Matt Mosley, the newest talking head to joint up at the Worldwide Leader, has written an uncharacteristically scathing indictment of General Manager Jerry Angelo and the Chicago Bears organization and something about it struck me very odd. Mosley despises the decision to re-sign Rex Grossman and denounces the quarterback controversy between he and Kyle Orton as "one of the least compelling quarterback battles of the modern era." He's right but he doesn't offer a single counter-option. No quarterbacks attainable through a blockbuster trade. No big name cuts the team can scoop up in free agency. To paraphrase the entire column, "The Bears are dumb."
What exactly are the Bears supposed to do to solidify the quarterback position this offseason, Matt? Donovan McNabb, who hasn't played a full season in years? Derek Anderson, soon to be locked up long-term by Cleveland? Trade their future away to move up and get Matt Ryan? I don't love either player we've got but you can't argue against two facts: Rex Grossman took the Bears to a Super Bowl and Kyle Orton is 12-6 as a starter.
The real deficiency in Mosley's column? This paragraph:
"Each candidate can win games when matched with a championship-caliber defense. But judging by last season and the impending departure of linebacker Lance Briggs, among others, those days are long gone."
Mosley simply joins a long line of ESPN commentators who is asked to perform the impossible task of covering every team in the NFL without anywhere nearing an expertise on any of them. Is he referring to the Bears defense that played with a makeshift secondary for ten plus weeks? How about the team who saw it's two stars - Harris and Urlacher - hobble through the season? One was voted to the Pro Bowl and the other was the best defensive player in football for the last month. Those days aren't long gone, Matt, not even close. The Bears defense is still the most talented in their division. Their special teams are still the best in football. And if they can find consistent play from the quarterback spot, they'll win the NFC North and be back in the postseason.
When? Next year. 2008. Here we come. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm back.
#2 Rancid said . . .nice to see all it took was someone on the outside taking pot shots at our beloved franchise to bring back the love. it's easy to look at the things we don't have and forget all the wonderful things we do have. lots of talent on D, a great special teams...yes, some holes on O that will start to be filled in when FA hits late thursday night.
February 26, 2008
#3 Pissed Off said . . .Just another national guy who has no clue what he's talking about. I think he's all dead, go through his clothes and look for loose change.
February 26, 2008
#4 PolygonHell said . . .What an idiot. What ESPN needs to do is hire a guy for each team. Hell hire away a columnist from a local paper for each team. Get some expertise out there before you make retarded blanket statements. You can afford it. Thats why its so hard to read any of these national pundits.
Jeff, regarding you being back, what are you referring to? I know you've been pretty negative the past few days but "what" exactly are you back to? BTW I know you take countless shots at Rex and probably despise even the sight of the guy but when we talked off da blog via email you were pretty positive on the guy, saying he could throw for 400 in the right scheme, this was when he had just come back from being benched and I really would like if you would tell me what has changed so much. Also you mentioned one time that you had something Rex related that you took with you to Josie Woods on game day, something you draped over your shoulder? What was that again?
February 26, 2008
#5 Reverend Dave said . . .The National guys just regurgitate what's printed locally. But this piece isn't even that interesting, it's an opinion piece bassed on national coverage which is colored by which parts of the local coverage have been re-printed.
I think Jeff pointed out the fallacy in the original post. What value is there to the critiscism without providing alternatives.
Rex or Kyle are our quaterback because they are the best avialable options. Not necessarilly a great position to be in, but there you are.
February 26, 2008
#6 Al in WI said . . .Great title
February 27, 2008
#7 Al in WI said . . .I was kinda curious about what Po'd brought up too. Jeff, I thought you were on board with bringing Grossman back as the starter for the longest time. And then the post Sunday... What made you change your mind if you did?
February 27, 2008
#8 Mike said . . .I was kinda curious about what Po'd brought up too. Jeff, I thought you were on board with bringing Grossman back as the starter for the longest time. And then the post Sunday... What made you change your mind if you did?
February 27, 2008
#9 jeff said . . .Mosely may or may not be a dope, but he speaks the truth about the pathetic quarterback situation in Chicago.
Jerry Angelo is in stubborn denial over the QB position and RB position. 2008 is going to be one of the more ugly and angry seasons in recent Bear history. Which is saying a lot. Hopefully the maelstrom that is sure to develop will lead to regime change at Halas Hall. Angelo has done good things, but is not the man to take this team to the next level. We're going two steps backwards right now but nobody wants to really admit it. The sports reporters in this city are giving Angelo and company a free pass. Fortunately somebody like Mosely is around to speak the honest to goodness truth.
February 27, 2008
#10 jeff said . . .i have always said i like rex grossman and would love for rex grossman to be great. but is rex grossman great? no. could he throw for 400 yards in the right scheme? of course. he was brilliant for nearly half a season two years ago. but don't confuse my optimism for a chicago bears player for blind belief in his ability.
February 27, 2008
#11 Anytime said . . .and i am for bringing grossman back as the starter, especially if he has to win the job. sunday's post was a response to the chicago bears offer to orton, making it clearly he was going to have an opportunity to win the job.
February 27, 2008
#12 Shady said . . .Rosy Colvin just got released by the pats. Healthy he could be a viable option to replace Briggs.
February 27, 2008
#13 jdawg said . . .Perhaps the vacancy left by the departure of Moose will allow the Bears to consider more seriously the other options at WR liiiike....
David Ball and Mike Hass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltfrJejyusI&NR=1
February 27, 2008
#14 Pissed Off said . . .I'd like to know what everyone's opinion is on Rex Grossman and the Bears QB situation in general.
February 27, 2008
#15 JAB said . . .Thanks for the response Jeff but you definitely arent putting yourself out there either way like most of us are. That opinion seems to leave the door the open for you to say "I knew he would turn it around and be great" if he has a good year but also for you to say "I told you so" if he stinks it up. Not knocking your stance its just that most of us are all the way, one way or another. However, I understand the lets wait and see approach in your position.
BTW if your hard up for a column again anytime this offseason let me know. And I would love to come back again with a post-game column in 2008. You can let me know whats up via email.
February 27, 2008
#16 jdawg said . . .In response to #8. It's funny how fast people turned on JA. I believe before he came here we were a laughing stock with one lucky '01 season. He may make some mistakes sure but who doesn't. Defensively he's a genius and if not for all the injuries last year things might have been different. JA may suck at drafting offense but I think this is his year.
February 27, 2008
#17 Phil from SATX said . . .Hey Mike -- what's your opinion of Rex? You too PO'd?
Inquiring minds would like to know.
February 27, 2008
#18 mikebdot said . . .Jeff, I know what PO'd and Al are alluding to. With Rex, I know that you lost it for him during and after the SB. And while you have come back somewhat and agreed that signing Rex was the right thing to do, in any given column you'll pepper it with "given the abysmal candidates we have at QB" and "the well known mediocrity at QB" (I'm paraphrasing, despite the quotes) - comments like that. It's a little frustrating, because it feels like you're not moving forward with it.
I know personally that one way I use this board is to try to figure out and develop a concensus among like-minded fans about what is the best way to go for the Bears. That's why the highest level of vitriol and controversy on this board over the 15 months I have participated on it has involved none other than Rex D. Grossman, the polarizing guy in the most important position.
I have been on both sides of the Rex debate, as have many of us. I am now on the supporting side. Even those who have always supported him, like PO'd and Al - I think view Rex differently than at the beginning of last year. Blind support has turned into measured support which requires accountability.
Here's what I mean - even though at the beginning of the 2007 season, PO'd said that he would yank Rex if he threw up a bunch of Bad Rex games, when it happened, he didn't agree with it. I do think that this year, if Rex begins the season like he did last season, I think the likes of PO'd and Al will finally and fully move on.
Until that point, he gets at least my support - and so does Orton. Orton's a gamer, even if I ultimately don't think he has enough of an NFL arm to really develop into a better than average starter. But I think we know a lot more this year than last - last year we hoped Rex would be good, we knew nothing about how BG would perform and hadn't seen Orton for 2 years. Now we know BG is not the answer (despite the David Haugh love for him - did you catch that?), and we know Orton's a lower risk, lower reward game manager, and we know Rex has the ability to improve, even in the middle of a season. It's come down to showdown time for Rex, much more so than for Orton, and that's why I'm certain he'll be starting in 2008. He'll be given his chance, and it's up to him to see what he does with it.
I want to throw this one out there - let's not be too shocked if the Bears don't also go after a FA QB, even after these two signings. I think that the talk from Angelo about potentially keeping 4 QB's has to do with this possibility - and not Griese. I think JA may not be done with a signing, and then still adding a QB in the draft - there's your 4. And then it will announced that it is a 3-way open quarterback competition in camp!
The reason this may NOT happen is because it would potentially lead to another 3 QB carousel next year, which I am sure the BT does not want to happen again. Maybe a more likely scenario is, if they do go after a free agent (Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn in a trade), it will involve trading Rex or Kyle.
But just a thought that we shouldn't assume QB looking is over. This was somewhat of a ramble, sorry about that.
February 27, 2008
#19 JB said . . ."the impending departure of Lance Briggs, among others"? Who else on D is leaving that made an impact to our team? He's obviously trying to make a point about our defense, so if he's talking about players leaving on offense, his argument sucks, if he is talking about people on D, what the hell is he smoking?
Vasher/Tillamn/Manning/Graham, Urlacher/Hillenmeyer (*fart sound*), Harris/Dusty, Brown/Anderson/Ogunleye, Brown/Archuleta/Payne/McGowan/Manning. Sure, we might lose one of those lesser players, but so what? They did nothing for us last season. He's an idiot.
February 27, 2008
#20 Pissed Off said . . .I said way back when Rex was benched and Griese was named the starter that i was starting the Kyle Orton/ Trade/ Free Agent/ Rookie bandwagon.
So that was pretty broad, but I was not going to support Brian Griese as the long term starter and Rex scorned me. It's like vouching for one of your friends and then having that friend make a fool of himself, thus discrediting your word. Therefore, Rex has a lot of work to do to make up it up to me.
So, I guess that puts my support squarely behind fellow Iowan Kyle Orton. I also said back in September I'd love to see us draft Andre Woodson Jr. If we can get him or someone of his ilk in the 2nd round, I'd love to see that happen as well.
Rex, a part of me really wants you to dominate next year, finish the job and win a super bowl. I just don't know if I can trust you...you've hurt me too many times. I'm scared.
February 27, 2008
#21 JB said . . .jdawg is that you or an imposter. You cant seriously tell me you dont know how I feel about Rex. If your question was more specific I could answer but I'm not sure what your asking.
Good post Phil. I would agree. I have stood by Rex and when he sucked it up and was benched I of course was upset cuz at the time I thought that might have been the end of Rex in Chicago but not more than one week later when Griese pitched a HORRIBLE game against Detroit I knew that at some point Rex would be back. My major beef was how long it took to get him back in the game and the fact that it took a BG injury. Lovie was so stubborn. By his play it was clear he did not ever want to sit on the bench again. I absolutely loved the way he played with fire those few games after his benching. Especially the running forward when the pocket collapsed on several occasions and making postitive plays while having a shitty O-line around him. His numbers werent terrific but look at what he had to work with? I just hope he can stay healthy and I have no doubt in my mind that he will be good all year as long as he keeps that same fire he had post-benching.
February 27, 2008
#22 Rancid said . . .PO'd...seriously, jdawg is using a technique called sarcasm. We all know how you feel. Believe me, we all know.
February 27, 2008
#23 DC said . . .Interesting Orton article on DaSite today.
"Asked if he felt he would be given a legitimate chance to win the job, Orton said: “I wouldn’t have signed the deal if I didn’t think that. "
Here's the link, although if you don't know how to get to that sight, shame.
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4415
February 27, 2008
#24 Phil from SATX said . . .Most national guys do produce some pretty bad material when they try to go in depth on teams but this guy is heads and shoulders above the rest. Before a game late in the season, can't remember which one, he wrote a post on his crappy hashmarks blog that he thought Benson would have a breakout game...this was two weeks after Benson suffered his season ending injury.
February 27, 2008
#25 jeff said . . .I thought I knew everything I needed to know about the guy when he was benched after 3 games. But the guy that showed up after the benching looked really different to me. So I realized I didn't know everything I needed to know. And in the meantime, I watched a horrible line, a horrible running effort, some horrible wide receiving, and a bunch of horrible play calling. My attention got focused on what I regarded as the real culprits of this underperforming offense.
Then I watched one of the greatest QBs ever reduced to mediocrity because his line wasn't blocking for him and his star receiver wasn't trying hard enough. (That would be Tom Brady and Randy Moss). Plus I watched a quarterback who I don't believe has better skills than Rex Grossman play good enough and tough enough to win a Super Bowl.
So here's what I am expecting from Rex. He's going to work very hard in the offseason. He's going to be working with a game plan that emphasizes his strengths, not the Kyle Orton game plan that Turner mistakenly installed at the beginning of last season. He is going to hit the field in preseason ready, with new and improved weapons, and a new and improved line to block for him. Ron Turner's going to be calling the right kind of controlled aggression game for him. And he is going to excel.
With the D back to full strength, with the Special Teams itching to cement their place as the best in history, with more-experienced Rex ready to unleash what may be the best arm in the NFL, we are going to win a bunch of games.
A BUNCH OF EM. Get ready, folks, it's gonna happen.
February 27, 2008
#26 Jimbo said . . .i don't know what it means to put myself out there on the rex issue. i don't love him and i don't hate him and i'm not going to pretend to feel one way or the other to stir more of a debate on this website...i root for him but i'll root just as hard for the next guy.
February 27, 2008
#27 Phil from SATX said . . .If this is the point in the game where we're all picking sides, I guess this is where I'll disagree with the regulars on the board and caucus with the "time for change" folks. When the time is right, I'll be fine with letting Grossman go. I'm not about to hedge, but let me make a few points.
1) I agree with bringing Rex back for this year, especially on a one-year deal. He is our best option for '08, i.e., no decent FA's available and we can't count on a rookie yet.
2) I think Rex is better than Orton and Griese.
3) Rex seems like a good guy off the field, which makes it harder to want to cast him aside. I've never understood the hatred it seems some fans have for the guy.
4) I understand the support of Rex because undoubtedly he's shown flashes of brilliance (I just happen to believe they'll always just be flashes and he'll never sustain the momentum).So there you have it, a firm commitment to not commiting to Rex Grossman.
February 27, 2008
#28 Pissed Off said . . .Jimbo, I don't think you're saying anything throughout your post that even the hard core Rex supporters would disagree with - maybe just degrees of belief as to whether he can sustain good play or not. But the beauty of this year is we don't have to believe in him beyond this year - he'll either succeed or not. As long as everyone agrees to give up their Rexcentrism for good if he doesn't perform this year, I think there's a concensus in the making. In other words, Rex should be a lot LESS polarizing this year - he's got a one year, make or break year, and the one thing I'm sure of is mediocrity will not cut it - he won't be extended based on just not losing games, he'll have to show he can win games for us. If he does that, and does it early and consistently, BT is going to sign him up for the long term and by that time, we'll ALL be on his bandwagon and supporting him.
February 27, 2008
#29 Jimbo said . . .Seriously...JB.....sarcasm is funny when you dont bring up the same thing twice in four posts....seriously....I didnt know if he was serious cuz he asked twice.....it was funny the first time so I didnt know if it was for real.....stop being a jerk with your "believe me, we all know" comment. Its a blog dude, I'll post all I want. I apologized to you earlier in the week for last weeks clash but why do you insist on attacking me?
I hope Phil's right. I hope we win a-plenty of games on the arm of one Rex Grossman. It will be interesting to see what happens the first few weeks. I of course dont think this will happen but I cant help but wonder if Rex will start out the year sluggish without fire like he did last year or if he'll come out like he did post-benching. I cant imagine him coming out sluggish since he's in a contract year but then again he was last year too. Maybe they need to bench him week 2 or 3 for a game or two to bring back the fire.....not.
February 27, 2008
#30 Al in WI said . . .Maybe we should all just let Chris Rock speak for us on this one...
"A man is only as faithful as his options."
February 27, 2008
#31 JB said . . .Phil, I have to agree with a lot of what you've said. But I would tweak it just a little bit. After the last couple of years I believe I have developed a more rational understand of the qb position and what it takes to be succesful. With 99.9% of these guys the supporting cast has a lot to do with how good the quarterback is. I no longer believe in the popular myth that the great quarterback can just play with anybody and do great things by himself. It takes at least two quality recievers, a decent running back, and an really good line. That isn't an indictment of Rex as it is often used, it's simply reality.
Look at the hated one himself Brett Favre. In 05/06 everyone was ready to count him out and he looked washed up. That was when his recievers were Driver and a bunch of bumbs named juce box thomas or something, and his running back was a guy from Africa who was a college backup. All of a sudden in 07 he has a solid line, decent running game, and a really good recieving corp and he's back in the pro bowl.
Tom Brady is another example. While he never looked bad before, his stats were fairly unimpressive prior to last season. Pairing him with Moss, Welker, and Stallworth and suddenly he's the league mvp. Not to mention the fact he was hardly hit all season until the bowl.
Tony Romo is another comparison people always want to make to trash Rex. Well Rex doesn't have TO, Witten, Glenn, Crayton, and Barber does he?
That has probably been my biggest change in the last year regarding how I view the qb situation. It takes help from the supporting cast to be succesful. That isn't a slam on Rex or any of the other guys above, it's the truth. The guys that could do it by themselves can be counted on one hand for the entire NFL history.February 27, 2008
#32 Pissed Off said . . .PO'd, I'm not "attacking" you... i just think i picked up on jdawgs sentiment and was playing along...poor attempt at humor i guess. not everything is a personal attack on you. of course you are more than welcome to write about how to interpret rex in 19 different ways, but at some point, we all have a pretty good idea of your point of view.
February 27, 2008
#33 Phil from SATX said . . .I've been buying into that same point more and more each year. The so called "great" QBs always have a good proven line, WRs and RB. Some may say that the play of the great QB sets those other positions up and makes them look good but I stand by the fact that it takes a full team to win and just one guy (great QB) isnt going to get it done.
February 27, 2008
#34 Serious. said . . .Good writing Al, I would add the Cowboys offensive line to the list of Romo's supporting cast. And speaking of Romo, of all of today's top QB's, he is probably the only one who CAN have a decent degree of success on his own - he's that good of a scrambler and improviser. But that quality is far from the norm, even among the really good QBs. And even with all that, Romo wasn't very good in the post season, AGAIN.
Are these guys all pretenders? No, their success is just very much predicated and intertwined with the other parts on their team. So your point is well taken Al. You have to have a quarterback who is good enough to take advantage of having the right supporting cast. You can't depend on a quarterback to bail you out of the reality of a poor supporting cast - the predicament facing all Chicago QB's in 2007.
In other words, more important than Rex vs. Orton vs. FA is that supporting cast - and we're still waiting for a couple days to see who are our latest cast members - whoever they are, they're going to be better than the 2007 version of Fred Miller, Ruben Brown, Moose, Benson, Archuleta. Of that much, I'm sure.
February 27, 2008
#35 T said . . .I hate this week. No news about the bears other than the orton thing. With FA starting friday, maybe the action will pick up.
what i hope:
1) bears land at least 2 of the 3 (briggs, berrian and BA).2) We land Wilson,some established LT, and Marty Booker or an equivlent.
3) Glenn Dorsey drops to #14 and we pick him up (comon you couldn't pass on that) then we take an OL in the 2nd and a QB and RB in the 3rd.
4) We bring in some FA RB to put the heat on benson, so that he actually makes an effort. He was much better in 2006 when he was trying to be out TJ.
What will probably happen:
1) we sign BA... briggs and B-twice are gone
2) We dont try for wilson... thinking we're ok with MB and AA backing him up (dear god). We get out bid for a LT and settle for a "middle of the pack OL."
3) we sign two shitty old "moose like" WR who were once good, but now can't get open... then we have to pray hester and/or bradley can pull it off
4) we draft OL at #14 (which i am ok with) then Flacco in the 2nd (which i am not ok with) then RB/WR and OL in the 3rd.
5) we stick with our 3 RB's and pray fixing the OL makes benson better (which it probably wont).
Also Mosely is just like everyone else on ESPN. All they care about is East Coast Sports Teams. We can hear all 2008 about the Pats and Giants. Kill me now. The bears never get respect from ESPN. We weren't suppose to beat seattle or NO in the playoffs in 2006. The lions and queens are always picked to finish ahead of us in the division. its so annoying.
If they pick the lions to finish ahead of the bears... i will not watch NFL-tonight again.. ever. The fucking lions suck. Nice second half last year. I cant believe they beat us twice... i'm getting mad thinking about it. How do we beat the packers 2 times... but lose to the fucking lions twice???? those losses (which we should have at least won the first game) plus that stupid first loss at home to the queens cost us the playoffs.
Other hopes: Somehow we land Stewart (RB, Oregon) in the 2nd round... yeah not gonna happen. We take a gamble on Dennis Dixon (QB, Oregon) on the second day... he has game. FYI i went to Oregon if you cant tell.
February 27, 2008
#36 Phil from SATX said . . .Is Mosley the same idiot at ESPN that named Briggs the Bears 2007 MVP?
I hate reading or watching national coverage of the Bears, they just don't have a clue.February 27, 2008
#37 mikebdot said . . .Here's my guess:
Briggs and BA are gone, Berrian stays, and we don't take a serious run after any of the other FA WRs (doesn't this mean we're still short a possession receiver, or does Bradley fill this role?).
I think (and hope) the Bears will take a serious look at whether a Michael Huff is feasible. If not, I don't see them signing a FA safety, but I do see them going after yet another one in the draft. I would agree that standing pat at safety is a HUGE risk for them (even given the retaining of Mike Brown).
We WILL get a FA lineman, either guard or tackle, and depending on how good that FA is deemed to be will probably determine whether we pick his left side counterpart in the 1st round or 2nd round (maybe even 3rd round given the depth of the draft in olinemen).
There is no way in hell we're going into next year with only these 3 RBs. It may not be a FA, but there will be a legitimate contender for the starting position - JA has promised that (maybe his most clear promise of the offseason) and I believe him. Since there is also considerable depth at RB in the draft, don't rule out a 3rd round pick who is asked to compete for the starting spot. Agree with those who say that this will have impact on Benson, probably resulting in him stealing slightly more than he would otherwise from another team in 2009 (because his services will NOT be retained by the Bears).
A QB WILL be picked, JA has been saying too often that it's best to pick one every year. It's possible it could be in the 2nd round, although I actually think they'll wait until the 2nd day and pick best available - someone hopefully better than the walk on Chris Leak. 1st pick is not possible.
February 27, 2008
#38 Al in WI said . . .I know I've already said this before, but I really like Dennis Dixon, even if he benefitted from the system at Oregon. He slid in the draft because of his injury and that would be the only concern I have from him, but he would be a perfect day 2 pick if Flacco isn't available in the 2nd and the BT doesn't like what they see in Henne.
I think drafting O-line first, Felix Jones in second and then possibly O-line and WR in the 3rd, we'd be in good position. Then take Dixon in 4th or 5th, depending on what the rumors are. I really am only interested in Dixon if Flacco isn't available in round 2. I don't like Henne for some reason.
February 27, 2008
#39 PolygonHell said . . .Just an aside, Sean Salsbury has been canned by espn. Thank God.
Amongst other things he got in trouble for showing pictures of his wiener around the office. Nice.
Anyway, I just read on Profootballtalk.com that the Niners have been scared off a bit by the tampering charge the Bears made against them. And there is a chance Briggs will end up back in Chicago. Interesting.February 27, 2008
#40 Serious. said . . .My thoughts on Rex.
He's had ups and downs, the team IMO looks better with him in the line up than the other two.I think benching him was a mistake, but I understand why it was done.
He clearly has his issues, and I have no idea if he can ever overcome them, but given the options I'd give him a chance to see if he can play through them. I'd like to see hime behind a good O-Line, with a functional running game again.
I won't be upset if Orton starts, but I don't expect it to happen.
I do expect the Bears to pick up a QB in the 3rd or 4th round, and release Griese.
February 27, 2008
#41 PolygonHell said . . .Mike B. I'd say i mostly agree with you. I think Dixon could be very vince young like. He has talent, and if he didnt get hurt, and oregon was in a BCS game (they would have played LSU) he would probably be one of the top 3 QB's in the draft.
For a second day pick, he'd be a nice pickup. Hes a gamble due to injury, and the fact that he ran a spread-option offense in college, but I'd still like to see him in a bears uni.
Falcco, i dunno about him. Everything i've read leads me to believe that NONE of the QB's in this draft is worth a shit. I like that Flacco is big, and has a good arm, but his mechanics have been questioned... meaning he needs alot of development... the type the bears organization has proven they cannot give a QB. While the same can be said about Dixon, he has the ability to make things happen (ca. tony romo)... and that natural atheletism i think is the difference.
In terms of RB. I dont think we'll go after Turner. Hes going to get over-paid, and the bears rarely get into bidding wars. Also, Turner and Benson have similar north to south power back running styles (at least thats how they discribe benson). We'd probably benefit from a smaller, quicker back to pair up with benson. I think our running game would be hugely improved if we had two backs with different pace... and a better OL.
I dont know what awesome RB's will be around by the 3rd round... i'd like to see us pass on Flacco in the 2nd and take a RB. Maybe he'll slide to 3rd. Maybe we'll get a QB on the 2nd day.
One intresting thing i read is that Dorsey is project to slide to the middle of the 1st round due to injury concerns. Our need at DT is less impending then our OL needs, and i doubt he'll slide to #14... but can you imangine a D-Line of Tommie Harris, Brown, Wale, and Dorsey with DD and Mark Anderson mixed in. Holy shit... we'd kill people.
February 27, 2008
#42 DTB said . . .I'm not sure Flacco will still be around by our pick in the second.
I wouldn't want to take him in the first.Maybe Josh Johnson in the 3rd or 4th if he performs better at his pro day than he did at the combine?
February 27, 2008
#43 DTB said . . .Does anyone else feel that Sunday's are much more entertaining with Rex at QB than anyone else? He is a part of this offense, he isn't THE offense. Every team wants a franchise QB, only 3 have them. So where does that leave the rest of the 29 teams? They are forced to build a group that compliments each others strengths. I'll say it from now until the day Rex leaves, he is not a caretaker and we shouldn't expect him to be. He slings the ball without fear and sometimes thought. Nonetheless, I am going to stand behind Rex until he is vindicated from all the bullshit that has followed him for 5 years now. He is a good QB, temper your expectations and realize that Rex alone isn't going to win you a championship, there isn't a single QB in the history of the NFL that has carried his team on his shoulders throughout the regular season, playoffs and then won a SB all by himself. Not even the great Peyton Manning did it 2 years ago, nor did Brady do it this year. Get real and understand the rest of this offense needs a facelift, not the QB position.
February 27, 2008
#44 tenacious d said . . .And I like the idea of going second day on a QB. If we can fill the O-line with a single signing and two draft picks in the first 3 rounds I am all for that. Outside of a OT and OG I feel that we need another RB, but not a compliment to Ced but someone that can handle the load himself. Though Wolfe could be a solid 3rd down back, thats all he'll ever be. I do think Jerry got a little too cute last year with that pick. Also with the events of the combine I'd be very happy to see Manningham fall to us in the second. He would be an ideal replacement for Moose with a little gamebreaking ability. Im thinking, in order. Otah, Manningham, Forte/K.Smith, Chilo R.
Give me that and I am happy.
February 27, 2008
#45 Pissed Off said . . .Mike Mulligan of Sun Times references a source in this article that says Benson may lose a step after his injury?? Lord help us all. I'm hopping on the Mendenhall bandwagon.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mulligan/812618,CST-SPT-mully26.article
February 27, 2008
#46 Phil from SATX said . . .I've liked Manningham for a couple of years now and would be more than happy to have him in a Bears uni next year if Berrian leaves.
Regarding the RB situation I just plain dont know what to say. I loved Ced coming out of Texas, he was the guy of the big three (Benson, Williams, Brown) that I wanted and we got him. He has since gone down the toilet but I want to give him another shot I guess, like we've done with Rex (though I would argue Rex has shown far more flashes and potential at his position). We all know he's going to be on the roster opening day, probably as the starter, if not he'll be #2 and still get a decent workload so we can evaluate. I do want to get some competition in but I still like Peterson a lot. He's not one of those top end NFL backs like LT, LJ, Brown, McGahee etc. but he's a good fill in guy. We all thought Ced could be one of those top end guys and I am pretty much convinced that that is never going to happen. That said, if we get this O-line fixed we might be surprised with a 1300 yard season and double digit scores.
February 27, 2008
#47 tenacious d said . . .Good one, DTB. Rex has the best arm of any QB that may have ever played for the Chicago Bears. We can't just dismiss that concept. He also has a better arm than the majority of starting quarterbacks in the league. He lacks some of the other skills, size and other intangibles of other QBs. But of all the things you want in a QB, there are two things you can't teach: arm, and foot speed. Of those two, I much rather have the first in a quarterback. As much of a Vince Young fan as I am, I have to say that I don't think he's going to ultimately succeed in this league because he's not a good enough passer, same as Michael Vick.
That's why when you compare Rex with Orton, to me there's no comparison - Orton can do a credible job of resembling a starting quarterback, with good size, good intangibles and okay mobility, but where's his arm? And when we're talking about arm, it's not about arm strength, Kyle can certainly throw it down the field, it's the strength/accuracy combination. And there's NO COMPARISON between the two in that reckoning.
In all the constant belittling of Rex that has gone on, it is frequently forgotten that he has a remarkable gift in being able to throw the football.
February 27, 2008
#48 Phil from SATX said . . .Phil: I agree that Rex has the stronger arm, and I believe he'll win the battle with Orton as far as who starts the season opener. But Orton showed me something in the Green Bay game. He wasn't brilliant by any stretch. But he was playing in gale force winds, and he was able to do some things even Favre couldn't do. If Orton's arm wasn't NFL caliber, it would have been apparent that day for sure.
February 27, 2008
#49 Pissed Off said . . .Tenacious, touche. I can't disagree with that. Which is part of the reason I'll be rooting for him too - he's a likable guy (although Mike thinks he's weird, apparently because of some excessive and brutally ugly facial hair) and I have the feeling that he just might be a winner. Which I think the BT sees too, and the reason for his extension and, you could argue, treatment with kid gloves this offsesason. (You like how first Rex got the kid gloves treatment, then the boot in his ass, and now Kyle's getting his Lovie/Dovie treatment - next thing you know we're going to be hearing "Kyle is our quarterback" ad nauseum. )
February 27, 2008
#50 Jimbo said . . .Please not that...anything but that.
February 27, 2008
#51 FYI said . . .I don't mean to interrupt the Grossman lovefest that's broken out, but let me point out a few things about our boy.
Grossman and accuracy should never come in the same sentence. He has a career 54.3 completion %. For comparison, Vince Young, who has played in only two fewer games than Rex in 3 less years in the league, has a career 57.1%. Phil's right, Young is not a very good passer, but what does that say about Rex?
And while we're on it, Rex has not been able to stay healthy. Once is an accident, twice is a pattern, three times is a trend. Either you can consistently survive a grueling 16 game schedule or you can't. Rex has shown more often than not he can't.
Eleven out of 32 games, Rex has thrown more interceptions than TDs, and has thrown 31 TD vs 33 INTs in his career.
And finally, let's not all forget last offseason was VERY similar to this one in the sense that we sat around and said, "This is Grossman's year to prove himself..." Grossman responded with some real duds. For the first three games, when the pressure was on and every Bears fan was watching, he sucked. Then we benched him, and yada, yada, yada, on goes the drama.
Bottom line. Grossman's back because the BT left us/themselves no other options. He gets to prove himself yet again. Let's see him do it, I seriously doubt he can.
February 27, 2008
#52 jeff said . . .Moose signed with the Carolina Panthers again....
And the Panthers released David Carr...
February 27, 2008
it seems if the bears truly wanted derek anderson - and i dont think they do - he will be attainable.
February 28, 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.