CLASSIC VIDEO: Mike Ditka goes off on reporter while pantsless
Check out this classic footage of Bears HC Mike Ditka during a 1988 post-game interview with CBS reporter Johnny Morris … which Ditka chose to conduct without pants. The brilliance here is found in the off-air moments before and after the interview, when Ditka absolutely lays into Morris for having to answer the same questions over and over again. Vintage Ditka, right here:
[Via Kap's Corner]
Jay Cutler is somehow less impressive on “mic’d up”
Last week we posted Matt Stafford’s “mic’d up” segment as evidence of his leadership skills, and overall potential as an NFL QB. In the case of Jay Cutler and his 5 INT performance in Week 10 against the 49ers, the insight we gain from the mic somehow manages to make us think even less of the man. And trust us, we hold Cutler in pretty low regards around these parts.
From his pre-game focus on Michael Crabtree’s cleats, to his nonchalant attitude throughout a horrendous game, to the near sense of relief when he was able to finally put his hat on and head to the locker room, Cutler does absolutely nothing to inspire nor lead the Bears offense. There just can’t possibly be a less charismatic QB in the game than this guy.
Jay Cutler makes Josh McDaniels look like a genius
When the Chicago Bears made the trade for Pro Bowl QB Jay Culter, everyone – and I mean everyone – said that they got the best of the Denver Broncos in the deal. I mean, Cutler for Kyle Orton and a few draft picks?!? Experts across the land destroyed Josh McDaniels for making such a foolish, rookie move, and most felt that Cutler would flourish in Chicago, while the Broncos would flounder under questionable leadership. Fast forward to 7 months later, and all of the sudden, Josh McDaniels looks like the smartest man ever to walk the face of the earth.
Cutler threw 5 interceptions in last night’s 10-6 loss to the 49ers, including one on the final play that ended a potential game-winning drive by the Bears. And there could have been more. The loss takes the Bears to 4-5 on the season, and brings Cutler’s season total to a league-leading 17 interceptions, on pace to break Peyton Manning’s record of 28 in one year. Meanwhile, Orton has thrown just 4 INTs so far this year, and the Broncos are leading the AFC East at 6-2.
But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Sure, Cutler said all the right things after the game, but you can just tell that he’s breaking down mentally on the field. He looks uncomfortable out there, and his decision making process has been atrocious. Plus, the Bears offense seems intent on having Cutler throw to his check-down receiver on almost every play, instead of utilizing the big arm he’s famous for to try and stretch the field a bit. It seems like a bad fit all-around, and it’s only a matter of time before the team starts cracking under the weight of Cutler’s performance.
So, at least at the mid-season point, it sure looks like the Broncos got the better of this deal. And this just in: Cutler got picked off yet again at breakfast this morning.
VIDEO: Jay Cutler goes airborne against the Lions
Bears QB Jay Cutler set the tone for his team in the first quarter against the Lions today with this 5-yard run, which concluded with Cutler launching himself into the air at the goal line:
Cutler seems to be enjoying his new Chicago surroundings, and now has the Bears sitting at 3-1.
Week 3 NFL Highlights: Ric Flair edition

Julius Jones does the Ric Flair Strut
This week’s installment of your NFL highlights combines 2 things we hold dear to our hearts here at ReadAndReact: football and old-school professional wrestling. Recently, Seahawks RB Julius Jones has been displaying his appreciation for 16x world champion Ric Flair by performing the famed “Flair Strut” in the endzone after scoring a touchdown.
He did it against the Rams in week 1, and yesterday against the Bears, Jones once again did his best Nature Boy impression after ripping off a 39-yd TD on a screen pass (play starts at the :15 mark):
The NY love-fest with Mark Sanchez is fully underway, thanks in large part from this TD run on Sunday. Also, Ric Flair will wrestle Hulk Hogan in Australia later this year. WOO!:
Donald Driver makes an amazing one-handed catch against the Rams. In other news, Ric Flair scratch-off lottery cards are now available in North Carolina. WoooOOOooo!:
Friday Phone Call Between Tom Brady and Kyle Orton
Kyle Orton: Hey Tom, it’s me, Kyle. You mind if I ask a few questions?
Tom Brady: No problem, but I don’t have much time. Me and Gisele are headed out to Lake Como to hang out with Matt, Brad and George.
KO: You’re going to Lake Como? You have a game on Sunday!
TB: I’m Tom Brady, I can do anything.
KO: Um, well, I was wondering… Josh McDaniels, he keeps wanting me to hit the open man?
TB: Well…
KO: I mean what the hell, right?
TB: I, uh… that seems reasonable.
KO: You know how difficult that is?
TB: Well…
KO: That’s just crazy!
TB: I think maybe I have to go; the butler has informed me the limo is here.
Gisele [in the background]: Tommy, should I even bring underwear?
KO: Okay, but seriously, he also wants me to watch video! Of the other team! Can you imagine? What is that? I would understand if he wanted me to watch like “Replacements” or something, but game film? What? That’s crazy!
TB: Well… I really have to go.
KO: Okay, I am gonna go drink a TON of beer! You know what I mean? Get NFD, National Football Drunk. You know what I’m saying?
TB: I actually don’t.
KO: I got a 30-pack of Coors, my man. I mean screw McDaniels! I’m going to get HAMMERED!!!!
TB: Bye now.
KO: X-Box, chips and beer! Gonna get lit!! Let’s go Broncos!!!
Denver-Cutler Love Fest: Photo Essay

Jay Cutler tries to block out the boos of his former fans (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
I have just returned home from Mile High Stadium (I still refuse to call it by its new corporate name), the site of the much-anticipated Bears vs Broncos pre-season match-up, featuring the return of QB Jay Cutler to his old stomping grounds … much to the dismay of the Denver faithful.
It’s clear that the Broncos’ fan base is harboring some bad feelings about the way Cutler ended his career there, but I can’t help but wonder if their anger is slightly misplaced. Sure, Cutler came off as whiny and immature throughout the whole off-season soap opera with Josh McDaniels that led to his departure. But it was the young maverick head coach who has come into town and essentially run out his best players, determined to put his stamp on the franchise.
Regardless, Broncos fans used this game as an opportunity to unleash their furor on Cutler … showering him with boos at every chance, and turning their once-prized #6 jerseys into tools of derision for their new enemy. The game itself actually proved to be a relatively mediocre affair, with Cutler leading the Bears to a victory, and new Broncos’ QB Kyle Orton leaving the game with a cut finger.
But the real highlight of the evening was checking out the creativity of Broncos fans in their abuse of Cutler. Everywhere you looked, people were decked out in their most clever anti-Cutler outfits, channeling their frustration into an arts & crafts extravaganza for the eyes.
After the jump, check out the ReadAndReact photo essay of the Denver-Cutler love fest:
Free love: Cutler’s return to Denver
It’s just a preseason game, but Jay Cutler’s return to Denver tomorrow pits a cranky, irritated fanbase against a punkish, moody quarterback–who used to be their punkish, moody quarterback. For the Bears, it’s a third preseason game–then get out of town. For the Broncos, and their fans, it cuts deeper. Beyond crushing Cutler and ending his season with a mind-blowing concussion, it’s just a game of sticks and stones–the Broncos fans still have to enter 2009 with Kyle Orton at quarterback (doubt many Bears fans are ringing their hands over that reunion).

It seems like a bear would rather spend time in Colorado than Chicago--but that would make too much sense, of course.
Moreover, Denver has bigger fish to fry than Cutler. The “sense of entitlement” void left by Cutler was immediately filled (and then some) by Brandon Marshall, perhaps the most tedious player west of Ochocinco. Josh McDaniels, who has been bathed in drama since taking the job, took a stand in suspending the flagrantly lazy, diva-like Marshall–and it may have earned back his respect with the team.
If something doesn’t feel right in Denver–beyond the exodus of star power–it may be the fact that the team’s schedule includes the Patriots, Steelers, Colts, and the NFC East. Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, however, is not dismayed, at least openly. He told the Denver Post’s Mike Klis, “I’m really optimistic about — not so much we’re going to win 12 games or anything like that — but optimistic that we’re going to be a good football team,” Bowlen said. “I like what I see. I’m really happy with my staff and the coaches. I’ve got to know most of them pretty well. I’ve watched how they interact — it’s a good buzz going around this upstairs floor.”
We wonder if the state’s rich supply of Coors could have something to do with that.







