Marion Barber will look to make up for Matt Forte's loss when the Bears take on the Broncos. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

This week I asked Mike Burzawa of Bear Goggles On to give us some additional insight into the team that he knows best - the Chicago Bears. Mike took some time to talk about Jay Cutler, Matt Forte’s injury, and playing in arguably the toughest division in the NFL.

With that said, let’s go Inside the Villain’s Venue with Bear Goggles On.

Q: Broncos fans were really looking forward to seeing Jay Cutler back in Denver this week. It was a game circled on our calendars long before his injury. With Cutler leaving the NFC Championship last year and then being lost for the season this year, do you think he’s injury prone, and are fans starting to question his durability and toughness? 

A: As Bears fans, we were excited to see Jay’s return to Denver too, so we’re equally disappointed he’ll miss this matchup.

Cutler faced a rough offseason after his departure from the NFC Championship game with a torn MCL but he came back after the lockout noticeably trimmed down and with a greater sense of ownership of the offense.  His new and improved physique and attitude along with his great play on the field has really changed fans perceptions for the better.  It only took about halfway through his first game out against Oakland that Bears fans realized just how good he is and how much he’s missed.  That’s quite a turnaround from last January.
(more…)

Much to the dismay of Denver fans, Cutler won't play against the Broncos. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Chicago Bears’ season has taken a nasty turn with the injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte. Cutler had surgery to repair a broken thumb while Forte is out indefinitely with a sprained MCL.

Bears head coach Lovie Smith and backup QB Caleb Hanie took some time out today to talk to the Denver media. Since losing Cutler, the Bears have lost their last two games to the Raiders and Chiefs. In the team’s loss to the Chiefs, they lost Forte to the knee injury. Thus, the two players that could  have made the biggest impact against the Broncos were the hot topic of the day.

Through 10 games, Cutler was having a great season. He had 2,319 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, but most importantly he led the team to 7 wins. If he were able to go against the Raiders and the Chiefs, he surely could have put more points up on the board than Hanie, and this Bears team could 9-3 instead of 7-5.

Cutler has been giving pointers to Hanie, a former CSU Ram, as the season progresses.

“The first week he (Cutler) was gone for surgery so I didn’t really get to see him that much,” Hanie said. “He’s was at the game and did a good job of calming me down and all that kind of stuff on the sidelines. Last week, he would give me tips on certain plays, and how to see certain things. He’s done a good job of being around and being available for all the guys.”
(more…)