Bears Notes: Jay Cutler Is Clicking With Adam Gase

By Chris Emma--

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- The reputation of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, fair or not, is that of a player who doesn't get along with coaches. This season, the working relationship between Cutler and offensive coordinator Adam Gase is proving otherwise.

Cutler and Gase have a great comfort together, as displayed by his controlled play in an offense decimated by injury. Cutler has thrown for 1,231 yards and seven touchdowns, with four interceptions. He credits Gase's work as part of the success.

"I just think he does a really good job," Cutler said.

With coach John Fox's move to Chicago, the Bears picked up a surprising addition as Gase came with. Gase was in line to become the 49ers' next coach, but he backed out after San Francisco management attempted to force his hand in selecting a staff.

Gase had great success in Denver with future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. While he didn't want to compare Manning to Cutler, he did point to his Cutler's dedicated demeanor.

"I did not realize how competitive he was," Gase said of Cutler. "I didn't realize how intense he was in practice and meetings."

Cutler's greatest credit to Gase, quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains and the Bears coaching staff is the manner in which they prepare.

In the Bears' comeback win against the Chiefs, Cutler and the offense overcame a 17-3 deficit with 15 points in the second half, including the game-winning drive in the final minute. This season, Chicago has worked around injuries at receiver and on the offensive line to muster a offense that has been productive save for an abysmal shutout in Seattle when Jimmy Clausen was at quarterback.

With Cutler playing, the Bears have averaged 24.0 points per game.

"The whole offensive staff does a really good job of making sure each week (that) we have what we need to be successful," Cutler said. "And I think we do a really good job of adjusting in-game and coming up with solutions for some of the problems we see."

Leno right on the left side

Charles Leno didn't want to be disheartened when playing right tackle this preseason, not by any means. It was an important chance for the second-year player to step in for playing time.

But Leno simply wasn't as comfortable at right tackle as his natural position of left tackle. It reflected in his struggling play on the right side. Now, he's excelling on the left side.

"I've been playing left tackle almost my whole life," Leno said. "I've played right tackle only one year. That's probably the biggest difference, the body adjustment. If you look at the right your whole life, then you look to the left, it's going to be different.

"I was trying to go out there and compete. I was a little too mentally not there yet. I had to let things calm down and play within myself. That's what the biggest change was."

Leno was forced in at right tackle when Jordan Mills lost his control of the starting job in the preseason. Mills was later cut, though Leno struggled as well. Eventually, the Bears moved two-time Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long over to tackle.

More recently, starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod has dealt with a lingering back issues, plus a shoulder injury and a concussion. Leno was called upon to play left tackle, and he's impressed. Veteran teammates like Jay Cutler and Matt Forte have complimented his work.

As Leno's play was spotty at right tackle, his confidence took a tumble, too. But now he's showing strength at his natural position on the left side and seems to have beaten out Bushrod for the job.

Extra points: Bears linebacker Shea McClellin (ankle), center Hroniss Grasu (neck) and defensive tackle Bruce Gaston (illness) didn't practice Thursday. Chicago is preparing to play Matt Slauson at center on Sunday against Minnesota.

Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.