Week 14: Bears vs. St. Louis - Monday Dec 11, 7:30 pm CST

[C.C.]

Ugh.

 

Can you guess who will be ESPN's celebrity guest Monday night? If you said Jim Belushi, chances are you've seen this act before.

 

The whole celebrity deal is puzzling and one of the major raps against ESPN's presentation. I'll let Sylvester Stallone slide since Kornheiser got him to do a "Yo, Adrian" last week. But James Denton? Christian Slater?

 

ESPN says the Monday broadcast is a different animal and that the celebrity guest is a way to lure the casual fan. I don't see it.

 

Are there really viewers who are flipping through the dial just to check out who the celebrity guest is on Monday night? Doubtful. And the exercise is offensive to the football fans who just want to watch the game.

 

 

Not only that, but don't we nearly always lose when Belushi is in the booth?

 

Please cancel that appearance. Please.

 

Seriously, how do they think they are benefitting the broadcast. They aren't attracting new pop culture worshipping viewers to MNF with these cameos. All they are doing is advertising his show to the viewers who are already watching. And I know that a significant number of people have to turn the game off when these guys come on. It's unbearable. They barely show the game action, they talk about nonsense and ignore the field. They should offer Sunday Ticket subscribers a station with no broadcasters.

 

It doesn't really bug me at all. Maybe I'm in the Minorty. Being a big film fan, I sometimes enjoy it.

[Banedon]

It doesn't really bug me at all. Maybe I'm in the Minorty. Being a big film fan, I sometimes enjoy it.

 

Then how about getting people that football fans would actually care about. The guy from Deperate Housewives, and Belushi do not fall in this category.

 

I will say that Stallone last week wasn't terrible, and Barkley was ok. But if you can't get a guest that football fans will enjoy, then just don't do it...please.

[Banedon]

ESPN says the Bears will replace Harris by committee.

 

The likely starter at the "under" tackle spot, where a defender is aligned to the outside shoulder of the guard across from him, is six-year veteran Alfonso Boone. A 318-pounder who doesn't have the quickness of Harris, but has demonstrated some penetration skills in the past, Boone has been a spot starter in the past. He will probably play on the running downs and could be spelled by Ian Scott and Antonio Garay.

[Chocolate Milk]

ESPN says the Bears will replace Harris by committee.

 

The likely starter at the "under" tackle spot, where a defender is aligned to the outside shoulder of the guard across from him, is six-year veteran Alfonso Boone. A 318-pounder who doesn't have the quickness of Harris, but has demonstrated some penetration skills in the past, Boone has been a spot starter in the past. He will probably play on the running downs and could be spelled by Ian Scott and Antonio Garay.

 

Garay looked good in the preseason.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Ugh.

 

Can you guess who will be ESPN's celebrity guest Monday night? If you said Jim Belushi, chances are you've seen this act before.

 

It's becoming a cliché. I like Belushi, but does he have to make an appearance nearly every time the Bears play on Monday night? Doesn't Chicago have any other celebrities?

 

Also, Belushi's Chicago connection isn't the only reason he will get some time in the booth Monday. His show "According to Jim" happens to run on ESPN's sister station, ABC. Basically, it will be an extended promo for the program.

 

The whole celebrity deal is puzzling and one of the major raps against ESPN's presentation. I'll let Sylvester Stallone slide since Kornheiser got him to do a "Yo, Adrian" last week. But James Denton? Christian Slater?

 

ESPN says the Monday broadcast is a different animal and that the celebrity guest is a way to lure the casual fan. I don't see it.

 

Are there really viewers who are flipping through the dial just to check out who the celebrity guest is on Monday night? Doubtful. And the exercise is offensive to the football fans who just want to watch the game.

 

Spare us the celebrities, ESPN, and give us the game.

 

Not only that, but don't we nearly always lose when Belushi is in the booth?

 

Please cancel that appearance. Please.

 

While we're at it, can we cancel ESPN's announcers?

[Soul]

Ugh.

 

Can you guess who will be ESPN's celebrity guest Monday night? If you said Jim Belushi, chances are you've seen this act before.

 

It's becoming a cliché. I like Belushi, but does he have to make an appearance nearly every time the Bears play on Monday night? Doesn't Chicago have any other celebrities?

 

Also, Belushi's Chicago connection isn't the only reason he will get some time in the booth Monday. His show "According to Jim" happens to run on ESPN's sister station, ABC. Basically, it will be an extended promo for the program.

 

The whole celebrity deal is puzzling and one of the major raps against ESPN's presentation. I'll let Sylvester Stallone slide since Kornheiser got him to do a "Yo, Adrian" last week. But James Denton? Christian Slater?

 

ESPN says the Monday broadcast is a different animal and that the celebrity guest is a way to lure the casual fan. I don't see it.

 

Are there really viewers who are flipping through the dial just to check out who the celebrity guest is on Monday night? Doubtful. And the exercise is offensive to the football fans who just want to watch the game.

 

Spare us the celebrities, ESPN, and give us the game.

 

Not only that, but don't we nearly always lose when Belushi is in the booth?

 

Please cancel that appearance. Please.

 

While we're at it, can we cancel ESPN's announcers?

 

LOL.

 

What's even worse is, with DirecTV there's a delay so I can't even turn the volume down and listen to Joniak. Ugh.

[da bears]

This absolutely sucks. First, I could have gone to this game tonight, except I have a final tomorrow morning. Second, the Bears play on MNF twice this year. Somehow, someway, both times I have a damn statistics review, from 8-10 the first time, and 830 to 1030 tonight. Who the hell has a review that late AND during finals week? I am not happy about this.

[Chocolate Milk]

This absolutely sucks. First, I could have gone to this game tonight, except I have a final tomorrow morning. Second, the Bears play on MNF twice this year. Somehow, someway, both times I have a damn statistics review, from 8-10 the first time, and 830 to 1030 tonight. Who the hell has a review that late AND during finals week? I am not happy about this.

 

School is less important than Bears.

[Balsa]

This absolutely sucks. First, I could have gone to this game tonight, except I have a final tomorrow morning. Second, the Bears play on MNF twice this year. Somehow, someway, both times I have a damn statistics review, from 8-10 the first time, and 830 to 1030 tonight. Who the hell has a review that late AND during finals week? I am not happy about this.

 

School is less important than Bears.

Exactly my thought process tonight when I go watch the game in a bar during finals week.

[Chocolate Milk]

This absolutely sucks. First, I could have gone to this game tonight, except I have a final tomorrow morning. Second, the Bears play on MNF twice this year. Somehow, someway, both times I have a damn statistics review, from 8-10 the first time, and 830 to 1030 tonight. Who the hell has a review that late AND during finals week? I am not happy about this.

 

School is less important than Bears.

Exactly my thought process tonight when I go watch the game in a bar during finals week.

 

You have a bright future, sir.

[Flames24Rulz]

Ugh.

 

Can you guess who will be ESPN's celebrity guest Monday night? If you said Jim Belushi, chances are you've seen this act before.

 

It's becoming a cliché. I like Belushi, but does he have to make an appearance nearly every time the Bears play on Monday night? Doesn't Chicago have any other celebrities?

 

Also, Belushi's Chicago connection isn't the only reason he will get some time in the booth Monday. His show "According to Jim" happens to run on ESPN's sister station, ABC. Basically, it will be an extended promo for the program.

 

The whole celebrity deal is puzzling and one of the major raps against ESPN's presentation. I'll let Sylvester Stallone slide since Kornheiser got him to do a "Yo, Adrian" last week. But James Denton? Christian Slater?

 

ESPN says the Monday broadcast is a different animal and that the celebrity guest is a way to lure the casual fan. I don't see it.

 

Are there really viewers who are flipping through the dial just to check out who the celebrity guest is on Monday night? Doubtful. And the exercise is offensive to the football fans who just want to watch the game.

 

Spare us the celebrities, ESPN, and give us the game.

 

Belushi's a disgrace to SIU alums everywhere.

[USSoccer]

So I'm wondering what the threshold is going to be for Rex tonight. I'm wondering what kind of game it will take to get his critics off his back a little while. I have it figured like this:

 

11-28 201 1 TD 2 INT's = absolute media mayhem

15-24 198 1 TD 1 INT = continued controversy

21-34 225 2 TD 0 INT = 1 weeks' reprieve

21-28 255 3 TD 1 INT = 2 weeks' reprieve

23-30 355 5 TD 0 INT = knee jerk reaction back to "Rex is Awesome"

 

Honestly, as long as Rex completes 50% of his throws and doesn't turn the ball over, I'll be happy, and so should everyone calling for Griese, since the "game manager" is what everyone is screaming for.

 

I'm just wondering what criteria Lovie and Ron Turner will use to decide whether or not to pull Rex. Is it 1 INT? 2? A 6 of 14 1st half? What if he throws a TD but 2 INT's, one of which isn't his fault? What if the O-Line has a turnstile play and Rex gets blindsided and fumbles? Is that his fault? What if he plays ok but the team loses? What if he plays great for 58 minutes and then throws a pick late and we lose?

[UMFan83]

23-30 355 5 TD 0 INT = knee jerk reaction back to "Rex is Awesome"

 

 

Nah, I don't think even if he threw for 11 TDs tonight that it would be back to "Rex is Awesome" . It would be more like "Rex is awesome sometimes but ridiculously inconsistent, Bears still can't count on him to win in playoffs"

 

He won't get rid of that stigma until he wins in the playoffs.

[Balsa]

What about a 15-32, 245 0 TD 0 INT? Assuming the Bears score on running backs that is.

[Chocolate Milk]

If Rex throws 5 TD's, I think my head will explode in confusion.

[USSoccer]

23-30 355 5 TD 0 INT = knee jerk reaction back to "Rex is Awesome"

 

 

Nah, I don't think even if he threw for 11 TDs tonight that it would be back to "Rex is Awesome" . It would be more like "Rex is awesome sometimes but ridiculously inconsistent, Bears still can't count on him to win in playoffs"

 

He won't get rid of that stigma until he wins in the playoffs.

 

You're probably right, but the thing is that Griese hasn't ever started a playoff game. It's not like he's replete with "Big Game Experience".

 

I think the local media will give him a break with a performance on par with his first few games this season. I think if he goes out and plays out of his mind that the focus might change to "Make sure Rex is prepared for the playoffs" rather than "Let's bench Rex before the playoffs".

[goonys evil twin]

Considering how the media has lumped in the Jets game into the awful Rex category, I don't think game manager numbers will be enough to quiet the critics.

[USSoccer]

What about a 15-32, 245 0 TD 0 INT? Assuming the Bears score on running backs that is.

 

That's what I'm saying. That's not a great line by any stretch, but it's pretty much what Griese would do. The question is, how would that be percieved? Is it enough for Rex simply not to turn the ball over, regardless of his other numbers? What's the cutoff point?

[USSoccer]

Considering how the media has lumped in the Jets game into the awful Rex category, I don't think game manager numbers will be enough to quiet the critics.

 

But isn't that what people would expect out of Griese? To not turn the ball over and simply "manage" the offense?

 

To continue to rail against Rex if he simply goes out and manages the ball tonight would be hypocrisy of a high magnitude.

[goonys evil twin]

Considering how the media has lumped in the Jets game into the awful Rex category, I don't think game manager numbers will be enough to quiet the critics.

 

But isn't that what people would expect out of Griese? To not turn the ball over and simply "manage" the offense?

 

To continue to rail against Rex if he simply goes out and manages the ball tonight would be hypocrisy of a high magnitude.

 

I agree with you.

 

However, it is possible to rationalize the criticism by saying that if Rex is going to be the game manager type when he's playing well, then that is not good enough since he so frequently craps the bed and can't be trusted.

 

If your thought is that Griese is going to be a 12-20, 190 yards, 1 TD 0 INT guy and do that every game, then I can understand why you'd want that to replace the guy who might go 9/25 80 yards 0 TD 3 INT, or he might go 12/20, 190, 1/0, or he might go 26-33, 285, 3/1.

 

It's not just game manager numbers that people want, it's consistent game manager numbers. If Rex has 4 more Jets games, then that's one thing. But simply putting up another Jets game tonight is not going to silence the critics who remember the Pats/Vikings games from the past 2 weeks.

 

Game managing tonight will not shut people up. Repeating the Detroit/Seattle/Buffalo/SanFran games will shut some people up (but he's got no chance to silence all critics).

[Balsa]

But our goal isn't to shut people up. :p

 

I'd be more than happy with another Jets game from Rex. That would show me he can control the ball and not turn it over, and mean that it would be pointless to put in Griese.

 

The only way I see Griese being put in is if Rex throws terribly and allows 2 INT before half.

[goonys evil twin]

But our goal isn't to shut people up. :p

 

I'd be more than happy with another Jets game from Rex. That would show me he can control the ball and not turn it over, and mean that it would be pointless to put in Griese.

 

The only way I see Griese being put in is if Rex throws terribly and allows 2 INT before half.

 

I think that is true. A disastrous 1st half means Griese. And uneventful first half means more Rex.

[kujay]

But our goal isn't to shut people up. :p

 

I'd be more than happy with another Jets game from Rex. That would show me he can control the ball and not turn it over, and mean that it would be pointless to put in Griese.

 

The only way I see Griese being put in is if Rex throws terribly and allows 2 INT before half.

 

I agree. If bad Rex looks bad in the first half, that will be it for him for awhile.

 

Walking around downtown at lunch here, looks like the Bears fans will be there in big numbers. And judging by how many were at bars tipping cold Buddies, I'd say they'll be noisy too! :shock:

 

Can't wait to get over there tonight! Go Bears!

[Chocolate Milk]

This has inadvertently turned a lot longer than I intended.

 

Honestly, if Rex doesn't have a good game tonight, he's likely a lost cause (for this season). If he can't have good games against terrible defenses, I shudder to think of what can and will happen in the playoffs.

 

The Bears should be able to run all over the Rams. This is a really good opportunity to come out running the ball. They can then mix in the pass and it should be pretty effective if they maintain balance.

 

Best case scenario is Rex getting comfortable on the intermediate passing throws again. At this point he needs to build confidence (despite what anyone says, his confidence is clearly and badly shaken).

 

This may sound ridiculous and have no basis in any fact but I really think it would be better for Rex to have a game like 225 2td 0int, over some astronomical performance. I really think that some of Rex's early success has effected his development. Earlier in the year he was hitting the long bomb at will. These are very low percentage throws but he was completing them at a high rate. But now that the percentages are evening out, he refuses to abandon the bomb in large part because of how successful he was early in the season. I'm worried that if he get's a few more long bombs and has a huge game, then he might think that he has fixed the problem. However, the problem isn't as much his execution, but his selection. Here is a quote from FootballOutisders.com regarding Romo but also applies to Grossman:

 

Tony Romo has the gunslinger mentality, and he’s starting to get loose with the football. When you have nothing but success — even when you do things wrong — you get bad habits. Not to alarm anyone, but the name “Rex Grossman” came up. Romo was missing open guys, and making near-impossible throws into tight coverage, but it didn’t hurt him as much as it should have because the Giants’ mistakes outweighed Romo’s mistakes. They think he’s a good player, but Jaws and Cosell believe that at some point soon, Romo will have a very bad game. Hopefully, he learns from it, rather than having defenses around the league learn from it. The Cowboys also better hope that game comes in December and not in January.

 

The bolded particularly struck me when reading this evaluation. Think back to the Bills game and the touchdown pass to Davis. Grossman back-pedaled away from the rush and unleashed a throw, off his back foot, through about a 2 foot window between two defenders, and hit Davis in the hands for a touchdown. It was a phenomenal play. It was also a terrible and very risky decision. I believe that success with plays like that made Rex think he can make them all the time. When these type of passes started falling incomplete and getting intercepted, he lost confidence. Now he is questioning his reads as well as his throws. As a result, we get the complete trainwreck we see today.

 

I think that Rex's best games were against the 49ers and the 2nd half against the Giants. He really mixed the plays well and did an excellent job throwing accurately in intermediate routes.

 

In all honesty, I have no idea what to expect tonight. I hope Rex figures it out because we he is on, the Bears are the best team in the NFL, IMO.

[Chocolate Milk]

But our goal isn't to shut people up. :p

 

I'd be more than happy with another Jets game from Rex. That would show me he can control the ball and not turn it over, and mean that it would be pointless to put in Griese.

 

The only way I see Griese being put in is if Rex throws terribly and allows 2 INT before half.

 

I think that is true. A disastrous 1st half means Griese. And uneventful first half means more Rex.

 

I agree.