Matt Bowen

The Bears can move quarterback Jay Cutler out of the pocket Sunday in Jacksonville using boot action on third down situations needing 2 to 6 yards. The Bears can establish the run, set the bait and win on crucial downs by giving Cutler multiple targets in...

The Cowboys and quarterback Tony Romo can create big-play opportunities Monday night with wide receivers Dez Bryant and Miles Austin using max-protection schemes up front. They will keep eight blockers in on protection and test the top of the Bears...

The fallout from the NFL's "bounty" scandal is centered on the Saints with coach Sean Payton banned for the year, interim coach gone for six games and general manager Mickey Loomis out for eight weeks. The Saints — one of the hot picks to contend...

Through two weeks of the season, the Rams defense has leaned on coverage schemes in third-and-7-plus situations to take away vertical concepts. Sunday at Soldier Field, the Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler can attack the Rams secondary running deep,...

The Bears rookies aren't ready for Sundays just yet after watching them practice during mini-camp this weekend. That's normal (and expected) when they step on the field for the first time. I saw signs of technique, footwork, etc. that need to be...

When the quarterback talks in the NFL, the rest of the locker room should listen up. Like it or not, they are natural leaders in the pro game because of the position. And when they raise the bar, as Jay Cutler did with his offensive line earlier this...

I'm trying to figure out Jay Cutler. I really am. I can see the talent, the arm strength and the underrated athleticism Cutler shows with his ability to extend plays outside the pocket. He's physical. He's tough. And there isn't a route in the playbook...

After a turnover in the NFL it is time to go up top and test the secondary. That's exactly what the Bears did against the Browns on Thursday night when quarterback Josh McCown hit Dane Sanzenbacher on the Pump-Seam for a touchdown after a Jeremy Jones...

On Brandon Marshall's 21-yard touchdown reception Friday night, the Bears had their Posse personnel (three wide receivers, one back, one tight end) on the field in a "Doubles Slot" formation. How did the Giants counter? They called for their base nickel...

The first two NFL exhibitions are essentially an extension of practice. No game plans or film study to prep for an opponent. Dry, dull contests with base concepts and starters running to the bench early in the first half. Line up and play ball. That's...

NFL players don't trust the guys in the suits, tucked away in the big offices, removed from the locker room. There is no loyalty (or honesty) here when it comes to the relationship between players and management. Produce on Sundays or call the moving...

Everyone is replaceable in the NFL. That's a hard lesson many veterans in Chicago and across the league will learn when the NFL draft begins Thursday night in New York. Rookies aren't just drafted to provide "competition" or "depth" to the roster...