Mike Martz praises Jay Cutler/Bears eye Lofa Tatupu

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While some critics questioned Jay Cutler's footwork last season, Martz described it as "amazing" on Tuesday.

"I was kind of stunned," Martz said. "He has done an awful lot of work on his own in the offseason.

"I was kind of giddy to be honest with you because watching him drop right now is textbook, and I didn't know how we were going to get him there, but he got there himself before he came to work and we couldn't be more happy with that."

Cutler's improved footwork may help prevent a repeat of a league-worst 52 sacks from last season. Martz also is looking for help from an offensive line that includes first-round pick Gabe Carimi at tackle and newly signed former Seattle Seahawks center Chris Spencer. Spencer isn't guaranteed to replace Olin Kreutz as a starter, as Roberto Garza is an option to switch spots from guard.

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There is a mutual interest between the Chicago Bears and free agent linebacker Lofa Tatupu, according to a league source.

Tatupu, who was released by the Seattle Seahawks over the weekend, has visited the Oakland Raiders and has a meeting planned with the Washington Redskins.

Tatupu has a strong Bears connection. Assistant general manager Tim Ruskell drafted Tatupu out of USC in 2005 when Ruskell was the general manager of the Seahawks. It's uncertain where Tatupu, who was a middle linebacker during his six-year career with the Seahawks, would potentially fit with the Bears, who have Brian Urlacher firmly entrenched in the position.

But he struggled with injuries the past few seasons and has seen a decline in production. He missed most of 2009 after tearing a pectoral muscle. Last season he played in all 16 games, but his 88 tackles were the lowest of his career in a full season, and he needed surgery on both knees in the offseason.