FanNation

So. This is it. Angelo re-signs Grossman.

Yipee. 

However, I have not come here to mourn Grossman, but...well, not to praise him either. The David Scott Haugh article I linked to will tell you this signing is not exactly a vote of confidence for Grossman. While this is true, in a techincal sense, it misses the point, as does every blog, article, and talking head that mopes about the Bears QB situation.

Why, you, my nonexistent reader, may ask?

Because the quarterback situation only reflects a larger, more problematic inability of the coaching staff to adequately assess talent at individual positions and of the upper-level management to draft impact-type offensive players. Let's look at this in two ways, beginning with the staff.

Adam Archuleta. Say what you want about the signing, but the real ugliness about this situation is that the staff still thinks he belongs on the roster. Sure, he's buff. He's a high effort guy. He's quiet. Wonderful. He lacks an imprtant skill set for a defensive player, namely the ability to play defense. He doesn't tackle well, doesn't read routes well, turns poorly in man coverage, and fails to recognize his deep coverage responsibilities in Cover-2, a defense he's played in since coming into the league. 

Mark Anderson. Great young player. Quick first move off the ball, strong hands, wide frame. Cannot play, does not seem remotely interested in playing, against the run. The Bears' undoing against teams with shifty backs was the backdoor counter play (Strong-I Counter to you Madden- '08'er's), run right at Anderson, who ended up either 5 yards upfield or on his back on these plays. Anderson's a budding young pass-rushing terror, but he's not a complete DE.

The list goes on: Mark Bradley, Trumaine McBride, Danieal Manning...time afer time, this staff has failed to use the talent it does have, refused to make mid-game substitutions, and basically shown an inability to put its players in a position to succeed.

The ownership/GM. They've hit the lottery on defense, sure. Now one of those lottery hits, Lance Briggs, is about to go bye-bye. Why? Greed, mostly, both on his part and the Bears'. Secondarily, though, its the discouragment of a player on a top-flight defense who sees no commitment to offense by his team. No offensive line help, no impact WR, or RB, and the impact TE's they do have are consistently and maddeningly under-utilized by the coaching staff. If the Bears draft on single defensive player in the first three rounds, it sends a signal to their fans that nothing has changed.

Jerry, draft offense. You need a tackle, a guard, and a RB. Might as well get a QB qhile you're at it.

And, for the sake of my liver, cut Adam Archuleta.