Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
In past years we always heard about the Bears rolling Jay Cutler out of the pocket, but it never really happened much if at all. Do you think the new coaching staff will do that with him?
Dave C.
Geneva, Illinois
New offensive coordinator Adam Gase is well aware of Jay Cutler's athleticism and ability to get out of the pocket, but Gase said that the frequency of designed rollouts will depend on how opposing defenses are playing the Bears. Here's what Gase said about rolling Cutler out of the pocket: "We all know that his athletic ability for a guy his size is pretty unique; there are not a lot of guys like him. We'll try to do what we need to do within a game. How the defense is playing … you never know how a game is going to play out. So you have to kind of play off the defense—how are they playing the run game—and then you go off of there. But his ability to move outside the pocket, we really like what he's done so far and we'll keep growing that package."
After skipping the entire offseason program except for the mandatory minicamp, how long do you think it will take tight end Martellus Bennett to catch up in terms of learning the offense?
Phil K.
Greensboro, North Carolina
Offensive coordinator Adam Gase said recently that tight end Martellus Bennett is "completely caught up." Gase has been impressed with how quickly Bennett was able to learn the playbook. Said the offensive coordinator: "He's so smart, and then how physical he is in the run game and pass protection, it's so unique. Not many tight ends you see can do what he does."
Is there an under-the-radar third-stringer you would suggest watching in the Bears' preseason opener? I'm always interested in seeing the team add young players they can develop.
Winston L.
Utica, New York
One of the undrafted rookie free agents I've been impressed with has been outside linebacker Kyle Woestmann, who signed with the Bears after participating in their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. In Saturday's Family Fest practice at Soldier Field, Woestmann recorded a sack and a nice tackle on a running play during a live scrimmage. It'll be interesting to see if he can continue to produce impact plays in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Dolphins. Woestmann was a four-year contributor at Vanderbilt, where he appeared in 49 games with 24 starts and compiled 100 tackles, 13 sacks, 20.5 tackles-for-loss and five forced fumbles.
