Monday, February 05, 2007
Is Sexy Rexy's Reign in Chicago Over? Jeff Garcia Anyone?
We learned a lot about Rex Grossman, aka
And in the end, a great defensive team like the 2006 Bears only needs an efficient leader, one who can consistently throw the short and medium route with accuracy...and oh yeah, one who doesn't turn the ball over multiple times per game.
Yes this is Rexy Sexy's first full season as an NFL quarterback, so maybe we should cut him some slack here and assume that he can only progress as a quarterback. But even if Rex does improve as a quarterback, his general makeup doesn't seem compatable with this Chicago Bears team, one that dominates on the defensive side of the football. This team won 13 games this regular season and while I don't want to take anything away from Rex, I truly believe this team would have won 13 games regardless of who their quarterback was.
Looking back at it now, it seems like a rather simple blueprint...Dominant defense + efficient quarterback usually = success.
The Bears didn't have that "efficient leader" on their roster and Lovie Smith had to do the best he could with Rex, and that job was rather admirable considering all things. But the quarterback the Bears really need is not one that makes the throws Grossman attempted in The Game last evening.
The 2006-07 season is over now. Does the Impotent Cannon have a future in Chicago? What should the Bears do? Should they pencil him in now as their starting quarterback next year?
What if the Bears decide to try the free agency market, in search of a quarterback who is not only a savoy veteran but also fits the description of an "efficient leader"? Isn't that someone they should consider signing to replace the young, gunslinging Rexy?
Welcome to Chicago, Mr. Garcia. Donovan McNabb is staying in Philadelphia. Thus, Jeff Garcia certainly will test the waters via free agency. The man is a competitive warrior and there is no way he wants to ride the pine next season hoping McNabb succumbs to injury. The way Garcia played down the stretch was inspiring and it manifested the fact that the veteran not only has plenty left in the tank but also has it in him to lead a great team to the Super Bowl. Garcia seems to be a perfect match for this Bears team. He doesn't commit turnovers, he is an extremely accurate passer, and he can make plays when needed.
Teamming up with this filthy Bears defense, a Garcia lead offense could be the final variable to the Super Bowl equation, the same variable this year's team lacked.
24 Comments:
I've been pretty firm in my belief all season that the Bears should not be starting Rex Grossman at QB, which I think was pretty prophetic in the SB at least... Grossman could not move the ball consistently, and of course through the 2 bad picks and had a couple more that could have been intercepted.
Should the Bears get rid of him, or at least find another starter? I think so. But as a Vikings fan, I'm hoping they don't.
what about matt schaub?! the guy's been stuck behind vick for some time now.
I agree that we should cut him some slack.
I mean, yeah I was laughing like a drunken hyena at his slips and trips but I did feel a bit sorry for him after the game. I wouldn't wish that kind of bad showing on anybody in a Superbowl.
Alright maybe Tom Brady, but hey who wouldn't? I think they should give him half of next year to improve.
Why in the hell would they want to do that? They need to resign briggs to a long term contract so he STAYS IN CHICAGO. We have someone who can potentially be that guy in Brian Griese who if you remember right the bears signed to a FIVE YEAR DEAL!. Sorry we have our efficent quarterback our coach doesn't wanna play him though
What about Orton? Wasn't he 10-2? That sounds like an 'efficient' passer to me (just ignore his passer rating).
No. Don't rush to sign Garcia on this alone. Griese is similarly capable, but quite a few years younger.
I like the "trying to pry Matt Schaub" option.
I love how all the Bears fans want to crucify Rex for the entire game. He made mistakes, yes, but realize for 2 seconds that the Bears were down by two at half. Yet, Indy held the ball for the first half of the 3rd quarter! The supposed strength of the Bears, the defense and the run game completely failed (minus one long run by Jones). Indy controlled the game up and down. Rex deserves just as much blame as all other failed parts. In the end, Rex gets the blame because he threw the interceptions, but when the strength of your team can't get it done, that's the real problem.
Going into the game, everyone knew that you couldn't put the guy in a situation where he needed to win the game, yet he was, and lo and behold he failed.
Also, I love how other commenters assume that Griese is the savior. Do they even remember him playing? The guy will make zero plays. In the end, that won't get you too far, and he wouldn't have been able to do anything in the super bowl with no run game.
Two points:
1) Did you see the same game as I did? You consider that a dominating defensive performance? I know the ESPN cliche is that Da Bears = Great Defense, but once Tommie Harris went down, the defensive unit was merely above average to good, but by no means great. And don't tell me the defense was on the field a lot in th SB, because they bear responsibility for that as much as the offense does. Force the other team to punt a little bit more and you'll get some rest. It's ridiculous to say that Rex alone lost this game - how many yards of offense did the Colts have?
2) That said, Rex certainly shit the bed in the game. However, he's still a very young player in terms of game experience, and if his teammates still have faith in him, there's no way Chicago should look elsewhere. I'm (unfortunately) a Lions fan, and I've seen that asshat Garcia in action. Never has there been a more bitch-made, noodle-armed, whiny bastard than him donning the Honolulu Blue. Which is saying something. If you want to overpay for a 37-year old who's injury prone and can't throw more than 30 yds. downfield (have fun explaining that to B. Berrian, by the way), you're a goddam moron.
Garcia? You can't be serious dude.
Remember when he was anointed the savior in Cleveland? Yeah that worked out well. He had a good stretch in Philly, playing in an offense he has played in his whole life. Our offense, while similar, isn't tailored personally for Mr. Lisp Jeff Garcia.
Not to mention he's 37. You're trying to dump a 26 year old QB, who in his first year went 15-4 and to the Superbowl? You're sounding like someone who is a fairweather to the highest degree man.
Rex led the Bears to the big game -- sure, & he came up short, but he should not be sent to the gallows now.
Rex did not endear himself to the media at all, but he was supposed to say, "yeah, I suck and know we are going to lose?".
He was just awful this game & had no execution at all...
Watching the Super Bowl, you could tell that Rex is a liability on the Bears, not an asset. In the end you can't rely on Rex to win. But to not ask to rely on your quarterback in the NFL is crazy. Yes Rex is young but he doesn't look like he can become a Trent Dilfer type quarterback. And that is what this team needs. Bring on Garcia, he seems to be a perfect fit. And Brian Griese is horrible.
It's not just about the Super Bowl performance. The Bears are going to be asking themselves throughout the off-season whether or not they could've won the Super Bowl had they made a quarterback change.
No, Brian Griese likely wouldn't have WON the Super Bowl for the Bears. But he wouldn't have LOST it, either. And that's what the Bears needed.
It's not like the guy stinks, either. Had he not injured his shoulder, Griese would probably have been the starter this past season in Tampa Bay.
I see what Lovie Smith was trying to do by sticking with Grossman and ensuring there were no controversies and distractions. But he probably should've made the change mid-season. There was too much at stake to wait for Grossman to become the QB the Bears needed.
And you never know how long these windows stay open. The Bears might have had their chance and blew it.
P.S. I think Garcia would be making a huge mistake to leave Philly. Marty Mornhinweg designed a system that best suited his skills, and another team might not be able to do that for him.
Ian,
Why wouldn't Garcia leave Philly? After the way Garcia performed this season don't you think he wants to be assured of starting somewhere rather than being in the #2 spot behind Garcia?
Bears fans should be thrilled should they land Garcia. Guy can still play, and the Bears will be at the top of the NFC again next year. Good NFL teams have relatively limited windows to get it done. The Bears are well into theirs.
I don't think Garcia will stay in Philadelphia, because Andy Reid will try as hard as possible to avoid a QB controversy at the start of the season. The Philly media would exploit that situation every day of the week. So I'm guessing Garcia will be gone and A.J. Feeley will be the backup.
As for Chicago, Garcia could definitely help them. Lion In Chicago's wrong -- Garcia has much more arm strength than I or any of my fellow Eagles fans thought he had. He threw some beautiful long passes at the end of the year and the playoffs.
The Bears need more than a QB, though. Their defense was nothing more than pedestrian by the end of the year.
It's nice to see that Brian Griese has become such a messiah to Bears fans. It's like a 250 pound women hanging around 400 pounders to look thinner.
Bears need to look else where for a QB. Jeff Garcia would be a good choice. But maybe they would be better off my trying to get a younger QB.
What about the Bears defense? They didn't look too hot either. I don't think the Bears are the favorites to get back to the Super Bowl from the NFC.
As a Seahawk fan, I really could care less...
but as a UW guy I would suggest the loser of the Trent Green/Damon Huard decision over in KC. Huard is not flashy but doesn't make a ton of mistakes, and outperformed Green this year. Both are better than at least half the qb's in the league, and rumor has it only one will be back next year, but they haven't decided which.
Not only that, but they are older players, so Rex can either sit and learn behind them, or you can draft yet another project with a 2 year cycle to start.
They could just sign Dilfer for like $15,000 and win a championship...no?
Darren @ SportsAgentBlog.com
I think bringing Garcia in is a mistake. The guy did a great job in Philly, but he's 37 and he is now looking to be on his fifth team in five seasons. Plus, as anonymous #1 said, the Bears need Lance Briggs back more than they need an aging free-agent QB.
The areas where Grossman is lacking are areas that can be coached. It's not like he's Steve Walsh and can't throw a pass longer than 15 yards.
I have no idea if Grossman will be able to lead them to a Super Bowl. But even with Bad Rex, they made it to the Super Bowl and had a chance to win it. He doesn't have to improve that much for them to get back and have another shot. Open the competition to him and Griese, and if the Sex Cannon wins it, you ride it out his last year of his contract.
Sorry, Brandon--
"But even with Bad Rex, they made it to the Super Bowl and had a chance to win it. He doesn't have to improve that much for them to get back and have another shot."
Because nobody else will do anything in the offseason. Seattle and Carolina wont get healthy. And, uh, the NFC East will get worse? No, it is damn hard to make it, and with a crappy quarterback it is that much harder for everything to come together for you.
Bears maxed their potential with Rexi. And no, after they failed to take a commanding lead with the early burst they had-- they never had a chance in that game.
He doesn't have to improve that much for them to get back and have another shot.
I disagree also, Brando. I think the Bears are lucky that the NFC East was such a down year.
Next season, the Cowboys will improve, the Giants and Seahawks will be healthy, and the Saints should be getting better as Bush and Colston will certainly improve. Oh yeah, and McNabb will be back with Philly.
I think Rex will have to improve significantly for the Bears to make it back to the Super Bowl. I am not sure if he can do that.
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yay me!
It's official: Grossman stinks!
Thanks Rex, you may have just cost my iggles their back up QB for the next two years :(
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