Weekly Musings from an Irritated Blogger (6/8)
This week, it's all about the mainstream media. I have a piece on Rick Morrissey, the LTP love, ranking the top football reporters in Chicago, and the Cretin of the Week.
Let's get on with it, shall we?
Rick Morrissey: Resident Tribune Blowhard
Rick Morrissey is a terrible sportswriter. He is eloquent at times, but even the most erudite writing cannot erase the stench of horrible and backwards logic. This may seem like an easy rant that fills some space on a webpage, but follow me here.
I am citing two of Rick's articles: An article written on 4/3 and the most recent one written on June 5.
They mean that the concerns I and several others raised before and after the Bears traded for Cutler didn't come out of nowhere. They're not a figment of someone's imagination. The way he handled himself when he wanted out of Denver is just one example of someone who might be a bit too preoccupied with himself. He went into a profound sulk when he found out the new Broncos coach had eyes for another quarterback. (6/5)
Rick, what has Jay done in Chicago that raises red flags in your head? He was spotted enjoying a few adult beverages? News flash: Athletes do that. He didn't sign an autograph for a fan at Wrigley? You're right, athletes should be available to anyone at all times. He hasn't done anything in Chicago that is worrisome. He hasn't missed one day of voluntary workouts. I put voluntary in bold face so you fully understand what he's doing. Stop resting on his past behavior and turn the page. Why aren't you writing about other athletes who have done horrible things? Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Al Afalava, I could go on. Why aren't there any articles about their maturity level?
But I'll say it until I'm navy blue in the face: The Bears need wide receivers, not a quarterback. It's why some of us were willing to put up with Terrell Owens. Putting up with Cutler doesn't sound fun or necessary. (4/3)
Yeah, who would want to put up with a quarterback who can toss the ball longer than 15 yards? I'd rather get my nails pulled out with a rusty pair of needle-nosed pliers. And who was excited, minus you, of getting TO? I sure wasn't excited, and I'm sure most people weren't either. I'm not going to discuss the obvious point of the QB vs. WR argument.
Know what you're getting -- a 26-year-old athlete who doesn't yet possess the leadership skills you would like in a quarterback. It doesn't mean he won't acquire them or that he won't grow up. It means a bona fide star would not have played poorly in the final three games last season, causing his team to miss the playoffs. That happened to Cutler and the Broncos last year. (6/5)
Uh....Rex and Kyle both had three-game streaks similar to Cutler's. Again, where are the articles about them?
If Cutler grows up and the team finds a decent wide receiver, the Bears will win 10 games in 2009. If he doesn't, they will be no better off and possibly worse than what they were with Kyle Orton, who went to Denver in the Cutler deal. I'm choosing to be optimistic in that regard. (6/5)
Rick, I agree that we need better receivers. However, you seem to be backing off your WR comment in the 4/3 story. Regardless if the Bears don't get another legitimate wide receiver, the Bears will win 10 games. And second, even if Cutler throws a hissy fit at some point in the season, we will not be worse off than we were with Orton.
Look, I know you feel the need to be "above the fray" and not being excited about Cutler is well within your right. However, give credit where credit is due. You wrote before the Cutler trade that Jerry Angelo was too conservative in his duties. Then he made the trade and you were still upset. Pick which side you want to saddle up on and stay with it. It's really not hard.
You are an idiot with a bully pulpit. That's a problem because you are able to spread your toxic knowledge to anyone whose brain isn't firing on all cylinders, which in turn breeds more meatball Bears fans. Here's hoping the Tribune axes you to save some money in this tough economy.
Speaking of MSM....
Have I missed something here? Ever since the Pisa signing, the MSM has been all over it, from looking at his contract to numerous articles of how excited he is to be a Bear.
MSM, give it up. We realize he's excited to be a Bear. Know why? He could choose where he wanted to go! Write an original history piece or dip into your mailbag once in a while; don't bash us over the head with LTP love. We're excited too, don't worry.
Ranking the MSM members
Writing "The Den" every day and reading the MSM reporter's pieces since I was a young'n gives me some knowledge of what each reporter brings to the table. Here's my list and I'll run through the reasons afterwards:
1. Brad Biggs
2. Jeff Dickerson
3. David Haugh
4. Vaughn McClure
5. Larry Mayer
6. Bob LeGere
7. Steve Rosenbloom
8. Rick Morrissey
Brad Biggs is my hands-down #1. He is an intelligent writer who doesn't write the lame "usual" pieces: He's broken down the contracts of signed players, digs deep for historical relevancy, and he knows the draft.
Jeff Dickerson is a late bloomer on the scene, but I've found him to be similar to Biggs.
Minus the flip-flopping at times, David Haugh is my #3. When he does publish articles, they're well-written and knowledgeable.
Vaughn McClure goes ahead of Larry Mayer because McClure usually writes more often than Mayer does. Plus, Mayer is essentially the Bears PR guy, so that's why he's down at #5. Bob LeGere deserves #6 because he rarely posts. Steve Rosenbloom has been better lately, but he needs some time to jump LeGere. You all know how I feel about Morrissey.
How do you rank those guys? In your opinion, are my rankings completely off-base?
Cretin of the Week

Rick Morrissey. I don't need to go any further.
Last Week's Winner: ESPN
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51 comments
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Comments
I can't wait...
…to prove Rick Morrissey wrong…
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
by HoneyBear on Jun 8, 2009 9:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bears Beat Reporters:
In the print media, Biggs is number hands down, I agree.
Dickerson is also doing a great job as a blogger but he does not do enough meaty pieces on his own. I like his consistency but if I had to pick an issue it’s that he too often is quoting other media outlets with information. Not enough digging.
David Haugh is probably the most substantial “writer” of the group but he’s not keeping up with the times and does not maintain a web presence which hurts his ratings from this fan.
Larry Mayer should not even be listed with any of these guys. He is not a journalist. He is an employee of the Bears— part of the marketing team.
I don’t have too many deep thoughts on the other guys in your list— they are neither here nor there for me.
The one Bears beat reporter who always had some interesting perspectives, esp when camp starts, is Zack Zaidman (sp?). He’s not a writer but he’s a good reporter. He seems to get good access, provide good insights and do some decent analysis. His views may be a little homeristic at times but he’s not over the top. I’d put him up there just behind Biggs as a great source of info on what’s happening with the team.
by The Kaiser on Jun 8, 2009 9:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I like your list
I agree with Biggs, Dickerson, and Haugh. With Dickerson, I’m hoping that the offseason will bring out some of those bigger, in-depth pieces.
Larry Mayer does put out some good stories (he did some nice pieces around draft time), but like you said, he is a Bears employee.
Zaidman is a good one too….when the season is going on, he does a fantastic job. If he decided to write, I’d be pretty happy reading him instead of some of these other guys.
I'M A MAN! I'M 23!
by ChiFan13 on Jun 8, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't believe I'm defending Morrissey
but you guys are taking this this way too seriously, out of context, and not really reading the same article that I’m reading. He never suggests that he would rather have Orton than Cutler and has not said that since Cutler was on the market. What he said was IF Cutler’s maturity level is poor and IF we don’t improve the WR situation, then we’re no better off than we were with Orton. He also defended Cutler in the article regarding “drinking some adult beverages” by saying let’s reserve judgement on that and “he’s not the first athlete” to do so.
I know it’s the off-season and we’re looking for anything to write about, but let’s not go overboard and put words in people’s mouths. I’m not a Morrissey fan and never have been, nor am I a Dungy fan, but all these two guys did was offer a concern and mention the risk involved. The way I read both articles, I don’t see where either of them says we would be better off with Orton or that the Bears should not have made the deal. They’ve just stated some of the issues surrounding the trade.
by BearFan611 on Jun 8, 2009 9:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This guy wrote this Dungy piece just to pat himself on the back for an opinion that most don't agree with.
That is silly. I think it is totally fair to distort anything he says considering the distortion he makes about Cutler blowing the Broncos playoff hopes. What a joke. Without him that team is top 5 in the draft. Not only that but down the stretch the defense gave up 30, 30 and 52 points. Wow. Cutler should score 30+ every game. In two of those games he threw for over 300 yards and in 2 he completed over 63%. He wasn’t amazing in those games, but there were other issues as well.
http://www.nfl.com/players/jaycutler/profile?id=CUT288111
Your boy is making up stuff and that doesn’t sit well with me. There is no integrity in misrepresenting facts to make your story or opinion sound better.
Kick it to me... I'm open!
by #23 on Jun 8, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
MY Boy????
Learn how to read. I said in my comments that I’m not a fan of his and never have been. As far as your “link” it also shows 2 TD’s and 4 Interceptions in thos 3 games. I don’t think Cutler caused the losses, but he certainly didn’t go out an win any of the games that would have put them in the playoffs. What he and Dungy are both saying is that “Superstar QB’s” probably would have found a way to get the job done in one of those. All that is being stated is he is still young and will have a lot to live up to in Chicago. If he finds the pressure too much, that could hurt his chances, if he can take the pressure, he’ll be fine. You and several of the readers here are making this an all or nothing issue, which neither of them did. I also don’t see where you say he’s “making stuff up”???? What did he write that isn’t true outside of his opinion vs. yours? I didn’t watch any of those games, so I can’t tell you how much, if any, affect that the turnovers had on the scores. This has never been a comparison of Cutler vs. Orton except when you guys are making it that. It’s an opinion based on some real history. One of the first statements in the Morrissey column reads “Let’s be clear: Dungy’s recent comments don’t mean I’m right in saying Cutler is a maturity risk. They don’t mean Dungy, the former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Colts, is right.”, I find it odd how no one here has remembered that.
by BearFan611 on Jun 8, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, you are the ones putting words in my mouth.
You are defending this guy, I never said you were a fan. And calling me a boy. Grow up, this isn’t high school. You’re running around like the hall police. People have a right to opinions. The problem with yours is you don’t bring anything of your own to the table. And no, when I provide you all the info, doesn’t mean you get credit for it. I knew he threw 2 TD’s to 4 picks. He also moved the ball and threw pretty efficiently in 2 of those games. TD/TO is not the only stat that matters. Sometimes you run in the red zone and don’t get credit for a TD.
My problem with this writer is that he builds his arguments on basis information. Most likely this all stems from him not wanting Cutler here because he thought Orton was ok, and would have rather have seen us go after a WR. He possibly thinks we traded too much. If that is what you want to say, just say it, but don’t distort stuff to try to prove your point. Was Cutler great down the stretch? No. Was he ok? Yes. Was his defense a joke? Absolutely.
Dude, as far as him saying he is right or wrong. You act all high and noble for pointing out his false humility, while forgetting that my only comments have been the credibility of the way he presents facts.
You are the one misremembering.
Kick it to me... I'm open!
by #23 on Jun 8, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Piggybacking off that
The way I read both articles, I don’t see where either of them says we would be better off with Orton or that the Bears should not have made the deal.
Point-proving time. This was a block quote I used in the article, so I’m confused as to how you missed it.
If Cutler grows up and the team finds a decent wide receiver, the Bears will win 10 games in 2009. If he doesn’t, they will be no better off and possibly worse than what they were with Kyle Orton, who went to Denver in the Cutler deal. I’m choosing to be optimistic in that regard.
That sure looks like he’s saying that we could be worse off with Cutler rather than Orton to me.
I know it’s the off-season and we’re looking for anything to write about, but let’s not go overboard and put words in people’s mouths
I never put squat in Rick Morrissey’s mouth. I wish I had, because then his articles would have at least some semblence of logic.
But onto your “writing about anything” point….it seems as though I’m not the only person who feels this way about Morrissey. I stand by my article and will continue to do so.
I'M A MAN! I'M 23!
by ChiFan13 on Jun 8, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just think you're reaching on this one,
but as I’ve always said, this site is for opinions. No one is necessarily right or wrong. I don’t happen to agree with you in this case.
by BearFan611 on Jun 8, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You still haven't learned how to read
when did I call you a boy? Your comment to me in your response was that he was MY boy, which was the reason for my subject line. You are going to make this whatever you want to make it, so no sense even arguing about it.
by BearFan611 on Jun 8, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is funny how you are attacking people for having an opinion and now backing off and saying it is ok to have one.
Kick it to me... I'm open!
by #23 on Jun 8, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When did I attack anyone for having an opinion?
You can go through virtually anything I’ve ever posted on this site and I never have questioned anyone’s right to have an opinion. I was only speaking to the things that were being interpreted but were never said by either Morrissey or Dungy. I completely agree that anyone can, and should, have their own opinion about anything written, but I also feel that things should not be taken out of context just to support that opinion either. I felt that was what a lot of people were doing on this subject. Again, that’s just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions and a**holes, everybody has one.
by BearFan611 on Jun 8, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your right and I'm wrong, I apoligize completely.
There was a comment made about not reading his articles if you don’t like them and stop posting about someone if you don’t like them. It was in connection with the previous conversation about this and I thought it was from you. My apologize. My only disagreement with you I guess is the reason this article was wrote. I question his motives and I think it is clouding the way he compiles his facts. He is out to make himself look good with an unpopular opinion and the facts he is using to back it up are poor.
Think about this. Why would the Bears receivers be worse than last season? They were almost useless last year and that isn’t counting all the horrible throws (and there were plenty). Why would you think the QB position would be worse this year? No one in their right mind would think Orton is better than Cutler regardless of any intangibles. So our receivers can’t be worse, our QB is much better, our OL is definitely better, our QB takes pressure off the RB which combined with better line play should increase his game, our QB has not played with a good RB yet – so that should increase his play.
Their are many more reasons to believe this offense will be much improved and honestly our defense wasn’t that great last year. So I don’t see where he is coming from on this at all. My guess is he was against the price paid in the trade, that he wanted a WR in round 1, he liked Orton, or something and he is writing these pieces to make himself look good. Let your work make you look good, not you telling me how good you are.
Kick it to me... I'm open!
by #23 on Jun 9, 2009 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No problem, mistakes happen
I agree with you completely about the WR’s, but my interpretation of what he was saying about Cutler/Orton is that IF Cutler succumbed to intense pressure and IF the Bears management didn’t do anything to improve the WR situation then we wouldn’t be any better off and possibly worse (only because of the fact that Orton did handle the media well) at QB. It sounded more like he was putting the Bears management on the hotseat than Cutler. I really didn’t get the impression from this article and other articles he has written on the subject, that he would rather have Orton, but that’s just how I read it. Like I said, I’m not a Morrissey fan and would rather read Hough, LeGere, Pompei, and others, but I just felt that a lot of people were misinterpreting this particular article.
Look forward to “going at it” with you again on other stuff.
by BearFan611 on Jun 9, 2009 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Umm...
His “my boy?” reference was clearly asking you why you would refer to Morrissey as “his boy” which you did in your message.
Look, there is only one line in this Morrissey article I don’t agree with: “It means a bona fide star would not have played poorly in the final three games last season, causing his team to miss the playoffs. That happened to Cutler and the Broncos last year.”
I disagree with this because he is implying that Cutler is not a bona fide starter, which, of course, he is. I think this is a result of poor word selection.
I don’t have any other major issues with the rest of the story. Fact is that he is a bit more skeptical than most. And he is pointing out that he is not alone. And he is mostly pointing out that at this point in the off-season, no Bears fans want to hear even an ounce of skepticism.
Frankly, I wish there was a bit more Morrissey going on in both the local media and the fan base. I am not comfortable at all with the incredibly lofty expectations that are being set for Cutler and this team and I am especially not comfortable with the possibility that if he doesn’t meet the expectations, the media and fan pressure from this city that comes down on him and the entire organization may be too much for him to handle initially.
by The Kaiser on Jun 8, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for being the "voice of reason"
that was exactly the point I was trying to make, but you were much more eloquent.
by BearFan611 on Jun 8, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What Morrissey has done is outline a doomsday scenario.
He is basically saying that if everything falls apart. If Pace misses 12 games and Williams’ back is still a mess and the pass rush is the same as it was last year and we have a revolving set of safeties and Forte has a sophomore slump and Bennett picks up right where he left off last year and Iglesias and Knox follow suit and as a result Cutler keeps trying to make plays where none exist and throws a ton of int’s…well, then Jay, Jerry and Lovie will be under tremendous pressure and scrutiny by the fans, the National media, the talking heads, the analysts and everyone else.
So, can Cutler deal with that?
Rex and KO, despite all their inadequacies, did deal with that. I don’t know if Jay can or can’t and I hope we don’t find out . The chance of “the perfect storm” happening like I just described are slim and to even raise it is means you are being quite skeptical and pessimistic. But I have no issue with anyone asking the question if they so chose to do so…
by The Kaiser on Jun 8, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe YOU should start writing some of these articles...
it’s no secret that i’m the “SIZZLE EXPRESS”, but in a way, this article brings perspective to a “whirlwind” that’s overcome the chi… i’m not happy when i read these articles but it’s not like he’s falsifying information… does he STRETCH it? yah, i guess one could say and not be in the wrong. let’s get something straight, the media is the one that fueled the overly consuming fire, so… it makes sense that some in the media might attempt to quell some of the enthusiasm…
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 8, 2009 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
At the same time
Those ‘doomsday scenarios’ are rather lame and constitute weak journalism, IMO.
I'M A MAN! I'M 23!
by ChiFan13 on Jun 8, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The point you were trying to make was that we shouldn't be hard on journalist that we don't agree with.
Kick it to me... I'm open!
by #23 on Jun 8, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like you read my reply and made it your own.
My beef was distorting the 3 games at the end of the season to mean what he wants. You seem to agree that his analysis and conclusion is weak based on those three. In that way I agree with you.
My mistake about “the boy”. I can own it. Sounded like he was saying I was a boy. That is more than what I can say for some. But I think my point is valid.
We are free to have opinions on here and criticize a journalist if we choose. Man it would be one thing if we were negative all the time, but we aren’t. Get over it.
Kick it to me... I'm open!
by #23 on Jun 8, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Morrissey and Rosenbloom are awful.
Thanks for calling our Morrissey.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jun 8, 2009 9:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Calling "out"
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jun 8, 2009 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anytime brother
I’m happy to do it :)
I'M A MAN! I'M 23!
by ChiFan13 on Jun 8, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
morrissey sucks, with everything else done this offseason, he thinks we are one game better than last season, that is ridiculous. You have to guess that with the addition of cutler (even if the wr position stays the same) we should have a least one extra touchdown game, and there were five games last year that we lost and we were with in a touchdown.
"snuffalufagus fucks my shit up"
by leopoldjones on Jun 8, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh... and BTW Rick
It means a bona fide star would not have played poorly in the final three games last season, causing his team to miss the playoffs. That happened to Cutler and the Broncos last year. (6/5)
Just so you know… the Broncos lost those final 3 games:
10-30 @ CAR – 172 yards, 74.3 QB rating
23-30 vs BUF – 359 yards, 72.4 QB rating
21-52 @ SD – 316 yards, 74.9 QB rating
Pretty hard to win, when your defense surrenders 112 points in 3 games. And his passer rating in those 3 losses were all greater than both Kyle Orton (71.1) and Rex Grossman’s (70.2) career averages.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jun 8, 2009 10:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't throw FACTS at him...
…they make him melt like the wicked witch he is. Despite all the hot air, he’s still a good QB and better than anything we’ve had in a long time. All this speculation as to his maturity has done is made us even more willing to defend him against the haters – the real question is, though, how long the goodwill would last if he ended up with Bears-QB-like numbers (which, I may add, I don’t see happening).
by SouthSidePolack on Jun 8, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
@ Car the Broncos offense scored 10 points in the first and then were scoreless the rest of the game . The score at halftime was 20-10 surely enough time for the Broncos to come back in the game and the defense even forced a TO in the 3rd quarter . The two Broncos offensive scores led to 10 Carolina points as well.
@Buf 13-10 at the half Broncos and the offense went on to commit two more to’s including a pick in the 4th quarter in the redzone . .the Broncos running backs had about 14-15 carries for 70 yards in the first half and then 3 for 6 in the second half as the Broncos went pass happy .
@SD This game was a tale of two offenses one was good at gaining yard the other good at scoring points . The SD defense was just as bad as the Broncos the difference is that the SD offense showed up and Denvers . The denver offense played just as badly as the the denver defense did .
Throwing for a bunch of yards doesnt necessarily equate to playing well.
by Hoopforia on Jun 8, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're wrong, this means that he is an unproven leader. And Bear fans should be very skeptical.
If those are his bad games, we are in big trouble!!!!!!!!
Kick it to me... I'm open!
by #23 on Jun 8, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep. And to think, Rex posted a QB rating of zero or 1.3 in a couple of games.
"They tried to take out the quarterback, and if they managed that, they tried to take out the backup." - Bears SB20 TE Emery Moorehead, on the mentality of *that* defense
by Spongie on Jun 8, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good Piece
Good evidence against him, a lot of bloggers I think would have just done a typical fanboy post like “NO 1 MESS WIT CUTLER, MORRISSEY SUX BEARS RULZ CUTLER FTW!!! LLOLOLZZ” but you brought logic to the argument.
I think he’s wrong about Cutler and wrong about the WR need. We have a bunch of unknowns but w/o knowing what they can do they shouldn’t be written off either.
by GallopingGhost on Jun 8, 2009 10:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks fella
I feel OK about our WR’s, but I’m not gonna crown ’em just yet :)
I'M A MAN! I'M 23!
by ChiFan13 on Jun 8, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rick Morrissey is just trying to fill the void left by the departure of Jay Mariotti.
by BigGeorgeTX on Jun 8, 2009 10:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Then he's failing
and hard.
I’d usually read Mariotti, just for the laugh. Mariotti is a good writer, even if he’s usually horribly wrong.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
by Allie on Jun 8, 2009 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He won't have to fill the void for long
Supposedly he’ll be back in all his glorious douchebaggedness sometime this summer, with the Trib instead of the CST. Just in case the Trib wasn’t unreadable enough already. God I hope Dolan and Kermit hound him mercilessly on whatever half-ass blog he’ll have.
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay
by JerBear50 on Jun 9, 2009 2:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to say...
that I’m suprised by Morrisey and some of the naysayers that complain about Cutler and his play. I watch the NFL network last night. I watched Cutler go into NY against the Jets, on astro turf, in the rain, and go for like 354 yars and 2TDs. I mean the guy threw on the run, made the safe throws, ran a 2-minute offense and everything. The Jets at time were one of the hottest teams in the NFL at the time they played them.
It was so apparent that this guy was the center point of what they were doing and that HE was threason those recievers were that good that it was embarrassing. I am curious to see how much better our recievers are with him as the QB.
by Dils on Jun 8, 2009 11:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Rick Morrissey
Let me start this post by stating that I unequivocally support the signing of Jay Cutler. It was the most shocking and best off-season moves the bears have ever made. That said, I agree with Rick Morrissey to some extent.
I have little doubt about Cutler’s abilities. He has a heck of an arm and seems to make good decisions although he can get a little reckless at times. As pointed out before, with a decent defense he probably doesn’t loose those last three games in Denver. As for signing autographs, I’m sure he’ll adjust to the intensity of the Chicago fan base and as for enjoying the Chicago night life…ho hum.
While Morrissey seems to go a little too far he his right in that Cutler is a young quarterback who probably needs to develop his leadership skills a bit. He also needs to learn to handle the business side a bit better which was made clear by the way he exited
Denver. But these facts would be true for pretty much any quarterback his age.
Becoming a strong leader, handling the business side and learning to handle the limelight are things that are learned with experience and by listening to your coaches, something he appears willing to do. Acquiring the skill set he possesses is not something that can be learned at this point. You either have it or you don’t. Cutler has it. The rest will come.
by Bears Fan on Jun 8, 2009 12:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Leadership
(And this is going to sound snarky, but I don’t mean it that way) But have you ever seen one of his teammates saying he’s not a good leader? I haven’t. But admittedly, I haven’t really been looking.
I’ve seen bitter former fans say stuff about his body language, etc… but I’ve never seen anyone who really “matters” say anything.
But your leadership can always improve.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
by Allie on Jun 8, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you haven't
looked at the “Jay Cutler’s Maturity” post by BullsFaninSeatle, I would recommend it to you. BullsFan put some excellent articles on Jay, that really speak volumes of his maturity level.
by rdent4hof on Jun 9, 2009 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rosenbloom is awful
I really don’t think I could like any reporter’s writing less than his.
by TCBullfrog on Jun 8, 2009 1:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Gregg Doyel, Barry Rozner...
I’m sure there are others. But those and the Ricks (Telander & Morrissey) are my least favorite.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
by Allie on Jun 8, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Barry Rozner
When Brad Palmer (remember him?) prematurely retired he stated that he was doing so in part because he was fed up with the negative slant of Chicago sports reporting. Barry Rozner is a good example of why Brad retired. Rozner seems to think that quality writing and research can be replaced with a cantankerous attitude. Thus, what we get from Rozner is garbage.
by Bears Fan on Jun 8, 2009 2:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
David Haugh
Today’s online Trib provides an excellent example of why David Haugh is one of Chicago’s finest sports writers. In Bears’ Lovie Smith deserves more respect he responds to a Sporting News article that ranks Lovie Smith as the twentieth best coach in professional football. His writing is balanced and his arguments are well reasoned.
by Bears Fan on Jun 8, 2009 3:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I like Haugh
And Dickerson. They’re both really good. Interesting with new slants without the air of taking a new slant solely to be “new”.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
by Allie on Jun 8, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Morrissey
I find the guy boring to read and never understood how he got that column in the wake of Bernie and Bob Verdi who I thought were very good and entertaining. I can browse the sports headlines on my blackberry and pick out the Morrissey article 95% of the time.
He’s like Marriotti in that he never actually interviews the people he covers. If he’s going to bag on Cutler then call him up, schedule an interview, and make your judgement based on that. I get the feeling he listens to sports talk radio and writes his column based on that. Lazy. Take a page from TJ Simers of the LA Times and go into the locker room and annoy the players if that’s your schtick, but at least give the athlete a chance to respond.
by Duck99 on Jun 8, 2009 3:18 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
rec...he's a hack
coasting on his “laurels” whatever they may be
by MuleTrain on Jun 8, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
what about Dan Pompei and Rick Telander?
I’ve always found Pompei’s articles thoughtful and interesting, while Telander’s basically another Morrisey, albeit with even less talent. Both suck wales, of course.
by Waylon on Jun 8, 2009 9:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow
Can’t believe I left off Pompei….
If it’s allowable to edit my list, I’d say:
T-1: Biggs/Dickerson
3. Pompei
4. Haugh
The reasoning behind this is simple: Pompei breaks some news and talks about other than just the Bears. Remember some of the Wonderlic scores that came out around draft time? Pompei broke it for everyone.
I'M A MAN! I'M 23!
by ChiFan13 on Jun 9, 2009 4:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
true about Pompei's more wide - ranging subjects
…but I had to include him, for the reasons you mentioned above – he actually helps the average fan understand the myriad arcana and terminology and strategy that surrounds the NFL these days.
by Waylon on Jun 9, 2009 1:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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