LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman remained firm in his support of quarterback Jay Cutler on Monday. Not so much for defensive co-ordinator Mel Tucker.Trestman dismissed a report that the Bears considered benching Cutler during last months win over Tampa Bay.Jay Cutler as long as hes been healthy has been the guy weve had in there and wanted to play, Trestman said. Theres been no (indecision) there whatsoever.And, he insisted: As long as Jay is healthy, hell be playing quarterback for us.Even though his completion percentage and passer rating are career highs, Cutlers play is one of the sore spots for fans of the scuffling Bears. He ranks second in the NFL with 15 interceptions and has lost six fumbles after signing a seven-year contract.The Bears (5-8), meanwhile, will miss the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years, certainly not what they envisioned when the season began. They expected to make a playoff run. Instead, they are playing out the string, with New Orleans visiting next Monday night.I think (Cutler) has a very good understanding of how we feel about him, Trestman said. Theres a lot of noise out there. Were all aware of that. You get away for a few days, you know how much noise there is out there because youre not working 24/7. But, were here to do one thing. Today we worked to get better and when we get back here on Wednesday, were going to do everything we can to get ready for New Orleans.As for another report that Tucker will be gone at the end of the season? Trestman would not confirm or deny a decision has been reached.All were trying to do here is to get our football team in a position that we can be better on Monday night, Trestman said. The focus inside this building is exactly that and has always been exactly that week to week. Thats all thats been important to all of us here.If Tucker is let go, that would hardly be a surprise given the way the defence has struggled in his two years. Then again, the same could be said about Trestman and even general manager Phil Emery.For now, Trestman is taking a more narrow focus.Were here to try to get our football team better, he said. You focus on whats important and whats really important is helping these guys to be in a better position that Monday night they can go out and play good football.He said the Bears are playing everybody.All the young guys are playing, theyre playing in different roles, theyre playing special teams. Were moving people in and out in various roles on the back end, at the second level up front, particularly defence, where theres a lot of young players, Trestman said. So, thats not going to change.Marquess Wilson could play a bigger role, with Brandon Marshall out for the rest of the season. The Bears star receiver is out of the hospital after breaking two ribs and sustaining a lung injury in Thursdays loss to the Dallas Cowboys.I think hes off and running, Trestman said. He knows and knew how he would be targeted as we got him involved and certainly thatll grow certainly this week with Brandon out.NOTES: Trestman said the Bears will have a better idea on K Robbie Goulds status later in the week after he sat out the Dallas game with a right quadriceps injury. ... TE Martellus Bennett said he would love to continue playing for Trestman. I love Coach Trestman and I love his approach to the game, he said. But ultimately, I have no say-so in (whether Trestman will be retained).___Online:AP NFL website:
www.pro32.ap.org and
www.twitter.com/AP_NFL .com) - The fading Ottawa Senators have a chance to make up some ground in the playoff race on Tuesday night as they play host to the New York Rangers. . Chile applied pressure in midfield right from the beginning, challenging aggressively and continually surging forward. Eduardo Vargas beat the offside trap and fired home a stinging shot for Chiles opening goal in the fifth minute. .Y. - Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs didnt flinch in the face of adversity. . The 28-year-old lefty made his MLB debut in 2013, making 10 starts and going 2-5 with 4.05 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Albers was named the Twins organizations minor league pitcher of the year for 2013. . "Im not even that added up," the 39-year-old Australian replied. And to the Hall of Famers surprise, when all the math was done Sunday in the JTBC Founders Cup, she was the one posing for pictures with the big trophy.Pittsburgh, PA - The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Chris Dickerson to a minor league contract on Monday. The 31-year-old outfielder has been invited to spring training as a non-roster player. Dickerson split the 2013 campaign between Baltimore and the Orioles Triple-A affiliate, thhe Norfolk Tides.ddddddddddddHe batted .238 with four home runs in 56 games with Baltimore. For his big-league career, Dickerson has hit .262 with 15 home runs, 31 doubles and 60 RBI over 314 games with the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees and Orioles. ' ' '
