The season for the Chicago Bears has reached an impossible situation. With both Jay Cutler and Matt Forte sidelined, rumors have surfaced that the team might place phone calls to either Donovan McNabb or even Brett Favre.
Cutler backs up Caleb Hanie despite poor play before Tim Tebow showdown
Any time a team loses its two best offensive players, there's every reason to understand why that team struggles to score points. Chicago managed just three points against the Kansas City Chiefs and Caleb Hanie threw three interceptions. Not only does this add pressure on Hanie to improve, but it also forces Cutler to consider a faster return. The Bears can't afford more than one loss down this last stretch of games and now face the red-hot Denver Broncos and their new golden boy Tim Tebow. Everyone knows Caleb Hanie is not Jay Cutler, but Hanie has gotten little help from his offensive teammates and will need all he can get against the revived Broncos defense.
Favre and McNabb offer experience but decision rests with Lovie Smith
Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith can never be accused of disloyalty. He shows faith in Hanie despite six interceptions in two games and remains convinced his team can win without reaching out to Brett Favre or Donovan McNabb. The reasons for his hesitation also seem validated. McNabb has had back-to-back poor seasons and has lost much of his mobility that made him effective. Favre is 42 and hasn't taken an offensive snap in almost a year. Compile that with a complicated offensive system installed by Mike Martz and signing either man with four games left is a waste. Lovie Smith knows this and Jay Cutler does too. Both believe they must trust Caleb Hanie to right the ship.
Kristin Cavallari must calm Cutler from doing something rash
Aside from improved play by Hanie, the best way for the Chicago Bears to avoid rushing Cutler back from his broken thumb is his fiancée Kristin Cavallari. She clearly has become his closest confidant he trusts at home. As hard as it is to watch his team slowly losing their grip on the playoffs, Chicago must consider the long-term future of the franchise. If Cutler got rushed back and he injures the thumb again, he may never play with the same prowess again. Bringing in Donovan McNabb or Brett Favre is a drastic measure, but bringing Cutler back before he's healthy is even worse. Kristin Cavallari can help ease those anxieties.
The truth is harsh for Chicago Bears fans. They must win three of four games to reach the playoffs and it starts with trying to topple Tim Tebow in Denver. Brett Favre and Donovan McNabb stay in the rafters, just waiting for a phone call. If Caleb Hanie struggles again, not even Jay Cutler can prevent that call from happening.
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Comments: 9
After all, this is why Denver got rid of him.. sigh***
The Bears still have a shot at the wild card. Every team in position to pass them lost last week so there was no blood drawn despite that choke job. If they can get past Denver, they get Seattle at home. That can put them in Green bay with a 9-5 record. They lose to the Packers most likely and then have a decisive action in Minnesota. It's not over yet. Martz just needs to use all that "genius" to get protection for Hanie so he can actually throw the ball.
They shouldn't even think of bringing Cutler back, probably until next year. If they don't make the playoffs, there will be a new organization in place next year anyway.
Bottom line is the defense needs fresh blood. I like Conte and Wright as a combination at safety, and D.J. Moore at nickle. They need more defensive line help and younger legs ready to take over at linebacker. Like you said, use free agency to bolster the receiving corps and use maybe one high draft pick for an offensive lineman.