4 DOWNS WITH DITKA
1 It’s just one game, but have you seen a change in Jay Cutler?
I like everything I’ve seen with Jay. The biggest thing is don’t turn the ball over. That’s what he’s doing so well. Don’t turn it over! Penalties and turnovers kill you in football. The less you have of them, the better chance you have of winning. I think that’s the first thing that has to be ingrained in any quarterback: Do not turn the ball over! Now, sometimes turnovers will happen. But you have to be judicious with the ball and understand where you’re going to put it. I think that [coach] Marc [Trestman] is putting him in a good position to do that.
2 Did you always get along with your QBs?
Oh, I think some of them would probably say I didn’t. But let’s put it this way: I always respected them.
3 Leslie Frazier and Mike Singletary will be on the Minnesota Vikings’ sideline coaching against the Bears on Sunday. Jim Harbaugh, Jeff Fisher, Ron Rivera — the list goes on. How good does it make you feel to see so many of your former players coaching?
I’m just happy for their success, not mine. It has nothing to do with me. All these guys just happened to be with the Bears when I was there. All of them are great guys. These are quality individuals, and they’re good coaches on top of that. It makes me very proud, and it should make the Bears very proud to see all those coaches who have come through that organization.
4 What are your impressions of Bears tight end Martellus Bennett after some of the plays he made last Sunday?
I think he’s going to become a bigger and bigger part of the offense. He’s got too much talent not to. He’s a big, strong guy who runs great and catches the ball well. I think Jay is going to keep looking for him, and Marc is going to put him in a position to succeed and get the football to him. You know, they have weapons — Brandon Marshall is outstanding, Matt Forte is outstanding and you have a good tight end. Jay has a lot of weapons to work with, and he’ll distribute the ball to all of them.