Bears' Mike Tice says he and Jay Cutler 'are fine' after sideline incident
The latest apparent tempest in a teapot surrounding Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler seems to be running out of steam.
Cutler looked to be having another on-field tantrum Monday night waiting for play calls against the Dallas Cowboys and later appeared to brush off Offensive Coordinator Mike Tice on the sideline. Cutler downplayed the incident after the game, and Tice did the same Wednesday.
"He probably had enough of me telling him why the play didn't work," Tice said, referring to the failed third-down conversion that precluded the incident on the bench.
"So in the heat of the battle, it's tough. I was really angry about the fact that we didn't make that third-and-1. I was in his ear all the way from the time he came off the field to the time he went over and put his helmet down. At a certain point, probably enough is enough. ... I wasn't angry at him. I was venting to why the play didn't work. We move on. He had a great game; very pleased with his performance."
Hard to fault Cutler there after he threw for 275 yards and two TDs in an efficient performance that kept the Bears tied atop the NFC North at 3-1.
"It's an emotional game, and Jay and I are fine," Tice said. "I wish they would've gotten the clip on the end of the game when he smacked me on the rear end. And I smacked him back, but they didn't show that one. They showed the other one. So that's the way it goes."
As long as the Bears, and Cutler in particular, perform the way they did Monday night -- especially when national TV cameras are rolling -- such "issues" should remain at a minimum. He invited criticism in Week 2 for yelling at and hitting struggling LT J'Marcus Webb, though Cutler's frustration might be forgive to some extent given the number of times his line has left him on his back in recent seasons. He's also adjusting to Tice, who's in his first year calling the plays.
Three of Chicago's next six games will be under the bright national spotlight, providing many more opportunities for Cutler scrutiny.
Hat tip:ESPNChicago