If there's a quarterback in the NFL with a sourer disposition than Jay Cutler, he's not coming to mind. The Chicago Bears quarterback can be brilliant at times, but too often he makes back-breaking mistakes and displays some of the worst body language this side of Cam Newton. Of course, all Cutler has to do is think back to Week 2 of the 2010 season to conjure a happy memory from Cowboys Stadium. That game started with Cutler being knocked down five of the first seven times he dropped back to pass. He was sacked twice during the Bears' first three possessions. But in one of his more lucid moments as Chicago's offensive coordinator, Mike Martz made some adjustments to buy Cutler more time in the pocket.
He connected on a 58-yard bomb to Johnny Knox and helped lead the Bears to a come-from-behind 27-20 victory. The offensive line coach of that team, Mike Tice, is now the offensive coordinator. In that game two years ago Tice did a masterful job of managing an O-line that saw its starting left tackle, Chris Williams, pull a hamstring on the first possession. The Bears even used a guy by the name of Frank Omiyale to fill in at left tackle. If that name sounds familiar, it's because Omiyale filled in at left tackle for the Seattle Seahawks two weeks ago and neutralized DeMarcus Ware.
The Cowboys need consistent pressure from their outside linebackers Monday in order to prevent Cutler from finding his rhythm. We've already seen that he can turn on his teammates, as evidenced by the bump he delivered to offensive tackle J'Marcus Webb on the sideline during a 23-10 loss to the Packers.
"I probably shouldn't have bumped him, I'll go with that," told ESPN 1000 in Chicago a few days later. "As far as me yelling at him and trying to get him going in the game, I don't regret that. I shouldn't have bumped him, I'll stick to that." The Cowboys haven't had starting outside linebacker Anthony Spencer in practice all week because of a pectoral strain. But a team source told FOXSportsSouthwest.com late Sunday there was an excellent chance of him being in uniform Monday night. Spencer's not going to put up Ware's sack numbers, but he's played really well through three games.
The Bears' best offensive weapon will likely be wide receiver Brandon Marshall. He's put up big numbers against the Cowboys while playing for the Broncos and Dolphins, although Dallas does have a better shot at slowing him down with cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Mo Claiborne now in the fold. Unless he's filling in at safety, expect Carr to line up across from Marshall a lot of the time. Carr is very familiar with Marshall because both players spent time in the AFC West.
"I know a lot about Brandon Carr and I really respect his game," Marshall told reporters via conference call this week. "He does a lot of things at the line of scrimmage, really strong. I've been watching a lot of film on our matchups and I want to approach the game a little differently. Claiborne, a rookie corner, respect what he's doing so far. I'm sure there are some things he will clean up out there. I think they have a really good No. 1 pick down there."
I talked to a longtime AFC scout Friday who has watched Marshall closely since he entered the league in 2007. He says the key to defending the bruising wide receiver is to not allow him quick starts.
"You have to challenge him at the line of scrimmage," said the scout. "Don't let him 'big boy' you. Don't tie him up because he's too strong. But hit him quickly. Make him work for releases and eliminate any fast starts.
"If he has a hard time, he'll get temperamental and it will affect his play."
The Cowboys also have to worry about Devin Hester's speed as a return man and wide receiver. He expressed frustration this past week about his lack of involvement in the passing game. He made an acrobatic catch in the end zone in that Bears win at Cowboys Stadium in 2010.
"It's hard being one of the top electrifying players in the league and you're not able to get your hands on the ball as much as you want," Hester told local reporters.
It certainly sounds like Hester's confidence is intact. Now, we'll just see if Tice gets around to launching the so-called "Hester package."
The Cowboys are hoping that "Bad Jay" shows up in Arlington this time around. Only one problem: The Bears are 4-1 on "Monday Night Football" during the Cutler era.
