turnovers. Matt Forte will provide a strong running game and Ron Turner will ensure he won’t be asked to carry the entire offense as he was in Denver, but all that is not going to curb Cutler’s affinity for the big play.

Given his current status as savoir Cutler will get a much longer leash than Rex ever did. His lows won’t be as low and his highs will be just as high, if not higher. But while a slow start would be explained away by new teammates and a new system, it might be a different story if three interceptions cost the Bears a game in November.

In the end Cutler’s ability to make the offense significantly better will likely have more to do with how few passes he throws to the other team instead of how many he throws to his own.