Cutler, and Tebow, and Eagles... oh my!!! (And the return of pictures!)

So Week 5 of the NFL season is now in the books.  However, there are a few things that need to be touched on that are either not getting enough attention, or at least not the right kind.

First thing's first... Everybody better quit the Jay Cutler criticism right now.  The guy has been nothing but scrutinized his entire career.  The majority of his criticism has stemmed from last year's NFC Championship  Game against the Green Bay Packers.  Cutler went down with an MCL sprain in his knee and was unable to return to the game.  Players spoke out against him that he wasn't tough and that he looked disinterested on the sidelines while injured, or that he wasn't in backup QB Caleb Hanie's ear enough to walk him through the game.

This was the shot that had many people questioning Cutler's toughness, both mental and physical.

At the time, I was hesitant to criticize the Diabetic Cannon (or the Glucose Gunslinger, or the Vandy Dandy that Can't Have Candy, as my friend Jordan Welch would put it) because, well, I don't know how I can criticize a professional athlete for not playing injured, especially when I don't know what the pain is like.

Well, at this point into this year's season, I have seen enough to say leave Jay Cutler alone.  Anyone who has watched the Bears this year has seen the debacle that is their offensive line.  This guy is running for his life on every play and these guys simply cannot keep him upright.  Suddenly, the Bears must be regretting not re-signing veteran Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz during the offseason, who went on to sign a deal with the New Orleans Saints.  Now, how many times have you heard Cutler complain about his line? Clue: none.  The guy has kept his mouth shut and played the game.  And ironically, it seems as though he has made less Cutler-esque mistakes this year.  It is because of Jay Cutler that I am further turned off by Michael Vick's comments earlier in the season about how his O-line is not protecting him and such.  Michael, take a page out of Jay's book, keep your mouth shut and play football.  My hat goes off to Jay Cutler for how he has handled his situation this year.  The guy has proven he's tough and he isn't even complaining about the beating he's taken.  You've won me over, Jay.

Now, onto the biggest news of the day.  In case you haven't heard, the Denver Broncos have announced that sophomore QB and fan-favorite Tim Tebow will be the team's starting QB when they return from their bye in Week 7.  

Ladies and gentlemen... it's Tebow Time.

Perhaps the most stunning thing about all of the hype, at least to me anyway, is how extreme the opinions on Tebow are.  It seems that you either love him and think he's destined to be a star in the NFL, or you think he's terrible and not worthy of playing for an NFL team.  I, however, fall into neither of the two.  I personally think that he is a viable starter in the NFL, and while he will never be a premier passer, the guy flat out makes plays; he's a winner.  And I know that phrase has been long overused in reference to Tebow, but it's true.  Anyone who watched the end of the Denver-San Diego game saw glimpses of greatness and an inconsistent pocket passer.  That is exactly what he is.  He will never have the polished passing skills of a Peyton Manning, a Tom Brady, a Drew Brees, or an Aaron Rodgers, but he finds a way to get the first down or the critical yardage when you need it the most, and it usually isn't pretty.  So far, since the beginning of the 2010 season, only Michael Vick (9) has more rushing TDs than Tebow (7) among quarterbacks.  The difference? Tebow has only started 3 games since he's been in the NFL.  

Now, I've never been a big fan of running QBs in the NFL, because they're often prone to mistakes and taking off at the wrong time, but I would actually take Tim Tebow as my starting QB.  Not because I think he's a Hall of Fame QB in the making, but because I trust his instincts and I trust his decision-making with the game on the line and in critical situations.  If I were to take him, though, it would be necessary to surround him with some weapons.  Right now Brandon Lloyd is a very good WR, but Eric Decker as a number two? And with no notable tight end threat?  No disrespect to Eric Decker, he could wind up being very good, who knows, but as of now he's not the number two guy I want to set Tebow up with.  He doesn't have a great running back to hand it off to either, despite the reemergence of Willis McGahee, especially since Knowshon Moreno hasn't panned out as expected.

Bottom line here is that Tim Tebow is neither the Broncos' savior, nor a scrub.  The guy makes plays, kisses babies, and knows how to win games.

Well.  Now onto the part that will either make you cry or smile.  The Eagles.  Where to start with the once self-titled "Dream Team"... I think at this point it is safe to say that from here on out it is an uphill battle just to keep his job.  With the talent that the organization has assembled, there is really no excuse for a 1-4 record.  After this year, Eagle fans may get what they have inconsistently off-and-on wanted for years now, an Eagle team not coached by Andy Reid.  I have never been a big "fire Andy Reid" proponent because I don't think the Eagles would have reached three straight NFC Championship games in the middle of the past decade without Reid.  But, if the season continues as it is going right now, Andy Reid should be gone.

Just to put it all in perspective, the Eagles would theoretically have to end the year 9-2 just to reach a 10-6 record and possible make the playoffs.  With the way this team has made costly mistakes, this is not only unlikely, but impossible.  The sad thing for this Eagle team is that they have been in a position to win every game they've played this year, but without fail, they have found a way to beat themselves.  

The problem has not only been their mistakes, but their defense has not lived up to expectations.  Their ridiculous secondary has been rendered irrelevant without the presence of a run defense.  They have allowed opposing running backs to impose their will on the paltry Eagles D.  Their poor tackling and execution has led me to the conclusion that I could have success running the ball against the Eagles defense behind Jay Cutler's offensive line.  They're that bad.

Is it possible for the Eagles to get it together and roll off a 9-2 run and make the playoffs? Yes.  But the reason why it will not happen is because this team is simply undisciplined.  Nobody is being held accountable for the team's mistakes and there has to be a lot going on in the locker room, considering the Players Only meeting that was called on the off day after Week 4.  Poor clock management in the final two minutes of each half has to fall equally on the shoulder of Reid and Vick, because if one mismanages, the other should have the presence of mind to bail the other out. 

Where does the blame fall? Anyone? Bueller?

Herein lies my mistrust of Michael Vick.  His head.  I don't trust him when it matters to make the crucial play in crunch time.  In theory, Vick is the Anti-Tebow.  Where Tebow excels, Vick falters.  Is Vick a better passer and better running with more raw athletic ability? Absolutely.  But who do I want managing my offense to a comeback win in the 4th quarter? The answer is simple: Tim Tebow.

To all Eagle fans, your team needs to get it together, plain and simple.  But their problem isn't one that can be fixed overnight.  The team needs to put their egos aside and form a cohesive unit.  Because if they don't, not only will they continue to beat themselves and lose games, but you can expect a slew of firings on the Eagles coaching staff and a massive overhaul.  Buckle up Eagle fans, it could be a very bumpy ride.