Cutler, Smith confident in line despite getting knocked around

Even though Jay Cutler's 121.2 passer rating is best in the NFL, there still are a few areas in the Bears' passing game that need tweaking.

Cutler was sacked only once at Dallas, but he was knocked around repeatedly in the first quarter. He got up every time and wound up having his most productive game as a Bear.

He was asked Thursday if overcoming the rough treatment and early adversity made his game-winning performance even more satisfying.

"Satisfying? I'd rather not take the (hits) and still do it at the end," he said with a laugh. "I was proud of the offensive line. We were under some stress early on and were a little bit shaken, but we pulled it together.

"I thought Frank (Omiyale) did a fabulous job over there (at left tackle) of just stepping in there and taking charge of the situation. If we can make those changes and adjust on the run like that all year long, then we're going to be in good shape."

With No. 1 left tackle Chris Williams unable to practice Wednesday on the injured hamstring that knocked him out of the Cowboys game on the first series, Omiyale is expected to be back at left tackle Monday night against Green Bay. Kevin Shaffer again will fill in at right tackle.

Coach Lovie Smith said he's fine with that arrangement, although he doesn't have much choice.

"I'm very confident," Smith said. "We beat a good football team with that combination. So, yeah, we feel real good about that.

"Our entire group of linemen gives us flexibility. The guys we had on the 53-man roster going in, you have to feel good about them playing at some time during the course of a 16-game regular season and into the playoffs.

"Normally it happens that way. So, yes, we feel real good about the group we're going to put out there this week."

Even if Cutler takes a few more shots, history says he can handle it. The 6-foot-3, 233-pounder has never missed an NFL game because of an injury, which he shrugs off.

"It's a little bit of luck," Cutler said. "I don't know. Hopefully I stay lucky."

Four years ago at the scouting combine, Cutler impressed onlookers by bench pressing 225 pounds 23 times, an unheard of and unattainable number for most quarterbacks.

At least partial credit for Cutler's durability should go to his dedication to preparing for the hard knocks that come with the position.

"Some of it is that," Cutler said. "You don't want to get hit as a quarterback. They try to limit it as much as possible.

"But we've got to be prepared for it, doing whatever you've got to do in the weight room in the off-season to get ready for the punishment because it is a long season."

Cutler's ability to walk off the rough treatment he got from the Cowboys wasn't lost on offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

'Nothing fazed him," Martz said. "His control of this game, his awareness; he was very calm. He knew exactly what needed to be done.

"We'd go over and talk to him about that (and say) 'Here's what we're going to do on the next series,' here's what you can expect.' Got it, and off he goes."

Hits, what hits? Asked how many shots he took to the head in Cowboys Stadium, Cutler said: "I don't know. I forgot."

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