Joniak: Cutler Should Start Sunday
Jay Cutler should start Sunday against Seattle.
He was not cleared to return from his concussion by an independent physician last week. The Bears medical staff concurred. Cutler did some light work, but Wednesday it should be full participation. Barring any complications, I would expect him to start against the Seahawks.
Three Seahawks assistants worked with Cutler in Denver under Mike Shanahan. They include offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, an early Cutler favorite to replace Ron Turner before Mike Martz took the job. Bates hired Pat McPherson to coach Seahawk tight ends, and in 2006, McPherson was Cutler's quarterback coach. In 2008, Jedd Fisch was the Broncos receivers coach and is now coaching the Seahawk quarterbacks.
They know everything there is to know about Jay Cutler. How that impacts Seattle's defensive preparations is anyone's guess? I would expect Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to get some info from the offensive assistants. Seattle is also coming off a week five bye…giving them an extra week to prepare for the Bears.
Bradley experienced Cutler first hand last season at Qwest Field in Seattle. A fourth quarter touchdown strike to Devin Hester covered 36-yards in a 25-19 Bears win. Cutler completed 21-of-27 for 247 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. His quarterback rating was 126.4.
