Unnecessary Roughness

Anyone who has a facebook or twitter account can attest to the amount of nonsense and nonsensical opinons posted on a daily basis by people who we consider our "friends". 99% of the people who use these mediums are not athletes or celebrities, so when they make useless, un-interesting, selfish, or outrageous comments we just roll our eyes or cringe and wish our "friends" had a filter to stave off the embarrassment that is inevitably elicited from these internet musings. So is it really any surprise that former and current NFL players who have been the center of their worlds since birth would resort to posting controversial, incorrect and useless first thoughts about Jay Cutler leaving the NFC title game with a knee injury?

Is it not surprising that the media, Cutler's #1 enemy due to his refusal to fit their mold, continues to push this story for three days now? There is no doubt Cutler has made some mistakes in his public statements and professionalism since he entered the league in 06' as Denver's next John Elway, but questioning his toughness on Sunday is going way too far. The guy played for perennial SEC punching bag Vanderbilt and ran the option; that is like fighting Manny Pacquiao with a blindfold. He also palyed all season behind a line that gave up the most sacks in the league and took a first quarter blow in the end zone Sunday that I am sure would have left him unable to pass a concussion test if administered. The guy hurt his plant knee, tried to come back in the game where his leg was noticeably shaking in the huddle, and was rightfully pulled by the medical staff. He was rigorously defended by the most prominent Bears players (Urlacher, Harris, Garza, Kruetz) as a tough guy who they would go into battle with every game. His fellow QB's said that he was a major help to them throughout the game. What do you want the body language to be from a guy who was injured in the biggest game of his life so far with his team losing?

I think it is more than fair to question how Jay Cutler played while in the game: he was inaccurate and failed to move through his reads. His passer rating and inability to score points speak for themselves. I also think it is fair to criticize the offense's play calling, primarily the failure to incorporate TE Greg Olson. When your O-line gives up the most sacks in the NFL, not having a better back up than Todd Collins is also more than fair to question. But to attack Cutler with the "not tough enough" accusation is an out of the stadium foul in this instance. And this is coming from a member of Team LC.