NFL - Are you ready for some Football - Week 5

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Dis
I kind of missed last off season. Exactly why did the Bears not get a QB last off season?

Yes I can see from the above article on Testaverde that QB's are real hard to find right now. But why is most teams can get a QB, but not the bears?

Dis -- The reasons are (1) Grossman got the Bears to the Super Bowl and (2) Grossman's contract runs out after this season.

Rex was bad enough that they didn't give him an extension in the offseason, deciding instead to invest in their Pro Bowl starters (Tillman, Vasher, etc.). It was explicitly stated that Grossman would be evaluated based on his 2007 performance. Obviously, he wasn't up to the task, and has cost himself tens of millions and any chance at an NFL starting job next year.

It's easy to mock the Bears for this, but (rightfully, I think) put great stock in continuity. They hoped (vainly) that the "real" Grossman was the one who led the league in passing after 5 games last season. Turns out, he regressed, and is now a head case. The Bears won't re-sign him, so he'll be a free agent next spring.

That leaves them with Griese (serviceable, only 32 years old) and Kyle Orton (great arm, not tall enough).

The real problem is that the offensive line is aging very quickly, giving up lots of sacks and ineffective in the run. That's where they really need to re-tool -- both tackle spots in particular.

Sloww -- It's not in the nature of NFL franchises to give up on the season after 5 games. I'm not saying you're wrong, but the Bears still believe they can win the division, and won't fly the white flag just yet.

[SlowwHand]

They still could make a winning run. Mostly that was just trash talk.
I think Benson is going to be better than many seem to think.

[-Jrabbit]

Spoken like his fantasy owner, and a Texan.

Seriously, I agree. Cedric is fine, but he's no Pro Bowler. The fumbles have been unfortunate. He's an up-the-middle runner, and the line has been getting whipped. No holes, no yards. He seems to have 2-3 good runs per game, but can never pop the big one.

[-Jrabbit]

We've got a classic matchup of teams with perfect records today.
I refer, of course, to Sloww (0-5) vs. Guynemer (0-5) in Poly II FF.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!?!?!

[Ming]

GO HESTER. What a punt return.

BEARS 7 VIKINGS 0

[Lord Avalon]

You'd think teams would have learned by now not to kick it to him.

[Ming]

They didn't... but he still ran it back.

But the Bears gave the QB way too much time, and it resulted in a TD

BEARS 7 VIKINGS 7

[Ming]

So much for a defensive game...
The defender falls down and Berrian catches a TD

BEARS 14 - VIKINGS 7

[Dis]

real easy to catch when there's no defender.

that said, I think the bears can win this game.

And I need to say this (I'm watching Packers). I really don't think the Packers are as good as their record says. They should have downed the bears and couldn't get it done. Now struggling with the Redskins?

[Donegeal]

Hester had 6 returns for TD last year.

He had one in the Super Bowl.

He had one called back during the regular season and one during the playoffs.

He's had 3 (including today) so far this year.

He's also had 2 called back so far this year.

13 times he's taken a return for a TD in 25 games. Unreal.

[Lord Avalon]

Originally posted by Ming
They didn't... but he still ran it back.

The ball was still in the field of play. Just kick it out of bounds.

[Ming]

OH WELL... Peterson is good.

BEARS 14 - VIKINGS 14

[Lord Avalon]

Originally posted by Dis

And I need to say this (I'm watching Packers). I really don't think the Packers are as good as their record says. They should have downed the bears and couldn't get it done. Now struggling with the Redskins?

Packers can't run the ball. 14 yds in the 1st half.

Defense hasn't done much to stop the Skins either.

[Ming]

Originally posted by Ming
OH WELL... Peterson is good.

BEARS 14 - VIKINGS 21

Corrected... Another great run by Peterson.

[Ming]

Sigh... still early in the 4th, but now...

BEARS 14 - Vikings 24