Jay is our quarterback.
Then the game started.
It started off innocently enough with Cutler driving the team down the field with some good throws all the way down to the Cleveland 14 yard line; and then it happened.
A pass to WR Brandon Marshall that was tipped and intercepted.
Dec 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) makes a pass reception against Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
It was not a well thrown ball but Marshall misplayed it and it ended up in the hands of Tashaun Gipson for INT #1.
Later in the 2nd quarter, Cutler fired a pass to Marshall that was once again way to high, it was also tipped and Tashaun Gipson took it back for a touchdown. INT #2.
2 interceptions in his first 10 passes, and one was a pick-6.
Not exactly how Trestman and Cutler drew it up.
The weight of the world or at least the weight of the team and a rabid and sometimes unruly fan base was on Cutler’s shoulders. He felt the pressure.
"Yeah, I think I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was. With everything on the outside, and as well as Josh (McCown) has played. -Jay Cutler"
This was a defining moment in the oft maligned career of man thought of as a pouter, a quitter, a negative leader with bad body language but, someone with all the talent in the world.
If he was nervous he didn’t show it. He simply followed the lead of his Head Coach and went out and played football.
Marc Trestman seemed to know that Cutler would play well. He seemed to know what buttons to push and how to get the QB to fully invest himself into the philosophy of the system. He put a process in place and allowed the process to work.
"I told him that we weren’t going to change our game plan or play to protect him. I think that the play calling showed that throughout. Aaron and I made the decision to let it roll and I think you have to give a lot of credit to his teammates. They played hard for him today and had his back. He’s a captain of this football team and he’s elected captain of this football team. I’m sure that he would tell you that, not just the offensive guys, but throughout our football team, they stuck together and won for each other today. I thought it was a real good one for us. -Marc Trestman"