Jason Whitlock of Fox Sports wrote a column on Jay that I really don’t agree with that much, but it’s an interesting perspective. I’ve thought about Jay’s actions last Sunday and this season, and realize, like my nephew said, he is not an emotional, rah-rah type guy. But he needs to reach out more to the media and the fans even though his personality is intense and private. He still has a chance to be a great quarterback in this league and his off field demeanor wouldn’t matter as much then, though I still think he needs to try a little harder to display a better public image.
He has the mentality more like a linebacker. He’s tough and he’s a competitor–he loves the game in my opinion there is no doubt–but he needs to really get in his conditioning, get on the practice field this Spring throwing to his receivers and he needs to get in the film room and study to get better; to prove all his critics wrong. There are a lot of them. Like them, I’ll believe it when I see it. He’s got the talent; he just needs to apply himself to his trade 100 percent this coming year. He needs to be all in. The Bears have a chance again next year to win it all– if there is a next year– so Jay has a great opportunity. I hope he can take advantage of it. A lot of people in the Bears organization are counting on him. He needs to show up and produce.
Rick Reilly was hard on Jay in his column on ESPN. com. He called Jay pretty much a jerk. I was pretty upset when I read it, but now I understand, Jay has a lot of proving to do. He needs to start with his attitude. If he can get that going and work his tail off, he could have a highly successful career.