Once Again Chicago Sports Media Fails

David Haugh and Brad Briggs of the Chicago Tribune wrote this on September 23rd of this year about the Bears negotiations with Center Olin Kruetz:

Over a difference of $500,000, the Bears seem willing to risk the stability of their offensive line and the direction of the 2011 season.

Today, the New Orleans paper reports Kreutz is quitting.  In light of this:

Kreutz just returned to the lineup last Sunday at Tampa Bay after missing two games with a knee injury. And he and the rest of the Saints' line appeared to struggle during the 26-20 loss. Though it's hard to clearly evaluate a center's performance, Kreutz clearly didn't seem to be playing up to his lofty standard this season. Pro Football Focus rated him as the No. 31 center in the league so far this season.

His manager said Kreutz, is not retiring, doesn't have any problem with the coach or the team but is going home to spend time with his family.  How nice for him.  And how incredibly selfish to his teammates.

Now I genuinely appreciate the reporting of Haugh.  Not only is he normally accurate (outside of being politically naive) but he often has an unusual take or two that other reporters miss.  He’s a very good writer.  Briggs has a thin skin but is also unceasingly diligent at least in his reporting.  But the opinion piece they tried to pass off as ‘reporting’ is all to indicative of the liberal bias and ignorance of sports media.  Rush Limbaugh was fired (and blatantly misquoted) for saying McNabb wasn’t that great of a quarterback (which is statistically accurate), but Keith Olbermann who blatantly libels anyone he disagrees with, kept a high profile sports commentating role on NBC Sunday Night Football.  ESPN 1000 staff freely derided conservatives in the 2008 and 2010 election despite, again, facts showing we were absolutely correct in our assessment of the liberal hypnotism they were all under.

Briggs, and Haugh aren't the only apologists for an overpaid, aging player that they - and the entire Bears squad incidentally - adored.  ESPN 1000's Waddle and Slivey and others reamed Jerry Angelo for "not paying the man." And it's another reason we thank God that profit-driven business people run sports.  And the Chicago sports media doesn't.

Comments from New Orlean's fans?

Funny how Kruetz was untouchable for blame in the running game but since he's gone, Forte is having a breakout year.

I understand how teammates Chris Harris and others prejudiced their view of what was "right" or "wrong" by a close friend and leader.  And maybe it is all of sports media that publicly chastises and demeans micro-decisions of people who actually have to LIVE with their decisions and don't have the luxury to take pot shots without any consequence.  But the Kreutz decision shows a larger issue makes CAPITALISM great.  Selfish financial interest has a way of giving CLARITY to those who are actually impacted by the decision.  The BEARS set a value on the problems they had with Kruetz.  Possibly a clue to mental as well as physically diminished skills.   It doesn't take away one bit from all he accomplished as a Bear and as a player.  But thank God this quitter wasn't on the team this year.  If he wants to keep his image and legacy intact, I hope he apologizes to the New Orleans Saint team, owners and fans.

Lord knows I'm not holding my breath for the Chicago media to do the same.

New Orleans Saints center Olin Kreutz decides to leave team - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

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Did Julius Peppers Question Lovie Keeping Him In?

Chicago Bears' Julius Peppers in after game interview  was asked whether Lovie asked him how he was feeling before the game to determine if he should play.  Pepper responded, "He told me I was going to play so that was it."


It seems Peppers WANTED to say he didn't think it was the smart thing and at least should have been taken out with the score up.  You decide.  Video here.

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Cutler Kudos But I'm Entering Fan Free Agency

I have been very, very hard on Cutler.  I called him a wuss.  I said he lacked leadership.  I wanted him off of my team.  (and I still might.)

But, I hate people who, when they are shown wrong, don't equally be honest in addressing their earlier statements.  David Haugh is a little too complimentary for me in his Trib piece today: Expert: Cutler Played His Best Game of Season Last Night, but he is right.  "He marched into what was hell of an offense," and didn't give up.

Yeah, I saw a few Jay jeers, but give up he did not.  Seifert at ESPN makes the point:

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Cutler was under duress Monday night on a higher percentage of his passes than any quarterback in a single NFL game this season. On 16 of his 38 passes, Cutler was either forced from the pocket, had his throwing motion altered or faced a defender with a clear path in his line of sight. He was sacked three times and hit six times, according to press box statistics.

And we can't even blame him (Troy Aikman) for holding on to the ball.  He was - good. (Crow is very hard to swallow.)  The O-Line is horrible.  And has been since 2006 when Rex Grossman received way too much blame for exactly the same thing.  (And a great case for firing Jerry Angelo the GM.)  But Jay didn't look like he quit this time.  And I acknowledge an appreciate it.

I also appreciate Urlacher's tone and responsibility.  He called out his own unit and himself.  Frankly, although they did miss a number of assignments (Chris Harris looked completely lost last night), in many ways I felt they faced a superior offense even over Green Bay.  No - Rodgers is still better - MUCH better - than Stafford.  But as a unit, I still maintain that Detroit will when the NFC North.

And until Lovie Smith and Angelo are replaced, I am declaring FAN FREE AGENCY.  As players often say, "it's not a game, it's a business."

Well, I'm taking my business elsewhere.  I will be looking for the best Tim Tebow jersey deal later today.  Despite the inevitably that Denver will likely not make the playoff's, I just want to enjoy someone with a positive attitude that will give 100% every game.

I'm also sick of the Chicago media that will take this effort of Cutler's and start warming up the ovens to make a bronze replica of his "heart" to place in the shadow of Michael Jordan's statue. C'mon man.  The guy played one good game and still has the attitude of Eeyore. I hardly think we'll be confusing him with Brett Farve or Joe Montana.  Just as they unjustly gave Orton more credit than Grossman, I see a little bit too Cutler cultishness coming on, and I for one have had enough.  A few games back to back like this, without the sullenness of the QB or sophistry of the media - I'll be back.  In fact, less face it.  I'll always be a Bear fan no matter what they do or who they play.

But just like that canned cranberry sauce at the Thanksgiving dinner from your family member who just can't cook - I need a respite from my Bears before while they sort this out.

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Is Tim Tebow a Hall of Famer? (Start Caleb Hanie!)

I thought this article was about Tim Tebow!

The Sun-Times ran an article last week called "Is the Bears’ Devin Hester a Hall of Famer" and it got me to thinking how maligned he was by the press and the "experts" both at University of Miami and in Chicago.  He was drafted as the 57th overall pick in 2006 (2nd round), but primarily as a cornerback.  Bears officials said they drafted him as an "athlete" and not for a particular position, but Hester's viewpoint is hilarious - knowing what we know now:

"...but I don’t want to be labeled as just a special teams guy"

And this after loosing his starting position on the Hurricanes.as cornerback.

When Hester had his dry spell with no kick or punt returns for touchdown in 2009, some not only blamed his transition to the designated #1 receiver, but others that he had "lost it."  I was simultaneously chuckling and shaking my head in disbelief when, with his first TD punt return this year, the whole hall of fame thing filled the blogs, the articles, sports TV and  social media networks.

What a fickle world we live in huh?  My point is - no one knows who will make it, how they'll make it and when they'll make it.  Often, not even the players themselves.  And sportswriters who make excuses for their team favorites (that's you Waddle, Briggs, Haugh and the Chicago media Cutler-Enablers), should dare to dismantle their group-think.

But there is a common denominator in winners.  Heart will optimize talent everytime.

Which brings me The Mile-High Messiah.  I started my Tebow man-crush with many fans during the famous Florida-Mississippi defeat diatribe. As we all know by now, despite his amazing collegiate accomplishments, the conventional wisdom is that Tebow couldn't make it as an NFL quarterback.  His passing mechanics are terrible.  He's a system quarterback.  He can't take a snap.  Big School QB's don't translate to the NFL.  Florida QB's don't translate to the NFL.  Running QB's don't translate to the NFL.

The all time stunner is that WINNING college QB's don't translate to the NFL.  What?  Of course, that blogger wrote a piece today praising the brilliance of Fox playing Tebow and how he is the answer for the franchise.

Andrew Garda, ESPN blowhards I don't want to give any more attention to, and resident village idiots like this, all should be men this morning join me in now begin the campaign to draft Tebow into the NFL hall of fame. 

Too soon you say?  He didn't even WIN the game he energized yesterday?  Pish posh.  I've got just about of good of chance at being right as any of the overpaid hacks who think they know how ANYONE or ANY TEAM will end up.  If you want to have a gas, go look up the Sports Illustrated and ESPN pre-season NFL or college rankings with how they actually ended up.  If Mel Kiper was financially penalized for every wrong prediction he made, he'd be in a debtors prison in Islamabad for life.  

It is the same reason in politics polls mean nothing in predicting winners.  Remember Fred Thompson (GOP) or Howard Dean (DEM)?  But leadership and heart ARE much better predictors of the future.  But there were many who saw leadership in Ronald Reagan long before it became poplar.  What we learn is that the adoption of IDEAS is the same for consumer products.  JUST on the "Can Tebow play in the NFL" question, we likely moved into the "Early Majority" although it is interesting that MOST PEOPLE will not accept truth until AFTER it happens.

It is easy to be on the Tim Tebow train this morning - but how about 15 minutes before he even was called to play in the game?  here is a couple of comments from the Bronco fan forum from yesterday:

Here is what is interesting.  The same guy, with the same talent everyone wants to coronate today, was castigated yesterday.

So what's your point, PolitiJim?  My point is that EVERYONE has potential in something.  It isn't just the talent of the player that "makes" him, as know - but as with our favorite football flick RUDY, all heart will not make you first team either.  At least in football.

And it isn't just up to the player either.  I am still mad at Lovie Smith and Mike Martz (aka Frick and Frack) for playing Todd Collins (aka Dip Van Winkle) when Jay Cutler went down in the NFC Championship game last year.  What could have happened if Smith/Martz recognized Hanie's ability to move the offense, oh, at half time?  Collins generated a 6.2 passer rating (no that's not a typo) in a week 5 game against the Panthers that Hanie had to come in and save, but somehow he miraculously was a better an option after he marinated on the bench 12 more games?  WHO believes in us important as well.

And it's why I feel Jay Cutler should be benched if he shows even an inkling of that prima donna smirk when things don't go his way.  Talent is NOT everything.  And as Tebow has proven, experience may also be overrated.  The TEAM needs to know that Cutler believes in them.  How else do you explain that the same coaching staff, with the same players against the same team in the same game suddenly are competitive?  It's called leadership.  Even after a three and out on his first series in the game, Tebow impacted THE ENTIRE TEAM.  Look at this comment:

Why did it happen?

Do PolitiJim, you're saying we should BELIEVE in Tebow but NOT BELIEVE in Cutler?

Yes, with three other important directives: 

• Since I have this unusual gift and insight into predicting success (I told Denver fans they would hate Orton), I would like Bears coaches and front office to run everything by me first.
  
  
• Cutler's got raw talent, but the not the right 'winning' attitude.  He couldn't even win at Vanderbilt!  Bench him now in the hopes that he will find himself, Jesus or a vowel.  Anything that will release his inner Tebow if he has it.
  
  
• Dear Denver.  We would like to give you Jay Cutler back.  His Pro Bowl appearance was obviously caused by some weird mix of your oxygen deprived fan atmosphere and his weird DNA, and we'll throw Brian Urlacher in to boot.  And if you take that deal, we have a shiny new offensive line you might be interested in too.

But, as ridiculous as it is now - I'll go on record that Tebow will be seriously considered someday for the Hall of Fame.  Just as my Christian brother Devin showed the amazing return qualities he did in Miami, TT's "winning" mindset will make a place for him before Kings in Canton. You heard it hear first.  The "experts" have proven it is just as much chance of happening - as their ridiculous forecasts.

THE DEVIN HESTER CASE FOR HALL OF FAME "Devin Hester is the most prolific kick returner in NFL history. Four games into his sixth season, he already holds career records for punt-return touchdowns (11) and total kick-return touchdowns (15). Is that enough to earn a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? No one has made the Hall of Fame as a return specialist. The three special-teams players in the Hall are kickers, and only Jan Stenerud was exclusively a specialist. Lou Groza was an all-NFL tackle, and George Blanda threw 236 touchdown passes, 21st on the all-time list. (Hester has modest, though not insignificant, numbers as a wide receiver — 168 receptions, 13.1 yards per catch and 12 touchdowns. But his Hall candidacy is based almost entirely on his return-game excellence.)"

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Hey Enablers: It's Jay Cutler's Fault

Am I Kicking Cutler When He's Down?

In Moon Mullins excellent piece: Cutler Making Martz Look Bad? he begins:

It has been a convenient theme that the problems with the Bears’ offense, besides Mike Martz’s game-planning, has been that the organization has not put sufficient talent around Jay Cutler for him to be successful. 

That is also a convenient lie.

I have been incensed with Waddle & Silvey (Chicago ESPN 1000 morning radio hosts) and most of the Chicago press who continue to shield Cutler from criticism.

Are these the same media guys who were verbally hanging Grossman in effigy WHILE he took them to the Superbowl?
Some, like Haugh, have been forthright in agreeing Rexy did NOT get a fair shot with the media when he wasn't sexy. Here is a great comparison at a point in 2008 when the media who had been excoriating Rex suddenly said, "well maybe it's the offensive line." When Orton came back from his ankle injury in 2008 and posted a 60ish passer rating - it was because "it never did heal"

Bearcrap.
I can't (and won't) make the case it is NOT the offensive line. (We all know that is part of it.) But except for the effervescent and shining Moon here, the Chicago media is now wanting to change the subject to Angelo, Martz, Lovie, and the receiving corp. Mullins has the best argument why this is a misplaced focus that I've heard so far:

First, it is a poor craftsman who blames his tools, so anything along those lines from either Cutler or Martz is poor buck-passing.

Second, part of what great quarterbacks (or players in any sport, for that matter – see: Johnson, Magic; or Bird, Larry) make the players around them better. Cutler is not doing that, unless it is somehow the case that Earl Bennett,Johnny Knox, Dane Sanzenbacher, etc. are really, really garbage and are being “saved” by Cutler. Don’t think so.

At some point, the spotlight comes to rest squarely on Cutler. That as much as anything was the case Sunday. At this point, Cutler can only be viewed as a middle-of-the-pack quarterback, which in fact is about where he’s generally rated. Nothing special.

Can anyone tell me how the same unit can look so dominating against a good (not great) Falcon team and look so miserable against the Saints and Packers? Yes, Packers have more talent, but why then against the Saints? Bears were only down a field goal until mid-way through the third quarter.

Here is why:

Jay Cutler is a wuss.
No, I don't mean that he is afraid of getting hit, or doesn't play through pain.  Even if he wasn't 6' 3" / 220 lbs, his scowl could probably kick my ass.  But I'll say what Moon Over My Sanity didn't say,  he is a mental and emotional wuss.


Did you ever wonder how, in the NFC Championship game, Caleb Hanie suddenly moved the offense more in 1/2 Quarter than they had all day?  It was the same O Line, the same recievers, the same offensive coordinator and the same opponent.  Yes, Caleb got rid of the ball quicker.  Yes the game seemed much more un-win-able.   (Why doesn't my word editor think that's a word?)


But a leader stepped in who find a way to make it work.  He almost led the team back to victory.  Todd Collins couldn't.


In the loss to the Saints, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman immediately began showing sympathy for Cutler's lack of protection and I guess most of the Chicago media is now parroting that line like MSNBC does for the Democrat party.


I forget who said it, but last week when Cutler was obviously complaining to Shane Day the response was, "with that kind of coverage I don't blame him."


Really?  As Moon points out not only was Cutler widely inaccurate when he could throw - he had wide receivers in perfect position.  From the fourth quarter of the Saints game throughout almost the entire Packer game these were expressions of Cutler:

Do you ever remember seeing Jim McMahon (or Payton Manning, or -gag- Brett Farve) with similar looks for more than a minute?


Of course not.  Because no matter how bad things got, they encouraged, motivated, challenged, assured, and exhorted their teammates.  THEY INSPIRED.


Am I saying that the Bears would have won if Cutler took a licking and kept on ticking?  I dunno.  I AM saying that didn't have a chance in Heinz Field without it.


Waddle was a good player.  I love him (as long as Silvey is there) on ESPN 1000 Chicago.  But I'm shocked he isn't ignoring EVERYTHING but attitude here.  Regardless of the receiving talent, regardless of his protection those team members FOLLOW their quarterback.  If he looks defeated - why are we shocked that they aren't performing?


A leader doesn't look defeated.  I don't care if he's been sacked 20 times a quarter.  He doesn't start looking sullen, depressed, annoyed and pissed out.  He fights.


One thing you can say about a Ditka team.  You never, ever wondered if every single player had given their best on any given day.  Chicago fans can live with loosing - if we at least have a leader with broad shoulders.

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