Cutler Attacks Brings About Much

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

In the NFC Championship, the Green Bay Packers earned another Super Bowl appearance by defeating the Chicago Bears, 21-14. And the barbs started flying toward Bears QB Jay Cutler.

On a hit, it appeared that Cutler's right knee was twisted in a weird manner. A noticeable limp was seen as Cutler came off the field and he even left the field before the first half was over. He attempted to give it a go in the second half, but was unable to do such. An MRI is scheduled for today.

Cutler's toughness is being brought into question. Current and former NFL players are among those. One network has taken to task of displaying the players tweets about Cutler. Bears fans are burning his jersey. One post I read is stating Cutler's legacy is tarnished. I'll address these in order as I listed them.

I completely understand former (and most likely current) NFL players being quick to beat down Cutler. They have played. They know. Remember Philip Rivers and playing the 2007 AFC Championship in New England with a torn knee ligament? That's why.

What I don't get about is players and former players taking to Twitter to take another shot at Cutler. Really? Maurice Jones-Drew, Raheem Brock and ESPN's Mark Schlereth joining in the parade.

ESPN is even scrolling these and other negative Cutler referenced tweets on the bottom of the screen. I really don't get that. That is poor judgment by a network at its best. Oh, it's ESPN. Can't say I'm shocked they'd pull that move. They hired Colin Cowherd for cryin' out loud.

But all of you are showing a complete lack of class. Why make that public, especially players. I'll again reference the 2007 AFC Championship game where Rivers played with torn ligaments. Why am I going back to that? There was another Charger that did not play in that game due to injury...LaDainian Tomlinson. LT had bruised his knee the previous week against the Indianapolis Colts and missed the second half of that game. How quickly people forget.

And what the hell will burning his jersey do? It's even not close to when LeBron left Cleveland and the fans were pissed and resorted to a similar act. Cutler didn't pull of a self-promotion to make an announcement. LeBron bolted Cleveland.

And when did Cutler ever develop a legacy? You can't tarnish what you don't have. The only "legacy" Cutler has is how he departed from Denver. Nothing more. I get the venom for Schlereth on that. He's a Bronco through and through. To say Cutler has a legacy is a little absurd.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

And kudos to Brian Urlacher...

He was asked about Cutler's injury and his teammates toughness. Urlacher responded (ESPNChicago.com):

"Jay was hurt," Urlacher said. "I don't question his toughness. He's tough as hell. He's one of the toughest guys on our football team. He doesn't bitch. He doesn't complain when he gets hit. He goes out there and plays his ass off every Sunday. He practices every single day. So, no, we don't question his toughness."

Urlacher was then told of current NFL players jumping on the bashing of Cutler.

"Nothing like jealous people who are sitting home watching," Urlacher said. "Players around the league you said, right? Yeah, love jealous people when they're watching our game on TV while their season is over."

And he didn't stop there. Urlacher responded during an interview on FOX. When he was told about the fans reaction..

"Who cares what they think?" he said. "That's my response to them. They are not playing in this game. Jay was hurt, obviously. There's no reason for him to be out there if he can't get it done. He was obviously hurt pretty bad or he would have played. For them to question his toughness is stupid to me."

I'm waiting for someone to say Urlacher was merely blowing smoke. I feel sorry for that individual.

And the support for Cutler does not end there. Bears center Olin Kreutz put his two cents in on the matter.

"I didn't think he was going to even finish the half," Kreutz said. "Then when he came out and tried it again, that amazed me."

And it amazes me that anyone not privy to the information regarding Cutler's injury and not privy to the Bears staff and its possible decision to sit the QB are being so quick to judge. They see Cutler on the sideline and immediately think he can go.

Things aren't always as they seem.

According to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times, Cutler did suffer a tear of the MCL. The degree is not currently know.

But the bashing continues. NFL Network's Deion Sanders tweets he "better see dr andrews operate live on Cutler".

Should anyone expect different from "Neon Deion"? I do miss him on CBS pregame.

Again, so quick to judge.

Off the Wall NFL Predictions for the 2010 Season

OK. They may not all be off the wall, but they are a bit out there. It didn't really take me long to come up with this list or the reasons behind them.

I may lose a few friends and I may gain a few with these.

1. The New York Jets will not make the playoffs.
Gutsy, I know, but I'm not alone on this one. Skip Bayless of First Take on ESPN doesn't have the J-E-T-S making the postseason bonanza either. I've heard too much yap out of the Jets ever since the end of their season last January. And how does Antonio Cromartie say the Jets are the "Miami Heat of the NFL"? Wait. They are. All the names and no hardware.

And where do people get this team is so talented? On defense, sure. I completely agree there. The offense is not loaded. You lost your top rusher from last season (Thomas Jones). You lost a Pro-Bowl guard (Alan Faneca) and you're better? Must be that Santonio Holmes deal. And look on the other side. It's Braylon Edwards. Holmes will miss the first four games and Edwards hasn't seen a pass he can't drop. The receiving corps, including the tight end, is serviceable at best. Half the teams in the NFL are better at receiver and end than the Jets.

Then it must be getting LT. Please. LT hasn't done much over the last two seasons. Don't tell me the Jets talented because they're simply aren't. They're just a bunch of hot air.

2. The Steelers will go 4-0 in Ben Roethlisberger's absence.
I truly thought Dennis Dixon was a far better option than Byron Leftwich. Dixon proved that last season when he led the Steelers into Baltimore and almost pulled off a win. That was all I needed to see from Dixon. I bet that's all the Ravens wanted to see from him, too.

I think the Steelers will struggle once Big Ben returns because of all the changes that will need to happen.

3. The Cincinnati Bengals will once again go undefeated in the AFC North.
People are chattering about all the weapons the Bengals have on offense, but they are selling the defense short. Way short. They were a top-5 unit in the NFL last year. But how can the guys in stripes go undefeated in the division again. I know I picked the Ravens to win the division. The Bengals have a tougher non-divisional schedule. But Cincy knows they can beat them all again. Confidence.

And that offense isn't too shabby either.

4. Jay Cutler will make the Pro Bowl...legitimately.I know the Bears have no legit #1 receiver. I know Greg Olsen hasn't exactly shown the promise that made him a first round pick. I know Matt Forte, a decent receiving back, fell off last season. Cutler gets there because of Mike Martz. Martz is an offensive genius. Ask him and that's what he'll tell you. I know the Bears offense struggled in the preseason, but that was preseason and having an opener against the Detroit Lions can build confidence. There's that word again.

Cutler has the arm but he's lacked the knowledge. Martz will provide that for Cutler and the Bears QB will have his best season thus far.

5. Anquan Boldin will have a better season than Larry Fitzgerald.
I don't think this limb is too long. Boldin has the up and coming Joe Flacco while Fitz has Derek Anderson. Who would you rather have at QB? Look at the supporting cast for each, too.

Boldin: T.J. Houshmanzadeh, Ray Rice, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap
Fitz: Steve Breaston, Early Doucet, Beanie Wells

See what I mean?

6. Carson Palmer will have a better season than Tony Romo.
People look at the Cowboys and, like the Jets, talk about all the talent. Palmer has the deepest, most talented skill position players since he's been a Bengal. Chad Ochocinco, T.O., Jordan Shipley, Jermaine Greshem, Cedric Benson.

It's as good as what Dallas has. Maybe just a tad better.

7. Reggie Bush will lead the NFL in all-purpose yards.
This whole Heisman thing will spark Bush to have his best season as a pro. Some still label the former Trojan as a bust, but they will eat their words this season...if I'm right, that is.

And I'm going to be right. Starting tonight, Bush will actually make his "arrival" as a top-notch NFL player.

8. Statistical leaders for the 2010 season.

• Rushing Yards: Frank Gore, SF
• Passing Yards: Palmer, CIN
• Receiving Yards: Andre Johnson, HOU
• Sacks: DeMarcus Ware, DAL
• INT: Jonathan Joseph, CIN
• TDs: Gore, SF

Gore plays in a division that has awful defenses (St. Louis, Seattle, Arizona) and he gets six games against those teams. That should translate to almost 900 yards and 10 TD in those games alone.

Johnson is purely the best receiver in the NFL.

Ware is a freak of nature.

Joseph is underrated and should have made the Pro-Bowl last season. Motivation.

And finally...

9. Brett Favre's consecutive game streak will end and NOT because of it being the end of the season.

Favre will miss games (Yes, I said games, plural) due to a concussion and not his ankle. This will end his run...and his season.

There you have it. My bold predictions for the upcoming NFL season.

Agree or not or do you have one. As always, the comments are on and feel free to rant.

NFL Week 10: Bears/Niners Recap

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You hear it every week. "Take care of the ball and we'll win." Or something like it anyway. Then why do I have a sneaking, suspicion that the Bears coaches (offensively) aren't letting QB Jay Cutler (right) in on this small, but crucial piece of advice?

If you watched any of the game last evening, you might have come away with the same question. It's also possible that you came away with this question: What is Cutler thinking? That would be a good choice, too. Of course, Bears fans most likely had an explitive ot two added to it.

Bears QB Jay Cutler amassed over 300 yards passing but contributed 5 INT as the Bears fell to the San Francisco 49ers last night. The loss puts the Bears at 4-5 and in third place in the NFC North. With the win, San Francisco also moves to 4-5 and reside in second place in the NFC West.