Chris Simms Won't End Chicago Bears' Woes, Get Matt Cassel Instead

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.

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?