The Beginning 1-9-11

#7 Bob Avellini

                   


The very first Livin Sports talk show aired Sunday January 9, 2011 on AM WIND 560. My in-studio Co-Host for the show was Former Teammate Chicago Bear Bob Avellini and our special guest was another Teammate of mine when we played college football together at the University of Washington, NFL Hall of Fame QB Warren Moon.

#1 Warren Moon

Listen in, as we talked about life in the NFL and what it is was like to be an NFL Quarterback and what it takes to be a great QB. We previewed the opening round of the NFL Playoffs and rated the top QB's in the College game. We also had a great time reminiscing how sports molded our lives, and had fun reflecting back on our Pro-Football careers.

Click on the following link to download the show in it's entirety: Download Podcast

Todd Collins....Brain Trust or Brain Fart

I have a ton of respect for any player that makes an NFL roster. But who in their right mind would put Todd Collins as the #2 QB in front of Caleb Hanie on the depth chart for the Chicago Bears in the biggest game since the 2006 Super Bowl. Granted, Caleb Hanie is young and raw, but let's take a close look at the numbers.

Todd Collins has been on a NFL roster for 16 years, but he will turn 40 on his next birthday. Of those 16 years, he never saw the field in 7 of those seasons. Sure, Todd went to all the meetings and practices, but without game time experience, you never develop as a dependable QB in the NFL. My intention here isn't to throw Todd under the bus, but try to figure out what the hell offensive coordinator Mike Martz or Coach Lovie Smith was thinking. The Bears 'Brain Trust' really laid an egg on this one. Todd Collins during the 2010 season completed 10 passes for 68 yds, had 5 INT's, 0 TD's and a QB rating of 5.9. For the past 13 years, Todd only saw action in 17 games as a back up.

Even though Caleb Hanie has had only 3 NFL seasons under his belt, he clearly showed why he should have been the QB when Jay Cutler hurt his knee. He has younger legs, a stronger arm and the guts to step in the fire under extreme pressure. To hear the lame excuse that Todd Collins has more experience...Bull Crap! Play the guy who gives the team the best chance to WIN. Shame on you Coach Martz, by playing Collins you wasted 2 drives that could have made a difference. Also, by putting Caleb 3rd on the depth chart, he didn't get many reps in practice.

Did Jay Cutler Quit on the Bears?

This past Sunday when the Chicago Bears played the Green Packers for the NFC Title, a black cloud of controversy surrounded QB Jay Cutler. Did he really suffer a game ending knee injury or was he so bad, he decided to take him self out so he didn't self destruct the Bears? As a former Player for the Chicago Bears, I'm not questioning his toughness or his Manhood. What I am questioning is his Demeanor, his Character, and his ability to be a Leader.

As a QB in the NFL, you are the Captain, the General, and the Leader of the Troops. On Sunday, Jay Cutler didn't show any of those characteristics. In fact, he looked very disinterested while on the sidelines nursing his knee. Was it his left or right knee? He couldn't even remember which play he hurt it on. And what is even more puzzling, Jay decided to have dinner Sunday night at a local restaurant and several fans watched him go up and down stairs without any discomfort.

Now, I was very lucky never to have torn an ACL or MCL during my 9 year career, but how bad was Jay's knee anyway. Monday's MRI results showed a slight Grade II tear. (Probably a Grade I inflated to a II to sound better in the media) Anyway, it sure has created a 'Knee Jerk' reaction among the Loyal Bear Fans. Oh well, Jeremy Roenick, former Blackhawk star, summed it up the best "I played a whole season on a torn MCL, Cutler sure wouldn't be cut out to be a hockey player!"