Aug. 11--The Chicago Bears completed their 11th training camp practice Tuesday morning at Olivet Nazarene University and will now turn their attention to Thursday night's preseason game at Soldier Field against the Miami Dolphins.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and most of the first-string offense will likely play through the first quarter Thursday, hoping to get in the ballpark of 12-15 snaps. Cutler is eager for to step up to another measuring stick for the offense, no matter how brief it may be.
After Tuesday's practice, Cutler spoke with reporters about a variety of topics.
On his personal goals and his hopes for the offense against the Dolphins on Thursday
"We want to get in and out of the huddle. We want to limit our mistakes, our mental errors. We want to get some first downs and move the ball and just kind of attack just like we have been trying to do throughout camp."
On whether there are any noticeable differences under offensive coordinator Adam Gase in how the Bears run their 2-minute and 4-minute offensive packages
"Adam, he's an offensive coordinator of his own. I think myself, the rest of the quarterbacks and the rest of the offense, for that matter, really like what we're doing right now. We really enjoy the coaches and being around them. In meetings, there's a lot of energy from this group. So it's fun (on a) day in and day out basis.
On what he's seeing out of receiver Alshon Jeffery in their fourth season together
"Today he had a great day. I think from spring until now, he's been consistent. He's been one of those guys who each and every day comes out here, works hard, runs good routes. I think he's done a good job off the field of learning the terminology, learning the details of what we're asking him to do and it's showing on the field."
On what the next step for Jeffery is
"Just continuing on that growth pattern. He's got to stay on the process that he's going through and understand that each day he's got to improve, got to get better. I think him and (receivers coach) Mike Groh do a great job not only while we're working but while special teams (work) is going on. Before practice, after practice -- just pushing and doing things on their own to make themselves better and better."
On not yet throwing an interception during 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 work during training camp
"I think it's a combination of everything. I think Adam does an incredible job scheme-wise of putting quarterbacks in the right position. But a lot of it goes on the offensive line, the way they've played throughout camp, and the receivers getting open. They all have to do their job and I've got to put it in the right spot, and those 10 other guys have done a really good job."
On whether his lack of interceptions is an indication that he'll be a better quarterback in 2015
"You never know. Camp's camp. We're not getting hit. These aren't live bullets. So we'll see what happens when we start going."
On the strength of Gase to tailor his offensive system around what his players do best
"That's definintely true. We're not going to run things if a guy can't do it or if someone's uncomfortable with it. Because we don't want negative plays. And Adam doesn't want to put us in positions where we might fail. So we're doing everything within our power to get good schemes but along that line of not running blanket plays. If a guy runs a route a certain way and does a good job with it, let's let him run it. If a different guy isn't so good, let's find something that he's better at."
On his inability to fully connect yet with injured rookie receiver Kevin White
"It's tough. It's tough. I know he's frustrated. Everyone else wants to see him out there. But it's one of those things where we have to do what's best for him in the situation and make sure that whenever he's ready to come back, he's ready to come back. So I've been talking to him on the side and just keep encouraging him. He's a really good kid. He wants to be out there. So we've got to be patient with him. And when he gets out there, we'll have full-go with him."
