Soldier Field managers say Cutler's critique off base

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Soldier Field management struck back at Bears quarterback Jay Cutler for publicly ranking the natural grass field among “the worst” in the NFL.

“He’s wrong,” Soldier Field General Manager Tim LeFevour said while showing off the field’s newly-installed sod to reporters on Friday.

On Wednesday, Cutler said he’d prefer to play home games on a “tighter” field better suited for the Bears speedy players — and then ripped his home stadium.

“We probably have one of the worst fields in the league at this point. We did last year, as well,” Cutler said. “We’ve got to deal with it, and our guys know it.”

Well, that’s December in Chicago, head groundskeeper John Nolan said.

“Beginning of the season there’s no complaints. … It’s Chicago. It’s cold. It rains. It snows. Come out here on Sunday. It’s supposed to be about 40 mph wind and about 20 degrees. I’m sure they’ll have fun with that,” Nolan said. “As far as we’re concerned, it’s December and we’re standing on brand new sod. … I don’t want any messages relayed to Mr. Cutler. I just want him to win on Sunday. … It’s not the first time we’ve had player criticism.”

Grounds crews re-sod Solder Field three times during the season at an annual cost of about $500,000. The field was most recently replaced from sideline-to-sideline last week.

LeFevour called the media dust-up over the field playing conditions “unfortunate.”

“You hate to hear comments like that because there’s a strong commitment … to keep this one of the best fields in the NFL,” he said.

LeFevour said turf divots happen during games because of the type of grass that has to be used in colder climates. Soldier Field is one of four natural grass playing services in cold weather cities, including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Cleveland.

“Every field like this … it’s all the same. We do all we can do here. We do the best we possibly can with what we have,” Nolan said. “Both teams are on the same field.”

LeFevour said the stadium management and the Chicago Park District have suggested converting the field to artificial turf, but the Bears have balked on making the change while the NFL finishes a “player safety study” regarding synthetic fields.

Change is “always on the table,” LeFevour said. “We want to work with the Bears and continue to give the best playing surface for their team.”

Nolan put turf-gate into perspective: “If we win everything will be great.”