When Devin Hester catches the ball, what follows is the most thrilling few moments a Bears player has provided since #34 hung em up. With Viking punter Chris Kluwe struggling to get any lift on his punts, Brad Maynard put on a kicking display. Rushing yards, schmushing yards - this defense was on the field for 40 minutes yesterday. In those 40 minutes, they allowed 13 points. In those 40 minutes, they scored 9 points. Do the math: that's 1 point allowed every ten minutes they were on the field.
It is about Rex Grossman now. There is no other conversation. I made up my mind on the first play of the second quarter that I've had enough. They started the drive on their own 19 and gained 29 yards on 4 carries. Now facing a 2nd and 4 from basically midfield, Grossman dropped to pass. With two checkdowns wide open - including the Des Dispenser for an easy first down - Grossman chose to heave a disgraceful 40 yard bomb down the right sideline directly into the arms of his old friend Antonie Winfield. That was it for me.
I'm not closing the book on Rex Grossman's future but I certainly don't want to see any more of his present. With a defense that's created 39 turnovers (ten more than anyone else) and a special teams unit capable of taking over a game, it is time to turn the offense over to a player who'll be smart with the football. Keep forcing the defense to play 40 minutes a game and there'll be others joining Tommie Harris and Mike Brown on crutches.
Last year Lovie made the change from Orton to Grossman to create a spark - and create points. Now the change must be made to create consistency. The Bears don't need a gunslinger at quarterback. They need a lawman. They need someone to keep control and maintain order. I mean, Jesus Christ...they need someone to hit the tight end for a first down.
#2 Criminal Appeal said . . .Did anyone else notice that the geniuses at Fox had the Bears' upcoming schedule wrong (near the end of the game)?
They have our last 2 games as AT DENVER, and then PITTSBURG here. Obviously, they have a Foxian viewpoint on this, as on other matters newsworthy.
Sheeeesh.
December 4, 2006
#3 District Selectman said . . .Rex has worn me out. I've spent a lot of time defending him, but I'm too tired to go on. I'm not sure Griese is good enough, even at his best, to lead a team to the Super Bowl, no matter how good the D and ST are. But I am sure that I'm going to remove my eyes with a spoon if I have to keep watching Bad Rex.
December 4, 2006
#4 Midway Monster said . . .Hear hear.
December 4, 2006
#5 Megan said . . .I'll stand by Rex for 1 more game. With no pressures except him keeping his job or losing it, I say give him one more game.
That's my decision. Now who here wants to roll up their sleeves and fist fight over it?
--Midway--
December 4, 2006
#6 jdawg said . . .It is exhausting isn't it? Lovie defended his quarterback again.. "We are 10-2 with him as our quarterback.."
I wasn't sure if you guys saw this idea on SportingNews.com
Our livers will not be happy with us when this season is over..Every time Rex can't see over his line.......Drink
Every time Rex fumbles a snap.......Drink
Throw into triple coverage........Drink
Three and out........Drink
Throw to receiver in double-coverage with another standing alone in end zone......Drink
Defense and Special Teams outscore Offense.........DrinkIf I had the ability to drink during yesterday's game, I am pretty sure that I would have already been doing this.
Here's to all of you for hanging in there and being Bears Fans! CHEERS!
Little hair of the dog?
December 4, 2006
#7 Pissed off said . . .bears division champs
sad I witnessed rex's
f'shizzle fizzleDecember 4, 2006
#8 jrock said . . .I am about as unpissed off as I can be for the season right now. I will not defend Rex anymore but I still want him to lead this team, let him finish the season, let him take the team to the superbowl. I have no energy left to defend him but I will stand by him. If we win the next couple of games and Rex stinks it up still, will Lovie put in Griese to "save" Rex for the playoffs. If he does what happens if Griese does a good job, does he stick with him in the first playoff game? This is a real controversey i could see happening, anyone else agree. We should win out and if we rattle off the next three Griese will likely play the entire 17th week. If he wins handily and looks competent while Rex has still looked bad who know what will happen. We have the best record in the NFL, soon to clinch a first round bye and the #1 seed in the NFC and we are wondering who our QB will be. HMMM?
December 4, 2006
#9 Megan said . . .I say give rex one more half-game, If he throws 2 picks by half time against the Rams and cannot lead and long, sustained drive down the field- I say put in Griese and see what he can do..BUT if the coaching staff is smart they will call plays that will play to Rex's strength but more likely we will see Turner calling long bombs on 1st down followed by Rex giving us his "Damn, did I just do that look??" as it is intercepted. Either way Griese needs to practice and get ready for the playoffs..
December 4, 2006
#10 jrock said . . .Can anyone answer this question for me?
What was that call, against Urlacher for roughing the passer/flexing his muscles?!?!
Wha?!
I don't recall seeing him in a small speedo all greased up with a fake tan "flexing his muscles?"
December 4, 2006
#11 jeff said . . .Another concern we now have: Tommie Harris is likely done for the season (his knee was put in a cast) and Vasher could be down for some time. On top of that Todd Johnson is down and Mike Brown is out..somehow, someway we've got to persevere...and sign Lance Briggs
December 4, 2006
#12 Still said . . .the ref announced that it was roughing the passing on urlacher because he flexed his muscles. purely idiotic, nonsensical call. i defended rex for as long as i could. i'm not going to root against him by any means...i just can't get fired up with him.
December 4, 2006
#13 Pat said . . .I hate to say this, but pulling Grossman now would be very Ditkaesque. And I don't mean that in the Ditka was the greatest coach since Papa Bear way (TRUE), but more of the Ditka was too incompetent to win another Super Bowl after 85 way (ALSO TRUE).
If you are old enough, you remember the circus. Year after year, McMahon, Harbaugh, Fuller, Tomzak, Flutie, etc. Some years they would play 1 game and rotate. He couldn't make up his mind. True, all those guys were inferior to Simms and Montana, but Joe Gibbs never dicked around worrying about quarterbacks and won a couple superbowls with inferiors ones. Ditka should have too.
Now everyone wants that history repeated? Please, no. I'll pass. Let this kid ride it out. Blame him in the end, but let's have a shot at blaming him. We can list the sucky ass quarterbacks who won the big game (Brad Johnson comes to mind). You know why? Because it was the TEAMS that won. Great quarterbacks do not win superbowls (see Morino, Manning, Fouts). Great teams win superbowls.
Look. Rex pisses me off too, but until the guys turn on him and they are no longer a TEAM. I'm in with Rex.
The bigger worry was just cited by jrock. Injuries. They are coming fast, hard and at the absolutely wrong time.
December 4, 2006
#14 Pat said . . .Re: Tommie Harris from the tribune:
While the exact extent of injury was not available, "this isn't a season-ending injury by any means," coach Lovie Smith said.
December 4, 2006
#15 jeff said . . .As I posted the above, I thought, "maybe he'll be ready for the playoffs." Then I caught myself, with the old, familiar cautionary statement: "Hold on Pat, there are no guarantees in sports. We're not in the playoffs yet."
That's when it really hit me. We are. For the second year in a row. Fuck yeah.
December 4, 2006
#16 Max said . . .disagree with ya STILL. i dont think this team can continue to allow him to throw interceptions...i think they need to send him a wakeup call that it wont be tolerated...right now continuing to play rex because the team is winning is naive...he's like a winning pitcher with a 15 ERA...they are winning despite him.
December 5, 2006
#17 Fred said . . .I say stay with Rex. Not because he gives us the best chance of winning now (which im no longer confident he is. . . I admit Griese can do better) but because of the FUTURE
I have been born and raised a Bears fan. I have suffered through miserable QB's as all of you have. And i know that we shouldnt be putting this off a year. That we need to go for the Super Bowl now because who knows what next year brings (Briggs?) but if we bench Rex right now, I think hes as good as gone once his contract is up.
I realize that some believe thats a good thing but come on. I dont wanna suffer through the process of doing it all over again with a new QB. Let him learn on the field. Even if it means ripping hair out when he throws into triple coverage for no reason. (as opposed to open TE for first downs)
If Griese does get the nod this year, then I will cheer him on and we will probably have a better shot of winning the Super Bowl. But itll mean more rebuilding in the years to come. Griese isnt the QB of the future. Orton??? Maybe but he is still learning as well.
I am desperate. I want a good QB thatll be there in the future. What i have is a QB with potential and bad decision making. I wanna believe in him.
Other notes:
-We ran the ball 22 times. . . thats it.
-Rashied had a shaky game. . . he will bounce back.
-Our run defense continues to get pounded. . .
December 5, 2006
#18 DaBearsBiggestFanInTN said . . .That call on Urlacher was complete B.S. Quarterbacks and kickers do play football and will get hit. They might as well take off the helmet and pads at this point if they are that untouchable.
Rex has been my guy until this game. This was the game where he was supposed to turn it all around and that didn't happen. Right now I don't think he can get it right in time for the playoffs. He starts Monday night but if he screws up he's out if Lovie has the nuts to make the move.
The Vikings are a very bad team and the next four aren't that good either. I don't want to see Rex play it out while we count on the defense and special teams to win. I want to see if Griese running the offense can score touchdowns. If the offense can score touchdowns!
Turner isn't helping at all with his play calling.
Benson should be our starting running back.
If Lovie cannot get this figured out then Lovie doesn't get an extension. It reminds me a lot of when Juron wouldn't get rid of Shoop and it cost him his job........December 5, 2006
#19 jeff said . . .I AM IN TOTAL AGREEMENT....
WITH EVERY FREAKIN FOOTBALL ANALYST IN THE WORLD.....
REX NEEDS TO PUT ON THE HEAD PHONES AND TAKE HIS RIGHTFULLY EARNED SEAT ON THE BENCH!
Sure J Rock will give him one more half... the second half, if Griese isn't getting the job done, or already has!Gotta love that Bears defense!!!!!!
Playin for Soldier Field Advantage!
December 5, 2006
#20 Max said . . .hey max...where's he going when his contract is up? you think someone wants him?
December 5, 2006
#21 josephbbl said . . .Somebody will take him . . . If Patrick Ramsey and Joey Harrington still get paid to be in the NFL, Somebodywill take Rex and his potential
December 5, 2006
#22 Still said . . .Change quarterbacks? Like what Denver just did?
Let's be like the Cubs, and panic at Rex's first full year (knock on wood) when he's faced with adversity. Bears will be going to the playoffs as much as the Cubs.
Good Analogy: Think Matt Hasselbeck and his 3rd year in the league. About as good as Grossman. Check that: Rex has 10 more touchdown passes than MH, a little higher rating. It's amazing that Holmgren stuck with him.
Then how about Eli and the 6-6 Giants? Sorry, there's no third Manning brother graduating.
Develop the young quarterback. That's what you do in the NFL.
December 5, 2006
#23 Somedevil said . . .Jeff, I do not believe Rex’s poor quarterbacking is something that is cured by disciplinary actions or "wake up calls". This is not a matter of him not putting out the effort or not understanding what needs to be done. It is 100% the “demons are in my head� mental. You can’t fix “great in practice: crappy in games� by sitting on the bench. You have to play through it. It happens to all athletes from time to time. You are a theatre guy, right. It happens there too. Do you bench the lead actor because he dropped a couple of lines one night? If they have never moved you to laugh, cheer, cry or some other emotion, maybe. But then they would just be a bad actor. Grossman has made me both laugh and cheer and lately cry. I want him in there. I don’t want a milquetoast understudy who can recite the lines. If I want to read the play, I’ll buy the book.
I know you are pissed. I am too. I am considering watching the rest of the games in a bar so I don’t mortally wound my television. I just think we need to let him ride it out. There many ways to get out of a slump. None of them work besides letting it pass. The more you let it go, the more it comes back to you. How’s that for some Zen?
December 5, 2006
#24 Brad said . . .Peanut and Kruetz need to take Rex to the bar and get him smashed.
That should take care of those demon...
Bear down!!!(GO REX!!)
December 5, 2006
#25 Still said . . .I want to sidestep this Rex discussion for a minute to make a quick point, raised by Still's otherwise completely on-target point: "pulling Grossman now would be very Ditkaesque.... [in the] Ditka-was-too incompetent-to-win-another-Super- Bowl-after-85 way."
Still lists Jim McMahon as one of the QBs that we rotated through during that late-80s era. I've seen lots of other NFL commentators talk about how "the Bears have never had a good QB..." etc. I want to go on record saying JIM McMAHON WAS A GREAT QB. Not necessarily in the "threw a pretty ball" or "racked up Elway/Marino stats" way. But in the way everyone wants now: (a) tough as nails, (b) perfect game management, (c) would make big plays when necessary, (d) didn't make (many) dumb mistakes, (e) natural leader.
The Bears would have one more than one SuperBowl if not for cheap shot bodyslam of McMahon by the Most Evil Man in NFL History, Charles Martin. Thinking about that cheap shot from the '86 season, and how it changed Chicago Bear history for the worse still makes me mad.
But anyway, the point of this post is to interrupt our anxiety over Rex in the interest of setting history straight. The Bears had a great QB and his name was Jim McMahon.
December 6, 2006
#26 JerryBrightonhammer said . . .Brad, you are correct. If McMahon had been healthy for more than one season, who knows? But as a great man (Ditka) is often quoted, "If ifs, ands and buts were candies and nuts".
I agree with your a-d, but McMahon seemed to be a great leader when he was playing. He was pretty divisive when he wasn't.
Anyway, I'm with you. I'd have loved to see Jimmy Mc in there for a few more FULL seasons. I also wanted Steve Bartman let Moises catch that foul ball.
Ahh...candies and nuts...
December 6, 2006
What in the name of Jerry Brightonhammer was that all about?
I dont' know but it doesn't make sense to me.March 30, 2007
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