Cutler praises former coach

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Now that they’ve been separated for five months, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has high praise for Broncos rookie coach Josh McDaniels, whom he’ll see in a preseason game at Invesco Field this weekend.

Cutler says in the brief time he spent with McDaniels he could tell Bill Belichick’s latest disciple was an offensive mastermind. Cutler said the Broncos are in good hands with McDaniels and quarterback Kyle Orton.

“He’s going to be a good coach,” Cutler told Denver reporters in a conference call Wednesday. “I think their offense is going to be fine. I think Kyle’s going to be fine. (McDaniels) is an offensive mind.

“Just the brief amount of time I was able to spend with him, he’s impressive. He knows a lot about offenses, he knows a lot about getting guys open and scoring points, as everyone’s seen when he was in New England, so I think they’re going to be fine.”

The Broncos traded Cutler to Chicago for Orton and three draft picks in April after Cutler’s rift with McDaniels became irreparable.

The genesis of their disagreement came when Cutler learned McDaniels had talked to the Patriots about acquiring quarterback Matt Cassel in a three-way trade that would have sent him to Tampa Bay. Cassel was dealt to Kansas City instead, but in subsequent conversations, Cutler couldn’t get assurances from the 33-year-old rookie coach that his name wouldn’t come up again in trade talks. So he asked out.

Cutler said he doesn’t want to rehash the details of their ugly divorce, but feels both sides are happier now that they’re apart.

“I think both sides would change certain things and go about it a different way, but I think both sides are happy now and we’re moving on,” Cutler said of the way his stint in Denver came to an acrimonious end.

Cutler said he’s not exactly hyped for his return to the Mile High City, where he’s still trying to sell his multimillion dollar home.

“It’s a preseason game, we’ve got to keep that in perspective,” Cutler said, suggesting the Bears’ real focus is on their opener against Green Bay next month.

Cutler added he expects a rude reception from the fans Sunday night and wouldn’t expect anything less.

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