Odds and end zones

October 29, 2012, 10:38 am

	JOHN "MOON" MULLIN Archive
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10 sacks in a “game?” Cutler going down

After righting the protection issues of the Green Bay game, the offense has seen quarterback Jay Cutler sacked 10 times over a span of roughly four-plus quarters. Actually, 10 times over the span of 60 snaps before the second half of the Carolina game.

Cutler was dropped four times in the final 37 minutes (35 plays for him) of the Detroit game and six more in the first 30 of the Bears’ 23-22 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

More important overall, play improved in the second half and Cutler was not sacked over the final two quarters.

“Coach Tice did a heck of a job correcting some of those things and we adjusted and came out in the second half and did things well,” said center Roberto Garza. “They had a good plan for us. They saw what we’ve been having trouble with against Detroit and started slanting guys.”

Bad call?

He will likely get a notice of fine from the NFL for it but defensive end Israel Idonije was adamant that his low hit on quarterback Cam Newton in the fourth quarter should not even have drawn a flag.

Idonije was turning the right edge of the Carolina pocket and was blocked/pulled down by both the right tackle and then guard of the Carolina line. He continued his rush, reaching up to try to hit Newton’s arm but was too low to reach him and ended up around the quarterback’s legs.

“You can’t make that call, not when a game is that close,” Idonije said. “He’s got to see that I’m getting pushed down to the ground. The tackle was pushing me down and the guard comes in to help and he’s pushing me down as well. Where am I supposed to go?”

An NFL official told CSNChicago.com last offseason that “intent” often was amply evident but the rules did not permit grading the mindset, just the action. The fact that Idonije clearly was not going after Newton’s knees as a target may help get his fine lowered but probably not eliminated.

New kid

Nate Collins made his first appearance on Sunday after sitting out game one with a suspension and then being active the following five games. Amobi Okoye has struggled with a nagging ankle strain from the Dallas game and was placed on the inactive list for the game

Collins, who stood out in training camp to earn a roster spot, was credited with a solo and two assisted tackles.

Tags: Jay Cutler, carolina panthers, Chicago Bears, Israel Idonije, Detroit Lions, Mike Tice, Roberto Garza, cam newton, Amobi Okoye, Nate Collins