When Jay Cutler was coming out of college for the nfl draft, there were many who said he should go higher than Vince Young who went 3rd or Matt Leinart who went tenth (of course, those guys are pretty much out of the league, so i guess that analysis was right).
He was praised for his confidence - which should make him a good leader.
Now though, that confidence is seen as cockiness... and many don't like him.
When i turned on the game yesterday, Aaron rodgers threw an interception to Brian Urlacher... then the Bears took the field and Cutler was on the sidelines.
i was kinda shocked because it looked like he was benched. Then they said he was injured.
The thing was, it seemed more like a benching. But i didn't think much of it, except to think the Bears have no chance now.
Cutler isn't a great QB, but he's the best the Bears got.
After the game, all the buzz was about how Cutler quit on the team.
i have to admit, i kinda thought that too in some ways... but... i don't think it's fair to criticize a player for coming out when he was hurt - especially if the coaching staff took him out.
The problem was, i think we should have seen him fight the coaches to let him come back in the game. That's what we want to see.
The criticism that he didn't seem involved in the game was perhaps fair.
But the announcers did say Cutler was seen smiling when the Bears were doing well.
And Caleb Hanie says that Cutler was there encouraging him and helping him.
i think it is pretty ridiculous for Derrick Brooks or others to call Hanie a liar.
If all you're watching is what the tv cameras show you, then how do you know what is actually happening. You have to take the words of the people there.
So, in this case, Caleb Hanie, Lovie Smith, Brian Urlacher- they should do.
i guess people can question his heart. He seemed to be sulking.
i think he was upset for getting pulled out of the game.
He probably wanted to go out there and try to win that game and show that he is better than how he performed.
i guess i'd be upset too if i couldn't play in the championship.
You know who was a choke-artist and who was a whiner and not a team-player? Chicago should know: it's Scottie Pippen. But for some reason the media and others love him.
Even though in the Bulls biggest game to date- he struggled with migraine headaches and played awful. A headahce? really?
Or how about when he refused to go into the game when Phil Jackson called for the shot to be for Toni Kukoc, rather than him?
but i digress... i think Urlacher is onto something when he calls out people for sitting on the couch and not being in the game.
It really is a matter of perception. If people liked Cutler, they wouldn't be saying anything.
Brett Favre and Steve McNair always get credit for being tough. Why? Because they complain about being hurt all the time? Maybe they're the opposite of tough. Maybe they're wimpy and every little bump makes them whine and cry. And then we look at them and say wow because they play thru pain.
Maybe, the problem was Cutler was too tough. People complain because he wasn't on crutches. Maybe he should have been, but refused to use it. Because he is tought.
The guy got sacked 52 times this season? That's ridiculous.
Meanwhile two years ago, it was Josh McDaniels who was widely criticized when he didn't want Cutler, now the same people jump on McDaniels bandwagon...
It is easy to critique when it's not you.
It's easy to find faults in someone when you don't like them, and make excuses for yourself or those you like.
Top QBs in my opinion
1. Brady
2. Manning
3. Brees
4. Rodgers
5. Rothlissberger
6. Philip Rivers
7. Josh Freeman
8. Sam Bradford
9. Micheal Vick
10. Matt Ryan
11. Matt Schaub
after that..
Jay Cutler
Carson Palmer
Tony Romo
Eli Manning
Joe Flacco
David Garrard
Kyle Orton
Donovan McNabb
Matthew Stafford
Matt Hassleback
Colt McCoy
Tim Tebow
Mark Sanchez
Brett Favre
Matt Cassel
after that... who cares
