Who's the jerk?
According to ESPN.com’s Rick Reilly, quarterback Jay Cutler is some kind of creep because he didn’t idolize any NFL quarterbacks as a kid.
Maybe he had other, more worthy role models like his parents or a teacher.
Reilly rips Cutler because he doesn’t have any endorsements and doesn’t want any. Brilliant. Better he should be a money-grubbing shill, willing to endorse anything for a buck. What kind of a jerk focuses on doing his job at the expense of making easy money? How dare he?
And, according to Reilly, Cutler is misguided because he refuses to publicize his hospital visits to children, especially those who battle Type I diabetes just as he does. Apparently, in Reilly’s world, it’s nobler to draw attention to yourself for doing good deeds, rather than just doing them and not expecting anything in return.
Better Cutler should be like former Bear Ted Washington, a fat, mean-spirited, miserable excuse for a human being, who did the occasional United Way commercial but was a flaming heap of garbage the other 99 percent of the time.
Maybe Reilly was just salty because, after he had invested three hours of his time at Halas Hall, Cutler declined to bare his soul, get in touch with his inner child or explain in detail what it is that makes him tick.
Imagine the gall of Cutler not to genuflect and share with Reilly his innermost thoughts the moment he saw him. What was Cutler thinking? How could he be so arrogant? I mean, this was THE Rick Reilly. How could he dare not answer HIS questions.
Guy walks in off the street and wants to know how many people in the pressroom really know Cutler. Really? How well does anyone in the media or any fan know any of the Bears?
Does Cutler come off as arrogant and disinterested during press conferences? Absolutely. Does he have any use for the media? Doubtful. Does he fail to look people in the eyes when he’s talking? Sometimes, maybe a lot of the time, but he’s getting better.
Does he limit his accessibility to once a week and after the game? Yup. But he’s not uncooperative. For the record, I’ve gotten a decent answer to every decent question I’ve ever asked Cutler.
But then again, I wasn’t trying to psychoanalyze him, and I didn’t have an agenda.
There is an arrogant horse’s rear end in this story, but it isn’t the Bears’ quarterback.
Well done,nice work.
Your thorough thrashing of the multiple straw men you created must leave you feeling like a real man.
- "According to ESPN.com’s Rick Reilly, quarterback Jay Cutler is some kind of creep because he didn’t idolize any NFL quarterbacks as a kid."
- "And, according to Reilly, Cutler is misguided because he refuses to publicize his hospital visits to children."
Should I continue? Reilly said nothing close to these things and in fact used the reference to Cutler visiting children in the hospital as an offset to the negative stuff people say about him. It's one thing to come to the defense of someone you feel is being unfairly criticized, it's quite another to be dishonest in creating false arguments.
Now that we have "Knee-gate" to add to the collection, the point is simply this:
When you act like an arrogant ass, show virtually no interest in answering questions that fans want to hear about and treat people who are trying to help you with disdain, you don't exactly build up a reservoir of good will to fall back on if things get dicey. Now, bring in the whole issue about Jay's knee and is it really that strange to think that people would call into question his heart/drive in playing the rest of the game? I don't question whether he was hurt, but it is an indisputable fact that Jay has put himself in this situation due to his condescending behavior. Perhaps people's perception of Cutler is wrong? Perhaps but Jay must understand perception IS reality and he's created his own perception issue. Quit being a homer and be a little more judicious in what you have to say.
Well written. I was hoping someone in the media would tie the sanctimonious Rick Reilly to the whipping post. I'll be reading all your stuff from now on.
First off, who is this craff character and what aren't we supposed to be getting hot about?
And secondly, great work done by Legere. I can't stand these columnists/writers, whether national or local, who spend an hour or two with an athlete or team and then have all of these scathing opinions.
Rick sounded like a complete idiot at the press conference with his questions and to me, his story came off like sour grapes after Cutler called him out. The only question now is whether Legere will appear on one of those hometown shows with Rick....
Thank you moral compass, I will run things by you the next time I post. Until then, don't get hot about it.
Well written response by Bob Legere. This makes me respect him that much more as a writer even though I do not agree with his assessments of certain NFL quarterbacks. I think Legere is spot on about Reilly and Cutler, but too supportive of an overhyped bad NFL quarterback in Denver named Tim Tebow.
When Legere publicly acknowledges the weaknesses of Tebow as a quarterback I will respect him even more than I do already.
and LeGere is not.
LeGere interpreted Reilly's Cutler article as a total rip job. It wasn't.
It was tight, opinonated, thought-provoking--the very qualities that make Reilly a great writer
LeGere saw fit to devote an entire article to another writer's article. Not only was it borne of jealousy, but it was Reilly who did the spade work. LeGere just wrote about Reilly rather than coming up with a fresh article and doing real field work.
You won't ever see Reilly bother to comment on LeGere. Two completely different stratospheres.
Mike,
Please move out of your parents basement and stop posting this drivel
What thoughts exactly were provoked by this bash piece?
Why is this guy writing that Cutler is one of the most hated people in the NFL? Worse than rapists, animal abusers, murderers, and the like?
Why is this fantastic, gifted sports writer not asking questions more germane to the upcoming playoff game?
Did this guy - this fantastic, gifted writer- come to Chicago with an agenda, regardless how Cutler treated him or answered his asinine questions (which he knew exactly what kind of reaction he would get)?
Why didn't this gifted, investigative journalist come up with more contemporary examples of Cutler's poor attitude since, obviously, he wasn't here to write a piece on football.
I wonder if "journalism" like this is why Cutler exhibits such disdain and contempt for those in the media?
You know, mike143, you're absolutely correct. It was a thought-provoking piece. Leaving me with thoughts that Reilly is a far bigger jerk than Cutler and is far too caught up in himself to write objectively.
Jay Cutler has accomplished something no other QB in the history of the game has been able to accomplish - Lead his team to a number 2 see in the playoffs, after having been sacked 53 or more times, and while having been in the first year of a brand new offensive system (with new OC). Brady, Manning, Montana, Unitas, you name 'em none of them have or could have done it. He is also 15-6 in games decided by 4 pts or less (Rodgers is 2-14). And Cutler is 24-5, when his defense holds opponents to 20 points or less. So the guy is a winner when he has defensive support, and who makes a clear winning difference in close games. Those are the only stats the matter (all the other stats are bogus cause they can be inflated in blow out games). So the guy is a stud, who deserves our praise.
Cutler is not even a top 10 quarterback in the NFL. Brady, Manning, Rodgers, Rivers, Brees, Roesthlisberger, Ryan, Vick, Schaub, Bradford, Sanchez. I would take anyone of them before Cutler. That doesn't take into consideration Cutler's arrogance and complete disdain for the fans. I can't wait for him to fail tomorrow.
Remember this is the first season since high school your hero has had a winning record.
and show a lack of overall football knowledge when you say you would take Vick, Schaub, Bradford, and Sanchez ahead of Cutler. Other than Sanchez, the others either didn't make it to the playoffs this year or have already exited. I can't wait for you to eat your words tomorrow.
Remember, this is the first season since high school our hero has had at least a half way decent team to play for.
Rick Reilly used to be a great writer. What kind of journalist would try to make himself part of the story like Reilly did? It's as if he's working for Mancow or something.
If memory serves, isn't this the same self serving mope who tried his best to make a stir by challenging Sammy Sosa about drugs and drug tests. Whoa...stop the presses!!!! Sosa is lying about drugs!!! Gotta love how they migrate to anywhere someone is winning in a sad attempt to put a negative slant on anything that isn't New York or Boston. What a group ESPN has put together. Just add bust out ex-QB Dilfer doing believe it or not....game analysis and you got the NFL report from hell.
A nice reaction. It´s about time someone in the local media stands up against those nationalsports journalist, rather than trying to find reason to justify their opinions!
The national sports media discounts Cutler at every turn. It has a lot to do with Cutler's refusal to suffer fools. He's not into self-promotion, he's not a media whore and he's not a glamour boy. But he is highly intelligent to go along with being exceptionally gifted as a quarterback.
Let's see what happens when Cutler takes his game to a next level and the Bears win some playoff games. You can bet the ranch the jackwagons in the media who rip on and dismiss Cutler will change their tune. First in line will be Terry Bradshaw and fellow douche Phil Simms.
When I first heard the audio of Reilly's questions, I thought what an idiot this reporter is. Do reporters have to pal around with the Bears or vice-a-versa.
Reilly knew what his story was going to be when he got on the plane from Bristol, and nothing Cutler did or said would change that. Is he a jerk probably... BUT HE IS OUR JERK.
We do not pay him to be a media darling. And how is the whole Media Darling thing working out for Brett Favre, Tiki Barber, Ben Rothlisberger, Mike Vick etc?.. These figures get off the hook because they need ESPN (Eastcoast Sports Propaganda Network) as much as ESPN Needs them. They are even commended for overcoming their self-inflicted "adversity."
Fact is he is the most talented QB the bears have EVER had and we can actually pick up a third-and-nine for the first time in my lifetime.
My exact reaction!
Well done Sir....way to cut that knob down to size. As for Cutler...i'm not a fan but as a fan of the Bears....i just want to him to WIN !!!!
I'm a Chicagoan and Bears fan in DC. Seems like EVERYONE is bashing Cutler. National frenzy seems to be trickling down to local hacks who haven't seen a Bears game all year. Funny thing is, I'd like to see what some of the other QBs in the league would do with the JV line and receivers that Cutler is working with. Would Tom Brady have gone 300 plus passes without an INT if linebackers were in his grill on every play? This guy should get the Navy Cross for just making it through this year. And besides the smirk on his face, he gets up and keeps going back for more abuse. I don't know how talented he is but he is a tough sob.....
Every week there is a new headline about some NFL player pulled over for drunk driving, physical abuse, sexual assualt or some other crime. How many times has Jay Cutlers name apeeared in the headline? Never. He might be aloof and arrogant and maybe a little jerky, but he''s never done anything wrong like serial sexual assault suspect Ben Roethlisberger or convicted dog abuser Vick or even foot fetishist Rex Ryan. Reilly are you saying those choir boys are on a higher level than Cutler?
have you seen that awkward and god-awful show "Homecoming" easily one of the wrost things on tv
like any of us really care about hearing john elway or donovan mcnabb grade school baseball stories from someone who hardly knew them
Don't get hot about it!
only a matter of time before ESPN drops RiMarcus Reilly
I also think Reilly has better things to write about. Whether Cutler wins or loses games is all that matters. But, let's all be honest here - much like AJ Pierzynski - as well as Cutler - whether you like them or not - they simply have a face that you just want to punch. They can't help it - these are the faces they were born with! But, both of them just naturally have these arrogant, "punk kid in the hallway", smartarse looking facial expressions all the time and for whatever reason, they're going to rub people the wrong way. Like when Michael Barrett punched Pirezynski ... AJ didn't really DO anything to him - he just has a face that someone would love to punch. Ditto for Cutler.
That's it - nothing more to it!
Cutler doesn't kiss-butt or curry favor from the ESPN or Fox Sports cartel ..... that makes him a mope?
Trent Dilfer (who?), Terry Bradshaw, Rick Reilly plus the usual Chicago misanthropes like Dave Kaplan and Steve Rosenbloom ... what is it about Cutler that sends them into such critical rage ? They drone on and on about mechanics ... it's really his perceived attitude and demeanor toward the Press that sends them off.
It's interesting that Jim Miller was a huge Cutler-basher on Comcast SportsNet post-game every Sunday. After his extended one-on-one interview with Cutler - he seems less inclined to bash him. I think he got to know Jay a little bit and now he knows where he's coming from.
I think sdw2is summed it up perfectly --- Cutler doesn't promote what he does off-the-field for kids with diabetes or any other public service action. He doesn't kiss-up to the ex-jock media or work the sports talk radio circuit. He takes a beating on the field week-after-week, doesn't have any ProBowl caliber receivers, never complains about his diabetes or uses it as an excuse and (with the help of the whole team) has us in the Playoffs.
If Jay is 'guilty' of anything it's just his demeanor -- we make his aloof and dismissive attitude (at times) toward the media the measure of his personality. I think it's interesting that Jim McMahon came from the same place and was in reality a less talented, oft-injured, bigger jerk -- yet he continues to be deified as a member of the 1985 Bears. I guess a Super Bowl win covers-up a lot of flaws -- we could ask Trent Dilfer.
Reilly is looking for something to grab attention and attract readers to his awful brand of "sports journalism". Can anyone blame Jay for not thinking too highly of the media? Do any of you like the media? I couldn't care less if Jay was all lovey dovey with the media. Just win, baby. Just win.
makes me want to hear some Ted Washington stories.
Yeah, I don't blame Cutler for not talking to Rick Reilly either. I also think it's pretty admirable that he keeps his charity work private. Still, I think all fans would like to hear more from him. Since he doesn't like to talk, I created a blog of things I imagine he would say. Check it out at http://shitjaycutlersays.wordpress.com
Reilly is a total d'bag.
Live in Denver. Life long Bears fan and Broncos fan since 1961.
Spend lots of time at DIA- airport- near the only coffee places Caribou Coffee and the coffee stand in the United concourse.
Have watched Reilly yell at service workers at the coffee place. Asked who was that and they told me. Service employees also told me that he is always an *********. He tells people who he is, always takes extra seats while waiting for a flight- typing, on the phone, talking loud, etc.
Cutler- know one person who knew him in Denver- long time employee- who works at Bronco headquarters- low level. Cutler is a "wait in line", "please, thank you", quiet, non chalant, treat everyone the same- except media people- kind of guy. Will go to Round Robin with clerical people just as soon as go with the GM. Almost every time he went to the diabetes unit at the hospital-no media allowed- he talked to young patients. On the internet, you will see hundreds of Jay Cutler fan taken photos of him with sick kids and their parents.
Cutler thinks media people are scum and they know he does and they are trying to destroy him.
Reilly is scum and his articles about forgiving the dog torturer, and the serial rapist- Vick and Big Ben- well that proves it.
Live in Denver. Life long Bears fan and Broncos fan since 1961.
Spend lots of time at DIA- airport- near the only coffee places Caribou Coffee and the coffee stand in the United concourse.
Have watched Reilly yell at service workers at the coffee place. Asked who was that and they told me. Service employees also told me that he is always an *********. He tells people who he is, always takes extra seats while waiting for a flight- typing, on the phone, talking loud, etc.
Cutler- know one person who knew him in Denver- long time employee- who works at Bronco headquarters- low level. Cutler is a "wait in line", "please, thank you", quiet, non chalant, treat everyone the same- except media people- kind of guy. Will go to Round Robin with clerical people just as soon as go with the GM. Almost every time he went to the diabetes unit at the hospital-no media allowed- he talked to young patients. On the internet, you will see hundreds of Jay Cutler fan taken photos of him with sick kids and their parents.
Cutler thinks media people are scum and they know he does and they are trying to destroy him.
Reilly is scum and his articles about forgiving the dog torturer, and the serial rapist- Vick and Big Ben- well that proves it.
I heard about this yesterday, Bob.......what a stupid thing for Reilly to write about, what crazy suppositions.
Of course, everyone is now talking about it, so perhaps that was his end game all along.
Nicely done. Rick meet woodshed.