In the end, Brett Favre had every opportunity to lead the Green Bay Packers to the Super Bowl but Jay Mariotti's "greatest football player ever" did what he seems to always do in the big spot: he threw the ball to other team.
I won't lie. Having the Packers go to the Super Bowl and lose would have greatly diminished what we did a year ago. Having them lose today makes me feel warm and nice.
See ya'll tomorrow.
#2 Duff Diggler said . . .first -- three times in a row
January 21, 2008
#3 jdawg said . . .Now I can root for someone without having to stifle my vomit...
January 21, 2008
#4 Shady said . . .missed the game but I'll say it here first, the Giants ability to put pressure on the QB could fuck up the Patriot's O.
just saying
January 21, 2008
#5 Mike said . . .The Giants played the Pats well in week 17... 3 pt. game wasn't it?
January 21, 2008
#6 Mike said . . .Great day of football. New England didn't play well at all (other than Kevin Faulk and Lawrence Maroney that is) yet still won decisively.
VERY impressed with Eli Manning. I think we experienced his official coming out party during these playoffs. He looked poised and confident, and his talent has finally burst through in a major way.
The Super Bowl? Well, the Giants play very good defense, so it is a mistake to say the Patriots will automatically win this game. But...I think the Patriots find a way to win by two touchdowns. I really do. The Patriots have SO MANY weapons on offense that it is ridiculous. And you just know that Randy Moss is going to get involved in this thing. I think Eli will move the ball against the Patriots, but in the end the Pats will win convincingly. I'd like to see Eli get a ring, but my head tells me otherwise.
January 21, 2008
#7 HesterFan23 said . . .Obviously, I don't like the Packers. That being said I make no secret of my fondness for Brett Favre. What that man has accomplished in his career, often times with inferior parts around him, speaks for itself.
But against the New York Giants??? Well, to me at least, Favre looked like a guy who didn't have the legendary fire. Well a Packer fan might say in response, "no shit Sherlock, it's hard to have fire when its 14 fucking degrees below zero!!" But the bottom line? Favre was no longer the best QB on the football field. That honor belonged (and belongs) to Eli.
My point? Well, I can't help but wonder whether we have seen the last of Brett Favre in the NFL. I know there has been rumor of him coming back for another year, but I think he will turn course on that decision. He's had an unbelievably ridiculously great career. And in 2007 he had a resurgence and proved to the world that he wasn't washed up. So what else does he have to prove? It's not like he will ever have to worry about money. The networks will eat through each other's asshole to sign him to become a studio host or to be a color analyst.
So I think Brett Favre shocks Green Bay and retires. It's been a privilege to watch him play all these years.
January 21, 2008
#8 Beardown1982 said . . .Let the Turner talks begin...
January 21, 2008
#9 RandomName said . . .Fun day of football. Gotta hand it too San Diego...they gave the Pats a good game with a QB hobbling around the field and their best running back not playing at all. Would have had a chance to be in it at the end had they scored TDs instead of field goals. Sure could have used LT and a healthy Gates in thoses spots, but oh well...Pats are just too good.
Giants outplayed the Pack all game. Luck went the Packers way most of the game, but they couldn't capitalize when it counted. I was surprised they didn't try to establish the run with Grant more. I think I heard that he only had 13 carries...not nearly enough in those conditions. Favre had a bad game. Forced balls when he shouldn't have...looked more like the Favre from the last couple of years. Still a good year for the Pack...although, looks like they may have looked past the G-Men a bit. Favre will be back I imagine, especially in a wide open NFC. The tv booths will be there for him no matter when he retires, if he wants the job.
Pats won't overlook the Giants after the close game in the regular season. I expect them to win rather easily.
January 21, 2008
#10 Al in WI said . . .Jeff you are indeed a packer hater. =}
January 21, 2008
#11 RandomName said . . .What I loved about this game is the play of one Brett Favre. For all offseason I had to hear about 1st year starter Rex Grossman's late interceptions in SB 41. And of course how the greatest of all time bla, bla, bla would never do that. Well tonight with the game on the line 17 year veteran threw the ball up for grabs with the game on the line and blew game for GB. You won't hear that from WI or from mainstream media sources, but that is exactly what happened. And oh yeah, he did several times with 2 picks in crunch time. He is now 12-10 in the playoffs as a starter.
January 21, 2008
#12 Mike said . . .Patriots well, I guess they are the best team ever.
I hate to admit it but I just have to give them their respect.
Well either they are or the Giants have the most unexpected upset of the decade under their sleeves.
January 21, 2008
#13 T said . . .The Giants are a GOOD football team, but nobody cares to admit it. Tom Coughlin did a hell of a job in Jacksonville, and he has done the same in New York. Despite being thrown under the bus by that smiley faggot-looking Tiki Barber. I'm rapidly becoming a big Eli Manning fan too. Like his brother Peyton, he is class and professionalism personfied and one helluva talented QB (Archie did a good job raising these two, don't you think?)
But the Super Bowl? Advantage Bill Belicheck. Two weeks to prepare and the benefit of playing the Giants the last game of the regular season. And you watch, the only thing ESPN and the others will be talking about the next two weeks is what the fuck happened to Randy Moss. This will play right into Belicheck and Tom Brady. Because I betcha that sum bitch Moss comes out and has a Super Bowl for the ages. The defensive coaching staff of the Giants isn't going to sleep the next two weeks, trust me.
January 21, 2008
#14 Mike said . . .Gosh, what happened to all the posters that said they would much rather have Rex. Any left? PO'd maybe?
January 21, 2008
#15 Z said . . .Yeah, I can't wait to hear from the nuttier than squirrel shit crowd (Pissed Off is their ring leader) who insisted that Rex Grossman is a better QB than Eli Manning. It's like insisting that bull dike Rosie O'Donnell is more attractive than Eva Longaria.
January 21, 2008
#16 Z said . . .Come on lil' Manning. 1 more miracle and we can end this season on a good note. Nobody looked like they wanted anything on O that 4th Q. It's only to go to the SB.
January 21, 2008
#17 Megan said . . .And everyone that said it would feel better to see the Pack lose it in the SB, isn't this better than watching Favre highlights for the next 2 weeks. Come on. U know it is.
January 21, 2008
#18 RandomName said . . .I didn't think it was possible, but Mike has officially offended the shit out of me. Do you think you could have a little less of a sharp tongue and more appreciation for anybody else, other then yourself?
You truely are an asshole..
I was extremely glad to see the Pack loose and to top it off, at home, as Mr #4 tossed a big goose egg!
I do have a feeling that the SB will be a little lopsided. I think Eli did a great job, but I don't think that a team like the Pats is going to give the G-men much of a break.
Glad that playoff game is over with, now I can just relax and NOT hear about #4 for a while...
*Whew*
January 21, 2008
#19 David Bittinger said . . .btw Rex Did make it to the Superbowl too in case you forgot.
not defending, just saying Eli ain't win it yet.
January 21, 2008
#20 JB said . . .Ding Dong! The Pack is dead. Which old Pack? The pesty Pack!
Ding Dong! The pesty Pack is dead.
Wake up, you sleepy head, rub your eyes, get out of bed.
Wake up, the pesty Pack is dead.
They've gone where the Brewers go -- below, below, below.
Yo-ho, let's open up and sing and ring the bells out.
Ding Dong, the merry-oh, sing it high, sing it low.
Let them know the pesty Pack is dead!January 21, 2008
#21 Pissed Off said . . .It was a fine day yesterday, watching Favre throw away the game. When GB won the coin toss, I told my buddy, "Favre throws a pick here, NY kicks a fg and this game is over". Too bad I didn't take action on that prop bet. It just felt like the giants game the entire day. Did anyone really have the feeling that GB was going to win that game? I don't buy into the whole watch your division rivals win because it's a good reflection on you. Screw that, I don't have to work with giants fans or patriots fans...this works out much better. If you don't have a wonderful feeling that warms your heart whenever Brett Favre throws a pick, and especially when he throws a pick in a big situation, well, then you are a far different bears fan than I.
January 21, 2008
#22 Rancid said . . .Oh it feels good. So is Favre going to retire now?
I do think Rex is better than Eli. You wouldnt have been nuttier than squirrel shit to think that last year when we went to the super Bowl with him while Eli was sitting at home after good performances against New Orleans and Seattle by Rex. Eli's thing was that he was too inconsistent, like Rex. But in 2006 Rex went the first 5 weeks (or 6?) on a tear and Manning has only put together a few here, lets let this play out some more. I will be rooting for him and the Giants very hard to beat the Pats but I assume they will fall short like every other team playing the Pats this year.
January 21, 2008
#23 mikebdot said . . .I enjoyed that game thoroughly. I was watching it with a bunch of Giants fans as I live in NY. When #4 throws the pick they all went ballistic high fiving and jumping around. I just sat there with a smug grin on my face. That's right Madden, your personal god just single-handedly lost the game. That's right flaming Packer fans who felt the need to come to our site all week. That's right networks who think that his wife is a better pregame story than actual players. Let's sit back and plug that replay into the discussion of best QB ever. Last night was the most fun I ever had watching a pro game that the Bears were not playing in.
January 21, 2008
#24 Bill said . . .The best part about the Favre INT to end their season? Ryan Grant was WIDE OPEN underneath. He would have had 6 or 7 EASY yards. He was literally directly in front of Favre. What an awful decision.
January 21, 2008
#25 Bill said . . .There were too many Bears fans that I know that said they were hoping the Pacjkers win. That was BS - I came right out and said I hoped they lost, even though I didn't think they would. Now this morning they are all saying "well, I didn't REALLY want them to win..." How can a real Bear fan wake up on a Monday morning and say "gee, I'm bummed that the Packers lost???"
WPF - I feel for you. I watched the game with my brother in law, a die hard Packer fan, and he was miserable. He thought Favre was too freaked out by the cold; maybe his age?
Manning is the typical caretaker QB, which - along with a solid running game, is what was needed to win in those conditions. Favre can't do that, and the lack of running (WHY? Same line - I guess a better D-line than Seattle) put it on his shoulders again. He can't do that anymore. I think he knows it. I agree with Mike - I woudl not be shocked to see him retire.
Football has shown that one year to the next teams can be very different. There is no reason to think GB will be as good.
January 21, 2008
#26 DTB said . . .I meant WCPF, not "Windy Packer Fan". That was not an intentional slip - I have too much respect for you to do that.
But I am pumped this morning - I am still bitter over the Bears not getting any respect last year nationally despite winning the NFC; this helps. The darling of the media single handedly lost the game because he was A) not up to the task and B) outplayed by Eli (not Peyton) Manning.
One of the greatest ever - no doubt. But as long as the media refuses to acknowledge his faults, I can't "worship" him. I can see it now - the old "that's just Brett, trying to make a play." Ryan Grant was wide open? I dodn't see that. It figures. Second damn play of OT and he gets impatient. The announcers had JUST SAID that in OT you can be more patient. Then he throws a careless pick and they don't even refer back to the point they just made! Too shocked that the script wasn't playing out the way they wanted. If I was a Giants fan I'd be pissed at the bias they showed right then.
I HATE that line - "that's just Brett, trying to make a play." That's what EVERY QB that throws a pick is trying to do.
Make no mistake, any Packer fans reading this. Your team should should be in the Super Bowl but Brett lost it for you. Period.
January 21, 2008
#27 Duff Diggler said . . .Mike, I'd still rather have Rex. The main difference is that Rex was not the consensus number one pick, AND Rex did it a year earlier than Eli. The numbers below are very similar. And it just goes to show you that this type of QB play can get you where you need to be if you have a solid running game and defense. Something that Rex didn't have this year.
Eli Manning
2007 New York Giants
297 529 56.1 3,336
6.3 23 20Rex Grossman
2006 Chicago Bears
262 480 54.6 3,193
6.7 23 20Hmmm...
January 21, 2008
#28 Pissed Off said . . .I don't ever wanna hear about how the packers love to play in cold weather, and how that is such an advantage ever again!!!! It is obvious that we are the far superior cold weather team!!! Maybe the fudge packers should start thinking about a dome like the woosy loins and vikes....
January 21, 2008
#29 mikebdot said . . .Its just a great day to know that the Pack and Packer fans are miserable. I hate the Pack, its un Bearfanish to not hate them and everything they stand for. They are our #1 rival, longest rivalry in the NFL, best rivalry in the NFL. Everthing is OK with the NFL today. The Vikings and the Pack are all sitting at home too.
I cant wait honestly for the SB to be over and all the hype to end so we can move on to offseason moves and the draft and preparing for next season. A fresh start.
January 21, 2008
#30 Mike said . . .Bill: They were so shocked about the story line, they didn't have anything to say once the game was over. I think it could have been planned that way, but I mean, they didn't say ANYTHING for a good few minutes or so. It was actually kind of nice not hearing the darned announcers. I might consider paying to get the NFL network if they didn't have announcers.
I couldn't believe they didn't ice the kicker again, especially since it was so darned cold, as it was literally icing him. I was waiting for the timeout and it didn't come. Is there a rule against that in OT? I kind of doubt it.
January 21, 2008
#31 Pissed Off said . . .I cannot believe what I am reading. Supposed knowledgeable football fans who think Rex Grossman is on par with or better than Eli Manning. This is the absolute height of insanity. You will not find a single football executive, coach or scout on this planet who would take Grossman over Eli. It's farcical to even think about comparing the two.
That's all I got to say. I'm ashamed at myself for being fool enough to be suckered into this conversation in the first place.
January 21, 2008
#32 Pissed Off said . . .Mike, you started this conversation bud, so I'll let you end it and leave it at that. And by the way, great counter points there, you sure put us in our place.
January 21, 2008
#33 DTB said . . .And lets face it, the NYG are the Bears of last year, with a crappier regular season record (Due I think to the Bears of 06 having a better defense than the giants of 07 and of course a stud WR in Burress who's 6'6"who catches anything). They will also lose the Super Bowl and Manning will have a questionable performance and speculation all off-season will be that Eli lost the game, its soley his fault and then the questions will start about if he's still the future QB etc, etc. We have to let this all play out but Eli and the Giants are very similar to Rex and the Bears.
January 21, 2008
#34 mikebdot said . . .PO'ed: Thank you for reinforcing my point. You hit it right on the head. But at the same time Mike has his inside information again, citing the general opinon of executives, coaches and scouts. One thing I'll tell you, take away Eli's last name and you have Rex Grossman. The only difference is that Manning makes much more money.
January 21, 2008
#35 Shady said . . .Mike: The only option is suicide.
January 21, 2008
#36 Shady said . . .I kept thinking last night, "wow, there are a lot of similarities between Rex and Eli"
Both young QBs, both have had great success, both have had udder failures and both have come under enormous amounts of scrutiny. Apparently Dan (grossman) and Archie (manning) talk all the time about their young QB sons.
Eli will have an opportunity of a lifetime in February, just like Rex did last year. I think how Eli performs in the SB will either separate the two QBs or, if he chokes, bring more comparisons to Rex. Right now I'd take Eli over Rex ONLY because of Rex's history of injuries, not because of the manning name.
I'd say Dallas was having a year more like what the Bears had last year. A lot of good games and a few lucky ones ALL SEASON to end up with the #1 seed in the NFC. Until they choked last week, I was saying Dallas was going to the SB (to lose to the Pats). Dallas fans and GB fans are suffering right now. That almost makes this miserable Bears offseason bearable.
January 21, 2008
#37 said . . .And how about watching Mr. "I wear a Band-aid under my right eye", former bears DB, R-Dub, Mr. McQuarters cough up the ball TWICE last night??
January 21, 2008
#38 said . . .Anybody still impressed with M. Turner after his playoff performances?
When LT went down after ONLY 2 plays yesterday, did Turner step up and deliver? Mno. I don't want him for all that $$.
January 21, 2008
#39 said . . .Anybody still impressed with M. Turner after his playoff performances?
When LT went down after ONLY 2 plays yesterday, did Turner step up and deliver? Mno. I don't want him for all that $$.
And how about Farve pulling a Grossman? Haha, even REX doesn't pull that kind of crap anymore!
January 21, 2008
#40 Bill said . . .And finally,
How overrated is Al Harris?
Plaxico ran his ass up and down the field last night with the greatest of ease. All I've heard is that Harris is the best shut-down corner after only Champ. Fuck that, I'm glad the nation had the opportunity to watch Al get PWNED last night by Blaxico.
Peanut and Vash continue to be underrated. But it's OK. That's the way they like it. And Megan, it's LOSE not loose. Srry, it's my pet peeve ;-)
January 21, 2008
#41 Pissed Off said . . .McQ fumbling TWICE; yeah, that game keeps getting better and better in my mind!
Regarding Eli - we will see what happens in the SB; in my opinion, if Eli does worse than he did against the Packers, then he is still suspect. If not having any turnovers is the mark of a successful QB - overall number 1 pick in the draft - then the position is in even worse shape than I thought. Plexico made him look better than he really is. Rex woudl look much better if he had a receiver that coudl take over and humiliate one of the better corners in the league. Berrian ain't it.
January 21, 2008
#42 National Geographic says North Dakota Fucking Sucks said . . .Is the Super Bowl over yet? Is all the hype over? Can we talk about the Bears opening up the season yet? Is the draft this Saturday? Who did we pick up in free agency? Is Briggs, Berrian or Rex still on the team? Am I getting ahead of myself?
January 21, 2008
#43 Pissed Off said . . .Nuff said.
January 21, 2008
#44 Al in WI said . . .Cry me a river.
January 21, 2008
#45 Al in WI said . . .Mike honestly you are one ignorant fuck you know that? As pointed out Eli's stats this year are almost identical to Grossman's from 2006. And who do you think had/has the better supporting cast and oh yeah 2.5 more seasons of game experience? Exactly. You brought it up you impersonating douche bag!
The packers were actually quite lucky to be in that game, without the McQuarters fumble of the first Favre panic int, or the Buress dropped pass late in the first half this game would have been a laugher. (not to mention the missed fg's)
The one down thing about yesterday for me was that in the offseason of 2005 JA had a choice between Plaxico or Moose and we all know what happened next. Huge mistakes.January 21, 2008
#46 Pissed Off said . . .Quote of the day from GB Newspaper:
When the Packers needed him most, Favre was nowhere to be found. He completed just 4 of 10 passes for 32 yards and two interceptions in the fourth quarter and overtime.HA! HA!
January 21, 2008
#47 Pissed Off said . . .See Mike, Maddux Boy, Johnny Chicago, Johnny from Chi-town or your other many aliases you’re not fooling anyone. I appreciate the 99% of other bloggers who can come on here and just debate or have conversation without being so petty that they have to impersonate or personally attack the state I live in. That is so weak of you and its getting old. Thanks to those of you who stand up for me since I seem to be the only one Mike attacks or impersonates.
Despite Mikes attempts I’m still feeling pretty good today since the Pack is dead. I love Packer losses, especially playoff losses. There just a step below a Bears victory.
January 21, 2008
#48 Bill said . . .BTW, Damn fine points Bill and Al. Agree with all. Berrian aint Burress and Eli has had more time while having overall less national scrutiny than Rex, not even close.
January 21, 2008
#49 AfroCelt said . . .Favre "crunch time" QB rating equates to....
9.2!!!
(Thanks for the stats Al).I'm loving this game more and more as the day goes on!
January 21, 2008
#50 Megan said . . .You should have seen the papers up here this morning...pure gold for a Bears fan!
The giants simply outplayed the Pack...and I would love to see a rematch of that close game from the end of the regular season.
January 21, 2008
#51 Shady said . . .lose.... My "O's" got away from me.. Even though I can't remember who was saying it was their pet peeve because they didn't put their name up. I would apologize to you personally but, alas... no name, please forgive me. At least you won't acuse me of being loose? Ah-nevermind...
PO'd, I'm with you.. can we get onto next season yet?!!
January 22, 2008
#52 DTB said . . .You know what's sad?
This was the best the NFC had, and the Bears couldn't even contend.
What happened? Nobody knows for sure, but saying it was a disappointment would be an understatement.
With all of these Chicago Bears 2008 FAs this off-season is going to play out like a soap opera, full of drama. Grossman, Briggs, Berrian, Brown, Gilmore, Ayanbadejo etc. all free agents next year....
Meanwhile this offseason...
Hey Chicago what do you say, the Cubs are going to win today!
We need a Da Cubs blog too.1. Soriano (Brian Roberts?)
2. Fukudome (Fu-Koo-Doh-May)
3. D. Lee
4. A. Ramirez
5. G. Soto
6. M. DeRosa
7. R. Theriot
8. F. Pie
9. C. ZambranoLooks good to me.
Let's Go Cubbies! Let's go Angelo!
Hey that has a ring to it!January 22, 2008
#53 Mike said . . .Read this, then shit yourself.
http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/messages/thread/5928993
January 22, 2008
#54 Elmer Fudd (really Mike in disguise) said . . .Rex Grossman is gone. He will sign with Baltimore or Atlanta or anyplace else besides Chicago. Justifiably so, he was thrown under the bus in Chicago and wants the fuck out.
P.J. Losman will be the starting QB in 2008. You can book it.
As to the allegation of aliases on this board??? Please. I've got better fucking things to do that assume multiple fucking personalities on a message board that is fucking anonymous to begin with. Mike is Mike.
January 22, 2008
#55 Shady said . . .Colt Brennan is the kind of QB that falls to the 3rd round in the 2008 draft. Therefore it might not be too far fetched that the Bears have legitimate interest in drafting him. That being said, football scouts and personnel departments follow lots and lots and lots of players this time of year. It's natural to assume that Brennan is being studied under more intense microscope by teams (maybe even the Bears) because relative less is known about him versus the "bigger" name QBs like Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm. This time of year teams are doing intense homework on guys to surface potential steals in the mid and late rounds of the draft. I wouldn't get my underwear up in a bunch over a report posted by an Internet dweeb that Bear personnel were talking about Brennan over pina coladas at Don Ho's restaurant.
January 22, 2008
#56 big rob said . . .P.J.
I love it, haha.
January 22, 2008
#57 Megan said . . .they are playing the Bears-Colts Superbowl on NFL network right now....
God oh God why didnt we win this game.....
January 22, 2008
#58 Pissed Off said . . .DTB
I feel sick to my stomach....
January 22, 2008
#59 mikebdot said . . .So true Shady that its sooo sad that this is all the NFC has to offer and that we couldnt contend with this crap. Man if we even had an ounce of fight in us this year we would have gone back to the super bowl.
Mike = Denial P.J. Lohsman doesnt exist so I'm sure he will not be starting here in 2008. The bears have no interest in J.P. Lohsman either. You make wild predictions and this one is certainly not going to come to fruition. And dont tell us you have better things to do with your time cuz as of late you are the most frequent blogger here. Now dont go posting under my name or telling me ND sucks cuz I think your prediction is crazy, dont be petty.
Regarding Colt Brennan, I like him obviously a lot more than most on here. He's not Matt Ryan but thats OK cuz Matt Ryan is a 1st round pick and Brennan is about a late 2nd probably 3rd rounder. Even then I dont know that we shouldnt be drafting other positions that have need. If they're going to go QB you almost have to wait longer...or do we have multiple 2nd or 3rd round picks this year? Something tells me we do so then it would be OK. Someone confirm or correct me.
January 22, 2008
#60 Oops, I just crapped my pants said . . .PO'd:
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/ChalkTalkStory.asp?story_id=4261
They have a pick in every round and an extra pick in the third. So, information confirmed! Huzzah!
I, too, wouldn't mind Colt Brennan in a Bears uni. Nor would I mind Joe Flacco, who apparently is being scouted as well. I think if Brennan doesn't fall to third round, we'll probably go after Flacco.
I don't think J.P. Losman will be a Bear. No, wait, I'm certain of it. I've got the inside info from my schizo mind. I'm Jerry Angelo! No, you're not, you're mikebdot. No! Yes! Ahhh.
January 22, 2008
#61 Phil from SATX said . . .Colt Brennan? Are you kidding me. Is it the destiny of the franchise to corner the market on every Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton, Craig Krenzel pile 0' crap that comes out of the collegiate ranks??? Colt Brennan is the kind of guy who will elicit responses from the John Maddens of the world, "the Bears don't really have a quarterback."
Screw the quarterback position. We need to draft an offensive line and find a real running back before anything else.
January 22, 2008
#62 Rancid said . . .Okay, Mike gave us something to work with here.
"P.J. Losman will be the starting QB in 2008. You can book it."
We are booking it, Mike, and let this be your litmus test of your "true insider knowledge." We have long memories here, so time WILL tell. And if you're right, you'll get all the kudos that would be due to you. If you're wrong, we'll have something to say to you about it.
We may have a better Super Bowl to look forward to than anyone might have thought. Interesting article in our paper today about the fact that 18 of 22 starters for the Giants were drafted by them. This is an organization who knows how to select players and DEVELOP them. I have a disturbing feeling that we may be okay at selecting in the draft but this current coaching staff is not so good in the development department. Still have some faith left in JA, it's not all gone yet. So I'll be pulling hard for him to do his best work yet in the offseason. Lots of tough decisions to be made.
Who here would like to have Plaxico Burress on our team? I know I would. Go Giants! As my brother pointed out today, we have to root for Giants because if the Patriots win, that Best Team Ever shit will probably completely stop the national talk about our beloved 1985 Bears. And we can live if that happens, but I'd love for the Patriots to be taken down a peg. Pretty sure that the vast majority of non-NE and non-Giants fans will hop on the Giants bandwagon for this one. I'm on it.
January 22, 2008
#63 Phil from SATX said . . .I'm just finishing my celebration of the Pack's demise and almost forgot there's still another game. I'll take the Gmen. The Pats are too easy to hate and the only thing I enjoy seeing more than a perfect ending is seeing a perfect ending get spoiled. I'm good with a Flacco/Brennan pick in the 3 rd round only. Of course, that's based on us keeping Rex or getting another FA starter. I'll save this crap for the QB position analysis. Go Giants
January 22, 2008
#64 Bill said . . .This is not on point either, but it may be a while 'til we get to the QB discussion. My weigh-in here is the one time I saw Brennan play this year, he was not impressive. Recognize that's not a big sample size, to say the least. The several times I watched Joe Flacco (with my interest piqued by comments by Jeff and others on this site), I was EXTREMELY impressed by him. He didn't always win but I saw many instances of very difficult throws being made, and he kept his cool in the pocket very well. I think if he doesn't move up as much as I fear he will, he's a guy to go spend a traded-down 2nd round pick or one of our 3rd round picks on. PO'd, I know you hate him, and I could only think that was due to talk about him when Rex debate was still going on - otherwise I can't figure out why you do.
There's not too much Rex debate left, it seems there's a concensus here that we need to get him back, and I'm fully there. And regarding Eli vs. Rex, Eli has been playing very well of late and his height really helps him, but I still say at this point he hasn't shown more than Rex, yet has had more time. I think Eli is instructive as to what Rex could potentially become with a great line, a potent rusher, phenomenally competent receivers and a great O coordinator.
But I still think Flacco would be a great pick for the future.
January 22, 2008
#65 JB said . . .I'm not much of an expert an analyzing QBs, but if 45 years of memory of being a Bears fan have taugght me anything, it's that what happens in college rarely translates directly to the pros. Why did Montana drop so far? Why was Ryan Leaf a bust? Bart Starr - 17th round pick. Tony Romo (jury still out). Cade McNown; a couple other busts from that draft that I've forgotten.
Seriously - if any of us on this board can tell a good pro QB prospect from a bad one, we could be very rich.
January 22, 2008
#66 Bill said . . .Shady,
I'm not on the brian roberts bandwagon (although if it happened, I would be). I like Soriano, theriot, Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome, Derosa, Soto, Pie for the lineup. I love derosa as a player...i think he brings something special to the team and brian roberts would probably force him out. derosa has done nothing but good for the cubs and is quickly becoming a fan fav in my circle of cub friends.
okay, enough of that. f brennan. i don't want him anywhere near my team. the pick is andre woodson jr. jeff...we need a new position to argue about.
January 22, 2008
#67 Phil from SATX said . . .Mike insists that Rex is gone; and from what we've seen of Eli, I can see another reason to think that. Phil said "I think Eli is instructive as to what Rex could potentially become with a great line, a potent rusher, phenomenally competent receivers and a great O coordinator. "
I think Rex will agree and figure he ain't getting that here any time soon. I really think Angelo and Lovie ruined the Bears in a very short time.
January 22, 2008
#68 Mike said . . .Well said, Bill - of those four things, I am hoping for 2 1/2 to occur - we know that beyond all understanding, we're not changing the O coordinator. I believe the BT (such as it is) will be working on the line and on bringing us a potent rusher to pair with the last days of Ced. I worry about our ability to dramatically upgrade our receiver corps - I worry about keeping Berrian and potentially then standing pat with what we have, and I worry about losing Berrian and relying on an iffy DH to make up for his loss. So that's my half, but I do believe that there will be at least one high draft pick and one relatively expensive FA acquisition to upgrade the line. And the one thing Angelo has been totally clear on is his desire to bring in another running back.
Rex may be swayed by the devil he knows vs. the one he doesn't - if he could find a better situation out there he'd be a fool not to take it, but he has roots and time spent in Chicago and a coaching staff who has rebuilt their belief in him. I think the Bears are going to take a hard run at him.
January 22, 2008
#69 Al in WI said . . .I don't have "insider information" on J.P. Losman. Rather I am making simple prediction that he will be a target and acquisition of the Bears.
January 22, 2008
#70 Pissed Off said . . .From this weekends games I was impressed with Gibril Wilson Safety NYG. I threw this out there before; I'd be curious to hear what Bears fans from the NY area think of him. He's been great in the playoffs, and I think could solidify one of the safety spots with guys we have battling for the other.
January 22, 2008
#71 Rancid said . . .I agree Al, Wilson is a good safety. I will say that some of his play is being overhyped though becuase his team is going to the Super Bowl. Everyones value increases if your on a super bowl team. That said I think he'll get overpaid and I'm not interested in overpaying for a guy cuz his team made the super bowl. This happens all the time. The Vikes signed Mike Doss, no namer now, the bucs singed Cato June, didnt do shit this year. For this reason only I think a mediocre player is being highlighted. I would be interested in him but probably not at the undeserved price he'll be going for.
For some of you more learned football fans...when usually do most the free agency moves start happening? Memory says it begins right after the superbowl or is it the end of February because of restrictions? Anyway I think some of the big names take a lot of time to see what kind of offers roll in.
January 22, 2008
#72 DTB said . . .Al - I'm from NY and see a decent amount of G. Wilson in games. The word for him is solid. He's not the flashiest guy, but he doesn't miss tackles or usually give up big plays. He's never been seriously injured and is a good team guy. Bad news is that he's not a big money guy (see BB, Briggs) and most around me (fans and media) feel that he will likely re-sign. There's not much else available at safety in FA and it's a real weak draft for them so I would love to steal him, but I don't think it's likely unless NY gets foolishly cheap about it.
January 22, 2008
#73 mikebdot said . . .Free Agency starts on Febuary 29th...
January 22, 2008
#74 Mike said . . .This is probably a stupid question and all, but since Phillip Rivers literally had no ACL in his knee, why the hell didn't the Chargers start Billy Volek? Rivers says the injury didn't affect his play, but I find that highly unlikely. Plus, it's not as though N.E. would have had much film to review of Volek, nor would they have actually reviewed it.
If we were in the same position and it turned out Grossman had no ACL I would have been pissed off, especially since they lost the game.
January 22, 2008
#75 Mike said . . .Ladainian Tomlinson looked foolish all bundled up and cozy in his Darth Vader mask on the heated bench while Philip Rivers was out there playing on one leg. Tomlinson should have found a way to suck it up and get on the football field for a few plays, even if only as a decoy. I wonder how the Chargers and their fans feel about all of this??
Rivers showed me a ton in these playoffs. He's a talented gritty performer. He actually had a good game against New England. Better than what a backup in Billy Volek could have done.
As much as I am impressed by Eli and the defense of the Giants, honestly prevails me to say that Tom Brady will slice that team open like a surgeon. I think the game will be a blowout. And Randy Moss will emerge from his playoff absence to have a monster game against a Giant secondary (excluding Webster) that is no match. Donte Stallworth will also have a very good game.
New England -- 30
New York -- 20January 22, 2008
#76 DTB said . . .Running back who will be available? Try Shaun Alexander who has gone from greatness to injury plagued awfulness in Seattle. Mike Holmgren is going to move him. Is he worth a flyer? Can he resurrect his career and regain that fire in his belly that has gone missing the past two years?
January 22, 2008
#77 JT said . . .Mike, seriously. Losman and Alexander? Seriously, would you enjoy seeing those two in Bears uni's next year?
January 22, 2008
#78 Al in WI said . . .100% fearless prediction on Shaun Alexander:
No and...noJanuary 22, 2008
#79 Shady said . . .Thanks for the insight. I'd view Wilson as one of those value pickups the Bears should look at.
I also watched part of the re-air of SB XLI last night on NFL Network. Not to open the whole debate of who was more responcible for our defeat, but that is the game where Ron Turner really lost me. The play calling was really conservative and predictable in that game. And pretty much stayed that way for most of this past season.January 22, 2008
#80 PolygonHell said . . .Not that it's gonna happen, but I would take Shaun Alexander in a heartbeat.
January 22, 2008
#81 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .I'd say Tomlinson showed real guts coming off the field.
Assuming he was well below 100% being mature enough to let a 100% Micheal Turner go in was a huge deal, and I'm sure it wasn't something he wanted.
The worst thing he could have done is stay in there, have a horrible game. Then have the injury come up as people would second guess either decision.
I'd pass on Alexander at this point in his career.
January 23, 2008
#82 AfroCelt said . . .Thanks to Bill for the shout out earlier in the thread.
Yeah, this one is disappointing. AfroCelt and Rancid, I can't blame you for being happy about the outcome, I would be lying if I say that I wasn't satisfied after Superbowl XLI.
Kudos for Al for watching the replay of that game. I still turn away when the replay of SB XXXII is on.
While disappointing, in the big picture, I can't be very upset. In 15 seasons, we have had only one losing season and 2 8-8 seasons.
Draft season is here. It is interesting to see which players you guys (and ladies) feel would help your team the most. The draft seems to be somewhat of a crapshoot each year.
Favre looked very ordinary on Sunday. He may decide to hang it up. It is pretty clear that he is not the extreme condition warrior he once was. Going into this year, he was something like 45-3 in games played in temps less than 34 degrees. Not so anymore. He's like any of us...we could play outsided in the cold and snow for hours in our younger days...but now, I just think my kids are nuts staying outside as long as they do.
January 23, 2008
#83 Rancid said . . .WCPF: Good to see a Packer on here. kudos on reaching the conference championship.
Something tells me Favre will not hang it up. He may not be the annoyingly good QB he once was, but I caugt a local radio interview with him a month or two ago...he made an allusion to "playing until they don't want me anymore". he said it wouldn't reach that, but I bet you all will still welcome him back with open arms next year.
I'm still a fan of throwing him a tickertape retirement parade in Chi-town though...we can sing that "Ding dong the witch is dead" song for Wizard of Oz real loud.
As far as the Bears, I'm betting at least one o-lineman will get the axe (Miller) and we'll bring in at least one 1ist to 2nd round, one late, and possibly one FA. JA doesn't seem to like paying out for a FA, unless he's a certain AA we know.
Curiouity: what do the Pack need? What should we steal before them?
January 23, 2008
#84 Phil from SATX said . . .Great stuff from ESPN's Bill Simmons:
"The great Brett Favre completely collapsed in the Giants-Packers game, throwing multiple balls up for grabs, single-handedly killing his team, and then everyone gave him the kid gloves treatment afterward. Favre had an incredible season and exceeded everyone's expectations. It was a wonderful ride, but come on. Didn't Troy Aikman and Joe Buck have to discuss Favre's Level 5 stinkbomb during the telecast beyond just alluding to it a couple of times? What about Peter King, who didn't even mention Favre's grisly performance in his normally comprehensive MMQB column? With all the breaks Green Bay got in that game, if Favre had given his team even a C-plus, the Pack would have won. You know he was bad when the Giants planned on kicking off in OT even if they won the coin flip. (Note: The media spent four months spoon-feeding us this urban legend that Favre wasn't a gunslinger anymore, he was managing games now, he wasn't going to kill his team by taking dumb chances -- I wrote about how dumb this story line was as far back as Week 4 -- when the reality was Favre was playing the same way he always did, only he was playing exceptionally well and had better teammates. Unfortunately, for Packers fans, that minus-4 weather ended up freezing his Fountain of Youth and he killed their Super Bowl hopes. In my opinion, Favre never changed the way he played this season. Not even one iota. He just played well until Week 19. Which reminds me ...)"
Someone in the media gets it! Remember jeff's "the myth of favre" post? YESSSS!!! I love it!
January 23, 2008
#85 Pissed Off said . . .I don't think you can take away from Favre's performance this year. But we learned something about him - he can handle bad weather, but he can not longer handle frigid weather - his 38 yr. old bones, and maybe his brain, don't work well enough in it. There's no shame in that, although it may mean the Pack won't work as hard for home field advantage in the playoffs, because in January at Lambeau it may hurt more than it helps. In reasonable conditions I believe they would have won.
Afro, although its been discussed on here relatively recently, I'll bring up again the fact that JA DOES spend freely for free agents. He's done it again and again over the past several years. There were no real high profile ones signed last year with the exception of AA, and he hardly counts because he was pretty cheap. But Ricky Manning Jr., much of the Oline, Des Clark, Darwin Walker and Anthony Adams, Wale - all FA acquisitions, some of them quite expensive.
I truly believe the big money this year will go to oline - I think they will draft for their RB to get a cheaper guy to pair with Ced - free agent WR if Berrian goes, maybe even if he stays - and what I don't know is whether the run for McNabb will occur. It's not like they can wait to see what happens in the draft. I think it will be either/or - if they can't sign Rex, they go full guns after McNabb. But as others have suggested, he may be ungettable this year anyway, depending on what some other clubs want to do.
But money will surely be spent this year in FA.
January 23, 2008
#86 AfroCelt said . . .Ladies and Gentz, welcome to da Packer Blog. Not going to get into a lot of Packer talk cuz it makes me sick but I will say this: I dont know if Favre will hang it up but I've been hoping for 5 years that he will. Also agree with Phil that this guy cant handle frigid weather anymore.
Regarding Shaun Alexander, pass, pass and pass, his career is over.
January 23, 2008
#87 Rancid said . . .Thanks for the clarification Phil.
I still say pass on McNabb and Alexander.
January 23, 2008
I could care less if 4 retires. We've had lsuccess against him the last three years. We didn't lose the NFC North because he was great and won 13 games. We lost it because we didn't the games we should have. We beat the Pack twice. It's the other 9 games we lost that killed us. I've already said it before I don't care if he retires. I'm not that afraid of him anymore. If anything I hope he returns so his career can end as it should: under a muddy pile of navy and burnt at Soldier field.
January 23, 2008
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.