Bears Notebook: Jay Cutler Showing Efficiency In New Offense
By Chris Emma--
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (CBS) -- There are no official statistics for training camp. It's a time for development, before Sundays become meaningful.
But one particular trend has taken the spotlight at Olivet Nazarene. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has yet to throw an interception in team drills.
"It's a combination of everything," Cutler said Tuesday. "I think (offensive coordinator Adam Gase) does an incredible job scheme-wise of putting quarterbacks in the right position. But a lot of it goes on the offensive line, the way they've played throughout camp, and the receivers getting open."
The fewest interceptions Cutler has thrown during a 16-game season were 14 in 2007, his second year with Denver. In 2009, his first year in Chicago, he threw 26 picks.
However, Gase's offense brings a needed run-pass balance and holds an added emphasis on the quarterback not doing too much. Essentially, Gase will attempt to minimize risk with Cutler. But there are other factors contributing, too.
"It's just much more fluent," receiver Marquess Wilson said of Cutler's work. "He's able to find the guys that are open. A lot more time with the O-line and guys getting open in routes. It makes his job a lot more easy."
When asked if the lack of interceptions means good things to come for the 2015 season, Cutler laughed and shrugged it off.
Cutler's first game action will come in the Bears' preseason opener on Thursday at Soldier Field against the Miami Dolphins, though Cutler will only play a short time. Will the changes show?
"You never know," Cutler said. "Camp's camp. We're not getting hit. These aren't live bullets. So we'll see what happens when we start going."
McPhee out to hit
Pernell McPhee walks the walk in addition to talking the talk.
The Bears' new outside linebacker constantly speaks of playing violent football, then he backs it up on the field. So McPhee is itching to suit up for Thursday's preseason game with Miami.
"I'm excited because I actually get to hit the quarterback," McPhee said. "And hit somebody else on another team and not only hit them, I can actually hurt them if I get a good hit on them. That's how the game plays."
McPhee, the 6-foot-3, 275-pounder who was a standout for Baltimore, brings a tenacious approach to the field.
Bears teammates have lauded what McPhee provides to the team. His demeanor has made the defense better.
"Heart and aggression," Jeremiah Ratliff said to describe McPhee. "I can ride with that."
Chicago's defense endured tremendous struggles the past two seasons. Players like McPhee were needed.
This training camp, the Bears arrived in Bourbonnais with a new attitude and the hopes of changing their perception. McPhee's eager for his chance to showcase that against Miami.
"We need to bring that intensity," McPhee said. "We need to bring that attitude, that swagger where we're going out there and making people know we're for real this year."
Vereen vying for a spot
There are a lot of words to describe coordinator Vic Fangio's heralded 3-4 defense. Bears second-year safety Brock Vereen found a new one to describe it.
"It's a fun system," Vereen said. "I think that's kind of a weird word to use, but when everyone's out there, we're flying around and everyone's enjoy themselves. I think that goes a long way."
Vereen has played an important role in the Bears' revamped defense, earning the trust of Fangio and coach John Fox.
Early in camp, Vereen has impressed, largely because he hasn't looked out of place. In fact, the Fangio system often puts players in the right place -- something Vereen and others have noticed.
"Pretty comfortable with everything," Vereen said. "It's a great system, a fun system, it allows for you to play with some freedom. Any player is going to like that."
To earn a starting spot, Vereen is going to have to beat out Ryan Mundy or Antrel Rolle, which will be easier said than done. However, it's likely he'll have some role with the Bears' defense.
Vereen's focus is on being that kind of safety his team needs.
"The coaches are looking for a safety that can be physical," he said. "That's definitely something that I need to show in these four preseason games."
White working his way back
In his second day of light running as he works his way back from a shin injury, rookie receiver Kevin White picked it up a bit with extended jogging up and down the side field. Additionally, he continued his conditioning drills, built with heavy repetition.
"It's tough, it's tough," Cutler said of White's situation. "I know he's frustrated. Everyone else wants to see him out there. But it's one of those things where we have to do what's best for him in the situation and make sure that whenever he's ready to come back, he's ready to come back. So I've been talking to him on the side and just keep encouraging him. He's a really good kid. He wants to be out there. So we've got to be patient with him. And when he gets out there, we'll have full-go with him."
Extra points: Bears linebacker Jared Allen was excused from practice due to personal reasons. He will return to camp on Tuesday night ... Cornerback Alan Ball left Monday's workout with a hamstring tweak and was held out Tuesday. His status for Thursday's preseason game remains uncertain ... Fox reiterated that some veterans dealing with injuries will be held out of game action Thursday, though he declined to elaborate ... The Bears hold a private walk-through Wednesday in preparation for their game with the Dolphins.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.
