Emma: Jay Cutler Composed Amid Bears' Fire
By Chris Emma-
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Standing front and center to the reporters' attention Friday, Bears coach Marc Trestman and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer carried on conversation as if all was fine and dandy at Halas Hall.
It was yet another front to conceal the unbearable issues that Chicago (5-8) has experienced in the most miserable season of recent memory. Kromer later met the media in an attempt to conduct damage control, but he simply threw more fuel on the fire he started.
After the Bears' brutal loss to the Cowboys on Dec. 4, Kromer made critical comments of Cutler to the NFL Network's Ian Rapaport. On Monday, he revealed to Chicago's entire offense that he was the source of this report. Credibility and trust seemingly went down the drain from there.
"We'll handle it internally and we'll go from there," Kromer said.
Added Trestman: "We're going to handle the rest of it internally and deal with what's important."
For a cruel twist of irony, had Kromer handled his criticisms of Cutler internally, none of this mess would be public. Kromer would be discussing his poor offense, not his disastrous decision to leak "internal" information and then come forward as the mole.
Leadership has been a void at Halas Hall, where a listless head coach -- one who literally wrote a book on leadership -- has lost all control of his football team.
Kromer's attempts to shield off questions on the mess he made further displayed the Bears' lack of control. As he stepped off the podium with the look of a defeated man, in came Cutler, the victim of these attacks.
Were you mad at Aaron Kromer, Jay?
"No, I wasn't angry at him," Cutler replied. "The way he talked to us and addressed the issue, I think he cleared the air."
How could you trust in Kromer again?
"Look, we all make mistakes," Cutler responded.
What about the report that the Bears have buyer's remorse for your contract?
"Stuff like that, when you're 5-8, that's going to happen," he answered.
This is the same Cutler whose every shrug and nonchalant mannerism gets dissected. It's the guy known for his "Don't care!" response. With every reason to be bitter or hurt, Cutler took the high road, as if he truly didn't care.
Perhaps Cutler had already moved on and is genuinely focused on the Saints more than the panicked rhetoric of the crumbling offensive coordinator who's guilty of this crime and a petrified head coach whose job is in jeopardy.
"The only thing we're concerned about is the New Orleans Saints," Trestman said when asked of his job security.
If Kromer had used better judgement, he wouldn't have leaked these comments to Rapaport. From there, he could have handled this matter with Cutler and Cutler only, rather than making it a team issue.
There's such great flaw in this matter, so many reasons for Cutler to be crushed. Kromer could have joined the list with Josh McDaniels, Ron Turner, Mike Martz and Mike Tice as offensive coordinators who have experienced a bad breakup with Cutler. But the quarterback took the high road.
"I wish we could communicate like that more often, because things are out in the open," Cutler said.
On another eventful day at the circus that has invaded Halas Hall, it seems as if the Bears do have a little leadership. Cutler was prepared and poised, taking a tough subject in stride. His demeanor was exceptional.
If only Cutler's coaches carried themselves with such control.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.
