Trestman's gamble could tie his Bears future to Cutler's

LAKE FOREST PARK, Ill. -- The pressure is firmly on Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and coach Marc Trestman.

Trestman gave a healthy Cutler his stamp of approval Thursday to start Sunday's road game against the Cleveland Browns with the team's playoff hopes on the line after Josh McCown had recorded a 109.8 passer rating in four starts with Cutler sidelined. It's a decision that could also impact Cutler's future with the team, if not create questions about Trestman's decision-making.

"I wouldn't say anything other than that this decision was made a long time ago," said Trestman, whose decision to kick a failed overtime field goal on second down against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13 still resonates. "There's decisions that have to be made every day, and I'm comfortable with the decision that we've made."

With Cutler lacking a contract for next year and general manager Phil Emery saying he preferred not to use a franchise tag on the quarterback, it's reasonable to believe Cutler could severely damage his chances of returning to Chicago next year if his comeback bombs.

And then there's the risk of using a quarterback who hasn't played in four games when McCown is so hot.

"I don't think that risk was part of this decision," Trestman said. "This decision was made a long time ago. That was that when Jay was ready to play, that he would play. That's how we planned to do it, so I don't look at it like that. I look at it, Jay's our quarterback, and when he was ready to play, he was going to play, and that's the same words I used a month ago and there's no change today.

"We'll see how he plays over the 60 minutes, but I don't have any reservations and I don't feel there's any risk. Jay's the quarterback, and he's playing on Sunday because he's been released and he's at 100 percent, or certainly close to it, if not."

If Cutler comes in rusty, it could mean a loss against a 4-9 Browns team playing better than its record. And that could push the Bears to the brink of playoff elimination.

"Rust, we're kind of knocking it off as we go in practice," Cutler said. "I don't think we really have a lot of room for me to be rusty out there. So we've got to hit in running. We've got to play well.

"Cleveland's a really good defense. They show a lot of different fronts. They get off the field on third down, so it's going to be a challenge."

Although McCown threw for the same number of touchdown passes (13) and only one interception to Cutler's eight in 20 fewer pass attempts, Trestman recalled a Cutler he thought was hitting a peak before his injury against Detroit.

"I thought he played very efficiently in that game; that's my last memory of how he played," Trestman said. "The Washington game, obviously he was out early. I do remember his level of play for the first three games of the season, very, very high and I think he was on his way to an effective season.

"Seasons always change, but I have a lot of confidence he's ready to go and play well on Sunday."

Cutler came back quickly from a groin tear for the Nov. 10 game with Detroit, and sprained the ankle in that game. He said the groin tear has fully healed.

"The Lions game I was good going into it," he said. "It (the ankle) happened before halftime and after that, after halftime I was a little bit limited what I could do mobility-wise.

"But I felt good going into it. I feel good going into this one."

A debate has raged, possibly nationwide, about whether Cutler should be taking back his job after the performance by McCown.

"There is not a debate in this building, so that is kind of where my concern lies," Cutler said.

With McCown playing so well, it would seem the Bears have the option of a quick hook if Cutler struggles. But they say this isn't the case.

"Plan B is that we play better the next snap than we did on the snap that wasn't good," offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer said. "That's all. That's the way we're going into it."

Beyond the game is Cutler's contract future.

"I heard what (Emery) said about the franchise tag," Cutler said. "You know, it is what it is. I think Phil has a plan - actually, I know Phil has a plan. You (media) might not know Phil's plan, but he has a plan."

McCown has taken the high road all along when the topic of who should be starting quarterback is discussed. Thursday was no different after it was announced he would return to being backup.

"I don't think I'd be here if I didn't want to play," he said. "I mean, you want guys on your team that want to be on the field. But also, you want guys on your team that know their roles and understand that. And so for me I understand my role on this team. It's the backup quarterback.

"So that being said if Jay is healthy, he's ready to go. I'll support him and help him as much as I can."

Although McCown put up good numbers and last week a lot of points, his efforts came largely against a non-descript group of defenses, including the worst (Dallas) and 31st-ranked (Minnesota) defenses.

--Linebacker Lance Briggs returned to practice Thursday for the first time since suffering a fractured shoulder Oct. 20. He practiced only on a limited basis and Trestman remained pessimistic Briggs would be available for Sunday's game.

"I don't think I'm any more optimistic than I was (Wednesday)," Trestman said. "I think it's late in the week, I think, we'll see where he is tomorrow. I don't think I am any more than I was yesterday."

With Briggs, it's a simple issue.

"It's just the healing of the bone and where that is right now," Trestman said.

--Defensive tackle Stephen Paea's toe injury was not a problem last week, but he still only got on the field for 18 plays at the nose, 33 percent of the snaps. With Jeremiah Ratliff getting in 80 percent of the plays, the Bears were able to move Corey Wootton outside to end or play him at three-technique tackle. All of that combined to limit Paea's playing time.

--Punter Adam Podlesh took some good-natured kidding this week that last week was his own "personal bye week." The Bears did not punt against Dallas, although Podlesh did hold for placements.

--Linebacker Jon Bostic and LB Khaseem Greene both have been guilty of overrunning plays at times, resulting in what has looked like poor fits for the run defense. According to coordinator Mel Tucker, the Bears have corrected the problem and are worrying more about simply being physical.

"We're to the point now where we pretty much where we need to be. Now, it's about finishing," he said.