As bad as it gets

Wow, the Bears played like crap againts the Packers, oh well it was a good season, they have no QB and their defense suck.
Go Ravens, now that's a defensive team

Some people here don't trust Grossman? I don't trust their football knowledge. Brady sure looked great against Miami...right.

WAS A BAD GAME TRUE ENOUGH BUT DONT COME ON HERE BRAGGING ABOUT THE RAVENS HOW MANY PLAYERS DO THEY HAVE IN THE PRO BOWL? OH YEAH LETS NOT FORGET THE MORE MOUTH THAN MIGHT FADING LB RAY LEWIS HES OLD
HE DIDNT GET IN AND THEN IN CLASS LESS RAVENS STYLE HE COMPLAINED WHAT A LOSER!! APPEARANTLY ROBERT YOU DONT KNOW JACK ABOUT THE BEARS
GET A CLUE LOSER!!!!

You know, the way the Chicago media and the Bears talked about Griese I fully expected him to come in and pass for 600 yards and 8 touchdowns. I thought he was going to part Lake Michigan and walk on it, I thought sparkles were going to come out of the back end of the ball when he threw it. I thought rainbows were going to appear when his touchdown passes were caught.

In reality he sucked only slightly less than Grossman. To me, this shows the problem isn't just with the quarterback. It's more a problem of offensive play-calling. Green Bay's staff had been watching video and were all over the short and mid-range passes, and go figure - the one time they go deep (Bradley) Green Bay gets burned looking for the quick slants. Grossman fails... put in Griese under the same circumstances and he will fail too.

Regardless of who is at QB in the playoffs I can only hope Turner is not this predictable.

What we saw on Sunday was probably the most uninspired Bears performance since the ones Kordell Stewart was incorrectly blamed for. Rex was clearly just happy to have made it through the season without getting hurt. That's it, really--the O-line did a pretty good job, considering, and Benson went at the Packers like they owed him money.

I'm less worried about Rex Grossman than I am about the coaching staff. They're going to be under the gun to make changes, and I don't really think they need to make many. The defense needs to rediscover some intensity (which will come when they're healthy), and Rex needs to figure out that his free ride ends here.

I say again--Brett Favre trade. Brett Favre trade.

Roman responds: C'mon. If you want someone who's going throw a bunch of interceptions, you've got two pretty good choices right now. Favre is done, regardless of how he spanked the Bears.

John Madden said it right about Rex Grossman. He has three big problems: he makes "bad reads, forces it (ball), and has bad fundamentals". While, the Bears played a bland offense and defense, those three things stand out. And, it didn't matter if Brett Favre might have been playing in his last game and drove the Packers to the win. Grossman failed to use this game to fine tune his play and prepare the offense for the playoffs.

Also, besides what Madden mentioned, Grossman's other habits are looking at a receiver too long and following them through their routes along with not being mobile in the pocket. When Grossman does move, as Madden pointed out, he backtracks and causes more problems for himself.

Hopefully, the Bears were saving themselves in the last few games. And, Grossman, Ron Turner, and Wade Wilson were playing possum with their future opponents. But, you still need to execute and I think Grossman's mistakes, which are constant and never changing, will be the downfall for the Bears.

Let's hope I'm wrong and I've been fooled by the Grossman and the Bears offensive game plan the last few games. But, I'm not so sure.

Roman responds: You're not so sure? Who is sure? The Bears can't predict which Rex will show up with any more certainty than you or I.

Keith,
I can't stop laughing man, hilarious! Lolipops and rainbows. You're absolutely right. So much for "Play Griese, Play Griese" GET OVER IT. Rex is the man and I have confidence that the Rex who had seven games with a passer rating over 100 will show up. Now, will the coaching staff please remove their heads from their rear ends? I hope so.

Roman: Look, this is the same coaching staff that drew up the game plans for Rex's good games as well. The responsibility to perform hangs on Grossman's shoulders. He wants to be a No. 1 quarterback, so play like it.

Roman--you raise a good point. But really, Favre's been throwing interceptions because he hasn't had anyone else around him to throw to (except for Donald Driver).

I don't look at Favre's numbers from this game for evidence that he can still play--I look at the Seattle game. Besides, as many interceptions as he throws, he still puts 6's on the board. Give him time to throw and solid wide receivers (Muhammad and Bradley fit the bill) and he's a playoff QB for another two years.

Personally, I think the Bears could win with Byron Leftwich, Aaron Brooks, Jamarcus Russell or Joey Harrington, but given Angelo's track record, I think the likelihood of going for Jake Plummer, Favre, or sticking with the interception carousel is more likely.

You rex fans are so right, how can he get any worse than 0.0? Did you catch Maddens comment about Favre being able to pump fake and pull the ball back with those big strong hands of his? hmmm, unspoken contrast maybe?

It was good Griese got to play some, he was rusty, after all he hasnt been getting reps in practice or game experience with the first team. But he still has experience as an nfl quarterback and will need to play if the bears are going to advance in the playoffs.

Teams know how to play against rex now, and if the conditions and the protectionn and the pass routes and his health and everything else is not just perfect for him, then rex falls short, no pun intended. Maybe it's not to late to build a lid over the bowl in soldier field, i'm sure bear fans wouldn't mind paying for it. Maybe they could do a seat and lid as a package deal. You can make your own flush joke..

Well... I am so... so... not impressed. We have the same problems since last season and things that worked well in the cream puff part of the season no longer work very well at all. There has been little indication this coaching staff knows what to do to get this highly talented team to a championship level. We are farther away from it now than at any point this season with a playoff game coming up. Pray for dumb luck because that's the only thing that's remotely possible at this point to carry this poorly coached team to a championship. All season, no progress to the next level of play and now we've forgotten how to do the things we did well previously. I hope the Bears do not extend Lovie's contract. I do not believe he is the type of coach we need. Nothing anyone can say will change my mind because I've seen what has happened with my own eyes. Everyone, pray with me, pray hard. With the talent on this team, a streak of good luck could do the trick. Happy New Year to all Bears fans!

The Bears are in trouble. Their defense was so good that other teams were afraid to play against them, but that has now ended. I still say the Cowboys will knock them out of the playoffs. I know that they have to get past Seattle, but if they do (big if) they will score points on the Bears...the Bears offense on the other hand has Rex behind center. The confidence he had going suddenly vanished and he actually posted a worse qb rating than the 1.3! Wow! I didn't think it was possible. As a Cowboy fan, I thought they were done if they met the Bears, but this poor performance has given me faith again. Accept the weakness of your team and realize that they are in danger. I know the Cowboys are weak against the pass, but Seattle is a bigger threat for them than the Bears. I know that my team can be knocked out at any time. Bears fans are oblivious to the meltdown of their team and perhaps the players feel the same way. When it counts they will perform you all say...we'll see about that!

I'm a huge Rex fan and I still can't fathom what I witnessed on sunday night. A game with no pressure or consequence and he comes out and plays like that?

Before I was resigned to the false security that if Rex was that bad again, Griese could step in and lead us to victory. Griese looked almost as clueless.

This team is in severe trouble, and the only saving grace is that the other NFC playoff teams are putrid.

The ONLY good thing about the Bears right NOW is Ced Benson and Urlacker. Don't get me started on Rez who has no BUSINESS playing in the NFL. N O N E.

Well, looks like griese could use some more practice. The lil fellar just can't pass over the lineman, and it wasn't even cold and he was dropping snaps. If lovie can't get his teams ready any better than the game against the packers then the bears will be resting soon for the whole offseason.

I want to reiterate my comment from last week. I hope the whole team gets amnesia. How they played sunday doesn't indicate how they'll play in 2 weeks, but I sure also hope the BEARS were playing possum.
I think Lovie will have a quicker hook if Rex bombs again. The man is not an idiot, just loyal. But in the playoffs, loyalty would mean professional suicide.
Let me also restate the point that the BEARS need some new wrinkles, especially on defense, to throw at their opponents. The O just needs to protect the ball and take a few shots at the deep routes. Run, stop the run, and no big plays. It's a trite adage, but as true now as ever.
And, I don't believe the quarterback change is going to be the salvation of this BEARS team, the defense is, was and ever will be.

I really don't know what to say. If I expect Good Rex Bad Rex shows up. And vise versa. I think it was really about the coaches handcuffing the guy and simplyfying his O too much for this game. Packers knew exactly what plays the BEARS were gonna run. If you're saving it for the post season fine,just don't forget to tell Rex to bring his confidence that he loses like house-keys. If it was possum:great job. Did anyone notice how Davis cut off his route and appear to avoid what turned out to be an INT? Were they suppose to phone it in and lull their next opponent into false security? I'm not one for conspiracy theories but I'd like to believe that so I won't expect a 1 and done post season. I too,won't jump off a bridge or drink drano if to BEARS don't make it to the SB. It's a form of entertainment and I won't let them sucker me into torturing myself and taking the anger out on anyone. I'll just say that it has been a great season. I have no faith in anyone else in our conference. Everyone is the flavor of the "weak". This week it is the Eagles and I refuse to show any faith in anyone else's ability to predict what's gonna progress. Remember: Ms Cleo was a fraud and Dionne Warrick and her psychic friends are nowhere to be found. Once they play the games what will be, will be. Robert,you're not wrong about the Ravens. Old-A$$ Ray Lewis still knows how to rally his D teammates into playing great. If we played lights out like that every week we wouldn't hate-we'd appreciate. I bet everyone in the AFC is scared to play them on any given Sunday. There is absolutely no team in the NFC that other teams are afraid of. Good luck, Chicago. GO BEARS!!!

I've seen someone other blogger mention this...Hillenmeyer is brutal and never gets called out in the media. He looked bad again Sun night and has been beaten for TDs the prior 2 weeks. He looks like a high school player out there (both in size and talent).

Ok...let's keep something in perspective: this game didn't mean anything! As much as people want to say it did, it didn't. I Know that people are going to be asking for the Heads of Rex, Ron, Lovie, and Even Rico! But let's be real: This WAS the Packers playoff game. They had to win and the Bears didn't.

Now to Grossman: For years (10 plus) people have been saying how they don't want a "game manager" they want a playmaker. We have had "game managers" for years...what have we won? While he has to play better. He is still the starter. And I don't care who is behind center, when the home town starts BOOing you, You start to press and then drop snaps, or force throws. Let the kid play. This is the same guy who last year was the backup who was cheered so loud at home that you couldn't hear yourself think!

Now About the GREAT words from Madden: Most were true Grossman does what he said, but this guy also made the comment when the Packers had the ball and a play was blown dead- "That was either going to be a run or a pass" DUH! he said it 3 times! What an idiot!

So let's get off the Rex is Bad, and start the We're pulling for you Rex, because you have delt with it all...the success, the boo's, the post game interviews, all of it with class. I can't wait to see the "I told you so" look when your holding the NFC Champion T-shirt and hat! I'm still pulling for you! Don't listen to these fools!

So what happens to Rex after he crashes and burns in the playoffs this year? To Lovie?

At least before, the only question mark was the QB... now it looks like the defense is very questionable as well. Every NFL team has injuries, that can't be an excuse... look at the eagles, they lose there best offensive player, D-Mac, and a big part of the D, Jevon Kearse, and they are still in the playoffs! Does this point to bad coaching possibly?? Or is the depth we have not as good as advertised, blame jerry angelo there...

The most distrubing thing is that they had there 1st stringers in ther against the lowly pack, and got whooped!! And back to the QB situation... I love the Griese-backers out there. I'm not part of the grossman fan club, but griese has less experience than grossman in the playoffs!!! It's basically do or die with Grossman (the next favre, please!)... Can they teach this guy to move around in the pocket?? Good QB's don't need to scrabble all the time, they just have "pocket presence", they know how to step up, or step to the side, to give there receivers that couple of extra seconds to get open... He seems to panic when pressure comes.

I hate being a pessimistic bears fans, but this just points to another one and done postseason...

Thoughts on the game:

Bensen should start the next game, we need all the help we can get

Shame on me for thinking that Grossman had worked out his problems. He has fooled me enough - he cannot and will not win a playoff game for the Bears. It is back to the draft again for another try at finding a quarterback.

The defensive problems are not fixable, as we will see in two weeks.

This season is a lot like 2001 - a lot of unimpressive wins that will lead to a loss in the first round of the playoffs.

What a wasted season....

"But he still may be a better choice than Griese." Really???

Published 11/6/2006, "A lot of teams have the No. 2 quarterback run the scout team. The Bears leave most of that work to Kyle Orton, though Griese gets some reps in the 7-on-7 portion."

Detroit game.
"If Grossman was surprised by the coaches' tactic, then Griese wasn't any more in tune with them. He hadn't even thrown passes on the sidelines in anticipation of going into the game."

Sidebar on that one. ""We felt great about Brian, as I've said all season long, we're happy he's here," Turner said. "He stepped in today with us behind at the >>>>7-yard line

(Yeah, I am very sure it was the job they all anticipated he would do. Funny though that he was only given the nod AFTER the ball ended up on the 7 yard line.) Think about it.

We all learned Griese was going into the Packers game after the half, at the same time Griese did. Geez, nothing like a bit of advanced warning.

Funny, Griese has had so very little time with the team, yet he still out-did Grossman. Longest pass play of the year. So he had 2 Ints. Looked like the timing was off the whole half. In his half, Griese put up more points than GB. Didn't give them 13 either.

Funny thing also, that the Defense ALLOWED only half the yards in the 2nd half, that they allowed in the 1st. ??? One would almost think they were charged up about something?

Smith has made his bed. Guess he has to sleep in it. I have to wonder how much sense it makes for any Coach to give the Back-up hardly any Reps though? Hoping his 'raise' reflects this.

But then he has made it very clear that he wants Grossman to get the glory, no matter what. Must not have a QB controversy, so let us not give Griese anything remotely resembling a fair chance.

I can see his point. With Griese getting even a quarter of the reps, the football world would understand just how bad Grossman is really stinking the place up.

Well, most of them know already.

Bad coaching has been masked by bad QB play. Fire the entire coaching staff as well as the GM!!!!!

This last game is no indication of how they'll play in the playoffs. Even though it sucks to see them play like this against the hated Packers. What the Bears need is to have a really good, spirited practice next week and they'll be fine. Besides, they'll probably be playing the Seahawks or Cowboys and neither one looks like a threat. I'd say it's a 70-30 chance that Grossman will play a decent game. If he doesn't get it done in the first half, go to Griese.

Roman responds: Seahawks or Giants.

Yes, let's fire the coaching staff that has gone 29-19 in three seasons.

Say it with me, now...

1-
2-
3-

Racism!

Blah blah blah "you're just playing the race card," blah blah blah "the Bears haven't won a playoff game," blah blah blah "cream puff schedule," blah blah blah "predictable gameplan," blah blah blah "stupid to stick with Rex," blah blah blah SHUT. UP. ALREADY.

Facts:
a) Lovie Smith has the Bears in the playoffs for the second time in his three seasons as head coach.

b) It took two consecutive losing seasons for Dave Wannstedt to get fired.

c) Smith already has more winning seasons than Dick Jauron.

I figure the Bears'll most likely lose their playoff game and the Bears faithless will call for Lovie's job.

It's only funny because this team is two wins (or, perish the thought, one good offseason) away from the Super Bowl. If you folks can work past the institutionalized notions of what you want from a coach, maybe you might notice that--oh snap!--the Bears have another division title.

I suppose that's too much to ask for.

One thing I will comment on is the D. Favre sure looked good going against our second string D. He did score that one TD but that was it. With Rex and the O going 3 and out or putting up passes for the other team to convert into TDs,the D was out there a good little while. And if Brett could only muster up 7 points against our 1st string,what's the problem? He did nothing against our 2nd string so I think his stats were inflated by NBC and nothing else. Yes,this was their playoff game and they had that intensity. But that game was all about Brett. They didn't even comment on what was going on during the game only about Brett this and that. So there is your bone now go away. I'm not sure about Rex. That's it. Everything will take care of itself. It's evident that Rex can not turn it on once he starts cold. As long as Lovie pull the switch before it's too late we'll be fine. Give it to Benson. Put in two TEs and a FB with one receiver and put it on him. The guy alone could put us over the top. I know I've been slow to going with him but NOW it doesn't matter if he is too one dimensional. Let them stop him. While everyone else is wounded and gimping this late in the season,now is the time to unleash him. Rex doesn't seem to take advantage of what we offer so why trust him TOO much now. I would Love to have a multi purpose offense but he won't let that happen consistently. I don't know what to do WITH him. I think it's too late to go with Griese as a savior. I don't know if Griese would've been the answer even earlier. Get Rex squared away. Give him an offensive gameplan that HE can live with. Go with his strengths and if that don't work...GO WITH BENSON. Now,MR Barranco, please don't bring up Dallas again. They have worst problems than the BEARS. Your QB has shown he's as big a fraud as ours. You guys LOST to the Lions AT home. And the Eagles AT home. What makes you think that Romo will be able to execute with Seattle's 12th man. So please stop appearing on this blog talking about your team especially after the way they have been playing lately. They haven't come close to losing,they've flat out lost WHEN they've needed to win. You have Parcells on the sideline imploring his receiver to run when he's just jogging. When you guys have someone who isn't even trying to win it's SO evident you're gonna have more problems than anyone else. Give me a Dallas blog I can go on and annoy their fans. Any one of these teams can go all the way. Even the BEARS if you don't believe it. Don't concede defeat because of what you've seen in meaningless games this past month. That's what it is;a month of meaningless games. If we fall flat in the post season chalk it up to a better team winning. That's exactly what has been happening to most of these teams for the past month. They've lost when they were trying to win and the BEARS have won when they didn't necessarily have to. I can't say what is worst;losing when you want to win or winning when you don't even have to. The BEARS won their conference lead by 3 games.3 GAMES!!! That shows a team know how to win WHEN they've needed to. Let those guys play their hearts out next weekend to see who gets to come to Chicago. Now is the time for the BEARS to win because THEY need to. I think we will. GO BEARS!!!

Rex should of been benched long before Packer game. Lovie's stubborness to stick with Rex may be bears undoing. Rex simply is not even a average nfl QB. Awful would be too good to describe Rex.Folks who think different wait til Bears get blown out of playoffs!

DARRYL M: STOP with the RACE card!!!!! Lovie and his coaching staff will and should be under scrutiny, especially if it's ANOTHER one-and-done playoff run... So just making it to the playoffs is your measure of success?!?!? It is not mine and it shouldn't be for the rest of the bears fans!!!

The bears are one of, if not the best team in a very weak NFC... Another early exit in the playoffs is not acceptable, no matter if he's black, green, or yellow!!! The players, front office, and LOVIE are all accountable... And it's not because of race!!!!

Regardless of Lovie's race we do need to win. Now, do I think he needs to win to stay in Chicago? Get real. Some of you guys will fire anyone just because that's your answer to everything. This team has been losing for years before Lovie got here and with him they've turned in around. Some of you aren't racist just a little naive to think that just anyone would've done it like he has. Really, who has done it better for us since Iron Mike? Even he rusted out long before he was fired. I think Darryl M. is right about that what he said. There are some people offended that the BEARS are led by a black dude. True. That's the world we live in. Some people don't like him because of his first name. Some people want the landscape to remain like it was. Archie Bunker-like talking about those were the days. What days? Better or for worse these are the days. If you're a minority you're taught that you'll have to do better than the majority to even get your foot in the door. True. But that's the world we live in. It's like calling someone a bad name. If the shoe fits wear it. If it doesn't apply let it fly. I never understand why people get so adamant that race is not in the equation.For some people race is a part of every equation. If you know that your reason isn't based on race why dignify the person with a response? You can't argue for anyone but yourself. The shoe must have fit someone. This team has holes just like every team in the league. Guys are injured all over. ANYONE can lose. I'm an optimist but really how do you expect the BEARS to win the Superbowl when there are teams in the AFC that are way better than ANY team in the NFC. Fact of life. There was a time when the NFC ruled. Times change and the tide turned. Some of you guys have been hurting yourselves in anticipation of the BEARS winning the SUPERBOWL. Come on that's not gonna happen. I want to believe it but reality slaps me in the face like 30 below windchill. We won't win it all and that won't be LOVIE'S fault. We don't have LT or the Raven's D. Nor do we have the consistent level of competition that the AFC has. Fact of life. Winning a SB would not complete me. It wouldn't give my life more meaning. It's not a notch on my belt and doesn't pay my bills. Some of you guys have TOO much wrapped up in the BEARS winning it all. That's not the BEARS problem, it's yours. You have millionaires playing a game that doesn't even have the same meaning for them as for you. Winning a SB is sometimes the difference in an extra 500k in bonus money. So is it for you or for them to win? Guys change teams so much that they don't have the same loyalties that you have. No one on the 85 BEARS could even change teams at the time. If they didn't sign they couldn't play. Ask Todd Bell and Al Harris about that. Times have changed. TRUE..But that's the world we live in. That said,GO BEARS!!!

After reading Jay Marriotti's column all i can say is amen. Well, that's not all i can say, i don't want to have to comment but being a bears fan all my life i don't feel like i should have to explain if i want to criticize the head coach or even say he should be fired. No one accused me of racism when i wanted abe gibron to be fired, besides who is ever gonna risk hiring a minority coach if they can't replace them without the race card being played? So far Mora and Green have gone, well, is that racism too? Its the nature of the business, win or else move on, remember even Ditka got fired so can't we all just get along to a super bowl? chicago deserves it.

Dear Cardinals: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE hire Ron Rivera as your coach!!!!!!!! Even better have him bring Ron "Stomach" Turner, Wade "Quarterback Killer" Wilson and Lovie "one and out in the Playoffs" Smith and this stupid "Tampa 2" defense with him. Since this season is over it is time to think about an interim coach to run the Team until we can hire Bill Cowher in 2008 when he's ready to come back to work. In addition, we have to think about our draft needs: Quarterback, Defensive Line, Safety and Linebacker. Seldom have I seen a coaching staff blessed with such talented Players absolutely waste them and destroy a Team like this crew has. This coaching staff makes Matt Millen look like a genius!! Unfortunately for us loyal fans, the Bears had a such a weak schedule this year that the Players were able to overcome the horrendous coaching and win 13 games and keep Lovie and the Teamwreckers around one more year. If it had been a tough schedule, the Bears would have finished 3-13 and we would be interviewing Bill Cowher right now! Well at least poor Dennis "The Bears are who we thought they were!!" Green was right about one thing, the Bears are a fraud this year. Lovie and his staff are exactly who I thought they were!! Unfortunately. Oh well, like any good Cubs, oops I mean Bear's fan let's cheer "Wait til' next year!". Oops again, I mean wait until 2008 when we can get Bill Cowher!!!

I'm kind of a Rex apologist, but let's keep it in perspective that the Bears are trying to win a Super Bowl with a quarterback who is playing his first year in the league. If Rex is on, he is by far the best QB the Bears have (and one of the best in the league). If he's off, then Lovie needs to put in Griese to try to win. Inconsistency is what you get with a young QB. Peyton Manning had 28 INTs his first year and his QB rating was worse than Rex's this year (the Colts were 3-13 that year). I'm not worried at all about Rex's future and I hope the Bears aren't stupid enough to train and develop him as a professional QB and then get rid of him for some other team's benefit as he learns consistency. But for this year, I agree he is inconsistent. And we'll know by half time if Bad Rex showed up to play the first playoff game. If so, give the ball to Griese for the rest of the game to win the game as a back-up (isn't that why Griese's salary is a lot more than Rex's anyway?).

Grossman has this uncanny ability to fall apart if he does not get off to a good start. The worse that he plays, the worse he gets like a snowball rolling down hill.
I keep hearing about him being so confident but I sure as hell don't see it.
When he starts going down hill his eyes just glaze over and he becomes a total mess.
He rarely sidesteps a blitz or rolls out of the pocket and instead just back peddles until he is unable to complete a pass for any gain at all. Backing up 15 yards and then completing a 7-yard pass is not going to cut it.
How in the hell are his receivers supposed to help him out when he is running away from them?

He came from a high profile, passer friendly college program and has been in the NFL for 4 years now.
His mechanics and ability to read a defense should be there by now yet he continues to throw off his back foot or throw passes right to defenders for easy scores. This may be as good as he ever gets right here.

Roman responds: Who says he's confident? I don't see it either. Sometimes I wonder if he just looks like the deer in headlights normally or if that's his lack of confidence.

I wonder if anybody remembers the preseason and how bad the bears looked? they came out smokin at the start of the season maybe just maybe this will be the case when the playoffs begin. It looked to me like the bears won't show anything untill the game means something BETTER TO WIN WHEN IT COUNTS GO BEARS

Fan from Wisconsin. Been a Bear fan all my life and haven't seen a decent QB since Sid Luckman. Grossman is pathetic and how much longer will it take Lovie to realize that? Bears are lucky that they are playing against the worst teams in the other divisions but with Grossman they probably will have another one and out in the playoffs.

WMD, I wouldn't care if Lovie Smith was green, if he hadn't made the biggest mistake a Coach can make.

You do NOT make your entire season and the Playoffs, dependent on a QB that has screwed up as often, and as horribly as Grossman.

Look around the League. QBs with a lot fewer sordid games than Grossman's 5, were being benched all over the place. There isn't another QB in the League that would still have his job after puttin together a season like Grossman just had.

Trouble is, Lovie Smith was so bound and determined that NO ONE take away from the luster of Grossman, that he neglected to allow Griese ANY snaps with the 1st team, and precious FEW with the Scout Team, all year.

Griese went into the Detroit game COLD, and led the winning Drive, after Grossman went 4 of 10 for 37 yards in the 2nd half.

Tell me how much better Grossman is than Griese???

Brian Griese, First 23 games as a Starter. 1999 - 2000
Grossman, First 23 games as a Starter. 2003-2006
Brian Griese, Last 21 games as a Starter and mop-up, 2003-2006

ATT Comp. % .....yards YPA TD Int +20 +40
788 477 60.5%.. 5,722 7.26 29 18 75 11
675 367 54.4%.. 4,496 6.66 27 26 66 11
672 437 65.%..... 4,801 7.13 33 27 57 13 (3 different teams)

Then take a look at the Defenses of those teams, as compared to the Bears.

Trouble is, the Grossman crowd wants to give him credit for all the good ("40" takeaways by the Defense for instance) and just ignore all the bad. (More TOs returned for TDs than most of the TEAMS in the NFL)

Then you all blame the Defense? Take a look at the yardage and points allowed by the Defense in each half of the Packers game. Kind of difficult for them to play THEIR game when their Offense is giving the ball back after one to 3 snaps every drive.

Don't even think that they aren't aware that Griese hasn't been getting any practice. Don't believe all you hear about how they are all 100% behind Grossman.

BTW, the Bears are 9th in Pass Scoring. 11th in Run Scoring. They are 3rd in total Scoring, but that takes into account all of the Defense and Special Team scoring.

When Grossman is giving the ball back every other pass, they are too worn out to score.

Roman responds: Wow, that's a long email, but I have to say your grammar is pretty good. As for one of your early points, a few coaches have stuck with inconsistent QBs this season. Eli Manning has been as bad as Rex at times and still has a job. Bill Parcells may wish he didn't switch to Tony Romo, who has stunk it up at times. I just don't know what to think about Rex. I wouldn't be surprised if his rating is anywhere from 0.0 to 110 in two weeks.

Abe Gibron sucked from day one and needed to be fired. No one can argue that. The BEARS sucked for many years and the coaches during those times needed to be fired. Why fire a guy if he has shown better than what you've seen consistently in DECADES? Spending money wins SBs nowadays. Did you forget who owns the BEARS? NUFF SAID. GO BEARS!!!

Ed B., you are a moron!Until a couple of pro bowlers went down our d was the best in the nfl.Draft defensive line and safety? If i'm not mistaken we have 2 pro bowlers, 2 former pro bowlers,1 alternate,and possibly 2 future pro bowlers.As much as you lovie haters whine about his descions and so forth facts are facts.The man has won 2 division title in a row, he beat the packers 4 out 6 times,he has the best record in the nfl over the last two seasons.Yea,turner has made some bad play calling but his offense has had the best season in 12 years (which by the way was turners offense also).I know the expectations are high for this team and the whole city is anxious to win the super bowl but we need to cross that bridge of bashing when and if the time comes.People can say all they want about our week schedule but really who is that much better then the bears besides the chargers, not the ravens and that week ass o they have or the saints with the lack of d( i know all about these guys i live there).C'mon guys we beat 3 out of 4 playoff teams we have played this year and possibly should of won the game in foxboro.A little more support and less bashing might help ya'll.DA BEARS!!

The bottom line, to me, is not how this regular season ended, but how agressive the BEARS come out in 2 weeks. I will beat this point to death until I die, the amount of agression the BEARS display will illustrate how confident they are. You can't fake it. If you're unsure of any part of your plan, you will be exposed.
The only thing that will disappoint me is if they come out flat. There is absolutely no excuse for that. If I was Lovie, I would tell the team, look nobody believes in you, not even your own fans. Put the chip on your shoulder's and win for yourselves and the hell with everybody else.
No judgement until I see how agressive they come out. I'll know within the first 10 minutes how the year will conclude.

Sorry, I will try to keep it shorter.

Eli Manning? His ONLY TWO games w/Rating under 50, came against NO AND CHICAGO. 41.3 and 28.3 Respectively.

Tony Romo? Surely you jest. Only ONE game w/rating under 50. 45.5
AND that was against Philly.

After TEN games, Romo has 19 TDs and 13 Ints. After 10 games, Grossman had 10 TDs and 9 Ints.

Romo has done this with the guy who holds the record for most dropped passes in the NFL this year.

Grossman's only excuse is that his Receivers will never have that record. He would have to get the ball somewhere in their vicinity before they could drop it. (sarcasm)

Roman responds: He also leads the NFL in touchdown receptions. Yeah, I know, no QB has been as Jekyll-and-Hyde as Rex, but others have had bad stretches. And Romo is overrated, although I do like his name.

The Bears played like crap again because Lovie did not demand they play to their ability. Maybe he suggested it or said "pretty please". This is what happens when you have lazy players and a soft head coach. He acts and talks soft because he is soft. As a result they play soft. They were outplayed by an inferior team because they knew they didn't have to play hard. No accountability for another poor performance all around. The Bears are poorly coached, it's as plain as day.

Save you money Bear's Fans ...they're not even going to come close to getting in the Super Bowl. This is an 8 and 8 team disguised as a would be Conference Champion and should have been, at best, a Wild Card team in the playoffs. The Bears management is dumb-enough to start poor Rex in the playoffs. I just wonder how long they'll stay with him when he starts throwing to the opponent's secondary.I would have been happier to see an 8 and 8 Wild Card Bears Team with a lot of heart and fight than a 13 and 3 imposter.

Well, not really! I am assuming you meant TD Passes.

NFL Passing Touchdowns
Rank Player Team Yds Att Cmp TDs Ints Long Rating
1 Peyton Manning IND 4397 557 362 31 9 68 101.0
2 Carson Palmer CIN 4035 520 324 28 13 74 93.9
3 Drew Brees NO 4418 554 356 26 11 86 96.2
4 Tom Brady NE 3529 516 319 24 12 62 87.9
5 Eli Manning NYG 3244 522 301 24 18 55 77.0
6 Marc Bulger STL 4301 588 370 24 8 67 92.9
7 Rex Grossman CHI 3193 480 262 23 20 62 73.9
8 Philip Rivers SD 3388 460 284 22 9 57 92.0

BTW, Romo is 12th with 19, and he only started 10 games.... That is nearly 2 per game.
Hasselbeck is 14th with 18, and he missed 4 games.
Garcia is 29th, but only because he only played 6 games. Has 10 TDs and 2 Ints., though. Hmmmm.

Well, there is one thing you can say for Grossman though. The Bears D led the league in Take Aways. (It is a whole lot easier to get a TD from the enemy 1 yard line, than to drive the field)

15 of Grossman's TDs were on Drives that started inside the Opponent's 50 yard line.

Roman responds: You referred to TO, who leads the league in dropped passes. And I pointed out he also leads the league in TD receptions, at least he did heading into last weekend.

The Bears are an 11-5 team that had an extra large helping of luck that translated into 2 extra victories. Even at 11-5 they may still have been the #1 seed. The problem is they should have been a solid 15-1 powerhouse and are playing like an 8-8 team heading into the playoffs. This is due to a below average (being very kind here) coaching job. If they were 13-3 without all the luck that would have been average. Above average would have achieved a 14-2 to 16-0 mark without all the luck and would be primed to dominate in the playoffs. This team could beat anyone anywhere if they played at their potential. It's the head coach's job to make sure that happens. They are not even close.

Yeah, he still leads the league.

I wonder if that has anything to do with Romo's 65% Comp. rate?

I have also often wondered if Mushin Muhammed isn't a bit miffed over Grossman's 54%?

You have to remember he wasn't very happy last year, and why.

At any rate, I gave up counting the times that Grossman flat out missed Muhammed this year. Among others.

On a side note, I wonder who the Player was who said, "Better now than in 2 weeks", when they were coming back on the field after the half Sunday?

I have a hunch.....

BTW, before anyone disses Muhammed, he did almost as well with Orton last year...with one game off.

REX IS NOT THE MAN HE IS A GATOR QB
ENOUGH SAID

Between Rex "I'm REALLY gonna try next time" Grossman, Tank "shoot em' up" Johnson, and the debacle defense, that as of late, couldn't stop a girl scout from single handedly moving the ball downfield, Da Bears don't have a Prayer.

rex is a florida product
he will never win anything for chicago

The biggest mistake the Bears can do, is giving Lovie Smith a contract extention. This is one poorly coached team. A monkey could have won as many games as Smith considering the talent that this team has.Sunday against the Packers, Benson was chewing them up and he kept putting Jones in. Turners play calling is as predicable as my grandma bloomers. Bears management new what they were doing when they hired this coach for peanuts. They new whoever had the reins of this team would be competitive, considering the talent he would inherit

Lovie deserves a contract extension!the record the team has speaks for itself.The pseudo-fans always jump on the bandwagon when the teams are winning.(nothing wrong with wanting teams who win)the bloggers from other states(teams) who think their take on our (chicago)teams are legit should know that we are not silly enough to believe any self destructing "ideas"they suggest.you say "Get rid of Urlacher?"that is smart, seeing he is one of the best players ever to play linebacker.Same goes for the people who wanted us to Get rid of Cedric Benson cause they didnt like the way he "looked",
and to those who wanted Tank Johnson burned at the stake without a trial or the proper facts.(his weapons were registered in Arizona). that thump!!!you hear is people jumping on the bandwagon for both teams,(Bears and Bulls)it is a favorite practice of pseudo-fans.....signed a Real Fan....DOC

Roman responds: I'm not sure what difference it makes that his weapons were registered in Ariz. I really don't. Who cares?

Robert....Robert Barranco... are you out there Robert? Now you can disappear once and for all after your pro bowl QB dropped an easy FG try. I feel sorry for him. But that silly grin had to go. I thought his grin was silly until that guy ran the Kickoff back with a sillier grin. I'm just glad I won't have to see either one again this season. Bye Bye Robert.. GO BEARS!!!

People who dont trust Grossman can say that Peyton can be trusted earlier. Grossman through all this thick and thin has pulled together a more productive season that Peytons first 16 starting game season. Let that broil for a bit then check back in.
You can forget the SB for this year, its just not gonna happen. But looking in the future we now have a QB that we can grow with. Give him time, he will develop into a veteran that will make less mistakes.

As far as Griese, forget that noise. That old man stepped in and jacked everything up just the same. Oh wait, he did have that TD pass, but of course my grandma could have made that 1 on 1 pass. Sad times.

Lets just enjoy beating Seattle then find something else to watch for the massacre that will be laid on us from New Orleans.

Tony Romo---now there's a clutch quarterback.

I read where some of the Bears players don't like the NFC being called the JV of the NFL. Too bad. It's true. Even if the Bears will, it's still true.