And even though Jay says he’s not a savior for the franchise (and I agree with him), I think a lot of Bears fans are looking to him as exactly that. Yesterday, I referred to him as the team’s first franchise quarterback since Jim McMahon, so I was probably laying that on him as well. But that wouldn’t be fair:

“I don’t see myself as that (savior) at all. In this league I’ve learned over the past three years it takes offense, defense, special teams and it takes great coaching. If you don’t have all four of those, you’re not going to go very far. Expectations are high everywhere in this league. Obviously in this town they’re going to be a little bit higher because of the fans and how much they cherish the Bears. But it’s going to take everyone in the locker room and everyone upstairs to get it done.”

The Bears have to be thrilled with the tremendous upgrade at the most important position on their team. And even though Orlando Pace isn’t a long term solution, it will be an improvement to have him protecting Jay’s blind side. Nevertheless, it will, indeed, take a team effort to get the Bears back to playing championship football. All things considered, it’s easy to get excited about Chicago Bears football right now. And in my opinion, they are the team to beat in the NFC North. Detroit should show signs of improvement (how could they get any worse?), but the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers could be stagnating or stepping backwards in 2009.

Source: ChicagoBears.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chicago Bears Welcome Jay Cutler

The Chicago Bears have suspended defensive tackle Tommie Harris for one game (a game he wouldn’t have played in anyway) because he was late for a scheduled rehab on his injured knee and a meeting. Head coach Lovie Smith was naturally displeased:

“It’s always disappointing when you have to suspend one of your players, but nothing’s bigger than the team, so we’ll kind of move on from there ….. He’ll continue to rehab but won’t practice with the football team this week. Monday he’ll be back with the team, hopefully ready to go and I’ll kind of go from there.”

I like the move by coach Smith. I don’t know whether Tommie felt he was on a different timetable, that he could come and go as he pleased because he was injured. But the team certainly sent a message that it was unacceptable behavior. For Tommie, his new $40 million contract contains a roster bonus that depends on him participating in 74 percent of the defensive snaps or making the Pro Bowl. This suspension doesn’t help his chances of achieving those goals. Then again, neither does being injured.

Source: ChicagoBears.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Bears Suspend Tommie Harris

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith today announced that quarterback Kyle Orton will be the team’s starter when their season opens September 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. Kyle will also start this Thursday’s third preseason game with the San Francisco 49ers. It was an open competition when training camp began, but Kyle beat out QB Rex Grossman for the starting job. Coach Smith said:

“To come to a decision like that we’ve taken a lot of things into consideration: Last year, how (Kyle) finished the season … training camp, preseason games. In the end, it comes down to a gut feeling that you have. I feel good about Kyle leading our team.”

This decision doesn’t surprise me at all. In fact, I figured Kyle would be named the starter before training camp began. I guess the Bears were holding out one final hope that Rex Grossman would develop into the quarterback they hoped he would when they drafted him back in 2003. Still, I don’t think Kyle’s a world-beater. I just think he’s the better of the two quarterbacks. Which isn’t necessarily saying that much. Stats aren’t everything, but neither quarterback has really impressed with their numbers this preseason. Not to sound like a doomsayer, but it’s almost like the lesser of two evils principle.

Kyle does have some experience. If you’ll remember back to 2005, he started 15 games as a rookie before taking the controls for the final three games last season. And he played well enough. I remember when he was a rookie, he ran a simple version of the Bears offense. Now he’s shouldering the whole load. I’m not sure that’s a good look for him, but only time will tell.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Kyle Orton Will Start for Chicago Bears

The NFL Scouting Combine signage around Indianapolis states: “The 2008 NFL Season Begins Now.” Thus, just three weeks removed from my trip to Arizona for Super Bowl XLII, here I am in Indy for a fresh start to a new football season.

There used to be an offseason in the NFL, but that’s a thing of the past. Almost immediately after the Super Bowl you’ve got the Combine, the Draft, mini camps and OTAs. It never ends. This is my 4th straight year working the Combine and each season has been bigger in terms of media coverage. This year there are a reported 500 members of the media credentialed, including 14 reporters from ESPN. There’s even a mini “Radio Row” outside the Media Work Room. Crazy. But it clearly shows how popular the NFL has become.

The Combine and Indianapolis have some sentimental value to me. Back in 2005, this is where I wrote my very first blog entry and recorded my first-ever podcast. So returning here each year is always kind of special. I love this city and I love this event.

For those of you who aren’t aware, the NFL Scouting Combine is the annual job fair for prospective new NFL players. For six straight days from the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, players are put through a series of drills, tests and interviews with more than 600 NFL personnel including head coaches, general managers and scouts. These players and NFL personnel also take time to meet with the media in the form of “press conferences.” It’s actually not unlike Media Day at the Super Bowl, minus the freaks.

Day One is typically a warm-up day, but it’s not without it’s fair share of stories. In the Media Work Room were head coaches Lovie Smith (Bears), Dick Jauron (Bills), Eric Mangini (Jets) and Mike Nolan (49ers); plus Kevin Colbert (Steelers director of football ops) and Scot McCloughan (49ers GM). Michigan OT Jake Long, widely considered one of the best at his position and a potential Top 10 pick, also answered questions. Obviously he’s been prepped well as he said all the right things. In his four years at Michigan, he committed only two penalties (that were called) and gave up only two sacks. Pleased that he stayed at Michigan for his senior season (rather than entering the NFL Draft a year early), Jake said:

“Last year I didn’t feel I was good enough to come out, I wanted to improve on things and those things I improved on. I feel I’m a smarter and better player than I was last year. I’m smarter in identifying the defenses. I worked on the little things in my game and I’ve gotten a lot better.”

The Media Work Room will be especially busy the next two days. Ten head coaches and an assortment of team VIPs will be here tomorrow; plus more players than the place can handle. For now, I really need some sleep.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Scouting Combine 2008: Day One

After a dismal 1-2 start to this 2007 season, the Chicago Bears are going to make a change at quarterback. Rex Grossman’s poor play has finally cost him his starting job. Rex’s history of on-the-field conduct detrimental to the team is nearly legendary. Most recently, he threw three interceptions as the Bears lost to the Dallas Cowboys 34-10 on SNF. But the decision to change QBs is really simple arithmatic. This year alone, Rex ranks 23rd in the league with 500 yards, has a 45.2 passer rating and is 47-of-89 (52.8 percent) with a league-leading six interceptions and just one touchdown.

At times it has been hard to watch Rex. His supporters say “He got the Bears to the Super Bowl (last season),” but that’s not true. The Bears got to the Super Bowl is spite of Rex Grossman. Most fans in Chicago have been clamoring for his removal for over a year. Even I’ve been vocal about Rex’s poor play. Who hasn’t? But Bears coach Lovie Smith stuck by Rex and claimed that he gave them their best shot at winning. Honestly, though, there were times when I felt I could have done a better job out there. It’s time for a change.

The Bears will let veteran Brian Griese take charge of the offense and it’s anyone’s guess what to expect. Brian is a castoff from Denver, Miami and Tampa Bay. But what I do plan on seeing is someone who will do a much better job of taking care of the football. Brian Griese isn’t going to put the Chicago Bears on his back and carry them, but he will — as is the popular term — manage the game well and give the Bears a chance to win some ballgames they should be winning.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chicago Bears to Bench QB Rex Grossman

Chicago Bears DT Tank Johnson was sentenced to 120 days in jail for violating his probation in a weapon’s case from two years ago where it was discovered he had in his possession guns, bullets and marijuana. Supposedly the pot belonged to someone else, but that’s always the case, isn’t it? Today at his hearing, he brought head coach Lovie Smith and teammate Brian Urlacher to testify, but it wasn’t enough to keep him from being led off to prison. Coach Smith said that jail time “would be devastating, short-term and long-term” for his defensive tackle. Urlacher added that Johnson was “a good guy” and even referenced his daughter’s affectionate moniker of “Uncle Tank” to describe him.

This is all well and good, and I know this is an old saying, but “don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.” Johnson’s legal woes began in June of 2005 when he was arrested for having a loaded handgun in his truck. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation, which would have ended in May. So, you would think he would have kept his nose clean. Such was not the case. So, I really don’t see how there could be any other decision. As it is, he could have received a sentence of up to 364 days in jail, so it seems he’s getting off pretty easy. And if he’s good, he may only serve 60 days, getting “day for day credit” for good behavior.

I hope Tank does his time, behaving himself all the while, and then returns to society a better and changed man. If he’s embraces the loyalty of friends like Coach Smith and Brian Urlacher, who stepped up for him in his time of need, he’s taken a step in the right direction. But ultimately, he’s got to answer for his own actions and hopefully he’ll stay on a clean path from here on out.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Tank Johnson Gets Jail Time

It was another beautiful day here in Indianapolis. Cold, for sure. But not a cloud in the sky. I spent most of my day inside as the action picked up considerably from yesterday with more than 15 head coaches speaking with the media and an endless stream of QBs, WRs and RBs.

I arrived early and set up shop in Media Work Room 105 here at the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome. This is one of several “overflow” rooms for the media, but I prefer it because it’s MUCH quieter. I can’t write with all the chaos in the main Work Room.

My first order of business was an interview with NFL Draft Scout Senior Analyst Rob Rang. Rob had just arrived in town from his home base in Seattle and we had a great discussion on the Combine and this year’s Draft class. You can hear the interview on BPR61.

The day officially started with the Cleveland Browns winning a coin toss with Tampa Bay for the right to the third overall selection in April’s Draft. Both teams finished last season at 4-12. Then Miami Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron started the coaches parade with a 10 a.m. press conference. He mentioned he was from nearby Terre Haute, IN. Coach Cameron was eager to develop a good working relationship with the media. He’s not short on words, so that’s a good start. The other coaches who were here today were Lovie Smith (Bears), Tom Coughlin (Giants), Brad Childress (Vikings), Jack Del Rio (Jags), Rod Marinelli (Lions), Herm Edwards (Chiefs), Tony Dungy (Colts), Eric Mangini (Jets), Jeff Fisher (Titans), Marvin Lewis (Bengals), Mike McCarthy (Packers), and Romeo Crennel (Browns). In addition, there were GMs Ted Thompson (Packers) and Phil Savage (Browns) and Colts President Bill Polian.

The players began filtering in just before lunch. At one point there were five QBs in the Media Work Room. Obviously I couldn’t talk to all of them so I spent some time at a roundtable discussion with Justin Palmer (UTEP, brother of Bengals QB Carson) and then caught fellow Pitt grad Tyler Palko for a one-on-one which you will also hear on BPR61.

After grabbing a quick lunch (the NFL provides food) and visiting with my friends from the EAS booth across the hall, it was right back to work as wide receivers were everywhere. I spent some time with a couple of very promising prospects — Boise State’s Jerard Rabb and Illinois State’s Laurent Robinson. (Note: As I eluded to in yesterday’s post, I can’t get any decent audio for the podcast by putting my digital recorder on a podium and shouting questions from a distance. I can’t. I won’t. And this is the norm here. So, if I want an interview with one of the “higher profile” Draft prospects, I will just contact their agent in the coming weeks and we’ll try to get something setup. Last year we had players like Maurice Jones-Drew, Antonio Cromartie and Chris Chester — to name just a few — on telephone interviews for the podcast.)

Jerard spoke about Boise State’s miraculous Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma and what impact that has had on his life and the lives of others. It was a good interview, very candid. He’s a cordial, bright kid. Laurent was a little more reserved, but very polite and confident. He admitted it was a dream come true for him to be here at the Combine. You can hear both Jerard and Laurent on BPR61 as well.

I sat in on one more roundtable talk — this time with Penn State RB Tony Hunt. When asked about passing PSU greats Curt Warner and John Cappelletti in the school record books, he said, “It kind of surprised me. It just happened. I didn’t really see it coming. It just happened. I didn’t know how many yards I had, I just heard people talking about it. It’s just an honor to be mentioned in the same category with those guys.”

In today’s workouts, kickers and punters did their thing on the RCA Dome floor while O-linemen and tight ends benched. Texas Tech guard Manuel Ramirez and Texas guard Justin Blalock each bench-pressed 225 pounds 40 times.

One funny thing that happened to me today was when I was walking out of Media Work Room 105. Now, bear in mind that I am working amidst anyone and everyone who is involved with the NFL it seems — you never know who you’ll run into around any corner — head coaches (obviously), former and current players, presidents and GMs, etc. Well, Buffalo Bills legendary Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy had just passed by the door as I was walking out so I said, “Coach Levy!” He turned around and smiled. So, I introduced myself and we had a nice chat.

It was a very good day of work. A long and tiring day of work. I spent 95% of it on my feet. And now I’ve got an eight-hour drive ahead of me, back to NY and the home studio.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Scouting Combine: Day Two