Chicago Bears New HC Marc Trestman Criticizes Jay Cutler’s Mechanics
By Mike Dyce
Dec. 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a pass in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears went a very unconventional route by signing Marc Trestman as head coach from the Canadian Football League. But He has worked with some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL over the past two decades, including Rich Gannon during an MVP campaign and a near Super Bowl run during the 2002 season.
But Jay Cutler hasn’t lived up to the albeit lofty expectations bestowed upon him in Chicago. There have been excuses about the offensive line, and lack of weapons. But those excuses have virtually been removed in free agency. They signed Jermon Bushrod of the New Orleans Saints to protect his blindside, they’ve added tight end Martellus Bennett and already have Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte.
Marc Trestman has a theory on how Cutler can be better (via the Sun Times):
"“He has the ability to have precision mechanics, high-level mechanics,” Trestman said. “At times, he has them. And at times, he doesn’t. But that would be for anybody in the league.“You go through it and you see times that this is the way you want to do it, and there’s times where you want to get the ball up a little bit more or your footwork can be cleaner. I don’t care whether a quarterback is 18, 28 or 38. I’ve coached guys at all those levels. Every quarterback wants to start … and learn mechanics from the ground up.“It doesn’t matter who they are. Jay has the ability and the skill set to be very, very good at the mechanics all the time. And that’s what you strive for.”"
Quarterbacks under Trestman have succeeded and the list is long. If Cutler can put his ego aside and listen, it could be very exciting for the Chicago Bears, and Cutler.
But despite the “inconsistent mechanics” Trestman says Cutler has one of the strongest arms he’ll ever have coached.
"“As strong an arm that he has, he’s got the inherent ability to change speeds on the throws,” Trestman said. “He can make awkward throws. He can stand in there and make throws off his back foot and make the throw.“It’s not just that he’s got a strong arm. He has the power basis to make all throws. He’s got an inventory of passes. He can do it all. He can drop it in. He can drive it in. He can slide it in. He can slow it down.”"