Jay will ‘make do’ with O-line issues
His mobility will likely be tested against Chiefs
The beauty of hiring John Fox is that he’s been through almost every scenario facing an NFL team. The Bears might be playing their third center in two weeks if rookie Hroniss Grasu starts against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. But Fox brushed off that predicament as if it were a bottom-of-the-roster issue.
“A few years ago we went through three centers and went to the Super Bowl,” Fox said.
Of course, in that 2013 season with the Broncos, the three centers were snapping the ball to Peyton Manning. With the Bears, it’s Jay Cutler — certainly no slouch, but also no Peyton Manning.
Cutler and the Bears handled the adversity well last week against the Oakland Raiders when Will Montgomery suffered a broken left fibula on the third offensive snap of the game. With more changes likely in store Sunday, Cutler and the offense will have to be even more onpoint.
If Grasu starts at center, he’ll be making his first NFL appearance. If Slauson starts, there could be a newcomer at left guard, with Patrick Omameh — who came off the bench to replace Slauson after Slauson replaced Montgomery — missing practice again Thursday with a hamstring injury. With Jermon Bushrod still in concussion protocol, Charles Leno is expected to make his second consecutive start at left tackle.
“It does get challenging,” Cutler said after practice Thursday. “Even this week a bunch of new guys — we have some guys banged up, so getting through practice, just getting everyone on the same page, [the] communication’s got to be good.”
And like Fox, Cutler doesn’t appear concerned at all that the constant change on the offensive line will be a detriment.
“I think from the OC on down, everyone has done a great job,” said Cutler, referring to offensive coordinator Adam Gase. “Coaching staff, players locking in during meetings. Mistakes are going to happen, but we’ll just try to eliminate them.”
Against a Chiefs’ defense adept at attacking the quarterback from all directions, Cutler’s mobility will be a factor. He clearly was limited against the Raiders after missing a week with a strained hamstring.
“I feel better,” Cutler said. “Still not exactly where I want to be, but it is what it is, and we have a lot of guys banged up, so [you] just make do.” And the Chiefs’ pass rush? “They’re not going to do anything we shouldn’t be able to pick up,” Cutler said. “There are going to be some things that are going to be hard for us to pick up. But just talent level, I think they’re a little bit better [than the Raiders] — a little more experienced with their group. So we’re going to have to be on them.”
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