Cutler visits Perspectives to promote diabetes awareness

Published: May 15, 2012

Chicago, Ill. —

Quarterback Jay Cutler says his right thumb is fine and he can't wait to return to lead a significantly upgraded Bears offense.

Cutler said he's recovered from offseason surgery to repair the fractured thumb. He suffered the injury late last November against San Diego while making a tackle on Antoine Cason, who had just picked off the Bears quarterback.

"It's fine," he said Monday. "I really didn't throw a lot in the offseason, rehabbed a little bit and came back and felt good."

He talked both football and diabetes awareness during an appearance at a school promoting screening and treatment among young people.

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes following his second NFL season, the seventh-year pro oversees a foundation dedicated to raising the profile of the disease.

"Diabetes is something I don't wish upon anybody," Cutler said during an hour-long visit to Perspectives Charter School Calumet Campus. "But if you do get it, it doesn't have to hold you back at all."

Cutler is looking forward to a pair of significant reunions when the Bears open training camp this summer at Olivet Nazarene University.

He finally has a go-to target again with old friend and former Broncos teammate, Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

"It's going to be fun," he said. "We know what Brandon is, and we'll get Matt (Forte) back at some point. We've got the makings of a good offense, but a lot remains to be seen."

Veteran running back Forte is currently unsigned and has missed offseason training sessions. But Cutler believes Forte will be back by the season opener.

"I rest easy at night knowing Matt's a true professional," Cutler said. "He's going to come in and he's not going to miss a beat."

Cutler will also work with new quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who had a similar run with Cutler for three seasons in Denver. Bates is looking for a mobile quarterback who can successfully maneuver out of the pocket.

"We're doing a lot of stuff we were successful with in Denver, going back to look at all that film and try to incorporate the stuff we've done here in the past," he said. "So it's a lot of give and take."

New offensive coordinator Mike Tice is striving to make the whole thing work, which Cutler called a fun process.

"Mike Tice is organizing and managing it all and putting it in a book," Cutler said. "Mike makes it very enjoyable and Brandon Marshall out there makes it fun. We've got a really great group of guys and it's fun to go to work."

Cutler, who said early diabetes diagnosis and treatment can help kids maintain an active lifestyle, said he's managing his own condition.

"I've got a good grasp of it," he said. "It's a daily process, it's a daily grind. There's good days and bad days and you want to limit your bad days as much as possible.

During his appearance at Perspective, located in a poor, predominantly African-American neighborhood, Cutler observed diabetes testing by personnel from CVS's MinuteClinic and chatted with and signed autographs for high school-age students.

"I think education is the most powerful tool," he said. "If we can educate kids at a young age of what to eat, what not to eat and exercise, there's a lot of things they can be doing even if they are in a tough situation."

Monday's screening sessions paid off for at least one student.

"They found one kid who's at high risk for diabetes," Cutler said. "So that makes it all worth it."
http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/7930321/jay-cutler-chicago-bears-says-thumb-fine-offseason-rehab (ESPN)

http://www.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/index.html?story=12533778 (Chicago Sun-Times)

http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/news/sports/Cutler-Spreads-Diabetes-Awareness/151475775 (NBC 5 Chicago)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-jay-cutler-on-newlook-offense-its-going-to-be-fun-20120514,0,2450198.story (Chicago Tribune)

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By Vaughn McClure <http://bio.tribune.com/VaughnMcClure> , Chicago Tribune reporter

May 15, 2012

As he gushed over the possibility of a dynamic offense, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler <http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sports/football/jay-cutler-PESPT0000018703.topic> tempered his enthusiasm slightly when it came to the offensive line.

"The offensive line is definitely going to be a concern,'' Cutler said Monday, "and seeing where those guys fit in and seeing what five we go with. You know, if Gabe (Carimi) comes back, if J'Marcus (Webb) pans out (and) Chris Williams <http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sports/football/chris-williams-PESPT0014386.topic> , where we're going to put him … there are some question marks there. Until we really get that resolved, get our front five settled, we've got some work to do on the offense.''

Cutler, Type 1 diabetic <http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/health/diseases-illnesses/diabetes-HEDAI0000022.topic> , made an appearance at Perspectives Middle Academy on the South Side to emphasize the importance of being tested for diabetes. He interacted with an exuberant group of students for about 20 minutes before addressing the media.

Cutler assured his surgically repaired thumb is fine and ready to go. Then the offensive line became a topic of conversation.

During the team's offseason workout program, veteran center Roberto Garza <http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sports/football/roberto-garza-PESPT008260.topic> apparently has been the only lineman to consistently work with the first team, according to team sources. Carimi remains sidelined coming off knee surgery.

Cutler said the uncertainty around the starters on the line is his major concern. He was asked if the switch from Mike Martz <http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sports/football/mike-martz-PESPT000009061.topic> 's complex offense to a different system under new offensive coordinator Mike Tice <http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sports/football/mike-tice-PESPT0014445.topic> could alleviate pressure on the line.

"It helps,'' Cutler said. "It's not a cure-all by any means. They're still going to be asked to protect. There are going to be times it's third-and-8, it's third-and-10, we're going to have to take seven steps, we're going to have to have a longer route, and they're going to have to protect.''

New quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who coached Cutler with the Broncos, has talked about moving the pocket more to take advantage of the quarterback's mobility. That could assist the offensive line too.

"It's definitely going to help them: moving the pocket, getting rid of the ball quick,'' Cutler said. "They're not going to be under the distress game in and game out that they were last year."

Cutler has played under duress since joining the Bears. He was sacked 23 times in 10 games last season. He has been sacked 110 times in 41 starts with the Bears as opposed to 51 times in 37 starts with the Broncos.

During the 2010 season, Cutler endured a nine-sack outing against the Giants that resulted in a concussion. Improved line play could help him avoid more of the same, although he knows concussions come with the territory.

"I signed up to play football,'' Cutler said. "I understand you're going to take hits; you're going to get beat up. The league and Roger Goodell <http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sports/football/roger-goodell-PESPT008578.topic> is trying to take every measure possible to protect people.

"And at the end of the day, it's a tough sport. You're going to take shots in the head and you're going to get concussions from time to time. But no one made me play football. No one put a gun to my head and said, 'You have to play football.' It's what I love to do, and I knew the risks and the benefits going into it.''

vxmcclure@tribune.com