This is the latest post in Kurt’s continuing series to identify the NFL’s Ultimate Franchise Player of All-Time. For an explanation of his methodology for choosing each franchise’s ultimate franchise player, and then how you and he will choose the NFL’s Ultimate Franchise Player from that list, click here.

To see all the category page for this series, of which there will be one for every franchise, click here.

Previous selections: ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR

The first five installments of Ultimate Franchise Player have been compelling, with each franchise having its own unique history – but now things are about to get serious.

Out of the NFL Network’s list of the Top 100 players of all-time, eight of the top 60 are Chicago Bears.

My first five UFPs came from franchises that will only produce one, or at the very most two representatives in the eventual 64-player UFP field. The Bears and their 90+ year history will be a little different.

However, with only 32 at-large berths to be awarded, I am probably going to have to cap off each franchise with a maximum of four bids. That is going to lead to some agonizing decisions in the selection room, a couple of them involving Monsters of the Midway legends.

Unlike the previous UFP pieces, a lot of great players will be left on the cutting room floor for time and space purposes – although I will throw in a few unique players from Bears football history.

HONORABLE MENTION

George Halas (WR/DE 1920-29)

Much like his counterpart Curly Lambeau in Green Bay, George Halas was a player and also ran his own franchise in the early days of the NFL.

Halas returned a fumble 98 yards for a touchdown in 1923, and that record stood until Oakland’s Jack Tatum’s 104 yard return in 1972.

A member of the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 1920s, Halas coached the team during the period and was on board for three other separate tenures as Head Coach, finally stepping down for good in 1967 and remaining as owner until 1983. Halas also had a cup of coffee with the New York Yankees, going 2-22 as a hitter in 1919.

Red Grange (RB 1925, 1929-34)

In 1925 pro football had a meager following in comparison to its collegiate counterpart.

The Bears were lucky to draw 5,000 a game while the college game drew upwards to 50,000-60,000; in fact the NFL was marketing its game as ‘Post-Graduate Football’, as many frowned on college legends continuing to play the game for money. Halas wanted to change that by signing legendary Illinois back Red Grange, which he did just hours following his final collegiate game (and may had even had him inked before that game).

Halas wasted no time getting Grange into uniform, and he made his pro debut on Thanksgiving Day at a sold out Wrigley Field. After finishing their official league schedule, the Bears went on a barnstorming tour in which eight games were played in just 12 days (the final five in six days) and included a crowd of over 70,000 at New York’s Polo Grounds. The tour concluded with eight more games played between Christmas and January 31, with the Bears tour finally ending on the West Coast.

On the train ride back to Chicago however, the Galloping Ghost literally disappeared like one. Grange made approximately $100,000 (a nice amount of money even today) from the gate receipts in those two months, but wanted part-ownership as well. The result was Grange leaving the Bears to form his own league, along with a couple forays into the movie industry. Grange eventually returned to the Bears in 1929, not quite the player he was in college,  but still made key plays to help the Bears win NFL titles in 1932 and 1933.

Bronko Nagurski (RB 1930-37, 1943)

At 6’2”, 235 lbs, the Canadian-born Nagurski remains one of the great all-time physical specimens, and back in his era he was literally unstoppable.

One of Bronko’s most legendary stories was when something finally did stop him after plowing through two defenders past the goal line, it turned out to the be the left field brick wall at Wrigley Field. Teammate Red Grange once referred to Nagurski as a faster version of Larry Csonka on offense and equal to Dick Butkus as a linebacker.

Later in his career, Nagurski used his profitability in the pro wrestling business, a venture he remained involved in until 1960. Nagurski was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Sid Luckman (QB 1939-50)

You all see the graphics Al Michaels pulls out for Bears-Packers games. The Packers have had two QBs over the past 20 years, while the Bears have lost count. Luckman is still the career passing yardage leader in Bears history, and nearly 8% of his career pass attempts resulted in touchdowns.

It was during this era that the Bears employed the T Formation and the man-in-motion for the first time. Luckman only threw the ball six times in the Bears famous 73-0 rout of the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Title Game, but his four completions resulted for 102 yards.

He was in the service for two years and was stationed state-side and played for the Bears on game day. With Luckman introducing the deep ball into the pro game, the Bears won five league championships during his career.

Johnny Lujack (QB 1948-51)

A brief but memorable career for the Notre Dame Legend. The game had opened up much more as Lujack succeeded Luckman as the Bears quarterback (A young Bobby Layne was the third-stringer!!). In the 1949 season finale Luckman threw for 468 yards and six touchdowns, and the following season Luckman rushed for 11 scores, which tied a league record for QB’s.

A shoulder injury ended Lujack’s career, and he returned to Notre Dame as an assistant coach and eventually went into TV broadcasting.

George Connor (OT/LB 1948-55)

Originally an offensive lineman by trade, the 6’3” 240 lb Connor was used at linebacker out of necessity in 1949 in an attempt to stop the Philadelphia Eagles strong running attack. Connor wound up being used on both offense and defense after that, and he earned induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975.

Bill George (MLB 1952-65)

This is where the Bears inside linebacking heritage began. George dropped back into coverage just before plays began, inadvertently inventing both the 4-3 defense and the middle linebacker position.

For his career, George intercepted 18 passes and recovered 19 fumbles. He passed away at age 52 following a 1982 car accident in Wisconsin.

Doug Atkins (DE 1955-66)

At 6’8”, 275 lbs, think of Julius Peppers, just a few generations earlier. And like Peppers, Atkins was originally a college basketball recruit before the University of Tennessee realized that he could make a much better impact on the gridiron.

Atkins was a first-round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns, but was traded after reportedly belching during a team meeting. Atkins went on to earn eight Pro Bowl selections during his time with the Bears.

Jim McMahon (QB 1982-88)

Of course it was another Jim who is by far the most famous QB of recent times, but McMahon is a legend in his own right despite never starting more than 13 games in a season due to injuries, most notably taken down on an infamous late hit by Green Bay’s Charles Martin. Still, the charisma won McMahon over with the team’s fan base.

If you’re wondering what the ‘Rozelle’ headband was about, the commish was fining him during the ’85 season for wearing Adidas apparel. The league was thinking about licensing and marketing even then…

Jim Harbaugh (QB 1987-93)

I have already revealed Sid Luckman as the Bears all-time leading passer, but you will no doubt win bar bets asking who may be #2 on the Bears all-time list. Harbaugh spent seven of his 14 NFL seasons in Chicago. Harbaugh (and Luckman) are both still keeping the seat warm until Jay Cutler blows by them on the career charts.

Brian Urlacher (ILB 2000-present)

Of course Urlacher is just the latest of the iconic Bears linebackers who will follow his predecessors into Canton someday, currently ranked #109 on Pro Football Referances EloRater. Urlacher has endured a couple of major injuries in recent years and the end may be near, but Urlacher has already earned his lore at Halas Hall.

Lance Briggs (OLB 2003-present)

Has earned Pro Bowl bids in each of his last seven seasons. His tenure with the team has been controversial at times, and he could be dealt this off-season, but you can’t argue with the track record.

Richard Dent (DE 1983-93, 1995)

One of pro football’s all-time great pass rushers, Dent recorded 137.5 sacks and 37 forced fumbles in all during his playing career.

In the epic 1985 season Dent recorded 17 sacks in the regular season, and added six more sacks and five forced fumbles in the playoffs. Dent forcing a fumble on Rams quarterback Dieter Brock (which was picked up and returned for a TD by Wilber Marshall) which put the final dagger on the NFC Championship remains an image frozen in time.

Devin Hester (ST/WR 2006-present)

It seems like he’s been in Chicago forever, but it’s only been six years. Bob Costas already made a nomination for Hester’s Hall of Fame candidacy after he scored his 12^th return touchdown during the 2011 season.

If he ends up scoring somewhere around 20 kicks for scores for his career (which he is on pace for), the Windy City Flyer may indeed wind up in Canton.

Brian Piccolo (FB 1965-69) COURAGE SELECTION

Growing up I saw the movie Brian’s Song on television many, many times.

Piccolo had finally earned a place in the team’s starting lineup during the 1969 season when he took himself out of the game due to breathing difficulties. Piccolo was soon diagnosed with an aggressive form of testicular cancer which by that point had already spread into other parts of his body.

After undergoing surgeries to remove his lung and pectoral muscle, Piccolo passed away in June of 1970.

THE FINAL FIVE

Mike Singletary (ILB 1981-92)

Simply one of the most intense players ever to play the game, Samurai Mike earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Bears ’85 Championship season and recovered three fumbles during that season’s playoffs. He recorded nearly 900 solo tackles in 172 career starts and was an eight-time All-Pro selection.

Dick Butkus (MLB 1965-73)

You could watch vintage NFL Films footage of Butkus committing mayhem on the football field for hours, as he remains one of the most intimidating presences in league history.

ESPN named Butkus #70 among the best athletes ever in 1999, and was named to the NFL’s All-time team in 2000.

Like Red Grange generations before, Butkus first became legendary at the University of Illinois and placed sixth and third in Heisman Trophy balloting. Today, college football’s best linebacker is the recipient of the Butkus Award.

Gale Sayers (RB 1965-71)

As was the case with Butkus, it was a shame that injuries cut short Sayers career. Had he played a full career he may have been the best back ever, period.

In his rookie season, Sayers accounted for over 2,200 all-purpose yards and 22 scores. His six TD game versus the San Francisco 49ers still goes down as one of the most memorable individual days in NFL history.

Sayers was averaging over six yards per carry when he suffered his first serious knee injury during the 1968 season. He had a modestly successful 1969 season (4.4 yards per carry/1,032 rushing yards) although the team finished 1-13. He suffered another devastating injury (to his left knee this time) in 1970 which effectively ended his career.

Mike Ditka (TE 1961-66)

The Ultimate Franchise Player list is confined to players only, but if you were to include coaching Ditka obviously ranks even higher in Chicago Bears annals.

Ditka caught 58 passes as a rookie in 1961, redefining the tight end position, a job description that involved blocking much more than receiving up to that point. In all, Ditka caught 228 passes and 30 touchdowns in his first four years with the team and played in the NFL 12 years overall.

Walter Payton (RB 1975-87)

A fascinating book excerpt this past fall in Sports Illustrated revealed Payton’s difficulties to adjusting to life post-football, including putting copious amounts of sugar in his coffee, turning to alcohol (which he rarely did as a player), and recreational use of nitrous oxide (try some at your next dental procedure). How much this may had played a part in Payton’s eventual illness and death in 1999 is unknown, but the piece was revealing as a classic case of the struggles of an athlete once the cheering stopped.

Payton’s passing at age 45 was especially stunning as he seemed indestructible for 13 years on the field. Anyone remember Jim Brown contemplating a comeback at age 47 because Franco Harris was going to hang long enough to break his all-time rushing mark? Well, Sweetness wound up making that a moot point.

Payton still ranks second on the All-Time list with 16,726 rushing yards, and he also finished with over 21,000 combined yards and 125 touchdowns. Excluding the three games during the strike-marred 1987 season when replacement players were utilized, Payton only missed one game during his entire career!!!

And, of course, Payton was the star of one of the most memorable teams in NFL history, which shuffled its way all the way to a Super Bowl title.

AND THE WINNER IS…

The NFL Network Top 100 series included the following Bears: Payton #5, Butkus #10, Nagurski #19, Sayers #22, Luckman #33, Grange #48, Singletary #58, and Ditka #59. Payton, Butkus, and Sayers should be automatics for the 64-player field, while the RPI’s of Nagurski and Luckman will provide interesting test cases for old-time players.

After racking up a then single-game record of 275 yards versus the Minnesota Vikings in 1977, NFL Today did one of their then sappy ‘musical tributes’, playing Walter Payton highlights to Carly Simon’s Nobody Does It Better. Unfortunately, of all the items available on YouTube I was unable to find that clip. But I’ll leave you with the next best I can find (but you’ll have to click to watch, as it can’t be embedded).

MSF’s Ultimate Franchise Player for the Chicago Bears is…

WALTER PAYTON

**********

Naturally, I stopped what I was doing and went to databaseFootball.com to answer Mangini’s question.

Here are all the Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks since the merger to have led the league in interceptions thrown:

Broadway Joe, one of many Hall of Fame quarterbacks to have led the league in interceptions.

• Terry Bradshaw, 1970 (24)
• Joe Namath, 1974 (22)
• Joe Namath, 1975 (28)
• Fran Tarkenton, 1978 (32)
• Warren Moon, 1986 (26)
• Dan Marino, 1989 (22)
• Warren Moon, 1991 (21)
• Jim Kelly, 1992 (19)
• Brett Favre*, 1993 (24)
• Peyton Manning*, 1998 (28)
• Brett Favre*, 2005 (29)
• Brett Favre*, 2008 (22)

* Brett Favre and Peyton Manning are not in the Hall of Fame, but I included them because it is safe to assume that both will be elected as soon as they are eligible. Probable future Hall-of-Famer Ben Roethlisberger threw a league-leading 23 interceptions in 2006. Also, Jay Cutler led the league with 26 interceptions in 2009, and he dominates.

Show details:

• Date: Wednesday, January 25
• Time: 6:00 CT (7:00 ET)
• Call-in number: (858) 365-5571 (also use this number to listen to the show anywhere right from your phone)
• Listen live link: Click here

Listen live using the link above or catch the archived version right here at MSF as soon as the show ends.

As for tonight’s topics, here is what the NFC North Report crew plans to discuss.

Tentative Show schedule:

• Depression Update: How Chris and Amanda are handling the playoff loss a week and a half later
• Pro Bowl talk
• Jay Cutler is a daddy!
  

  What if this guy got you pregnant?

• Adrian Peterson potentially changing numbers – good move?
• Peyton Manning potentially leaving the Colts
• Super Bowl plans – Will we watch?

If you missed out on past episodes, feel free to catch up on all the pigskin chatter on iTunes.

In the article they tried to pull the ever-so-cliche stunt of trying to look at the positives. It’s the oldest trick in the fanbook. Did your team not win the Super Bowl or not make the playoffs? That’s ok because “There’s always next year” or “Hey, Aaron Rodgers had a great season, so I call the season a success,” or, my personal favorite, “We have a lot of young talent coming in, so I see this team competing for years to come.”

All those statements are signs of repressed acceptance that your favorite team sucks.

Before I continue with my critique of Chris and Amanda’s article, I first want to bring out the fact that Amanda probably isn’t even a Packers fan. She herself admits it in the article.

She calls the Packers as being “overrated” and  “weak.” Some fan she is.

She goes on to say “They [Packers] bounced back from their loss to Kansas City dominating Chicago Bears on Christmas…”  Ok, first off, dominating? Really? Did Jay Cutler even play in that game? The definition of dominating is Jay Cutler. Look it up. So how can the Packers be “dominating” if they don’t have Cutler? Therefore the sentence is illogical and just blatantly wrong.

Chris adds that “There shouldn’t be excuses made for the Packers losing to the Giants.” Well, at least he admits the Packers suck. It seems like he isn’t much of a fan either.

I also don’t like the fact Packer fans go round exclaiming they’re better than other fans because they own stock in their team. According to Wikipedia, the Packers are “are the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team in the United States.” You know what that sounds like? Socialism. Everyone knows being a Socialist is to be un-American, therefore being a Packers fan means you hate America.

Do we really want this un-American team to win? I don’t, and I know you don’t either.

But the main problem with their article is that it forgets who is at the helm of the Chicago Bears’ offense.

Jay Cutler's smile has been known to take woman's virginity.

That’s right, folks. Be prepared for the resurgence of Jay Cutler, arguably the best QB since the NFL started counting interceptions as a stat.

The thought that the Packers are going to resurge next season and steal the NFC North and cheat their way to the Super Bowl again is just as ludicrous as thinking Tim Tebow will complete more than 50% of his passes in his career.

Cutler is not going to allow the Packers to win next season. Mark my words. It’s time for the Cutler era.

Wait…what?

That’s right, you heard me. Makeout sessions. Just look at these pictures and tell me these bros aren’t about to lock lips right there on the gridiron.

First, here are Tommy Brady and Timmy Tebow:

Image credit: Barry Gutierrez/AP via People.com

In this picture, Tebow appears ready to play the role of Gisele, gazing into Tom Terrific’s eyes before planting a wet smackeroo right smack dab on those dreamy lips. He’s even using the age-old technique of grabbing the outside shoulder to guide Brady towards him. This is the technique of a grizzled makeout veteran, not a close-to-holy virgin, so to see Tebow execute it so deftly is both surprising and impressive. He’s a natural, this one.

What’s funny is that even if you didn’t interpret this picture at all like that, the once-unseen-cannot-be-unseen principal applies. Now you can’t look at the picture without seeing it as an impending lip lock, can you?

To prove it, try looking at this picture of Alex Smith and Drew Brees after their epic 4th quarter rendezvous in Candlestick.

Image credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP  via GreenwichTime.com

Smith goes with a different technique than Tebow, choosing instead to control the action with the arm-around-waist strategy. But from his subtle lean back, it’s clear that he wants Brees to make the first move, just like Brees did in the final five minutes of the 4th quarter on Saturday before the game’s fantastic final few minutes.

Another great example of the Postgame QB Kiss phenomenon came in December of 2010 when Eli Manning and Aaron Rodgers met up. (Unfortunately, none of yesterday’s pics of the two really qualified; I guess Aaron just wasn’t in the mood.)

Image credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America via Zimbio.com

In this picture, Rodgers has clearly accepted the submissive female role. In this sense, Rodgers’ makeout-initiation strategy seems not all that unlike how he and the Packers played yesterday. You can see ARodg placing his right hand gently below Eli’s chest while gazing towards Eli’s awkwardly formed mouth. Eli, with his devil-may-care hairstyle is clearly enamored with Rodgers’ 8:00 shadow, even more than Rodgers’ ability “flight” and “spin” the ball.

As for the fourth game from yesterday, that there was actual QB play in that game is only a rumor, so I didn’t waste time searching for pictures of Fu Manchu Flacco nor T.J. Yates. But you don’t have to dig too deeply into the Google Image Search results to find other such pictures. Just search two high profile QBs’ names together, and you’re sure to find a postgame picture of them that, because of this ridiculous and unnecessary post, you will now see as the early stages of QB tonsil hockey.

Let’s try it. How about…Brees and Peyton Manning?

Yep:

Image source: Gridiron Experts

Brees and divisional rival Matt Ryan?

Image credit: AP via PennLive.com

Okay, so Drew Brees likes kissing other quarterbacks. We get it.

Let’s go the non-Brees Legends Division. How about Jay Cutler and…Brett Favre?

Yep.

Image source: PigskinReport.com

As for the brothers, they seem a bit less likely to gaze longingly into eachothers’ eyes, at least from the 90 seconds of research I just did; rather, they go right in for the bro hug like Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick here:

Image credit: Tim Shaffer/Reuters via Eurweb.com

And it’s not just limited to quarterbacks either. Coaches tend to have the same midfield meetings after games, and most are not like Jim Harbaugh and Jim Scwhartz.

In fact, from time to time we get movie-style dramatic pre-kisses like this one featuring Bill Parcells and his former apprentice Bill Belichick.

Image source: The Sports Blog

Another great example of coaches getting into the act may have occurred this weekend. Showing that he has learned from the Schwartz fiasco, Jim Harbaugh seemed quite gracious in victory with the Saints’ Sean Payton. Watch the video and decide just how gracious.

There are plenty more pictures and videos showing similar postgame closeness between opponents. I’ll let you enjoy the search for them. I think I’ve made my point and now forever ruined your ability to see these ubiquitous postgame photos as they are actually meant to be seen, which is of course as simple friend gestures of sportsmanship.

So…my work here (which probably never should have started) is done.

All that is left to do is let Turk and J.D. take us out with a song that lets all of these kissing combatants know it’s all okay. It’s just guy love…between two guys.

Cutler’s whole NFL career is pure dominance, whether it be the baby-face looks on the sideline, the shining moments when Cutler throws it to the other team, or the carefully placed hand-offs to the running back…Cutler has and does it all.

A lot of you are probably thinking “Boy, I wonder if Cutler is still relevant as a QB in the NFL when players like T.J. Yates, Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, and Andy Dalton are demonstrating to us their potential to be star QBs?” Well, that’s a pretty stupid question to ask, and it obviously shows your ignorance and lack of intelligence because there is no better QB than Jay Cutler.

Let me show you why.

Cutler’s Natural Ability to Throw to Both Teams

I don’t what to hear how good Aaron Rodgers is or how skillful and talented Drew Brees is. (I heard he broke some stupid record. I’ll believe it when I see it.) Rodgers and Brees are very selfish with the ball; and I don’t about you, but my mom didn’t raise me to be a selfish person, and it seems like Cutler’s mom didn’t either.

This is what’s called sharing, and it’s the right thing to do.

I could watch that all day.

Cutler’s Dominance of the English Language

A writer (yes, Jay Cutler is a writer) uses repetition to hammer home a meaning or feeling the writer wants the reader or listener to understand. It’s true that Cutler uses the phrase “you know” 57 times in the video below, but in that crazy amount of usage, there has to be a meaning. I just haven’t figured it out yet.

Jay’s ways are above my intelligence and most definitely above any Packers fans’.

Jay Cutler=Hall of Fame QB and literary genius.

Cutler’s Dominance of the Offseason Workouts

I also hear a lot about how Cutler doesn’t put forth much, if any, effort into his game. That’s a complete lie. According to Wikipedia, Jay Cutler is also a bodybuilder and has won Mr. Olympia four times. I have no idea what the hell that means, but it sounds pretty awesome, and hard to accomplish when you have to juggle football on top of lifting weights in competitions.

All Rodgers does outside of football is star in stupid, unfunny, and intelligence-insulting commercials.

Getting huge > Being unfunny

I was not.

To me, this season was completely thrown away by the Bears front office, and it exposed the problems that GM Jerry Angelo continues to ignore. Angelo has something very special in Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, yet he continues to waste their talent by not supplying other offensive weapons around them.

Who does Cutler have to throw to? I am not content with the Bears’ number one receiver being Earl Bennett, or Devin Hester, or Roy Williams, and neither should Angelo; yet there hasn’t been any shred of news about the Bears seriously pursuing a proven receiver. 

A good enough, but not dominant defense plus two great players on offense is not going to lead to a Super Bowl.

Say what you want to about Cutler, but the kid goes out game after game and fights for a win and gets killed on the field doing it. This season he made the offense look as good as I’ve ever seen them, leading the team to a five game win streak, a 7-3 record, and a legitimate shot at making the playoffs.

You can’t bring in a BMW but then give it four flat tires, yet that’s exactly what Angelo and company did, and it showed once Cutler and Forte went down.  The lack of planning and complete lack of trying to build players behind the starters showed in the last five games and would usually get a head coach or GM fired, but I doubt Lovie or Angelo are going anywhere.

Fans now have to sit back and hope the Bears front office begins to address the very clear needs of the team. It’s time to stop ignoring them.

Not only has the “great one” been sidelined with a very serious and dangerous thumb injury that could have cost Cutler his life (or at least his ability to give his fiancee Kristen Cavallari thumbs up or thumbs down on potential outfits), but the Bears, while still remaining the greatest team in the NFL, have dropped four straight and will most likely miss the playoffs.

This had me feeling really blue for the past few weeks, and after the Bears’ loss to the Seahwawks last Sunday, I went to the doctors’ office to see what was wrong. The doctor said it was quite clear what I had: Jay Cutler Deficiency Disorder.

The doctor said “The lack of Jay Cutler’s presence on the field has put you into a what is called a ‘Cutty come back’ depression. I’ve seen a lot of cases like yours in the past few weeks. People come here and think the world is over. Most recover, but some never forgive Cutler for putting them through this.”

• Constantly asking why Cutler had to get hurt.
• Continued feelings of hopelessness.
• Blaming Caleb Hanie for everything that goes wrong.
• Random outbursts of curse words directed at the TV.
• Threatening to never watch “those idiots” again.

I said “Thanks doc, but is there anything you could give me to make me feel better in the meantime?”

He then proceeded to hand me a videotape and told me to watch it whenever I started feeling really blue again. I drove home and immediately put in the tape. It was this seasons’ collection of every Jay Cutler pass, from the  touchdown passes to Dane Sanzenbacher, to the domination of the Green Packers (those losers finally lost a game!), to the telling of Mike Martz to “F**k off.”

It was great. I had finally gotten my fix of Cutler that I had been void of for so long. Then I realized: as long as Jay Cutler dominates, there’s a reason to wake up every morning.

Bear fans were still hopeful Cutler would return for the playoffs if the Bears were able to make it, but Cutler himself didn’t sound too optimistic about that possibility.

“Obviously I would want to play next week if they let me, but I don’t think that’s going to be in the cards. It could be [that] I’m done for the season,” Cutler said. 

The Bears’ season isn’t over, not even close, but a loss to Oakland last week has put some doubt into fans’ heads. And now news that even if the Bears do make the playoffs, Cutler possibly wouldn’t be able to play, is a nail in the coffin for fans who hoped the Bears could possibly go deep into the playoffs.

I do like Caleb Hanie and consider him to not be that bad as quarterback when it comes to being a second string, but I highly doubt he has or will show the skill to lead this Chicago team into the playoffs.

The situation just sucks. There’s no other way to explain it. The Bears surprised me, especially the offense, this season. For once in a few years, I was excited and legitimately thought the Bears would be able to give the Packers a run for their money.

On the positive side, the Bears do not have a tough schedule ahead of them. They play Kansas City next week, followed by Denver, Seattle, Green Bay, and then they finish the season with Minnesota.

All of those games, except maybe for the Green Bay game, are winnable for the Bears. It also helps that the two other teams fighting for a wild card spot- Lions and the Giants -aren’t playing that well, both losing in their last week’s game.

A berth in the playoffs is not that far off and is actually quite possible. Still, I don’t have that same excitement I did two weeks ago when the Bears were flying high with a five game win streak and seemed to be on top of the world.

Now, the tides have completely turned and Green Bay and New Orleans look like the two sole teams that have the best chances to take the NFC title.

I couldn’t have said it any better, Cutler.

At first I didn’t worry too much. Cutler seemed like he wasn’t in pain, he didn’t mention it bothering him during the post game interview, and it didn’t seem to affect his game play. Besides, Matthew Stafford is playing with a messed up throwing hand, so I assumed Cutler would have no problem dealing with the injury himself.

Not 10 minutes later do I see news coming out that his injury will likely need surgery, forcing Cutler to sit out for at least the regular season with hopes of returning in the playoffs if the Bears do make it in.

And just like that my heart sank, and I remember why sports suck sometimes.

I remembered how terrible it was to see all the White Sox fans celebrating after their team won the World Series in 2005. For years they had made fun of Cubs fans for, well, you know what; but us Cubs fans at least knew that Chicago was our city. Watching the Sox win the World Series was just a reminder of how much the Cubs suck and how long they’ve sucked for, something I had repressed into the back of my mind for many years (as all Cubs fans must do).

Sure, I was happy to see Chicago bring a World Series championship home, but I wanted it to be my team. It’s the same for football.

I am happy to see the elated fans from whatever city won the Super Bowl that season, but watching the Bears lose to the Colts in 2006 and being too young to see them win in 1985, I thought this team – though I had my doubts – had a chance to win the Super Bowl this season.

Now I am forced to face the facts.

The Cubs still suck, the Blackhawks have gotten killed on the ice their past two games, the Bulls aren’t even going to play this year, and now the Bears’ season, which had so much promise, is in jeopardy.

Out of all the chances Cutler had to become injured, (trust me, there were a lot) why does he has to do it now? The Bears have so much momentum and a pretty easy schedule which they could have won out if they continued this level of play.

Now all that has changed.

Caleb Hanie is now probably going to be the starting quarterback. I have nothing against Hanie, but I am not sure how well the Bears are going to adjust the offense. They can no longer throw 30 to 40 times a game. The Packers won’t stop winning, and the Lions, though they’ve looked really bad and unlike a playoff team at some times, are still a 7-3 team and now pose a bigger threat to the Bears with Cutler gone.

Bears’ fans are going to realize just how much the team needs Cutler. Let’s just hope it’s not too painful.

Since I’m the editor, I can see this, be insulted by it, and then give in to my immature side and quickly churn out a post to make what is a bad morning for he and Bears fans even worse.

So, here is the important question in the wake of Jay Cutler’s thumb injury: Brett Favre, anyone?

Image source: Kevin Kaduk’s Facebook

Now, just to be clear: I have seen absolutely zero rumors of this even being within the realm of possibility.

But who ever thought that Favre playing for the Vikings was within the realm of possibility?

Why not make it three out of the four NFC North teams Brett? Come on. Let’s make this happen.

Okay Juranovich. Go insult the White Sox. Just remember: don’t mess with me. I control the order posts are published in.

Update: Tyler’s post is now published. Here it is. It’s far less insulting than I thought it would be. But I don’t take this post back. Favre in Bears gear is hilarious.

I’ve never been the biggest Jay Cutler fan, but I have to say that I’ve gained a newfound respect for him this season as he’s persevered through O-Line problems and receiver issues to lead the Bears, along with Matt Forte, to a 7-3 record.

Unfortunately, Cutler’s season may well be over now that he will have to have surgery to repair a broken thumb.

Here is the latest update on Cutler’s thumb injury, which was first reported by Jay Glazer, via Pro Football Talk:

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that the Bears fear Jay Cutler has a broken thumb.  Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune quickly followed up that report to say Cutler indeed does have a broken thumb on his throwing hand.

According to Brad Briggs of the Chicago Tribune, the injury occurred in the fourth quarter after Cutler through an interception and was blocked to the ground.

Update: Cutler is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, which would mean he might be able to return for the first week of the playoffs if the Bears can make it with Caleb Hanie.

This is really a shame for Bears fans, because few teams other than the Packers and 49ers are playing better football right now, and Cutler has obviously been a major reason why.

Yesterday, Tyler posted 10 of his favorite Jay Cutler expressions. Looks like he may need to add one more.

Image source: ClubhouseCancer.com

Jay Cutler may indeed dominate, but his thumb no longer does.

The many times he throws the football into the a defender’s hands with such ease and grace…the way he shows Aaron Rodgers how a real quarterback plays football…and don’t forget the way he makes getting sacked look a lot cooler than David Carr did.

Those are all examples of how Cutler emulates other pros in his field, but there is one thing Cutler has a complete monopoly over: on-field expressions and body language. No one has a better arsenal of expressions than my man Jay!

This post is a tribute to all those expressions and positive body language that only Jay could display so nicely, clearly, and inspirationally.

1. The “I am sorry I threw the interception” look.

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2. The “Phillip Rivers stole my candy” look. 

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3. The “I can’t believe Tim Tebow might have a
better career win/loss record than me” look. 

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4. The “Come on ref. You know I didn’t
mean to fumble the ball,” look.

—–

5. The “What the hell is my girlfriend doing with that guy,” look. 

—–

6. The “I can’t believe they’re paying me
millions to play like this,” look. 

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7. The “Wait! I have no fu**ing idea what I am doing,” look.

—–

8. The “Mike Shanahan didn’t think my joke was very funny,” look. 

—–

9. The “I hope to God this team has an offensive line,” look.

—–

10. The “Look mom! I am flying,” look. 

—–

11. Let’s see what happens this weekend…

Fantasy Football Week 10 Big Names Who Could Disappoint

Jay Cutler

Yes, Jay Cutler is a star. He and the Bears are going up against the Lions on Sunday. The Lions are undefeated on the road, and they are bringing their fifth ranked pass defense into Chicago.

The two teams have already played once before, with the Lions winning 24-13. Cutler had 249 yards and a touchdown, but he couldn’t get the ball into the endzone in the second half. He should be able to have an average week, but if you have a backup who is poised for a strong week, it would not be a bad idea to bench Cutler.

Rashard Mendenhall

Mendenhall and the Steelers will be facing the Bengals, who own the second ranked rush defense in the NFL. He has only had over twenty carries once this season, against the Jaguars, as the Steelers usually look to Roethlisberger and the passing game for the majority of the offense production.

The Bengals have only had one real test this season, which came in a 13-8 loss to the 49ers. Their defense is great at shutting down the run, and this should not change on Sunday against the Steelers.

Steve Johnson

The Bills lost to the Jets 27-11 last week, and Johnson was held to three catches and no touchdowns. He has not caught a touchdown since Week 6, and has not had 100 yards in a game this year.

He and the Bills are playing the Cowboys on Sunday, who are middle of the pack in pass defense. He should have another average day, but he will still be without a 100 yard game after the weekend is over.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Under-the-Radar Players to Consider

Matt Moore

Moore and the Dolphins won their first game of the year last week against the Chiefs, in a game that saw Moore throw for three touchdowns.

They are facing the Redskins on Sunday, who own the 11th best pass defense in the league, but Moore has weapons in Brandon Marshall and even Reggie Bush out of the backfield. Moore will not have an Aaron Rodgers type day, but he can be a good replacement for a quarterback who could have an off week.

Roy Helu

Helu is not the main option in the backfield for the Redskins, but he has been able to put up points the last few weeks. He only had 41 rushing yards last week, but he had 14 receptions for 105 yards.

He is a great dual-threat for the Redskins, and can take advantage of the Miami defense. He is a great option to put in the RB/WR spot on the roster.

Josh Cribbs

The Browns’ offense has been tough to watch the last few weeks, but they are going up against the Rams at home this week.

Cribbs has had at least 50 yards and a touchdown in the last two weeks, and is now the main option at receiver for Colt McCoy. He should be able to find the endzone at least once, if not more this week against the 1-7 Rams.

But in this week’s installment of “Jay Cutler Dominates” I am going to ditch the humor and sarcasm and try to get a legitimate point across.

I am a huge Bears fan. I watch them every week, and I’ve watched them every week for as long as I can remember. This whole “Jay Cutler Dominates” should not be seen as me crusading against Cutler, but instead as light humor.

I do in fact love that Jay Cutler is the quarterback for my Bears, and though there are legitimate criticisms you could say against Cutler, he undoubtedly gets bashed more than he should.

I will put up with people criticizing his leadership abilities, the fact that he throws off his back foot too much, and that he throws too many interceptions, because those are all valid points, but what I won’t tolerate is people criticizing his toughness, his desire to win, and his ability to make something out of nothing.

Cutler has been sacked a total of 108 times, and hit too many other times to count, in his two and half years as a Bear…yet he has only missed one start.

I’ve been waiting for that one time when Cutler doesn’t get up from the grass after a hit or sack, but it has never happened. He always gets back up. I’ve never seen such toughness and resilience from a quarterback, so it really pisses me off to see polls, like the new one on Sportsnation, where 40% of people say his toughness is still questionable.

Anyone who questions Cutler’s toughness is a complete idiot or is completely ignorant of the situation.

Bears fans should be the last ones to dislike Cutler.  He has clearly made this team a lot better. His ability to move out of the pocket and throw on the run, making what could be a sack into a positive gain, is something no Bears quarterback that I’ve been alive to see has been able to do. He has a cannon for an arm and an uncanny ability to thread the needle on passes. We saw that last Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, we’ve seen it in the past, and we’ll see it in the future as well.

These people who, day-after-day, continue to say that Cutler doesn’t have the abilities to win or make it in the NFL are clearly not watching his games. Who else would, week after week, play behind an O-line that can be downright atrocious and still be this successful? Cutler doesn’t have the wide receivers or the blocking that Rodgers, Bress, or Brady have, but he still manages to get the job done come game time.

The fact of the matter is that Cutler is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL talent-wise and he was one game away from leading the Bears to the Super Bowl last year. No, he hasn’t won a Super Bowl yet, but that’s not going to stop him from going into every week with a “win and nothing else” attitude, and it’s definitely not going to stop me from defending him.

Jay Cutler really does dominate.