In Shocking Development, Chargers Players Think Jay Cutler Is 'a Punk'

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Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers have a history. The two redneck quarterbacks don't like each other, and that was clearly evident last Christmas. As of mid-October, nothing had changed, and any progress the two might've made in couples therapy will certainly be for naught in light of recent comments from Rivers' teammates.

Via the San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee, who served as a guest host on a local radio station earlier this week and kiddingly asked Chargers linebacker Matt Wilhelm about Cutler being a punk:

I was joking. I mean, I think Jay Cutler is arrogant and off-putting, but I was totally joking and never expected a response. I was saying it for a laugh. I had suggested the same thing in an earlier interview with Clinton Hart.

But Wilhelm, who is a great interview, took my suggestion and ran. "He is a punk," Wilhelm said. "I'm just not a huge fan of his." Wilhelm compared Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler, saying both were leaders and wanted to win badly.

"But Jay Cutler," Wilhelm said, "he and Tony Gonzalez are the biggest crybabies in the league."

There's more, of course, but the message is basically this: Cutler sucks, Rivers is awesome. At least if you play for the Chargers (although Broncos players may feel similarly).

Either way, I can't think of a better way to end the '08 regular season than with the Hee Haw Bowl. Winner takes the AFC West, and the honor of having the Colts pay them a visit in the wild-card round.

NFL Trash Talkers

Add some more fuel to the fiery rivalry between the Chargers and Broncos. Linebacker Matt Wilhelm, left, called Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, right, a "punk" and a "crybaby" in a radio interview. Click through to see other players that ran their mouths this year.

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Former Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington may be retired, but that didn't stop him from ripping his old coach. Arrington called Joe Gibbs a "coward" and then "coward-like," claiming he only returned to the sidelines in Washington to promote his NASCAR team.

Joe Robbins, Getty Images

Dolphins star Joey Porter, left, argued that Jaguars receiver Matt Jones should not be allowed to play after a felony cocaine charge against him earlier this year. So Jones responded by, among other things, asking if Porter liked men.

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What, you're surprised to see Porter in here twice? Porter took aim at the Broncos' Brandon Marshall after Miami's Week 9 win, saying that Marshall turns into a head case when he doesn't get the ball enough.

Doug Benc, Getty Images

Cincinnati's Keith Rivers, out for the year after a Hines Ward block broke his jaw, issued a warning to the Steelers wide receiver, saying "what goes around, comes around."

Tom Hauck, Getty Images

Sensing a theme here? Baltimore's Terrell Suggs put Ward on notice in advance of the team's Dec. 14 game, bragging that the Ravens had put out a bounty on Pittsburgh's star wideout. The Steelers won 13-9.

Rick Stewart, Getty Images

Browns defensive tackle Corey Williams talked smack to Brandon Jacobs and the Giants before their 'Monday Night Football' clash. He said, "I'm going to try to knock his head off." Cleveland stunned New York 35-14.

G Fiume, Getty Images

Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson said he was going to "kiss the star" at Texas Stadium before a matchup with the Cowboys. 'Ocho Cinco' managed just three catches for 43 yards in a Dallas win.

G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images

Minnesota's Pat Williams talked a big game before a MNF matchup with the Packers, saying he would hold Green Bay running back Ryan Grant to less than 100 yards. While Grant only rushed for 92 yards, the Packers won the game 24-19.

Joe Robbins, Getty Images

In days leading up to a another emotional game versus his old team, Cowboys star Terrell Owens said he got "too big" for Philadelphia and former teammate Donovan McNabb. Dallas won the game 41-37.

Ronald Martinez, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)

12-26-2008 @ 3:28PM

OrangeNBlue said...

Its funny that he thinks Philip "Cry Me A" Rivers isn't to blame for anything. Last time I checked, it was Rivers who was on the field when he shouldn't have been, jawing with Cutler, and it was Rivers who was talking trash to fans in the crowd. Matt Wilhelm must be deaf if he doesn't hear all the garbage coming out of his boy Phil's mouth. Jay Cutler only answered the questions he was asked (on PTI, Best Damn Sport Show, etc), and in a truthful manner. He's not a phony who pretends like him and Rivers are BFFs. GO BRONCOS!

12-26-2008 @ 5:40PM

Wayne said...

His comments about having a stronger arm than Brett Favre weren't at all cocky or self-absorbed. /sarcasm

12-27-2008 @ 10:23AM

Uncle Slam said...

What I want to know is this: if Phillip Rivers' parents get divorced, are they still brother and sister?

12-26-2008 @ 3:42PM

Dave said...

I don't know why you Bronco and Charger fans are getting all
bent out of shape about this stuff. Either team will get manhandled
in the first playoff game. lmfao
Steeler fan

12-27-2008 @ 2:36PM

briiansd said...

Yeah, just like the Chargers were 10 point dogs in last years play-offs.

12-26-2008 @ 6:17PM

Wayne: This is what Jay said when asked about having a stronger arm than Brett Favre: "I think he may have given me a run back in his 20s, but I think I got him now."

Now can you please explain to me what is so cocky or self-absorbed about that? Favre is almost 40 while Cutler is only 25. It would be ridiculous to say that Favre still has the edge. At this point in his career, Favre doesn't have much of an edge over many young QBs in the league, not just Cutler.

And while we're talking about arm strength, let me just add that Cutler's remarks about Elway are also misunderstood. He never said he was a better QB than Elway. He said that he felt he had a stronger arm than Elway, which is true. And even if you wanna compare Elway and Cutler, Cutler has better stats than Elway did at the same point in his career (look it up).

Jay Cutler is not cocky or self-absorbed. He just has a habit of saying exactly what he's thinking, and honestly answering the questions reporters ask him. If he thinks his arm is better than Elway, he's not gonna shy away like other players might. Its not his problem that people like you are so used to everyone being "politically correct."

12-26-2008 @ 6:46PM

Tom said...

OrangeNBlue - your comments are right on! Cutler is, in fact, smarter and every bit as talenteted as Elway. Elway's strength was his resiliance - he could continually bounce back after a big hit. Hopefully Jay can do the same. But Cutler has shown that at the sme point in his career he makes better choices and has more arm than Elway. The one problem he does have is that his arm is so strong he forces balls into coverage a little too often and gets picked. It tookk Elway a dozen years to learn how to throw an eight yard pass. Cutler learned that before becoming a pro.

12-26-2008 @ 7:41PM

Bronco Fan said...

WTF Talking trash is part of the fun. It makes for drama which sells tickets. This is entertainment. Good for the chargers fan's they have been good the last couple of years but have basicaly sucked as a francise. I feel bad for them. I say may the best team win. If I coached the chargers I would be pissed about the smack talking it will motivate the Broncos. Jay Cutler is the man look at the stat's. As another person posted both of these teams are not strong enought to win it this year. Oh well. I hope for a great game and may Cutler make the chargers his BITCH'S LOL GO BRONCO'S

12-26-2008 @ 8:59PM

nexxtlevell said...

A charger player calling a Bronco qb a punk now that's rich.

12-26-2008 @ 9:03PM

PacoGerte said...

The "Jawing Incident of 2007" was blown a bit out of proportion on a slow sports news week. The Chargers were killing the Broncos, and Rivers was yelling "Yeah, Baby!" when Cutler got creamed by Shaun Phillips. But somehow, Rivers got in Cutler's head, and Cutler didn't take it well. Rivers is respected and admired by his team mates, and he's great with the press. Cutler has neither of those advantages, but Cutler has a great arm.
If I was a Colts fan, I'd be cheering for the Broncos.

BTW, what are people from Denver called? Folks from San Diego are San Diegans, Los Angeles are Angelinos... what are you... Denverites?

12-26-2008 @ 11:08PM

Cutler isn't liked by his teammates?? As a Denverite (I think thats what we're called...) and a Bronco fan I must say that it appears Cutler and his teammates get along very well.

They are not just teammates but friends - they hang out together during the offseason, they support each other at charity events (e.g. - Jay Cutler Foundation events/golf tourneys). Hell, Jay even let Brandon Marshall live in his basement and practice with him while Marshall was suspended earlier in the season. If that's not friendly I dont know what is.

As far as respect goes, watch almost any press conference where Cutler's teammates are asked about him and they will all tell you the same thing - they've got his back. One player went so far as to say that this game in SD is like going to war and Cutler is their leader in the war. For you to say that he's not liked or respected by his teammates is ridiculous.

12-27-2008 @ 2:18AM

jaydubsud said...

People from Denver and surrounding areas are called Front Rangers....but that might be only by people who lived in the Rockies.

12-27-2008 @ 11:27AM

Jordan said...

We are called AMERICANS!

12-27-2008 @ 1:49PM

texboy20006 said...

and ppl from cali are also a bunch off fags. rivers is just mad that jay is a all around better qb than he will ever be

12-27-2008 @ 1:38AM

pami said...

Phillip Rivers attitude sucks. Go Broncos!!!!

12-27-2008 @ 2:46AM

Bronco4life said...

Let it be known Denver is a very young team with rookies,1st,2nd,3rd year players watch out NFL. Denver is the new Dynasty coming.

12-27-2008 @ 2:37PM

Really? Name them.

12-27-2008 @ 4:35AM

H. D. Jones said...

Ryan Wilson, are you the individual who wrote this article?
If so, you may need to check your facts. Jay Cutler was
born in Indiana and graduated at Vanderbilt University down in Nashville, TN. The University ranks high in academia standards.

Yet, you SOB, call him a redneck. He may be a jerk or arrogant but what allows you to call him a sterotyped
"redneck?" If you have any courage, drop down by Nashville and check the requirement for entry, graduation requirements, and background of the students and faculty. Few are from the South. And, you let it be known you think they are rednecks and you might go home with your bigotted, biased head up your pansy ASS!!!

By the way, I am neither a Vanderbilt nor Bronco fan. I just hate you racist bastards who look down on people and refer to then in an unncecssary and unethical manner.

12-27-2008 @ 12:21PM

mbws said...

H. D. Jones said...

Ryan Wilson, are you the individual who wrote this article?
If so, you may need to check your facts. Jay Cutler was
born in Indiana and graduated at Vanderbilt University down in Nashville, TN. The University ranks high in academia standards.

Yet, you SOB, call him a redneck. He may be a jerk or arrogant but what allows you to call him a sterotyped
"redneck?" If you have any courage, drop down by Nashville and check the requirement for entry, graduation requirements, and background of the students and faculty. Few are from the South. And, you let it be known you think they are rednecks and you might go home with your bigotted, biased head up your pansy ASS!!!

By the way, I am neither a Vanderbilt nor Bronco fan. I just hate you racist bastards who look down on people and refer to then in an unncecssary and unethical manner.

Redneck is not a race. It's an affliction.