ChicagoSportsBlogs : Non Compete

I just woke up this morning and scanned the web to see what happened overnight. The free agent market opened at 12:01 am. It wasn't a surprise that www.chicagobears.com doesn't have a single article about free agent signings. Pathetic. There were some moves, and a few of them I think would have been in the Bears' best interest. The wife is running late this morning, so I have a few minutes to elaborate:

First, the 49ers just signed DeShaun Foster. Anyone in the audience think that this could have been a nice signing for the Bears? Why not? If you are Lovie Smith, and are stuck with Cedric Benson isn't DeShaun Foster a nice option for when Benson implodes?  He just signed a 1 year deal for almost $900k. Perhaps this is a sign that the Bears will be drafting a running back on day one in this year's draft. Let's not forget that Michael Turner is still out there. He's only a healthy 25 year old from Chicago. There have been reports that he would love to come back home and play for the Bears. Jerry Angello, this is the perfect guy for you to sign! He is an outsider that is willing to take the home town discount! Get on it!

I've got a train to catch, but as MJ pointed out earlier today (check the RSS feed) I think the Bears are probably going to sign either Justin McCarens or Brandon Llyod to a contract to shore up the wide receiver corp. Doesn't that instill excitement? Hey, season ticket holders, prices just went up again.

 (One last point - looks like Anderson rejected the Browns offer....)

Back in 5 

This past Sunday, I got off the phone with a family member who was in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine. I love the Combine. It takes being a Monday morning quarterback to another level. I like playing GM better than I like playing sports writer. The extra cash the GM's in the NFL make might have something to do with that.

This year I made it a point to watch the Combine on the NFL network. Their coverage has been spectacular. Actually, I think I have better insider information on some of these college players thanks to the NFL Network than my true "insider". My insider isn't able to watch everyone's workout. I can. While some sites have taken the risk of blowing their insider's cover, I'm going to avoid that altogether by speaking in generalizations. So here are the questions I asked:

Q: Who is the best player at the Combine?

A: Jake Long.

Q: What are the Bears looking at?

A: They checked out the linebackers pretty hard. I didn't see them anywhere near the wide receivers. Of course offensive linemen were of interest.

Q: Who did well, whose stock went higher?

A: Local boy Rashard Mendenhall. He leapfrogged Jon Stewart. I didn't see him lift, and he is small in person but he is in great shape.

Q: Is there anyone who surprised you?

A: Glenn Dorsey. For obvious reasons listed here.

Mendenhall ran a 4.4 40 today. Marshall Faulk has him as his 2nd ranked running back. Some people argue that Mendenhall is a safer pick than McFadden because he has fewer off the field issues, is healthier, and he doesn't fumble as much as McFadden has. Personally I like Stewart from Oregon. I'm guessing McFadden will go before Mendenhall simply based on the fact that he was in the SEC. Stewart might drop slightly as a result of Mendenhall's success at the Combine which is fine by me. Let him drop to the Bears at the 14th pick!

We know the Bears like Flacco and Henne for quarterbacks in this year's draft. I saw Flacco workout today. He is impressive simply because he is the opposite of Rex Grossman. He is big and has a cannon for an arm. He reminds me of Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger. I'm not alone in this comparison. I'm not sure if Flacco is the right guy for the Bears to draft in the second round. I don't think he would be given the opportunity to push Orton or Grossman as a rookie. That defeats the purpose of drafting a young quarterback. Henne on the other hand is more polished. He could come in and look eerily similar to Kyle Orton. Both were Big Ten quarterbacks. We already know that Ron Turner has a bit of a crush on Henne from his years at Illinois. The guy I think the Bears will end up drafting is USC senior, John David Booty. I have nothing to base this on other than it always seems that the guy we really want gets drafted just before we get on the clock.

Passing drills are being replayed tonight. I'm a bit disappointed to hear the Bears were nowhere in sight during wide receiver drills, but hey, when was a rookie wideout able to make any impact on a team? Don't answer that.

I like playing GM.

Bear Down!

I was floating around the web last night, trying to catch up on all of my posts when I ran into this article from the blog down the street, Windy City Gridiron. There are a few interesting ideas in this post.

Randy Moss, Jordan Gross, Larry Fitzgerald, Braylon Edwards, Alan Faneca. That's a strong list of players. I'd welcome any of them with open arms to the Bears, which means it ain't going to happen. Moss wasn't franchised because the dirty Patriots have already come to terms with him. They just haven't announced it. Besides, if you were Randy Moss is there enough cash to make you leave the Patriots and Tom Brady for Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton? I think not. Not for all the tea in China, as the saying goes.

Forget about Jordan Gross. He was just franchised. That sucks. This guy would have been perfect for the Bears. Forget about Larry Fitzgerald. Actually, I do have an idea if Fitzgerald is still under contract. Especially after reading how horrible their running game is in this post from a Cardinals blogger. Trade Benson to the Cardinals for Fitzgerald. You think they would go for that?

Looks like our old friend Mr. Graves (the Cardinal's GM and former Bear's scouting director) has some cash problems that are going to effect the restructuring of Fitzgerald's contract. Or maybe not? This report from the Combine has him quoted as saying Fitzgerald isn't going anywhere.

Braylon Edwards is an interesting option. An impossible option I believe. He is under contract. Besides I'd rather start a rumor where the Bears try to trade for Derrick Anderson. I usually don't comment on the Cleve because I've got a family member that knows the organization pretty well, but I'm pretty sure the Browns are not moving Edwards. Ever.

That leaves Alan Faneca. I can understand WCG's frustration that the Bears only hint at the most obvious of free agents. But what do you expect? They really don't have their eye on any anyone other than Faneca because everyone knows they're never going to sign him. He will command serious money and I'm pretty sure we're going to be drafting an offensive lineman in the draft. That's a shame, because out of everyone on this list (I'll even throw Dante Stallworth into the mix) I think Faneca is the best addition to our team as of yesterday. Grossman is going to need a strong offensive line, and a great running back. We're probably going to draft a running back (and a pretty good one too) so signing a free agent like Faneca would solve the OL need. Now.

Ok, so here are some of the things I'd like to see happen in this crazy off season. I won't speculate about our draft picks in this post, so come back for that one later in the week. Instead, here are the crazy ideas I've got floating around in my head.

First, cut a deal for Benson. With anyone who is willing to take him. I'd like to think someone will love to get him and a late draft pick. I'll even go so far as saying that if the Bears don't get the guy they have in mind with the 14th pick (someone gets him earlier) they go to plan B. Send the 14th pick and Benson to anyone who has a quarterback, linebacker, or offensive lineman that is younger than 30. Derek Anderson comes to mind but the Cleve just extended Jamal Lewis' contract.

If you don't see a quarterback worth trading for, and you think the Bears will draft one anyway, then let's move to our problems at wide out. I think the Bears should make a play for Chad Johnson. That's right Chad Johnson. We aren't going to get Moss, and T.O. is probably going to finish his career out in Dallas. We aren't going to sign Berrian. We didn't franchise him so that means we didn't even think he was worth the $7.8 million for the 1-year lock down.

That leaves Ocho Cinco. I see the Eagles fans are already hot on the trail of the recently disgruntled receiver. He is a supreme athlete. He has an attitude problem, and frankly I think the Bears need an attitude adjustment. We need a spark. A kick in the ass if you will. This guy fills a desperate need and we've got enough cash to pay him. Moose is gone and I don't like the names that this guy is throwing around. Namely, Bryant Johnson. This DraftDaddy blog seems to have an insider at the combine. Boy, would it be nice to know someone who works the Combine...

Back in 5

I'm going to take the last few Bears' moves one article at a time. Each of them deserves their own analysis. The first one is the one that caused me to spit my breakfast out. The text message I got from Corey (aka the Goose) simply said: Bears sign Grossman to 1-year deal. What?? You can't be serious. They did what?

I understand that everyone thinks this could have been worse; we could have given him a 3 year deal. But think about this for a second. We have to go into next season with a quarterback controversy. We have enough problems with all the holes in the offensive line we have to plug. The Urlacher neck injury, the lack of any real wide receivers, and Ron Turner are 3 good reasons we shouldn't have to even think about a quarterback controversy to open camp. But this is the Bears. We are the poster boys for quarterback controversy.

I didn't want to sign Grossman again this year. I was ok with letting him go because I think it's time to go with Kyle Orton. Orton is the same type of quarterback that we would be drafting this year. He just needs to be given a shot. Bringing back Grossman, and paying him $3 million is going to complicate Orton's life. It may complicate Jerry Angelo's life too. What kind of open competition is this going to be with Grossman being back? Jerry clearly thinks the world of Grossman. He always gives him the benefit of the doubt. He just can't seem to let go. Maybe he should call Brian Billick who knows a thing or two about sticking to a quarterback too long.

Mike asked some good questions in reference to the general-public's freak out to this signing. I've got some answers.

1. Sure, he's mind-boggling awful at times, but what if he grows out of it?

He isn't going to grow out of it. We already know what this guy is capable of. Sometimes he looks pretty damn good, but most of the time he looks inept. He is great at handing the ball off to a running back. Don't forget we've seen him behind pretty good offensive lines for most of his career too. That won't be true next year unless we make some big moves.

2. Isn't he worth at least one more look?

No. See above.

3. I just want him to compete with and/or back up Kyle Orton for one season.  Is that so wrong?

Yes. We saw Grossman last year. He regressed. He lost his job to Griese! Griese, a stable veteran QB who everyone wants to run out of town this year! Orton stands a good chance of beating Grossman out for the job, if he is mentally tough enough.

Where does that leave us? Well, if Grossman isn't the starter that's $3 million dollars that we could have used to sign someone that could actually start.

I have been sleeping on the job again. I'm behind with my posts. I've got something for everyone this weekend:

• A rare Bulls post! Ben Gordon should be traded any day now. Ben Wallace is gone to the Cleve. Are the Bulls better? Maybe. Does it matter? No.
• Hockey! The Hawks have been streaky as of late. They get trounced by St. Louis the other night, but blast the Wild the next day. What the hell is going on? Are they making the playoffs? Does it matter? (hint: YES)
• Bears, Bears, Bears! Alex Brown gets paid, Fred Miller, Darwin Walker, and Moose are cut! There is a lot of Bears action. It's going to take a few posts to go over each of these moves...
• Combine - I'm hoping to get an insider's report on the combine later this weekend. (yea, I've got an insider)
• Who the Bears should draft!
• Our Mock Draft!
• Baseball is back! And I'm hoping the White Sox know...

So the Bulls are getting rid of everyone named Ben, and the Bears are keeping everyone named Brown. Actually, they decided to split the difference today. Reuben Brown is gone while Mike Brown gets to stay. I thought both would have been cut.

What I find interesting is that the Bears must think they are going to sign Pittsburgh's Faneca to fill one of these spots. We have the cash, I just wonder if he isn't on the wrong side of 30!

I'm passing out here..I'll be back tomorrow with more. We're almost out of the doldrums of winter...

Back in 5 

I spent this weekend in good ole St. Louis! I was on official business. The mother-in-law was getting AT&T's U-verse installed and I wanted to be down there to goof around with the service. Go ahead and call me a geek. I don't care. This was a big deal. If anything, the added bandwidth will guarantee I continue to get a good video feed when Skype-ing the fam. Oh, and she gets the NFL network now which means that I can finally enjoy all of the turkey day football while putting my time in.

Speaking of football. It's over. We have officially entered the sports dead zone. MJ did a good job reviewing some of the news and notes of the day, as well as his wrap up of the Superbowl but I think there still is something there. I'll take a few moments here to give you my 2 cents on the big game and try to fill the void of the February sports blues.

First off, I have to go on record as being flat out wrong about Eli Manning. My previous bashing of this year's Superbowl MVP has me eating my words. This kid deserves a ton of freaking credit. He won the blessed Superbowl over the weakening 18-0 Patriots. Don't get me wrong, the Pats were great but hindsight being 20/20, they were stumbling to the finish. Oh sure, that one bobbled pass-turned-into-a-pick early in the game had me saying "Here they come!" but the Giants defense kept Brady and company at bay. This was the key to the game. The Giants defense was stupid good. They rushed, hurried, sacked, slapped, and bull-rushed their way into a 7-3 game at half. Once again, I thought the Patriots were about to open that can of whoop-ass on the G-Men. Again, I was wrong. Manning kept his cool. Let's cut the bullshit. This guy did everything right when the game was on the line. This is something that Rex Grossman dreams of. I can't lie. I had a horrible piece of crap article ready to go after the Patriots destroyed the Giants in this game. I was going to finish comparing Eli's efforts in the Superbowl to Grossman's while making another incorrect point about how they both suck. I'm quietly happy I won't get the chance to post that garbage. I'm sort of happy for Eli. Here is a guy who took crap from everyone. Monday-morning quarterbacks like me and even former teammates. So, I'm on record now saying that I was wrong. Just like Tiki Barber.

Tiki Barber Eats Crow

I read MJ's post this week about how Tom Petty is going to rock the halftime show at this year's Superbowl in Arizona and figured I ought to jump in. I hate Tom Petty. Hell, I hate the halftime shows. The combination of the two is the opposite of chocolate and peanut butter. It's crap. I'm going to be heading for another beef sandwich as the NFL proceeds to waste 30 minutes of my life in the middle of the greatest football game of the year. Yea, unlike these guys we've moved past analyzing the game in that special way only armchair quarterbacks can. We've progressed to the half time shenanigans.

Halftime shows are always a musician or two too long. This year, they have Alicia Keys doing some pre-game singing and Mr. Petty boring us with his craptacular voice. This is what the NFL considers entertainment? I don't need to be entertained during halftime. At least not by lip synching musicians. If you want to have a cheerleading competition instead; I'm down for that. Fat chance that ever happens. The NFL does an amazing job burying the dancing lovelies during telecasts. I guess we can thank Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson for the Disney-rated halftime shows. I wonder what the over under is on Gisele close ups?

It all comes to an end tonight in Arizona. The Patriots are looking to write the final chapter in their historical season. 19-0! I'm pulling for them, if only because I can't stand the '72 Dolphins. Mercury Morris is about to be shut up forever. That's worth watching the Patriots win yet another Superbowl.

The fact the Bears aren't in this game should reduce my stress levels as I enjoy the various tasty treats at this year's Superbowl party. The wife and I are making the trek all the way out to South Elgin to hang out with some friends. I don't know what your Superbowl party will be like, but ours are usually packed with buffalo wings, beef sandwiches, and tons of beer. I'm going to TiVo the game just in case I pass out from food coma. That way, I'll be able to give you that famous game analysis you have been accustomed to here at CSB.

Ok, so let's jump into the game. I've been watching so much pre-game and SportCenter in general, that I can't tell if my opinions are really my own, or if I just adopted what all the "experts" are saying. Let's go through some of the more obvious things. These are the sound bites that EVERYONE is using during their coverage.

• The Giants have a chance if they hit Brady.
• Randy Moss won't be effective because he'll be double and triple covered.
• The rushing game is more important to the Giants.
• Wes Welker has to be stopped on screen plays.
• Plax is still hurt, he won't be able to do much against the Pats.
• The Pats can't stop the run, Jacobs and Bradshaw should tear them up.
• Turnovers will only be an issue if they come at the hands of Eli Manning.
• The Giants have to win the battle of the lines.
• The Giants need to get out to a lead early, if they fall behind it will be tough on Manning.

That's a lot of obvious stuff. There is one more great generalization about this game between the Patriots and the Giants. The Patriots will either blow the Giants out of the water, or barely win. I'm going with the barely win scenario. The previous 3 SuperBowls that the Pats won were all by 3 points. This seems to be their magic number. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Patriots win this game 27-24. I can hear you all screaming out there - but wait! Hammering Hank made the same prediction. (Pats win by 3) Well, I'm going based on the facts at hand. Seems like Hammering Hank is too!

Superbowl games are never what we expect. So, for all of you out there that expect the Patriots to roar to a grand victory, think again. This will be a whimper of a game.