The Bears traded a lot to get their hands on Jay Cutler but in the end it will be well worth it.  Cutler has a great arm and his passes should be able to remain tight even in December home games.  Cutler is improving every year and this could be his true breakout season if he gets help from the skill players on offense.  He certainly doesn’t have the cast he had in Denver so he will have to step up himself and he has the potential to do so.  Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez will battle for the backup job to Cutler this summer and either way the Bears lose.  Hanie has no experience at the NFL level and Basanez doesn’t have the arm to succeed in the NFL.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  B+

The Bears have signed 27-year old linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa to a 1-year deal.  Tinoisamoa played in all 16 games for the Rams last season and he made 104 tackles, defensed 2 passes, had 3 sacks and he forced 2 fumbles.  He has now played in 84 games in his NFL career and he has made 445 tackles, has defensed 25 passes, has 10 sacks, has forced 9 fumbles and he has 7 interceptions.  This was another good free agent signing as the Bears continue to cherry pick what’s left in the market.