Poor Lovie Smith. The Chicago Bears training camp is starting tomorrow and, according to a report published Tuesday by the Associated Press, the Bears head coach says the battle for the starting quarterback's job between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton is "dead even."
If you're a Bears fan, the emphasis on that particular quote is undoubtedly on the word "dead." Having a quarterback controversy between those two guys is a little bit like trying to decide whether you would rather be trapped without hope of rescue in a burning building or on a sinking ship.
Speaking of sinking ships, is there anyone who really thinks a record of better than, oh, say 8-8 is too terribly likely no matter who wins the "competition?" Unless the Monsters of the Midway bring back most of the defense from the 1985 World Champions, the guys on the other side of the ball will probably not have enough firepower to overcome the offensive stagnation that's going to take place on so many Sunday afternoons, Brian Urlacher's $18 million contract extension notwithstanding.
And let's not bring up two years ago, either. Sure, Sexy Rexy led Da Bears to a Super Bowl appearance, but expecting that to happen again, given Grossman's history of maddening inconsistency and Orton's limited experience and lackluster numbers when he has gotten to play, seems like a stretch even the most optimistic Bears fanatic might not be capable of managing.
The bright side, of course, is that anyone concerned about the quarterback battle has been waiting months for football to start up again, so at least you have something to talk about. And what the heck, right now everyone's tied for first, so enjoy it while you can.
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If you love fiction and have a few minutes to spare, check out my website, www.allanleverone.com.
Great scribble, the Milquetoasts of the Midway locked in a battle to the nearly-exhausted for right to be benched halfway through the season in favor of the other going 3-5...sounds like Dante missed a circle of hell...I will check out your sight...good to see you...how's that lovely granddaughter of yours doing?
Hi Ed and thanks! I think Grossman/Orton may have been too horrible for even Dante to contemplate....
My granddaughter is doing great, thanks so much for asking. She runs like Billy Whiteshoes Johnson now, which is kind of cool, except when you're babysitting, then it's just exhausting....
Hi Aero, thanks a lot for the comment....I had to laugh when poor Lovie Smith (I'm pretty sure that's going to be his legal name before the end of the season - "Poor" Lovie Smith) was asked about Brett Favre. He said something like "Well, Brett Favre is one of the all-time greats, but he's a Green Bay Packer, and if he's not, someone else will be."
I think maybe the long season is getting to Poor Lovie already....
Half Baked
We all knew that Lovie Smith would be facing an uphill battle this season. Look at the several of the decisions he's got to deal with. Orton or Grossman at QB ? Side part or comb over ? Oh I forgot he's bald. In all honesty his job could very well be on the line if the team fails to have a winning season let alone not make the playoffs.
And you thought the Packers were facing problems concerning Favre ?
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Last edited by justanotherfan on July 23rd at 8:55 AM.
Well, quarterback jokes and Lovie Smith bashing aside, the Bears do actually have a realistic chance of winning the NFC North. The defense will be fine, and the running game looks like it will be improved. The Vikings seem to be the favorite pre-season pick, but I'm more of the opinion that the division is wide open.
Yes, the QB situation is ugly in Chicago, but I'm also guessing that most fans of the Lions, Vikings, and Packers aren't all that happy with their teams' QBs either.
Hi Al, I agree Lovie could be faced with losing his job if things don't go well this season - a lot of perople felt he was on the ropes by the end of last year, and he was just one season removed from a Super Bowl appearance!
Hi BC, and thanks for the comment. I hope you don't think I was bashing Lovie Smith, that definitely wasn't my intention. I feel for the guy.
The quarterback jokes are a different story - I did make a few of those, mostly because both of those guys ARE quarterback jokes.
But you're right about the Bears divisional opponents - there aren't that many teams anywhere in the NFL with truly standout QB's, so I would agree that anything is possible....
Half Baked
A whole lot of things can happen in a year. And it does in many cases but I don't think that Smith had envisaged his team sinking faster than the Titanic after it hit an iceberg. So much so that he probably thought about deserting a sinking ship in this case the Bears.
God knows this team doesn't possess a heart or leadership on or off the field. Urlacher runs around all too often like a headless chicken and doesn't seem to instill confidence or leadership in any of his teammates. So therein overall lies one of the many abundant problems that the team faces. And then you throw in the two doofusses , Orton and Grossman. It really doesn't paint a pretty picture at all.
What? We have to see you every day now? I'd take the sinking ship, no brainer, who wants to die by fire? Can you say Brett Favre? Plugging your web site on every post is so beneath you, or is it?
Orton followed Brees at Purdue and did great job. Why is he not given the chance to win the starting job. Grossman have been getting every opportunity under the sun and more. We here in the East do not get to see many Bear games but those highlights we do get to see of Orton always have been positive. He did help the Bears go to the playoffs in his rookie season but it appears the Bears will not give him the same chance Grossman got to be the starter.
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edclinch
Rex led his team to a SB but the thing is they were soundly beaten. And now we're seeing in him a guy who at times it can be said is gunshy. If anything he may well be scared of his own damn shadow.
To be honest I am not as concerned about the QBs as I am about the O-line and D-line. Last year the O-line just plain sucked. The D-line was badly hurt. Any QB can make the passed needed if they have the time. Last year none of the QBs had any time to throw. The proof is how many got hurt. Anytime you loose 2 QBs in one year, your line as a unit sucks. I never saw any movement at the point of attack in the running game. If there is no movement at the point of attack there is no running game. as for the D-line's health this is a wait and see thing. I will maintain the secret to having a good football team is the linemen. If you have good pass blocking and a good push at the point of attack then your offence will be fine, and the d-line needs to stop the run and get pressure on the opposing QB otherwise your opponents will run up the score on your team.
bearsfanindenver
And none of them it'd appear had the intelligence to improvise. The needs of the Bears as you say go beyond the quarterback play. But at the same time isn't that also where a great deal of the leadership should come from also ? Wherein is there a real leader on this team ?
Urlacher is on the defenseive side of things but is there a leader on the offensive side of the ball ?
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