Cutler, Forte checked out film of predecessors

Quarterback Jay Cutler has watched film of former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, who was the NFL’s MVP in Marc Trestman’s offense back in 2002.

“He slung it around,” Cutler said. “They had a lot of empty sets, a lot of shifts and motions and quick games. The ball was gone. He was fun to watch. He threw it from about every angle possible. He was very, very successful under ‘Trest.’”

Matt Forte has watched film of former Raiders running back Charlie Garner, who caught 91 passes for 941 yards that same year and also rushed for 962 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

“Most of that they’ve done on their own,” Trestman said. “We had a day or two since OTAs where we took principles that we ran in Oakland and spent time looking at those times collectively. Not focusing on Gannon or Garner, but collectively, and these guys have spent some time on it as well.”

There are some similarities in the scheme the Bears will run, but differences as well.

“We’re not just running what we ran there,” Trestman said. “The offense has evolved, and this offense has evolved with the league.”

Time to fly:

After playing three preseason games next to each other, rookie offensive linemen Kyle Long and Jordan Mills get pushed out of the nest Sunday in a game that counts.

“They’ve worked all training camp, and they’ve had three or four weeks together now, and they’ve shown production in games, and they’ve shown production in practice,” offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Aaron Kromer said. “Obviously there are mistakes in any offensive line or any offense in general.

“We look forward to watching them play. It’s going to be their game out there. We’re going to let them loose and call the plays and not be inhibited by what they can do but also be smart about what we ask them to do.”

The Bengals’ outstanding defensive line registered 43 of the team’s franchise-record 51 sacks in 2012, but it can be slowed by an effective run game.

“It helps with your protections,” Kromer said. “It wears the defense down. You always want to establish a running game, but you have to keep it balanced to win and that’s what we’ll do.”

Pete and repeat:

If quarterback Jay Cutler needs help in the huddle — not that he ever would — tight end Martellus Bennett is there for him.

“I’m always there to reassure Jay and make sure he’s calling the right play,” Bennett said. “I’m like his backup guy. Like, ‘I don’t think that (play) is to the right,’ or ‘The ball’s on the left hash, so we’ve got to flip the play.’ I’m like Jiminy Cricket in his ear, just making sure the tight ends are always the quarterback’s best friend.

“I stay in all of the quarterback meetings and the offensive line meetings. So I pretty much know what everyone is doing. I try to help people out as much as possible. I overcommunicate in the huddle.”

The small details:

Offense in general and quarterback play, specifically, are coach Marc Trestman’s areas of expertise, but he’s dialed in to every aspect of the team.

A perfect example was when he was discussing Bengals punter Kevin Huber.

“(He’s) the first of three left-footed punters that we’re going to see over the next three weeks,” Trestman said.