Quick Hits...

by Michael Bean on Nov 28, 2006 1:32 PM EST in News

*I was pretty surprised to see Hines Ward playing on Sunday. Obviously he wasn't particularly effective, but it was typical of Hines to be out there playing hurt. Well, turns out Ward has a broken bone and will undergo arthoscopic surgery . Ward is expected to miss at least one week, but I'd be fine with him taking the necessary precautions to ensure his long-term health.

*Speaking of injured Steelers, Troy Polamalu will miss at least two games with a sprained MCL. Fortunately, Polamalu's injury will not require surgery. Even if we had won against Baltimore, it would have been hard to sustain a prolonged winning streak with both Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu on the shelf with injuries. It's just not our year.

*I think the argument can be made that quarterbacks, especially seasoned veterans, should be allowed to call more of the plays on the field themselves. In Washington this Sunday, QB Jason Campbell's in-helemt radio malfunctioned , forcing the young signal caller to improvise and call a play himself. Turns out, the play he called was the game-winning 66-yard touchdown to TE Chris Cooley. The score was mostly the result of poor tackling, but still, kudos to Campbell for maintaining his poise and not burning a timeout.

*The Chicago Bears and Lovie Smith are sticking with Rex Grossman. It is hard to make a change when you're 9-2, but I still contend that the Bears can not, and will not win, a Super Bowl with Rex Grossman at the controls. He's too wreckless, and not accurate enough in my mind to avoid having a big day at some point in the playoffs. When he's hot, he's great, but when he's not at the top of his game, he's below average. Who knows if he'll get hot at the right time for the Bears. It seems like a big gamble to me.

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Here's how it went down

Jason Campbell looks confused in huddle, says to team: "I can't hear the play."

Center Casey Rabach: "So call one."

Jason Campbell: "Yaok."

Touchdooooooooown.

by Skin Patrol @ Behind the Steel Curtain on Nov 28, 2006 2:14 PM EST reply actions

How

did Hines Ward play with a broken bone? I watched the game and it was evident that he was injured, but I thought it was a sprain.

by Playoff Pride on Nov 28, 2006 8:36 PM EST reply actions

Agree/Disagree

Most people would like to think that the quarterback position should be filled by someone with a little smarts. Let them call a play or change the play, that's what they get paid good money to do. A robot with the one and only play in his ear isn't really a QB and doesn't win many games.
Rex will be fine. He's the best QB in a Bears uniform in a long time. He is learning and he is winning. He has tons of potential and is the best man for the job. It's not a gamble to stick with Rex it's the best thing to do now.

hit him in his earhole

by draftday on Nov 28, 2006 10:14 PM EST reply actions

My rebuttal would be...

that with such a dominant defense, you need a quarterback who doesn't lose games.

The Ravens had a good defense like this and won the Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer. Though Griese isn't a Pro Bowl player, he knows what he can and can't do and manages the game better than a young, mistake prone Grossman.

Problem is, Grossman is the long term answer to the QB position for the Bears. You have to live with the mistakes of a young QB and wait for him to grow. If and when Grossman matures, watch out for a very good Bears offense paired with a dominant defense for years to come.

by TexSkins on Nov 28, 2006 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

If and when......

It worked for the Ravens but can it still work? I know defense wins championships but you need to score also. I don't know if Griese does know what he can and can't do, he is on the second team for a reason.
Myself, I don't want a "game manager" I want a football player. Rex wants to win and, your right, you live with all the mistakes that come with it. Right now he is the only option.
Going with Griese is playing not to lose, going with Rex is playing to win.

hit him in his earhole

by draftday on Nov 28, 2006 11:14 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, the irony...

The above comment just had me thinking of the comparison between last year's Roethlisberger (a quarterback who did much more than "not lose games") with this year's Roethlisberger (no comment).

by HinesField on Nov 29, 2006 9:58 AM EST up reply actions

hehe...

good pt Hines Field.

As for your point draftday, I suppose it makes sense to have faith in Rex Grossman for the longterm. He's young and will get better with the right coaching. I just think he may end up costing the Bears this season.

by Michael Bean on Nov 29, 2006 10:56 AM EST reply actions