Step Away From The Ledge

I am beyond irritated right now.

Yesterday, I watched Jay Cutler have an amazing game and show the world that he’s a legitimate quarterback.  If you watched the Bears-Chargers game like I did, you cannot tell me that Cutler isn’t a good QB.  Can…not.

Then, shortly after the game, it broke on Twitter that he had fractured the thumb in his throwing hand.  And just like that, the Bears’ season was deemed over.  Deemed over before the team confirmed the injury, deemed over before the first game without Cutler even happened, deemed over from second one that we learned about his thumb.

And now, we get to why I’m so irritated (because I know you care):

First of all, a bunch of NFL writers (who I respect, and you know who you are) are joining in on the “Bears are done without Cutler” fodder.  These are the same writers who said Tim Tebow couldn’t succeed in the NFL (the same Tim Tebow who is 4-1 as a starter).  These are the same writers who said, last season, the Bears won in spite of Cutler, not because of him.

So, I have to ask, which is it?  Is he good or bad?  He can’t be both.  I know some days we have Good Jay and Bad Jay, and when Jay is off, it doesn’t normally bode well for the Bears.  But he’s a good quarterback that is succeeding in an offensive schema where most thought he wouldn’t. 

Please keep in mind I am no expert – I don’t know the difference between cover 1 and cover 2, I can barely identify most penalties and I have no idea what people say when the refer to so-and-so’s Spread Option, West Coast Offense, Wing T, etc.  Not a clue.

I’m looking at the bigger picture here – last year Cutler “sucked” and this year Chicago is lost without him.  Make up your mind people.

Another reason I’m irritated is that no one is even giving backup QB Caleb Hanie a shot.  The same Caleb Hanie who led the Bears on two scoring drives during the NFC title game (the same game where Cutler suffered a knee injury and the internet unleashed a wrath on him I still don’t get.  But this year miraculously they’re not blaming him for his own broken thumb).  And yes, I remember that Hanie did throw a pick-6, but for someone who had barely taken a snap all season, he did a good job.  He’s going in this weekend with more warning, he’ll be prepared, and he’ll be ready to prove something.  Let the guy play at least before you deem him unable to win.  Geez.