Despite the White Sox's push to the postseason, the Cubs completely crumbling, the first appearance of Derrick Rose in months and news that the Blackhawks won't be in our lives, there is one Chicago sports story dominating all media. Jay Cutler's terrible performance against the Green Bay Packers and berating of his teammate have taken center stage.
Cutler yelled at, then pushed left tackle J'Marcus Webb after Cutler was sacked seven times. Webb was assigned to stop Clay Matthews, who has six sacks in two games. When Webb couldn't stop one of the league's best pass rushers, Cutler didn't react well. Add to that Cutler's four interceptions, and frustration boiled over.
After the game, Webb brushed off the incident, and Cutler said it was born out of his need to take the game seriously. Still, everyone from Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw to Bears cornerback D.J. Moore criticized Cutler's actions.
"Is it unfair to criticize Jay right now? Shoot, it's unfair for him to be like that toward J'Marcus," Moore said Monday. "In every game in every sport, there's always somebody who has a tough day. For you to come off on the sideline, once you holler at him it makes it seem like [Webb] is the only reason."
Webb released a statement after Moore's comments.
"I am concentrating on being a better player while continuing to be a loyal teammate for our organization, and always striving to be a better man. I appreciate the concern, but there is football on Sunday."
"I probably shouldn't have bumped him. I'll go with that. As far as me yelling at him and trying to get him going in the game, I don't regret that," Cutler said. "(I) shouldn't have bumped him. I'll stick to that."
He also said he spoke with each member of the line individually about the incident and with "the powers that be." He wouldn't say if he had apologized to Webb, and said Moore was "entitled to his opinion."
Moore said the encounter would have gone very differently if Cutler had approached him. Considering how Moore didn't back down when challenged by Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford last season (leading to a fracas and Moore's ejection), it's easy to believe him. Judging by Cutler's comments, he would have liked to have seen more of a reaction by Webb.
"Sure, anything really to let me know that 'Hey, I'm [ticked] off I got beat. I'm gonna try to rectify it. I'm gonna try to get us back in this ball game,'" Cutler said.
So next time Webb gets beat and Cutler gets in his face, Webb should know what to do. Scream right back at him, and give Chicago something else to talk about.
- Sports & Recreation