Cutler, receivers 'getting there'

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler already believes he has reliable targets in wide receivers Devin Hester and Earl Bennett and tight ends Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark.

But Cutler says that isn't enough.

"We've got to find some depth there," Cutler said after Saturday afternoon's practice at Soldier Field in front of 27,793 fans. "We've got to find some guys we can trust other than Earl and Devin and the tight ends.

"But we're getting there. I'm real happy with the receiving group right now."

So was Bears coach Lovie Smith after Cutler completed 21 of 27 passes in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 passing drills, utilizing nine different receivers.

"I like what the offense was able to do," Smith said. "They continue to move the ball. Our receivers were making plays.

"I think every day Jay gets a little bit more comfortable with his receivers, with our offense. He's an all-pro quarterback, and that's what we're starting to see."

Cutler did his best to get everyone involved Saturday, connecting with five different receivers while completing 6 of 6 passes in the first 7-on-7 session, including an exquisitely placed deep ball into the outstretched hands of Brandon Rideau for a 50-yard gain.

The 6-foot-3, 198-pound Rideau has yet to catch a pass in a regular-season game in portions of four NFL seasons, but he gives the Bears the size that most of the other wide receivers can't provide.

"He's a big target; he's long," Cutler said. "He's got some good top-end speed."

Devin Aromashodu is another lightly regarded big wide receiver who is further down the depth chart than Rideau but is battling for a roster spot and has gotten a few practice snaps with the first team.

Aromashodu has spent most of the previous three seasons on the practice squads of the Colts (2006) and the Redskins (2008), but he played in six games with the Colts in '07 and caught his only 7 NFL passes for 96 yards.

"I think D.A.'s coming along really well," Cutler said of the 6-foot-2, 201-pounder. "He's (showing) some flashes out there. We're working him in with the ones a little bit."

On Saturday, Aromashodu made the most of his handful of reps with a pair of catches, including one of the most impressive grabs of the day, a leaping catch of a Cutler pass deep down the middle for a 27-yard pickup, which drew loud applause from the sweltering crowd.

Cutler said he wasn't surprised by the attendance at Soldier Field considering the record-setting crowds the Bears have enjoyed in Bourbonnais.

He created some controversy earlier in the week when he rated Bears fans a "9," while giving Broncos fans a "6," on The Waddle and Silvy Show on ESPN radio.

Saturday, he explained that he wasn't criticizing Denver fans as much as complimenting the Bears' faithful.

"Denver's got great fans," Cutler said. "I wasn't saying anything (negative) about their fans. I was saying stuff about our camp at Bourbonnais and just how expansive it is and how much money and effort and energy they put into it down there.

"We get 11,000 fans on a (Sunday). If it wasn't for the fans coming out like that, we wouldn't have to have such a big camp.

"Every NFL team has great fans. That's why the NFL and football is the No. 1 sport in this country, because the fans are great everywhere we go. But I still love Chicago fans."

Judging by the rousing ovation Cutler got when he was introduced at the start of practice, Bears fans feel the same way about him.