LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Jay Cutler isn’t only poised and unflappable in the pocket. The new Bears quarterback has displayed those same attributes while dealing with criticism in his first few months in Chicago.

Super Bowl-winning coaches Tony Dungy and Mike Ditka have publicly questioned Cutler’s leadership ability and maturity, wondering if the Bears took too big of a risk in dealing for the Pro Bowl quarterback. 

Jay Cutler has handled himself like a pro on and off the field since being traded to the Bears in April.

“It’s fine,” he said. “Anytime a player goes to a different team, there’s a lot to take in. There’s an adjustment, not only in this city and with teammates but a playbook. There are a lot of questions out there, and throughout the year hopefully a lot of them get answered in my favor.”

Bears coach Lovie Smith, who is a close friend of Dungy’s, understands that concerns will be raised. But Smith couldn’t be more pleased with the talent level, leadership and dedication that Cutler has demonstrated since arriving in a blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos April 2.

“Jay realizes that he’s going to get criticized,” Smith said. “That’s a part of it. It’s no big deal whether Tony does it or anybody else. That’s just a part of it until we play and we’ll go from there. But I would just go on what Jay has done here, and I don’t see anything negative that he’s done. 

"He’s showed up every day, done everything we’ve asked him to do. Talk to his teammates; see what they say about him. It’s all positive. We’re excited about him being our quarterback this year.”

Setting the pace: New Bears offensive tackle Orlando Pace is featured on the cover of the latest Sporting News Magazine. The cover story focuses on five of the NFL’s biggest 30-something stars who changed teams this offseason. The others are Tony Gonzalez (Chiefs to Falcons), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Bengals to Seahawks), Brian Dawkins (Eagles to Broncos) and Fred Taylor (Jaguars to Patriots).

“It was a weird feeling at first when the Rams released me — after all, I had played in St. Louis for 12 seasons — but it probably needed to happen,” Pace said in the story. “After winning only five games in two seasons, they needed to clean house. I understood that part of it, and I don’t have any hard feelings about being released. I used to go to Chicago at least once a year — usually, it was to go shopping. I’m sure there will be a bit of a culture shock at some point, especially when it gets cold in the winter. I’m an Ohio guy, but I’ve got to get my blood thick again after playing in a dome for 12 years.

“I already had a bit of a feel for the Bears because we played them two out of the last three years. I knew a couple guys on the team and some of the coaches, including Lovie Smith, who was our defensive coordinator in St. Louis for three seasons. There’s a real buzz in the air in Chicago about the Bears. It’s something you can really sense. They held this Bears Expo at Soldier Field and there were a lot of fans who showed up. I probably hadn’t seen such excitement in the offseason since we went to the Super Bowl in St. Louis.”

Backup plan: The Bears are counting on running back Kevin Jones to help share the workload with starter Matt Forte this season. Jones figures to see more action than he did last year when he had just 34 carries for 109 yards.

Jones is another year removed from the torn ACL he sustained late in the 2007 season when he played for the Detroit Lions. He impressed coaches during OTA practices with his speed, quickness and cutting ability.

“We’re a running football team,” Smith said. “We’re going to pound the ball quite a bit. That’s why it’s important for Kevin. It’s also important for [third-stringer] Garrett Wolfe. Garrett has had a good offseason too. … You need at least two and then maybe even three [running backs].”

Covering all bases: Converted from cornerback to free safety, Corey Graham got reps at both positions while also seeing some action at nickel back during OTA practices.

“We’re just doing a little bit of everything,” Graham said. “I guess they are trying to get a feel for where I am going to be. I’m just learning more of the defense, and the more I can do the better it is.”

Graham doesn't have a preference about which position he’ll play; his only objective is to get on the field.

“Right now, that is just what it is,” he said. “You’re trying to find a way to play no matter where it is—safety, corner or nickel. It doesn’t really matter to me. I just want to get out on the field and try to help out.”