Points of View, May 29, 2008

[tshanno]

http://chicagobearsfanforum.com/blog/?p=258

 

The Bears

 

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Larry Mayer answers an interesting question on chicagobears.com. In the "fair" camp competition between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton, how will the Bears simulate the pass rush? The question is significant because the perception is that Orton stands in against the rush better. Here's the answer:

 

The defense blitzes and rushes the quarterback in training camp, but as you mentioned, they’re not allowed to make contact. The quarterbacks are taught to unload the ball when under pressure and find their “hot” receiver when blitzed, but there’s truly no way to replicate actual game conditions. I think that’s one reason that the preseason games will go a long way in determining whether Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton is anointed the starter.

 

It's a fair answer but, of course, inadequate. Pre-season games actually won't go that far in alleviating this concern because defenses are typically vanilla and there aren't many blitzes. As I've said before, I believe this job is Grossman's to lose and that Orton will need to be decidedly better to beat him out. This is one more reason why he might not be able to show it even if he is.

 

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Randy Moore of tennessee.scout.com attributes the large number of SEC players that the Bears have drafted to Lovie Smith's 2 years as a member of the University of Tennessee's football staff. I don't know that I completely buy it but its an angle I hadn't thought of.

 

Elsewhere

 

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Mike Florio at profootballtalk.com comments on the reported revelation that Pacman Jones has already met with commissioner Roger Goodell. He points out that the meeting probably took place before the news broke that a Las Vegas casino tried to obtain a felony warrant against Jones for failure to pay $20,000 in gambling markers. And then there is this:

 

The other issue that continues to trouble us is whether Jones’ current story of paying $15,000 to a guy who thought Jones had ordered a hit outside the Minxx strip club in Vegas because Jones feared that the guy would come after him meshes with the version of the events that Jones shared with Goodell in 2007, when they met prior to Pacman’s one-year (and counting) suspension.

 

I've got a feeling that Jones isn't going to see the field this year.

 

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Former Bears punter Todd Sauerbrun went on trial yesterday for an altercation with a cab driver in Denver. He pled guilty to disturbing the peace and should get community service in a plea deal. Man, who wasn't glad to see that piece of work leave town?

 

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Sauerbun also criticized the Broncos for releasing him after the incident:

 

“The Broncos didn’t give me a fair shot. I don’t think they did me right. I do feel ill about it. And their new motto about character guys? The guys I’ve seen them pick up, you’re going to tell me those are good character people? I think not."

 

Fair enough. But you don't think he stopped there, do you? He's still claiming that he didn't do it and he's going to sue the taxi driver for defamation. Apparently judges don't take too kindly to that because you aren't truly accepting responsibility for the crime. Which means the judge here might reject the plea deal.

 

Steroids, criminal behavior and a genius to boot. Can't imagine why the Broncos released him.

 

One Final Thought

 

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From The Dallas Morinng News via Josh Alpert of profootballtalk.com. Apparently Tank Johnson commandeered a television camera and sent a message to Roger Goodell regarding Pacman Jones.

 

"Roger, please let him play. From Tank. Thanks, buddy."

 

Translation: "I need someone on the team who is worse than I am."

 

Johnson also said that the Cowboy environment had helped him mature as a person after his lengthy run of legal trouble while with the Bears.

 

Translation: They hired a security guy to keep me out of trouble.

 

He thought the team’s support system, especially Jerry Jones and Calvin Hill, could have the same positive impact on Jones.

 

Translation: They didn't just get him one guy. They actually surrounded him with security personnel. Now they can keep him happy by hiring a stripper to dance over him in between practices in the privacy of his own home. Cowboy-approved thug friends included. And he gets to keep it all and stay out of trouble for as long as he performs well on the field. See how much they care about him!

 

Yeah, let him back in, Roger. In an environment like that, I'm sure he's maturing wonderfully.

[ChileBear]

http://chicagobearsfanforum.com/blog/?p=258

 

 

The defense blitzes and rushes the quarterback in training camp, but as you mentioned, they’re not allowed to make contact. The quarterbacks are taught to unload the ball when under pressure and find their “hot” receiver when blitzed, but there’s truly no way to replicate actual game conditions. I think that’s one reason that the preseason games will go a long way in determining whether Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton is anointed the starter.

 

It's a fair answer but, of course, inadequate. Pre-season games actually won't go that far in alleviating this concern because defenses are typically vanilla and there aren't many blitzes. As I've said before, I believe this job is Grossman's to lose and that Orton will need to be decidedly better to beat him out. This is one more reason why he might not be able to show it even if he is.

 

What else can they do in TC? And of course, no team wants to tip its hat during preseason wuus games as to blitzes, but they will still be coming after the QB on every down.

What might be more telling is if, during the season, Lovie has a faster hook than he has in the past. I would rather he yank the QB if he's having a bad game. And I don't buy the 'create a controversey' arguement, cause they have already gone through it and we DO have a controversy.

I'm just mixing up the Kool Aide and hoping that one of the two comes into camp and takes charge AND stays healthy.

[jason]

http://chicagobearsfanforum.com/blog/?p=258

 

From The Dallas Morinng News via Josh Alpert of profootballtalk.com. Apparently Tank Johnson commandeered a television camera and sent a message to Roger Goodell regarding Pacman Jones.

 

"Roger, please let him play. From Tank. Thanks, buddy."

 

Translation: "I need someone on the team who is worse than I am."

 

Johnson also said that the Cowboy environment had helped him mature as a person after his lengthy run of legal trouble while with the Bears.

 

Translation: They hired a security guy to keep me out of trouble.

 

He thought the team’s support system, especially Jerry Jones and Calvin Hill, could have the same positive impact on Jones.

 

Translation: They didn't just get him one guy. They actually surrounded him with security personnel. Now they can keep him happy by hiring a stripper to dance over him in between practices in the privacy of his own home. Cowboy-approved thug friends included. And he gets to keep it all and stay out of trouble for as long as he performs well on the field. See how much they care about him!

 

Yeah, let him back in, Roger. In an environment like that, I'm sure he's maturing wonderfully.

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, as long as a player doesn't OJ someone, or do something similar, I don't really care. I haven't been one to say the Bears should cut a player because of their problems. I don't think they should have gotten rid of Tank. Unless a player is disruptive on the field or in the clubhouse, stirring the hornet's nest and causing problems related to teamwork and football, then I don't think they should be released. Does Tank's gun possession stuff cause more clubhouse drama than a bigtime contract dispute or an OTA holdout? I don't think so.

[azbearsfan]

http://chicagobearsfanforum.com/blog/?p=258

 

The Bears

 

*

 

Larry Mayer answers an interesting question on chicagobears.com. In the "fair" camp competition between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton, how will the Bears simulate the pass rush? The question is significant because the perception is that Orton stands in against the rush better. Here's the answer:

 

The defense blitzes and rushes the quarterback in training camp, but as you mentioned, they’re not allowed to make contact. The quarterbacks are taught to unload the ball when under pressure and find their “hot” receiver when blitzed, but there’s truly no way to replicate actual game conditions. I think that’s one reason that the preseason games will go a long way in determining whether Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton is anointed the starter.

 

It's a fair answer but, of course, inadequate. Pre-season games actually won't go that far in alleviating this concern because defenses are typically vanilla and there aren't many blitzes. As I've said before, I believe this job is Grossman's to lose and that Orton will need to be decidedly better to beat him out. This is one more reason why he might not be able to show it even if he is.

 

 

Hopefully they can let Kyle know in training camp that you are not allowed to skip the ball off the turf to the receiver, it actually has to make it in the air for it to be a completion.

[nfoligno]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, as long as a player doesn't OJ someone, or do something similar, I don't really care. I haven't been one to say the Bears should cut a player because of their problems. I don't think they should have gotten rid of Tank. Unless a player is disruptive on the field or in the clubhouse, stirring the hornet's nest and causing problems related to teamwork and football, then I don't think they should be released. Does Tank's gun possession stuff cause more clubhouse drama than a bigtime contract dispute or an OTA holdout? I don't think so.

 

This may have been true in years past, but not so much today w/ Goddell as the Commish, and the rules way of doing things. In past years, Ray Lewis could be on trial for murder, and so long as he avoided jail time, he would face no punishment from the NFL. Players convicted of DWIs, spousal abuse and a long list of other crimes, but avoided jail time, would face no punishment w/ the league. They "may" be a temporary distraction, but that was all.

 

But that was then, and this is now. Now, a player gets into trouble off the field, and faced on the field punishment as well. From a game to a season, players are now being suspended for FAR more than just getting busted for roids.

 

Take Will Allen as an example. He has been busted (I believe) twice for DWIs, and was suspended for such the first couple games last year. If he gets busted for a DWI (or any offense I think) again, I believe he automatically gets a suspension for a year. I don't think you can argue this would have a big effect on the team.

 

You compare these issues to a situation like Urlacher or Briggs. While both are potential distractions, agreed, contract issue fights do not often carry into the season, as very few players carry the fight that far. They say they will, but when push comes to shove, they show up and play. That may not be the case for players today who get into trouble w/ the law, and Goddell may not give them the option.

[nfoligno]

It's a fair answer but, of course, inadequate. Pre-season games actually won't go that far in alleviating this concern because defenses are typically vanilla and there aren't many blitzes. As I've said before, I believe this job is Grossman's to lose and that Orton will need to be decidedly better to beat him out. This is one more reason why he might not be able to show it even if he is.

 

While most teams do not throw complicated blitzes at QBs in preseason, I would argue there is still a big difference. A QB in camp knows that, even if his OT misses the block, he has that red jersey on and the DE will do no more than play some touch football w/ him. Therefor, the QB has no concern about the pass rush. The fear element is simply taken out. In a preseason game, while the level of pressure is not the same as in the regular season, there is regardless that potential fear factor as the DE will not be playing touch football. So while it may not be a full test, it is still a far better test than in camp.

 

I do agree this is Rex' job to lose, and feel he is not likely to lose it. Rex often looks good in practice, as that fear factor is taken out. And before I get ripped by Rex fans, it isn't so much fear as much as an ability to feel pressure and make a play under pressure. If he doesn't have to worry about pressure (camp/practice) then he is usually a solid looking QB. But in preseason games, he does have to concern himself w/ pressure, and thus the test is on a greater level. So I think Rex likely has the leg up going into preseason games, but Orton does have a chance to make up ground once those games begin.

[madlithuanian]

Or, hopefully they can let Rex know in training camp that you are not allowed to throw the ball to the defender, it actually has to make it in the receivers' hands to be a completion.

 

Hopefully they can let Kyle know in training camp that you are not allowed to skip the ball off the turf to the receiver, it actually has to make it in the air for it to be a completion.

[azbearsfan]

Or, hopefully they can let Rex know in training camp that you are not allowed to throw the ball to the defender, it actually has to make it in the receivers' hands to be a completion.

 

 

lol touche

[madlithuanian]

 

lol touche

[nfoligno]

It's too bad we can not employ some mad scientist to create a combo of the two.

 

From Orton, I would want his size and pocket awareness. From Rex, his arm and leadership.

 

Then again, if we could employ a mad scientist to create a QB, I have to believe we could find better QBs to pick parts from.