12/4 - Bears vs. Packers

[Keener98]

Completely agree with everybody on starting Grossman if hes healthy. I tried backing Orton, but the last 2 weeks have put the nail in the coffin for me. How in the hell do you have 3 posessions starting in the Packers territory in the first half and only come away with 6 points from it? Thats pathetic, like somebody else mentioned, this game should have been over at the half with a decent QB. Orton has regressed since the Carolina game, and I think maybe sitting on the sidelines and having a chance to watch would help his development.

 

Also something I havent seen mentioned, but is anybody else really impressed with Lovies and Ron Rivera's ability to make halftime adjustments with the defense? Our defense looked very average in the first half yesterday, but the second half they came out and showed the Pack the leagues best D. This is the 2nd game off the top of my head where this has happened with the other being New Orleans.

 

Also for the love of god, please sign Peerless Price if not just for his punt returning ability, or put Nathon Vasher back there. The Wade and Davis show must stop NOW!

[bukie]

I think it's difficult to discern in Orton's statistics how much of it is Orton, how much of it is the receivers, and how much of it is the play calling. I'm not defending Orton by any means, but there are some things that have been completely taken out of the playbook since the Cincy game that have never gotten put back in since.

 

It seems now that the only deep passes Orton throws are 40-yard hail marys and 20-yard out fades. He overthrows each about 75% of the time, which makes me curious why the coaching staff keeps calling them. Aside from that, all Orton throws are 3-7 yard slants, quick outs and screens. It seems that the entire center of the field, and the 10-20 yard "medium" pass is completely missing from the offensive scheme, content to gain that medium yardage from one of the other methods (3-7 yard fade followed by a hopeful run after the catch, or 20 yard fade out), or hope the RB runs 11 yards.

 

Now, if the coaching staff simply got scared of those routes since the Cincy game, they have to give Orton a chance to screw up again. The staff is just hurting the offense if they don't, which is becoming more and more obvious each week. Granted, with opponents stacking 8 men in the box, it becomes hard to throw that pass over the middle, but if they can get more completions in the 10-20 yard range, it forces the safeties and linebackers to play off a bit and respect that route. The longer the Bears go without doing something in that medium range, the less the opposing defense will respect that area of the field. As it is right now opposing defenses only need to respect about 1/3 of the field.

 

Now, if that's Orton's decision making that prevents those passes from being thrown, it's up to the coaching staff to practice that more so that Orton becomes more comfortable with it again, or threaten to make a change to a QB who can make those throws. Because, eventually, the Bears will have to play from a TD or more behind, and when that happens, they won't be able to count solely on FGs to get them back into the game.

[goonys evil twin]

Now, if the coaching staff simply got scared of those routes since the Cincy game, they have to give Orton a chance to screw up again.

 

No they don't. He's been screwing up all year. The Bears are in a tight race for not only homefield advantage in the first playoff game, but throughout the playoffs, and even just making the playoffs. They can't afford to let Orton lose another game for them. Decent QB play wins each of the 3 losses, with the only possible exception of Cincy. The Bears have been lucky in that bad QB play hasn't killed them. But they are in a spot where 2 more losses could mean byebyeplayoffs and definitely mean byebye homefield.

[YearofDaCubs]

Word is that Kerry Collins will be benched by Oakland starting next week and will not be resigned. I really don't like Kerry Collins as a QB but considering our options it wouldn't be a bad idea for the Bears to sign him next year. At least we would have a very average QB which is better than what we have now but with our defense it might be good enough to get us to the top.

[goonys evil twin]

Word is that Kerry Collins will be benched by Oakland starting next week and will not be resigned. I really don't like Kerry Collins as a QB but considering our options it wouldn't be a bad idea for the Bears to sign him next year. At least we would have a very average QB which is better than what we have now but with our defense it might be good enough to get us to the top.

 

He's an INT machine. I would much rather see a competition between Orton and Grossman. I want Orton on the bench now, in part because I think it'll help him to take a step back and evaluate what he's been exposed to already. After 12 NFL games, a full offseason of work, and a full training camp with the big boys, I think he'll be better in September of 2006 than December 2005 or January 2006. And I think Grossman could easily be better than Collins, especially by next year.

[David]

Some of Lovie's comments from today's press conference...

 

(I am paraphrasing SOMEWHAT, but it's pretty close to what he said, I think)

 

A reporter asked if he would consider making a change at QB once Rex is deemed to be entirely ready.

 

Lovie's reponse... "We expect a certain level of play at the quarterback position, and we've always said that if you don't play at that level, we'll make a change."

 

Sounds to me like he's leaving the door open.

 

At the beginning of the PC, he also said that the passing game and quarterback play needs to improve.

 

Oh, and he said that Rex is getting closer and closer and that his mobility has continued to improve.

[Keener98]

Some of Lovie's comments from today's press conference...

 

(I am paraphrasing SOMEWHAT, but it's pretty close to what he said, I think)

 

A reporter asked if he would consider making a change at QB once Rex is deemed to be entirely ready.

 

Lovie's reponse... "We expect a certain level of play at the quarterback position, and we've always said that if you don't play at that level, we'll make a change."

 

Sounds to me like he's leaving the door open.

 

At the beginning of the PC, he also said that the passing game and quarterback play needs to improve.

 

Oh, and he said that Rex is getting closer and closer and that his mobility has continued to improve.

 

Yea everything Ive heard from Lovie since yesterday seems to "hint" that once Grossman is fully healthy he will get a shot. Great news to hear.

[CP_414]

I expect Grossman to get 1 or 2 series this weekend if he is healthy. They really need to make that switch as soon as possible. The Bears are going to have to win out to have any shot at the 1 seed. Other than hosting the Colts in Week 16 Seattle should win out. The Colts may even be sitting guys at that point.

[EricG]

Bears opponents should just kneel down 3 times and punt every possession against this defense.

[Wild_Cubs04]

Bears opponents should just kneel down 3 times and punt every possession against this defense.

 

Then you guys would score NO points :wink:

[rawaction]

Bears opponents should just kneel down 3 times and punt every possession against this defense.

 

Then you guys would score NO points :wink:

 

I'm sure the Bears will find a way. The team would miss a long snap and Vasher would recover it for a touchdown.

[EricG]

Bears opponents should just kneel down 3 times and punt every possession against this defense.

 

Then you guys would score NO points :wink:

 

I'm sure the Bears will find a way. The team would miss a long snap and Vasher would recover it for a touchdown.

 

[Musburger] The Cougars lead - in

the middle of the third quarter.

 

- And he takes a knee?

- [Whistle Blows]

 

- Y'all gonna play or what?

- [Chattering]

 

[Laughing]

How do you all like my new offence?

 

[Musburger]

All right, it's second and ...

 

- As the Cougars line up on the ball.

- Hut! Hut!

 

[Whistle Blows]

 

What is Red Beaulieu doing,

refusing to play offence?

 

- Dan, this is bizarre.

- [Dan] No, it's not, Brent.

 

It's brilliant, because Red is

taking the waterboy out of the game.

By kneeling down

three times and punting,

he's gonna make the Mud Dog

offence try to beat him.

 

And the way they're playing

today, that's impossible.

 

 

 

[Musburger] Well, the Mud Dog's

most valuable player,

the linebacker they call "the Waterboy,"

is now powerless.

That means Coach Klein will have

to find another way to outfox Red.

 

 

[Banedon]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-051205bears,1,5586877.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

"We need to improve our quarterback play," Smith said at his Halas Hall news conference. "We need to improve our passing game as a whole. Anyone involved in the passing game needs to pick it up a bit in order for us to continue this path to win our division and get in the playoffs."

 

"Strength-wise, he's quarterbacked us to eight wins in a row and nine on the season," Smith said. "He has leadership ability to get the job done. Things I say he needs to improve on a little bit, accuracy probably. But you say that about most young quarterbacks.

 

"I'm going to look at what he's done overall. You can look at his quarterback rating. Of course, it isn't exactly what you would like your quarterback rating to be. But in the end, I'm going to look at how many games he's won and figure he can do the job."

[David]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-051205bears,1,5586877.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

"We need to improve our quarterback play," Smith said at his Halas Hall news conference. "We need to improve our passing game as a whole. Anyone involved in the passing game needs to pick it up a bit in order for us to continue this path to win our division and get in the playoffs."

 

"Strength-wise, he's quarterbacked us to eight wins in a row and nine on the season," Smith said. "He has leadership ability to get the job done. Things I say he needs to improve on a little bit, accuracy probably. But you say that about most young quarterbacks.

 

"I'm going to look at what he's done overall. You can look at his quarterback rating. Of course, it isn't exactly what you would like your quarterback rating to be. But in the end, I'm going to look at how many games he's won and figure he can do the job."

 

Don't forget this one..

 

Asked directly if he envisions any change at the position based on performance over the regular season's final four games, Smith said:

 

"Every position we have is based on performance. If you're the starter, you have to perform at a certain level to continue to play."

[da bears]

They did bench Mike Green at the beginning of the year for Chris Harris, so Lovie and his staff are not stubborn. Im not sure why everyone loves Grossman so much, although between Orton and Grossman, Rex is the obvious choice. Anyways, a few very late comments on Sundays game.

1. When Charles Tillman absolutely annihilated Favre in the back, my friend turned to me and said, "I've waited ten years for that hit on Favre." I got a kick out of that.

2. A buddy of mine went to the game, and although it's probably poor taste, he said he saw a sign that read DIE FAVRE DIE! The kid isnt serious about wanting Favre to die obviously, but I thought it was kinda funny.

[Jon]

They did bench Mike Green at the beginning of the year for Chris Harris, so Lovie and his staff are not stubborn. Im not sure why everyone loves Grossman so much, although between Orton and Grossman, Rex is the obvious choice. Anyways, a few very late comments on Sundays game.

1. When Charles Tillman absolutely annihilated Favre in the back, my friend turned to me and said, "I've waited ten years for that hit on Favre." I got a kick out of that.

2. A buddy of mine went to the game, and although it's probably poor taste, he said he saw a sign that read DIE FAVRE DIE! The kid isnt serious about wanting Favre to die obviously, but I thought it was kinda funny.

The Favre, the?

 

I've watched that hit at least 50 times already.

[da bears]

They did bench Mike Green at the beginning of the year for Chris Harris, so Lovie and his staff are not stubborn. Im not sure why everyone loves Grossman so much, although between Orton and Grossman, Rex is the obvious choice. Anyways, a few very late comments on Sundays game.

1. When Charles Tillman absolutely annihilated Favre in the back, my friend turned to me and said, "I've waited ten years for that hit on Favre." I got a kick out of that.

2. A buddy of mine went to the game, and although it's probably poor taste, he said he saw a sign that read DIE FAVRE DIE! The kid isnt serious about wanting Favre to die obviously, but I thought it was kinda funny.

The Favre, the?

 

I've watched that hit at least 50 times already.

 

Hahaha, yeah I've gotten the Favre, the comment a few times already. I personally dont know which hit I liked better, the Tillman hit in the back, or the Mike Brown hit from the front; both were equally awesome. I really cant remember the last time I've ever seen Favre getting destroyed like that. Good win, now lets go beat the Steelers.

[Chocolate Milk]

I was just looking and:

 

Orton's QB rating is closer to Craig Krenzel's QB rating is than it is to Grossman's.

 

Grossman: 71.1

Orton: 60.2

Krenzel: 52.5

[Jon]

They did bench Mike Green at the beginning of the year for Chris Harris, so Lovie and his staff are not stubborn. Im not sure why everyone loves Grossman so much, although between Orton and Grossman, Rex is the obvious choice. Anyways, a few very late comments on Sundays game.

1. When Charles Tillman absolutely annihilated Favre in the back, my friend turned to me and said, "I've waited ten years for that hit on Favre." I got a kick out of that.

2. A buddy of mine went to the game, and although it's probably poor taste, he said he saw a sign that read DIE FAVRE DIE! The kid isnt serious about wanting Favre to die obviously, but I thought it was kinda funny.

The Favre, the?

 

I've watched that hit at least 50 times already.

 

Hahaha, yeah I've gotten the Favre, the comment a few times already. I personally dont know which hit I liked better, the Tillman hit in the back, or the Mike Brown hit from the front; both were equally awesome. I really cant remember the last time I've ever seen Favre getting destroyed like that. Good win, now lets go beat the Steelers.

I couldn't help it. I have no control over that part of my brain.

 

Sadly I missed the Brown hit when I was getting highlights and already taped over the game.

[Mark Priors Calves]

They did bench Mike Green at the beginning of the year for Chris Harris, so Lovie and his staff are not stubborn. Im not sure why everyone loves Grossman so much, although between Orton and Grossman, Rex is the obvious choice. Anyways, a few very late comments on Sundays game.

1. When Charles Tillman absolutely annihilated Favre in the back, my friend turned to me and said, "I've waited ten years for that hit on Favre." I got a kick out of that.

2. A buddy of mine went to the game, and although it's probably poor taste, he said he saw a sign that read DIE FAVRE DIE! The kid isnt serious about wanting Favre to die obviously, but I thought it was kinda funny.

The Favre, the?

 

I've watched that hit at least 50 times already.

 

Isn't that German?

[goonys evil twin]

They did bench Mike Green at the beginning of the year for Chris Harris, so Lovie and his staff are not stubborn. Im not sure why everyone loves Grossman so much, although between Orton and Grossman, Rex is the obvious choice. Anyways, a few very late comments on Sundays game.

1. When Charles Tillman absolutely annihilated Favre in the back, my friend turned to me and said, "I've waited ten years for that hit on Favre." I got a kick out of that.

2. A buddy of mine went to the game, and although it's probably poor taste, he said he saw a sign that read DIE FAVRE DIE! The kid isnt serious about wanting Favre to die obviously, but I thought it was kinda funny.

The Favre, the?

 

I've watched that hit at least 50 times already.

 

Isn't that German?

 

Anybody who speaks German can't be evil.

[Keener98]

By the way, the Bears are back to getting no respect from ESPN. In this weeks power rankings the Bears dropped 2 spots, and guess who is now ahead of them? None other than the Carolina Panters, who the Bears embarrassed. Oh well I guess, but it just goes to show how stupid and pointless polls and power rankings really are.

[David]

Pro Football Weekly tidbit from ESPN.com

 

The Bears are optimistic about Rex Grossman being ready to play if called upon, but we hear they are shy about making any kind of evaluation based on controlled passing drills and seven-on-seven work. Grossman wowed members of the media with his accuracy and arm strength in practices leading up to the Packers game, but whether he can take a hit, sprint and hold up in live football activity remains an unknown.

 

I particularly like that bolded part. :D

 

Nice to hear that he's showing off that arm again.

 

Any bets as to when (if at all) he'll see game action this year?

 

If I had to pick, I'd say the 18th at Soldier Field.

[Banedon]

Pro Football Weekly tidbit from ESPN.com

 

The Bears are optimistic about Rex Grossman being ready to play if called upon, but we hear they are shy about making any kind of evaluation based on controlled passing drills and seven-on-seven work. Grossman wowed members of the media with his accuracy and arm strength in practices leading up to the Packers game, but whether he can take a hit, sprint and hold up in live football activity remains an unknown.

 

I particularly like that bolded part. :D

 

Nice to hear that he's showing off that arm again.

 

Any bets as to when (if at all) he'll see game action this year?

 

If I had to pick, I'd say the 18th at Soldier Field.

 

I'd just like to point out that Orton looked pretty impressive in the preseason. Real games are a smidge different.

 

 

Quotes from the preseason:

Heh, it's going to be a bad season regardless.

 

Orton is going to make mistakes, and Hutchinson makes for a bad back-up quarterback.

 

I say start Hutchinson the first 2-3 games and give yourself a reason to never start him again all year. Because if you start Orton and he falls on his face, people are going to jump on the Hutchinson bandwagon. But if Hutchinson has already failed, then they'll understand that they'll need to reamain steadfast with Orton.

 

I disagree.. I think it doesn't have to be a bad season. It can be saved if Orton starts. He appears to be a competent QB, and that's all the Bears really need to win. The defense is flat out dominant. All they need the offense to do is take care of the ball most of the time and score a couple touchdowns.

 

He might have a bad game or two, but I think we can count on him to at least have a bunch of average games and a few spectacular ones in between.

 

With Hutch, it's a lost season. But with Orton, there's a shot.

 

Man I miss the search function... :P

[Chocolate Milk]

FYI:

 

The Score is reporting that Rex has been moved up the depth chart to #2, is reportedly now 100%, and is taking 25% of the snaps with the first team offense.