Bears Blitz

Published by John Valentovic on January 24, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Interestingly enough, the Chicago Bears’ 2010 season ended much the same way their 2009 season began; with Brian Urlacher publicly defending Jay Cutler.

Only this time, Urlacher wasn’t denying reports that he had made off-handed remarks about Jay Cutler’s toughness while in Las Vegas. Rather, he was left to defend Cutler’s toughness after the Bears quarterback exited yesterday’s game one drive into the second half after apparently sustaining an injury to his left knee.

While an MRI on the knee is still pending, is it really a surprise that Cutler heeded the advice of the team’s medical staff rather than fight and claw his way back into the game, refusing to take no for an answer?

Remember, this is the same guy who demanded that the Denver Broncos trade him before the 2009 season, even though he had only been in the league for three years and only a starter for two of them. 

Does a 25-year-old with just a 17-20 career record have the right to start making trade demands? Well, Cutler thought he did.

Cutler’s time in Denver was not only marred by inconsistency, but also immaturity. He was often seen engaging in endless trash talk with the opposing team (Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, anyone?), or pouting on the sideline when things weren’t going his way. 

He seemed to always blame others instead of shouldering the blame himself.

Perhaps part of the problem can be linked to the fact that Cutler has never been part of a winning tradition, neither in college nor at the professional level.

Cutler attended Vanderbilt University, where despite putting up very impressive statistics, won only 11 of the 46 games he played in. In his first four years in the NFL, his record stood at just 24-29. 

However, he finally seemed to get over the hump this year, leading the Bears to an 11-5 record and a first round bye in the playoffs.

However, numbers don’t seem to tell the whole story with Cutler.

Since coming into the league in 2006, Cutler has stayed distant from both the fans as well as the media. He rarely speaks to reporters, choosing to keep a lower profile than most star athletes. When he does speak, he comes off as arrogant and nonchalant, something that has irked fans both Broncos and now Bears fans.

There is no rule that states NFL players must act like lovable teddy bears at all times.  Still, Cutler is doing himself no favors, either.

Perhaps that is why Cutler is not receiving the benefit of the doubt after exiting yesterday’s NFC Championship game after just one series in the second half. People don’t want to believe that he quit on his team, but his track record might suggest otherwise.

It doesn’t help that people are quickly recalling the 2008 AFC Championship game, when Cutler’s old rival, Philip Rivers, played with a torn ACL. Rivers could barely walk at times, but still, he was out there. Yesterday, Cutler walked without a limp, but all he could do was stand on the sidelines.

So now the Bears know that life with Jay Cutler never has been, and never will be easy.  He is one of the most criticized players in the league, but he brings much of that criticism upon himself. He has a big arm, but an even bigger ego.

The team will almost certainly choose to take the good with the bad, as Cutler has been the best quarterback they have had in a long time. Plus, he did lead the team to the NFC championship game. 

The Bears will have a busy offseason, but their biggest focus will be on selling Chicago on the fact that Jay Cutler can be the team’s long-term, franchise quarterback.

After yesterday, that will be a tough sell.

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