NFL  > Chicago Bears  > We Still Need a backup QB!
April 3, 2009, 02:53 AM
The blockbuster trade that brought the Chicago Bears a franchise QB in Jay Cutler is a great thing...but we are one sprained ankle away from being a draft lottery team, with no draft choice...People do not want to hear this, but we need to sign Rex Grossman as backup QB, he is familiar with the offense, and will be a great insurance policy if Cutler were to get hurt...Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith's jobs are on the line to win now...do not let this team fail, for not being prepared...You will get Grossman for a good price as a backup...but it i the front Office job to be prepared...lets get the job done Super Bowl XLIV...see you there
April 3, 2009  03:23 AM ET

I think that the Bears may surprise some by using their supplemental 3rd round pick or even their 2nd round pick to draft a QB to be their principal back-up. There are no sure-fire back-up's left on the FA market, and the Bears have had instability with #2 going back to the McMahon era (with Steve Fuller as their semi-capable back-up). I'm looking for Angelo to use the draft rather than the market for his #2. It's simply his style, right or wrong.

April 3, 2009  10:51 AM ET

I agree with bgduece Rex would be the best choice for a backup with his knowledge of the offense and he actually seems better coming off the bench.

April 3, 2009  04:29 PM ET

I think Chicago would be dumb not to resign Rex Grossman, but if things don't work out, Brodie Croyle could be available in KC for a 6th or 7th round pick. Croyle began last season as the Chiefs' starting QB, but had injury problems. He's currently listed as the Chiefs' third string QB behind Matt Cassel and Tyler Thigpin. He wouldn't be a bad second stringer. I would think that the Chiefs wouldn't mind freeing up some money since Croyle is in the last year of his contract.

April 3, 2009  06:57 PM ET

why wasn't this a concern before?

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April 3, 2009  07:03 PM ET

i always thot rex grossman could become an elite quarterback, but now were talking about him being a backup.

April 3, 2009  07:10 PM ET
QUOTE(#6):

It is a concern when you are making a run for a championship, a backup must be able to come for a 2-4 game strech a keep the team winning...that's why Grossman would be a perfect fit.

I agree with Rex, I just think its interesting how this post didn't come up when Chicago had Orton as a QB. Funny how it pop'd up now.

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April 5, 2009  09:16 PM ET

I don't think Plaxico is the answer. When on the field he is awesome but thats the 64 $$$ question. He first has to make a court appearance to get an idea of the deal/time he could get. That doesn't look good for two reasons. One if he thought he was going to get off easy he would have pushed to get it over with instead of delaying it. Second, now that he isn't a NYG the local media/court system won't have to go easy on him. Then you have to bet the Roger will give him some games off to think about it. My hope is they can work out a deal for Torry Holt. He is only 32 and has been a solid #1 WR for years. He also has the Lovie (Rams) connection. St. Louis North!!!! With Hester's speed to go deep, Holt's clutch route running and big play ability, Olson's speed at TE and Forte rushing and receiving out of the back field the Bears would be primed to rock the NFC North. Go BEAR!!!!

April 6, 2009  02:55 PM ET

I like the idea of them going after Holt over Burress. Burress has too much baggage right now and that has been something the Bears have been trying to get rid of lately, look at Benson and Tank Johnson. He is added drama that the team doesn't need if they are serious about being a major competitor this season. Then there is the added bonus that the team itself is pushing for Holt. Hester was interviewed as saying this week that he hopes they go after Holt because even if he does only have two or three years left in him, he would be great at teaching Hester and some of the other young receivers. I think that with a more accurate quarterback who can throw as deep as Hester can get and who has good chemistry with Bennett, the WR situation isn't as dire as it was before. That's not to say they can't use the help though and Holt really would be able to improve the team even after he's gone if he can help Hester and Bennett. Even though Bennett struggled quite a bit last season and couldn't quite grasp the playbook, I think he will improve a lot this season. Let's not forget that he entered the draft a year early so he didn't have that extra year to help transition into the pros and he was a rookie, a lot of guys struggle their rookie season. Plus, having a QB who knows him well will help. It is always good to be throwing the ball to someone you know well since you can predict their movements better. Another interesting article I read interviewed Chris Williams who said that Bennett struggled to learn the playbook his freshman year at Vandy as well but he still had an amazing season because Cutler was able to tell him where to go and he would make sure the ball got to him. After that, Bennett went on to have two more great years at Vandy. Hopefully their history will repeat itself and Bennett will show us quite an improvement.

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April 6, 2009  04:46 PM ET

But Burress will be spending some time in jail. Not only that, but the Commish will also undoubtedly suspend him for some time.

I honestly don't know what we're going to do next. I thought I had Angelo pegged. He never made the big splash before, at least not on this level. I felt that he wasn't doing enough to make us competitive, but rather making us a mediocre team. Yes, he knows how to build a defense. But we've been having struggles on defense as of late. And it didn't appear that Angelo was doing enough to improve the offense; at least let someone who is competent in judging and coaching offensive talent take over that aspect of the job.

But I was wrong. This move, while expensive, brought us someone who can legitimately be called a franchise QB. We still have work to do. But for the first time in my life, I am feeling some genuine excitement about the QB position.

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April 6, 2009  06:11 PM ET

Back up QB????????????????????????? You should be worrying about defense, and WR'S and expecially RB!!!!!

April 6, 2009  11:41 PM ET

I wonder why the giants cut Plaxico? Does anyone other than myself think that they were concern he may not be back on the field this year or he isn't worth the trouble he causes. Why would the Bears want that headache?

April 7, 2009  12:56 AM ET

Plaxico is T.O. light. Great hands and no brains.

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