Week 17: Bears vs. Green Bay - Sunday Dec 31, 7 pm CST

[USSoccer]

after reading Lovie's comments, I drew nothing that would indicate he's committed to Rex starting in 2 weeks.

 

Where did you read them (that could be the problem)?

 

ChicagoBears.com

 

“The plan was to play Rex into the third quarter,” Smith said. “(But) after you’re having a game like that, I didn’t see there was any need to put him back in after an effort like that from not just Rex (but) offensively. You can’t turn the ball over like that, and we did.”

 

When asked if anything that occurred in Sunday night’s season finale would alter the Bears’ depth chart at quarterback, Smith said: “There are no changes on our team. Where do you start? We didn’t play well. We’ll evaluate film like we do each week and go from there.”

 

He was given an opportunity to make a stronger statement of confidence, but instead made a vague statement.

Edited January 1, 2007 by USSoccer

[rawaction]

Not like Griese was much better.

[USSoccer]

Not like Griese was much better.

 

No, he wasn't. But how many fans stopped watching after halftime? How many media types will excuse crap from a veteran, and focus on the 0.0 rating?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

after reading Lovie's comments, I drew nothing that would indicate he's committed to Rex starting in 2 weeks.

 

Where did you read them (that could be the problem)?

 

ChicagoBears.com

 

“The plan was to play Rex into the third quarter,” Smith said. “(But) after you’re having a game like that, I didn’t see there was any need to put him back in after an effort like that from not just Rex (but) offensively. You can’t turn the ball over like that, and we did.”

 

When asked if anything that occurred in Sunday night’s season finale would alter the Bears’ depth chart at quarterback, Smith said: “There are no changes on our team. Where do you start? We didn’t play well. We’ll evaluate film like we do each week and go from there.”

 

I don't see how you gathered anything about Rex playing from that.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Not like Griese was much better.

 

No, he wasn't. But how many fans stopped watching after halftime? How many media types will excuse crap from a veteran, and focus on the 0.0 rating?

 

From what I can tell, not many. And it seems pretty obvious to everyone that the o-line was brutal and only Benson showed up on offense.

[USSoccer]

after reading Lovie's comments, I drew nothing that would indicate he's committed to Rex starting in 2 weeks.

 

Where did you read them (that could be the problem)?

 

ChicagoBears.com

 

“The plan was to play Rex into the third quarter,” Smith said. “(But) after you’re having a game like that, I didn’t see there was any need to put him back in after an effort like that from not just Rex (but) offensively. You can’t turn the ball over like that, and we did.”

 

When asked if anything that occurred in Sunday night’s season finale would alter the Bears’ depth chart at quarterback, Smith said: “There are no changes on our team. Where do you start? We didn’t play well. We’ll evaluate film like we do each week and go from there.”

 

I don't see how you gathered anything about Rex playing from that.

 

Maybe you're right, but it's still not exactly a clear endorsement.

[Jon]

Griese may very well have been worse. Both of his interceptions came when he had wide open passing lanes but threw it right to defenders who he simply didn't see.

 

That's pretty much what he said at halftime. He said the whole offense was playing terribly and that people will blame it on Grossman, but it wasn't just him.

 

Grossman will start.

[Mark Priors Calves]

In the Buffalo game, a fumble was credited to Griese on a bad handoff. In my opinion, it was Benson's fault, but the credit of the fumble went to Griese.

[rawaction]

I'm Rex's biggest supporter, but all the TOs were his fault (although, it looked like the fumbled snap never got to him). Even the tip INT for the 2nd TD was a case of Rex not finding a throwing lane. The first interception TD was about the dumbest thing I've ever seen. The one Woodson picked was a great play, but it was 100% forced by Rex trying to make an impossible throw.

 

I didn't watch the 2nd half, but Griese hasn't impressed me much this year. Granted, it's been in garbage time, but even in the preseason the offense under Griese looked a lot like the offense in 2005 under Orton.

[USSoccer]

 

I didn't watch the 2nd half, but Griese hasn't impressed me much this year. Granted, it's been in garbage time, but even in the preseason the offense under Griese looked a lot like the offense in 2005 under Orton.

 

Griese should have had 2 other passes picked off, but both went right through a GB defender's hands. The TD was blown coverage; there wasn't a DB within 15 yards of Bradley.

[RynoRules]

Again, my first-hand observations:

 

1) The D has become a bend-but-don't break outfit, illustrating just how important Harris really is to putting pressure on the QB. They looked pretty good against the run, but didn't put nearly enough pressure on Favre. I think it important to note that the D (including the second unit) allowed only 10 points last night (plus a FG after Grossman gave GB another short field).

 

2) Grossman was horrendous, but the O-Line was equally bad. They had better get things straightended out within the next two weeks (particularly Tait; that was the worst game I have seen him play).

 

3) Griese looked as bad as Rex, only he has a weaker arm. He does have greater pocket "sense" and looks more comfortable than Rex, however.

 

4) The fans were chanting for Kyle, then for Maynard after the fake in the 2nd half.

 

5) The Cover 2 can't defend slant routes unless the 4-down lineman put ample pressure on the QB. Favre must have thrown to a dozen different slant routes last night.

 

6) Cedric Benson could be Larry Johnson. He's looked amazing in-person.

[Jon]

I'm Rex's biggest supporter, but all the TOs were his fault (although, it looked like the fumbled snap never got to him). Even the tip INT for the 2nd TD was a case of Rex not finding a throwing lane. The first interception TD was about the dumbest thing I've ever seen. The one Woodson picked was a great play, but it was 100% forced by Rex trying to make an impossible throw.

 

I didn't watch the 2nd half, but Griese hasn't impressed me much this year. Granted, it's been in garbage time, but even in the preseason the offense under Griese looked a lot like the offense in 2005 under Orton.

If you can't throw near a defensive lineman who is being double-teamed by Ruben Brown and Olin Kreutz, you're not going to have many opportunities for completions on those slant routes. The second pick should be blamed on the o-line.

 

And I don't want to see that play they ran on the first pick ever again. If you're only trying to get two yards, there are better ways of doing it than throwing nearly half-way across the field, giving the corner plenty of time to jump the route.

[Soul]

after reading Lovie's comments, I drew nothing that would indicate he's committed to Rex starting in 2 weeks.

 

Where did you read them (that could be the problem)?

 

ChicagoBears.com

 

“The plan was to play Rex into the third quarter,” Smith said. “(But) after you’re having a game like that, I didn’t see there was any need to put him back in after an effort like that from not just Rex (but) offensively. You can’t turn the ball over like that, and we did.”

 

When asked if anything that occurred in Sunday night’s season finale would alter the Bears’ depth chart at quarterback, Smith said: “There are no changes on our team. Where do you start? We didn’t play well. We’ll evaluate film like we do each week and go from there.”

 

I don't see how you gathered anything about Rex playing from that.

 

Maybe you're right, but it's still not exactly a clear endorsement.

 

Pretty clear to me. About the only thing more he could do is pin a reporter down to the ground and shout repeatedly in his ear "YES REX WILL START!! GET IT NOW?!?!?"

[Soul]

I don't think it matter who starts at QB. Why would it? Griese's arm is as bad as Pennington, and he throws picks as badly as Grossman. Orton was, is, and ever shall be a college QB.

 

I don't see how this team wins that first playoff game, and I haven't heard a single compelling argument why we will, other than if we start playing better football. Which, yeah, will obviously do it-----but it's been 7 weeks since we played well, so whatever they were doing back then? They better rediscover it, and PRONTO.

[Flames24Rulz]

I don't think it matter who starts at QB. Why would it? Griese's arm is as bad as Pennington, and he throws picks as badly as Grossman. Orton was, is, and ever shall be a college QB.

 

I don't see how this team wins that first playoff game, and I haven't heard a single compelling argument why we will, other than if we start playing better football. Which, yeah, will obviously do it-----but it's been 7 weeks since we played well, so whatever they were doing back then? They better rediscover it, and PRONTO.

 

Griese is awful. Like you said, his arm strength is real piss poor. At least with Grossman, you have a 50/50 chance of him having a decent performance.

[USSoccer]

after reading Lovie's comments, I drew nothing that would indicate he's committed to Rex starting in 2 weeks.

 

Where did you read them (that could be the problem)?

 

ChicagoBears.com

 

“The plan was to play Rex into the third quarter,” Smith said. “(But) after you’re having a game like that, I didn’t see there was any need to put him back in after an effort like that from not just Rex (but) offensively. You can’t turn the ball over like that, and we did.”

 

When asked if anything that occurred in Sunday night’s season finale would alter the Bears’ depth chart at quarterback, Smith said: “There are no changes on our team. Where do you start? We didn’t play well. We’ll evaluate film like we do each week and go from there.”

 

I don't see how you gathered anything about Rex playing from that.

 

Maybe you're right, but it's still not exactly a clear endorsement.

 

Pretty clear to me. About the only thing more he could do is pin a reporter down to the ground and shout repeatedly in his ear "YES REX WILL START!! GET IT NOW?!?!?"

 

I'd pay a lot of money to see that.

[Soul]

I don't think it matter who starts at QB. Why would it? Griese's arm is as bad as Pennington, and he throws picks as badly as Grossman. Orton was, is, and ever shall be a college QB.

 

I don't see how this team wins that first playoff game, and I haven't heard a single compelling argument why we will, other than if we start playing better football. Which, yeah, will obviously do it-----but it's been 7 weeks since we played well, so whatever they were doing back then? They better rediscover it, and PRONTO.

 

Griese is awful. Like you said, his arm strength is real piss poor. At least with Grossman, you have a 50/50 chance of him having a decent performance.

 

I guess I'm for Grossman starting. I've tried to support the kid, but he drives me crazy. I suppose I want him to start because at least he can throw deep, and Griese really can't (lucky play to Bradley aside........playoff teams won't blow coverage like that).

 

BTW----I saw the Favre interview after the game. Now I *know* he's seriously, seriously considering retirement. But man he can still play. I guess it will all come down to other factors off the field.

[rawaction]

I don't think it matter who starts at QB. Why would it? Griese's arm is as bad as Pennington, and he throws picks as badly as Grossman. Orton was, is, and ever shall be a college QB.

 

I don't see how this team wins that first playoff game, and I haven't heard a single compelling argument why we will, other than if we start playing better football. Which, yeah, will obviously do it-----but it's been 7 weeks since we played well, so whatever they were doing back then? They better rediscover it, and PRONTO.

 

That's just not true. They played well offensively in the 3 previous games. They played 3 quarters of good-to-great defense in the TB and Detroit games. The only real bad game the Bears played on defense was probably the Rams game. Last night, they gave up yards, but only really gave up the opening drive TD.

 

You want reasons the Bears will win their first playoff game?

 

Vs. Giants- Bears are a better team, worse QB situation than the Bears, tons of injuries, mediocre defense

 

vs. Seattle- Bears are a better team, injuries on defense, offense hasn't played together much, and hasn't run the ball that well this year, one of the worst run defenses, pass defense will be missing 3 starting DBs

 

vs. Dallas- Bears are a better team, can't run the ball in recent weeks, Romo can't perform under pressure, defense has given up 39, 23, 28, and 42 in their last 4 games.

[Flames24Rulz]

I don't think it matter who starts at QB. Why would it? Griese's arm is as bad as Pennington, and he throws picks as badly as Grossman. Orton was, is, and ever shall be a college QB.

 

I don't see how this team wins that first playoff game, and I haven't heard a single compelling argument why we will, other than if we start playing better football. Which, yeah, will obviously do it-----but it's been 7 weeks since we played well, so whatever they were doing back then? They better rediscover it, and PRONTO.

 

That's just not true. They played well offensively in the 3 previous games. They played 3 quarters of good-to-great defense in the TB and Detroit games. The only real bad game the Bears played on defense was probably the Rams game. Last night, they gave up yards, but only really gave up the opening drive TD.

 

You want reasons the Bears will win their first playoff game?

 

Vs. Giants- Bears are a better team, worse QB situation than the Bears, tons of injuries, mediocre defense

 

vs. Seattle- Bears are a better team, injuries on defense, offense hasn't played together much, and hasn't run the ball that well this year, one of the worst run defenses, pass defense will be missing 3 starting DBs

 

vs. Dallas- Bears are a better team, can't run the ball in recent weeks, Romo can't perform under pressure, defense has given up 39, 23, 28, and 42 in their last 4 games.

 

But for every reason listed, you can make a counter argument of why the Bears could lose the game.

 

vs. Giants- Can anyone stop Tiki? If the Bears had Harris, it would be much more likely to stop Barber, but I don't know how well the Bears front seven will be able to handle the best back in the conference. If the Giants running game gets going, that'll open up some deep routes for Eli to get the ball to Burress.

 

vs. Seattle- This one is probably the Bears best bet as they should be able to score points on Seattle's banged-up secondary. But again, Seattle has one of the best backs in the league. Plus their receiving corps is real solid. I don't know how well the Bears secondary will be able to handle all four of Seattle's receivers. Obviously Tillman will be back, but still. The secondary is a real weak point for the Bears right now, with or without Tillman.

 

vs. Dallas- This team I can't figure out. They have so much talent on the offensive side of the ball, and they have a couple big names on defense. Yet they give up 39 to Detroit? Grossman hasn't performed any better under pressure than Romo. If Tait plays like he did yesterday, Ware would be in the backfield a ton. That should be able to force Grossman into turning the ball over a couple of times.

 

I'm just saying that for every example that says the Bears will win a game, you can counter it with some points as well. It should be interesting to say the least.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't think it matter who starts at QB. Why would it? Griese's arm is as bad as Pennington, and he throws picks as badly as Grossman. Orton was, is, and ever shall be a college QB.

 

I don't see how this team wins that first playoff game, and I haven't heard a single compelling argument why we will, other than if we start playing better football. Which, yeah, will obviously do it-----but it's been 7 weeks since we played well, so whatever they were doing back then? They better rediscover it, and PRONTO.

 

That's just not true. They played well offensively in the 3 previous games. They played 3 quarters of good-to-great defense in the TB and Detroit games. The only real bad game the Bears played on defense was probably the Rams game. Last night, they gave up yards, but only really gave up the opening drive TD.

 

You want reasons the Bears will win their first playoff game?

 

Vs. Giants- Bears are a better team, worse QB situation than the Bears, tons of injuries, mediocre defense

 

vs. Seattle- Bears are a better team, injuries on defense, offense hasn't played together much, and hasn't run the ball that well this year, one of the worst run defenses, pass defense will be missing 3 starting DBs

 

vs. Dallas- Bears are a better team, can't run the ball in recent weeks, Romo can't perform under pressure, defense has given up 39, 23, 28, and 42 in their last 4 games.

 

But for every reason listed, you can make a counter argument of why the Bears could lose the game.

 

That's the point. No one is saying the Bears are certain to win, but some are saying it's a near certainty that they will lose.

[Soul]

I don't think it matter who starts at QB. Why would it? Griese's arm is as bad as Pennington, and he throws picks as badly as Grossman. Orton was, is, and ever shall be a college QB.

 

I don't see how this team wins that first playoff game, and I haven't heard a single compelling argument why we will, other than if we start playing better football. Which, yeah, will obviously do it-----but it's been 7 weeks since we played well, so whatever they were doing back then? They better rediscover it, and PRONTO.

 

That's just not true. They played well offensively in the 3 previous games. They played 3 quarters of good-to-great defense in the TB and Detroit games. The only real bad game the Bears played on defense was probably the Rams game. Last night, they gave up yards, but only really gave up the opening drive TD.

 

You want reasons the Bears will win their first playoff game?

 

Vs. Giants- Bears are a better team, worse QB situation than the Bears, tons of injuries, mediocre defense

 

vs. Seattle- Bears are a better team, injuries on defense, offense hasn't played together much, and hasn't run the ball that well this year, one of the worst run defenses, pass defense will be missing 3 starting DBs

 

vs. Dallas- Bears are a better team, can't run the ball in recent weeks, Romo can't perform under pressure, defense has given up 39, 23, 28, and 42 in their last 4 games.

 

Seriously, your argument is "Bears are a better team"??

 

That's weak. Sorry, but it's true.

 

How you can look at the Tampa and Detroit games and conclude we played well is......well, I'll just say it's a mystery.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Soul, have you seen the Giants play football? Have you seen the Seahawks play away from Seattle? The Lions that put up 21 points on the Bears and then put up 39 on the Cowboys and actually beat them!

 

To add to what raw said, John Tait and Tank Johnson will get their legs underneath them and Charles Tillman will actually play.

[Soriano12]

I was so drunk last night I don't even remember this game, good thing I guess.

[Soul]

Soul, have you seen the Giants play football? Have you seen the Seahawks play away from Seattle? The Lions that put up 21 points on the Bears and then put up 39 on the Cowboys and actually beat them!

 

To add to what raw said, John Tait and Tank Johnson will get their legs underneath them and Charles Tillman will actually play.

 

Alright, alright. But it's still a "Bears will play good again" argument. We've been playing bad against top 10 draft ballclubs here.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Soul, have you seen the Giants play football? Have you seen the Seahawks play away from Seattle? The Lions that put up 21 points on the Bears and then put up 39 on the Cowboys and actually beat them!

 

To add to what raw said, John Tait and Tank Johnson will get their legs underneath them and Charles Tillman will actually play.

 

Alright, alright. But it's still a "Bears will play good again" argument. We've been playing bad against top 10 draft ballclubs here.

 

And our potential opponents have been playing bad too, if not worse. Of course they had something to play for and were playing poorly while the Bears had nothing to play for.

Edited January 1, 2007 by CaliforniaRaisin