LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Arizona’s ability to stop the run might force Jay Cutler to air it out on Sunday, but the Bears quarterback said he will be mindful of Cardinals Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson.
“You look at him – he’s 6-foot-1, 220 pounds and then he runs a 4.3 40-yard dash,” Cutler said. “You see him jam guys and then run with anybody on the field. He's got unbelievable ball skills. He’s a guy you have to be aware of and you have to know where he is at. He’s not a guy you really want to take a lot of chances with.”
Peterson could draw the assignment of shadowing Bears No. 1 wideout Alshon Jeffery, who practiced on Thursday without restrictions.
“I don't know what they'll do,” Cutler said. “You know, because we have so many formations and we do go pretty fast, I don't know if they're going to want him running all over the field or not. We'll play that out when we get there.”
Voted to four straight Pro Bowls, Peterson has 15 career interceptions since he entered the league in 2011.
“Peterson is physical, great ball skills, able to just mirror guys -- it’s almost like the receivers are telling him what route they’re running before the play,” offensive coordinator Adam Gase said. “The guy’s a phenomenal player and he’s a tough matchup for whoever ends up on him.”
Working in Cutler’s favor is the improved health at wide receiver. The trio of Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson and Jeffery was active in Week 1, but Jeffery appeared limited by a calf injury. With a full week of practice under their belts, Jeffery and the rest of the receivers should, in theory, be more effective.
“[I] hope [we can do more this week],” Cutler said.” I though they guys we had fought hard on the outside against Green Bay and saw a lot of man-to-man. Similar situation this week. Arizona is not afraid to play man; they are not afraid to come and get you and bring more than you are capable of blocking.
“I thought they’ve had a good week. I thought the last couple of days, Royal, Jeffery, Wilson and Marc Mariani, all of those guys competed hard out there. We’ll see what we have on Sunday.”