T.O., Cutler and Rex Ryan are called on the carpet. Matt Bowen
The talk leading up to Sunday is what seems to carry us through the doldrums of the work week, and this past week in the NFL has been no different. Multiple headlines, trash talk and even old coaches calling out franchise quarterbacks.
Let’s look at the three top stories of this week that, in my opinion, have captured not only our interest, but that of the blogging world and the nightly news.
Terrell Owens vs. America
I am not sure if T.O. will ever find an answer when it comes to the NFL media that follows him around. Sure, I have used plenty of Terrell Owens’ sound bites to carry some of my own work throughout this past year, but after the Bills fell apart in the final five minutes Monday night in Foxborough, I am wondering what options are left for Owens.
APTerrell Owens gets in trouble both when he speaks and when he's silent.
He doesn’t talk to the media following a tough road loss to a team that has dominated his current franchise for years—yet he is chastised for walking out of the locker room silent.
So T.O. did talk yesterday and, according to whom you read, the general assumption is that the superstar receiver is beginning to throw stones in quarterback Trent Edwards’ direction. Sound familiar? Of course it does, but as a fellow colleague of mine pointed out this morning, part of the media business is selling traffic. And, in saying that, if you can spin just a sentence—or even a single word with T.O.—you will sell traffic with your story.
My opinion is that T.O. wants to win—and I truly believe that—because he doesn’t want to be the next receiver without a ring to try to gain entrance into the Hall of Fame. I thought his presser yesterday was honest.
But, if he is held to just two receptions again this week against Tampa, then we might have something real to talk about.
Jay Cutler vs. Mike Martz/ Jim Mora
Let’s all stop analyzing Jay Cutler’s demeanor and emotional state when he is at the podium after ball games and practices. The guy played badly. We all know that, and it came at a time when the city of Chicago was basing its February plans already around his right arm and the Bears offense.
It’s just one game, but why would coach Martz and coach Mora question his attitude following a loss? Hey, I really have no idea. But we hear it all of the time that players and coaches need to be more “fiery” and need to show more emotion after a tough loss.
I have no problem criticizing how a guy plays because that’s part of my job, as well. But questioning a guy’s attitude at the podium is tough to do.
After watching Cutler work the media since he has been here in Chicago, his demeanor didn’t surprise me at all. That is who he is, like plenty of guys I played with during my own career. Losing a game didn’t affect their lives—which might be the best course of action with the amount of stress that Cutler is under wearing that Bears helmet along Lake Michigan. It was a football game—and there are 15 left to go.
Rex Ryan vs. the Patriots
APRex Ryan gets inaugurated into the Jets-Pats rivalry this weekend.
I love this one. Absolutely love it, because Rex Ryan is quickly becoming my favorite coach in the National Football League.
He said he wouldn’t “kiss Bill Belichick’s” rings, and I believe him, just as I believe the rest of his roster that is lining up to break down the Patriots before Sunday through a microphone. And why not?
We all know that the Patriots are a very good football team, but they aren’t perfect, just like every other team in the league who showed that they, too, have some weaknesses in their game plans after Week 1. Plus, the Pats—as talented as they are this season—haven’t won the Super Bowl for some time now.
This isn’t the Steelers of the 70’s or even the ’85 Bears—teams who struck fear into their opponents. In fact, this is just an AFC East game in Week 2, with two teams that are coming off of wins and who will now forever be rivals after Ryan and his boys lit the fire this week.
In my opinion, this is around to stay—because the culture of this league breeds trash talking, and it gives us something to look forward to throughout the week.
Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41
Ocho vs the Lambeau Field crowd... Would love to see what the Pack fans would do to him if he tried to jump in after a TD.
But, that won't happen, so it is probably not worth talking about.
Pack 21 Cincy 3
As much as I wish it was real, the OchoCinco/Barnett thing is a joke... they were teammates at Oregon State and are just joking around.
I'll be very interested to see if Cutler can bounce back against Pittsburgh, but my sense is that he's going to struggle again against Pittsburgh's blitzing 3-4 defense. I don't think Bears fans will have much patience with him if he starts throwing picks again Sunday, and I think he's the kind of guy who could implode if things aren't going well. I still see a lot of Jeff George in that guy; incredible passing skills but not a winner.
Matt, do you think you would have liked playing for Ryan?
I watched that Pack-Bear game Matt, and I think that Cutler's attitude in that post game press conference was a reflection of the way he played. 4 INTs??? At times, he was just heaving the ball up, and it seemed he didn't really care which team caught it. And at that press conference, it seemed he didn't care then either.
He needs someone to explain to him turnovers lose games, and he had too many turnovers. Did yoy see ANY contrition or regret in his post game remarks, or any indication he won't do it again??
I didn't, and I don't think Coach Mora did either.
He really reminds me of Favre....
MATTY!!!!
Glad to see you finally have come around on the possibility, just possibility, that half the T.O. crap floating through the internets the last two years have been the result of "selling traffic." I'm happy to see you finally rise above it!
Ok Matt, you took a high road on Cutler, but I think you are wrong. Cutler isn't just an NFL player, he's the quarterback and therefore the leader. He's is, as the cliche states, the face of the franchaise. He may not like it. He may be too immature to handle it, but it's there.
If Martz and Mora were unkind, it was nothing compared to the Chicago newspaper. In days wherein the media covers sneezes, this guy needs better management. On and off the field. He forfeited his freedom to simply be a face in the crowd. Command, and it's responsibilies are on top of that Bear helmet.
"Plus, the Pats—as talented as they are this season—haven’t won the Super Bowl for some time now."
Yeah Matt they've barely been heard from. Cripes we all remember the time the Steelers of the 70's had an undefeated regular season, lost maybe the best super bowl ever played, then lost Bradshaw and won 11 games the next year. Then got Bradshaw back and picked up right where they left off...delivering yet another prime time thriller.
That was the latter part of the Steeler dynasty right? That kind of stuff is getting so yesterday. It seems like everyone is doing it these days.
It's getting hard not to be a bitter Patriot fan. Not because people attack or loathe your team...we all know sports are better when there's a team to hate; but people are constantly diminishing their accomplishments.
The tenor of your comments make it sound like they're just fading away and haven't been heard from lately.
The Patriots of this decade deliver for the league like no other team. They should be commended for it IMO.
Hate them sure; that's part of the fun; but why diminish their sustained excellence?
Find me a single quote from Belichick or any of the Patriots *ever* disparaging the Jets or any other team, unlike the recent flak from Ryan and his players. This, despite the fact that they have beaten them in NJ 8 straight times. Ryan doesn't have to kiss any rings, but he should figure out why BB and his team are consistent winners and he's just a first-time coach... the game is won on the field, not in the media room.
Jez, Pats fans can't take a single word of opinion thrown towards their team....
Win another Super Bowl first. Right now the Steelers own the AFC,.
On TO-dude needs to talk about his own play. That drop he had was AWFUL. When you fail to make plays yourself, you shouldn't be throwing that player specific type of criticism of others out there, JMO. That's his MO though, not a one shot deal so I can't overlook its significance.
On Cutler, I could be wrong but I took the Mora/Martz criticism as more of an aggregate thing as well though they were speaking of that specific postgame presser. And if one looks at Cutler's behavior as a whole, that presser was more of the same, not an attempt to do a better job handling the press which IS a big part of being a team spokesman, which as the QB you are, no matter whether you hate it or not. Not only what Cutler says but his whole tone/attitude is that of "I couldn't possibly care less what I do, I shouldn't be called out, and I don't care to stand up here and answer what I am showing by my tone I feel are silly and pointless questions." He needs his tone to be sincere and match the words he said in his day or so AFTER the game presser, rather than the immediate postgame presser and this criticism should ebb.
On Ryan, I as a Pats fan don't expect anyone to kiss BB's rings. Sure a team should feel that they can beat another team, they should have confidence, and not be intimidated by another team's achievements. Nothing wrong with their feeling that way. But again, it's more the way Ryan and his players express what they say rather than the sentiments that are inappropriate.
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Sep 17, 2009
05:00 PM
OchoCinco vs. Barnett, atleast C.O. is smart enough to talk smack to one of the people that doesn't have a skillset to cover him, obviously he is wise and decided to stay away from Woodson and Harris as far as that goes.