Jay Cutler and his "toughness"

[Shi Guy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=6051468
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=6051718

Lots of interesting stories coming out of yesterdays game, but unfortunately the one getting the most attention is Cutler and his supposed lack of toughness. While I can't speak for his physical toughness (though I assume that anyone who has played years of college ball and made it into the NFL is certainly tougher then myself), it's difficult not to critique his mental toughness when players like Rivers are playing with a torn ACL, Brady and Roeth with a broken foot, MJD on a bum knee, and a variety of other players fighting to get back into games after concussions and whatnot.

Cutler has horrible body language, he's had it all through the year, and his porous offensive line certainly hasn't helped. Perhaps that's a significant reason behind his seemingly absent struggle to get back into one of the years most important games. We may never know what sort of discussions went on in the locker room and on the sideline. However, while Cutler may not feel like he owes anyone an explanation, he needs to realize he has a very public occupation, and ignoring the media, the fans, and his co-workers intense accusations will only hurt his career opportunities.

 

[wheeler281]

I think tweeting and facebook has turned out society into mush. . Why do people think we all want to know what they think very second. That is what sparked this in my eyes was the player tweets.
Gotta laugh at MJD and Kirk Morrison and tweets. MJD has been relevent one year.

Envy breeds hate and that is what all the nay sayers have is hate.

edit if this mri comes back with any tears in the mcl or acl people need to man up ad apologize. You can stand without crutches with those tears however you CAN NOT PLAY FOOTBALL PERIOD.. By all the accounts he tried to come back and was told he could not.

 

[reljac]

Cutler is already getting along in his years and has yet to fully put his talent together. I think he is the perfect example of a player that is a failure at the mental aspects of the game.

Specifically:
showing up every Sunday
Mentally tough to overcome a bad play or INT
A leader on the field whom others rally behind
The ability to find something deep within when the game is on the line
The strength to play through pain

 

[RITM]

I'm waiting to hear word on the official diagnosis. Obviously I thought it was odd that he couldn't play but was able to put his weight on the leg standing on the sideline. My logic is drop back in shotgun and move as little as possible. One would think a 30% Cutler would be more than the 2nd and/or 3rd string QB. The thing that stuck out to me that was not addressed in any of the articles was how little Jay was communicating with the 2nd and 3rd string QB when they were on the sideline. I would think that in a game of that magnitude you would want to help your backup with as much advice as possible. I doubt the team will reveal the official diagnosis if it is something he could've played through. If word gets out that it was a lesser injury than any of the ones other players have played through in games of less significance he will be done in Chicago, even if Urlacher thinks Cutler is tough.

 

[wheeler281]

FTR NOBODY PLAYS THROUGH TEARS IN ANY PART OF THE KNEE

 

[Shi Guy]

FTR NOBODY PLAYS THROUGH TEARS IN ANY PART OF THE KNEE

Which may be true, but Cutler needs to step up and defend himself. His injuries may not be anyone's business but his own, but he's being torn apart in the court of public opinion, and he's ignorant if he thinks that won't have any effect on contract talks down the road.

 

[wheeler281]

FTR NOBODY PLAYS THROUGH TEARS IN ANY PART OF THE KNEE

Which may be true, but Cutler needs to step up and defend himself. His injuries may not be anyone's business but his own, but he's being torn apart in the court of public opinion, and he's ignorant if he thinks that won't have any effect on contract talks down the road.

The court of public opinion means nothing. He did defend himself. He said at the podium he tried to go back and was not allowed. What do people want him to do. Scream and jump at the podium.

As far as contract talks. He will get that money. Still better then most qbs in the league

 

[morgoth]

Alot of players have played through tears in the knee ligaments. Phillip Rivers did very recently. You run the risk of getting a full tear and a much worse surgery but it can be done, with proper medication.

The issue is how much do you risk for a SB chance? I am pretty sure most players in the NFL would have tried to play in that situation if at all possible.

Saying the trainers said not to go is false. They ok'd him to start the second half and he pulled himself out of the game. He told the trainers it was a no go. Smith said after the game the same thing, Cutler pulled himself not the other way around.

 

[kobe24/8]

I have to agree with wheeler, in the fact that facebook, and twitter are turning society into crap, plain, and simple. As a guy who did play college football, and as a guy who has had 3 knee surgeries for torn ACL/MCL/and PCL, I will say this. When you have the "reputation", (personal) that Jay has, he is either da**ed if you, da**ed if you don't. While a players toughness, especially at the NFL should NEVER be doubted, it is hard, when you have the personal reputation, Jay has, and alot of people don't like him.

We have, nor does ANYONE else, EXCEPT the Bears locker room know what TRULY went on. Maybe he was checked out at halftime, was told "Hey, try the 1st series, and if you can't go", let us know, and we will move on. I get the whole "It's a championship game, you will do whatever it takes" mentality, and I appreciate the guys...a.k.a. Philip Rivers who do go otu, and play with a torn ACL, but maybe Cutler takes his body more 'seriously'...I don't know...

I know that from personal experience, when it's a knee injury, there is a "fine line", as to whether to go, or not to go. Sometimes, you do more harm, than good by trying to play on it. If it is determined, after a MRI, that there was more to his knee than we all know, well...maybe people will get off his back...If it isn't that bad, well then....people have the right to say what they want...


Sometimes, the public wants to be "jailhouse lawyers", or "sports doctors", and that isn't fair to anyone. But, I feel that a NFL player, knows whether, or not they can go back in a game, or not. And when Brian Urlacher says "Hey, I am not questioning his toughness", than I see it at face value, cause the last time I checked, he could whip all of our a****, and NOT think twice about it, and I think as a player he has EARNED the right to be trusted at what he thinks, and says, as a player, person, and Jay's teammate.

With that baeing said, I look forward to seeing what the MRI says, and then I think everyone can make a more formal decision then, cause at this point we are all speculating. However, with Jay's personality, he is not well-liked, and that doesnt help your cause either...I guess I see it from both sides... :|

 

[justinmandawg]

Anyone that plays with torn ligaments in their knees (speculation) is a moron. A friend of mine that played in the league nearly lost his leg by doing so. Now he can barely walk.

 

[Shi Guy]

Look out Wheeler, I'm making a thread! :lol:

 

[HEAVYHITTER]

Alot of players have played through tears in the knee ligaments. Phillip Rivers did very recently. You run the risk of getting a full tear and a much worse surgery but it can be done, with proper medication.

The issue is how much do you risk for a SB chance? I am pretty sure most players in the NFL would have tried to play in that situation if at all possible.

Saying the trainers said not to go is false. They ok'd him to start the second half and he pulled himself out of the game. He told the trainers it was a no go. Smith said after the game the same thing, Cutler pulled himself not the other way around.

50% Cutler is better than what followed. He should have been in there.

 

[wheeler281]

Look out Wheeler, I'm making a thread! :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: omg please no. I will agree. I will agree :twisted:

 

[wheeler281]

Anyone that plays with torn ligaments in their knees (speculation) is a moron. A friend of mine that played in the league nearly lost his leg by doing so. Now he can barely walk.

Agreed. he is not even at 10% with those issues and could end his career

If the MRI comes back clean though it could get ugly

 

[justinmandawg]

Anyone that plays with torn ligaments in their knees (speculation) is a moron. A friend of mine that played in the league nearly lost his leg by doing so. Now he can barely walk.

Agreed. he is not even at 10% with those issues and could end his career

If the MRI comes back clean though it could get ugly

I'll bet he has surgery sooner than later.

 

[Shi Guy]

Anyone that plays with torn ligaments in their knees (speculation) is a moron. A friend of mine that played in the league nearly lost his leg by doing so. Now he can barely walk.

I'd agree with that. I guess it all comes down to how "shortsighted" the player may be? Is it worth risking long term injury to give your team the best shot at the Super Bowl now? I would guess that only the player, and the organization that has invested in him, could answer that. I'm sure Earl Campbell would have a few words to say about the long term effects of football.

These MRI results may be the most anticipated of the year...

 

[pigskincardboard]

Anyone that plays with torn ligaments in their knees (speculation) is a moron. A friend of mine that played in the league nearly lost his leg by doing so. Now he can barely walk.

Agreed. he is not even at 10% with those issues and could end his career

If the MRI comes back clean though it could get ugly

I'll bet he has surgery sooner than later.

He'll have surgery regardless, I bet. One of those, "cleaning out bone-chips and scar-tissue" things.

 

[kobe24/8]

This is going to be the most anticipated MRI in the history of sports. Boy, there is going top be some serious PR work to do, if it comes back clean...Wonder if Ditka would have made him go in there, or kicked his tail till he did :lol:

 

[cgilmo]

no one should play with a torn knee ligament, ever, end of story.

I don't care if people have done it before. It should never be attempted.

 

[wheeler281]

Anyone that plays with torn ligaments in their knees (speculation) is a moron. A friend of mine that played in the league nearly lost his leg by doing so. Now he can barely walk.

Agreed. he is not even at 10% with those issues and could end his career

If the MRI comes back clean though it could get ugly

I'll bet he has surgery sooner than later.

He'll have surgery regardless, I bet. One of those, "cleaning out bone-chips and scar-tissue" things.

edit I hope they let the true results out.