It's Turner's job on the line?
The offensive line isn't blocking. When the prized second-year running back has a hole he often misses it. Not only has the new franchise quarterback thrown as many interceptions as touchdowns, but he is buying smelling salts by the case while waiting to hear the most dreaded three questions of all.
How many fingers?
(Al Podgorski/Sun-Times)
What day is it?
Can you wiggle your toes?
If Lovie Smith is feeling the heat, imagine what Ron Turner must feel. The Bears' offense hasn't looked coordinated, which doesn't bode well for the offensive coordinator, who made no attempt to hide his frustration after his offense sputtered against the league's 32nd-ranked defense Sunday. That leaves Smith as the only person who refuses to acknowledge that something has gone horribly wrong. No surprise there. It's all rainbows and bluebirds in his world.
Everybody else knows the offense must be fixed as the Bears prepare for a season-defining four-game stretch that begins with the Arizona Cardinals visiting Soldier Field on Sunday. Smith may be spending more time with the offense than he ever has, but it's Turner who is most responsible.
The next four games could well decide whether the Bears' longtime offensive coordinator returns next season. If he can't get the offense back on track, fans may not have Turner to kick around anymore.
If the Bears fail to qualify for the postseason for the third straight season -- which is looking more and more likely -- changes will be made. It would take $10 million to buy out Smith's contract. General manager Jerry Angelo is signed through 2013, which means Turner's is the head most likely to roll.
''After [six] games I didn't expect us to be making the mistakes that we made,'' he said. ''I don't think we'll continue to make them. We hadn't made that many in other games. I don't know what it was in that last game, but I looked at the film and every mental mistake we made were on base things, and they shouldn't have happened.''
There has been an avalanche of mistakes in other games as well. The opener against the Packers was a disaster. There were numerous gaffes in the loss to Atlanta. The unit was putrid against Cincinnati. The sad truth is, the offense peaked in Week 2 against the Steelers and has been mostly in its own way since.
Things weren't supposed to work out this way. The Bears finally have their quarterback, and yet watching the offense is more frustrating than ever because Cutler's ability should make it easier to run the ball, complete third-down passes and score touchdowns in the red zone.
Having a talent like this means there's no excuse for fielding an offense that has performed as the Bears' offense has for much of the season.
''I talked with him Monday for a long time,'' Cutler said of Turner, who was obviously upset after a 30-6 win over the Browns on Sunday. ''He's just as frustrated as a lot of us are. He's the one calling the shots. Whenever we struggle he's going to be frustrated, and rightly so.''
Turner has been the Bears' offensive coordinator for nine years sandwiched around his eight-year stint as Illinois' head coach. It's an amazing run when you consider the flawed personnel he has had to work with, especially at the skill positions, where so many quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends and receivers have come and gone.
He finally has a talented quarterback, yet his job may be in jeopardy more than it ever has been.
''I see a sense of urgency,'' Turner said Wednesday. ''Everybody else feels about it like I do. We're capable of doing more and should do more. If we eliminate those mistakes, we will do more.''
He better hope so because seven games into the season the offense is still searching for an identity. The rebuilt offensive line hasn't opened holes and Cutler has taken a beating. Matt Forte has taken a big step backward, and Greg Olsen has failed to emerge as a top receiving threat.
The play-calling has been suspect, especially in the red zone, and penalties in key situations have been costly -- all of which, fairly or unfairly, can be pinned on Turner.
Not only is the franchise player not being put in a position to succeed, but he keeps finding himself on his back. Regardless of how strong your arm is, it's not easy finding a primary receiver when scanning the secondary through your ear hole.
It's no way to protect the organization's greatest asset. It's no way for a coordinator to create job security, either.