I woke up this morning figuring I'd have nothing to say but alas I am mistaken. After reading David Haugh's plea to stop the Rex bashing followed by Mike Mulligan's apparent belief that Brian Griese will be starting here for threee years (freeing up Lance Briggs money) - I knew a day off was not meant to be. Then Jonathan's insightful comments (#26) on our last post solidified it. Just like always with the Monster of the Midway...there's always something to say about the quarterback, stupid.
I know it was a different era, but only in Chicago could we wax poetic about a quarterback who barely completed half of his passes (51.8%). Only in Chicago could we compare all signal callers to a man who threw only five more touchdowns than interceptions. Look at his career stats and the man only had one Hall of Fame season - the brilliant 1943 campaign and lays claims to quarterbacking the Bears in their greatest game: the 1940 championship win over Washington 73-0. Take the 1943 season out and Luckman threw 109 touchdowns as opposed to 120 interceptions. If Luckman played today, he'd be boo'd off the field and replaced by another guy with a three-letter first name and a Jewish last name.
And it makes sense. Imagine the Yankees going since 1920 without ever finding a great shortstop. Imagine the Boston Celtics going since 1920 without ever finding a good center who can dominate the paint. Imagine the Buffalo Sabres...just kidding. I'm not talking about hockey. The truth is the Bears should have stumbled upon a great quarterback by pure luck at this point. In 87 years we've had Luckman, a Super Bowl year from the Punky QB (where Steve Fuller played just as well) and an amazing season of Erik Kramer in 1995 - easily the best ever by a Bears quarterback which included nearly 4,000 yards and 19 more touchdowns than picks.
There's a reason every post on this website - no matter what the subject - erodes into a comments-debate over the quarterback position. It haunts us, made ever-more clear by the longevity of the guy taking snaps in Cheeseville. We all want a quarterback and we treat those attempting to fill our greatest void like the lady we believe is "the one." It's okay that she throws interceptions, I love her. It's okay that she fumbles too much, she can make that throw that no one before her could make. The younger generation of fan exudes this youthful romantic optimism - THIS COULD BE THE GUY! The older generation has seen it all before. The media very rarely contains any of the former.
So we sit and wait and speak fondly about a guy whose greatest ability was handing the T-formation of fight song fame. There's never been a dynasty in the NFL - or any consistent success over several years - without consistently good quarterback play. When the Bears get it, it'll be the first time.
#2 Bill said . . .Everyone always remembers their first. It's usually not as romantic as others but it gets things goin.
October 10, 2007
#3 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .Nicole - you're talking about Crispie Creations, right?
October 10, 2007
#4 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .Well, crispies and the QB. :)
October 10, 2007
#5 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .Intreresting that we never lucked into a QB.Maybe because we play in the frozen Midwest that past GM's always thought about passing in December isn't going to work,So the focus is always on getting a RB instead.
As much as we've been looking for a QB,We still haven't found a RB in almost the same amount of time.(exception of Walter of course)Maybe when we find 1 the other will come along.
I always had a feeling we could've gotten Steve Young.He wanted out of SF because he was tired of waiting for Montana to leave or retire an a reasonable offer might have gotten him.I thought at the time the Bears had a interest but didn't want to ponie up the money.I believe that when the Bears had a high draft pick,most times it was spent on a RB.An the few time we went the QB route it didn't pan out,or the Draft pool wasn't deep to begin with.
I have hope that we may still find that guy,If he isn't already here.But like most teams in the NFL is all a crap shoot.
Being known as a franchise that doesn't pay,an at time having a questionable O line(remember any lineman that was any good at protecting the QB after the 80's beyond Big Cat?)Most time a guy may have had a world of talent,but got stuck behind a shaky line an a inepted RB,We've seen how well they flourish?As much as we would love to have that next Montana,I'm waiting on the next Anderson or Payton(any back that can last beyond 3 seasons is a start)Beat Minnesota!!
October 10, 2007
#6 Bill said . . .An on a side note when was the last WR we drafted that was a goto guy to help out a QB?(I'll give you Conway,name another?)
October 10, 2007
#7 Phil from SATX said . . .There's more to the QB position than drafting one. A QB has to be developed. It's a long time ago, but we lost the coin flip to the Steelers after the 1969 season. The Steelers took Bradshaw. But if we won the coin flip, how many people think we'd have won even 1 SB, much less 4?
I don't want to resurrect the Rex discussions, but I do think coddling instead of coaching contributed to his slide.
As far as RBs - I think we've had a couple good ones; they just didn't last long. Actually, they lasted an average amount of time - we got spoiled with Walter (as GB has with Favre.) I'd say Neal Anderson, Anthony Thomas, and Thomas Jones were good backs for us in their time here. Salaam and Enis obviously not. Benson - we'll know by the end of the year.
October 10, 2007
#8 Pissed Off said . . .We've definitely had successful WRs, more so than the other positions, but never the top of the league talent. Marty Booker and Bobby Engram are still out there playing - loved those guys and hated to see them leave.
But the point is well made about QBs and RBs, and it really hasn't been for lack of trying, with all the early 1st round picks on RBs and two on QBs (really 3 because didn't we trade a first round pick for Mirer?). The RB situation has been a real disaster, and likely bothers the owners the most considering who the Chicago Bears are.
The thing is, we're getting there, we're improving. Greg Olsen - if he stays healthy, it looks like THE SKY'S THE LIMIT. And speaking of traditional Chicago Bears football, how great is it that we now appear to have two exceptional tight ends, the best since Mike Ditka (in both cases, really). We really need to be giving some love to Des Clark. He should be jersey material at this point.
Now we've got Hester, possibly the most dangerous single play weapon the Bears have EVER had. And a player who provides a real reason ALL BY HIMSELF for the average fan to tune into every single Bears game.
Regarding running backs, you can't fault the decision to take Ced, just the results (thus far). There was no reason to believe he wasn't going to be the PERFECT running back for Chicago. And it's far from over for him, so let's give him some space and see what he can turn into.
QB - well there we're still searching. If Griese can continue to improve... The paper points out the fact that he is cheap cheap cheap. Why is this good? Because if he can win games for you, than he represents a far better deal than the other free agents that you'll have to pony up for during the long process of drafting someone and building them. For example, the concept of buying Donavon McNabb sounds kind of exciting - but you would have to pay lots of money for him and he could easily break down at any moment. In general you're probably going to have to pay a lot for just average - if Grease is the same, you get that for a lot less. Damon Huard, Tim Rattay, Joey Harrington - a bunch of Grieses or worse, but they'll be expensive.
The Bears are no longer a cheap organization, and they no longer have poor team management. Despite many of us wanting to throw Angelo under the bus for poor offensive picks because of our poor start and QB/RB play, as someone astutely pointed out, he did bring us Hester and Olsen. Bradley and Berrian may turn out okay too. Things are looking up for this club - it's not like the old days.
October 10, 2007
#9 Al in WI said . . .Let me preface by saying this is all from recent memory only.
Curtis Coway only had 2 productive years, Marty Booker was good for us for 2 seasons as well. And while neither of those quailify as a threat we just havent had a good WR either.
Regarding the RB issue, I think you need to keep in mind the shelf life of a RB is pretty small because of the beating they take. Emmit Smith and guys like him are a rareity. I think I read somewhere the average RB is only in the league a couple of years (3 or 4 maybe). Stud RBs seem to only be studs for a while and personally I like what we got out of TJ. Names that come to mind are Nagurski, Anderson, Sayers and of course Payton.
October 10, 2007
#10 Northside Superfan said . . .Jim McMahon was a legit top talent quarterback for the Bears. He was a winner, very acurate, mobile, and had a decent arm.
The issue for him was injuries, without them, I feel confident the Bears would have won at least two more Super Bowls with the 80's team. He was great in more than just '85, he has good in '83, '84, and '87 as well. The toll of several serious injuries just took him down.October 10, 2007
#11 jeff said . . .Successful RBs?
-Anderson
-Sayers
-Payton
-Suhey
-Muster
-HarperSuccessful WR?
-Marty Booker
-Wendell Davis
-Willie Gault
-Dennis McKinnon
-Johnny MorrisMaybe a lot of those guys aren't hall-of-famers, but they are all successful draft picks. That's a pretty good record.
Now as for QBs...
October 10, 2007
#12 Northside Superfan said . . .agree with the injuries to mcmahon, but being good and playing 7 games doesn't help. he was never great for a full season other than 85 and only in chicago is 2400 yards, 15 tds, 11 ints considered great. can the bears get a 30 td, 10 pick season?
October 10, 2007
#13 jeff said . . .What's really sad about the Bears history at QB is that Rex Grossman, with all he's done wrong, actually still belongs at the top of the list of QBs we've had since Sid Luckman!
Think that's crazy? Rex's accomplishments:
-Started a full season
-Threw more than 20 TD passes
-Won 2 playoff games
-Finished 7 games with a QB rating over 100
-QB in a superbowl seasonNow I realize that isn't exactly an impressive list by NFL standards, but by Bears standards? Who else did any of that? Erik Kramer did some of those things for 1 year. Jim McMahon did a few of those things for 3-4 years. The list of guys who didn't accomplish any of those things is astronomical. Vince Evans? Chad Hutchinson? Kordell Stewart? Steve Walsh? Will Ferrer? Bobby Douglass? I could go on and on!
As sad as this statement is, Rex Grossman is one of the best QBs the Bears have ever had.
October 10, 2007
#14 JB said . . .it was an implicit point in the column, northside, and i agree. last year...grossman completed nearly 55%, over 3,000 yards, 23-20 td to int...it's one of the five best seasons by a bears quarterback ever...and you can make an argument it is number 3 behind kramer '95 and luckman '43
October 10, 2007
#15 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .The Griese so we can keep Briggs thing is interesting. I hadn't really thought about it like that, but I like the implication that we can keep Briggs. As much as I hated him for his antics this offseason, I love his play...and I think he's better this year than last. So, I like the idea. What I don't know about is if griese is a viable future option...but who knows. It's one of those things, when you focus so much on defense (and I'm not complaining), you'll always be scrambling on offense.
October 10, 2007
#16 Scuba Man said . . .Northside, thanks for bring back some names I miss watching on Sundays.
Well the onus is on Ced this season an the O line.We're getting healthy an Minn is looking like its ripe for the pickings.Bear Down
October 10, 2007
#17 Al in WI said . . .I specifically saw Brian Griese drink a lot of the orange Gatorade Sunday. That was key.
Bubbly bubbly.
October 10, 2007
#18 Northside Superfan said . . .There are several reasons why the Bears don't develop top quarterbacks; here they are in order of relevance:
5. Surrounding cast. As was pointed out, we haven't done a great job drafting pass blocking lineman, tight ends who can catch, and wide receivers. I don't care how good he is, a quarterback can't do it himself. Just look at the difference between Favre of two years ago, and now. What's changed? He has better players around him.
4. Controversy culture. Ever since I was a little kid, we've had a qb controversy that divided the fans. In my youth it was Tomczak or Harbaugh. Then it was Kramer, or Walsh, and so on. Fans and media are conditioned for it, and pick sides immediately. The team is partially to blame for giving in to it so often and feeding it. I think Lovie hoped to fight that with Grossman.
3. Messiah complex. Fans and media of Chicago expect a guy to come riding in on a white horse and be the answer from day one. And by answer, I mean be perfect, no incompletions, or interceptions and 40 tds per season. It doesn’t work that way, even Peyton Manning had 20+ interceptions as a rookie and almost every other top qb went through tough stretches. They had the luxury of patient fan bases and organizations and were allowed to work through it. Not so with the Bears, the minuet a guy struggles we call for his head and don’t stop until we run a guy out of town. And then bitch and moan when he goes to another team and takes them deep into the playoffs. Tomczak, Harbaugh, and Flutie all did this after being run out of Chicago.
2. Defensive Coaches. Every coach the Bears have had over the last 40 years has come with a defensive background except Mike Ditka, and as great as he was, he wasn’t hired because he was a quarterback guru. If in the next head coach the Bears hired a Mike Martz or Mike Holmgren things might be different.
1. Media. If Rex Grossman doesn’t get back on the field and turn it around, then I’m ready to say it will never happen with the Bears, unless they make a trade, or sign a guy who already is close to a finished product. Similar to how the Saints got Brees. Does anyone honestly believe Favre could have lasted 15+ years here? People forget that was Rex Grossman his first several years as the starter for the Packers, and in fact was a lot worse. He was erratic, blew several games that cost the pack divisional titles in the early 1990’s and led the league in interceptions. The Chicago media would never have protected him the way the small town Green Bay media has Favre. The amount of venom and nastiness directed at Grossman is disgusting and way over the line. There are terrorists who get better treatment in the media than Grossman does. They set out to burry a guy and don’t stop until the ruin his career. It will take someone of freakish mental strength to stand up to that, people are human, how could it not affect you and the people around you? Especially a young guy. The only guy who could really deal with it was Mad Mac, and again I go with the freakish mental makeup that made it possible.
Sorry the long post, but this is something I’ve thought about for a long, long time.
October 10, 2007
#19 Bill said . . .Decatur, the onus is on Cedric and the O-Line indeed. As I've said many times, the O-line's play has been the most discouraging thing about this season, and they are facing a big challenge this week against a very potent interior D. They have to perform, period. Yes, we need more from Benson, but what he gives won't matter if the blocking collapses like it did in every game except the KC game (and maybe a few moments against the Packers).
As far as the 2-for-1 Griese/Briggs thing, I think it's too early to tell if we want BG being our QB beyond this year (either way we need to find a new young QB to bring along...again), but we've gotta figure out a way to keep Briggs. He adds so, so much to our defense and I was not impressed with the job Jamar Williams did filling in. The team does like Michael Okwo, who is out for the year, but I'd rather see Briggs stay with the Bears. That way our D can remain at the top of the league for another 3-4 years, at least.
October 10, 2007
#20 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .Al - I love your point about Favre in Chicago. You are right - if Favre played in Chicago those first few years the media would have been vicious in their attacks. That would have fuled the fans to boo and chant for his backup. Favre, of all people, probably woudl have had the mental toughness to get through it and prosper with the next team he would have played for.
The problem is - we don't know what it takes to develop a QB becasue we never see it. As far as Rex - his timing was off due to injuries. By the time he coudl get on the field regularly, we no longer had the luxury of letting him develop. We were ready to win now, adn he wasn't.
October 10, 2007
#21 Coxy said . . .Your move, Bears.
Elaborating on the acrimony of last off-season when he vowed never to wear a Bears uniform again, linebacker Lance Briggs broke his silence on the matter Wednesday and left the door open to returning to the team next year.
Before he did so, Briggs said he didn't regret any of the rhetoric that included his ultimatum to the Bears and criticism of the team's front office.
Asked if he would be willing to come back if the Bears changed course and offered him a long-term contract, Briggs didn't hesitate.
"Absolutely,'' he said at the end of an impromptu question-and-answer session in front of his locker.
Briggs packed plenty of information in an exchange that lasted seven minutes and was arranged, in part, by pressure applied by the league. The linebacker had boycotted the media except for a 3-minute press conference following his well-documented Lamborghini accident on the Edens Expressway. But complaints to the NFL prompted the league to force Briggs to fulfill the obligation of talking to reporters at least once a week.
"To be honest apparently somebody went to the league and said I wasn't talking to the media so I had to come over here and say something,'' Briggs said.
His 19-tackle performance against the Packers underscored how badly the Bears defense needs Briggs, who missed a game and a half due to a hamstring injury against Dallas. He sought to distance himself from the line-in-the-sand comments made last winter when he threatened to hold out if the Bears didn't renegotiate his contract or remove the franchise tag.
Briggs eventually acquiesced and reported to training camp on time after signing a one-year, $7.2 million guaranteed deal.
"The stuff that happened in off-season was off-season,'' Briggs said. "Business was business. Regardless of how much you enjoy being on the field and playing, when you step off that field you have to remember this is a business.''
reported by
D HaughOctober 10, 2007
#22 Northside Superfan said . . .Wouldn't be surprised at all if Rex went to a team and dominated IF that team had better protection, and ran more shotgun. Rex was nasty in shotgun in college, but because we get off the bus running, we throw in about one shotgun snap a year. Kreutz probably just guesses on how to snap when it is called.
October 10, 2007
#23 jdawg said . . .The fact is, there really isn't any reason per se that the Bears have never found a QB. It's basically just randomness. They've tried the exact same things that other teams have tried--high first round picks (Grossman, McNown), low first round picks (Harbaugh), middle round picks (Vince Evans, Orton), trades and free agents (Kramer, Kordell Stewart) and risky talents they pulled off the free-agent pile (Hutchinson, Will Ferrer, Henry Burris).
These are the exact same things that every other team has tried. They haven't worked out for the Bears for no other reason than the fact that FINDING A QUARTERBACK IS THE MOST DIFFICULT AND UNPREDICTABLE THING IN SPORTS!! When you have high hopes, everything can go wrong--for every Carson Palmer, there are two David Carrs or Alex Smiths. When you don't have high hopes, everything can go right--for every Henry Burris there is a Romo or a Brady or Joe Montana. It is extremely difficult to predict who will perform and who won't, and that's why a 43-year old Vinny Testaverde, who can reliably play the position with basic competance and not royally screw things up, can still get a nice fat NFL paycheck.
I don't blame Jerry Angelo, Mike Mccaskey, George Halas or the Bears...it just hasn't happened. Be a realist. There's no curse--someday, we will have a good QB who will last at least 5 years. It may not be a hall-of-famer, it may be 2 or 5 or 10 or 30 years from now, but eventually it will happen.
And by the way, if you don't believe me that the Bears are doing the same things that every other team does, just remember this--in 1970, it was a simple flip of the coin that stopped us from getting Terry Bradshaw. That coin goes the other way, he would have been a Bear, 100% guarunteed, and we wouldn't be having this discussion.
October 10, 2007
#24 jeff said . . .Grossman reminds me of one of those 7 foot guys in the NBA, you know, "you can't teach height." What I mean by that is the guy has a pretty amazing arm even by NFL standards. Coaches see that and wet their pants (along with the media -- remember all those training camp reports?). You know, if the guy ever does get it together he could be a pro bowl QB, I just don't see it happening here and I wouldn't blame him for shaking the dust off his sandles at the end of the season, regardless of what happens.
October 10, 2007
#25 Phil from SATX said . . .since '79 they've drafted four quarterbacks in the first round and several later. grossman, mcnown, harbaugh, mcmahon. and the one guy who got a bum rap was probably harbaugh, who ditka hated.
October 10, 2007
#26 Al in WI said . . .Next time around I'm picking based on SIZE FIRST. There is something interesting going on in the league - being really tall is becoming a prerequisite of sorts for success.
Top 10 quarterbacks thus far based on quarterback ratings and height (and eliminating those that haven't been full year starters)
1. Brady 129 6-4
2. Manning, P 109 6-5
3. Garrard 105 6-1 (?) 6 years
4. Garcia 104 6-1 9 years
5. Roethlisberger 99 6-5
6. Schaub 96 6-5
7. Favre 95 6-2 17 years, scrambler
8. Romo 94 6-2 mad scrambler
9. Kitna 93 6-2 11 years
10. Palmer 90 6-5Here's what I get from this. Half of these top 10 quarterbacks are 6-4 or taller, including the top 2. The shorter ones have in common being veterans and/or having mad scrambling ability. Don't know anything about Garrard or what he's doing in here.
Keep adding the ones that go down to an 80 QB rating:
11. Hasselbeck 90 6-4
12. Pennington 89 6-3
13 McNabb 89 6-2 (9 years)
14. Harrington 87 6-4
15. Rivers 86 6-5
16. Manning, E. 83 6-4
17. Anderson 81 6-6The only sub 6-3 guy in that second group is McNabb, with 9 years experience and (formerly) a good scrambler.
We need a tall quarterback. Or a mad scrambler. But preferably tall. The league has passed by short QBs unless you're a really crafty veteran or mad scrambler. Rex's short stature combined with lack of scrambling ability doomed him from the start. The only thing that will add Griese to that list is his veteran experience.
October 10, 2007
#27 Northside Superfan said . . .Northside, you make some fair points. But remember that Bradshaw was terrible his first several seasons, and was nearly ran out of Pitsburgh back then.
And getting Bradshaw in no way garauntees that we get Stallworth, Swan, or any other of the hofers that made up his surrounding cast.October 10, 2007
#28 Phil from SATX said . . .C'Mon Jeff...Harbaugh was a moron at QB. Physically talented enough, but he was constantly making stupid decisions and failing to grasp event the basics of reading a defense.
Sure, he got a bad rap and unfair media treatment (like every QB we've ever had), but he belongs on the list of major disapointments.
Yeah, Ditka hated him but during that famous shouting match between the two in Minnesota the year Ditka got fired, who here can say didn't sympathize more with Da Coach than with the guy who had just called an audible to complete a beautiful touchdown pass to a wide-open defensive back?
October 10, 2007
#29 jeff said . . .jdawg, you had it right - you can't teach height. That's Rex's single biggest issue. I think the lack of scrambling has to do with how he grew up as a quarterback. His beautiful arm made scrambling unnecessary, and he had enough height to see at the lower levels. Different deal in the NFL. You've got to be able to see, or you've got to scramble.
October 10, 2007
#30 Al in WI said . . .i'd never have brought harbaugh up but the guy became pro bowler in indy two years after leaving and was MUCH BETTER player over the duration there.
October 10, 2007
#31 Pissed Off said . . .I'd have to disagree with Jeff on Harbaugh. Yes, he was a different player in Indy, but he got 4.5 seasons in Chicago as the regular starter.
And I think he is the #1 guy responcible for the disaster that was the 1990's. His interception against the vikings @ dome is still the most painful bears memory that I have. It sunk the '92 team, which cost the beloved Ditka his job, and lead to Dave Wanstad, and the miserable era that followed.
I personally will never forgive him for that. Although comparing him to some of the garbage that has followed makes him look better. I just think he became a different player with the Colts.October 10, 2007
#32 Bill said . . .Thats probably what'll happen to Rex. That or his next team will pay for special shoes that give him an extra 3 inches.
And for the record I really think its wayyyy to early to speculate about Griese allowing us to sign Briggs. He's played two games and its not guaranteed he'll play like he did last week every week or that he wont get hurt, he has been injury prone and has been a backup for a reason in several organizations. Lets let this play out. Playing devil's advocate what if last week was a mirage? Its only been two games. I think the guy is reliable but the way QBs are treated in this town, if he has even one bad game people will be calling for his head too.
October 10, 2007
#33 Bill said . . .My God - that Minn game when Harbaugh audibled to a pick 6 AFTER DITKA EXPLICITLY TOLD HIM NOT TO!
What do you do when a QB not only makes a mistake, but did so after insubordination. IF Lovie/Ron told Rex or Griese or Orton "on this play, whatever you do, DO NOT PASS and we'll win the game", and then Rex or Griese or Orton selfishly decides he'd rather try to pad his stats and the score. Well - we'd run the guy out of town.
However, Ditka's reaction became the story (as it should have - just like there is no excuse for road rage no matter how big an a-hole the driver in front of you is).
Thanks for that painful memory. "Next time, why don't you just give me a paper cut and pour lemon juice in it?"
October 10, 2007
#34 JB said . . .Off topic, but interesting.
Greg Eatserbrook gives a readers take on the Cowboys-Bills game next to last play. With no timeouts and 7 seconds, the only thing the Cowboys coudl do is try a sideline pass or something in the end zone. The Bills did not defend the sideline - instesd they had people in the middle fo the field - plus a few around the end zone. The reader said the Bills shoudl have rushed three, put two on each sideline and four in the end zone.
So I started to think - why rush ANY? Put three or four in the end zone and 3-4 on each sideline. What coudl Romo do? The middle woudl be completely open, but so what. No TOs. He coudl run out of bounds himself - but so what? Too long for the FG - plus I'm sure he'd have a few seconds of indecision.
Easterbrook points out that teams have over a dozen coaches - but they are never prepared to do the unorthodoxed to take care of situations like this.
I remember MANY years ago Abe Gibron as an assistant allerting Jim Dooley about the free kick rule (after a fair catch, a team can elect a FG attempt with no rush. It won a game for the Bears.
Years later we have not one but TWO 108 FG returns - and I bet a lot of players/coaches didn't know it was legal.
It's tough in pressure situation - but still you would expect more. There is NO excuse for Buffalo losing that game. Jauron shoudl be fired for it.
October 10, 2007
#35 mikebdot said . . .Brian Brohm
October 10, 2007
#36 Al in WI said . . .http://www.withleather.com/post.phtml?pk=4070
I think I just threw up a little...
October 10, 2007
#37 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .Po'd you're exactly right about Griese. He's had one decent game, and that was nothing special in my opinion. We have to see what he can do, if he can stay healthy for a while.
Speaking of fan/media reaction. Po'd, if everything about last weeks game stayed the same but it was Rex instead of Griese at qb, don't you think we'd be spending half the week hearing about that interception in the fourth quarter, and the slow start? I'd bet any amount of money we would.October 11, 2007
#38 jdawg said . . .Harbaugh stepping it up in Indy is a kick in the balls, isn't it?
October 11, 2007
#39 Bob Avelleni said . . .I remember Grossman being a lot more elusive earlier in his career here. Hell, he blew out his knee in Minny running toward the end zone.
I think his lower leg injuries fucked him up more than we will ever know.
Anyway, it looks like we're back in the QB derby come draft day.
fuck.
October 11, 2007
#40 Jimbo said . . .What about me?
October 11, 2007
#41 Max said . . .Phil said it in #7,
"Things are looking up for this club - it's not like the old days."
I agree. Angelo and his scouts have shown a knack for spotting middle round talent. The last couple draft classes have been solid. Hester was an absolute steal, especially considering where Miami drafted Ginn this year. If we had drafted Hes in the 1st round, would anyone be complaining? Doubt it. We're off to a rough start this year, but I feel like the folks pulling the trigger aren't going to sit by and watch the parade go by.
I suspect we'll bring in an FA quarterback AND draft one. Angelo & Co. will right the ship.
I hope.
October 11, 2007
#42 Coxy said . . .I'm not gonna beat around the bush, I dont like this discussion. I'm not in the mood to talk about it. I've made my points regarding it thoughtout the couple years I have been here. So, sorry fellas (and ladies), I didnt read a single comment, nor half of the actual post. . . I just want Sunday to get here so we can hit .500 already.
October 11, 2007
#43 Phil from SATX said . . .I do not see Angelo drafting a QB this year. I think we have way too much to do with our offensive line that is aging in dog years.
It is going to be a crucial offseason, considering the terrible O-Line play, Briggs resigning, QB. Wouldnt want his job.
October 11, 2007
#44 Pissed Off said . . .I appreciate Al's effort on trying to explain why we have never had a great quarterback in Chicago. However, you all remember Occam's Razor, right? The axiom that among competing theories, the simplest one is most likely to be correct? In this case, Northside has it right - by far the biggest reason we haven't had a QB in Chicago is... luck. (not Sid) I'll repeat Northside's words:
FINDING A QUARTERBACK IS THE MOST DIFFICULT AND UNPREDICTABLE THING IN SPORTS!!
Look at Green Bay. They found ONE guy (ONE guy!) and rode him for SEVENTEEN YEARS!!! Think if Brett Favre hadn't existed. What would have happened to them over the last 17 years? Probably a lot like the Bears. I don't have time to do the research this morning, maybe somebody else does, but it you looked at the long list of teams who have never won a Super Bowl, I am guessing that you will find a long list of just average to bad quarterbacks.
Now it is true we have had extraordinarily bad luck, and Al's strongest point has to do with defensive coaches, and more to the point, running based teams - where a "game manager" like Harbaugh is normally favored over an arm like Rex. However, I'll say it again, it's not for lack of trying, and it's NOT because of the fans or the media or anything like that. No great quarterback has ever been run out of Chicago. Hasn't happened!
And contrary to the "messianic" complex Al argues for, I'd argue just the opposite - I think we are MORE forgiving of quarterbacks, because we've had such crappy ones. Just give us some competence, and we're happy. Jim Miller made most people happy, and he was simply competent. I don't remember people seeking his head - Chicago just wants competence. Last year's early pyrotechnics fo Rex were a hell of a lot of fun, but apparently not sustainable.
It's random, it's a crap shoot, you just have to keep trying, but part of that is being realistic about what you have. Rex has unfortunately divided Bear fans like almost no one else in Bears history. But isn't the Rex equation simple? Being one of the shortest QBs in the league and not being mobile is a recipe for disaster, and disaster is what we witnessed. Again, can we just move on? We may very well have found a competent QB in Chicago. Let's get excited about the possibilities. We ARE going to draft a QB next year, probably not a first or second rounder, but there will be some new blood to get excited about. Will it work out? Who knows? IT'S A CRAP SHOOT.
But at least I have some confidence in these personnel pickers. And I see them learning from their mistakes, and finding a really tall QB with mobility and presence. BTW, Rex would probably have a GREAT career in the CFL, and there's lots of money to be made up there - he's not going to have to go to work in a Home Depot or anything.
Let's root for some continuing competence, in our players and our coaches!
October 11, 2007
#45 jeff said . . .Yes Al I do agree. The thing is I just cant explain why he gets so much crap. My theory is that because he is young, was drafted high, etc. and the fact that he's shown some real greatness the early part of last season that everyone expects that all the time. In a sense he spoiled us into wanting the "greatness" every game all game instead of just "above average" or competent play on a consistent basis. Its the shits for him but thats Chicago.
Jdawg I was at the game in the dome when that happened, as I've been to every Chi/MN game in the dome since 2001, and watching him run that ball in, diving and scoring might I add, and ending his season doing so, that play showed some heart. That was one of the first times I became a big Rex guy. The main play that made me a big Rex guy was just last year when he hit Rasheid for a late TD VS MN. After having a bad game, throwing a pick 6, etc, he fought through it, and came back and won it on a TD pass. Thanks to Tommies harris' stripping too to get us the ball back. I also liked when Rex scrambled in that Dallas game on 3rd and long to get that 1st down. Its plays like that by ANY player that make you like the guy. Of course this is all probably a moot point since Rex is holding a clipboard and in his final season of his contract.
October 11, 2007
#46 Pissed Off said . . .guys, i'm leaving this post up till tomorrow because i think this conversation is good and i'm not writing a lance briggs thing. PO'd, let me tell you why i think rex has gotten so much shit. (1) he had early success last season on an incredibly successful team. so the lens of the nfl was focused on this team as the class of the conference. when that happens, jaws looks for blood in the water. looks for deficiencies. and rex was the only one a year ago. (2) he has terrible failures in the public eye, including the monday night miracle game at arizona. and then he responded to the criticism of that game with a series of bad performances (though i believe he played great the next week). (3) the admittance of not preparing enough for the green bay game because it was new year's eve was something that just isn't good and that spawned a new wave of criticism for the postseason. (4) the chicago media's persistance of the question: is rex your quarterback? that refrain kept the question alive. if he plays this way in st. louis - where there's one guy covering the team - he's still the quarterback. (5) the kind of mistakes he made. the fumbling snaps in the preseason. the dropping balls for no reason. the one pick equals three guaranteed. (6) he doesn't fit the mold of a great quarterback. he's short and he's a little spiky, personality-wise. he seemed to to take the criticism to heart - bad for a player in chicago. ...do i think he got a bum rap? maybe. but i don't think the bears could sustain his style/level of play any longer. he might go somewhere and be successful but turning the ball over is not acceptable in an nfl where the teams are separated by very little. even when good quarterbacks struggled early in their career - and other than favre - they didn't turn the ball over absurd amounts. and rex's turnovers were just absurd.
October 11, 2007
#47 Bill said . . .This has been a good conversation but I think I disagree with quite a bit of what you said. I've been watching Rex as long as anyone. I dont buy the Green Bay preparation thing, it didn't help that he said that but poeple were on his case long before that, it was just fuel to the fire, and not much fuel.
Its naive to think Rex was our only deficiency. Overall, yes but in certain games and at certain times other things were the downfall. The Miami game for instance, the O-line was overmatched to an incredible level and Rex was getting pressure all day which I think let to his bad game and therefore a loss. That was also evident this year in two games. Yes he had bad games like Arizona but the media only came down on him hard when he had bad performance like that becuase they had seen the greatness already and couldnt believe someone could go from one extreme to another, they wanted perfection every game like they got the first 5. Nothing more.
I do buy your QB mold thing, he's not typical. Either way it doesnt really matter now. I think most of your reasons are right. In my opinion I just think tweaking a few of them makes more sense.
October 11, 2007
#48 Bill said . . .Off topic again - but it's too good to not mention. Did anyone see Wanny's bizarre play calling last night that cost Pitt the game against Navy in 2OTs? Down three, first and goalfrom about the 8, he gets to the two by running on first and second down. then I beleive passes incomplete on 3rd down. And then on 4th down they decide to go for the win rather than a 3rd OT by kicking a FG. And the call - a fade in the end zone which was broken up. The announcers tried to justify it - and then essentially gave up and said he shoudl have run on 3rd and 4th given they weren't going for the FG.
Reports are Wanny is failing at the college level also.
October 11, 2007
#49 Phil from SATX said . . .POd - I don't think the media, or anyone, was looking for perfection every time. They were looking for consistency. A bad game or two, no big deal. But going from great to horrible was bizarre and led to the pressure.
But someone before that mentioned how after his Sept 2006 the media (national and local) were really ready to annoit the Bears as the next big thing in the NFL. His failures were then magnified by the contrarians, and unfortunately they came too often to simply dismiss those opinions.
October 11, 2007
#50 jeff said . . .I believe that wins as Jeff's longest non-leading post, at least since I've been reading. Good job!
Let's also distinguish between two things - being dumped on and being dumped on in a nasty, personal way. There's no way you can say that Rex has "gotten a bad rap." From an evaluation standpoint, Rex has gotten exactly what his play warrants. As Jeff says, excessive turnovers are unacceptable, and it's no understatement to say that Rex turned into a turnover machine. The turnovers were bad enough to get him appropriately yanked, but what was worse was his inability to "right the ship" when he was having bad games. Just look at the Tony Romo game of Monday night - he had 5 picks (should have been 6) but he still came back and managed the team to a victory.
So you don't have to feel sorry for Rex for calls for his head or criticism of his play - he deserved it, and he brought it on himself. Now the ugliness and personal attacks included in the piling on, THAT'S what you can get after, and feel sorry for him for. And he handles that stuff with utmost class. But saying Rex sucks or he's a terrible quarterback or he doesn't belong in the league or I want Griese - there's nothing wrong with any of that. It's NOT piling on, it's just valid criticism of poor quarterback play.
October 11, 2007
#51 jeff said . . .PO'd to clarify...I'm not giving those as MY reasons but just the existing reasons. I don't buy the GB preparation thing for one second but he said it and got crushed for it on the eve of the post season. I don't like blaming "media" for anything but there's a pressure on the QB in this town that doesnt exist anywhere else. Sure they get on Chad and Eli over here, but this is a baseball town. You couldn't find someone talking football on sports radio in NY right now if you tried. And believe me, I'm trying.
October 11, 2007
#52 Pissed Off said . . .and it is phil, without question. i'm doing edits on a play today so i want to write but i like this post up top and don't want to usurp it.
October 11, 2007
#53 Al in WI said . . .Phil I would argue the fact that he almost always had a fantastic comeback game after a poor performance and in the MN game he was playing terrible and did the Romo thing by coming back and throwing the game winning TD. Ok I dont have to argue, it is fact. So your "right the ship" analogy isnt always true with Rex.
October 11, 2007
#54 Phil from SATX said . . .This is a great discussion. I think this hatred of Rex goes beyond last year. When he came into the team he didn't get on the field until the last 3 games of 2003. When he finally got in there he looked great, especially in his second start against Washington when he hit big plays and lead a come from behind drive. From there the hype and hope was on. Then in the midst of an impressive preformance against the Queens in the dome he blew out his knee. The Bears and all of us then took a ride to Quarterback Hell. Quinn, Krenzel, ect. I think a lot of fans blamed Rex for that, for some reason.
Then 2005 rolls around, Rex looks good in camp, and in the first 2 preseason games, and boom, busted ankle. Again fans were livid, and the media wrote Rex off for his career. So then the bears have a winning season and for some reason a lot of people grow to love Kyle Orton in the process. Well we had issues getting to 10 points so Rex cameback and again played well. But there were a lot of calls to talk radio from people angry that Orton got benched.
Fast forward to 2006, and remember that before Rex got off to a great start in the regular season, fans were at full throat demanding he get benched during the preseason.
I can't really explain it, because to me it is so irrational, but it isn't a new thing. I feel like looking back, he never really got a fair shake from a lot of people. I think he was held accountable for the sins of past Bears qbs, his injuries, and the benching of Kyle Orton. None of which he could control.October 11, 2007
#55 Pissed Off said . . .I don't want to change the subject, but f'ing Mariotti is back to his old tricks again. What a revisionist he is! Listen to this:
"Lance Briggs is rambling into embankments and knocking down road signs as one of the best defensive players in football, a classic shove-it statement to the Bears after they refused to pay him market value and let him become a civic pariah during the offseason."
Him playing well is a "shove it" statement? The Bears "refused to pay him market value?" They "let him" become a civic pariah during the offseason?
I'm quite sure if I spent the time researching Mariotti's past columns, I would find something villifying Briggs. Now he's playing great and making it obvious that we should go to the wall and keep him, that's fine and I agree, but to revise history this way?
What a freaking putz. Sorry to stain the blog with his words.
October 11, 2007
#56 Pissed Off said . . .Al I dont know if everything you said is true but it sure does explain some of the shit this guy has taken and why. That game where he blew out his knee was a gutsy play and I distinctly remember the play being reviewed, then called a TD, then him getting carted off. Then our D makes a stand or we get the onside kick, I dont remember but I do remember Quinn coming in with a minute or two left to go in the 4th and him trying to lead us to a game winning drive, (I am laughing right now) It was so funny, I think it was 4 straight incompletions and the rest of the season is history with that QB carosel after that Rex TD. So funny yet so sad. What else is weird is that these fans act like we are used to having Brady back there year in and year out, mainly with Rex I guess.
October 11, 2007
#57 Phil from SATX said . . .BTW Al that was pretty much the best summary of Rex's career I've ever seen. Great post.
October 11, 2007
#58 Phil from SATX said . . .You guys are still cutting him breaks. It's okay - if I was the recipient of your loyalty I would love it and admire it. But the real reason Chicago fans show just vitriolic feelings against Rex is because he made us all look stupid and feel ridiculous for supporting him.
Nothing makes your team look worse than bad QB play. And in Rex's bad games, and in last year's Super Bowl, and in most of the 3 games he played in this year, he looked ridiculous, and he made the Bears as a whole look ridiculous. Not just because of throwing picks, but in every part of his Bad Rex games - fumbling balls, running backwards, deer in the headlights look, EVERYTHING. I don't ever remember witnessing worse performances by a QB than Rex's bad games. Even Quincy Carter looked better than him.
By extension, us fans look ridiculous - they're our team and an extension of us. (Sounds stupid but that's how sports and civic pride work, isn't it?) All of us have friends who support different teams, whether they live elsewhere or in Chicago. Most of us listen to national talk radio or watch ESPN. All of us have been ridiculed because of Rex Grossman. That's why the vitriol is bigger. He made us look stupid.
October 11, 2007
#59 Bill said . . .I hate to have to say this, but Jay Mariotti, I apologize. I researched the archives over the off-season and see that you didn't change your position, you were always against the Bears and for Briggs. (I should have realized that you're always against the Bears no matter what).
I still don't agree with your take on him during the offseason, but I am wrong to say you must have flip-flopped. I stand corrected.
October 11, 2007
#60 BRIANsong said . . .Phil - I know what you mean about Rex's failings, but I disagree when you say: "I don't ever remember witnessing worse performances by a QB than Rex's bad games. " Two examples faily recently: Cade McNown and Jonathon Quin. The less said about McNown the better. As far as Quin - he was REALLY lost. He had ZERO ability with a live rush. I recall him simply standing there as if to say "my God, what I DO??" Seriously - I NEVER saw anything more pathetic. Not just with protection breaking down - from the moment he dropped back. I'm convinced he was the ultimate reason Shea got fired. Shea SHOUDL have been fired - but I'm sure Lovie said "if THAT'S your idea of a good QB, we have serious issues."
I believe Rex's problems are correctable and he can go on to be an acceptable performaer in the league. He will be signed quickly once FA starts.
October 11, 2007
#61 Al in WI said . . .Unfair to compare Quinn. He was a backup quarterback who had no business playing, another misfire of the Terry Shea experiment. Cade was a disaster but he never looked as good as Rex either. Cade had a nice first game against the Vikings and then went down, down, down, down...
October 11, 2007
#62 Phil from SATX said . . .Bill, I agree 100%. But I will say this, I don't think anyone should assume his career in Chicago is over. There are a lot of games left this year, and he's still the #2. It is possible that this time off will be good for him, and if he shines, who knows.
Po'd thanks for the compliments, you and I are pretty much on the same page on this issue.
Phil, Jay the joke never apologizes for his bullshit, so he isn't owed one from you. Fire on his ass!!!October 11, 2007
#63 Pissed Off said . . .In 26 games Cade McNown had only three 3 interception games. In 22 games Rex had six (one of which was a four INT game). Hard as it is to believe, Bad Rex is worse than Cade McNown.
Jonathon Quinn was a very short-lived joke, and I doubt highly that anywhere on this universe are there blogs devoted to discussing how good he really was and how he should be starting for the Chicago Bears or any other team.
There may have been worse performances by QBs than Bad Rex performances, but on otherwise good teams? No, he was truly historic and unique in that way.
October 11, 2007
#64 jeff said . . .To be honest I dont know how Quinn got on an NFL roster. Maybe he looked good in practice. I totally hear what you are saying Bill, he seriously looked lost. Didnt he come from Jacksonville or did he go there after got rid of him?
Rex will find himself with another team next year, I dont know if he'll be starting but plenty of teams will always make room for a SB quarterback, even if he had a sub par game. Its like a notch in the belt in the careers of players who played in the SB that teams covet these guys.
October 11, 2007
#65 Pissed Off said . . .quinn had to be blowing terry shea.
October 11, 2007
#66 Phil from SATX said . . .Rex's career is far better than Cade McNowns even at this point, and it's not close.
October 11, 2007
#67 Northside Superfan said . . .I didn't say Rex Grossman's CAREER is worse than Cade's, I said in Rex's Bad Rex games he was worse than Cade. And to the same point, no one has ever suggested that the league made an error in kicking Cade out of the NFL, so it's obviously not in Rex's favor that he gets compared at all with the likes of Cade McNown.
I'm not saying Rex doesn't belong in football, but Bad Rex showing up repeatedly will not be acceptable on any football team. The reason I bring up the CFL is because it is such a passing league and the emphasis is not as much on rushing the passer. One short QB in particular had a great career up there, and Rex could probably excel at that game. In fact, a couple years up there may make him into a successful NFL quarterback. But at this point, he's not going to learn more by holding a clipboard (he's already held one for a bunch of years now) yet only the worst NFL teams, those not vying for a playoff spot, can risk having a Bad Rex show up for a game.
His best next shot in the NFL will be dependent on someone getting hurt, and it could be here this year. But otherwise, he'll be an inexpensive addition to someone else's team to push the starter and provide insurance.
October 11, 2007
#68 Northside Superfan said . . .Phil--you are going to hate to hear this, or at the very least, you'll think I look ridiculous, but...
Speaking strictly in the abstract, I would like to see Rex get another shot. Now, if Griese continues to play well and we continue to win, obviously I don't think he should be benched, and I would never wish an injury on anyone (except maybe Cade McNown).
That being said, there is no doubt in my mind that Rex has the ABILITY to be a great NFL QB. Does that mean he will be? No. But as our starter last year, he had 7 excellent games. 7 excellent games is not a fluke. 1 or 2 excellent games is a fluke--didn't Chad Hutchinson have an excellent game or 2? If everyone here is honest with themselves, they will admit that those good games last year--especially vs. Green Bay (opening day), SF and Buffalo--were the best Quarterbacking any of us have ever seen on a Bears team. Good Rex can make some extremely difficult throws and pick apart an offense. Bad Rex more than cancels that out by losing games--I am not trying to deny that or minimize that. He should have been benched.
Still, I can't deny (and this is probably just lifelong-Bears-fan-quarterback-deprived thinking) that I have some hope that maybe, just maybe, after getting benched and taking a step back, the light will go on and this guy can figure out what was going to terribly wrong and fix it. It's not likely, but stranger things have happened. Kurt Warner started his first MVP season working at a grocery store, you know.
October 11, 2007
#69 Phil from SATX said . . .Also, off the subject, does anyone have an injury update on Darwin Walker? That could be a big factor in Sunday's game. I live in NYC so I never hear the updates on Chicago radio. Not that they are so trustworthy anyway.
October 11, 2007
#70 Scuba Man said . . .I'm okay with that sentiment, Northside, and I agree that we may never see a purer arm ever again, which makes the disappointment even more poignant. However, I think Rex's last supporters (the last ones to leave the Rex bus) are still thinking that a light bulb just needs to go on, that a switch just needs to be flipped, and it will turn Rex into Good Rex permanently. I don't think it's nearly as simple as flipping a switch. Or being benched for a half, or a game, or a season. He is not currently prepared to face the kinds of defenses he continually faced towards the end of last year and the beginning of this.
What will get him over the hump, if it's indeed possible, is game experience. But it's way more than one game, unfortunately. Who's got time in the NFL to give him that? Maybe teams who's seasons are already lost, or who begin the year without a prayer of being in the postseason. But even those have to at least pretend they have a reasonable plan to win. It's really a catch 22 situation for Rex, and if some franchise was willing to give him several years of playing with the up and down results they'd get, I think by the end of his career he'd be absolutely great. It's getting there that's the problem.
October 11, 2007
#71 Pissed Off said . . .I had a leaky mask today. One hundred feet under the sea and my mask starts leaking. Imagine that. The strange thing was that as the water seeped in and I started to panic, I began inhaling oxygen far too fast. I got a bit light-headed and thought I saw something floating before me. What could be floating before me down in this dark, salty water other than some sort of fish, or an apple?
Folks, my god it was a pristine, un-opened bottle of orange Gatorade.
If that ain't a sign of all bubbly signs, I don't know anything.
October 11, 2007
#72 Joe said . . .Preaching to the choir northside. Dont forget that Phil used to be a Rex guy, until he got pulled, so I dont think he will think your comments look rediculous.
Dont forget that last years opening day performace VS GB wasnt even one of his 7 100+ rating games. It was 98.6. So in addition to his 7 really good games(100+ratings), he had good games also VS GB (98.6), MN(@MN, most of the game was bad but he did win it with the TD), @ NYJ (81.4) and @(Det). That makes 11 of 16. Plus he was just fine VS Sea and NO in the playoffs.
October 11, 2007
#73 JB said . . .I think my neighbors might be terrorists. I don't know. They just have that look. The father and his boy are always in the back yard running obstacle courses around the jungle-gym holding a stick like a rifle - dust flying up under their leather sandals. They don't like grass. They keep their yard mowed down to the dirt. Actually, I've never even seen them use a mower. Plus, the guy's name is Mohammad. I call him Mo, for short.
What do you guys think?
October 11, 2007
#74 JB said . . .that was weird
October 11, 2007
#75 Phil from SATX said . . .that was weird
October 11, 2007
#76 jeff said . . .Maybe someday the strange schizophrenic posters will be temporarily rational enough to give some insight as to where their brains were at when they posted here. Scuba is especially strange. Irritating, too, when you are waiting for comments or reaction and that is what you get. I'd like to know whether anyone agrees with me about Rex's future career. Not about Gatorade though!
October 11, 2007
#77 Pissed Off said . . .northside, i'm on the same map as you. you don't hear anything about injuries anymore in the nfl until after practices on friday when they are declared probable, questionable...etc. I'll have the most up-to-date thing in my post tomorrow.
October 11, 2007
#78 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .I'm hearing from KFAN radio, which is Minnesotas sports station that Walker is out for Sunday, as well as Vasher but I think we all knew that.
And I do loves me some gatorade.
October 11, 2007
#79 Bill said . . .Scuba: Gotta be careful down under. Glad you're okay.
Joe: I'd say your post made me laugh but I won't out of fear you might be right. YIKES!
October 11, 2007
#80 Pissed Off said . . .It's funny how memory fades. I think I mentioned how my brother in law gave the opinion (orrational at the time I thought) that Rex woould be out of football in two years. It seemed beyond his normal Bear bashing.
But now I think I relaize why. I forgot just how humilliating the shutout at Lambeau must have been. And make no mistake - the Bears offense was a much a part of the shutout as the defense. And Rex was much a part of the offense.
So he took particular glee in seeing him fail. (Though how is getting thoroughly beat by failed QB is better than saying GB got beat by a great QB? Well, that's a GB fan / Bear haters logic.)
It's impossible to know - but it may just be that Rex had "it" and then lost "it". Whatever "it is or was. Actually, I do. It's comfort in the pocket or feeling in control in the pocker. I can't see him getting "it" back here though.
October 11, 2007
#81 Pissed Off said . . .This blog is making my day today, best conversations we've had here in a while.
October 11, 2007
#82 Bill said . . .Not to get supersticious, OK but I am, and not to piss on JB or Midway but the Bears have won two games.....I have been the Sunday night blogger for both.....coincedence?
October 11, 2007
#83 Scott said . . .I went to the store by my house last night and when I stepped outside I saw something I will probably never get over.
The moon.
(In keeping with the bizarre posts we're getting here.)
The funniest joke I ever heard in the sixties:
There were three bears in a bathtub. The first one said to the other "Pass the salt." The fourth one said "Pass the salt?? What do you think I am, a radio?"Don't ask what made that joke seem so funny. Just know it was the 60s. Given Scuba Man's posts, I think it may be the same thing he's on and I don't mean Gatorade.
October 11, 2007
#84 Bill said . . .I'm late to this Rex discussion but I'm in agreement with all of you who think the kid actually can play. In fact, I wonder if the door is just a little bit open for Angelo to try to bring him back and declare the QB position up for grabs in camp next year. I know the popular opinion right now is that he won't be a Bear next year but I wonder. Thoughts?
October 11, 2007
#85 Midway Monster said . . .No Rex next year, I believe. Too much pressure on him; he needs and deserves a fresh start. He lost a ton of money but that was his doing. Hhe'll be signed sa a backup and one with a lot of question marks at that. If he stays the whole thing is a distraction all over again and limits their ability to draft/develop a lower round QB.
The real mystery to me is RB, but it depends on Benson showing more.
October 11, 2007
#86 Midway Monster said . . .Pissed (Post 81): Yeah writing a loser sucks! if the trend continues maybe we'll adjust.
-- Midway --
(on the road traveling for the next 2 weeks)October 11, 2007
#87 Al in WI said . . .Sidebar:
If you know me, you may recall I frequent a diner where the owner is a Vike-head. We usually give each other a load full during Vike week. I made damn sure that I stopped by (before I headed out to the west coast) and gave him a rash o $hit. Man I love doing that :)
-- Midway --
We now return back to your Bears Blog already in progress...
October 11, 2007
#88 jdawg said . . .Excellent discussion. I'm a little upset that I missed a lot of it.
I'm happy to see cooler heads have started to prevail on this site anyway, about Rex.
As a believer in Rex, the one positive I saw from his benching was that the discussion has moved from everything being his fault, to the fact that there are/were other problems with the offense.
He has the most ability of any quarterback we may have ever had. As several have pointed out last season, he had 7 excellent games, three or four real good ones, and two great playoff games. I don't think that was a fluke.
I think what happened to him this season was that he listened too much to the critics. I think he went out there with idea "just don't make a mistake." Well if you've ever played sports you know that doesn't work. It's like golf, if you line up and say to yourself "don't hit out of bounds," nine times of ten that is exactly what is going to happen. He was hesitating and not being aggressive which is his strength.
My hope is he gets another shot with some time left in the season, and lets it loose. If that happens he'll be back in Chicago next year. Maybe with a competition depending on what would happen in the playoffs.
What I don't want to see is him going to another team, like say KC, or Miami, and having the light come on and take another team to the playoffs.
October 12, 2007
#89 Shady McBears Fan said . . .yeah, if Grossman gets back in he may have more of a relaxed attitude. As an analogy, I find that if I'm stuck on a crossword puzzle it helps if I go drink a beer, or, if its after five, have a little whiskey and relax. Once I come back I often find the answer.
I recommend Rex get a bottle of Bakers 107 proof 7-year-old bourbon. Its single barrel sourmash bourbon, made in Cleremont right here in the bluegrass. I'm looking at a bottle right now. Soon I will not be bothered by all sorts of things and all my passes will connect.
October 12, 2007
#90 Coxy said . . .jdawg, I'm afraid if he takes to the booze Rex just might end up like this. Remind you of anyone we know?
October 12, 2007
#91 Megan said . . .HAHAH
October 12, 2007
Jdawg,
That's interesting, I bowl better after a few beers. I never thought about using that technique for crosswords...
you CRACK me up!October 12, 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.
