Jay Cutler Doesn't Owe The Media Anything

And neither does any other NFL player, for that matter. Yesterday I was listening to the Double Coverage podcast and they got on to the subject of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. They began saying how he was whiny and didn't have a good relationship with the media, as if this somehow made him a bad quarterback/person.

Now, I will admit that I am not the most ardent supporter of our beloved Bears gunslinger. But a lot of that revolves around his on the field performance and attitude, (and hair).

But I hate this thought that players are somehow required to kowtow to journalists and reporters, and submit to their every whim. Cutler sometimes acts like I would when faced with what he sees as a dumb or irrelevant question. In some snarky way, Cutler is going to respond to questions he feels have no validity. And I applaud him for this.

How tiresome is it to see NFL players, or any other athletes respond with cliches such as: 'well, i think we did some good things out there, and we're moving in the right direction. Next week is another game and we just have to keep getting better'? Oh god, put me out of my misery, now!

Whether you like it or not, and at times I don't, Jay Cutler has an edge. Quite what that means I am not entirely sure, but I kinda like it. I have said before I think he has a good sense of humour which is important. Clearly only quarterbacks with a good sense of humour have been successful in the NFL so he is on the right track as far that's concerned.

It's weird now, because for reasons that are quickly becoming unclear, Cutler's every move seems to be under constant scrutiny. This season at least, it stems from him laying the smackdown on a dozy J'Marcus Webb, and now some reporters are pointing at a lover's tiff between Cutler and offensive coordinator Mike Tice, which both parties have hastily denied. It's almost like we have our own little soap opera going here. Tune in next week to see if Cutler loses it with Lovie Smith and gets benched in favour of a returning Rex Grosmman. I can dream, can't I?

You know what should, but probably won't make all this spotlight shining go away? If he keeps his head down, and lets his play do all the talking. i think people feel comfortable criticising every thing he does because they see someone who doesn't always play that well. If Cutler plays like he did against the Cowboys, all the talk will quickly disappear.

Here's the thing; I don't want the media to like Jay Cutler. I couldn't care less. He is not working for them. What exactly does he owe the media? Do they help him put in the hours on the practice field and in the meeting rooms? Did they perform surgery on him when he was injured, or aid in his recovery? This idea that players must forge good relationships with the media needs to stop.

I remember being shocked last year when former Bears running back Marion Barber got in trouble for not 'making himself available to the media' after a game. They get fined thousands of dollars for not talking to total strangers who want to ask mind-numbingly boring questions at at time that might not always be convenient. That's not right.

What Cutler needs to be concerned about is how good a quarterback he can be for the Bears. And I think that his actions prove that he is focused and committed to being the best he can be.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not a fan of the love-fest that develops every time Cutler talks to Waddle & Silvy on ESPN1000. That radio show of his is still a bad idea and I literally can't stand Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman. Perhaps it's the Brit in me. But that's weird because I love American stuff. My wife is American for heaven's sake.

Journalists and reporters and bloggers are a fickle bunch. They'll soon find something else to write about, probably the imminent arrival of Tim Tebow as the Jet's QB, but don't get me started on him. Cutler has to get on with doing what he does best and that's playing football.

The Bears don't need the media to win games. They just need to play good football.