The Bears have made it obvious that they wanted more than a rookie to fill the hole in Chicago’s quarterback role.
Or at least, I would hope they do, because the alternative is that Kyle Orton takes the field next season. Who knows, Lovie Smith might hold a press conference to say “Rex is our quarterback,” once again.
That can’t happen if the Bears are hoping to improve on the 7-9 mark from last season.
Chicago Tribune sports columnist David Haugh said that Tampa Bay’s Chris Simms would be his preference to take the field for the Bears next season in an April 29 column. Apparently Haugh enjoys the Bears’ offensive struggles.
In his five seasons in the NFL since being taken in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Bucs, Simms has only seen the field in 19 games.
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In that time, he has thrown only 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Most recently, he took the field for the Bucs in three 2006 games, throwing one touchdown and seven interceptions.
Please tell me how this guy is different than Grossman.
Grossman, like Simms, was picked up in 2003 and has put up numbers very similar to the Bucs' backup.
What the Bears really need is someone who hasn’t seen a whole lot of action as of yet but has worked under one of the best quarterbacks in football.
Take Matt Cassel from the New England Patriots. He’s the best quarterback you’ve barely (or never) heard of.
Cassel, pick No. 230 overall in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Patriots, has played backup not only for Tom Brady, but also for Heisman Trophy Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC.
He’s only been in the NFL for three years, but he has had the input of three solid NFL starters.
Give the 6'4", 230-pounder a shot. He knows what it takes to win. He’s seen guys do it since he made his commitment to USC. In the action he’s seen for New England, he hasn’t done all that badly.
ESPN did a special on Cassel, satirizing the fact that he’s always been a backup, and Cassel was a good sport. He’s used to the spot he’s in.
But I also think he’s hungry. Couldn’t the Bears use someone who is hungry to compete? Someone who knows how to win?
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8 months ago
Nice article. I wouldn't be surprised to see them stick with Grossman though. I think many a Bears fan had hoped they would have drafted a qb but clearly that didn't happen. They need to focus on a steady rb as well. Lots of wholes in the offense.
8 months ago
I think that Cassell would be a good person, but he wouldn't exactly fix the Bears offensive woes. You said nothing of how he is as a quarterback, arm strength, accuracy, that kind of stuff. I also think the logic of him seeing great quarterbacks from the bench isn't a strong argument. How do we know that he can step up once it's time for him to actually be involved in the big moment instead of just cheering for it?
8 months ago
I don't think Simms will end there woes, but Cassel won't either, he isn't that good.
8 months ago
Cassel isn't very good. He came into a game against the Dolphins last season and threw an interception on his first pass. Brady had only two incompletions in three quarters of play at that point.
I'm not trying to compare him to Brady, but he's show time and time again that he doesn't have the reflexes to be a starting QB. That's why the Patriots drafted a QB this year.
8 months ago
Rex is our quarterback! Rex is our quarterback! (Insert parrot caws and whistles here)
Nice article, but we already know Lovie is not going to give anyone else a chance but his boy Rex. He's already warming up the parrot - Rex is our quarterback!
8 months ago
Did you just pick some random guy and try to force an argument for him? Has Matt Cassel played a meaningful down in his life? You even say he's used to being a back-up. Just because he's "hungry" doesn't mean he'd be effective. A lot of people want to do well, but not everyone does.
8 months ago
I agree 100%. Not only would Matt Cassell be a steal (trade value=6th rd pick at best), but he has become expendable with the Patriots drafting Kevin O'Connell in the 2008 Draft. Nice article and I hope you're right!
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