Spencer Taylor on ESPN: "Bear Down, the Pressure Is On"

Although ESPN has not returned my calls, I figured I would post my pre-scripted interview I have worked up with SportsCenter, and at the very least, I may get a call to appear on Around the Horn. 

SC:  ..Joining us now from Halas Hall is Chicago Bears analyst Spencer Taylor, Spencer?

ST:  Hey, thanks for having me, great to be here.

SC:  Well, Spencer, another season is officially in the books, and Chicago will miss the post season for the second straight year. Your thoughts?

ST:  Well, it certainly is sobering, and although Chicago finished with two more wins than last year, there is still no playoff spot, and the draft pick is even farther back. If you look at it that way, those two wins really don't mean a lot in the long run. 

What is even worse, I believe, is how hot and cold both the Bears' offense and defense were at times throughout the season. One only has to look at the number of rushing yards allowed by the Bears D from game to game, and that acts as a microcosm for the whole season, in my opinion. 

SC: Right. Well, Bears GM Jerry Angelo has recently put many people in Chicago, both players and coaches, on notice.

ST:  Yeah, that's right. Jerry put (Defensive coordinator) Bob Babich on notice, and although he did not name any players specifically, I will tell you the majority are probably defensive players.

When it comes time to cut some people, the only "untouchable" players I see are Urlacher, Briggs, Harris, and maybe Alex Brown. Although, (laughs) unless he picks up his game, I'm not so sure Urlacher should be untouchable.

SC:  Really? You're saying Brian Urlacher should not be a guaranteed linebacker for Chicago?

ST:  Well, I look at the big picture. Brian comes off his weakest season in his career last year and makes a big stink, asking for more money. He gets it, and then repays the team with an even worse performance than last year. His arthritic back has long been discussed, and we all know that the life-expectancy for that position is not really that long. 

SC: So that merits a demotion, or even a trade?

ST:  I really don't think either will happen, but in the recent words of Thomas Jones, "If you're holding the team back, you need to be on the bench."

SC. Ok. And how about the offense? 

ST: Well, while I think Jerry Angelo is making the right move in wanting to create some competition for Kyle Orton, I think that he should be more focused in giving him targets to throw to. 

SC: Targets as in receiver or tight end?

ST: Oh receiver for sure. He already has the best tight end tandem in the league, and not to mention a running back in Matt Forte who has incredible hands. If you look at the roster, Chicago's receivers were made up of guys operating on one-year contracts.  Lloyd, Rashied Davis were both just temporary help. Old man Marty Booker is on until 2010...

SC: And Hester?

ST:  I don't doubt this guy can make a great wideout, but the season after cutting your No. 1 and 2 receivers is not the time to be experimenting. 

SC: So where does Chicago need to look for help?

ST: I think they need help in both the draft and free agency. They need a free agent WR to come in and make an immediate impact; they need a playmaker who can step in and help Kyle Orton out a little in the passing game. 

This guy can then help young talent that enters via the draft to grow and develop at the position. Chicago has been pretty lackluster at doing that, just look at Mark Bradley, and the fact Earl Bennet had next to nothing in playing time this year.

SC: So who stays and who goes?

ST: Well, it really is too early to say, but I think there is a good chance that both Rashied Davis and Brandon Lloyd will be gone. 

SC: Who could you see Chicago picking up at receiver?

ST: Is it too late to get Bernard Berrian back? (laughs) No...no...Well, if you mean in terms of free agency, again, it's hard to say. T.J. Houshmandzadeh is set to be a free agent, but I don't see both him and Chad "Ocho Cinco" staying in Cincy together.

I would hope Chicago would bring someone in if one did leave. Lance Moore also made some big plays for New Orleans this last season, and I think he will be looking for a bigger role after playing under Marques Colston.

SC: We have time for one more question. What are your thoughts on the quarterback position?

ST:  Well, to the viewer, it may have appeared that I put much of the blame on the receivers.  I did, but I do think that Kyle Orton needs to step it up. We all know the story about his decline in performance after his ankle injury, and he still needs improvement. 

There is no better way to get that improvement than to create some competition for him, and hope he develops. Jerry (Angelo) made it no secret that he desired to create this competition, which, as a post script, pretty much seals Rex Grossman's fate as a Chicago Bear. 

This strategy can be flawed, however.

SC: How is that?

ST: Well, think of the money that Cassel, Warner, or Collins would command, especially when two of them took their team to the playoffs, or both maybe to the Super Bowl. I find it hard to believe Chicago would shell out the dough, just to have a second-stringer.

SC: So you are certain this competition would come from free agency?

ST:  I would hope so. Chicago has much more pressing needs than to be spending their first round draft pick on a quarter back, and logic tells you that a QB taken any round after would create less competition with Orton. 

Am I saying a QB taken in rounds two on up can't go toe-to-toe with Orton? No. But a free agent QB REALLY can, and there is no price for experience at quarterback in this league. 

SC: Ok, final thoughts?

ST:  Well, I mean, Chicago really has some work to do in this offseason, but I can't put off this gloomy feeling. Go back to the Holy Word of Ditka, Book of Payton, Verse 12, when he made the comment toward the end of his career saying George Halas "threw dimes around like the were manhole covers" (laughs).

The franchise has grown less frugal since then, but if Jerry Angelo plays it like he most likely will, he'll patch up the defense, but leave the offense for dead.

SC: Well, Spencer, we are all out of time. Thank you for your input and here's hoping for a successful season in 2009.

ST:  Yes, and thank you, I hope so, too.