Game day: Bears v. Saints

RO'D if the Bears game was available in my area (I live 50 outside Charlotte) the only incentive to watch todays game would be to see if Hester gets a chance to run the ball back at all and then I'd still only start watching after the Bulls Game (I do pay for the league pass)is over. As you ponited out the Bears season was done after the loss to the Giants but the Bulls still have time to turn their season around and I'm interested in seeing how Boylan continues handling the team.

By the way here's your headline for tomorrow....
Thank God It's Over!

I am not sure about this...(and JB can back me up on it)...but...I dont think you can start a paragraph with..

"Also, and..."

Can you?

Unlike TimL I will be going to some stinky Bar at 10am again to watch this game, not sure why. I think its similar to "sleep walking"

Also...Ricky...you should go back and Read the early Bears Posts, where I slammed Reggie Bush...again...ask JB about this one.

Hey Hitman, I guess T2J needs to rack up 3 Touchdowns today, OR I WIN THE BET!!!

After watching a real professional football game last night, the upcoming Bear's scrum will be that much harder to stomach.

They used to show the cartoon before the featured attraction; not afterwards.

ok, I'm watching the espn pre-game for first time in a LONG time...is there any way I can get sub-titles for my TV when Emmitt Smith talks? I can't understand a word he says...

4:12 am folks...will Ricky make it for game time?

and besides...Tennessee would like to thank Houston and New Orleans, too;)~

Our #1 off season moves.... cut Benson and let Rex go

We will win this game today and we're drafting the Stewart boy from Oregon....

2nd and 3rd rounds will bring the OLine help

Kyle is our QB...

Saints K.O.'d...

Ricky responds: Here's the deal: the reason I am up so late is because I work at the Sun-Times on our new high school sports website, and last night, I didn't get home until 3:30 a.m. I'm there really late every night, so I stay up late/sleep late because I have to. I figured you guys would rather have something to read when you wake up then when I wake up (usually after noon), so I write these posts at ridiculous times every day.

Thats right around Bar close too?? Saturday Night? coincidence? I doubt it...

Thanks to Heaven Hester the Bears lost out on a top 10 pick. Devin Hester had a catch/run TD & a catch/return TD. Momentum for 2008? No.

Momentum for 2008 was achieved when the Bears demolished the Packers. It would have been better to approach this game as if it were pre-season & you were evaluating the talent on the team.

I'm not foolish like Mariotti or Telander. I would never suggest the Bears actually use a top 10 pick. The Bears front office doesn't have that kind of talent. But a top 10 pick should always be worth at least a middle first rounder & either a 2nd rounder or a couple of late round picks. That's something I think Angelo has had success with.

This actually should be an easy off-season for Angelo. He's not rebuilding the team to get to the SB but rather to beat Detroit & the Vikings. That's 4 games they should have won.

Prioritizing needs: OL > DL > WR > DB > RB > QB Why?

Because the Bears win primarily with dominating defense & special teams. That's been the case since Urlacher arrived. You can't be a dominant defense unless you have a strong running game to chew up the clock.

The Bears can win with Orton as QB behind a strong running game. Unlike Grossman he is smart & can make the most of play-action, dump-offs, screens, over the middle, & outlet passes set up by the rushing attack. There isn't a great difference between Grossman & Orton when it comes to the long bomb either.

I'm totally willing to give this whole season a pass because there were far too many things to overcome. I have to stop hating on Turner and Babich,if I ever did, because they did have quite a few things to overcome as coordinators. After having about 12 one-time starters on D go on I.R. I HAVE TO GIVE Babich an incomplete. And with Turner having to settle for this relic of an O line and having his biggest contributer traded for a abg of peanuts I'll give him a C-. Say whatever you want about this team but it had more than it's share of ups and downs. I know that injuries are a part of league but NO other team was dealt that blow like they were. I saw some improvement by a lot of guys and Orton have all day to throw and fail to connect several times today. There isn't a great future in his improvement. Bring back Grossman if you want to see some improvement. I hated on him earlier but I wasn't wrong for it. He's better than Orton and Stevie Wonder can see that. I don't care about not playing for a season or two he just took over where he left off two year ago.

The worst thing that could have happened to the Bears did. By winning these last two games everybody will now think they are OK coach and personal wise. Nothing is farther from the truth. They are a bad football team with bad coaches and without major changes will be 7 and 9 again next year.

Juan sez: "There isn't a great difference between Grossman & Orton when it comes to the long bomb either."

That's what I noticed too. He's a big boy with a strong arm, with has more size and overall strength than Grossman.

The ladies are right; size matters.

Big Mo'! Let's see if a lack of front office movement knocks us off stride?

Well, the Fat Lady sang, and the off-season has begun.

I know the Bears have a variety of needs, but I believe that if they focus on building a killer offensive line through the draft and free agency, many of their problems will be remedied.

Keep A.P., draft or sign another running back, and inform Bensen that he'll have to work awfully hard to earn his next start, because it sure as Hell won't be handed to him in 2008.

Same with the QB position. Shop all three of them because they're just a trio of back-ups as far as I'm concerned. After unloading one of them, keep the remaining two, and draft a potential starter. Then make it an "honest" open competition in training camp; may the best man win.

Lock Hester into a long term contract.

Try to resign Briggs, but don't mortgage the farm in order to do so.

Allow #54 to roam more freely next year.

Dump Mushin.

Give Mike Brown another shot with an incentive laden deal that isn't front loaded, and is totally dependent on his ability to avoid injury and remain on the field. He's sacrificed his body for this team, and deserves at least that much.

Dump Archie.

Try to resign Berrian, but again ... don't mortgage the farm in order to do so.

Hire someone to carry Brad Maynard wherever he wants to go until the opening game next year. His leg is solid gold.

Dump Miller.

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with "And, also...blah blah blah," to start a paragraph. The commas saved it. You're welcome.

Doggone it..I didn't get the game...instead I had to listen to
Daryl Johnston explain to the world that the Packers losing to the Bears twice was a fluke....the first time the Packers had the game won and melted in the second half( if that is the case, then the Bears melted in the first half, and came back to 'have the game won').
The second game, he said you "would have gotten ten different outcomes if the game was played ten different times in that weather". Is it possible that we may have found a bigger idiot then Joe Buck? Yes it is......Tony Siragusa made a point to showcase a sign at lambeau that said " hey Bears, who you playing next week". Obviously unaware of the sign at the Bears -Seahawks playoff game last year that said " hey Packers, who you got this week." Then the fat Bas***d, continually paraded himself as the inventor of 'the nugget'....his version of a obscure and useless tidbit of information. It was almost as if he was saying it is the whole reason why Fox has given him his job and is going to keep it. Thank goodness they cut him off to show an 'update'...ironically it was Devin running one back.

Juan and Mark.

THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GROSSMAN LONGBALL AND AN ORTON LONGBALL. Grossman's get dropped and Orton's are Overthrown,underthrown,to the left or to the right. Orton is a terrible quarterback. You really think that the reason he has not played is because the coaches are idiots?????
Rex is probably the purest, most natural thrower you will ever see, with an unparalelled touch. The Problem is that he is way too advanced for the Bear's system, and plays 'too fast'(no not scrambiling)-that's why he looks like an idiot-he will not be lassoed in--his fault though. That's why I would love to see him leave the Bears so we can see just how good he is. Just hope he does not end up in Green Bay...

BC, if memory serves, you've never once said anything positive about Reggie Bush. Unless you count the Kim Kardashian reference, but I think you meant that as a slam too. I just thought you were jealous or something with that one. She does have a huge ass incidentally.

BTW, I bet I finished higher in my fantasy leagues than you did.....even with Bush.

Stuck, Daryl Johnston gets a free pass due to the beautiful blue eyes he wears on his face. Joe Buck, on the other hand, has no excuse.

A quick note to William R. Donald. An incomplete for Boobich? Gimme a break. Turner got a D- as did Boobich. Where was this play action scenario all year Ronnie? I was for Rex, but with a 250 pound slug as a running back, and who also could barely hold onto his ego, rather than a pass, he was doomed. Sorry Rex, you should go. Brian Griese, trade for a sack of dirty jocks. Keep Mr. Orton, and draft a QB in the 2nd round. And oh my lord, Babich should be demoted to Lovie Howell's yes man, and bring in a real Coordinator, aka Ron Rivera. Or another novel idea. Mike Singletary. Then when Lovie gets canned you have a built in replacement.

Even Ricky Schroder eventually started going by Rick. I bet Silver Spoons went off the air before our Little Ricky was even born!

I just checked Wikipedia - it went off the air in 1986. Gag me with a - oh, never mind.

Wasn't Urlacher playing outside linebacker on a lot of plays, sure seemed like it... Briggs was playing middle linebacker. Need to resign Briggs and Grossman, cut Griese, that should give the money for Briggs. Let Berrian and Benson go... Definitely sign Brown and Brown again, it isn't his fault he was hurt. I agree with signing Dixson from Oregon. Seems like with Kennedy and Tipeau(!?!?!?) dee line is good, Maybe start Williams at linebacker with Briggs and Brian. Add another wide receiver from the draft, find the stud running back and get some new additions to the o line. I don't know what hapeened to Turner in the last two games, but he turner it around. Last thing, McBride gives us 3 first class corners, he played great.

funny, I had you pegged as a Siragusa girl. What about his eyes?

TANYA TUCKER SAYS IT ALL ITS A LITTLE TOO LATE TO DO THE RIGHT THING NOW-ORTON-ORTON-ORTON- ORTON-ORTON-ORTON.....

First of all the Bears did what every other team that has lost the Super did recently-They falied to make the playoffs the folowing year. The only exception was the Seahawks last year and the Bears eliminated them in the playoffs. They thought that the trend did not apply to them and a lot of us agreed. They thought the had a QB/RB and OL that were championship ready.They thought they had a defense that was also ready. There was no real competition in the pre season because Smith and Angelo had it all fiqured out and the big money contracts to prove it. Angelo's draft was a failure except for an under ultized tight end. The training camp was soft and the coach's had no clue of how to solve the diaster they had allowed to happen. THE BEARS WERE NOT WHO THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE!! Until they can fiqure out how to run the ball they will still be the worst team in thier division.

It was good to see the bears play hard and at least act like they cared. wonder why it took until the last two games for them to show any pride and heart. And also, how lovie finally got them to play like they gave a damn. Maybe lovie gave them one of those Dusty talks, the ones where all the media and the fans are against us and we just have to go out there and win for ourselves and each other to show everyone else what jerks they all are. Great motivational tactic if you are coaching convicts, conmen, cretins or some combination of these.

Oh well, there is always next year. Wonder if the team management will let lovie pick his own coaches next year. So far he has come up with Terry Shea and Bobbich. I don't think either turner or riviera were lovie's idea. So who will we get next?? Maybe Lovie will start calling the offensive plays, that would be fun to watch.

I'm always so intrigued at the stupidity of Tony Siragusa's sideline reports to notice his eyes. Or, I'm too distracted by his obesity.

Bears began spring training about 3 weeks ago so this was the time to step up and play for next year. A couple of observations. Coach Smith got outcoached all year. His lack of preparation by his team was evident in many games and the ability to make adjustments like not sending Garrett Wolfe into the middle of the line. The first time Ok but the 10th time use your headset for something other than to warm your ears talk to your coaches make changes have the plays available so you look involved in the game. We're stuck with this guy and more on the job training for Babich, Turner, Nickerson and Pep next year.

Our problem is we have 3 2nd string qb's that all show flashes of brilliance. 2 have strong arms. The key area in the off season is picking up an experienced RB, Safety is an area that the Bears have been snake bit at. Letting Chris Harris go UGH.

Many positives the last few games. There should be open competition at all positions next year. The Offensive (yes I agree) Line needs depth and where was Beekman the last few games.Next year will be the litmus test for Jerry and Lovie they need to add talent to a declining OL and fill the void at LB if Briggs leaves. You don't get better by getting rid of your best players just ask the Cubs they've been doing it for about a century. Bring back the roar next year.

Its a much happier New Year finishing strong.
routine is getting old

They won because the Saints are poor at defense. The Bears defense has alot of holes, too many 10 plus yard plays given up all day. Alot of teams in the NFL would have beaten the Bears today. The Saints just weren't one of them, don't overlook that. The offensive line is slow off the ball and poor at foot work in pass protection. Orton has a slow delivery and equally slow velocity on the ball. Their safeties time and time again over-pursue and get caught giving up big yardage. The ends over rush and are out of position for sweeps, leading to alot of the big gains this season by alot of running backs. Some of the players are just not heads up at times and that is why a guy like Mike Brown is missed so much ( one example is Tillman would have been held up by Brown instead of acting like a hero and coming out of the endzone at the half). Don't forget that the Saints didn't have Bush, Duece, and their best player (Colston) left right after the half. Be real Chi-town, surgery, exploratory is in hand. Not everything is good, your schedule next year is favorable, but you won't go far in the playoffs next year if the obvious isn't cured.

Your reporter Mike Mulligan constantly described the Saints running back / receiver as "Pierre Smith", rather than Pierre Thomas. Does no one there ever do fact checking? It is obvious that he was not watching the game, probably because he was in some bar named "O'something or other"

Everybody wants a new Q-B but who will protect him, run for him and more importsntly catch what he throws them.

Chicago fans what are expecting. There are times when I question the meatball mentality of Chicago fans.

So we get this big time Q-B,this guy will get barried. The key to winning Football and particularily in Chicago is Running the Football and Stopping the Run. A Big time Q-B can not also have big time success without a successful Running Back. The Bears do not have such an item.

This team needs 3 positions that it needs to address: Running Back, O-Line and D-Line. Got that Mentally challenged Chicago Football Fans!

Riddle me this. Was it because of the Quarterback why the Bears won the Superbowl in 85? Dominant D and the Greatest Football Player of All Time Walter Payton. Thank you! Thank you!

Orton certainly throws a better ball than Greasy, but it's still not a Rex ball. He really is the best "passer" that the Bears have had for as long as I can remember. Hopefully he could grow into a QB from being a pure passer.

Orton still has lots of growing to do. Seems awfully attached to his TE for starters. But I think he might make it in the NFL.

Pretty Ricky did a good job in Roman's absence. Culzie your respond to Ricky's post was priceless.

I agree with Big Willie except for the Grossman part. Horton is taller (sees the field) and protects the ball better. We need to bring in McNabb and call Rex and Griese a McCab.

I think injuries hurt the Bears a lot. Still don't like Turner, but how creative can you get with no QB, RB and Fred Miller? I don't like Babich either, but when a defense loses Vasher, Mike Brown, Tommie Harris and add Archuletta, you have to cut him some slack.

Bears needed to win those games and answered a lot of questions about next year. It made Angelo's job a lot easier. We are going to have to let go of Berrian and Briggs. They are good, but not Heaven Hester good. That's the guy to keep.

What do McGowan, ABrown, Bradley, Ap, Wolfe, Hester, and "Kyle Orton" all have in common?...DOH!!

Offensive line looks a lot better, huh?...lmao

and also, how about the song "Without RexandCed?"....DOH!!

Oh, and how about 7-9? DOH!!DOH!!DOH!!

Shall I put it in Big, Bold, Friendly Letters?

I TOLD YOU SO....AND (Drum roll please)....KYLE IS OUR QB

"now go away.. or I shall taunt you some more..."

buy a #18 Jersey..

Hey Stuck, ever hear of a satellite dish? And please don't use the phrase "doggone it" anymore. It makes you sound like a hick from Wisconsin. Now go get a drink from the bubbler.

Roman responds: I'm not sure if it's because I'm tired, but that last line made me laugh out loud.

Once again, the game was not broadcast in my area. Once again I had to endure the Packers and Vikings as the Central's offerings. Lots of commentary today.I also watched Thomas Jones show us the mistakes we made in trading him ( rather, "giving" him away ). I don't go along with the idea of losing on purpose to get a higher draft pick or resting starters when one's team is already set in the play-offs. Indy should have beaten Tennessee and gotten Cleveland in, but instead let the scrubs lose the game. Could the commissioner do anything to end the fiascos of the last two season games?

Grossers need to get real. Yes, Rex is the most talented QB the Bears have. He's also the dumbest. You are living in a fantasy world if you think an improved OL is going to change that. Rex showed the world time & again how mentally weak he is. The worst time to turn the ball over is after the other team has gained the momentum in the game. Rex has done that time & again over his career with the Bears. He might have some trade value let but otherwise he's worthless to the Bears.

Orton looked good, but is not long term solution, McNabb maybe, or DAnderson or someone like that. McGowen shoulda been playing all year. Big mistake not taking AA out earlier. He cost us two games personally. I dont understand why they cant play A Brown,Anderson,Harris,and Wally at the same time? I mean, I know that three of them play End, but come on...it makes no sense to sit one. Wolfe and APjr are not the answer at backfield. Hester at Wide Out?

I would say that ROD was a bit worDy...not only for him, but it also promoted wordiness from the posters. Also, maybe taking more controversial angles on the issues woulda been nice.

Otherwise...umm...a monkey could do it.

;)

Happy New Years!!!

Good Job though for real, not an easy group to get respect from.

~B

The Bears need to draft an Offensive lineman and I bet the running game will improve. I know Benson sucks but looking at the last few games there has been no holes to run. Every time the RB gets the ball some one is meeting him in the backfield and there is no space in which to run. Not to mention that there is no fear of throwing the ball because we dont have any fast talented receivers. Give the running backs one more year but look at the Offensive line and Wide reciever and get rid of MUSIN MUHHAMAD and find anyone that has a good 40 time.

Paul sez: "I don't go along with the idea of losing on purpose to get a higher draft pick or resting starters when one's team is already set in the play-offs. Indy should have beaten Tennessee and gotten Cleveland in, but instead let the scrubs lose the game. Could the commissioner do anything to end the fiascos of the last two season games?"

Fiasco? What fiasco?

Why should any team that has earned their spot in the playoffs take the risk of blowing whatever chance they might have to advance by subjecting their best players to injury in a game that is absolutely meaningless to them?

What? To make Vegas happy, and cover the spread?

Let the other team take care of their own business instead of counting on better teams helping them out.

If a starting QB went down in a game that had no consequence for his own team, they'd be hanging the coach in effigy for playing him.

As far as the Browns are concerned, tough cookies. If they'd have won a few more games they wouldn't have had to worry about Indy OR Tennessee.

Like all good students, I skipped over the reading and didn't realise that Roman was on vacation. Suddenly I came to see that a man named Ricky was signing posts. Naturally, I assumed that Roman was involved with some sort of witness protection program and had suddenly changed his name to Ricky.

I missed sunday's game due to family dispute. My father doesn't like the bears anymore (because his bosses tell him he shouldn't) so he locked down the TV this past sunday-no Bears. Don't worry though; I'll be back on the wagon for next week, silly observations and all.

Amen Mike 23. Get Rid off The Moose. He is the Ben Wallace of the Bears. Just talk, talk,talk. 39-40 catches a year does not cut it for the Highest paid Wide Receiver on the team.

Bears fans do you trust this GM to draft a QB and anyother Offensive need we have. The track record of Angelo drafting O help is terrible.

No, it's because I'm funny - like I keep trying to tell you.

;)

You people are on dope or dogfood if you think Orton is the answer at QB! He is taller and protects the ball a little better, but he is also the MOST INACCURATE QB I have ever seen in my life. He is the King of throwing the 5 yard out 10 rows in the stands. I'm seriously thinking about not rooting for Bears because I absolutely can't stand Lovie Smith. He is the biggest coward in Chicago and he said he's bringing back Ron Turner who happens to be Coward number 2! Do u wanna know why the Patriots and Colts win? Not just because of Manning and Brady. But because they don't talk about "managing" the football game and letting the defense win. They try to score TD's EVERYTIME they touch the ball, and they say screw what the defense does! The Cowboys, 49ers, Rams, Patriots, Colts and every other dominant team thinks the same way!

Yeah,Babich:incomplete. Too many injuries to adequately guage what he's about. He had to contend with way too many injuries and I'm sure he wanted A.Brown starting from day one. But too many people butted in and I'm sure he had nothing to do with Bazuian being drafted. Everyone wanted Anderson to start but those who knew that he might've been one-dimensional. Yeah, Incomplete.

Bear have never and will never have a great WR with a great 40 time and great hands. Most of the great WRs are in warm weather cities or somewhere where there is a dome. Too many cold days make these guys real ordinary and the fans too hard on them. Last guy who had a mix of those things took damn near 5 years to get used to the cold and he left once he did. Maybe Moose looks bad in Chicago because all he's good at now is blocking which is what the BEARS usually wants their WRS to do. And the fans want Jerry Rice-like numbers.

don't get me started on satellite doggoneit. I tried one of those
internet tv thingies....for the 'lifetime mebership' of 29.95...I got the game on the internet....well every 30 seconds I got it. So I was stuck with the Packers. Now I have to get up off of the davenport and fetch me a soda.

Paul Manter what makes you say Rex is mentally weak? I think he is actually mentally strong because he has dealt his entire career with idiot fans who blame him for everything.
&
stuckinwisconsin I agree with you Rex is not only the best QB on the Bears, but he is much better than he is made out to be on the Bears. you can put in any QB but with our recievers and OL he wouldn't be able to do anything. I want Rex back in Chicago next year, but he deserves better than to be here and if he chooses to come back here I think the Bears would just be somewhat lucky.

Hey,Sahrish, you're confusing me with a different blogger. I've been a Rex supporter all year and hated to see him benched because of dropped passes and no protection. On the other hand, Mark V., I suppose you generally play it safe and secure. To each his boring own. A team owes its fans the right to see its best players perform. Ask the Bears defense of 2006 what their attitude was when they did not get the chance to be the best defense in football because they were watching from the sidelines.Such safe-playing attitudes carry over and cause unnecessary losses.

For all the Bear quarterback naysayers out there, I too think Rex Grossman is the MOST TALENTED signal caller on the team. After seeing how each signal caller reacted behind our offensive line, which in my eyes has to be the major criteria here, Orton stood tallest in the pocket. If the offensive line makes no improvement next year, Kyle gives us the best chance of winning. While Rex may be the best thrower, he struggles under pressure. This is definitely a love/hate relationship; fix the line and I'll take Rex in a heartbeat, remain intact and I'd choose LEAK over Grossman. Better yet, why don't we just break YEARS OF FRUSTRATION and grab a 'game changer' for cryin' out loud.

So...willy...if your Great WR vs. Chicago logic was a game of Rock,Paper, Scissors..

which would be which....

Speed

Cold

& Dome

Speed beats Dome, but Dome beats Cold, and Cold beats Speed?

Wow!!! Bring the hatorade. Current reports from the score suggest Turner is not gone because Angelo would have fired Babich too. Just like with the firing of Skiles scenario, I don't care either way so both should've been fired.

Orton was inaccurate as usual, even with better protection, looks like the ball was sailing on him. He had one good game, and now he is better than Grossman. Wow!! What, and the Big Ten deserved to win all their bowl games, too. Bunch of homers on this blog.

St. Clair really solidified that line, compared to earlier in this year. Would like to pick up Fanaca, and draft a good lineman with some speed in the 1st round, or draft a wr in the 1st round.
Cut Moose, use the money to re-sign Berrian, pick up a veteran receiver as a Bobby Engram type. Cut Hillenmeyer, re-sign Briggs, or get another good linebacker(not sold on great yet.) Find another intelligent safety, and let him and Brown fight it out for the starter's position. GET TURNER FROM THE CHARGERS!!! Get another O-line coach, put A. Brown in the lineup again. Kennedy is a steal from the meat line.

Please!! for the last time. Orton overthrows, and underthrows his receivers badly, he was late on a lot of tosses. What was his completion percentage last week again? Griese cost us the 2 Detroit games, and the 2 Minnesota games, what a goof. Use his money on Turner, please, release him NOW!!!!!

In short, today's world of systematic programs designed to put people in postions that would give us fans the illusion of formidable talent, it is obvious-the Bears don't have that kind of offensive system. Tom Brady will only be Tom Brady in New Engand. Put him in Chicago and you have what you have always had.
The second Quarterbacks start to realize their own potential,is the second they realize success as an individual in the NFL is Borrowed. Very few people can be successful on their own,that is without a team being built around them. Rex is on his own-despite all the 'Rex is our quarterback' propaganda. When the people and players who adamantly support you are gone,then so are you-even if you are still there. Good night Rex Grossman.

I may have been great growing up but we never got into Rock,Scissors, Paper... I still don't get into it. But look it up. Other than almost any WR that Favre makes look good who else from a warm weather/dome town is a great WR? Don't mention very good, mention great. When was Moose great? Not here.

All I know is that Orton is the only Bears starting QB with a winning record this season. Hmmm.

He steps up in the pocket instead of fading to black like Wrecks -- and taking the Bears out of field position.

I do agree he had better o-line play, but that's on the coaches and their inability to make changes to the o-line until late in the season.

Orton would benefit tremendously from throwing to his tight ends a lot more -- as would all of the Bears' QBs. Not sure why that isn't drilled into their heads. The Bears have okay wide receivers, but above average tight ends who can get the QBs out of a lot of jams. Hester, if he ever learns the offense, could change that.

I think inserting Alex Brown made a huge difference for the Bears D. I think teams had to double team him more, which meant fewer linemen were available to block Urlacher. Urlacher's play picked up dramatically the last few games. Maybe it was the Pro Bowl snub, but I'm thinking it was tied to the insertion of Alex Brown as a starter on the D-line.

Next Season: Angelo is on the clock. He better work some magic to quickly plug in some o-linemen and receivers. I think a better o-line means they can get a decent running back via FA to compete with Benson and Peterson, and won't have to break the bank. I will not be surprised to see the same three QBs with the Bears next season.

Do the Patriots play in a Dome?

I meant broke instead of great when talking about growing up. Believe me it wasn't great. I agree with Chuck, Orton played like he didn't have a clue how to throw a decent pass. Everytime he went back I wondered if he would connect or how far he would be off. You can't prop him up just because he hate Rex. That guy stunk way more than Rex

Good post Seedy. I hope you are wrong about those 3 qbs. Orton is the only one I endorse bringing back. FOR NOW - Bears are a defensive powered team. Limit your turnovers and score 20 plus points and you should win. Orton did that in the last two games against the BEST the NFL has to offer. The elite teams will be more of a challenge, but to beat them we will need a running game, and thats not Orton's fault. With Orton, we are like the Pittburg Steelers with Rothlesberger. We won't light up the sky with points or win a shootout, but we will be in EVERY game and in control. Turnoversaurous-rex is a season and buzz killer! He offers a 50/50 chance at winning and that is not the way to go. I don't even want to talk about Greasy. Lets talk about McNabb or Leaf - a mobile QB.

Randy Moss plays in balmy New England?

Let he who hasnt RoShamBo'd cast the first stone...I always say...or Rock..whatever!?

Man,as much as I hate calling someone out of their name; Turnoversaurous-Rex is the funniest one I've heard. All those play on Rex were funny to appalling but that one is just funny.

Okay, you named one WR who has played great outdoors. But you picked one who admittedly plays when he wants to. Give us another one

Plaxico Burress plays outside, if I may interject. As does Hines Ward. Donald Driver plays in Green Bay - the Frozen Tundra I believe they call it. This isn't very hard, William.

Cincinnati is cold right? Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh play there. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland. That guy Brandon Marshall in Denver is a stud. Wes Welker has put together a great season and so has Greg Jennings, both of which I had the foresight to draft back in August, thank you very much.

OK Jules and which one of those guys are great. Very good but not great. A few who are over-rated in my book. And I know you didn't bring Burress into this. The guy sucks and Ward gets how many passes a year? And not taking anything away from the fans but other than New York which fans are harder on players? And I already said that Farve makes a lot of guys look good and they fall back to earth after the leave him. Wrong or not?

1, 2, 3..........shoot!

paper covers rock, culzie.

And those guys you mentioned have the benefit of a great QB and we all know that Chicago doesn't have or ever had a great QB. Like I said; fans here don't have the patience to give a QB a chance to get average. They are constantly calling for the 2nd string guy no matter who he is. All you can say about Chicago is that we have never had the forward thinking to get a stud on anything but defense. Name one WR we have had that had a pedigree coming out of college? We're too busy drafting at the slot where you get average players. The number 4 pick and with all those good backs and QBs that came out in 2005 and who did we get? Boo-hoo Benson or the other #4 pick in Enis from the great RB university. Even when we don't trade down we don't draft very well on day one of the draft.

Exactly William, and that should have been your point all along. Wide receivers who are having a great season or great career are generally catching passes from great QBs. The weather has nothing to do with it. Randy Moss is the perfect example actually. He couldn't do anything in Oakland, right? He goes to New England (where it is way colder than Oakland) and stud Tom Brady (so hot!) makes him even better than he was in Minnesota. Now believe me, I would never say that Daunte Culpepper is a great QB, but when he had Moss to rely on, he was. For some reason, the Bears have had a serious deficiency in the QB department for way too long, and obviously that affects the rest of the offense. They just cannot develop the position for some reason. Whatever Rex's issues are, he clearly has some talent, but that just hasn't been cultivated at all. The focus is always on what he does wrong instead of what he does right.

And BTW, I'd be willing to bet I'm not the only one who thinks Chad Johnson is a great, better than Very good, receiver. Guys, a little backup on this?

Willy..you cant keep modifying your argument...

and..

Braylon Edwards...is GREAT.

He put up more #'s than anyone else in the league besides MOSS and TO.

and...Ocho Cinco is great too!

WRD, BCulz and Julie B --

Having a good quarterback is a definite plus. Having good, maybe great, receivers is a plus. But having options at all your skill positions makes everyone good -- and a few great. And that's what the Bears lack.

Take a look at the Patriots: Sure they have Brady, but they give him great offensive options that force defenses to account for all the playmakers. Moss, Welker, Stallworth, Maroney, Faulk, Watson, Gaffney. Play man coverage on just about any of them and you'll get burnt. Double Moss and Welker will eat you alive. Play that soft Cover 2 defense favored by the Bears and Faulk, Watson and Maroney will eat you alive. It's not just about Moss. It's not just about Welker. It's not just about Brady. It's about all the offensive weapons the Patriots can throw at a defense. Would Moss be as "great" without Welker? Would Welker be as productive without Moss? Would Brady be as exalted if he had neither player on his team?

The Colts provide Manning with the same offensive options. Brady and Manning are both good, accurate throwers, but it's the playmakers around them that make them great -- not just the receivers, but all five offensive weapons. Brady, in fact, has only an "average" arm. He's just damn accurate.

Both QBs also benefit from playing in the shotgun a lot more than the Bears.

Need more? Romo has blossomed because the Cowboys have assembled a good group of offensive weapons around him. Take away one of those offensive weapons (TO) -- perhaps the best one) and all of a sudden, Romo falters. Compare the Cowboys losing TO to the Colts losing Harrison. The Colts barely missed a step because they could plug in Gonzalez -- a good receiver and a burner -- and shift primary focus to Reggie Wayne. The Cowboys have been unable to plug in a viable alternative to TO. They no longer can throw five offensive options at opposing defenses and it has rippled thru the offense.

Now, look at the Bears.

Good tight ends.
No viable slot receiver.
A decent #2 receiver (Berrian)
No viable #1 receiver
Decent third down backs (Peterson, Wolfe)

QBs:

Grossman -- doesn't see the field well; throws for too many home runs; doesn't read defenses quickly enough to make good decisions. Strong, accurate arm.

Orton -- sees field well; improving decision making; strong arm, but not always accurate.

Bears offensive skill position needs:

A #1 and/or #2 receiver
A slot receiver (possibly Hester or Wolfe or a combination of the two)
A quality running back with speed

If the Bears can improve the quality of their skill positions, I believe either Orton or Grossman can excel. Both would benefit from using the shotgun formation more, but Turner doesn't seem to favor it. In fact, if the Bears do improve the quality of their five skill positions (I'm not including the QB among the five), I predict that at least one of them will have a good, possibly great season next year (e.g., Olsen). If not, they'll muddle around again.

For my money, Orton is the better long-term option. His accuracy will improve the more games he plays and the more familiar he becomes with his receivers. He can throw the long ball and spreads the ball around. He also seems to have better pocket presence than Grossman even though he has played fewer games.

By all means, I'm not modifying my argument. Basically I'm adding to it. I've always said that Chicagoans do not have the patience to wait out a QB and watch him get better. ALWAYS have said that when you guys propose quitting on a season and getting a better pick closer to the tp ten. Out of all those guys you mentioned Braylon and Marshall are still pups in the league. Braylon has a QB AND a TE who had to take time to get over the hump. Yeah it was a TE crashing your motorcycle hump and being injured bump but that's all. How many guys from Green Bay is looking very ordinary without Farve? We here in Chicago just don't have the patience to wait anyone out. Not one of those guys would have done squat here in Chicago.

And after watching how all those passes were dropped by mainly the Packers a few weeks ago you have to wonder just how cold it get here compared to there. We have wind right off the lake and windchill like no other city. And Ward caught 40 passes this year one less than Moose. Someone said it best that it takes a system to make a player great and that Brady would've only been Brady in N.E.. And my arugument would been longer but my computer freezes after 15 minutes. Not all of us can type like Culzie.

You doing it again Seedy, making too much sense. It is a stretch to say Orton will get more accurate with more time, just like it is a stretch to say Grossman will stop throwing all those picks with more time in the league.

Both deficiencies are probably just traits of the individuals. But you are right on the money with our other offensive problems. We sucked on offense this season.

Like your post though, except the part where you didn't include our horrible line, ineffective blocking scheme audible system that does not cover for 3 rushers on one side.

Not impressed with Romo (not yet, anyway). They have 12 pro bowlers on their team, so they should be the SB winner, right?

If the Cowboys do not win the SB, they should be cut up as bad as the Bears were last season. It won't happen, because NE is the best team in the NFL, and Romo has had about as many bad games in primetime as Grossman (at least 1 five pick game, 1 six pick game, he has stunk at times this year.) yet the media gives him a pass? Curiously?

Good Post Seedy!

seedy...great assesment./.totally agree!

what then? go after Marshall from Denver?? and who at QB?

I also totally agree with Chuck...er uh i mean Seedy...who is making so much sense...i thought it was Chuck...but then...realized that Chuck was actually also thinking Seedy was making too much sense for himself...and i got confused again.

My Jury is still in Kindergarden regarding Romo...they havent even made it out of Diapers, let alone out of the Jury Box.

Speaking of Kindergarden..

I am starting to hear that old "who stole the cookie" song in my head when we talk about "our QB situation"

Chorus: Who should the next bears QB B..

Chorus: Rex should be the Bears next QB

REX: who ME?

Chorus: Couldnt Be, then Who?

Chorus: Griese should be the Bears QB..

GRIESE: Who me?

Courus: Couldnt Be...then who?

Chorus: Orton should be the next Bears QB...

ORTON: Who me?

Chorus: Couldnt be....then who?

Chorus: McNabb should be the next Bears QB

McNabb: Who me?

Chorus: NO FRICKEN WAY....Then who?

.......continue inserting any QB you can think of...until you are so nauseaus...its silly....and then repeat...

Chuckster:

Yeah, I didn't rag on the o-line because I think they can be fixed via FA. There always seem to be linemen available. The skill positions, though, are killing us and could be $$$$$$$ to fix.

Your point about Romo is well taken, but I would still rather have a mediocre to good quarterback surrounded by better-than-average skill position players than what we had this year. For example, Rivers in San Diego has benefited from good skill position play -- and has still had some horrific games. Same goes for Brees in New Orleans.

I am not a huge fan of McNabb's because of his recent injuries, but there is a QB without a decent wide receiver who lit it up at the end of the season. If the Eagles ever get him adequate wide receivers, he might do something amazing. (Ironic isn't it that when he had TO, he made it to the Super Bowl?)

I guess what I'm getting at is Brady, Rivers, Brees, et al are better quarterbacks when surrounded by good players at the key skill positions. It's not so much that they throw better balls or make more accurate throws, it's that they are less likely to be throwing into double or triple coverage. Mano a mano -- I would take any decent receiver over any cornerback because the receiver's advantage is that he knows where the ball is going.

The fact is that Grossman, Griese and Orton had to throw into double or triple coverage way more often than Brady, Manning, Romo, Brees, Rivers et al. And the results speak for themselves. The only difference between the Favre version of 2006 v 2007 is that he has better players at all of his skill positions in 2007. The passes that were getting intercepted last year are being completed this year because his receivers are benefiting from more man on man coverage.

Isn't it interesting that while the defense played better the last few games of the year, so did the offense. Wonder if the offense benefited from having Olsen, Berrian, Hester and Wolfe on the field a little more often than in the previous games. Say what you will about Hester and Wolfe, but the defense has to account for them. All of a sudden, you have two burners on the field in Berrian and Hester, a scat-back who can catch the ball in Wolfe and a TE in Olsen who can burn you downfield and elsewhere. Forces defenses to think a bit.

I know this recipe for success sounds simplistic, but it appears awfully difficult for the Bears to figure out.

William, what are you really saying? Are you saying that if Mushy woulda gone to Indy, he woulda been a pro-bowler? Why are you so up in Mushy's crotch saddle?

Chuck sez: "If the Cowboys do not win the SB, they should be cut up as bad as the Bears were last season. It won't happen, because NE is the best team in the NFL, and Romo has had about as many bad games in primetime as Grossman (at least 1 five pick game, 1 six pick game, he has stunk at times this year.) yet the media gives him a pass? Curiously?"

Nothing curious about it Chuck.

Even in his bad games Romo is poised; he's able to slip the blitz, evade a sack, see the field, and go through his progressions ... unlike Rex.

When things get hot in the pocket, Rex reaches for the barf bag.

And he usually connects.

Seedy Backslash, your last blog (1-4, 10:23am) was one of the most complete and logical blogs to date about offenses in todays' game. Last years Bears made good on solid 'D', opportunistic circumstances, and a weak division. Our safety play, 'D' line injuries, and coaching changes along with N.F.C. teams getting richer magnified the mediocre offense we really are. Unfortunately the holes on the offense are too abundant to cure overnight and our tightwad owners are; well, let's just say it's easier to squeeze water out of a rock than to get them to spend a dime. Agree 100% with your assessment of offensive needs but I think I might go after a game changing safety before anything else. This will stop some heavy bleeding and give the offense, which is pretty much guaranteed good field position for years to come with 'THE AMAZING DEVIN', some room to grow players in with much needed time. Our 'D' line should be at full strength next year, and hopefully Briggs is in the stars. As much as I like Hillenmeyer, I'd really like to see what Jamar Williams would look like in that spot. I say this over and over, and I'm gonna say it til' I'm blue in the face, but after watching Bob Sanders return last year and totally reversing the defense of the Colts, the safety position is astronomical in ANY defense. I also wouldn't be surprised if we brought back someone we let go in the past, maybe a Chris Harris. I hope Babich learned a few things himself. They looked a little sharper near the end. As for the 'O', if we don't get the Q.B. every Chicagoan has been wishing for, would love to see Houshmandzadeh, Mendenhall, and Orton. Love Rex' arm, but with our line, that's about all. Don't know if Housh is a free agent or not but for some crazy reason his name was the one that came up when I told myself who I would like to see. Mendenhall is a fire hydrant with legs. If we get this kid he'll make HIS OWN HOLES! Ortons' pocket presence looked the best of the three. That's pretty much the basis to look at for Bear quarterbacks, seeing as our offensive coordinator gives us no food for thought. I really hope Ruben Brown had a down year because of injury and he plays one more. That may lessen the load on the need there by one body at least. Those skill positions may be mute unless we tighten this line up a little, or loosen up the money belt, A LOT.

Seedy you have more momentum than Obamma!!!

Bculz:

Funny you should say that. I just completed a meeting with my pre-race candidate committee and will be announcing my candidancy for the open Bears GM slot this afternoon.

My campaign slogan is, "No More Angelo. We want a team that doesn't blow."

I hate to go negative right out of the gate, but it seems like the only way to get noticed.

I'm also thinking about "tackling" (hee, hee) the social security issue.

Stay tuned for more platform announcements.

Seedy 4-O-8

4 wins 0 loses and 8 ties?

See-dy, See-dy!!!!

(I'm your PR girl, right?)

4 wins 0 loses and 8 ties?

Yup, and that's just the primaries.

Next Sunday I go on 60 Minutes to "swear" to Mike Wallace that I'm not taking productivity enhancing drugs.

My real bosses are waiting for this confessional, too.

Julie B:

Once I talk with Keylan, you can be our campaign's PR girl. Keylan spoke first for that role, but is miffed because I commented that he didn't have the legs for it.

Who knew he would be so sensitive????

My Platform Goals Include:

Rebuild offensive line
Enhance skill positions/performance
Hire a QB Coach
Slip Turner a few plays that my son drew up
Assess D/augment as needed (probably a stud strong safety)

If successful in this campaign, I will serve as the GM for $1 (providing my firm allows me to take a paid sabbatical for the next 12 months). Depending on the Bears finish, I get incentive pay, including:

9-7 $50K
10-6 $100K
11-5 $150K
12-4 $250K

Win one post-season game $100K
Win two post-season games $200K
Win three post-season games $500K
Win four post-season games $1M

All campaign staffers would receive bonuses in the above scenario.

Well, I can assure you I have better legs than Keylan. And by bonus, what do you mean exactly?

Roman responds: What are you guys doing on this thread? Having some clandestine e-conversation?

You're right, Mark.
All Romo has done is drop the ball in the closing seconds of a sure playoff victory over the Seahawks. Then, get tripped up from behind by a D-lineman(didn't juke that guy and get a completion.) He is such a better qb than Grossman, he showed us last year. He avoids everything, but you probably saw #8 playing for the Cowboys that game, and blamed it on Grossy too.

Wanna bash Rex, fine. The Cowboys, and their 12 pro bowlers PROVES they are the best team with the best players in the league. So, they should win it all. And if they do not, and Romo has a bad game(that will never happen, because only Rex has bad games), he should be dissected like Rex has been all year, because the name of the game is to win the Superbowl, right? Orton deserves the same, he couldn't connect with the receivers much, but he has been given a free pass because he went to Purdue.

I know what it is, Rex probably beat your high school team, or your kids team to death, and you said you never would support him because he crushed you dreams. Let them play it out for the starter's position next year. Orton is inaccurate, so I expect to see everyone talk about how TALL he stands in the pocket, yet, every pass touches the receivers feet. TALL AND INACCURATE, that's Kyle Orton for ya.

break it up...Romans Back!!!

I don't know seedy, gettin kinda slippery over there....

Your second post as well was on the money. I want to see Berrian and Hester on the same side of the field, one runs a post, and the other a fly, Bradley running a drag from the other side, Olson over the seam on Hester's side, and Wolfe running a HB flat-up the sidelines, opposite direction. Put Clark on the other side or Moose(or whoever), and let the fullback block(lord knows our line won't), and overload one side, who will they double, and the deep middle is open for Olsen.

But with Brady, he really did not have a great WR until Moss, Manning was given the keys to the Cadillac, and so was Romo. I think Brady is the best of the bunch, and he was a 6th round pick. I think like WRD said, Rex needs more time to grow, and Orton does not have NFL accuracy yet, so keep both, and go after a McNabb. Not to contradict my earlier post, I just think both needs to grow(and they may or may not), and I personally like Rex's gunslinger mentality.

JB:

Please keep this clean!! I'm trying to run a clean campaign.

Romanator:

I have no idea what we are doing. These last few posts just kinda grew organically.

Chuck:

I hear you.

On paper, we seem like we have the receiving talent to succeed. It's in the performance and execution of the parts. Bradley and others don't seem to want to step up. We bury a kid like Haas on the practice squad probably because the Bears already had their minds made up about certain individuals (e.g., Angelo admits we didn't "compete" enough during the pre-season). That said, I would still like to see a good free-agent receiver come into camp next year to stir the pot. Hester, for example, has gotten a free pass on learning the offense because of his kick returning skills. That's got to stop. We put too much emphasis on speed and not enough on running good routes and catching the ball. Granted we need speed at certain skill positions, but not blazing speed at all of them.

Brady is by far the best QB among the ones you named because he has won the most SuperBowls. That's the measuring stick for on field performance.

Dont you mean...Romanizer??

Seedy,

Even before the first superbowl win, the weird thing about Brady is that he essentially had the same team Bledsoe could not get off the ground with. Brady is such a good QB, and when the last super bowl ended and I saw Rex looking like a pure fool, I told myself....self, Maybe the Bears were not as good as the Colts, but Brady took a huge underdog team in his first few years and beat the favorite Rams(heavy favorite).

Now will Rex be as good as Brady, hell no. Can he be effective until we find a better QB, yes, and so can Orton. It's just Orton's inaccuracy kills me, to miss a wide open receiver on third down is just like an interception, still losing posession.

Yes we need a REAL receiver here for once, in my 30+years as a Bears fan, I can only recall Dennis McKinnon as a legitimate receiver, the rest are specialists. I think Hass will get a shot, and I also Believe this is Bradley's swan song if he sucks again. Angelo has had some good defensive drafts, just cannot get it right on the other side of the ball.

True that on Hester as well, he should be a better receiver than he is just on gp. Maybe if we faked the bubble screen then went up the sideline with him, he could make some big plays.

Do we actually have a qb that still pump fakes?

Chuck:

A Bears QB that pump fakes?

How about one that looks off the safety?

I watched Hasselback look off the safety to his right (on his drop back) then turn and throw to his tight end on the left in a seam route. TD!!! Untouched.

I dream of the day a Bears QB can do that -- whether it's Orton or Grossman.

Additional food for thought. Seattle had a dismal running attack this year, but still made the playoffs because of Hasselback's ability to move the ball around and the running game did just enough to keep defenses honest. (Okay Holmgren calling the plays also helps) But it shows you how important a sound offensive line is. Hasselback benefited from a good offensive line that could keep people off him long enough to make plays.

TRUE!!!!!

My computer finally went Kaput. I wish I would have had time to join in before the argument turned moot. But I'm not on Moose because he does just about a much ball dropping as anyone and he still blocks down field. Hoorah for that. And i wouldn't say that they are burying a guy on the practice squad because we've plucked a few guys off of everyone's practice squad who came here and did a little good. I think that Hass is out there for anyone to take and no matter what problems other teams have had they won't take him. He's from the mold that isn't exactly in favor right now. He's like about every guy on the end of every team's bench right now and he just a possession receiver that no one wants. As bad as we've had it he just hasn't distinguished himself. I'm leery of the talent evaluators more and more as they stay in charge. Maybe they can't get better because they don't know how to do their jobs anymore. More teams are finding solid players to replace what they've lost. Who did they find in the draft this year? We plucked a future star off of someone's practice squad but didn't do much in the draft or with free agency.