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November 25, 2009

NFL happenings as season nears stretch run

By Jim Rueda

Remember when Jay Cutler was first traded to Chicago during the NFL offseason and most experts predicted it would make the Bears instant contenders in the NFC North? It hasn’t quite worked out that way.

Cutler and the Bears have been struggling since a 3-1 start and it doesn’t help that they have to play at division-leading Minnesota (9-1) on Sunday. Chicago is 1-5 since the first month of the season and Cutler’s play is a big reason why.

The gunslinger has thrown 18 interceptions this season, including five in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago. Last week, Cutler played as if his main concern was avoiding interceptions. He consistently over-threw or under-threw receivers in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Cutler has been criticized mercilessly by the Bears faithful the last few weeks, but says it was nothing he didn’t expect.

“They gave away a lot (two 1st-round picks, a 3rd, and Kyle Orton) to get me here,” he said. “Expectations were high, so its something that comes with the territory, especially in a big market like Chicago with the fan base and how excited everyone was. It’s nothing that I wasn’t prepared for or didn’t see coming.”

As long as he holds on to that attitude, there’s a chance he’ll turn things around — eventually.

Man-genius?
Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini is backing off his previous accusations that the Detroit Lions faked injuries Sunday in order to offset his team’s attempts to run the no-huddle offense.

“At the end of the day we’re accountable for losing the game and for not making enough plays,” Mangini said Wednesday. “I think I was frustrated with the situation and probably expressed that more than I probably should have, but at the end of the day, we’re responsible for it.”

If Mangini takes credit for many more losses, he may be out of a job. In fact, his quarterback, Brady Quinn, seems to already be lobbying for Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis to get the job.

Weis is expected to be fired after Notre Dame’s season ends, which would make him available. Quinn said this week that he’d love to be reunited with his former college coach.

“It’d be nice,” Quinn said. “I’d love to play under him again if I had the opportunity. It’d be cool.”

Are you getting nervous Man-genius?

Oh, to be Young again
Remember when it looked as if Vince Young’s career as an NFL starting quarterback was over? When he was benched in favor of Kerry Collins for most of the last two seasons?

Well, if you’ve been paying attention, you know that Young is making a strong comeback. Young has lead the Tennessee Titans to four straight wins.

He’s not posting any gaudy numbers but he’s certainly made a significant turnaround. Prior to his benching he always seemed to play just well enough to lose the close games. Now he’s finding a way to win them with both his arm and his legs.

Can you say Comeback Player of the Year? Or does Brett Favre already have that one locked up?



Jim Rueda is the Free Press sports editor. To contact him, call 344-6381 or e-mail him at jrueda@mankatofreepress.com.

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