USSoccer

A dominant run game with Benson will keep the Bears offense on the field, and the opponents offense off the field. Except I don't see Lovie giving Jones the back seat to Benson in the playoffs. Benson might get more carries after a nice game at GB, but I'll bet Jones gets the bulk of the action. That might depend on the weather, too, and which team they get. If the weather's lousy, they might run the ball more that usual.

. I dunno, considering how bad the secondary has looked, and how bad the tackling has been, controlling time of possesion via the Orton Plan might not be a terrible idea. The less time the defense is on the field, the better. I agree with you 100% on Ron Turner. There needs to be a serious self examination there. More crossing routes, less TE drags in the flat. He needs to realize that chucking the ball up to Berrian downfield isn't an offensive game plan unless you're playing "Madden". He also needs to design a game plan that protects Rex from what's sure to be a big push up the middle of the O-Line. I don't know if that means going max protect, calling some draws or rollouts, but if the O-Line lets Rex get pressured, he's going to make mistakes. The first couple series are going to be absolutely critical for the offense. Rex needs to find a rythym. With the atmosphere in Chicago right now, he can't afford an early turnover or a 1-12 start like he had last January in Carolina. EDIT: One other thing that needs to be said: The home crowd needs to get their heads out and not boo and freak out on Rex if he does throw a pick, or start off slowly. It's one thing to freak out in the regular season, but it's entirely another thing to take HFA and turn it against your own team. I'm not saying that fans don't have a right to boo (I'm not opening up that can of worms), but what I am saying is that in this situation, it would be totally stupid to do so.

Interesting point: Zach Zaidman reported this morning that in the locker room after the game on Sunday, Lovie pulled Rex aside and they had about a 5 minute heart to heart, in which Lovie reassured Rex that he was still his starting QB. That warrants mentioning. I have the feeling that the Bears got all their "suck" out of their system Sunday. There's no possible way the offense will be that bad in 2 weeks time. I have more worries about the defense than the offense, because if worse comes to worse, they can break out the Orton Plan and just run the ball 40 times with Benson and Jones, with the occasional play action pass. As far as who the Bears face, I'm sure it will end up being either Seattle or New York. I don't see Dallas going into Seattle and winning, especially if Romo gets any kind of flustered. As far as NYG/Philly goes, I think NY can beat Philly. I'm not sold on Jeff Garcia.

Until I see what happens in ST, I can't answer that. He's not rehabbing from surgery, so right now I don't see why he couldn't be there. I'm not a doctor and I haven't seen his medical reports, so I don't know. Considering there is still four months to Opening Day, I don't know why he shouldn't be ready to go. You'd think that, and still I doubt he'll pitch before May.

If he'd come back for a reasonable price, and would be happy being the backup 1B and first RH option off the bench, heck yes. I doubt he would want to, though.

Although he could fill a bench role probably better than a veteran retread could, and for less money to boot.

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

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.

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

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?

Where did you read them (that could be the problem)? ChicagoBears.com He was given an opportunity to make a stronger statement of confidence, but instead made a vague statement.

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

What was Lovie's QB statement.

I'm VERY interested in Lovie's postgame QB comments. Here's hoping stupid doesn't set in.

I cannot wait for the Chicago/National media gloss over the crap game Griese had (cheap TD aside, I'm sure they all focus on his rustiness) to focus on the trainwreck game Rex had.

Just out of curiosity, why? Griese isn't going to win you a game, might lose you one and with the defense playing the way it has, you're probably going to need that to happen. Rex can win you a game. Rex has been the starter for 16 games, has more great games than any QB in the NFL, and can make plays Griese cannot. He might blow up, but you have to take that chance. QB managers aren't going to win without a dominant defense. The Bears are not a dominant defense.

I still see Urlacher out there. Why, I have no idea. Lovie isn't a good coach. That's why. Nothing good could have come out of playing the starters tonight, especially after GB was eliminated, but Smith did it anyway because it's a "rivalry" game. Well, look what's happened: Your starting QB had a nightmare game with a 0.0 rating, your defense got gashed, and you've likely ignited a full blown QB controversy unless Griese throws a couple picks and sucks. All for a stupid, meaningless rivalry. The smart thing would have been to start Griese and the backup offense, and none of the defense.

I want Grossman playing... atleast some.. the rest i agree i dont want to see them either... Agreed. Let him try and work this out now. IF he comes out in the 3rd and gets a couple good drives, I'll bet everyone will feel a lot better. Of course, watch him put 2 TD's up, cust it to 23-14, and Griese will come in, they'll win, and then all hell will break loose. This is a good point. Lovie can't play Griese now. At least not until (and UNLESS) Grossman can lead a couple solid drives. I'm surprised Lovie is going with Griese immediately in the second half. It's either to protect Rex's psyche after a truly awful performance, or to send him a message. Or both.

I really hope Lovie isn't going to consider starting Griese in the Divisional game.

Here goes Michaels. I hope Griese is terrible, just to shut everyone up.

Boooooooo Griese. Sorry, I just cannot stand the Griese worship.

It has already started. Collinsworth just just said in uncertain terms that he would play Griese in the second half and if he does anything, he would start Griese for the playoffs. That's why Collinsworth isn't a coach. That's a stupid statement.

I want Grossman playing... atleast some.. the rest i agree i dont want to see them either... Agreed. Let him try and work this out now. IF he comes out in the 3rd and gets a couple good drives, I'll bet everyone will feel a lot better. Of course, watch him put 2 TD's up, cust it to 23-14, and Griese will come in, they'll win, and then all hell will break loose.

For the record, the whole team sucks tonight. Missed tackles, bad blocking, bad Rex...the only good player has been Benson. Stupid Rex. Now I can't listen to the radio for at least 2 weeks. I actually hope Lovie leaves him in for the entire 2nd half. Better to suck tonight than in 2 weeks.

go Mets!