Cutler looks good in Chicago

Jay Cutler gave a glimpse of why he was a Pro Bowl quarterback last season, and how he can transform the Chicago Bears’ offense by his mere presence.

He directed, he rolled out, he threw passes of varying distances and speeds with his strong arm, and one time – on a play that must have made his coaches nervous – took off on a 12-yard scramble.

All part of his first game with his new team at Chicago’s Soldier Field. He played only three series and the Bears scored on all three in a 17-3 exhibition win over the New York Giants on Saturday night.

“He made some great throws to our receivers. He was able to keep a drives going. He’s an athlete. We’re banking on him being able to make plays like that. It was good to see him take another step,” Chicago coach Lovie Smith said.

Cutler’s 8-for-13 passing performance for 121 yards included a TD pass to Desmond Clark and a couple of nice hookups with his former Vanderbilt teammate Earl Bennett.

“He’ll throw it across the field, anywhere, with his arm strength and mobility. You never know where the ball is coming from,” said Devin Aromashodu, who made a 38-yard reception to set up the TD pass to Desmond Clark.

Cutler’s night was made easier by the return of running back Matt Forte and tight end Greg Olsen, both of whom missed the opening loss to Buffalo, when Cutler was only 5 for 10. Forte, a rookie star last season, broke off a 32-yard touchdown run.

Bucs LB Crowell out for season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers say linebacker Angelo Crowell will miss the season with a torn biceps muscle.

The seventh-year pro was hurt during Saturday night’s preseason victory at Jacksonville. The former Buffalo defensive captain signed with the Bucs as a free agent after sitting out all of 2008 because of a knee injury.