Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears / Photo: Newscom

The truth is, Jay was fined $20,000 for abusive conduct toward a game official in last week’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals. So, it really depends on how you look at it. The bottom line is that Jay Cutler threw five interceptions and the next day he was fined $20,000. The punishment fits the crime.

Source: NFL.com

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Jay Cutler Throws Interceptions, Gets Fined

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears / Image: Zuma Press

Source: ChicagoBears.com

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Jay Cutler Gets Two-Year Contract Extension

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears / Photo: Newscom

This afternoon, Jay redeemed himself with a 27-of-38 passing performance for 236 yards and two touchdowns against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. And during the eight-play, game-winning drive in the rain, Jay completed all three of his passes to setup kicker Robbie Gould for the game winner.

Source: NFL.com

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Jay Cutler Leads Bears Over Steelers

Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos / Image: Zuma Press

The Broncos would probably want a first and third round pick and Brandon would command somewhere in the neighborhood of $9 million (or more). Considering his checkered past, it’s a pretty high risk. Then again, considering his immense talent, it could be a pretty high reward as well. Stay tuned.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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Brandon Marshall Wants to be Traded

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears / Photo: Newscom

It could simply be a case of temporary culture shock. I understand that Chicago is not exactly Denver. But Jay will have to realize his unwritten obligation to the Chicago fans. It wouldn’t hurt him to sign a few things, smile and shake a few hands. The fans are what make the game successful and by turning them away (and off), he’s only hurting his image. Jay should give a little something back to the fans for their support. It’s a lot like being a role model. You might not think you are one. But you are one—like it or not.

Source: Chicago Tribune

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Jay Cutler Alienating Bears Fans?

Jason met with Skins owner Dan Snyder and head coach Jim Zorn:

“We talked for a long time about everything that had happened and the thing I felt the best about was that I got a chance to talk about what I’m trying to do, which is just get ready for the season and try to help this team get to that higher level. (They) let me know how they feel about things and that’s why I’d say it was real successful because now it’s just about moving forward and trying to win. I’m going to be in this offense for my second year, coach Zorn has learned a lot, different stuff that can help us be more successful, and I just think it was real positive today.”

That’s all well and good but obviously the message this trade attempt sends is that the Redskins think they can do better at the quarterback position. And it has to sting Jason’s confidence to a certain extent. But I like the way he is handling himself through this ordeal. If you’re going to be a quarterback in the National Football League, you’d better be ready for some criticism — both internally and externally. It’s not a position that lends itself to a lot of sensitivity. So, it appears Jason has what it takes mentally. I also think he has what it takes physically. I’m kind of surprised the Redskins were even interested in Jay Cutler. While Jason’s numbers may not have been as good as Jay’s last season, you have to consider that he played in a much different system — with a much better running game. So, he wasn’t going to get the same opportunities to throw the football as Jay did in Denver. That being said, in only his first full season as a starter, I thought Jason performed admirably. And I expect bigger and better things from him in 2009.

Source: USA Today, Photo: Newscom

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Jason Campbell is Determined

And even though Jay says he’s not a savior for the franchise (and I agree with him), I think a lot of Bears fans are looking to him as exactly that. Yesterday, I referred to him as the team’s first franchise quarterback since Jim McMahon, so I was probably laying that on him as well. But that wouldn’t be fair:

“I don’t see myself as that (savior) at all. In this league I’ve learned over the past three years it takes offense, defense, special teams and it takes great coaching. If you don’t have all four of those, you’re not going to go very far. Expectations are high everywhere in this league. Obviously in this town they’re going to be a little bit higher because of the fans and how much they cherish the Bears. But it’s going to take everyone in the locker room and everyone upstairs to get it done.”

The Bears have to be thrilled with the tremendous upgrade at the most important position on their team. And even though Orlando Pace isn’t a long term solution, it will be an improvement to have him protecting Jay’s blind side. Nevertheless, it will, indeed, take a team effort to get the Bears back to playing championship football. All things considered, it’s easy to get excited about Chicago Bears football right now. And in my opinion, they are the team to beat in the NFC North. Detroit should show signs of improvement (how could they get any worse?), but the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers could be stagnating or stepping backwards in 2009.

Source: ChicagoBears.com, Photo: Newscom

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Chicago Bears Welcome Jay Cutler

This deal was surprising in that all signs were pointing toward a trade to the Washington Redskins until the Bears stepped in and made the deal worth Denver’s while. Chicago GM Jerry Angelo was understandably excited and pleased about the acquisition. And he could’ve cared less about Jay’s recent reputation for being “difficult” to deal with:

“We felt that he’s a very good person, a good leader. He had some things that happened in Denver. We recognize those, but we treated them as just speed-bumps, part of the growing process. He’s highly competitive, he’s highly emotional. That just comes with the territory.”

Even though they gave up a lot to get Jay, the Bears now have their first “franchise quarterback” since Sid Luckman. OK, I’m kidding. But you can go back as far as the Jim McMahon era to find one and that was over 20 years ago. That’s right, it’s been a running joke around the NFL (and especially in the NFC North) about the number of quarterbacks who have started for the Chicago Bears since 1986. I mean, they had four different starting quarterbacks in 2004 alone. Even when the Bears went to Super Bowl XLI just three seasons ago, it was almost in spite of their starting QB Rex Grossman. Put Jay Cutler on that particular team and I think they beat the Indianapolis Colts.

It was a happy day at Halas Hall. And one Bears fans might remember forever.

Source: ChicagoBears.com, Photo: Newscom

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Broncos Trade Jay Cutler to Bears

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen released a statement today explaining the team’s plans to deal Jay to another team:

“Numerous attempts to contact Jay Cutler in the last 10 days, both by head coach Josh McDaniels and myself, have been unsuccessful. A conversation with his agent earlier today clearly communicated and confirmed to us that Jay no longer has any desire to play for the Denver Broncos. We will begin discussions with other teams in an effort to accommodate his request to be traded.”

Compared to what Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson went through with the Bengals last offseason, this really didn’t seem all that hard. Jay put in a mere 30 days or so of whining and/or the silent treatment. Chad ran at the mouth for six months (maybe more?) and was told, in no uncertain terms, to report for work.

As much as everyone is making a big deal out of new head coach Josh McDaniels’ efforts to trade Jay about a month ago, I think things were headed in the wrong direction as soon as former head coach Mike Shanahan was fired. It certainly didn’t help when coach McDaniels had discussed a deal that would have brought Matt Cassel to Denver (Matt ended up in Kansas City, of course). But I think coach Shanahan’s departure — and Jay’s lack of knowledge about that departure — was what got the ball rolling, so to speak.

Now, the speculation begins as to where Jay will end up. Rumors have been circulating about a quarterback swap with Cleveland (for Brady Quinn) or an arrangement with the N.Y. Jets or Detroit Lions. But it’s all just hearsay until something concrete develops. Now that the Broncos are officially fielding calls about a trade, things should begin to heat up pretty quickly.

Source: DenverBroncos.com, Photo: Newscom

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Broncos Agree to Trade Jay Cutler

Is anyone else tired of hearing about the ongoing soap opera between Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Jay Cutler? At the NFL Annual Meeting today, coach McDaniels said Jay is still the team’s quarterback and he’ll do what he can to improve their strained relationship:

“I’ve always been optimistic. He’s on our team, he’s under contract, and I understand there’s things we have to work toward in our relationship. I’ve heard (Jay’s trade request) but have not heard it from him personally. No one has contacted me, called me, text-messaged or e-mailed me. You take into consideration what anybody is trying to offer up. If the quality of the trade you feel, in the long run, improves your team, you analyze it. It’s been made very clear to me it’s my job to listen to a number of scenarios that would improve the team.”

My guess is Jay’s as good as gone, but I wish both sides would just speed the process along so we don’t need to hear about it anymore. Everyday it’s a new he said/he said and it’s getting absolutely pathetic. The Detroit Lions are interested. Lions general manager Martin Mahew said the team was “open to all options” with the first pick in next month’s NFL Draft. That answer was in response, specifically, to Jay’s availability. Make it happen, already.

Source: NFL.com

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McDaniels-Cutler Saga Becoming Tiresome