11/27 Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[burnt out cubbie fan]

I just don't see the point of switching QBs when your starter has helped win 8 games, including 7 straight. Maybe it's because I've been anti-Grossman since the day he was drafted. I always thought Grossman would be a bust, and up until this point, due to injuries, I'd say I've been right. The guy up there is right. Grossman can't make us win more, and infact, all he can do at this point is bring this team down. Until Orton has another 3+ INT game, or completely costs us a game with off the mark passes, I don't see any need for a quarterback controversy.

 

Also, for the record, I'm not pro-Orton in any way, I'm just pro-winning. I'd be saying the same thing if we were performing like this with anyone under center.

The thing is, Orton hasn't helped us win at all. If you put a dummy back there that just handed the ball off every and threw an interception a game, you wouldn't have much of a difference. If you take out that screen pass to Thomas Jones, Orton threw for 93 yards or 3.4 per pass attempt. That's just horrible.

[Jon]

Gado puts it on the ground again. I want to see the Bears defense come away with at least 3 turnovers next Sunday.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I just don't see the point of switching QBs when your starter has helped win 8 games, including 7 straight. Maybe it's because I've been anti-Grossman since the day he was drafted. I always thought Grossman would be a bust, and up until this point, due to injuries, I'd say I've been right. The guy up there is right. Grossman can't make us win more, and infact, all he can do at this point is bring this team down. Until Orton has another 3+ INT game, or completely costs us a game with off the mark passes, I don't see any need for a quarterback controversy.

 

Also, for the record, I'm not pro-Orton in any way, I'm just pro-winning. I'd be saying the same thing if we were performing like this with anyone under center.

The thing is, Orton hasn't helped us win at all. If you put a dummy back there that just handed the ball off every and threw an interception a game, you wouldn't have much of a difference. If you take out that screen pass to Thomas Jones, Orton threw for 93 yards or 3.4 per pass attempt. That's just horrible.

 

I understand, but he's also not losing games for us. Grossman hasn't taken a snap in such a long time, I don't feel that throwing him in there in the midst of a playoff run would help the team. I'm all for a quarterback controversy in TC next season, but until Orton starts losing games for us, I don't feel the need to call for his head just yet.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

[i understand, but he's also not losing games for us. Grossman hasn't taken a snap in such a long time, I don't feel that throwing him in there in the midst of a playoff run would help the team. I'm all for a quarterback controversy in TC next season, but until Orton starts losing games for us, I don't feel the need to call for his head just yet.

The thing is, do you think that we can survive his lack of performance in the playoffs or against teams like the Steelers? I certainly don't. That's why I want them to at least think about changing QBs when Rex is healthy.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

For the love of all that is good and holy Matt Bryant. At least the defense had a bounceback game, only 6 points after starting a drive defending a single yard.

[Careless]

[i understand, but he's also not losing games for us. Grossman hasn't taken a snap in such a long time, I don't feel that throwing him in there in the midst of a playoff run would help the team. I'm all for a quarterback controversy in TC next season, but until Orton starts losing games for us, I don't feel the need to call for his head just yet.

The thing is, do you think that we can survive his lack of performance in the playoffs or against teams like the Steelers? I certainly don't. That's why I want them to at least think about changing QBs when Rex is healthy.

If maddox is still starting, we'll crush the steelers

[B]

For the love of all that is good and holy Matt Bryant. At least the defense had a bounceback game, only 6 points after starting a drive defending a single yard.

 

I feel you pain CPatt. Are we the only Buc fans on the board? The Buc defense outplayed the Bears, but it's hard to stop someone from the 1 yard line.

[Jon]

All aboard the pain train:

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694835.jpg

 

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/TPS10911272126.jpg

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694777.jpg

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694725.jpg

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694718.jpg

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694715.jpg

 

Is that the knee brace or is Thomas Jones packing heat?

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694838.jpg

 

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/TPS11311272155.jpg

 

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/TPS10611272114.jpg

 

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/TPS10311271941.jpg

[burnt out cubbie fan]

[i understand, but he's also not losing games for us. Grossman hasn't taken a snap in such a long time, I don't feel that throwing him in there in the midst of a playoff run would help the team. I'm all for a quarterback controversy in TC next season, but until Orton starts losing games for us, I don't feel the need to call for his head just yet.

The thing is, do you think that we can survive his lack of performance in the playoffs or against teams like the Steelers? I certainly don't. That's why I want them to at least think about changing QBs when Rex is healthy.

If maddox is still starting, we'll crush the steelers

Ben is starting tomorrow :P

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

The only good thing to say about Orton is he doesn't lose games that the D and the running game win for him.

 

We're playing with fire scoring so few points. If the D has a bad quarter or two against a decent team, we'll lose.

[Jehrico]

For the love of all that is good and holy Matt Bryant. At least the defense had a bounceback game, only 6 points after starting a drive defending a single yard.

 

I feel you pain CPatt. Are we the only Buc fans on the board? The Buc defense outplayed the Bears, but it's hard to stop someone from the 1 yard line.

 

The Buc defense didn't outplay the Bears...your offense is on a whole level above ours. Our defense allowed fewer points to a superior offense, yours allowed more points to an inferior offense.

[YearofDaCubs]

Ha ha that first pic is great.

[YearofDaCubs]

Have u guys seen Bollinger from the Jets? Fitzpatrick first game and he puts up over 300 yards. Simms avgs 250 yards. All of these guys have less experience than Orton and they put up better numbers. Sorry Orton hasn't progressed.

[B]

For the love of all that is good and holy Matt Bryant. At least the defense had a bounceback game, only 6 points after starting a drive defending a single yard.

 

I feel you pain CPatt. Are we the only Buc fans on the board? The Buc defense outplayed the Bears, but it's hard to stop someone from the 1 yard line.

 

The Buc defense didn't outplay the Bears...your offense is on a whole level above ours. Our defense allowed fewer points to a superior offense, yours allowed more points to an inferior offense.

 

Yeah...Our D just couldn't stop the Bears on that drive...ummmm....I mean 1 yrd. play.

[YearofDaCubs]

Thats the NFL for ya where screwups can make or break your team. You guys had two costly ones. The Bears offense is probably the worst in the NFL unfortunately. If we had a QB we would be set.

[Banedon]

Heh...the anti-Orton camp should love this...

 

Referring to Orton...

The Bears are 8-3 with him, not Rex Grossman. End of story, for this week.

 

They're also 8-3 with Alex Brown, who finished with two sacks, four deflected passes and one forced fumble. They're also 8-3 with the guy who makes sure coach Lovie Smith's headphone cord doesn't get tangled. It's a team sport.

[Banedon]

Also on the Orton topic, a very good article from Greg Couch...

[goonys evil twin]

I think Orton has actually managed to regress. He looked brutal in that game. This team has a chance to make noise in the playoffs, but they need a decent QB to pull it off. Nobody knows where Grossman is at this stage of his career, but we know Orton is bad. He might not be losing games, but he seems to be trying. I just hope Rex can make an impression in practice this week, and hopefully start by the Pitt game. The Bears are 7 point favorites against GB, and I have no confidence in giving up those points with an offense that can't score, at all.

 

I was pretty upset with Orton when he flipped on the refs for his intentional grounding call. The Bears needed some levelheaded play from their supposed offensive leader at that time, but he pulled an Alou out there. Maybe MM was in the vicinity. It looked to me like he turned in when Kyle thought he would turn out. But the call was not complete BS. If Orton disagree he should have just told the refs that. There's nothing wrong with the initial emotional response, but then you have to tone it down, not carry on for 15 seconds after the call. Turner was smart to call a run there. Orton was already erratic, they couldn't afford to have him make a bigger mistake.

 

I'm really hoping Rex is starting by the Pitt game. I can't envision a scenario where Orton improves down the stretch, and I really don't think Rex can be any worse than Orton. You might as well go for broke and gamble that the former 1st round pick and annointed starter can be a positive difference maker down the stretch, and turn this team into a potential NFC representative in the super bowl.

[YearofDaCubs]

Yeah, Orton is pretty bad and it really isa shame because if we had an AVG QB we would be set.

[brinoch]

I was not impressed with Orton this game, or very much at all, frankly. He's been the best option with Grossman out. That's it. He's probably still the best option, but I have no confidence that the offense can move the ball with him at the helm. His passes are sloppy and his timing is pretty bad.

 

When Grossman is a little more healthy -- maybe against Pittsburgh or Atlanta -- he needs to get back into the game.

 

You don't squander an opportunity like this one. A defense like this comes around once in a blue moon. A competent offense, combined with this defense, could conceivably win out this season.

[biittner77]

A few thoughts:

 

I can't help thinking that the '85 Bears would have had Simms running for his life by the second quarter.

 

Tampa's play action worked every single time they used it in the 2nd half or so it seemed.

 

Orton won't lose his job until the Bears lose. I expect that to be the game against the Steelers.

 

They talk about the rookie wall because of the longer pro season, perhaps that explains Orton's regression.

 

Whenever people mention the current Bears and compare them to the Ravens they never give enough credit to Trent Dilfer. No, he wasn't a great QB but he was better than anyone the Bears have.

[CuseCubFan69]

What's kind of funny is that the Bears are never on TV around here so people in this area have no real clue on how good they are unless they have payed for one of those NFL packages or go to a bar that has a Bear following.

[goonys evil twin]

What's kind of funny is that the Bears are never on TV around here so people in this area have no real clue on how good they are unless they have payed for one of those NFL packages or go to a bar that has a Bear following.

 

They were featured in NYC yesterday, while it appeared that Fox sent their A squad to the Philly/GB game.

[goonys evil twin]

Whenever people mention the current Bears and compare them to the Ravens they never give enough credit to Trent Dilfer. No, he wasn't a great QB but he was better than anyone the Bears have.

 

I think Dilfer was clearly better than Orton is right now. But I'm not certain that Dilfer would be better than Grossman, if Rex played.

 

 

I believe that game vs Atlanta might be a must win in the homefield advantage chase. That is why I'd like to see Rex start vs Pitt, to get his feet wet and back in the flow before the nationally televised game.

[gflore34]

A few thoughts:

 

I can't help thinking that the '85 Bears would have had Simms running for his life by the second quarter.

 

 

Without question, while the comparison to the '85 defense is great a compliment I believe there's no comparison. It seems to me that this Bears defense gives up one or two big plays a game, in '85 that never happened, most especially during the last 6-8 games of the Regular Season and Playoffs. This tendency and the mistake prone Orton do not bode well for the Playoffs.