John Clayton. Mark Schlereth. Todd McShay. Peter King. Each one has taken the opportunity over the past few days to question the Chicago Bears organizational decision not to take a quarterback over the seven rounds of this draft. Nobody - and I do mean NOBODY - preaches more consistently than I do the necessity of a great signal caller to win multiple championships in the NFL. No team not coached by Joe Gibbs or Bill Parcells has even BEEN to two Super Bowls in five years without a Hall-of-Fame QB (though you can argue that if Simms stays healthy in '90, he goes to the Hall).
But everyone join me in a collective chorus of....RELAX. Matt Ryan played a brilliant fourth quarter against Virginia Tech and disappeared down the stretch. Joe Flacco is an immobile quarterback who played at Delaware. Chad Henne couldn't stay on the field at Michigan. Brian Brohm lost Bobby Petrino and subsequently fell two rounds in the draft. None of these players in going to make an impact in 2008 and most likely not in 2009 either.
Here's what I'll say about Rex Grossman: he's started a total of 32 games. That's two full seasons in five years. That's a full season (plus a game) less than Eli Manning. And in that period of time, he has looked infinitely better than Manning ever did (and worse as well). For those Favre lovers out there, here's a fact. In Favre's second full season he throw 19 touchdowns and 24 interceptions and there was serious debate as to whether he'd ever start again.
SIDE NOTE: The revisionist historian Schlereth likes to say the Bears won in 2006 despite Rex Grossman and its just not true. They don't beat Seattle without his beautiful overtime toss over the middle and he was fantastic against the Saints. He had a bad Super Bowl - not a bad postseason.
I come here not to praise Grossman but to bury the notion that somehow the Chicago Bears would be a better football team if they were to take a quarterback last weekend. I'm frankly thrilled my ballclub has adopted the approach of "win now or fuck it." This isn't a build-for-the-future league anymore because the minute your young players get any good they ask for the entirety of your salary cap. This is a fill-your-holes-and-take-a-shot league and the Bears have done that.
Now we take a shot. And if we come up short in 2008, it won't be because we didn't draft Chad Henne. I say give Mr. Grossman a third season, it worked out just fine for the New York Giants.
#2 JB said . . .This could be the season Rex stays healthy and puts it all together. Then all of the Analyst will be saying. "Hey I knew this guy Had it in him" Or whatever they can say to make themselves look better. Like to see Rex run the ball more often when he gets in trouble. Gain 2 or 3 yards and slide or run out of bounds.
Earl Bennet is #85 for a reason. He's going to have 85 catches this season with 10 TD's. Grossman to Bennet=the next great QB WR duel.
I just beg, no I challenge Ron Turner to open the playbook a little deeper this season.
May 1, 2008
#3 jdawg said . . .Well said. I'm liking our draft more and more. in the words of johnny drama: VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!
Let's hope for a lot of those this year.
May 1, 2008
#4 Pissed Off said . . .If you focus on what he looked like after the benching, up untiil the injury at Wash, you have to like what you see.
Also, I think Rex can play within the system, taking what the D gives. If you remember last year's preseason it was obvious they were working on his short passing game. I don't remember him making one play down field.
Anyway, the QB is actually not on the top of my list of worries, but it is the most dramatic position to talk about, sort of like Rev. Wright.
May 1, 2008
#5 jeff said . . .What the deuce? Jeff IS coming around a bit. Jeff, praising Rex....giving him a shot.....football season must be close.....that or he got laid last night.
(Broken record) I think Rex will be good if not great (in terms of a QB in Chicago) this year. Post-Benching Rex is the guy that never wants to sit again and will perform tremendously because he will refuse to be benched. I know how he looked after his benching....and that guy....with a little O-line help, and a better running game (to open up the pass) will be more than just serviceable or efficient. He will be in pro-bowl conversation mid season and if he is then I assume the Bears are better than .500 at that point.
May 1, 2008
#6 PolygonHell said . . .i'm relatively consistent with rex. i don't think he's a great player but i think the criticism of him is usually mis-guided. what he isn't is established enough for a true judgment to be made.
May 1, 2008
#7 Rancid said . . .I hate to make excuses for Turner, because I hated a lot of his play calling last year but...
I think the reason he became so conservative was because of the offenses inability to execute what was being called early in the season. This in turn led to predictable play calling that led to more inability to execute. Now I agree a great coordinator see's this happening and adjusts, Turner didn't.
Now why the offense was so out of sync early last year, who knows? could have been coaching, could just have been the drop off in quality of line play.
But I think if we can get a good start this year, we'll have a good year offensively.
May 1, 2008
#8 jeff said . . .Ron Turner is the guy with the most potential to single-handedly screw to Bears hopes this year. More than any single player. I am hoping that something will be different between this year and last year with him but every once in a while I am thinking Bears and all of a sudden it dawns on me . . . He really didn't get fired . . . unbelievable.
May 1, 2008
#9 Blog Down, Chicago Bears said . . .hard to fire an offensive coordinator when the line was that bad and benson and the quarterbacks...it was just an awful year. ronny and lovie have a lot to prove this season.
May 1, 2008
#10 Tenacious D said . . .I echo these sentiments entirely. In fact, Grossman's TD-Int ration in '06 was the same as Mannings in '07 (23-20). As you said, Grossman's played the equivalent of two full seasons. I'm glad we didn't reach for a QB when we all know that one wouldn't help us THIS YEAR anyway.
May 1, 2008
#11 Phil from SATX said . . .Rancid, I agree Turner must show improvement this year, but I think that goes for ALL the coaches.
1) With as many rookies as we will be counting on to produce on offense, the whole staff has to step up and show that they can develop the young talent, and in a hurry. I have not seen our offensive coaching staff develop anybody, with the possible exception of Berrian.
2) On the defensive side, Babich had better find a way to fix the tackling problems.
3) Lovie and the two coordinators must make better in-game adjustments.
We will learn a lot about our coaching staff in 2008.
May 1, 2008
#12 Tenacious D said . . .Tenacious, you can't count Berrian, he got WORSE last year in my opinion, at least in the first (important) half of the year, when his offseason work should have shown up as improvement.
I totally agree with you though re: the coaches - I may have called this the year of the Rex Referendum, it's really the year of the Coaching Referendum. I think that Jerry has proven himself both before and especially now with this offseason and draft. The only thing I am unsure about is whether he's addressed the oline enough, because he certainly had plenty of opportunities to add players in free agency and then in the draft, and chose to only do half of the needed work - and no I'm not counting 7th rounders and undrafted free agents coming off Achilles injuries (see Brad Biggs blog).
We will see what are coaches are made of this year because holes have been filled - let me say that again, louder
HOLES HAVE BEEN FILLED
NOW it's YOUR turn, Ron and Harry and Bob and Lovie. Let's see what you got. I am confident overall in the pieces that have been added. Let's see if you guys can coach at all. The variety of weapons on O should be a coordinator's dream - you should have all the pieces you need - fast guys, big guys, big fast guys, hands guys, tough running back, revamped line, and a more experienced and highly accurate Rex Grossman to distribute the ball. What else might you need? (maybe a guard or two) Seriously, though, RT was so rhythmless last year, I just hope it was a case of the yips based on lots of pieces breaking at once. Hand offs to Forte, quick throws to Des, Greg, Marty, E-SQUIR, the OCCASIONAL long ball to Bradley or Hester, MOVE THE CHAINS. Our red zone efficiency should go up hugely given the big bodies that can catch - and don't forget for all his faults, Ced used to be awesome around the goal line (undoubtedly the money incentives tied to scoring gave him that extra burst). I'm no offensive coordinator, I couldn't do it, but I know damn well any average offensive coord would be licking his chops to get this squad on the field.
And Bob B on D, your table is SET. Get after it man!
Dave Toub, you're still out there right? The only guy we don't have to rail on. Keep on keeping on.
May 1, 2008
#13 Tenacious D said . . .jeff,
I agree. There was no QB we could have drafted that would have contributed this year, and maybe ever. It was apparent that we were drafting for needs, and its the first first time I've seen Angelo do this. I was pleased to see it because it confirmed that management feels we can win now. Not 3 years from now. To me, taking anything but maybe a late-round flyer on a QB, and passing up a position of need, would be waiving the white flag for 2008. The free agents we got after the draft are as just as good as anyone we'd have gotten in rounds 3-7.I see Rex coming back in a big way next year, with a big F.U. to all those who have been so critical of him across the nation. He has some tools to work with now.
May 1, 2008
#14 Matt said . . .Phil,
right there with ya. Glad to see you gave Toub some kudo's. While I was griping about the staff, I forgot to mention the only guy who has already proved his worth.May 1, 2008
#15 Tenacious D said . . .Even if we have greatly improved the O-line, you cannot change the fact that Rex is 5'10 and cannot see over the offensive and defensive fronts. You cannot change the fact that he has oompa loompa tiny hands and has a hard time gripping the ball which causes fumbles. You also cannot change that he takes too long to drop back and release when he throws. The O-line needs to be one of the best in the league in maintaining a pocket and fending off defenders if Rex is going to be successful. I hope that happens and Rex can be the man.
May 1, 2008
#16 bfos7215 said . . .Matt, I read somewhere that the Bears line maintained the pocket for a paltry 2 seconds in 2007. I don't care if you have Dan Marino back there, that's not enough time.
Yes, Rex's hands are small, and he is short. But he is the same size that he was in the first half of 2006 when he was being talked about for the pro bowl. And I don't think our o-line was the best in football during that timeframe.
May 1, 2008
#17 Matt said . . .Remember when everyone said we couldn't make it to the playoffs with a QB like Rex. Then we couldn't win in the playoff's with a QB like Rex. Then we couldn't be Conference Champions with a QB like Rex.
And, now, all of a sudden, the Bears were able to do all of that INSPITE of Rex? That doesn't add up.
May 1, 2008
#18 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .D,
Good point, but the O-line was probably one of the best during the first half of '06. Rex had all day to set up and throw when he was putting up those pro bowl like numbers. It's not like he was scrambling around and creating offense by himself. I agree that he has shown signs of great potential and I am really rooting for him to succeed. He still needs more time and protection than most QBs and that is why C Williams needs to come in right away and set a precedent. I really hope it is an open competition at QB because I think Orton could be a solid starter if he has a good line in front of him.
May 1, 2008
#19 Al in WI said . . .Hello people, it has been awhile. How's your draft? I see Rick Morrisey is convinced that the Bears have a better QB duo than the Pack for the first time in, well...a while.
Anybody see this one?
http://www.rrstar.com/news/x828495101
May 2, 2008
#20 Rancid said . . .Loved the post Jeff, as you might imagine. I hate being on the road so much and not being able to respond. But I still try and read as often as I can.
I do think '08 could be the year for # 8. I just hope this o-line comes together well enough to give any of our skill players a legit chance.
I also think Phil is on to something when he talked about the referendum on Rex. But my take is this is a referendum on Jerry Angelo's ability to draft offense. At WR we're going to find out about Mark Bradley once and for all. On the line this Williams kid, and one of the three draft picks at gaurd (metcalf, Reed, Beekman) will define the line. At running back you have Benson and now the Forte. And of course Quarterback who we all assume is Grossman. Angelo's draft picks will determine our season on offense this time around. He's gambling that he's right, and I hope he is too.May 2, 2008
#21 Viva said . . .Windy - nice to see you again. You're the only Packer guy on here I have ever read without complete disgust.
However, that link was an abomination.
May 2, 2008
#22 jdawg said . . .Jeff-
THIS WAS YOUR GREATEST POST YET!
How many times have you heard a sports reporter say something like "freak athletic ability," or "gunslinger mentality,"?
A zillion right. The point is that in the world of 5 fucking billion sports reporters, maybe one of them has an original thought (or saying), and then the next thing you know everyone of those bastard chatterboxes is echoing the same thing.
I'll never forget about two years ago some team won, after about week 5 in the NFL, and Chris Burman said something to the effect of, "and the Raiders are off the schneid." And then for about the next five days just about every reporter there was was saying, or in Peter King's case, writing, the same damn thing. It was fucking hilarious. They have no integrity. Too lazy to do their own research, and too stupid to come up with an original thought.From know one can we refer to this phenomenon as "The Chatterbox Syndrome?"
May 2, 2008
#23 ATP said . . .If you take a step back a case can be made that the Bears did bolster the QB position by:
A) upgrading the O line
B) upgrading the running game
C) upgrading the receiversIf Rex or Orton can get another second of pass protection their quality goes up.
If the opposing D has to respect the running game the play action becomes much more effective.
If the receivers demand the attention of the D, the running game becomes more effective (see above point).
Anyway, I'm feeling pretty upbeat at this point, even though we're going to lose to Indy.
Remember -- its going to take some time for the new line to gel.
May 2, 2008
#24 Smitty said . . .Lets go back to the 2006 idea of "if we score 21 points we'll win." This offense just needs to control the clock, keep the D fresh, and (hopefully) put a few pts on the board. We dont have to average 40 points per game if our god-danm defense plays like it should.
I'm all jazzed up about the offense and everything.... but i'm way more excited about the D. Everyone is healthy. Brownie is back, and i have a feeling hes due for a healthy season. We have more depth at DT. Nate Vasher and Tillman healthy upgrades our secondary 1000%. Briggs and #54 will dominate at LB for at least this next year. Our D is going to be GOOD.
Lets be hopeful for the offense to be average. Just remember our defense and special teams could be the best in the league.
SO i want to see ced and forte pound the ball on the ground. I want Des and Olson to get 1st down's and kill in the red zone, and I want the occasional long ball to Hester or Bradley to keep me entertained. Rex will do just fine.
May 2, 2008
#25 Phil from SATX said . . .Wait a second....I'm glad the Bears didn't take a QB, but let's not get to excited about our QB situation. Rex has gotten a very bad rap, but one this is true, he does not hold on to the football. I consider Rex an implosion waiting to happen an any minute.
Personally, I think Orton could win this QB battle in camp if given a fair opportunity. He may be a little less accurate than Rex at times, but he can hold onto the ball and has a nice deep ball.May 2, 2008
#26 Bear24 said . . .I don't think there's any need to reenter the Rex is good Rex is bad Kyle is better Kyle sucks deal. We all know Rex's problems, and all we are banking on is that he will get better with them. We all know that Kyle has shown some ways that he may be better right now than Rex (holding on to the ball, scrambling a little), but we also know he throws the ball with significantly less accuracy (and I would certainly include the long ball in that).
Rex will start, if he sucks or gets hurt Kyle will come in, and we'll have one or the other signed long term mid-season if either does a good job. If neither work, it's Tebow time and another season lost.
Smitty, Rex is still a work in progress, only two full seasons of work, and he took care of the ball just fine in his return until he got hurt. He gives us reason to believe he can improve in this area.
May 2, 2008
#27 JB said . . .I see the point, that by drafting a QB, they are basically throwing in the towel...BUT, what happens when Rex comes out and starts out just like he did last year. Assuming he is the starter, and I think everyone agrees Rex will win the job and start against Indy. Granted he played well when he came back last year before the injury, he is still just way to inconsistent... everytime he drops back, you have to hold your breath. Everyone is saying the line sucked, but Rex made bad decisions. Personally I think Orton is safer, and manages the game better, but he isn't the future. Point is, what about the future? What is Plan B when neither Rex nor Kyle can get us win? No one is being groomed right now, drafting a QB next year doesn't doesn't really solve the problem then either. I would have liked to see a shot taken on someone, maybe a guy like Dixon or Josh Johnson, two guys completely different from what we have now being that they pocess that ability to get out of the pocket and move the ball down the field with their feet, maybe something the Bears could use. I just think I would feel a little comfort in knowing there is someone else on the depth chart even if they were drafted to be a back up. Big D in 2008.
May 2, 2008
#28 Phil from SATX said . . .I know those articles that Larry Mayer puts out on the new draft picks are aimed at getting you to support the picks they made, but I've really enjoyed reading what Forte, and especially Steltz, has had to say. Forte said all the right things about chicago bears RB history and wanting to be a part of the line of sayers and payton. If Steltz isn't a fan favorite by the end of the year, I'll be shocked. He looks like a Zbikowski with more talent...I'm liking that pick a lot.
Did we ever find out who won the little mock game? Props to everyone who called specific guys out.
May 2, 2008
#29 Pissed Off said . . .I'll tell you what, it's a hell of a lot more fun dealing with a draft that's expected and required to compete right now vs. some drafts from the past. I love what Lovie said in that Site article about all the brains selected this year -
"you also want a guy that can comprehend a lot of information and be able to digest it and take it to the football field—especially for rookies coming in because it’s about how quick they can catch up with our vets to be able to help us Sept. 7 against the Colts.”
These guys are actually going to be on the field against the Colts! (at least some of them) Now think back at last year's draft
after Greg Olsen, we picked
2nd - Dan Bazuin
3rd - Garrett Wolfe
3rd - Michael Okwo
4th - Josh Beekman
5th - Kevin Payne
5th - Corey GrahamThere is no way the Bears were thinking of getting any of those picks on the field except for Garrett Wolfe, and he was practically a red shirt for the whole year until the end. Payne played because he had to, as did Graham - not intentionally.
What a difference it is to pick based on guys who can help you right away. Maybe you should do this every year? This is going to make this preseason rock.
BTW, it's been mentioned, but remember what the Giants did with a bunch of rookies playing, a QB who many said they'd rather have Rex, and a strong pass rush.
SUPER BOWL BABY!
May 2, 2008
#30 AfroCelt said . . .Bear24, isnt it possible that the BT just didnt see any talent with this QB draft class. I think that after the first 1 or 2 QBs that they actually had high on thier board they didnt feel like the rest had any more talent than some of the guys they could pick up undrafted. And they needed their first few picks to be on other areas and by that time the 2 or so QBs they'd take were long gone. They didnt DRAFT a QB, persay, but they did pick up 2 rookie undrafted guys. In their mind those guys have probably as good a shot as someone they would have drafted late but didnt actually have to waste a pick.
May 2, 2008
#31 Phil from SATX said . . .looks like we won't be seeing Marvin Harrison at the season opener. Reportedly beat up and shot at a guy with his custom made 50 caliber hangun, then lied to police about it. Will get link in a minute.
May 2, 2008
#32 jeff said . . .Shoot Afro, I should you were talking about Marcus Harrison, our 2nd 3rd round pick, the one with the "character" issues. I was really pissed, til I googled and realized you're talking about the Colt!
You are, aren't you?
May 2, 2008
#33 AfroCelt said . . .give him four games right now. or just give him one game, that's fine too being that they play minnesota the following week.
May 2, 2008
#34 Shady said . . .Yep. The pain in the ass veteran all-pro WR on the Colts.
Dumb ass to have the gun in a bucket next to him too, if I do say so myself.
May 2, 2008
#35 Taylor said . . ."Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison is under investigation in his hometown of Philadelphia in a shooting that took place earlier this week, a source close to the investigation told Anthony Gargano of Philadelphia's WIP Radio.
The shooting reportedly occurred early Tuesday afternoon outside a North Philadelphia bar owned by Harrison.
Harrison has yet to be arrested or charged with the crime. Police spokesman Sgt. Ray Evers had no comment Friday...
The source said the alleged victim came into the bar, Playmakers, around 5 p.m. and engaged in an argument with Harrison, who was at the bar. The victim then left the bar, heading to his car, with Harrison following. Gunfire broke out, the victim was hit in the hand, and a young girl was slightly injured by flying glass from a car that apparently was hit by a bullet.
Police came to scene, but the victim did not identify a shooter. On Wednesday, according to the source, ballistic tests showed that the gun that had fired the shots was a custom-made Belgian weapon, and police determined that Harrison owned such a gun."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3378829Did anyone else hear the report of a guy coming forward about the pacman jones shooting. The guy had originally been arrested for ordering the 'hit', but apparently Pacman ordered that the strip club be shot up, not this guy...
" A man charged with shooting three people outside a Las Vegas strip club has denied he was involved and accused Adam "Pacman" Jones of ordering the shooting and framing him to avoid identifying the real shooter.Arvin Kenti Edwards of Renton, Wash., who is being held in a Washington state jail pending extradition to Nevada told a Nashville television station that Jones lied to police about the 2007 shooting that left an employee paralyzed and two other people wounded. Edwards said Jones paid someone for the shooting, but that it wasn't him.
Jones' agent and attorney, Worrick Robinson, said Edwards has reason to lie as the man facing three counts of attempted murder."
http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_9129350Being a thug is cool kids. You can make millions playing football while sleeping with hundreds of women and STILL be a gangsta... Homie.
May 2, 2008
#36 Matt said . . .Sure Orton won't lose games for us, but he doesn't have an NFL arm. He doesn't have the strength or accuracy of Rex. Rex has all the arm you could ask for. His real downfall is his bad decision making. I've heard so many people call him dim or "a mental midget". He scored 29 on the wonderlic, higher than Peyton Manning and Brett Favre, as well as numerous other "great" QB's. By the way, Orton scored a 25 or 27 on the wonderlic (different sites have different scores).
My point is he has a brain and I think he can continue to learn, resulting in better decisions. I would rather have a starting QB that has an arm and that can actually win a game for you rather than just manage it. I realize he is supposed to be a vet at this point in his career, but I still see a lot of potential for improvement.
May 2, 2008
#37 Taylor said . . .Wonderlic tests don't mean shit, INTs and TDs are what matter. Sure, Rex has a little bit better of an arm than Orton, but throwing 80 yard bombs is not the name of the game. How many of those get completed or even attempted per game. I'd rather have Orton managing than Rex unilaterally losing games. I'm not worried abut whether Rex is a mental midget (although he has shown signs of collapse when things start going wrong), I'm worried about his midget hands and his midget stature. At his height, he can't see over the O and D lines unless he drops back 8 steps. I hope it is an open competition at QB, because with an improved O-line Orton can be more than a manager. If Rex gets the call, I hope he proves me wrong.
May 2, 2008
#38 Taylor said . . .I didn't say
high wonderlic score= great QB,
like I said above Favre scored on the lower side. Yes TDs and INTs are what matter. There seems to be this mystique around Orton that I just don't see. All he did in 05 was hand the ball off to Jones. He threw 9 TDs and 13 INTs.
Grossman career TDs/INTs- 31/33
Orton career TDs/INTs- 12/15
Neither stats are great but, the first few games of 06 and the games after his benching in 07 show me that Grossman has the ability to be a winner in this league. I'm not bashing Orton but all he's shown me is he is a game manager and with a rushing attack anything like what we had last year thats just not enough.May 3, 2008
#39 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .and as far as their arms go, I'm not talking 80 yard bombs I'm talking 30 or 40 yarders along the sideline where you need both strength and accuracy
May 3, 2008
#40 Rancid said . . .You bet Rancid, thanks for the props. I think you guys got a pretty good one in the first round this year. As far as the QB situation goes for Da Bears...I'm still of the opinion that the situation has more to do with the offensive staff than with the players on the roster.
May 3, 2008
#41 mikebdot said . . .Here's a take our Qb situation from ESPN. Overall I thought it was pretty fair. I was expecting normal media Rex bashing.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/columns/story?columnist=wickersham_seth&id=3378230
May 3, 2008
#42 Tenacious D said . . .If you want to get really angry, read this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playbyplay?gameId=271217016&period=0
It is proof that Ron Turner is the dumbest fucking man alive. They bench Brian Griese and play KO. You know, for the first time in like 3 years. And he throws 38 passes while AP and GW (and DH+KO) racked up a whopping 17 carries.
The good news? Only one player who was penalized on offense should start this year (if St. Clair sees the field, or even makes the team, I would be surprised). Though, I guess intentional grounding was actually a penalty on KO, but he probably won't start either.
Anyone else think the intentional grounding penalty is just stupid? I mean, "spiking the ball to stop the clock" is a legit play, but that is by definition intentional throwing the ball into the ground. People say "oh, there are eligible receivers all around the area". Well, fuck them. Nobody can possibly catch the football when it is thrown 30 mph into the ground directly in front of the QB. Also, Manning (the elder) throws the ball directly into the ground near the receivers feet on busted screen plays all the time. Just get rid of the rule. Or actually call things to the "spirit of the rule".
May 3, 2008
#43 jeff said . . .Mike, I'm no big RT fan, but I don't think you can criticize him for the low number of carries against Minny. They were one of the best teams in the NFL against the run, and we proved all season that we couldn't run the ball against bad defenses, much less good ones. Wasnt he just trying to exploit the the weakest part of their defense?
May 3, 2008
#44 mikebdot said . . .hey rancid, keep reading wickersham. he might be the best "general" football writer they've got these days in terms of opinion.
May 3, 2008
#45 shonbear said . . .Tenacious: I agree to an extent, but over 2:1 is way too much to skew the numbers. Just over 50/50 should be about right. It is just a perfect example of the clusterfuck of an offense we had last season. False starts, offensive penalties, undisciplined play all around. Running the ball with Hester that NEVER fooled anyone the whole year. Putting in different personnel packages, specifically bringing in Wolfe,etc. etc. etc. gotta go.
May 3, 2008
#46 DTB said . . .This has probably been one of my favorite subjects to read all the comments on. Let me add my two cents. First, we did the right thing not drafting a QB. As it is there is probably only like 5 superstar QB's and 5 other pretty good ones and the rest are average at best. Drafting a QB is not a good idea when what we have is experience in the system and extreme potential. Another problem is we do not have a history if "developing" QB's. Ron Turner definitely has not set our guys up for success with his play calling. Please sustain some drives and don't count on the big play, it just seems like the big play leaves us at 3rd and long too often (not to mention our mass offensive penalties last year)
On one of the previous blog subjects somebody put a clip of Mike Haas catching that pass against Cleveland. Fighting for the ball like that just a few times would have made Bernard Berrian worth the ridiculous money that Minnesota paid. I predict he will be watching some interceptions in front of his face when the Bears play them. (Hope that MB is healthy for those) and he gets a punch in the mouth. Not to mention some payback for being embarrased by AP. We need to make beating Minessota a priority.
Now, maybe I'm the only one, but I look forward to seeing what Forte has to offer, but I'm not crazy about how many times he said he wants to make a name for himself rather than what he could do to help his team. Maybe that is the kind of runningback arrogance we need, we will see, I don't know.
In the article above, they compared Rex Grossman with Cade McNown, are you kidding me. Grossman is a thousand times better than he ever was OMG!!!
On Dixon, I seem to remember a guy we had on our roster nick named slash at one time in his career, no thank you.
I'm all for getting Hester to become a more permanent receiver. I'm still thinking about Steve Smith's conversion to receiver from return guy, routes and hands will put Hester right there. They just didn't put him on the field enough, anytime they put him out there all eyes were on him, so yea those special plays won't work, but if he's always there, then you might throw some tricks. Even though he wasn't there, the few that he made were spectacular, just wish he would have caught that one that bounce off his head.
Let's not forget that Greg Olsen was used sparingly and he is a superstar. This guy will have a probowl year, Turner needs to have in on the field for every play.
Question:What's the latest news on these contract squables, we really can't afford any of these guys being unhappy. Though I'm disappointed, I think we need to do what it takes.
Another statement/question, sure we are probably going to pick up some O line help when teams start cutting people, but I'm thinking Reuben Brown played great for us in the past, if his surgery went well and he is good, can't they call him back ? I think it would help to have him around to assist in Chris Williams development anyway.
Anyway, I don't know what I'm going to do to get the next three months t pass, I need to see some redemption for last seasons meltdown.
May 3, 2008
#47 Shady said . . .One thing that kind of set me off here. Rex and intelligence as a QB?!?!? Am I the only one that thinks Rex is better off not thinking and just playing ball? Rex is a chucker, a homerun hitter, an all or fucking nothing type of player. I still dont know why we want him to be a dink and dump QB. Thats not his game and it never will be. Let Rex be Rex, dont make the mistake and try to turn him into Trent Dilfer. Thats what ultimately led to his benching a year ago.
While we are at it we may as well ask BU to take on blocks all day, TH to eat space and hold a double team, Devin to kneel it if the ball is caught in the end zone and Mike Brown to not take a turnover to the house every time he gets his hands on the ball.
2008 is all about playing loose, confident football. The only way to accomplish that, is to let your players play to their strengths.
May 4, 2008
#48 shonbear said . . .Great point, well said.
May 4, 2008
#49 shonbear said . . .DTB I agree with you whole heartedly, just in the process of letting Rex do that, they need to keep the drives alive. This three and out shit is no good. Not for our defense, not for our offense to get any kind of rythm or confidence. The play calling can solve that, less penalties and a running back that can break or juke a tackle once in awhile. 3.4 yards a carry is too low for a team that gets off the bus running. Thomas Jones has been virtually a top ten over 1000 yard rusher the last three years even with a terrible Jets team. He still managed a 3.6 this year.
May 4, 2008
#50 Rancid said . . .DTB I agree with you whole heartedly, just in the process of letting Rex do that, they need to keep the drives alive. This three and out shit is no good. Not for our defense, not for our offense to get any kind of rythm or confidence. The play calling can solve that, less penalties and a running back that can break or juke a tackle once in awhile. 3.4 yards a carry is too low for a team that gets off the bus running. Thomas Jones has been virtually a top ten over 1000 yard rusher the last three years even with a terrible Jets team. He still managed a 3.6 this year.
May 4, 2008
#51 shonbear said . . .When will the Thomas Jones lamenting ever end? It is such a crock. Thomas Jones went to the Jets and proved he can't handle the load by himself. Had he realized that in Chicago we'd be in a lot nicer situation. Screw TJ. I'm not begging for TJ back because he averaged an awesome 3.6 y/c to CB's 3.4 Whoopty-shit.
May 4, 2008
#52 Viva said . . .I'm not really lamenting TJ, it's more like I'm lamenting the fact that sorry ass CB didn't show anything useful and that Ron Turner will continue down the path of inconsistency. He get's a couple successful passing plays and then he just to depend on the big to carry the rest of the game. Three and out, three and out...wait a sec, we got a first down on a 22 yard pass that saves the drive for another three and out. How often have the Bears, even in better years sustained drives consistently got to the red zone and drove it in text-book like. It just seems like because our defense is usually so good, he could just go with the big plays and call it a day. Sure when they are working nobody is complaining because we get wins, but when you face a team that has the ability to sustain a drive (ala the colts) we end up on the short end, complaining about our QB situation etc....
This is Ron Turner's real test year to do something useful, be flexible, acutally make real adjustments during a game that makes our offense look successful. I want to have a season that I watch the Bears and feel confident about what's going on based on their consistency rather than being on the edge of my seat hoping that they don't blow it.
I was at the KC game last year and watched as they seemed in control of the game when suddenly KC almost comes back. You go away from a game like that feeling happy you won, but more relieved you didn't lose. The whole season went that way, but worse. I have never seen the Bears have the amount of talent they've had the last several yearsIt's a shame to see so much potential wasted, nor be as deep as they have been.
Yes, the players have had something to do with it based on their missed opportunities, dropped passes, penalties and injuries. It still seems to me that RT keeps coming to the forefront of my mind whenever I watch a game.
All that said, I look forward to this season with great hope as in every year. Hope in RT's play calling, hope in DH receiver development, hope in receivers catching balls, hope in no injuries, hope in an offensive line that can hold up, hope that Rex or Orton will show that they are better than any Frickin sportswriter or ESPN pundit will ever give them credit for, hope that we have a running game, hope that our defense will play as well as they did in the previous two seasons, hope that we crushe Minnesota's AP and hope that we really do finish.
Alright I'm finished.
May 4, 2008
#53 Rancid said . . .CEDRIC HAS BEEN ARRESTED!!!!
If he can't play special teams, he can't make this team. Given his lack of passion to play the game, his injury history, and, now his legal troubles, how do we get something in return? Any chance Shannahan can be coaxed?
May 4, 2008
#54 BK said . . .This Benson thing is pretty interesting. I wonder if we're talking suspension
My favorite quote from the story:
"Sgt. Dale Seago told the Midland Reporter-Telegram that Benson has not been targeted due to his fame, because, "nobody really knew who was who."
Interesting fact of the day:
"Benson also was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 12th round of the baseball draft and had planned on playing in their minor league system this summer"
Here's the link to the story:
May 4, 2008
#55 shonbear said . . .Benson arrested. Cut Cedric now, sign Rhodes and use him as the 2nd back to Forte.
May 4, 2008
#56 Rancid said . . .Arrested? Well aren't there rules about teams being able to recoup money from their players if they get suspended. This is the icing on the cake for Curtis Enis, I mean Cedric Benson. Somebody give Shaun Alexander a call quick, Come on Shaun, make a comeback, prove everybody wrong, realease Benson's ass either way!!!
May 4, 2008
#57 Rancid said . . .After reading #52 (Viva) I linked to the old story from before Benson was even a Bear. Consider it a late April Fools joke. I wanted to see if I could mess with anyone's head. I personally haven't seen anything on a new arrest. He he he.
May 4, 2008
#58 Shady McBears Fan said . . .Shit, I thought this was another hoax. It is for real. No kidding this time. Here's the real link.
http://www.kvue.com/sports/stories/050408kvuebensonarrested-jj_.c8ba9757.html
May 4, 2008
#59 Bob said . . .What a fucking tool.
Cut this guy, sign Kevin Jones, let us be done with it already. The Bears have to show they're not gonna tolerate this kind of shit anymore!
Thanks for NOTHING Cedric.
May 4, 2008
#60 KentuckyBearsFan said . . .This guy can't be serious. Rex had his chance. Once you're benched, it's over.
May 4, 2008
#61 Megan said . . .I wonder what Lovie will say about Benson. How about:
"We get off the bus trippin' "
May 4, 2008
#62 Jerseybearfan said . . .I think we are competing with the Cincinnati Bengals for most arrests from the 2005 draft class.. *sigh*
May 4, 2008
#63 shonbear said . . .For Bob and all who think Rex sucks.......
http://youtube.com/watch?v=c97c_2x88iU&feature=related
May 5, 2008
#64 Jerseybearfan said . . .jersey,
That was awesome!!! Makes me miss Moose and Berrian a little too. If only they hadn't dropped so many last year. Hopefully we see that and more this year.May 5, 2008
Thanks Shon........
I just wanted everyone to remember that Rex had alot to do with getting to the SB and that he is a very talented QB and with a supporting cast he can succeed
May 5, 2008
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