Jay Cutler is loving Mike Martz

Jay Cutler didn’t have enough good things to say about his offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

“It’s a whole new offense for us so we’re still kind of learning and growing in it,” the Bears quarterback said. “But he does a great job of game-planning, of calling plays in the game, of giving guys opportunities to be successful.

“It’s just different. Mike, he’s a quarterback-friendly offensive coordinator. He’s going to give quarterbacks answers for each play. There’s no gray area. Whenever you see a coverage, you know exactly where the ball is supposed to go. If we have a play that’s up and he doesn’t feel good about it, there isn’t quite an answer to a specific coverage, he’s not going to call it or he’s going to throw it out. In that regard he definitely protects the quarterbacks.”

Cutler also talked about how Martz is using tight end Greg Olsen, who has 10 receptions for 140 yards and two TDs this season. When you think of a Mike Martz offense, tight end is not the position you immediately consider.

“Just talking to Mike when he got here, he’s never really had a guy like Greg,” Cutler said. “He’s always had the receivers and a big blocking tight end. He’s never come into an opportunity to have a guy quite like Greg with his ability to run block and get out on passes and protect and get him on the edge and do a lot of different things with him. I think Mike’s enjoying having a guy like that, trying to create matchups for him.”

Cutler also said the he thinks Martz’ offense lends itself to a receiver with the skill set of Devin Hester, whom the Giants will be more concerned about stopping on special teams this week. As for his own statistical improvement from last year – he averaged 1.625 picks a game in 2009 (26 in 16 games) but has thrown just two in three games this season – Cutler again pointed to Martz.

“It goes back to Mike Martz giving us answers on each and every play no matter what the coverage is,” he said. “As soon as I identify the coverage I know where the ball is going.”