Video Reviewing Cutler's 52 Passes versus the 49ers
Jay Cutler had an absurd amount of passing attempts in this game. 52 passing attempts and 5 INTs, one pick for every for 10 passing attempts in this game. No not all of the interceptions were Cutler's fault in this game, although the two most important interceptions of the game were. Those being the red-zone interceptions that essentially took guaranteed points off the board and contributed directly to the loss. But there is more to this game than just Cutler's INTs and I'm going to cycle through the tape and break down each pass. First drive of the game:
Cutler drops back to pass from directly under center, Josh Beekman is bull rushed back into Cutler. He's stood up at the point of attack and drive back into Cutler. Cutler has to take the immediate check down option to Matt Forte to get positive yards. Easy completion under some pressure, Cutler is solid with his fundamentals and foot work steps into his throw and the pass is complete. He takes a shot on the play from the defender.
Second pass Cutler drops back and scans the field and gets pressure from the right side...he's flushed from the pocket and his footwork begins to break down. He's doing his best to keep his eyes down the field and then tries to force a pass to Desmond Clark. His feet are never set and he just forces his throw with his arm strength. Poor decision here, already Cutler making risky throws and we're two plays into the game. He has to throw this ball away instead of trying to make a play here, it's only the second play of the game and already Cutler has nearly thrown his first INT of the game.
Three straight plays three plays in which Cutler is knocked down because of pressure. Chris Williams is stood up and tossed to the ground a bull rush move. Cutler is going backwards on this play and makes a throw to Forte out of the backfield. No Cutler doesn't have to take a sack here, but he shouldn't be making throws when his fundamentals break down because of a pass rush. If you're going to make a throw, make it by stepping into your pass and getting the best velocity and accuracy on it you're going to get. This doesn't happen here even though it's a complete pass, it's an easy check down so Cutler doesn't have to get any distance on the throw so he can rely on the easy check down to complete the pass. It doesn't get a first down however so it's a wasted completion, almost the same as if he had thrown it away given that the Bears don't get a first down.
Second drive of the game for the Bears:
Two straight running plays that get nothing. Cutler drops back to pass on third and nine, out of the shot gun he gets pressure on a hidden corner back blitz. He backs up a little and flips his hips open on the throw. Again poor fundamentals here and he just rifles the ball out to Olsen on the quick read. He just muscles the throw, again the focus is on the poor footwork he shows on this play. Complete pass, made simply with his arm strength rather than stepping into the throw and delivering the football.
Third drive of the game Bears on offense:
Cutler first down a quick throw to avoid the blitz. Throw to Desmond Clark is complete for a minimal gain here. A quick hot read throw to avoid the blitz. Again no real fundamentals on this play, mechanics essentially break down and he just muscles the throw. It's not a very accurate throw either, but it goes down as a completion.
Cutler tries to throw a screen to Hester and does a little spin and then throw. He never locates his target never steps into his throw he just turns and throws in the direction of Hester and the ball sails high as a result. Risky dumb throw here by Cutler.
Cutler's best throw to this point in the game is a big first down throw to Olsen. Again he never really sets his feet on the throw he just torques his hips and relies on his pure arm strength to make this throw. It's a good throw but mainly because he's able to just whip his hips and arm to make the play. Still not showing a real comfort level in his fundamentals. His fundamentals aren't as bad here as they have been previously but they still aren't as good as you'd like to see.
This play Cutler gets his best protection of the night and makes his best throw of the night. It's a trick sideline throw, but he nails it right on the spot and in the place it needs to be. Why? Because he steps into the throw so nicely that he gets the accuracy he wants and puts it where only Olsen can make the easy catch for the first down. This is how each and every one of Cutler's throws should be, regardless of pressure on him or not. Most times when you're under pressure you're going to get hit anyway, so you might as well exercise proper fundamentals and make a good strong accurate throw. Kurt Warner is one of the best at doing this, it seems no matter the pressure he faces he steps into most of his throws and gets them where only his receivers can make plays. Warner is a 10-year veteran so he understands this better than Cutler does. This is why a QBs prime isn't until he's around 30-years-old because by that time they're so smart and seasoned they know the importance of basic fundamentals over just brute arm strength.
This last throw went for a nice gain of 20-yards, again because of how strong and accurate the throw was because of Cutler's foot work in the pocket.
This next play Cutler gets decent protection but never goes through his progressions. He locks onto Olsen and never seem to take his focus off of him. He sort of waits and waits until he feels Olsen is open and then rips the ball to him. Again he doesn't set his feet and essentially just torques his hips on this throw. He can be successful at this at times because again he's got some of the best hip flip power in the league. Problem is these types of throws are not always the most accurate of throws because he's not stepping towards his target.
Start of the second quarter, Bears still with the ball
Another throw to Olsen only this one is just ever so subtly off target. Cutler gets a passing grade for this one though because his fundamentals are so solid he's able to simply step into his throw and deliver the pass. It's just slightly over thrown along the side line and Olsen comes down with it, but he's just out of bounds. It's the second throw on this drive where you can see how well proper fundamentals pay off because it's just a good pass.
Cutler again out of the shot gun with a strong accurate throw to Earl Bennett. Good footwork proper technique results in a strong accurate delivery of the football.
Cutler's first interception of the game is an absolute aneurysm inducing throw, the type where you want to go out and strangle your QB. It's third down after two running plays are unable to get the job done in the red zone. So Cutler actually has time to throw on this pass, Forte picks up the blitz by knocking the linebacker down. He has a pocket to throw out of, time to throw good throwing lanes, but for some ungodly reason he gets happy feet. His happy feet lead to a complete break down in his footwork and once again he isn't stepping into his throw. Not only is it bad technique but it's also a bad read and decision to make this throw. He tries to muscle this ball into a tight space, but because he's not getting the velocity on his ball that he should be getting it's not accurate and it's intercepted. This play is completely inexcusable down here in the red zone and just goes to show how immature Cutler is here.
He's completely rattled because of the blitz, even though the blitz is picked up perfectly by Forte. Why he doesn't do more to set his feet or more to put himself in position to make a good throw is beyond me. He throws off his back foot and when that happens, coupled with a horrible decision the end result is a interception.
Bears back on offense here:
It's a disastrous start to the drive, first a false start, then a holding penalty leaves the Bears with first and 25. Cutler a little pass to the flat for some yards, but nothing special. Proper foot work here and it's a strong accurate throw as a result.
Screen pass to Forte, screens usually never have good foot work or fundamentals involved because they're passes made under duress for a reason. You're trying to fool the defense and just get rid of the football. Good execution on the screen pass here and it goes for solid yards.
The second interception of the game is completely excusable because Cutler does make the right read on the timing route to Hester. Unfortunately Hester just slips and falls and the CB is able to step into the lane and make the pick. These things happen and so long as Cutler shows good foot work like he does here then there is no complaining about this type of throw. The last QB in the league this needs to be happening to is Cutler though because he is so easily rattled and his confidence can so easily be shaken. He feels the pressure to do so much to help the Bears win and he just needs to let the game come to him.
Back on offense after the 49ers cash in from short yardage.
Okay enough is enough this pass should have been picked off and represents the second pass of the game in which Cutler could have been intercepted, in fact on this play he SHOULD HAVE been intercepted. He comes out and stares down Hester the entire way and fires the ball at Hester. It's a poor decision out of the gate and the defender breaks on the ball and just misses picking it off. This is a play in which you clearly can call into question Cutler's mind set and decision making process. I'm willing to give a pass on the second true interception of the game in which Hester falls down, but this one is just stupid. You can't make these kinds of throws, staring down a receiver the entire route and giving the DB a chance to break on the ball and make the play. Absolutely no excuse here, but so much happened after this play, it's like forgotten just how bad of a decision it was to make this throw.
Another screen pass to Forte that's on time and on target, again no real need for fundamentals here, just the ball out so Forte can make the play for you.
Cutler with time drops back and hits Earl Bennett in the middle of the field on this play. It's a good throw because he does everything right on the play. Absolutely no complaints on this throw here.
Good footwork on this next play although it appears Cutler is staring down his receiver far too long. The ball is batted down at the line of scrimmage.
Delay of game on Cutler here as he's trying to make a pre-snap read. Cutler doesn't do a lot in the pre-snap read department in trying to get the defense to tip their hand so that he can adjust his line calls or call a hot route. He prefers to just step up to the line and make his calls. Good pass here to Johnny Knox. Knox doesn't seem to be the first option on the play, so Cutler goes through a progression to get to this option. He makes a nice completion to Knox, nothing spectacular just a sound fundamental throw.
This next throw Cutler is slightly under pressure but he still gets a good accurate throw off. His footwork isn't perfect but it's still pretty strong in this quick delivery out of the shot gun. Good clean pass to Greg Olsen it's nice to see his name being called a lot for the second straight week.
This throw is a less offensive throw because Cutler tries to get it to Hester into double coverage. He slips as he's trying to make his delivery and then has to regather himself to make the throw. Impressive arm strength on this throw although it's not accurate as he overthrows Hester.
Cutler goes through his progressions here and then steps into the throw, it's incomplete but it's a pass interference call.
Next pass goes to Devin Hester it's a one read one throw progression and Cutler steps into the throw and delivers a perfect to Hester along the sidelines. Everything went right on this pass and the Bears are in field goal range here.
Robbie steps in and drills a field goal between the pipes like he has his entire career. Third best field goal completion percentage of all-time. 7-3 49ers lead end of the first half.
Bears' first possession of the second half:
Quick swing pass to Hester a simple turn and step into the throw, pass complete.
The next throw is the interception in which Hester stops his route in front of the umpire. Cutler's under pressure and tries to dump it down to Hester on a quick crossing route. It's debatable if this play would have been picked off or not had Hester not run into the official. The play was covered anyway so it likely would have been broken up because the DB was on top of the pass to pick it off in the first place.
Bears second possession of the second half:
Cutler screen pass to Forte for another big gain. Bears must have seen something on film because these screen passes have had a ton of success and been about the only consistent play the Bears have had all night.
Another quick swing pass to Hester out of the backfield.
Cutler from the shot gun fakes the hand off and fires another swing pass to Earl Bennett.
Robbie Gould bangs another field goal through the uprights 7-6 49ers lead.
Bears' third possession of the second half after another 49ers punt:
A poorly thrown quick out pass to Bennett on this play. Cutler completely under throws the pass, there is no excuse for under throwing a pass right here. Trying to put too much touch on the pass to ease it in to Bennett is just lazy.
Third and 11 upcoming, Cutler from the shot gun complete a perfect pass to Greg Olsen for a first down. Again the proof is in the pass, you step into your throws and the ball goes where you want it to on just about every throw. This throw is not different as the pass is delivered right on target for Olsen to make the play. First down Bears.
Cutler on this next play on first down goes to the immediate check down to Forte. But the pass is to high for Forte to handle incomplete. Why Cutler went for the immediate check down when he wasn't under any sort of pressure and had a perfect pocket to throw from is curious. He should better go through his progressions here than just trying to take the quick check down. The protection and pocket and throwing lanes were all there for Cutler, and given that the Bears haven't had a lot of chance to throw the ball down the field, this play offered that opportunity and Cutler totally ignored it.
This next throw is pretty irritating for two reasons, one because of how well it's executed and two because a penalty causes it to be wiped out. Chris Williams blocks the wrong defender and the DE has a clear path to Cutler, but Cutler ignores the pressure and confidently stands in the pocket and delivers a strike to Earl Bennett. The ball is so perfect that you could hang laundry from the pass.
It's just good fundamentals even in the face of certain pressure Cutler steps into the throw and delivers a frozen rope to Bennett. Knowing that Cutler can make these types of throws under pressure with proper foot work makes facing a completely unblocked defender, makes you wonder why he doesn't make these plays consistently. Cutler on a little roll out pass has plenty of time and can't find anyone open. He throws it away out of bounds.
Cutler steps up in the pocket on this next pass when he gets some slight pressure from the outside. He gets the happy feet again and suffers a complete fundamental footwork break down. As a result when he fires the ball to a wide open Johnny Knox he skips it in to Knox. He's not under enough pressure here to execute this pass the way he does, he should be stepping into the throw and delivering the ball on target it. Had he exercised proper footwork and completed the pass on target Knox would have likely ended up inside the red zone. This puts the Bears in scoring position again and with a chance to take the lead in the game. As it is the throw is a complete waste by Cutler and is yet another example of his immaturity and lack of development. The throw was a much needed third down conversion that Cutler should have nailed to a wide open Johnny Knox.
Cutler's fourth interception of the night comes on a third down play in which Olin Kreutz gets off a bad snap. Cutler tries to make the best of a play he has no business attempting to fix. The play was doomed from the start and then he tries to force the ball do Kellen Davis. Poor decision here to make this throw after essentially fumbling the snap...yes Kreutz should have made a better snap, but the resulting pick isn't Kreutz's fault. Cutler making the decision to try and make a play when he doesn't need to make a play right here puts the 49ers in scoring position yet again.
Bears back on offense after the 49ers kick a chip shot field goal to go up 10-6:
A little bubble screen pass to Hester, complete.
On this next play Cutler fakes a bubble screen and then tries to fire on a slant to Johnny Knox. He never really gets his complete focus on Knox. He isn't on his target he is just throwing the football out of his peripheral vision and in turn he throws it high for another incomplete pass.
Cutler under pressure from a blitz on this play he scrambles around and then just floats it up into no mans land and it's almost picked off again. This is the third pass that should have been picked off, but Cutler was lucky to have not had it picked off. Poor decision to just heave it up here, the Bears are only down 10-6 and there's over nine minutes left on the clock on the fourth quarter. This is a desperation heave that has no business being made given the risk of it being picked off because it just floats up in the air.
Final drive of the football game Bears first and ten from their own 20-yard line 2:47 left on the clock. Plenty of time to run an efficient two minute offense and win the game.
Cutler under pressure throws the ball away.
Cutler with plenty of time on second and ten sit in the pocket all day goes through his reads and then tries to hit a receiver deep down the middle of the field. Throws just behind the receiver, incomplete. Good technique no complaints here, just wish a receiver had gotten open sooner.
A little bit of pressure and Cutler air mails the throw over Hester's head incomplete and out of bounds. Bears also have a penalty against them for an illegal formation. Fourth down upcoming.
Cutler scrambles around pressure looking to make a play on fourth down. You wish the drive would have ended right here and the game been over with. However the torture goes on as the 49ers commit a penalty on fourth down and give the Bears an automatic first down on the play. Cutler flips it out to Forte while under pressure, desperate throw here but it works out and Forte gets positive yards.
Cutler with a nice pass to Hester here, complete and positive yards to help the offense find a small rhythm.
A quick check down to Forte while under pressure, Forte jukes Willis out of his shorts and gets a first down.
Again Cutler with a quick efficient pass to Greg Olsen for a gain of eight.
Skinny post for Hester, first down on the completion Bears starting to put together a drive and take bits and pieces of what the defense is giving them.
From the shot gun blitz comes, Forte picks up the blitz, a little pump fake on the play and then he hits Hester for another completion and another first down.
Slant pass underneath the four deep zone to Johnny Knox complete and more yards for the Bears as they continue to drive down the field. Cutler just being patient and taking quick easy completions to the receivers underneath.
Another low snap from Kreutz on this shot gun...someone needs to give Kreutz a freaking valium...he needs to chill out and focus on getting good snaps back to Cutler. Kreutz has like a nervous twitch and it causes the dropped snaps a lot of times as well as bad shot gun snaps. Cutler makes a good throw anyway to Aromashodu who catches it for a first down and gets out of bounds stopping the clock.
First down pass Cutler puts a little more air underneath it to try and give Olsen a chance to go up and get it. Just over throws him on this play.
And game set match folks as Cutler comes out of the shot gun gets a little bit of pressure but he panics. As he runs up in the pocket rather than stepping up in the pocket his fundamentals once again break down causing his pass to be off target and intercepted.
This pass sums up Cutler's career as a Bear at this point this throw is inexcusable for QB the Bears gave up two first round draft choices to get.
Overall Cutler had a piss poor day and I'm really going to have to go back and watch film from his other games in a Bears uniform and focus on him more directly. Jay Cutler today looked every bit as bad as Rex Grossman did on his worst day in Chicago. He suffered a one break down after another in basic QB fundamentals, no pre-snap reads, panic in the pocket, break down in foot work and fundamentals, poor decision making, poor throws. Just an all around bad game from what is supposed to be the QB who solved all the problems the Bears had at the QB position.
Three passes Cutler threw in this game that should have been picked off, meaning he could have just as easily had eight interceptions rather than the five he threw. Take away the two that weren't his fault and add in the three that could have been picked off and you have six passes that were or could have been picked off. That stat is completely inexcusable and needs to change.
Cutler didn't face as much pressure in this game as he has in other games, especially late in the game the 49ers didn't blitz as much as they could have. None of this mattered however and Jay Cutler simply imploded in this game. The inability to remain consistent in his footwork is VERY reminiscent of Grossman and the problems he had here in Chicago.
He relied too much on his arm strength to get him out of trouble in this game instead of maintaining his poise and composure. There is no excuse for this type of play and I have to question Pep Hamilton and his QB coaching skills here. That is of course you take into account Orton's fundamentals, who has no problem maintaining his composure and foot work.
Not only do the Bears have a lot to fix on offense, they have to find a good QB coach to further Cutler's development or break him of his fundamental break downs. His simple footwork mistakes are easily correctable, but they represent a bad habit that can lose games for your team.
