2007 Regular Season Week 16 - Bears vs Packers

Well well well...

So I was watching a little "Bears Blitz" yesterday, and amidst the touching stories of wheel chair bound hockey playing amputee war veterans, they actually talked a little bit about the Bears....go figure.

Of course there were several subjects up for discussion...all of them focused around next season. Discussion about the RB situation for next year...or the O-line situation...or the defenses ability to keep the end of the year rally going into next year.....but most interesting of all, were the comments regarding the QB situation.

I was extremely surprised, perhaps flabbergasted, when I heard what they were saying about Orton...suggesting, basically that he was great...IS great.

I'm so used to having opposing viewpoints of the supposed "professionals," I almost had half a mind to start bashing Orton just because I'm so used to disagreeing with what 'professionals' have to say about my beloved team...but no can do.

I too believe that Orton, in EVERY performance I have seen from him, has displayed a multitude of great qualities, and very few instances of major, repeatable, mistakes. He's consistently decent (no better, more importantly - no worse), which, if youve read my previous novels, you know is exactly what I think the Bears need -- a consistently decent player at QB -- ( as well as a great RB, Tait back on the right of the O-line, a replacement for Tait, help at tackle, Berrian back next year, no Hester trade, and a consistant defensive performance like the defense brought againts GB).

But I will get to all that. Right now I'm on Orton.

If you start comparing Orton to any of the 35 (barely an exaggeration) starting QB's we have had in the past 10 years, what exactly makes him 3rd string quality? Do we really currently have 2 better QB's than Orton?

If so, then wow....Bears must have the best 1st and 2nd string QB's in the NFL...because Orton - as our current 3rd stringer -- is better than a lot of starters we have had in the past.

Now, I know thats not saying much...but if you really think about it...I'm not sure Orton being any less than 2nd string EVER made any sense. And I'm a bit ashamed that I didnt stick up for him earlier.

When he first got off the bench, there was all that talk about how he was saying that he had something to prove, and he felt stung by the coaches after being deemed 3rd string after his, more than game management, performances as a starter when Rex got hurt 2 years ago.

Orton came off like "damn right! you better put me in...its about damn time you scalliwags" and at first I was a little bit confused at why he felt such anger over the depth order.

I think if I had ever truly thought about it, I would have came to the same conclusion as he did...that it was bullshit.

But thats just it...i never even thought about it, and neither did anyone else...we just all assumed that because Griese was 2nd on the depth chart, he must be better, and more...he must be our savior (although, I never really believed that). Thats about as crappy as the inside of my asshole right now...and I have to shit bigtime -- Christmas dinner on its way out if you know what I'm sayin.

Griese had never even proven himself as a Bear, and yet SOME of us had an unquestioning faith in him? - to the point of booing a very talented QB in Rex off the field? - THAT MUCH MORE FAITH IN GRIESE...OVER ORTON TOO???...who had already proven himself....as part of a less talented Bear team!???? Shame on us. Shame on all Bears fans...and most of all, shame on me.

Now, its no secret that I've never truly appreciated greese lightning (with the exception of his last minute drive - his only saving grace in my mind -- great display of leadership, decision making etc.,)...

I always would have said Orton over Greese Lightning...but for the wrong reasons. I never questioned Griese's position on the depth chart...nor did I Ortons...THAT is what upsets me, and shames me.

I wanted Orton over Griese because Griese is a boring old fart that has no business wrapping his wrinkled old hand around pigs skin unless hes back on his country farm and hes herding his livestock in to feed on his over-rated career. (breath). A little harsh, yes...but my point has been made.

His past...his career...is what jumped him over Orton on the depth chart, NOT his talent level or any real use of coaching logic, so I am entitled to hold a grudge against it (his career=past affecting present. <---> Which = FOOTBALL politics). I dont like when football politics has a hand in who plays the most important position on my team.

Now, none of this was stated on the program I was watching...the discussion of Orton only inspired this realization in me...I want to make clear that none of what I am suggesting was stated as factual in the media...It's simply my interpretation of what must have happened...

A significant overlooking of talent and proven evidence, due to politics in Bear country. The fault for this falls squarely on Lovie...and I am...and have recently been...discouraged by his coaching.

Remember...this is someone who stood directly in front of me...live, at an inspirational speaking event...and told Bears fans that they could count on him to lead the Bears to victories...that the Bears would be the very best they could be under his direction...he would see to that.

Well Lovie...you didnt do that. You made decisions that made CERTAIN that we didnt have the best chance to win....specifically, to continue to win (like maybe two games in a row - you shmuck).

If I had him here in front of me, one more time, I would ask him what he saw in Griese that led him to believe that an over the hill QB, well past his prime could lead us to wins more convincingly than a young QB that has already done it...consistently...for a whole season...and with a worse team.

That is questionable decision making if you ask me...and deserves an explanation. Because if I am to trust his coaching...i need to believe that he will make sound decisions...decisions based on evidence and observation...

If benching Rex wasnt enough to make me question his coaching logic...putting in Griese to replace him WAS...and now has proven itself to be a bad decision...almost twice...if not for the lack of importance of the last 3 games, and the subsequent reluctant decision to give Orton a "shot"...

There shouldnt be "turns" at the QB position!...

It should be the most talented and the most capable of meeting our goals...winning consistently and not having 90 different QBs in one year.

All of this is unimportant...its the past, and unfortunately will be for all of time...

What IS important is the future decision making in this regard. This is where the program I was watching comes back into play.

They were suggesting that Orton has played well enough the past two games, where if he does well against the Saints, he could be considered for the starting position next year. I found this incredible that this was being suggested by "professionals". And I dont mind that idea at all.

I would prefer we continue to give Rex his time, assuming he is unaffected by his latest injury, because from my perspective he was just beginning to play well, and really show some consistency, but Orton is a fine choice as well...and certainly should at the very least be a close 2nd on the chart.

The thing I like about both of these guys is that they bring excitement...and they inspire the offense.

Apparently, Orton specifically, has brought it to a whole different level. They showed the O-line talking about Orton...and the O-line players' eyes were bright when talking about him. They were saying they love his passion and his leadership, and they seem to feel like he really knows what he is doing out there and has no problem keeping himself and the entire offense under complete control.

Basically, they had great words to describe his leadership qualities. Perhaps this is what Rex has been missing?

Either way...the O-line was a different unit against GB. If Orton behind center is what created that change...we need him to stay there.

It did so many things...It changed our running game, our QB was protected...finally, and with a successful offense managing the clock, the defense seemed inspired as well....for the first time I really saw a team...and I was overjoyed about it.

The Saints game will prove or disprove a lot of opinions...and I am extremely excited to see if we end the season on a good note or a bad one...because whichever it is...I'm pretty sure it decides who will be our QB next year...

Thoughts?


DLP