Mel Kiper: 'I Was Right' on Jay Cutler, Mike Mayock Was Wrong

Although ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper and NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock always say nice, pleasant, cordial things about each other, they have an undeniable rivalry. And Kiper took a bit of a swipe at Mayock on Friday morning.

Although Kiper didn't mention Mayock by name, he made comments about Bears quarterback Jay Cutler's ugly game on Thursday night that were clearly intended to serve as a reminder that Mayock was Cutler's biggest supporter prior to the 2006 NFL draft.

"I was one that was, I guess, people would say negative," Kiper said. "I could just read you what I wrote back before he came out ... a guy who was over-hyped at Senior Bowl week, over-hyped at the Combine."

Everyone who follows the draft remembers that one of the sharpest disagreements Kiper and Mayock have ever had was over Cutler. Mayock called him the best quarterback in the draft and a future NFL superstar, while Kiper was significantly less enthralled with Cutler. Mayock is the one who was hyping Cutler at the Senior Bowl and the Combine.

So now that Cutler is coming off a five-interception day, it's fun for Kiper to say "I told you so."

Of course, it's less fun when you point out that Kiper's criticisms of Cutler were based mostly on Kiper's belief that Vince Young and Matt Leinart would be better NFL quarterbacks. For as bad as Cutler looked last night, he still has more passing yards in the NFL than Young and Leinart combined. So Kiper is free to gloat all he wants, but in the Mayock vs. Kiper battle over the 2006 quarterback class,Mayock comes out on top.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-13-2009 @ 8:24PM

The Show Stopper said...

Yeah, but the one thing that Vince Young is and has been since college is a winner, regardless of his throwing motion, problems, etc. He has better winning record than Cutler. I know Vanderbilt is not a great program, but Cutler still had a losing record there. I was surprised to see that Vince has a 20-11 record while starting in the NFL, Cutler has a 21-25 record. It is too early to judge. From what I see with attitude on the field as demonstrated by his fine for last week, the way he acted in Denver, Jay Cutler=Jeff George

11-14-2009 @ 1:46AM

luciusjulius said...

Vince Young has had the luxury of a powerful running game and stout defense. Denver hasn't been so great running the ball since Kubiak left and their defense was also horrible until this season.

Really hard to agree to that. Vince Young wasn't really a focal point of Tennessee's success, he was just able to make big plays with his legs, but he didn't really do anything as far as the post-season goes or as far as staying healthy.

Cutler is currently on HORRIBLE offense and a declining defense.

11-13-2009 @ 8:22PM

azncuzin202 said...

Kiper is a loser. he's just grabbing onto whatever he can at this point. Mayock is da best!

11-13-2009 @ 8:30PM

krmagley said...

wow, excuse my vulgarity but how much time during the day do these guys spend jerking each other off? how do they find time to do their jobs. hey, you know that thing we disagreed about three years ago? i was right! then, hey, you remember that thing that those two guys disagreed about three years ago? one is claiming he was right!

11-13-2009 @ 11:24PM

indians071 said...

Someone should remind Kiper that he also predicted that Mike Williams would be in the HOF.

11-14-2009 @ 8:35AM

JFCJR said...

Cutler will rebound to have a great career. He needs to be way less reckless but he also needs to be in the right system and have the right "boss". Mike Shanahan can do wonders with QBs. Even Brian Griese went to a Pro Bowl! With that said, I used to live in Baltimore and cannot stand Kiper. The guy doesn't have a clue and likes to "gloat" when given the chance. He always has and always will continue to be a Baltimoron!

11-14-2009 @ 8:45AM

greg said...

Much of a young QBs success is based upon the offensive system he is put in. However, the NFL is famous for screwing up good young QBs, because most of the teams dont even have a system. Even though Mayock talks like a sissy and Mel's hair style looks like something from an old Elvis movie, I think they both do a pretty good job, considering that evaluating the draft is a crap shoot at best.

11-14-2009 @ 12:36PM

jj said...

Cutler will throw for 380 yards and 3 TDs against the Eagles next week.
Of course, the Bears will lose 42-31.
Of course, 240+ yards of those 350 yards will come in the second half when the Bears are down by
20 points and the Eagles are in a prevent defense.
Then the final stats will appear to show Cutler had a good game and everybody else didn't.
That's how it works.
Cutler gets the "inflated" stats and at season's end, everyone says what a great year he had.
It happened in '07 and '08.
Look for it again in '09.
Only thing is- the results will still be the same.
No playoffs for the team he QBs.
Good ol' Jay.
It's all about him.

11-16-2009 @ 10:18AM

georgegjn said...

The Bears change defensive coordinator,lose key defensive players,can't run the ball and both lines are dominated at times if not regularly.Then you have a group of inexperianced recievers with a new quaterback.Do you really think you can put all that on Cutler? I'm a Bears fan and think maybe this team needs more time to come together.Whatever the case at least they're not pointing fingers at each other!!! Cutler's no crybaby and he's discovering their limitations while many of them mature. GO BEARS !!!!

11-20-2009 @ 2:14PM

Ryan said...

Mel kiper= Moron, since when does body language mean a damn thing, when it comes to football. Watch Cutlers body language after he throws a td its good, when he throws a int its bad. Mel are you trying to say jay needs to throw more td's? I agree if thats what you are getting at but please stop pandering to the stupid, oh wait that's how you earn a living.