Week 15: Bears (7-6) @ Browns (4-9) Noon, FOX

[Banedon]

--The offense under McCown was "a buffet", now its a "one-course meal-just Brandon Marshall"

 

Marshall- 6 catches, Jeffery- 5, M. Bennett- 6, E. Bennett- 4

 

Now go by targets...

 

Marshall - 13

M Bennett - 6

Jeffrey -5

E Bennett - 4

[Banedon]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24375969/the-ironic-reason-why-the-bears-cant-extend-josh-mccown

 

Josh McCown has been one of the feel-good stories of the NFL this season, playing at an elite level while filling in for starter Jay Cutler this season, and, had the Bears been willing to spend one dollar more on his deal they could have been in position to extend him in-season.

 

Instead, the team could end up without an NFL quarterback on the roster when the free-agent market opens in March. Cutler, who returns Sunday as starter after missing about six games with injury, is an unrestricted free agent and GM Phil Emery has said it's unlikely the team will franchise. And, by Chicago's insistence on a minimum-salary benefit deal for McCown, they, per the collective bargaining agreement, can only offer McCown a one-year extension for 2014 again at the minimum-salary benefit level. McCown's performance has rendered that obsolete.

 

So, there is literally nothing the Bears can do between now and March, when the free-agent market opens, to negotiate with McCown. He is assured of hitting the market, and with so many college quarterbacks getting hurt and/or staying in school, and a shallow pool of NFL free-agent passers, an informal poll of GMs left me very confident McCown will have suitors.

 

Had the Bears offered him literally $840,001 (and not $840,000) when signing him, they could have protected their right to extend his deal. Had they put in a bonus package that rewarded him per start, they could have retained the ability to work out a deal with McCown in January or February -- after the season but before free agency begins. Had they included $100,000 in Not Likely To Be Earned bonuses, they could have achieved the same thing.

[Guest]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24375969/the-ironic-reason-why-the-bears-cant-extend-josh-mccown

 

Josh McCown has been one of the feel-good stories of the NFL this season, playing at an elite level while filling in for starter Jay Cutler this season, and, had the Bears been willing to spend one dollar more on his deal they could have been in position to extend him in-season.

 

Instead, the team could end up without an NFL quarterback on the roster when the free-agent market opens in March. Cutler, who returns Sunday as starter after missing about six games with injury, is an unrestricted free agent and GM Phil Emery has said it's unlikely the team will franchise. And, by Chicago's insistence on a minimum-salary benefit deal for McCown, they, per the collective bargaining agreement, can only offer McCown a one-year extension for 2014 again at the minimum-salary benefit level. McCown's performance has rendered that obsolete.

 

So, there is literally nothing the Bears can do between now and March, when the free-agent market opens, to negotiate with McCown. He is assured of hitting the market, and with so many college quarterbacks getting hurt and/or staying in school, and a shallow pool of NFL free-agent passers, an informal poll of GMs left me very confident McCown will have suitors.

 

Had the Bears offered him literally $840,001 (and not $840,000) when signing him, they could have protected their right to extend his deal. Had they put in a bonus package that rewarded him per start, they could have retained the ability to work out a deal with McCown in January or February -- after the season but before free agency begins. Had they included $100,000 in Not Likely To Be Earned bonuses, they could have achieved the same thing.

 

that is the most unfair, conveniently-truthed bunch of crap i've ever read. McCown was not a commodity when he signed and the Bears didn't plan on using him as a starter consistently and they paid him the [expletive] minimum.

 

In addition, the Bears will not be left without a QB. It's not that Emery CAN'T franchise tag Cutler, it's that he's decided most likely not to, meaning there is a plan in place and the tag can still be used as leverage for an impending deal.

 

Yeah, Emery is going to go blind into the offseason without a quarterback, that makes a lot of [expletive] sense.

[Soul]

Wow. I know McCown's performance couldn't have been predicted to be this good, but that seems like an oversight since it's just $1.

[Guest]

Wow. I know McCown's performance couldn't have been predicted to be this good, but that seems like an oversight since it's just $1.

 

a 34 year old quarterback that's been garbage most of his career, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY DIDN'T OFFER HIM A CONTRACT ENDING WITH A 1!

[jersey cubs fan]

Wow. I know McCown's performance couldn't have been predicted to be this good, but that seems like an oversight since it's just $1.

 

I don't see the oversight. It's not like that $1 guaranteed the Bears could keep him next season. It only meant they could negotiate now. If McCown played well enough with the Bears to earn big money next year, he wasn't going to take a discount to stay. And if some team wants to pay big money to McCown at this stage in his career, let them.

[Cubswin11]

http://affordablehousinginstitute.org/blogs/us/wp-content/uploads/trading_places_one_dollar.jpg

[Banedon]

LaCanfora definitely made a much bigger deal out of it than it is. McCown most likely would want to evaluate his market value anyway.

[Guest]

Wow. I know McCown's performance couldn't have been predicted to be this good, but that seems like an oversight since it's just $1.

 

I don't see the oversight. It's not like that $1 guaranteed the Bears could keep him next season. It only meant they could negotiate now. If McCown played well enough with the Bears to earn big money next year, he wasn't going to take a discount to stay. And if some team wants to pay big money to McCown at this stage in his career, let them.

 

Sure, but why wouldn't they spend the $1 extra to be able to negotiate now? Is there a downside?

 

If there's not (I don't know all that much about the NFL cap) then it is definitely an oversight because no matter how unlikely any of this was, $1 is one [expletive] dollar.

[jersey cubs fan]

Wow. I know McCown's performance couldn't have been predicted to be this good, but that seems like an oversight since it's just $1.

 

I don't see the oversight. It's not like that $1 guaranteed the Bears could keep him next season. It only meant they could negotiate now. If McCown played well enough with the Bears to earn big money next year, he wasn't going to take a discount to stay. And if some team wants to pay big money to McCown at this stage in his career, let them.

 

Sure, but why wouldn't they spend the $1 extra to be able to negotiate now? Is there a downside?

 

If there's not (I don't know all that much about the NFL cap) then it is definitely an oversight because no matter how unlikely any of this was, $1 is one [expletive] dollar.

 

Maybe the agent didn't want the dollar to prevent his client from getting sentimental and insisting on a deal without the benefit of the open market?

 

However it plays out, I don't care. It's not a story. Jay Cutler is going to get a raise to come back next year, which takes away the amount of money available to spend on a veteran backup.

[mul21]

Wow. I know McCown's performance couldn't have been predicted to be this good, but that seems like an oversight since it's just $1.

 

I don't see the oversight. It's not like that $1 guaranteed the Bears could keep him next season. It only meant they could negotiate now. If McCown played well enough with the Bears to earn big money next year, he wasn't going to take a discount to stay. And if some team wants to pay big money to McCown at this stage in his career, let them.

 

Sure, but why wouldn't they spend the $1 extra to be able to negotiate now? Is there a downside?

 

If there's not (I don't know all that much about the NFL cap) then it is definitely an oversight because no matter how unlikely any of this was, $1 is one [expletive] dollar.

 

I would definitely think that's a player/agent driven thing to give them as much leverage as [possible on the off chance that something like this did happen. Not that it was remotely likely. Wasn't McCown essentially retired before the Bears brought him back last year?

[rawaction]

I saw on Twitter a link to an ESPN article that said, "Cutler's performance would look a lot different if Alshon Jeffery didn't prevent INT #3"

 

I don't know what's the best/worst thing about that statement.

 

A) The fact that the DB that could have intercepted it missed the ball. Jeffery at best, saved an incompletion.

 

B) The fact that Jeffery has been on the highlights for a month straight making similar catches on the exact same double coverage jumpball throws by McCown

 

C) The fact that there was a roughing the passer penalty on the play and the INT wouldn't have counted if it had been picked off.

 

Man, [expletive] ESPN.

[Soul]

Yeah, it's media-driven QB controversy once again. Sucks, but I'm just expecting ESPN and everyone else to just continue milking it now.

[Guest]

I hope McCown gets a Matt Flynn type contract based on such a small sampling of games. He deserves it for playing so well in place of Cutler. But, whoever gives it to him will be dreading that deal sooner rather than later.

 

As far as losing Cutler and McCown, there are guys that will be available that will fit Trestman's offensive scheme. Maybe it's Jake Locker or Sam Bradford or some other veteran that is a place holder/teacher for the incoming draft pick.

 

After watching McCown, I'm convinced they can fill the vacancy (if there is one) with someone that can continue making this offense gel. The line has become a strength of late and the combination of Forte, Marshall, Jeffery and Bennett have made this one of the most explosive offenses in the league. I hope it's Cutler, but the concussions he's suffered are what gives me a little bit of concern about giving him anything he wants, ignoring how his resigning hurts bringing back other necessary components.

[rawaction]

I hope McCown gets a Matt Flynn type contract based on such a small sampling of games. He deserves it for playing so well in place of Cutler. But, whoever gives it to him will be dreading that deal sooner rather than later.

 

As far as losing Cutler and McCown, there are guys that will be available that will fit Trestman's offensive scheme. Maybe it's Jake Locker or Sam Bradford or some other veteran that is a place holder/teacher for the incoming draft pick.

 

After watching McCown, I'm convinced they can fill the vacancy (if there is one) with someone that can continue making this offense gel. The line has become a strength of late and the combination of Forte, Marshall, Jeffery and Bennett have made this one of the most explosive offenses in the league. I hope it's Cutler, but the concussions he's suffered are what gives me a little bit of concern about giving him anything he wants, ignoring how his resigning hurts bringing back other necessary components.

 

There will be players available, but none of them will be available before March 15 (or whenever FA starts). I don't understand the point of everything if they are basically going to start over with a new QB next year.

 

You're going to be teaching 2 new QBs the offense all over again. Sure everyone else on offense will know it, but the QB is what really matters. One of Cutler/McCown will be back. Odds are it's Cutler unless they know for a fact what salary McCown wants and he doesn't want to test the market.

[Guest]

While I have been a strong supporter of Cutler all along and people don't understand why I haven't waivered on him, I also don't understand where all of the animosity towards him comes from, especially from Bears fans.

 

If anyone was watching the Mike Martz Cutler era, you will know that his only real weapon during that time frame was Matt Forte. If that wasn't punishment enough for Cutler, they also gave him one of the worst offensive lines that I have ever personally witnessed in this pro football league. Cutler was forced to make things happen if they were ever going to happen. He couldn't sit in the pocket and wait for someone to get open. The pocket was collapsing before the ball was ever snapped. He took hit after hit and sack after sack, and only occasionally did he visibly show his anger towards the failures of his line. He sacrificed his body and won games they had no business winning because he had the uncanny ability to find mediocre players open for a brief moment while also fearing for his life. Greg Olsen was a nice player for Cutler, but they even got rid of him, leaving Cutler with Kellen Freakin' Davis as one of his safety valves.

 

And yet, people think that the reason the Bears didn't make the playoffs those years is because of Cutler. Simply amazing. Yeah, he threw some picks and some were some really bad passes. That happens when you know you have .0034 seconds to release the ball. NOT JAY'S FAULT. He was a quarterback in a system that stressed defense.

 

Actually Tom Brady is learning what it's like right now to not have legitimate weapons on your offense. But, he still has a half way decent line protecting him. At least nothing like what Jay had. Season after season, the Bears did nothing to protect Jay in the pocket, and I think he still has an occasional bad throw because I'm sure it gets a bit ingrained at some point that footsteps are close by. That's how long the line failed him. Jay is one of the toughest QB's I've seen in this league and he's also my favorite QB.

[rawaction]

People just don't like Jay. He got blamed for getting upset that his coach openly campaigned for Matt Cassel over him.....the season AFTER throwing for 4600 yards! He got [expletive] from around the league for sitting out a playoff game that he could not physically play anymore. Got blamed for "taking himself out", which is obviously was not his decision. Players don't take themselves out of games. People hate his body language, like it's the keyhole to seeing his terrible soul. Got a concussion after 9 first half sacks, and it's his fault for being injury prone. Roethlisberger rapes people has never played 16 games, yet he's still a [expletive] hero around here, despite not being the biggest reason his team won either ring.

 

I honestly don't get it. From a Bears fan perspective, I think it's a lot of "hey he was supposed to be really good and lead us to Superbowls", but that can't be it. And I can't explain why other players, the media, and other teams fans hate him. He's good looking. Has a beautiful, semi-celebrity wife. Hell he's Tom Brady without the Uggs. I don't get it.

[jersey cubs fan]

People just don't like Jay. He got blamed for getting upset that his coach openly campaigned for Matt Cassel over him.....the season AFTER throwing for 4600 yards! He got [expletive] from around the league for sitting out a playoff game that he could not physically play anymore. Got blamed for "taking himself out", which is obviously was not his decision. Players don't take themselves out of games. People hate his body language, like it's the keyhole to seeing his terrible soul. Got a concussion after 9 first half sacks, and it's his fault for being injury prone. Roethlisberger rapes people has never played 16 games, yet he's still a [expletive] hero around here, despite not being the biggest reason his team won either ring.

 

I honestly don't get it. From a Bears fan perspective, I think it's a lot of "hey he was supposed to be really good and lead us to Superbowls", but that can't be it. And I can't explain why other players, the media, and other teams fans hate him. He's good looking. Has a beautiful, semi-celebrity wife. Hell he's Tom Brady without the Uggs. I don't get it.

 

It boils down to winning a super bowl or not. If you don't win a super bowl, you are going to take heat locally and nationally. The details may be different for each guy and how the haters justify their hate, but if you win that goes away (unless you are Eli and turn into Mark Sanchez).

[biittner77]

For every back up QB that gets a big contract from somewhere else and winds up doing well there are at least 10 cautionary tales illustrating why that's a bad idea.

[rawaction]

People just don't like Jay. He got blamed for getting upset that his coach openly campaigned for Matt Cassel over him.....the season AFTER throwing for 4600 yards! He got [expletive] from around the league for sitting out a playoff game that he could not physically play anymore. Got blamed for "taking himself out", which is obviously was not his decision. Players don't take themselves out of games. People hate his body language, like it's the keyhole to seeing his terrible soul. Got a concussion after 9 first half sacks, and it's his fault for being injury prone. Roethlisberger rapes people has never played 16 games, yet he's still a [expletive] hero around here, despite not being the biggest reason his team won either ring.

 

I honestly don't get it. From a Bears fan perspective, I think it's a lot of "hey he was supposed to be really good and lead us to Superbowls", but that can't be it. And I can't explain why other players, the media, and other teams fans hate him. He's good looking. Has a beautiful, semi-celebrity wife. Hell he's Tom Brady without the Uggs. I don't get it.

 

It boils down to winning a super bowl or not. If you don't win a super bowl, you are going to take heat locally and nationally. The details may be different for each guy and how the haters justify their hate, but if you win that goes away (unless you are Eli and turn into Mark Sanchez).

 

I'm sure that's true to some extent, but I don't even see that much hatred from the Cowboys fans on Romo. The few fans I know or comments I've seen on Twitter have been about the team being full of divas, Garrett being a terrible coach, and Jerry needing to let someone else be GM. Romo's not getting a pass, but he's also not getting a bunch of [expletive] either. Hell, I'm still seeing comments about Cutler getting lucky and still wanting McCown in there....after a win.

[Guest]

Elway forced Baltimore to trade him and then fueded openly with his head coach for a season or two before he'd won a Super Bowl and was still universally loved. However, he'd led his team to 3 and led a high profile drive to win a conference championship. I think Cutler just needs some consistent success, not necessarily a Super Bowl, and I think he'll get it with this team and this playcaller. Edited December 16, 2013 by Stannis

[Guest]

People just don't like Jay. He got blamed for getting upset that his coach openly campaigned for Matt Cassel over him.....the season AFTER throwing for 4600 yards! He got [expletive] from around the league for sitting out a playoff game that he could not physically play anymore. Got blamed for "taking himself out", which is obviously was not his decision. Players don't take themselves out of games. People hate his body language, like it's the keyhole to seeing his terrible soul. Got a concussion after 9 first half sacks, and it's his fault for being injury prone. Roethlisberger rapes people has never played 16 games, yet he's still a [expletive] hero around here, despite not being the biggest reason his team won either ring.

 

I honestly don't get it. From a Bears fan perspective, I think it's a lot of "hey he was supposed to be really good and lead us to Superbowls", but that can't be it. And I can't explain why other players, the media, and other teams fans hate him. He's good looking. Has a beautiful, semi-celebrity wife. Hell he's Tom Brady without the Uggs. I don't get it.

 

It boils down to winning a super bowl or not. If you don't win a super bowl, you are going to take heat locally and nationally. The details may be different for each guy and how the haters justify their hate, but if you win that goes away (unless you are Eli and turn into Mark Sanchez).

 

I'm sure that's true to some extent, but I don't even see that much hatred from the Cowboys fans on Romo. The few fans I know or comments I've seen on Twitter have been about the team being full of divas, Garrett being a terrible coach, and Jerry needing to let someone else be GM. Romo's not getting a pass, but he's also not getting a bunch of [expletive] either. Hell, I'm still seeing comments about Cutler getting lucky and still wanting McCown in there....after a win.

 

Romo sure as hell gets a pass from most of the Cowboy fans I know. It's Garret's fault, Jerry Jones' fault, his o-line's fault, the defense, the divas, etc. but not his fault ever. Teflon Tony Romo.

[Guest]

People just don't like Jay. He got blamed for getting upset that his coach openly campaigned for Matt Cassel over him.....the season AFTER throwing for 4600 yards! He got [expletive] from around the league for sitting out a playoff game that he could not physically play anymore. Got blamed for "taking himself out", which is obviously was not his decision. Players don't take themselves out of games. People hate his body language, like it's the keyhole to seeing his terrible soul. Got a concussion after 9 first half sacks, and it's his fault for being injury prone. Roethlisberger rapes people has never played 16 games, yet he's still a [expletive] hero around here, despite not being the biggest reason his team won either ring.

 

I honestly don't get it. From a Bears fan perspective, I think it's a lot of "hey he was supposed to be really good and lead us to Superbowls", but that can't be it. And I can't explain why other players, the media, and other teams fans hate him. He's good looking. Has a beautiful, semi-celebrity wife. Hell he's Tom Brady without the Uggs. I don't get it.

 

It boils down to winning a super bowl or not. If you don't win a super bowl, you are going to take heat locally and nationally. The details may be different for each guy and how the haters justify their hate, but if you win that goes away (unless you are Eli and turn into Mark Sanchez).

 

I'm sure that's true to some extent, but I don't even see that much hatred from the Cowboys fans on Romo. The few fans I know or comments I've seen on Twitter have been about the team being full of divas, Garrett being a terrible coach, and Jerry needing to let someone else be GM. Romo's not getting a pass, but he's also not getting a bunch of [expletive] either. Hell, I'm still seeing comments about Cutler getting lucky and still wanting McCown in there....after a win.

 

Romo sure as hell gets a pass from most of the Cowboy fans I know. It's Garret's fault, Jerry Jones' fault, his o-line's fault, the defense, the divas, etc. but not his fault ever. Teflon Tony Romo.

 

because Romo is a very good quarterback and he shouldn't get a lot of grief. Last night he checked into the right play at the end but totally missed on the throw. That was a touchdown if he puts it where he needs to be, the safeties were both up at the line and there was nothing but kentucky bluegrass between the receiver and the end zone.

[Guest]

For every back up QB that gets a big contract from somewhere else and winds up doing well there are at least 10 cautionary tales illustrating why that's a bad idea.

 

yep, and the Bears aren't going to be the one to do it. Cutler got himself a contract yesterday.

[Banedon]

because Romo is a very good quarterback and he shouldn't get a lot of grief. Last night he checked into the right play at the end but totally missed on the throw. That was a touchdown if he puts it where he needs to be, the safeties were both up at the line and there was nothing but kentucky bluegrass between the receiver and the end zone.

 

But the point is that he never gets blamed for a team that continually underperforms overall. While most other QB's are lightning rods for criticism if the team underperforms. Actual stats be damned.