Day 49: Cutler's interceptions, LeBron's number change, Ochocinco's fine and more

HEADLINES

1) Jay Cutler threw five interceptions last night, including two in the redzone, in the 10-6 loss at San Francisco to bring his season interception total to 17 on the year, the highest in the NFL. Are the Bears regretting trading for Jay Cutler?

Ben: I highly doubt the Bears are regretting it, because the trade did several things for them in the offseason. It rejuvanated their fanbase that was a little upset about such a disappointing season the year before, it gave them a marketable offensive player, and a future QB they could count on. Now, Cutler has to play better then he did last night, but I think that you see games like this from time to time with risk-taking QB's. Even great QB's, Peyton Manning, have thrown 5+ interceptions in one game.

I don't think the Bears, or Bears fans' should be regretting the trade, but I do think that Cutler needs to get his attitude on the field together before he can take the next step in becoming a great leader, and ultimately a great QB.

Boz: As a gunslinger, Cutler has shown in the past that he'll throw a lot of touchdowns and throw quite a bit of interceptions as well, but this is getting out of hand. I would say that three of the interceptions last night weren't all of his fault, but the two that were his fault were awful throws. Kyle Orton might not have had the strongest arm or had been the flashiest quarterback, but at least he took care of the ball. Now to answer the question, I don't think they regret the trade yet. Cutler is still a franchise quarterback and will eventually guide the Bears to the playoffs in future seasons. Orton is a solid quarterback but he isn't the guy a franchise hangs their hat on. He'll fade out of the picture eventually in Denver, while Cutler will eventually get the Bears to where they want to be.

2) LeBron James stated that he is going to start the movement of getting Michael Jordan's #23 retired throughout the NBA by switching the #6 next season. Do you like this idea by LeBron?

Ben: Not really. I mean, it's a neat idea, but I don't feel like Michael Jordon should be honored as someone who broke barriers. He was a fantastic player, potentially the greatest of all-time, but he really didn't have to go up against the racial discrimination that Jackie Robinson fought threw, or what Bill Russell had to go through in a city that, at the time, did not embrace African-American stars.

Jordon was the greatest player by far of my generation and, therefore, LeBron's generation -- but let's not pretend like he was a savior of basketball, or that every fan of the NBA thinks that MJ is the greatest player of all-time.

Boz: I do actually. When Jordan went into the Hall of Fame, I stated on this blog that I agreed with the idea of retiring #23 throughout the entire league. I thought that the one road block would be LeBron James. I figured that, even though LBJ respects the history of the game, he would be too wrapped up in his image to want to change his number. I like the switch to #6 and I see others wearing MJ's number following suit and eventually David Stern making the retirement official.

3) Chad Ochocinco has been fined $20,000 for flashing a $1 bill at an official as a bribe during a replay in a joking matter. Do you agree with the fine?

Ben: No. I understand the idea behind it -- you want to keep the integrity of the game pure and don't want people even joking about bribes, or things of that nature, but 20 g's, that seems a little steep and I think the NFL is taking itself way to seriously.

Goddell should fine himself for bringing Michael Vick on stage at the draft a few years ago knowing he was arrested for possession and was under investigation for dog-fighting. The NFL has done plenty of stupid things or allowed plenty of childish behavior and done nothing -- ease up on Ochocinco.

Boz: I've never been a big fan of fines for touchdown celebrations because I think that the NFL needs to keep some of the fun in the league. But I agree with this fine because it was during a replay for just a regular catch. Ochocinco was just trying to draw attention to himself, like usual. I think that Ochocinco is just trying to have as much fun as possible during a very successful season for the Bengals. He'll have no problem paying the fine and I'm sure we'll see something happen during the Steelers game on Sunday.

4) The Washington Natinals took away the interim part of Jim Riggelman's title, making him the manager for the Nationals. Good move for the Nationals?

Ben: Sure. They won't win, so what does it matter? They have 2 great players and several good players, but they can't compete with the Marlins, Braves, Mets, and Phillies in that division. They won't compete for 5-7 years, even if everything goes well. So, I guess it's a good move, but will it even be noticed?
Boz: I guess it's a good move for the Nationals. Riggelman has had stints as a manager but has never really been successful. But he looked like he fired up the ballclub last season despite being WAY out of any playoff race. However, this is not a good move for Riggelman. As a former skipper for the Cubs, I feel for Riggelman a bit because no one can turn the Nationals around even with Stephen Strasburg on the roster next season. They are the worse team in the major leagues and they will be for quite some time, especially in the MLB where the rich get richer.

NFL PICK 'EM

Last week              Ben: 4-3                Boz: 4-3
Season                   Ben: 27-24            Boz: 28-23

1) Detroit (1-7) at Minnesota (7-1)

Ben: DETROIT. I'm not sure why.

Boz: MINNESOTA. I'm not sure if I'll pick up a game on Benji here. I'm not even sure if he would pick Detroit in this matchup.

2) Cincinnati (6-2) at Pittsburgh (6-2)

Ben: PITTSBURGH. Mendenhall and Big Ben will set the Steelers up for a close 4-7 point win at home.

Boz: PITTSBURGH. I think the Steelers are playing some of the best football right now. The Bengals proved a lot by sweeping the season series against the Ravens but I can't see them getting a win at Heinz Field.

3) Atlanta (5-3) at Carolina (3-5)

Ben: CAROLINA. I think the Panthers are playing better, and if they keep handing it off to their two good stud runners, they'll be in the game late.

Boz: ATLANTA. These are the games the Falcons need to win if they want to stay in the playoff hunt. They'll shut down the Panthers run attack and make Jake Delhomme beat them, which he won't.

4) Dallas (6-2) at Green Bay (4-4)

Ben: GREEN BAY. If for nothing else then because they absolutely have to win this game to have a chance.

Boz: DALLAS. I use to think that the Cowboys couldn't win a big game on the road. But after last week's win in Philly, I believe that the Cowboys will win at Lambeau.

5) Philadelphia (5-3) at San Diego (5-3)

Ben: SAN DIEGO. I rarely teams can travel cross country and win on the road -- so I'll take the Chargers against a struggling Eagles team.

Boz: SAN DIEGO. The Chargers are playing much better and will benefit from having this one at home. The Eagles still have some issues on offense.

6) New England (6-2) at Indianapolis (8-0)

Ben: INDIANAPOLIS. I like Peyton, and I don't like Tom. I like Caldwell and I don't like Belichik. I'm bias, what can I say?

Boz: NEW ENGLAND. It seems like Bill Belichik always has a good game plan for Peyton Manning and the Colts. The Indy offense hasn't been putting up big numbers the last couple weeks and they'll have to in order to keep up with the Pats.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 42nd Birthday Greg Anthony. The former Grizzles and SuperSonics guard is now a pretty good announcers on several networks for NBA and college basketball. Every-once-in-a-while, he'll be funny -- but I'm more impressed with his insight then anything.

Boz: Happy 42nd Birthday to Steve Christie. The former Buffalo Bills placekicker was 78% over his career on field goals and was the first ever kicker to recover his own on-side kick during a playoff game. He also was one of the best field goal kickers on Tecmo Super Bowl.