I live in downtown Chicago and yesterday was brutal. Today still bad.
As I stand right now, he still doesn't get a pass with me. But I'm torn.
It's hard to question his toughness considering the beating he has taken with the Bears and with Vandy in the SEC, where Skip Bayless swears he was routinely crushed, which isn't hard to believe.
The problem I have with yesterday is twofold. First and most obvious, the demeanor problem on the sidelines while wearing that stupid fucking Bears winter dunce cap. He looked about as tuned into the action as a woman's knitting group field trip to Wrigley in early April, with the Cubs losing 18-3 in the top of the 7th during a freezing night game. That stupid, lifeless, sad sack, bratty, "I want to reach my fist through the screen for one crack at your teeth," completely apathetic, box of a face. He inspires less leadership qualites than anybody I can ever remember on any level, in any sport, who has reached his level of success. Comparisons are futile. Nobody is in this guy's league in terms of unlikable, and that unlikeable has reached new heights. You just can't act that way.
My main issue with him before everybody fully backtracks, was that I don't believe he was adamant about going in at all. That wishy washy explanation after the game, "uh, we tried to plant and throw in the third and it wasn't working out, so they kinda took me out." Kinda took you out???? Of course the Bears are going to say he wanted to go back in. Where I'm torn is whether or not he owed Bears fans going in and risking further injury. I know without a doubt many other players in his position would have tried to play and made it more obvious to everybody that they were seriously compromised. I think Jay knew he was having a bad game, knew his mobility would be limited and hurt his chances which looked increasingly diminished, thought about his future career earning power and maybe risking ending his career with another bad hit on his knee and all things considered said 'no mas.' I guess ultimately i can't blame him for not wanting to risk his career. But it still leaves several or more things. 1) He knew Collins was the backup and they had no chance with him in the game. So he choose career over a comeback the hardest way possible and a possible win for the team. Again, when there is that much money to be earned in the future, maybe I can't blame him. 2) The leg he hurt was his planting leg. Nobody has mentioned this once, but Jay throws 50% or more of his passes off his back leg and doesn't need his planting foot to throw. Seriously. I would have been 100% more satisfied had he gone in for 1-2-or 3 more series and clearly demonstrated that he couldn't roll out at least or move up in the pocket, or thrown entirely off his back leg, which is what he does anyway. The list of QB's I can't imagine coming out of the game that early with the same injury is endless. Sanchez immediately comes to mind. Farve of course and oh BTW does anybody remember the pictures of Farve's purple body and knee after last year's NFC Title game? Big Ben would have been reduced to hopping on one leg had he known Collins was the alternative. Again, I think he decided his well being/career was more important than trying to win that game with all things considered. I've never been in that exact position, so I can't totally condemn him. I just know others would have made it more obvious that they bleed for their team and would have continued. 3) I couldn't help watching him on the sidelines and thinking of all the greats who played through bad injuries. Emmitt Smith with broken ribs, Leftwich being carried down the field by his line to try and win the game, Willis Reed, Kirk Gibson, Rivers with his torn ACL two years ago, ect, ect, etc... What ever happened to a shot of numb to the knee? Again, can't blame him entirely, but others would have taken some pain med and others actually have played through those circumstances. Deion Sanders was on today saying he played through a whole playoff game with the same injury and Torry Holt said he played through a whole season with a torn MCL. The list of guys that have done this/would play through that is long.
Would any of this discussion be happening if it wasn't for his demeanor on the sidelines and he appeared to care more or actually be in physical pain. Answer No.
I must say this whole thing has driven me nuts and I need to let it go. I had to vent about to let it go. Cutler has leapfrogged into the orbit of Milton Bradley in terms of disliked Chicago athlete's. He's not at that level, but I don't think he's far off.
I'd really like to see him do well ultimetly, but man he he tough to root for. I think his time in Chicago and career in general is all downhill from here in the end. I just can't imagine him ever winning a Super Bowl. I suppose for the sake of Bears fans I hope I'm wrong.
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Because I've read a lot of stories about Cutler's love for the nightlife. 
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