And so it got done. A contract that stole the pre-Super Bowl spotlight and post-Super Bowl shiva is now in the books and Lovie Smith has climbed the economic coaching ladder faster than one of New York's Bravest saving a kid from the 17th floor. The first Bears coach to win back-to-back division titles since the inventor of pot roast nachos (winner of my best appetizer of 2006) is primed to be with us for an awful long time.
And so we move on. Jerry Angelo's extension has actually guaranteed he'll be choosing the players for this team long after Brian Urlacher's bust is sitting in Canton. (I guess people really like Devin Hester and Mark Anderson) Now the question is simple: how do we make this Super Bowl team better?
Free Agency opens tomorrow but don't expect the Bears to be belly-flopping into the deep end of the pool. They have needs, sure, but the 2007 Chicago Bears will be marked and marred by #8. Everything else is the condiments. Both of these extensive extensions show not only a confidence in the coach and GM but an overwhelming belief that Grossman is the answer. Smith and Angelo have hitched themselves to Rex's wagon and brought us along for the ride. Even after his Super Bowl disaster their support has been unwavering.
My sincere hope is that Rex is the answer but I don't believe it for a second. Lovie and Jerry have done a fine job resurrecting a proud yet dead franchise but their stubbornness may ultimately be their undoing. Another year watching a quarterback develop may have worked fine in 1991 but in the new NFL - the window closes faster than it opens. My biggest fear is we're sitting here next February with the same worries, the same concerns, listening to the same tired mantra: "Rex is our quarterback."
Let's hope we're not doing the same in 2011.
#2 jdawg said . . .I could not have said it better. I suppose that's why you have the blog and I have crap comments.
Very well put in any event.
March 1, 2007
#3 mikebdot said . . .oh for god's sake...
only a haiku will do:
do you hear that sound?
listen a little closer
a dead horse beatenMarch 1, 2007
#4 Phil from SATX said . . .haikus are easy
but sometimes they don't make sense
refrigeratorMarch 1, 2007
#5 Midway Monster said . . .Fantastic Jdawg! Excellent effort! Still would be proud!
I agree with you as well - Jeff, as your friend (albeit one who has never met you) I'm getting a little worried for you. Today is a great day, we have all had about a month to heal (although while we were in traction with a broken leg, the Bears were sneaking around threatening to inject us with Ebola virus, thank God it turned out they were just kidding). That clumsy metaphor aside, it's time to get positive!
Today is not the day to worry about Rex!Tomorrow sure! Today not so much!
March 1, 2007
#6 AfroCelt said . . .Old $hit
Foot Step-in
Slush Sound--Midway--
(rehab)March 1, 2007
#7 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . ./agree for jdawg and phil.
one caveat though:
Let Rex prove himself on the field. The next few months shouldn't even mention Rex...not until we see him do his job (throw the ball).We won't be drafting a QB, so let's make this team good enough to plug ANYONE in at QB and win :)
March 1, 2007
#8 jeff said . . .I gotta give props to you boys for whipping out the 3 liner haikus. I haven't heard such poetry in a long time but I'm afraid it's a violation of your man card to post poetry on a sports blog. Give em up boys.
Midway- go eat some jello but get a splash of vodka from our newest legal alcoholic Max when he resurfaces... "if" he lived through last night.
March 1, 2007
#9 Midway Monster said . . .(1) i haven't healed. i still can't watch anything football related on television. (2) all the papers are writing about what the process was to come to this decision. i wanted to write about what this decision means. to me, it is another striking vote of confidence for the decision of these two men, especially the grossman decision. (3) i like that you guys are criticizing me but you're forgetting something: PO'd hasn't weighed in yet. you boys don't know what criticism is.
March 1, 2007
#10 jeff said . . .Nicole is miserable in this blue city:
Saw your Crispie Creations on your site & Flickr. Too funny - can you mail some to rehab?
Far Throw
Urlacher Hit
Pain Sound--Midway--
(rehab)March 1, 2007
#11 jdawg said . . .midway, the crispies are amazing. literally one of the most delicious things i've ever had and they don't get less good traveling half the country with dhl
March 1, 2007
#12 Al in WI said . . .OK Jeff, Rex it is.
There's going to be a new QB coach in town, Pep Hamilton, who's supposed to be a fiery, vocal coach. Maybe his fiery vocal-ness will include such bon mots as:
"what the fuck were you thinking throwing that ball into double coverage dumbass! Drop and give me 20!"
"See that first down marker, you could have run to it! Drop and give me 20!"
"You know what this is? [zaps Rex's back of foot with electric cattle prod] You don't fucking throw off of it. ever."
Now, this at least signals that Rex's development is on Turner's radar screen. Plus, we have Grease, who's better than any of the free agent QB's out there.
We can bitch and moan and hump the keyboard but this little drama will play itself out in due time. I think we can all agree we hope Rex improves next season. I think history is in his favor, as far as QB's and their second full season, but we'll see.
Finally, its not just Rex that needs to improve. Let's hope the coaching staff progresses even more than Rex. Remember, we were just a few stupid plays from the Seahawks away from watching the NFC championship live -- from New Orleans.
March 1, 2007
#13 Phil from SATX said . . .You know to listen to some Bears fans, you would think that for the last 15 years our Quarterbacks have been a sucession of Montana, Elway, Aikman and Favre. Unfortunetly they have been Harbaugh, Walsh, Kramer, Kreig, Mirer, McNown, Miller, Mathews, Stewart, Quin, and Orton. (I know I'm leaving some horrible guys out but I didn't want to write a novel)
The point is that Rex is a major improvement over all of them except mabey Kramer. He passed for the 2nd most yards in Team history and including playoffs 26 Td's just 3 off the franchise record. He also just happened to win the division, the NFC, and take us to the Super Bowl in his first full season as starter. I know he was bad in some games, but he was good more often than not. If he had not turned in a very good game against Seatle we would have been one and done again. And he did all this with marginal players at wr, and te. I mean come on who would you rather have to throw too, Harrison and Wayne, or Moose and Berrian? Des Clark or Dallas Clark, it's not even close.
Great QB's do not happen over night look at Brees, Favre, Aikman, and many others, it takes time and experience. He will be a lot better this year in terms of consistancy, and decision making. And that will keep the window open longer then a couple of years. Because if we pull the plug and start over, the next guy will struggle too, and window will shut.
I'm glad that Jeff wants him to improve because I get the feeling there are many who are invested in his faliure.March 1, 2007
#14 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .Big Al (just felt right saying that) - I've got to correct you and anyone else who kibbitzes on this site who thinks that the die-hard fans here -- who love the Bears enough to waste their employers' hard-earned money (in some of our cases) --- to write from the heart - in the off season no less! on this blog --- wish for Rex to fail. We don't! For once and for all (maybe Jeff excepted I guess, now that he's decided to throw down, mano a mano, with PO'd - good luck friend, it's been great knowing you), as the world's best Bear fans, we all want Grossman to do nothing but succeed next year. We want it more than anything. Some of us feel that probably won't happen. But we'll still root for any QB who can lead our team to victories, not just regular season, but all the way. Speaking of Jeff, many times since the SB he's gone on record to state the same thing - yes we want him to succeed, regardless of our opinions of whether he will. And not because we like him (some do some don't some are agnostic), but because WE WANT TO WIN. I don't know if the signing of the new QB coach is any kind of sign - didn't Wade Wilson leave and we had to plug in somebody new? but I still loved your post jdawg. High, high comedy. You get Blogger of the Day award from me. Mikeb, have to know, did you make up that haiku? If so, props for another laugh. Anyway, say it all together, WE'RE NOT WISHING FOR GROSSMAN TO FAIL - what true Bear fans would wish for their QB to suck? We want him to Not Suck!
March 1, 2007
#15 mikebdot said . . .Midway- you're just NOW peeking at my crispie designs? I even shared my jello secrets with you.
Thanks Jeff for the Crispie endorsement. Although they didn't win the game for us, crispies can heal other wounds regardless of zip code :)
March 1, 2007
#16 mikebdot said . . .Sadly, the haiku was not from an email my dad sent me...and since I work for Whirlpool Co. designing refrigerators, I happen to remember it...
March 1, 2007
#17 Phil from SATX said . . ....was from an email...(was going to say "was not original")
March 1, 2007
#18 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .Don't be sad, I still love it. Trying to memorize it so I can use at later date (which at this stage in my life requires major effort). Still get props Refrigerator Man.
March 1, 2007
#19 Pissed off said . . .(looking for any sign of life from Max....?)
March 1, 2007
#20 Bill said . . .Am I that harsh (smiling) Jeff? I'm not going to waste much time on the Rex debate anymore, I can still post that rant I have saved about Rex if you want to see it again. No one was complaining about him as we wheeled and dealed thru Seattle and N.O. in the playoffs.
My haiku, even though I dont know if its poetically correct:
Rex Grossman
First Full Season
Improvementor this
Rex Grossman
Super Bowl Quarterback
First Full Seasonor maybe:
Rex Grossman
Second full sesason
Super Bowl Winand finally:
Thirteen years
No good quarterbacks
Back off and relaxI think jdawg put it pretty well in #11 and afrocelt in #6.
HOLY SHIT, AL #12 I LOVE YA MAN. Finally a voice of reason, where were you a couple months ago? I've been saying the same shit all year. WOW, thank you God for sending someone who gets it.
Now again, to prove I'm not actually in bed with Rex, I still want him benched if he sucks it up. But good God, we went to the Super Bowl with this guy, not despite him. Lets let him get older, another full season, etc.
Wheres Coxy been?
Phil, Jeff and I arent throwing down QUITE yet.
March 1, 2007
#21 Pissed off said . . .My opinion on the signings -
1. They HAD to happen. What were they going to do - NOT sign them?
2. Not an endorment of Rex necessarily. Don't forget - Angelo brought in Griese; as was said - he's better than any FA out there. I suspect Angelo would not object to seeing him start if that was best for the team.
3. As a comment in the Tribuen web site siad - nxt year we all could be complaining that Lovie wasn't worth it. In other words - it's a lot of pressure for Lovie to make it three division in a row and at the very least make it back to the NFC championship game. If he thinks Rex can't do it (and Rex will be one year closer to his own contract renewal) he won't be as stubborn this time. Rex has used up all his patience and chances I believe. Remember - he was one bad half away from being pulled last year at the Rams game; he probably has about 4 games this year.March 1, 2007
#22 Al in WI said . . .No ones weighed in on Jamal Lewis, I'm surprised, maybe everyone realized we dont want or need him anyway but he's a pretty big name out there. I think he'll end up resigning with Baltimore anyway even though it'd be tough to swallow since they cut him.
Another thing Rex (and perhaps us as fans)has in his favor is that its a contrat year. Generally players play pretty damn good in contract years, career years for some in fact. Cuz they know if they do good in a contract year they will get paid and not have to worry about money ever again.
March 1, 2007
#23 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .Phil,
I'm glad that your not one of the fans that seem to be rooting for Rex to fail so they can claim they were right all along. But I listen regularly to 670 out of Chicago and there have been many fans who have called in to say they root against Rex, because they wanted Griese or Orton. I don't understand that thinking, and it makes me sick. So I'm glad your not one of them, and it's certainly valid to critize Grossman at times but overall it's been way over the top in the media and amongst many fans.
Po'd,
Just found the site, and I'm really liking the format. Thanks for the complement.March 1, 2007
#24 Midway Monster said . . .As a fellow Boilermaker, I'm obviously a fan of Orton BUT to root for Rex to fail so that Orton could step up makes about as much sense as cheering for the Packers. INSANITY! Those fans can go live in Green Bay and root for Old-man Brett to blow a knee while hobbling off the sideline.
A big 'bear' hug welcome to Big Al in Cheesetown. Glad you're smart enough not to wear green and yellow just because of your zipcode.
March 1, 2007
#25 AfroCelt said . . .Nicole is miserable in this blue city:
I say your home page a while back, but I just now selected your like to Flickr and saw all your stuff.
--Midway--
March 1, 2007
#26 Max said . . .
I grew up in Batavia, IL and have been a lifelong Bear fan...I was 1 the last time they won it all...Now, I enjoyed this last season immensely and as a side benefit I'm currently living in Green Bay, WI. I was out and about every game day in either my jersey...and I wore another jersey or shirt to classes the next day. I received actual threats of violence up here after that drubbing the first week...and again as the Bears made it further in the playoffs.
Please, Chicago Bears...win it all next year so I can wear my jersey in safety!
(it also helps that I play rugby for the UW team)
March 1, 2007
#27 Midway Monster said . . .i threw up . . . on my bears shirt . . . at 1:30 a.m. blue moon, samuel adams, irish car bombs, Jaegermeister, budweiser, and wild turkey. . . i also yacked on my sweet new dinosaur sheets at somepoint during the night. . . i threw them out. Small price to pay for a new contract for Lovie.
Nicole is miserable in this blue city: Thank you for the concern.
Our focus should now be on the draft. . . who do we draft? who are your sleepers?
March 2, 2007
#28 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .I point my starter pistol in the air, fire it off **BLAM**: Let the free agency land grab begin!
--Midway--
March 2, 2007
#29 AfroCelt said . . .Afro- props to you for wearing your jersey with pride despite where you live.
Being a Bears fan and living in Indy has made me realize this is not where I belong. I've hired a headhunter in Chicagoland and hope to be living there within the next few months. Thus my penname on this site... I can't wait to get out of this city.March 2, 2007
#30 Pissed off said . . .@Nicole
I'm with you. I finish school up here next december and I want to head south again. Luckily, the girlfriend looks like she might be transferred by her job back down there anyway :)
It's fate, ain't it?
March 2, 2007
#31 Bill said . . .I'm not sure what we all need in free agency or draft. Wouldnt hurt to get a big name TE and maybe some O-Line help for the future. And of course defense, we always draft defense. I like that becuase defense wins. It'll just be fun to see how this all pans out going into the season. Late picks like D. Manning and of course Hester worked out pretty well for us this. I think the decision makers on draft day are a pretty good judge of talent. I remember I was begging for the Bears to draft Kenechi Udeze a few year ago and then the Vikes snatched him up and we got Tommie Harris, worked out pretty well.
March 2, 2007
#32 Rexual Healing said . . .Regarding Free Agency -
Sorry to hear that the Bears won't be joining in the Eric Steinbach derby. He's from Chicago and you'd think he'd want to play here - all other things being close to equal. But it looks like it will be either Cleveland or TB.Given that, I don't expect they will sign anyone who would be expected to start. So what are they going to do with all that "uder the cap" money? Why not work on a deal for Briggs? And Jones for that matter?
March 2, 2007
#33 Megan said . . .Ooh, now let's get touchdowns tonight
Rexy you’be hot all year just like last September
I need some Lovie’ n
And Berrian, he can't hold it much longer
You’re getting stronger and stronger
And when I get that feeling
I want Rexual healing
Rexual healing, oh baby
Makes me feel so fine
Helps to relieve my mind
Rexual healing baby, is good for me
Rexual healing is something that's good for me
Whenever blue teardrops are falling
And my emotional stability is leaving me
There is something I can do
I can get on Da’ Bears Blog and talk you up baby, and
Rexy I know you'll play the game to relieve me
The ball you give to TJ will free me
If you don't know the things you're dealing
I can tell you, our QB, that it's Rexual healing
Get up, get up, get up, get up, let's make points tonight
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, 'cos you need to pass right
Rexy, I got sick this morning
A Seahawk was storming past the TE
And then you were capsizing
Then Robbies kick was rising and rising
And when I get that feeling
I want Rexual healing
Rexual healing is good for me
Makes me feel so fine, when you lead with the run
Helps to relieve the mind, and it's good for us
Rexual healing, is good for me
Rexual healing is something that's good for our team
And it's good for me and it's good to me
Oh Rexy ohhh
Please take control, just hold on to the ball
With you’re body and mind in synch we'll be winning it
Rexy, oh we're feeling fine
Olin you’re the man, open up a hole and let TJ & Ced run
Our Bears, you're so great
I can't wait for you to play this season
I can't wait for you to play this season
When I get this feeling, I need Rexual healing
March 2, 2007
#34 Pyrobob said . . .Oh my stars and garters...
well, who's the little lyricist?
**Thanks for signing my cast all.. :-) I'm going to paint it orange, because my toes are blue.. whaddaya think??**March 2, 2007
#35 Megan said . . .Little? I'll have you know....
well any way that was my handiwork (taking a bow)March 2, 2007
#36 Outing Police said . . .Toes do look quite blue,
My spirits are too, but alas,
Will Jeff sign my cast?March 2, 2007
#37 jdawg said . . .Not sure of Pyro's "orientation"
With his declaration
That he's Rex's boy
Now, STOP being coy.
And fess up to what we know is your sexual proclamation!March 2, 2007
#38 Da Coach said . . .genius
March 2, 2007
#39 Nicole said . . .Enough with the Rex bashing, face it he is going to be the quarterback next season. With another season under his belt I expect him to play at a high level, give him a chance. The qb position takes experience to be good at it and I think with a full "healthy" year under his belt he will be fine next season. There are bigger fish to fry at this point (TJ & Briggs)!!
March 2, 2007
#40 mikebdot said . . .Afro-
By South you mean Chicago or Indy? I think all Bears fans should boycott living in Indianapolis.
My haiku:
No horse for me
City is blue hell
Going back North where I belong
March 2, 2007
#41 Al in WI said . . .P.S. Haikus have a 5-7-5 structure...otherwise it's just short poetry...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiku
Not that I care, but I'm all about spreading knowledge.
March 2, 2007
#42 jdawg said . . .Well said by Da Coach.
The latest Mock Draft on Pro Football Talk has the Bears landing Miami TE Greg Olson with the 31st pick. I would aboslutely love that!! He looked great at the combine, and if he slips that far it would be a steal. Putting him with Clark would give the Bears the ability to run more two TE sets and be less predicable on early downs. And in the long run would serve as an improvement over Clark.
That's my preference, and thanks to Nicole for the welcome. I live on the WI and MN border so I hear it from both sides, but mostly pro Viking BS.March 2, 2007
#43 Midway Monster said . . .I think the Bears biggest need is in ball catchers. If you had your ear to the rail road track this past season you could pick up hints that our receiving corps wasn't always that hot. That opinion came from both Hub Arkush and Berrian, and a few in between. Our big problems: route running and separation. Guys being in the right place at the right time. Guys being open. Very basic and very important. Especially with a green QB.
March 2, 2007
#44 jeff said . . .Nicole:
I've been to Indy (mostly the race). I like that town. Yeah its no Chi-town but like many places, it is what you make it. (hell, try living in Newark NJ).
--Midway--
(rehab)March 2, 2007
#45 Midway Monster said . . .woah, midway. relax on newark. i grew around right around the corner from there...and it's a place i love very much.
March 2, 2007
#46 Da Coach said . . .Jeff
No harm intended.
I used to commute to NJIT via train in the late 70's (okay, get your calculators out and guess Midways age time). Back then most of the buildings were on fire, guns were often heard, and I saw lots of blood on the sidewalks. Maybe its nice now, but back then I was one mean SOB to walk them streets and not get mugged.
LOL, I used to carry brass knuckles.
--Midway--
(rehab)March 2, 2007
#47 jdawg said . . .Al in WI, I absolutely agree getting Olsen with the 31st pick would be wonderful. I am under the impression though that management thinks the TE position is one of those that can be plugged and they do not seem to put an emphasis on that position for some reason. As evidenced by the draft last year which I thought was stockpiled with good potential TE's and they passed on every single one.
I would even like to see them make a play for Daniel Graham he was Brady's go to guy before Ben Watson was drafted and he is another athletic TE that could help strecth the field, a poor man's Antonio Gates.
Other mock drafts I have seen online have the Bears drafting OL player from Tenn, I think Jeff mentioned him in a previous post. Should be interesting as Angelo and company really seem to know how to evaluate talent so I feel like we are in good hands with the draft.
March 3, 2007
I don't know that management necessarily thought they could plug in anyone at TE; rather, I assume they thought there'd be a huge upgrade in the passing game with Grossman in there all season. In some aspects they were right (note Jeff, emphasis on SOME). I think they may be more inclined to get a TE now, but remember this word:
Playmaker
That is what they will be focusing on in the draft and they are picking low enough that they may select the best playmaker available.
March 3, 2007
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.