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Thursday thoughts (or as close as we come to such things around here): The Chicago Bears’ decision to bench quarterback Jay Cutler for Sunday’s home game against Detroit is curious at best. Oh, yeah, and stupid at worst. Unless the idea is to make sure Cutler avoids injury so he can be traded.
Video below of Lisa Morales. You were expecting a Jay Cutler photo?
* Speaking of the possibility of trading Cutler, in a semi-rational world to deal him to another team would seem to be about the only way general manager Phil Emery keeps his job — if such a transaction would even save it.
* Speaking of Bears quarterbacks, the decision to start backup Jimmy Clausen seems to make a statement (other than unhappiness with Cutler’s performance): Goodbye, Marc Trestman. Unless the idea is to make sure Cutler is viewed as the impediment in Trestman’s offensive scheme.
* Still speaking of Bears QBs, if the idea is to beat Detroit and Minnesota in the season’s final two games, it’s hard to imagine Clausen is the answer. Unless, perhaps, the question is: “What Bears quarterback on the 2014 team was worse than Jay Cutler?”
* And yet again still speaking of Bears QBs, when the news came forth that Cutler was being benched, there were those in the media — and presumably elsewhere — who called for rookie David Fales to be Cutler’s replacement. And who could blame them? After all, what would be more perfect than having a Bears quarterback that says “fails” without even having to take a snap?
* Moving right along to a subject other than Bears quarterbacks, how about a former Bears quarterback. Namely San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, who reportedly received a six-year, $49 million dollar offer to become the University of Michigan football coach. The statistical-analysis department around here ran those numbers through its computers and determined that’s $8.17 million a season (give or take a few dollars). Meaning Harbaugh, who was a Michigan quarterback years ago, would become the highest-paid college football coach. He is considered likely to turn down the offer. Yes, money isn’t everything — especially when you have enough to ensure a comfortable existence for generations to come.
* Speaking of money and staying put, Carmelo Anthony — who as a free agent spurned an offseason offer from the Chicago Bulls — and the New York Knicks visit the United Center on Thursday night. He told media after practice Wednesday he doesn’t reflect on “what if?” scenarios: “If I start doing that and saying what if to myself and second-guessing and questioning myself, it won’t be right. For me, mentally it won’t be right, so I will not allow myself to sway toward asking myself what if with this situation or that situation.” Of course, with the Bulls 15-9 and the Knicks 5-22, Anthony might want to wonder not “what if?” but “WTF?”
* Speaking of the Bulls, if the season ended today, they would be the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and face LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. For what it’s worth. And that would be: not much.
* President Barack Obama announced he was taking historic steps to resume diplomatic relations with Cuba. The move makes sense on several levels. Among other things, this could lead to an influx of Cuban baseball players in the United States. Take that, Fidel!
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