The Chicago Bears Preseason Thread

[jersey cubs fan]

Now reports are coming out that a report surfaced a few hours before the draft saying that Williams had back problems.

 

The Bears are so childish. This is professional football. People will get their feelings hurt. Name a QB and say that he was better than the other so far. What is so hard about that?

 

Even reporters like David Haugh, and announcers like Tom Thayer have admitted that neither has been better than the other. Both have been pretty boringly "ok". They've had a few mistakes, they've had a few nice moments, but generally, they've both been meh. Neither is ahead of the other, though Haugh said if pinned down, he's say Orton's been better, but not in any significant fashion.

 

Then Orton is better. I've heard Rex is a great practice QB, but an average to below average game QB. If he can't blow Orton out of the water in practice, he is the #2 QB.

 

Also, stop saying that Rex is a game manager and Rex is not. Both have around the same TDs to INTs. A game manager doesn't throw 50/50. Now maybe Orton is better at managing the game now, but we don't really know that from experience.

 

And stop saying that Orton is 12-3 or whatever as a starter. He was the worst starting QB in 2005. He was 12-3 in spite of his play. I remember that Sunday night game when Orton was QB and Rex came in. The offense starting clicking right away. The field was opened up.

 

Naming a starter now is meaningless if they are still competing for the job. It's not childish, it's trying to counteract the overwhelming idiocy that runs rampant through the media and fans. The first preseason game is home, and inevitably Grossman will be booed. The 2nd game, when Rex starts, will be away, so he won't be booed.

 

Kyle is a low risk low reward QB. As a rookie he was high risk, but he was a rookie. You can't really take a lot from that showing. I don't think it's the least bit inaccurate to think of him as more of a manager. Whereas, Rex is a higher reward QB with huge risk. As a veteran he's still shown nearly unprecedented disasterous tendancies.

 

I think the Bears would like Rex to be their QB, if they are a comfortable that he can limit the disaster. I think they are willing to go to Kyle, if Rex either stops showing the upside, or keeps showing the downside. But they are forcing both guys to go through training camp, and the first two games with the same chance to start. I'm fine with that, and I don't really understand how anybody can't be.

 

Sure, you'd like to have one starter you can count on. But the Bears don't right now. So there's no good reason to just name a guy for the sake of naming a guy and pretending there is no longer a QB competition/controversy.

[Guest]

The Bears are so childish. This is professional football. People will get their feelings hurt. Name a QB and say that he was better than the other so far. What is so hard about that?

 

Yeah, they're not doing this to spare feelings. Neither have separated themself from the other. It's the first preseason game for cripes sake. Who cares?

[David]

FWIW, the guy who has been reporting on training camp and posting up daily highlight videos (Roy) has been saying that it's been fairly even but that Rex has been better.

 

He has reported that Orton has thrown more interceptions, fumbled more snaps, and made more poor throws. Rex has made the occasional mistake and has fumbled a few snaps, but has looked better and made more plays.

 

The highlight videos seem to support this, but, then again, they're just highlight. He has been pretty good about showing both the good and bad plays by each guy, though.

[Wilson A2000]

Sure, you'd like to have one starter you can count on. But the Bears don't right now. So there's no good reason to just name a guy for the sake of naming a guy and pretending there is no longer a QB competition/controversy.

 

Saying one guy has been better than the other in no way say that the competition is over for the rest of camp. I am just talking about the first pre-season game.

 

If you look at the depth chart released, they have Davis/Hester for the number one receiver position and Lloyd/Booker for the other. There is no reason why Davis should be the number one receiver. Do other football teams do this?

[jersey cubs fan]

Sure, you'd like to have one starter you can count on. But the Bears don't right now. So there's no good reason to just name a guy for the sake of naming a guy and pretending there is no longer a QB competition/controversy.

 

Saying one guy has been better than the other in no way say that the competition is over for the rest of camp. I am just talking about the first pre-season game.

 

If you look at the depth chart released, they have Davis/Hester for the number one receiver position and Lloyd/Booker for the other. There is no reason why Davis should be the number one receiver. Do other football teams do this?

 

The point is none of this matters. The goal is to field your best 11 in the first game. The Bears don't know who their best 11 are right now. There's no benefit to saying, "this guy has been better so far" unless you truly believe one guy has clearly been better. And nothing I've read has suggested that is the case.

[Balsa]

This team is so depressing this year.

 

Our best hope is something like 2005.

[SpongeWorthy]

Put me in the "it doesn't matter at this point if the Bears won't name a leader in the QB race if no one has distanced himself from the other" camp. It's still early in training camp and no one is going to get their feelings hurt...I'm sure both probably know they haven't shown enough to be named the starter at this point.

 

But mainly it doesn't matter because neither one is any good.

[minnesotacubsfan]

 

Kyle is a low risk low reward QB.

 

reeaaally? how so? maybe in public opinion, but Orton can be just as volitable as Grossman, and they have virtually the same contract.

 

As a rookie he was high risk, but he was a rookie. You can't really take a lot from that showing. I don't think it's the least bit inaccurate to think of him as more of a manager. Whereas, Rex is a higher reward QB with huge risk. As a veteran he's still shown nearly unprecedented disasterous tendancies.

 

And Orton isnt a baby anymore. The last couple of games this year showed he is just as likely to bomb and misread as Grossman, as a veteran.

 

I think the Bears would like Rex to be their QB, if they are a comfortable that he can limit the disaster. I think they are willing to go to Kyle, if Rex either stops showing the upside, or keeps showing the downside. But they are forcing both guys to go through training camp, and the first two games with the same chance to start. I'm fine with that, and I don't really understand how anybody can't be.

 

I agree.

[Soul]

But mainly it doesn't matter because neither one is any good.

 

Let's just pick up Garcia after Favre signs with Tampa. I wouldn't mind Jeff being the caretaker of this offense while we try (yet again) to identify a future QB.

 

Plus Garcia can move a little. That's what will be needed to stay out of the hospital with the likes of St. Clair and Beekman/Metcalf on the left side of the line.

[cubweiser03]

In my limited reading of a few publications i think the Bears defense is being taken WAY to lightly. There were so many games last year with multiple starters missing (they seem to be judging them by last years #s). The defense by position is stacked and deep.

 

Tomorrows game will be boring and meaningless on what they do on defense. There are like 2-3 players worth watching tomorrow; Bazuin, Harrison and Bowman. The other guys on defense i could give a fart noise about. The story will be the offense and like 10+ players.

[Derwood]

the truth is, contending teams don't enter training camp with open QB auditions. Name me the last team who had a "quarterback controversy/battle" in training camp who did anything with their season?

[minnesotacubsfan]

the truth is, contending teams don't enter training camp with open QB auditions. Name me the last team who had a "quarterback controversy/battle" in training camp who did anything with their season?

 

 

NY Giants. 2007-8.

[minnesotacubsfan]

btw, does anyone know what station the Bears game will be carried on? I was hoping there would be an off-chance I might get to see it.

[Derwood]

the truth is, contending teams don't enter training camp with open QB auditions. Name me the last team who had a "quarterback controversy/battle" in training camp who did anything with their season?

 

 

NY Giants. 2007-8.

 

I don't mean having a QB that fans/media didn't believe in. I mean a team entering camp not having a clue who their QB was going to be. Eli was the QB from the start no matter what the fans wanted

[minnesotacubsfan]

the truth is, contending teams don't enter training camp with open QB auditions. Name me the last team who had a "quarterback controversy/battle" in training camp who did anything with their season?

 

 

NY Giants. 2007-8.

 

I don't mean having a QB that fans/media didn't believe in. I mean a team entering camp not having a clue who their QB was going to be. Eli was the QB from the start no matter what the fans wanted

 

I was under the impression that Eli was under the microscope, and in general was replying to the idea of "controversy" more so then "battle". The thing is, the Giants proved that a team can win with QB as an "issue" at the beginning of the season. I dont think too many people in NY (or the org for that matter) really thought Eli was going to take them to the promise land (for ref, refer to Giants/Vikings game 2007)...but he did..or kept out of their way at least.

[Soul]

the truth is, contending teams don't enter training camp with open QB auditions. Name me the last team who had a "quarterback controversy/battle" in training camp who did anything with their season?

 

 

NY Giants. 2007-8.

 

I don't mean having a QB that fans/media didn't believe in. I mean a team entering camp not having a clue who their QB was going to be. Eli was the QB from the start no matter what the fans wanted

 

I was under the impression that Eli was under the microscope, and in general was replying to the idea of "controversy" more so then "battle". The thing is, the Giants proved that a team can win with QB as an "issue" at the beginning of the season. I dont think too many people in NY (or the org for that matter) really thought Eli was going to take them to the promise land (for ref, refer to Giants/Vikings game 2007)...but he did..or kept out of their way at least.

 

Fair enough, but a large portion of the time it's a team with a great QB who is lifting the trophy. Having that top QB is the best way to cover the most sins, IMO.

 

Trouble is, finding that guy proves to be difficult for clubs like the Bears.

[rawaction]

the truth is, contending teams don't enter training camp with open QB auditions. Name me the last team who had a "quarterback controversy/battle" in training camp who did anything with their season?

 

Jacksonville had a very successful season last year and started with a QB controversy til Leftwich got cut. Before last season, Leftwich/Garrard was no more productive than Grossman/Orton.

 

Cleveland won 10 games and their QB was cut after week 1. Granted they didn't make the playoffs, but I'd take Grossman/Orton before 08 over Frye/Anderson before the 07 season.

[minnesotacubsfan]

the truth is, contending teams don't enter training camp with open QB auditions. Name me the last team who had a "quarterback controversy/battle" in training camp who did anything with their season?

 

 

NY Giants. 2007-8.

 

I don't mean having a QB that fans/media didn't believe in. I mean a team entering camp not having a clue who their QB was going to be. Eli was the QB from the start no matter what the fans wanted

 

I was under the impression that Eli was under the microscope, and in general was replying to the idea of "controversy" more so then "battle". The thing is, the Giants proved that a team can win with QB as an "issue" at the beginning of the season. I dont think too many people in NY (or the org for that matter) really thought Eli was going to take them to the promise land (for ref, refer to Giants/Vikings game 2007)...but he did..or kept out of their way at least.

 

Fair enough, but a large portion of the time it's a team with a great QB who is lifting the trophy. Having that top QB is the best way to cover the most sins, IMO.

 

Trouble is, finding that guy proves to be difficult for clubs like the Bears.

 

finding "that guy" is difficult for every club. does anyone really thing Rogers is the answer in GB? and they are a "QB rich" franchise. If you are in the pos to win games, and dont have said stud QB, you better know how to use your team and their ability to their best potential. I think the Bears are good at this, except for Mr. Turner..but thats another arguement.

[NCCubFan]

Let's just pick up Garcia after Favre signs with Tampa.

Oops.

[Vanilla Ice]

would clemens/pennington be an upgrade over grossman/orton?

 

just curious as a falcons fan

[Balsa]

would clemens/pennington be an upgrade over grossman/orton?

 

just curious as a falcons fan

Probably. Hell, Joey Harrington probably would be.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

btw, does anyone know what station the Bears game will be carried on? I was hoping there would be an off-chance I might get to see it.

 

fox chicago

[Handlebar McSkullet]

would clemens/pennington be an upgrade over grossman/orton?

 

just curious as a falcons fan

Probably. Hell, Joey Harrington probably would be.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[DivineBovine]

Now reports are coming out that a report surfaced a few hours before the draft saying that Williams had back problems.

 

The Bears are so childish. This is professional football. People will get their feelings hurt. Name a QB and say that he was better than the other so far. What is so hard about that?

 

Even reporters like David Haugh, and announcers like Tom Thayer have admitted that neither has been better than the other. Both have been pretty boringly "ok". They've had a few mistakes, they've had a few nice moments, but generally, they've both been meh. Neither is ahead of the other, though Haugh said if pinned down, he's say Orton's been better, but not in any significant fashion.

 

Then Orton is better. I've heard Rex is a great practice QB, but an average to below average game QB. If he can't blow Orton out of the water in practice, he is the #2 QB.

 

Also, stop saying that Rex is a game manager and Rex is not. Both have around the same TDs to INTs. A game manager doesn't throw 50/50. Now maybe Orton is better at managing the game now, but we don't really know that from experience.

 

And stop saying that Orton is 12-3 or whatever as a starter. He was the worst starting QB in 2005. He was 12-3 in spite of his play. I remember that Sunday night game when Orton was QB and Rex came in. The offense starting clicking right away. The field was opened up.

 

Naming a starter now is meaningless if they are still competing for the job. It's not childish, it's trying to counteract the overwhelming idiocy that runs rampant through the media and fans. The first preseason game is home, and inevitably Grossman will be booed. The 2nd game, when Rex starts, will be away, so he won't be booed.

 

Kyle is a low risk low reward QB. As a rookie he was high risk, but he was a rookie. You can't really take a lot from that showing. I don't think it's the least bit inaccurate to think of him as more of a manager. Whereas, Rex is a higher reward QB with huge risk. As a veteran he's still shown nearly unprecedented disasterous tendancies.

 

I think the Bears would like Rex to be their QB, if they are a comfortable that he can limit the disaster. I think they are willing to go to Kyle, if Rex either stops showing the upside, or keeps showing the downside. But they are forcing both guys to go through training camp, and the first two games with the same chance to start. I'm fine with that, and I don't really understand how anybody can't be.

 

Sure, you'd like to have one starter you can count on. But the Bears don't right now. So there's no good reason to just name a guy for the sake of naming a guy and pretending there is no longer a QB competition/controversy.

 

I happen to agree with every expert that we are totally screwed from a QB standpoint.

 

Rex is the only chance we have, IMO. Orton is never going to take any team to the promised land. He has no arm, and he can't make any big plays.

 

Rex can make big plays. He's also probably a good practice QB. That's because he can be quite good when there is no pressure. But of course, he has a weakness. Teams quickly learned that once he gets blitzed, his QB IQ goes into the toilet. He started shuffling he feet, stepping back, jacking the ball, throwing picks. The whole league seemed to figure it out 2 years ago, and carried it into last year.

 

We can only hope that he and the Bears have figured out how to deal with defensive pressure. That's the only chance we have, because I think Orton to me is a known commodity- he sucks. Rex has actually shown that he can win games with his arm. Orton has never won a game for the Bears, he just kept them in it so the defense could win it. Unfortunately, I think we are screwed either way.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

the truth is, contending teams don't enter training camp with open QB auditions. Name me the last team who had a "quarterback controversy/battle" in training camp who did anything with their season?

 

Jacksonville had a very successful season last year and started with a QB controversy til Leftwich got cut. Before last season, Leftwich/Garrard was no more productive than Grossman/Orton.

 

Cleveland won 10 games and their QB was cut after week 1. Granted they didn't make the playoffs, but I'd take Grossman/Orton before 08 over Frye/Anderson before the 07 season.

 

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