#PSBSportsChop: In Defense of Jay Cutler – November 22, 2015
By: Jonathan Hemingway @JLHemingwayPSB
I will admit that I am a fan of Jay Cutler. I am fully aware of how silly this may sound to many, but I cannot help it. I am a Bears fan and here are the quarterbacks the team has played since I was a kid:
Jim McMahon (Super Bowl winner)
Mike Tomczak
Doug Flutie
Jim Harbaough
Peter Tom Willis
Steve Walsh
Erik Kramer
Dave Krieg
Rick Mirer
Steve Stenstrom
Moses Moreno
Shane Matthews
Cade McNown
Jim Miller
Chris Chandler
Henry Burris
Kordell Stewart
Rex Grossman
Chad Hutchinson
Craig Kenzel
Kyle Orton
Brian Griese
Jay Cutler
That is a list devoid of a legendary quarterback.
All of these years we have prided ourselves as the “Monsters of the Midway,” but somehow never find a QB with talent. Yes, we did go to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman but this is a guy who had more “Bad Rex” moments than “Good Rex.” Lovie Smith’s turnover creating defense should truly get the credit there.
Then we find Jay Cutler. Highly talented. Highly controversial. I concede what the detractors will say about him:
– He has poor body language
– He makes critical bad decisions
– He does not excude the ‘air’ of a leader
Fact is this: Jay Cutler has won more games and thrown for more touchdowns than any Chicago quarterback, EVER. He may be fatally flawed. He just may never be good enough to lead us back to another Super Bowl. I understand all of this. But I still root for the guy. Why? I am not sure.
But here is an attempt at an explanation…
First: There are LOTS of bad quarterbacks in the league. Sure we could trade or cut the guy, but that would get a guy like Ryan Fitzpatrick or Mark Sanchez…You do not just find an Aaron Rodgers on every street corner.
Second: I am stubborn. I have taken plenty of criticism for Jay’s play in multiple group texts over the years. I would like nothing more than to see Jay Cutler lead the Bears to another playoff appearance. But somehow I think this guy can turn it around.
This season has been a victory for Cutler of sorts. Coach Fox’s new offense has calmed Cutler down. An experienced offensive line has given him more time. While an increased emphasis on the run game has given Cutler balance. His numbers are not gaudy (13 TD’s, 5 INT, 267 yards per game), but they are serviceable. He has kept them in games that last year would have been blow outs. Me, along with many other Bears fans, are very pleased with this year’s start.
We will learn some more about Cutler and the 4-5 Bears when they take on the Denver Broncos, which happens to be Cutler’s (and head coach John Fox) former team.
Jonathan Hemingway is a Chicago sports fan who reps the Bears, Bulls and Cubs. He’s also a diehard NFL Sunday Ticket subscriber. Like Clay, Hemingway’s music taste are wide-ranged and depend on the day. He is also a major part of PeachStateBasketball.com wearing multiple hats with the title of Director of Domestic Scouting and owning CoachHemi.com.
You can follow him on Twitter @JLHemingwayPSB