I am proud to say that as a football fan, I have managed to spread the appreciation of the game to my parents. So when my mother told me about a conversation she had with one of her coworkers about the most recent Chicago Bears fiasco, I was compelled to listen in.
This particular dialogue concerned the Bears offense, which her colleague described as being a holgram that was actually non-existent. In a time where it would not have suprised me to hear quarterback Jay Cutler say "Help me, offensive line, you're my only hope", it appeared that he and not the New York Giants was the one fooled by the Bears' lack of offensive presence.
Despite being sacked nine times by a Giants team that was missing its leading pass rusher in Mathias Kiwanuka, Cutler held onto the ball incessantly and stubbornly refused to check down to his backs when the game was on the line. Particularly strange given that Matt Forte is the Bears' leading reciever.
The refusal of both Cutler and Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz to make halftime adjustments, as well as head coach Lovie Smith's stoicism throughout the affair, seems to indicate who has the power in Chicago. Everyone's been taking about the cohesiveness between Cutler and Martz, but Lovie Smith may have been made the unwitting victim in a situation featuring two men that can best be described as absolutely convinced of the superiority of their own methods. Lovie has never been known as a strong leader; he is often presented by the media as a soft-spoken player's coach--well-liked by his guys but not renowned for his ability to rally and motivate a team in crunch time.
It's painfully clear that Martz and Cutler have yet to work out all of the problems with their offense; they have consistently had trouble establishing the running game with a patchwork offensive line that is still missing left tackle Chris Williams; regrettably, it seems doubtful that they would be much better even with Williams in the lineup. What the Bears need now is consistency, and they may find a measure of respite against Carolina, who have looked poor even after substituting Matt Moore for rookie Notre Dame product Jimmy Clausen. If the Bears can go several games without being forced to shuffle their lineup, they may find some solidarity in their offense to accompany a defence that was forced to play alone throughout the game at the Meadowlands.
Hopefully things will improve on Sunday.
Showing posts with label Chicago Bears. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Bears. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Bears Should Look to Make A Splash In Free Agency; Draft Prospects Are Limited
The Chicago Bears of recent years have not been known as a team to dole out hard currency to high-priced free agents; most of their present impact players have been acquired through the NFL Draft or—in the case of quarterback Jay Cutler—trades for draft picks. Previous free agent ventures by the current regime, including safeties Mike Brown and Adam Archuleta, have not panned out; Hall of Fame left tackle Orlando Pace—Chicago’s most recent free agent acquisition from last offseason—was released last week after only one year with the club, moving third year tackle Chris Williams back to the left side and opening another potential gap in an already inconsistent offensive line that has struggled to find bookend tackles.
The Bears have also released defensive end Mark Anderson, who after a successful rookie season failed to live up to expectations for three unproductive years in the Midway. Coupled with the untimely and tragic death of defensive end Gaines Adams (for whom the Bears gave up a second round pick to Tampa) and numerous injuries across the defense, the Bears’ depth on that side of the ball is being strained to its limit.
According to they typical modus operandi of the Chicago front office, these problems would be resolved through draft picks. For the most part, the Bears have picked well in the early rounds, especially on defense (Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris, and Lance Briggs anyone?) and have played their cards well when drafting with lower picks as well (cornerback Charles Tillman and wideout Johnny Knox, just to name a few). Unfortunately, the first pick Chicago has in this year’s Draft is the 75th overall selection in the third round. Given the high talent level of this year’s class, it is hardly inconceivable to believe the Bears cannot get a solid player out of these picks, but they are missing out on a premier star in their first round pick (11th overall, traded to Denver as part of the Cutler deal).
As such, it is imperative that the Bears scrap their typical frugal ways and try to land a big pickup in the free agent market. Early events indicate they are on the right track; personnel officials from Chicago met with representatives of Carolina’s star pass rusher Julius Peppers at the Combine. Peppers is expected to fetch a high price as a free agent, and would likely be a great fit for the Bears by adding a fearsome pass rush to a defensive front that already includes seasoned veteran Adewale Ogunleye. But given that Peppers’ other suitors include the likes of the Patriots and Eagles, the Bears will likely have to offer up a lot of money to even lure Mr. Peppers away from Carolina. If their trend of thriftiness continues, this early meeting may be as far as any negotiations go.
If Peppers does not sign, the market instantly becomes smaller. It seems that by all accounts linebackers Karlos Dansby (of the Arizona Cardinals) and Gary Brackett (from the Indianapolis Colts) will be retained by their respective teams. And because Brian Urlacher is also expected to return fully healthy after sitting out a season after having surgery on a dislocated wrist, the chances of the Bears signing a middle linebacker seem slim to none.
A veteran running back to compete with and spell Matt Forte could also be highly beneficial to the Bears offense. There are certainly plenty of them to pick from, whether it be Thomas Jones (whose previous stint in Chicago culminated in a Super Bowl appearance), LaDainian Tomlinson (or his Chargers teammate Darren Sproles), or Chester Taylor from the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings. All of these could offer a complement to Forte, particularly in a time that is being defined partially by a two-runner backfield. Since Mr. Forte already has the ability to catch out of the backfield, a more pure runner would add a new dimension to the Bears offense, a power running element Chicago hasn’t seen since the departure of Mr. Jones. Kevin Faulk and Brian Westbrook are also potential targets, but are more similar than complementary to Forte.
Since my hopes of a Brandon Marshall trade have effectively been dashed by the franchise tag placed upon him, the Bears could end up looking for a veteran receiver. Torry Holt and Terrell Owens could be intriguing prospects in this regard; both are reaching the age where most receivers start to slow down, but anemic offenses in Buffalo and Jacksonville were more to blame for their lack of production last year than any individual declines. If nothing else, they would be a steadying presence in the receiving corps until Johnny Knox or another younger guy is ready to assume the mantle of Jay Cutler’s #1 target.
The Bears could also use help at safety, where they have lacked a true impact player for years. Darren Sharper, who helped turn the New Orleans Saints into a champion last season and finished the year leading the NFL with nine interceptions (three of which were returned for touchdowns), could bring another veteran leader to the Bears in the backfield as well as his natural ball skills. Mr. Sharper is also familiar with the NFC North, having played previously for the Minnesota Vikings before going to New Orleans.
Stocking up on older players may not seem to be the most appealing option given the recent misfortunes of free agent laden clubs like the Washington Redskins, but the Bears have few other options at this point and the uncertainty over a new collective bargaining agreement has loomed large amidst rumors of an uncapped year. If they want to be competitive, the Bears simply need more talent, and one or two free agents could be the missing pieces to help revive the Monsters of the Midway.
The Bears have also released defensive end Mark Anderson, who after a successful rookie season failed to live up to expectations for three unproductive years in the Midway. Coupled with the untimely and tragic death of defensive end Gaines Adams (for whom the Bears gave up a second round pick to Tampa) and numerous injuries across the defense, the Bears’ depth on that side of the ball is being strained to its limit.
According to they typical modus operandi of the Chicago front office, these problems would be resolved through draft picks. For the most part, the Bears have picked well in the early rounds, especially on defense (Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris, and Lance Briggs anyone?) and have played their cards well when drafting with lower picks as well (cornerback Charles Tillman and wideout Johnny Knox, just to name a few). Unfortunately, the first pick Chicago has in this year’s Draft is the 75th overall selection in the third round. Given the high talent level of this year’s class, it is hardly inconceivable to believe the Bears cannot get a solid player out of these picks, but they are missing out on a premier star in their first round pick (11th overall, traded to Denver as part of the Cutler deal).
As such, it is imperative that the Bears scrap their typical frugal ways and try to land a big pickup in the free agent market. Early events indicate they are on the right track; personnel officials from Chicago met with representatives of Carolina’s star pass rusher Julius Peppers at the Combine. Peppers is expected to fetch a high price as a free agent, and would likely be a great fit for the Bears by adding a fearsome pass rush to a defensive front that already includes seasoned veteran Adewale Ogunleye. But given that Peppers’ other suitors include the likes of the Patriots and Eagles, the Bears will likely have to offer up a lot of money to even lure Mr. Peppers away from Carolina. If their trend of thriftiness continues, this early meeting may be as far as any negotiations go.
If Peppers does not sign, the market instantly becomes smaller. It seems that by all accounts linebackers Karlos Dansby (of the Arizona Cardinals) and Gary Brackett (from the Indianapolis Colts) will be retained by their respective teams. And because Brian Urlacher is also expected to return fully healthy after sitting out a season after having surgery on a dislocated wrist, the chances of the Bears signing a middle linebacker seem slim to none.
A veteran running back to compete with and spell Matt Forte could also be highly beneficial to the Bears offense. There are certainly plenty of them to pick from, whether it be Thomas Jones (whose previous stint in Chicago culminated in a Super Bowl appearance), LaDainian Tomlinson (or his Chargers teammate Darren Sproles), or Chester Taylor from the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings. All of these could offer a complement to Forte, particularly in a time that is being defined partially by a two-runner backfield. Since Mr. Forte already has the ability to catch out of the backfield, a more pure runner would add a new dimension to the Bears offense, a power running element Chicago hasn’t seen since the departure of Mr. Jones. Kevin Faulk and Brian Westbrook are also potential targets, but are more similar than complementary to Forte.
Since my hopes of a Brandon Marshall trade have effectively been dashed by the franchise tag placed upon him, the Bears could end up looking for a veteran receiver. Torry Holt and Terrell Owens could be intriguing prospects in this regard; both are reaching the age where most receivers start to slow down, but anemic offenses in Buffalo and Jacksonville were more to blame for their lack of production last year than any individual declines. If nothing else, they would be a steadying presence in the receiving corps until Johnny Knox or another younger guy is ready to assume the mantle of Jay Cutler’s #1 target.
The Bears could also use help at safety, where they have lacked a true impact player for years. Darren Sharper, who helped turn the New Orleans Saints into a champion last season and finished the year leading the NFL with nine interceptions (three of which were returned for touchdowns), could bring another veteran leader to the Bears in the backfield as well as his natural ball skills. Mr. Sharper is also familiar with the NFC North, having played previously for the Minnesota Vikings before going to New Orleans.
Stocking up on older players may not seem to be the most appealing option given the recent misfortunes of free agent laden clubs like the Washington Redskins, but the Bears have few other options at this point and the uncertainty over a new collective bargaining agreement has loomed large amidst rumors of an uncapped year. If they want to be competitive, the Bears simply need more talent, and one or two free agents could be the missing pieces to help revive the Monsters of the Midway.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Black And Blue & Passing Too
The arrival of Mike Martz is more than a move to revive one of last year's most disappointing offenses in Chicago (not that too much was expected of a talented but still young quarterback, a group of fledgling receivers, and a sophomore running back supported by a mediocre offensive line). It was an an omen. A harbinger of the end of the run-first mentality of the NFC North that has led to its nickname: the "Black and Blue Division".
Following last season, it seems apparent that the Bears are no longer going to resist one of the league's new trends. Despite head coach Lovie Smith's insistence that they would stick to the running game, Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler threw the ball 555 times last season. Admittedly, that's not as many as Mr. Cutler threw last year in Denver (616), but 90 more than Bronco and former Bear Kyle Orton threw in his final year in the Midway. For the sake of comparisons (and to show a reason for Cutler's seemingly frantic number of pass attempts in 2008), Mr. Orton attempted 541 passes for Denver last season.
The Bears had little success running the ball last year due to a sophomore slump by Matt Forte, who came off one of the best rookie years in the history of the Chicago Bears and the NFL in which he personally accounted for one third of his teams all-purpose yardage from the line of scrimmage. An ailing defense further aggravated the situation and forced Cutler to throw in situations that he had no business throwing in. This, combined with inexperienced receivers and inconsistent line play, led to Mr. Cutler being sacked 35 times and throwing 26 interceptions last year (he led the NFL in the latter category). Not a good recipe for success, despite the flourishing of passing offenses in the last few years.
The Bears are hardly the only member of the NFC North to have scrapped the running game in some form or another. Green Bay hasn't had a dominant runner in years, since before Mike Holmgren instituted the West Coast offense and established the Brett Favre era. It wasn't until the breakthrough of Ryan Grant that the 2007 Packers even had a bona fide rushing threat. And even with Grant's emergence, they have still relied on Favre (and now his replacement Aaron Rodgers, who has somehow engineered one the league's best offenses despite a terrible offensive line) to put up points and win games.
The Vikings are the latest beneficiaries of Mr. Favre's prowess; Brad Childress' system in Minnesota is essentially the same offense that Favre ran in Green Bay. And even though Minnesota has one dominant back in Adrian Peterson and another quality rusher in Chester Taylor, #4 still attempted 531 passes (only four less than he threw for the running back-less 2007 Packers). In the end, it was Favre's arm that won games for Green Bay, not Peterson or Taylor's legs. The only reason they got away with it is because every defense in the league is still afraid of the the threat of Adrian Peterson.
But perhaps the lamest team in the division has been the Detroit Lions, whose only excuse for their high passing numbers has been their otherwise awful performance. Mike Martz may be renowned as a passing fanatic, but Marshall Faulk is remembered as much for his rushing ability as he is for his ability to catch the football. When Martz's teams have been good, he has allowed a greater degree of rushing into the gameplan. But in the two years that Jon Kitna was in Detroit, he averaged 579 passes a season. Things haven't improved with Kitna's departure; in the ten games new Lions signal-caller Matthew Stafford played last year, he threw 377 passes. Had he played all sixteen games and continued throwing at that rate, he would have had just over 600 passes on the season.
As sad as it sounds, the NFC North is bucking a trend; while many teams have developed their passing games into precise and lethal machines, poor play has made the Black and Blue division flounder, caught transitioning too late to the new era of pass-first professional football.
All stats are courtesy of www.nfl.com.
Following last season, it seems apparent that the Bears are no longer going to resist one of the league's new trends. Despite head coach Lovie Smith's insistence that they would stick to the running game, Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler threw the ball 555 times last season. Admittedly, that's not as many as Mr. Cutler threw last year in Denver (616), but 90 more than Bronco and former Bear Kyle Orton threw in his final year in the Midway. For the sake of comparisons (and to show a reason for Cutler's seemingly frantic number of pass attempts in 2008), Mr. Orton attempted 541 passes for Denver last season.
The Bears had little success running the ball last year due to a sophomore slump by Matt Forte, who came off one of the best rookie years in the history of the Chicago Bears and the NFL in which he personally accounted for one third of his teams all-purpose yardage from the line of scrimmage. An ailing defense further aggravated the situation and forced Cutler to throw in situations that he had no business throwing in. This, combined with inexperienced receivers and inconsistent line play, led to Mr. Cutler being sacked 35 times and throwing 26 interceptions last year (he led the NFL in the latter category). Not a good recipe for success, despite the flourishing of passing offenses in the last few years.
The Bears are hardly the only member of the NFC North to have scrapped the running game in some form or another. Green Bay hasn't had a dominant runner in years, since before Mike Holmgren instituted the West Coast offense and established the Brett Favre era. It wasn't until the breakthrough of Ryan Grant that the 2007 Packers even had a bona fide rushing threat. And even with Grant's emergence, they have still relied on Favre (and now his replacement Aaron Rodgers, who has somehow engineered one the league's best offenses despite a terrible offensive line) to put up points and win games.
The Vikings are the latest beneficiaries of Mr. Favre's prowess; Brad Childress' system in Minnesota is essentially the same offense that Favre ran in Green Bay. And even though Minnesota has one dominant back in Adrian Peterson and another quality rusher in Chester Taylor, #4 still attempted 531 passes (only four less than he threw for the running back-less 2007 Packers). In the end, it was Favre's arm that won games for Green Bay, not Peterson or Taylor's legs. The only reason they got away with it is because every defense in the league is still afraid of the the threat of Adrian Peterson.
But perhaps the lamest team in the division has been the Detroit Lions, whose only excuse for their high passing numbers has been their otherwise awful performance. Mike Martz may be renowned as a passing fanatic, but Marshall Faulk is remembered as much for his rushing ability as he is for his ability to catch the football. When Martz's teams have been good, he has allowed a greater degree of rushing into the gameplan. But in the two years that Jon Kitna was in Detroit, he averaged 579 passes a season. Things haven't improved with Kitna's departure; in the ten games new Lions signal-caller Matthew Stafford played last year, he threw 377 passes. Had he played all sixteen games and continued throwing at that rate, he would have had just over 600 passes on the season.
As sad as it sounds, the NFC North is bucking a trend; while many teams have developed their passing games into precise and lethal machines, poor play has made the Black and Blue division flounder, caught transitioning too late to the new era of pass-first professional football.
All stats are courtesy of www.nfl.com.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Martz Arrives in the Midway
The Chicago Bears have decided to shake things up by hiring offensive guru Mike Martz—who engineered one of the greatest offenses in NFL history—as their new offensive coordinator last week. Comments on the Bears website have been mixed to say the least, with some claiming that Martz’s hire will compound the Bears’ current offensive woes. Given the team’s desperate need for receiving talent, they may be right.
I prayed during last year’s offseason that the Bears would not only trade for Jay Cutler but also give a second round pick to the Denver Broncos for receiver Brandon Marshall who, despite the promise Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashadu have shown this season, would be an instant upgrade over the other Bears wideouts based on talent alone (without even mentioning his previous experience with Cutler). Unfortunately, that trade didn’t go through, and now everything is peachy in Denver between Marshall and Josh McDaniels.
I honestly hope that Martz can help the Bears get better, but it’s hard to see this as anything more that a contradiction of philosophies. As if Bears fans needed more proof that Lovie Smith is throwing in the towel for the running game despite his insistent calls for sticking with the run, Chicago hires a coach infamous for his offensive philosophy which, in a nutshell, resembles “pass first, pass later, then pass some more”. Admittedly, Martz’s system performed superbly in St. Louis (where they have been 18-51 since his departure from the head coaching position), where it was hailed as the “Greatest Show on Turf”. But the current Chicago Bears do not compare favorably to a Rams squad that featured a franchise tackle in Orlando Pace (who is on the Bears roster but a shadow of his former self), two fantastic receivers in Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, and a Hall of Fame tailback in Marshall Faulk, proving that the system is not a panacea for the Bears. Significant funds must be invested in the offense before the real results can be shown.
In the meantime, I fear the Bears may end up looking like the Detroit Lions of 2006-07, who were among the league leaders in passing yardage but had little to show for their productivity. I have no doubt that Cutler is a superior player to Jon Kitna, but he has already led the league in interceptions once. May Bears fans pray that he doesn’t do it again.
I prayed during last year’s offseason that the Bears would not only trade for Jay Cutler but also give a second round pick to the Denver Broncos for receiver Brandon Marshall who, despite the promise Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashadu have shown this season, would be an instant upgrade over the other Bears wideouts based on talent alone (without even mentioning his previous experience with Cutler). Unfortunately, that trade didn’t go through, and now everything is peachy in Denver between Marshall and Josh McDaniels.
I honestly hope that Martz can help the Bears get better, but it’s hard to see this as anything more that a contradiction of philosophies. As if Bears fans needed more proof that Lovie Smith is throwing in the towel for the running game despite his insistent calls for sticking with the run, Chicago hires a coach infamous for his offensive philosophy which, in a nutshell, resembles “pass first, pass later, then pass some more”. Admittedly, Martz’s system performed superbly in St. Louis (where they have been 18-51 since his departure from the head coaching position), where it was hailed as the “Greatest Show on Turf”. But the current Chicago Bears do not compare favorably to a Rams squad that featured a franchise tackle in Orlando Pace (who is on the Bears roster but a shadow of his former self), two fantastic receivers in Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, and a Hall of Fame tailback in Marshall Faulk, proving that the system is not a panacea for the Bears. Significant funds must be invested in the offense before the real results can be shown.
In the meantime, I fear the Bears may end up looking like the Detroit Lions of 2006-07, who were among the league leaders in passing yardage but had little to show for their productivity. I have no doubt that Cutler is a superior player to Jon Kitna, but he has already led the league in interceptions once. May Bears fans pray that he doesn’t do it again.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Cardinals @ Bears Second Half & Recap: Late Bears Surge Shot Down By Arizona
The Cardinals scored enough points in the first half for an entire game, but weren't done. Worse news for the Bears: while Hunter Hillenmeyer returned to the game, cornerback Charles Tillman (who was victimized by Larry Fitzgerald in the first half of play) left the game with a shoulder injury late in the second quarter. Meanwhile the Chicago offense (who played reasonably well in the first half despite only calling four run plays) started the game off with a quick first down before sputtering. Swarmed by three Cardinals defenders, Cutler was sacked by Chike Okeafor for a loss of 11 yards, forcing the third Bears punt of the day.
Arizona didn't show any signs of a letdown at first as Fitzgerald made a miraculous diving catch off ato keep a drive alive. The Bears would rejoice, however, as they finally forced a Cardinals field goal (excluding the one in the closing seconds of the first half) after Arizona had gone eight for eight on third down through the first half and beginning of the second.
After burning their first time out of the half, the Bears sustained two straight false start penalties (on guard Josh Beekman and center Olin Kreutz), before Cutler gunned a pass to Earl Bennett for 29 yards and a first down. Four plays later, the Bears signal-caller was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct after an incomplete pass on fourth and four, which resulted in 15 yards for Arizona after the turnover (the first of the day for either team).
Three punts (by both teams) later, the Bears showed some life again as Cutler completed three straight passes (two to Hester, who appeared to be having his way with defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) and then, after a single incomplete pass, two more before he found Greg Olsen on a 3-yard toss. Cutler hit four different receivers on the drive, including Matt Forte, who had a 28-yard gain after taking a short pass from Cutler.
Arizona put in backup quarterback and former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, whose first pass was ruled incomplete but negated due to a pass interference penalty on linebacker Nick Roach. After two runs by Beanie Wells to bring up third-and-short, the Cards committed their first turnover of the day when Leinart threw an interception to Bears cornerback Zack Bowman, who returned it 39 yards to the 33 yard line before being pushed out of bounds. With renewed vigor, Cutler promptly score another touchdown in three plays, finding Greg Olsen for a 20-yard score (the third of the day for both players).
Things kept looking up for Chicago as Hillenmeyer forced a Kurt Warner fumble, but offensive tackle Mike Gandy recovered it in a fortunate turn for Arizona. The glimmer of hope soon faded for the Windy City as the Cards punted and Cutler threw a pick to Matt Ware on the next drive, giving Warner a short field and, after four plays, his fifth TD of the day (a 4-yard pass to Steve Breaston).
Despite one more drive by Chicago, there was no epic comeback today. Chicago's home unbeaten streak has ended, and the score at the final whistle is 41-21.
Bears Verdict - Defense Reeling, Offense Struggles to Keep Up With Cards: Even as devastated as they are by injuries, there is no excuse to be made for the Bears defensive unit's poor play today. It seems to be a case of Murphy's law with them as the injuries mount, and Tommie Harris is almost definitely going to face further suspension by the league for punching Deuce Lutui. The Bears gave up seven yards per rush in the first quarter and 182 yards in all to the league's last-ranked rushing attack. Warner threw for 5 scores and no interceptions.
When a team is that deleted on defense, the offense needs to step up their game, but the Bears aren't yet polished enough to do that. The offensive line has played poorly, allowing 17 sacks of Jay Cutler; while they cannot take all the blame for this, they have not been consistent by any stretch of the imagination. The one interception aside, Cutler had a great game by the standards of most quarterbacks, completing 29 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns.
How's this for inexperience on offense? Three of the Bears receivers (including Hester and Rashied Davis) came into the NFL as defensive backs, and their two top receivers (other than Hester), Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox, are a second year player and a rookie, respectively. Their best player today was tight end Greg Olsen, who caught 3 touchdowns. The gimmick plays are not working for the Bears, and the running game needs to get much better in order for them to have any hope of salvaging this season.
Cardinals Verdict - Boldin Sits Out, But Balance Prevails: The Cards didn't need Anquan Boldin to beat up on the Bears defense. Larry Fitzgerald caught 9 balls for 123 yards, and the 182 team rushing yards marked a season high. As mentioned before, Warner didn't turn the ball over (although he came perilously close when he fumbled the ball after being sackedby Hunter Hillenmeyer), making the Cards 5-0 when he doesn't turn the ball over. That being said, some problems still remain. Another fourth quarter collapse was just barely averted when Mike Gandy recovered Warner's fumble, which was the ending point in the game that essentially deflated the Bears. Like the Bears, however, Arizona needs to work on their consistency, expecially at home (where they are winless halfway through the season).
Arizona didn't show any signs of a letdown at first as Fitzgerald made a miraculous diving catch off ato keep a drive alive. The Bears would rejoice, however, as they finally forced a Cardinals field goal (excluding the one in the closing seconds of the first half) after Arizona had gone eight for eight on third down through the first half and beginning of the second.
After burning their first time out of the half, the Bears sustained two straight false start penalties (on guard Josh Beekman and center Olin Kreutz), before Cutler gunned a pass to Earl Bennett for 29 yards and a first down. Four plays later, the Bears signal-caller was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct after an incomplete pass on fourth and four, which resulted in 15 yards for Arizona after the turnover (the first of the day for either team).
Three punts (by both teams) later, the Bears showed some life again as Cutler completed three straight passes (two to Hester, who appeared to be having his way with defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) and then, after a single incomplete pass, two more before he found Greg Olsen on a 3-yard toss. Cutler hit four different receivers on the drive, including Matt Forte, who had a 28-yard gain after taking a short pass from Cutler.
Arizona put in backup quarterback and former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, whose first pass was ruled incomplete but negated due to a pass interference penalty on linebacker Nick Roach. After two runs by Beanie Wells to bring up third-and-short, the Cards committed their first turnover of the day when Leinart threw an interception to Bears cornerback Zack Bowman, who returned it 39 yards to the 33 yard line before being pushed out of bounds. With renewed vigor, Cutler promptly score another touchdown in three plays, finding Greg Olsen for a 20-yard score (the third of the day for both players).
Things kept looking up for Chicago as Hillenmeyer forced a Kurt Warner fumble, but offensive tackle Mike Gandy recovered it in a fortunate turn for Arizona. The glimmer of hope soon faded for the Windy City as the Cards punted and Cutler threw a pick to Matt Ware on the next drive, giving Warner a short field and, after four plays, his fifth TD of the day (a 4-yard pass to Steve Breaston).
Despite one more drive by Chicago, there was no epic comeback today. Chicago's home unbeaten streak has ended, and the score at the final whistle is 41-21.
Bears Verdict - Defense Reeling, Offense Struggles to Keep Up With Cards: Even as devastated as they are by injuries, there is no excuse to be made for the Bears defensive unit's poor play today. It seems to be a case of Murphy's law with them as the injuries mount, and Tommie Harris is almost definitely going to face further suspension by the league for punching Deuce Lutui. The Bears gave up seven yards per rush in the first quarter and 182 yards in all to the league's last-ranked rushing attack. Warner threw for 5 scores and no interceptions.
When a team is that deleted on defense, the offense needs to step up their game, but the Bears aren't yet polished enough to do that. The offensive line has played poorly, allowing 17 sacks of Jay Cutler; while they cannot take all the blame for this, they have not been consistent by any stretch of the imagination. The one interception aside, Cutler had a great game by the standards of most quarterbacks, completing 29 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns.
How's this for inexperience on offense? Three of the Bears receivers (including Hester and Rashied Davis) came into the NFL as defensive backs, and their two top receivers (other than Hester), Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox, are a second year player and a rookie, respectively. Their best player today was tight end Greg Olsen, who caught 3 touchdowns. The gimmick plays are not working for the Bears, and the running game needs to get much better in order for them to have any hope of salvaging this season.
Cardinals Verdict - Boldin Sits Out, But Balance Prevails: The Cards didn't need Anquan Boldin to beat up on the Bears defense. Larry Fitzgerald caught 9 balls for 123 yards, and the 182 team rushing yards marked a season high. As mentioned before, Warner didn't turn the ball over (although he came perilously close when he fumbled the ball after being sackedby Hunter Hillenmeyer), making the Cards 5-0 when he doesn't turn the ball over. That being said, some problems still remain. Another fourth quarter collapse was just barely averted when Mike Gandy recovered Warner's fumble, which was the ending point in the game that essentially deflated the Bears. Like the Bears, however, Arizona needs to work on their consistency, expecially at home (where they are winless halfway through the season).
Cardinals @ Bears Halftime Report
In what was an unseasonably warm day at Soldier Field in Chicago (the gametime temperature was at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit), the opening action of the Bears-Cardinals game looked like more of what the Bears have seen this season. Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris was ejected from the game early with a completely unnecessary punch to the helmet of the prone Deuce Lutui. Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer was injured two plays later and taken off the field, replaced by Nick Roach. The Cards capitalized on the 15-yard penalty on Harris (even though they had already been moving the ball effectively) with a short dump pass to Larry Fitzgerald byKurt Warner. Fitzgerald escaped the coverage by Charles Tillman and walked into the endzone for the opening score.
After a disappointing performance against lowly Cleveland last week, Jay Cutler and the Chicago offense came out fast. A 42-yard catch by Hester brought the Bears into Arizona territory, and a deep bomb to tight end Greg Olsen on 3rd and 9 on a deep post pattern finished a short drive for the Bears. While he appeared to be well-covered by safety Adrian Wilson, Olsen adjusted to the throw and opened up a yard of space across the field to catch Cutler's pass. Surprisingly, Chicago did not call one run play on their opening drive.
On Arizona's next possession, a diving catch by Fitzgerald looked suspect but was not challenged by Lovie Smith Two consecutive red zone runs with Hightower and Chris "Beanie" Wells softened up an already weakened Bears defence, and the 13th TD pass of season for Warner to Ben Patrick allowed Arizona to retake the lead. A Bears punt gave the ball back to Arizona, who gave the ball to Wells to break off their longest run of the season, an up-the-gut run that Wells took to the outside for a 26 yard gain. The Cardinals were clicking on all cylinders, and Kurt Warner's 11th straight completion found Larry Fitzgerald (again being covered alone by Tillman) for another touchdown.
The Cards surprised the usually solid Bears special team with a pop-up kick, but Chicago caught a break as referee Ed Hochuli ruled that possession did not belong to Arizona as it first appeared but in fact went to Jay Cutler and the Chicago offense. After a single first down, Cutler ran right into Darnell Docket and was sacked for a nine yard loss, which ended up forcing another punt by Brad Maynard. Once again, the Arizona offense was held to third down multiple times, but managed to convert two 3rd-and-5's as they moved the ball quickly and decisively. A 15-yard reception by Cardinals tight end Anthony Becht (his first of the season) marked Warner's fourth touchdown pass of the day.
Attempting to will his team back into the game, Cutler made more impressive throws. A laser between two defenders to second-year wideout Earl Bennet picked up a key first down, and was followed by a screen to running back Matt Forte. Set back by an offensive pass interference penalty on Greg Olsen, the Bears could only make up 10 yards out of the 20 that they needed. The Robbie Gould field goal was then blocked, and returned 59 yards by Antrell Rolle after falling short, allowing Arizona to tack on a last second field goal of their own to complete a dominant first half. The halftime score: 31-7 Arizona.
After a disappointing performance against lowly Cleveland last week, Jay Cutler and the Chicago offense came out fast. A 42-yard catch by Hester brought the Bears into Arizona territory, and a deep bomb to tight end Greg Olsen on 3rd and 9 on a deep post pattern finished a short drive for the Bears. While he appeared to be well-covered by safety Adrian Wilson, Olsen adjusted to the throw and opened up a yard of space across the field to catch Cutler's pass. Surprisingly, Chicago did not call one run play on their opening drive.
On Arizona's next possession, a diving catch by Fitzgerald looked suspect but was not challenged by Lovie Smith Two consecutive red zone runs with Hightower and Chris "Beanie" Wells softened up an already weakened Bears defence, and the 13th TD pass of season for Warner to Ben Patrick allowed Arizona to retake the lead. A Bears punt gave the ball back to Arizona, who gave the ball to Wells to break off their longest run of the season, an up-the-gut run that Wells took to the outside for a 26 yard gain. The Cardinals were clicking on all cylinders, and Kurt Warner's 11th straight completion found Larry Fitzgerald (again being covered alone by Tillman) for another touchdown.
The Cards surprised the usually solid Bears special team with a pop-up kick, but Chicago caught a break as referee Ed Hochuli ruled that possession did not belong to Arizona as it first appeared but in fact went to Jay Cutler and the Chicago offense. After a single first down, Cutler ran right into Darnell Docket and was sacked for a nine yard loss, which ended up forcing another punt by Brad Maynard. Once again, the Arizona offense was held to third down multiple times, but managed to convert two 3rd-and-5's as they moved the ball quickly and decisively. A 15-yard reception by Cardinals tight end Anthony Becht (his first of the season) marked Warner's fourth touchdown pass of the day.
Attempting to will his team back into the game, Cutler made more impressive throws. A laser between two defenders to second-year wideout Earl Bennet picked up a key first down, and was followed by a screen to running back Matt Forte. Set back by an offensive pass interference penalty on Greg Olsen, the Bears could only make up 10 yards out of the 20 that they needed. The Robbie Gould field goal was then blocked, and returned 59 yards by Antrell Rolle after falling short, allowing Arizona to tack on a last second field goal of their own to complete a dominant first half. The halftime score: 31-7 Arizona.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Bears Top Seahawks in Close Thriller
Week 3 of the 2009 NFL season saw the Detroit Lions pick up their first win since 2007, snapping a 19-game streak that allows them to avoid making history for the wrong reason a second time by breaking Tampa Bay's infamous record of 26 straight losses. The Cincinatti Bengals defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers to go 2-1, and if it wasn't for a freak play against the Denver Broncos they could easily be 3-0 (What!?).
But the game most of you probably didn't see took place on the West Coast between the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks, two teams that made it to the Super Bowl a few years back and seem to have taken on chronic cases of Super Bowl hangover, either failing to make the playoffs or facing an exit far too early for their liking (anyone who remembers Seattle's 42-20 drubbing at the hands of the 2007 Green Bay Packers knows what I'm talking about). Both teams entered the game banged up, the Bears on defense and the Seahawks on both sides of the ball, but most fantasy league owners were probably praying that Matt Forte would run away with the game. Alas, they would be disappointed as he carried 21 for only 66 yards against a Seattle defense lacking star linebacker Lofa Tatupu, but quarterback Jay Cutler made up for it with a stellar performance, completeing 21 0f 27 passes for 247 yards and three scores while only turning the ball over once.
Seahawks Verdict - Injuries = Losses: It's hard to get any more simple than that. Without Tatupu, the Seahawks defense performed valiantly in holding Forte to 66 rushing yards, but they also allowed their first points through the air of the season against the Bears, who are not yet known for their flashy pass attack. The injury that probably hurt the most was Matt Hasselbeck's; Seneca Wallace made too many mistakes in his absence, and the hole left by Hasselbeck is starting to show itself once again as the Seahawks struggled to move the ball when it counted, settling for Olindo Mare field goals and failing a last, desperate fourth down conversion.
Bears Verdict - Cutler going strong, Forte not so much: After a dismal Week 1 showing against the Green Bay Packers, the Bears QB has demonstrated an increased rapport with his recievers, particularly Devin Hester and Johnny Knox. Meanwhile, Matt Forte (who accounted for 36% of Chicago's offensive yardage last year) has continued to struggle, rushing for a poor 2.6 yards per carry through the first three games. While Cutler was able to carry them past Pittsburgh and Seattle, Lovie Smith has made it clear that he is not happy with the offense's lack of balance. When the cold weather comes to the NFC North, the Bears will need to pound the rock, and Forte's production must be better if they are going to sustain their success.
But the game most of you probably didn't see took place on the West Coast between the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks, two teams that made it to the Super Bowl a few years back and seem to have taken on chronic cases of Super Bowl hangover, either failing to make the playoffs or facing an exit far too early for their liking (anyone who remembers Seattle's 42-20 drubbing at the hands of the 2007 Green Bay Packers knows what I'm talking about). Both teams entered the game banged up, the Bears on defense and the Seahawks on both sides of the ball, but most fantasy league owners were probably praying that Matt Forte would run away with the game. Alas, they would be disappointed as he carried 21 for only 66 yards against a Seattle defense lacking star linebacker Lofa Tatupu, but quarterback Jay Cutler made up for it with a stellar performance, completeing 21 0f 27 passes for 247 yards and three scores while only turning the ball over once.
Seahawks Verdict - Injuries = Losses: It's hard to get any more simple than that. Without Tatupu, the Seahawks defense performed valiantly in holding Forte to 66 rushing yards, but they also allowed their first points through the air of the season against the Bears, who are not yet known for their flashy pass attack. The injury that probably hurt the most was Matt Hasselbeck's; Seneca Wallace made too many mistakes in his absence, and the hole left by Hasselbeck is starting to show itself once again as the Seahawks struggled to move the ball when it counted, settling for Olindo Mare field goals and failing a last, desperate fourth down conversion.
Bears Verdict - Cutler going strong, Forte not so much: After a dismal Week 1 showing against the Green Bay Packers, the Bears QB has demonstrated an increased rapport with his recievers, particularly Devin Hester and Johnny Knox. Meanwhile, Matt Forte (who accounted for 36% of Chicago's offensive yardage last year) has continued to struggle, rushing for a poor 2.6 yards per carry through the first three games. While Cutler was able to carry them past Pittsburgh and Seattle, Lovie Smith has made it clear that he is not happy with the offense's lack of balance. When the cold weather comes to the NFC North, the Bears will need to pound the rock, and Forte's production must be better if they are going to sustain their success.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
"Da Bears" Off Defending Champion Steelers
On a day where Brett Favre broke the all-time NFL record for consecutive starts by a non-kicker, a potentially bigger story emerged as the Chicago Bears returned to Soldier Field for their home opener to play the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Jay Cutler's four interceptions against Green Bay and the news that star linebacker and defensive captain Brian Urlacher would miss the rest of the season on Injured Reserve after having surgery on a dislocated wrist, there wasn't too much to be excited about in the Windy City.
That being said, the Steelers were coming into town after a close and hardly convincing win over AFC rival Tennessee with problems on the offensive line and no Troy Polomalu. This setup brought about a clash of young ace quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Jay Cutler. At first, the Bears offense looked benign, going 3 and out on their first two possessions while Pittsburgh scored on their opening drive. But after cornerback Charles Tillman intercepted an underthrown Roethlisberger pass, Cutler reinvigorated the offense with a 97-yard drive to end the first half capped off by a 6 yard touchdown pass to tight end Kellen Davis. The game took on the appearance of a slugfest later on as the Steelers scored again and Chicago responded, but two missed field goals by Jeff Reed proved to be the difference as Chicago's kicker, former Pro Bowler Robbie Gould, hit a strike from 44 yards away.
Bears Verdict - Resilient defense ailing, but offense shows signs of life: The Bears injury woes continued as defensive end Alex Brown joined Urlacher and outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa on the list of Bears defenders to go down with injuries. On the bright side, however, Jay Cutler looked much more like the player Chicago knew he could be when they traded two first round picks to get him. The Bears also seem to have struck gold with seventh round pick Johnny Knox, a rookie out of Abeline Christian with blazing speed and good hands who led the Bears with 70 recieving yards and the second Chicago touchdown. Knox also showed off his speed on a 50 yard kickoff return that was called back for a holding penalty.
Steelers Verdict - Inconsistency badgers the defending champs: Last week, the Steelers capitalized on two misses by Titans kicker Rob Bironas, but this time it was Jeff Reed who felt the sting of cracking under pressure (it was hard not to feel sorry for him after seeing his expression on the sideline). Even so, the Steelers D performed admirably even without Troy Polomalu, producing an unforgettable highlight in the form of Tyrone Carter's bonecrunching hit on Bears tight end Greg Olsen. Their offensive line also showed flashes of their championship quality as Willy Parker rushed for more than twice as many yards as he did last week. Regrettably, his tally remained a paltry 47 yards as he was dogged by Bears defenders on multiple occasions.
That being said, the Steelers were coming into town after a close and hardly convincing win over AFC rival Tennessee with problems on the offensive line and no Troy Polomalu. This setup brought about a clash of young ace quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Jay Cutler. At first, the Bears offense looked benign, going 3 and out on their first two possessions while Pittsburgh scored on their opening drive. But after cornerback Charles Tillman intercepted an underthrown Roethlisberger pass, Cutler reinvigorated the offense with a 97-yard drive to end the first half capped off by a 6 yard touchdown pass to tight end Kellen Davis. The game took on the appearance of a slugfest later on as the Steelers scored again and Chicago responded, but two missed field goals by Jeff Reed proved to be the difference as Chicago's kicker, former Pro Bowler Robbie Gould, hit a strike from 44 yards away.
Bears Verdict - Resilient defense ailing, but offense shows signs of life: The Bears injury woes continued as defensive end Alex Brown joined Urlacher and outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa on the list of Bears defenders to go down with injuries. On the bright side, however, Jay Cutler looked much more like the player Chicago knew he could be when they traded two first round picks to get him. The Bears also seem to have struck gold with seventh round pick Johnny Knox, a rookie out of Abeline Christian with blazing speed and good hands who led the Bears with 70 recieving yards and the second Chicago touchdown. Knox also showed off his speed on a 50 yard kickoff return that was called back for a holding penalty.
Steelers Verdict - Inconsistency badgers the defending champs: Last week, the Steelers capitalized on two misses by Titans kicker Rob Bironas, but this time it was Jeff Reed who felt the sting of cracking under pressure (it was hard not to feel sorry for him after seeing his expression on the sideline). Even so, the Steelers D performed admirably even without Troy Polomalu, producing an unforgettable highlight in the form of Tyrone Carter's bonecrunching hit on Bears tight end Greg Olsen. Their offensive line also showed flashes of their championship quality as Willy Parker rushed for more than twice as many yards as he did last week. Regrettably, his tally remained a paltry 47 yards as he was dogged by Bears defenders on multiple occasions.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Cutler Saga Ends, Dealt to Bears
Jay Cutler was traded last week to the Chicago Bears, and the cost was steep: for Cutler and Denver's fifth-round pick in this year's draft, the Bears gave up quarterback Kyle Orton, their first- and third-round picks from this year, and next years first round selection as well. It is undeniable that Chicago paid through the nose, but was it worth it? As I said concerning the Terrell Owens trade to Buffalo, only time will tell, but until I am proven otherwise I will have to approve.
I'm certainly not without a certain degree of bias. I am a Chicago Bears fan, so I cannot help but be excited by the move, especially coming from a traditionally conservative Bears management and this year's quiet offseason. Signing Cutler was the most emphatic way to make a splash this season; in a league that has become pass-happy (and a division that has not), Chicago certainly has a chance the take the NFC North by storm with the most talented quarterback to grace their roster since Sid Luckman in the 1940's. Cutler's arm strength is at an elite level, ideal for the blustery winds of Soldier Field, and he has already proven that he can play at a high level. It might be rough going for the first year, with an offensive line featuring two newcoming offensive tackles in Keven Shaffer and Orlando Pace and a recieving corps that may be considered lackluster compared to the one Cutler had in Denver, but Cutler will eventually prove his worth to the Bears.
I'm certainly not without a certain degree of bias. I am a Chicago Bears fan, so I cannot help but be excited by the move, especially coming from a traditionally conservative Bears management and this year's quiet offseason. Signing Cutler was the most emphatic way to make a splash this season; in a league that has become pass-happy (and a division that has not), Chicago certainly has a chance the take the NFC North by storm with the most talented quarterback to grace their roster since Sid Luckman in the 1940's. Cutler's arm strength is at an elite level, ideal for the blustery winds of Soldier Field, and he has already proven that he can play at a high level. It might be rough going for the first year, with an offensive line featuring two newcoming offensive tackles in Keven Shaffer and Orlando Pace and a recieving corps that may be considered lackluster compared to the one Cutler had in Denver, but Cutler will eventually prove his worth to the Bears.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Michael Vick: What He's Really Worth
Michael Vick recently released papers to the bankruptcy court entailing his plan for repaying his debts, a plan that assumed he would make ten million dollars a year upon his reinstatement to the NFL. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?
There is no doubt that Vick is (or at least, was) one of the greatest athletes to ever grace an NFL field (note the use of the word athlete, not quarterback). His electrifying speed dazzled many fans during his previous career with the Atlanta Falcons, and he was at one point considered to be one of the most (if not the most) exciting player to watch in the whole league.
But slow down, Mr. Vick. An NFL team is not likely to sign you at all—let alone for $10 million annually—unless you can prove you're back in shape. A year and a half of incarceration and prison food would wreak havoc with the body of even a great athlete, so pardon the NFL teams for being skeptical. And that's completely ignoring the whole reason why you went to prison in the first place, or your less-than-spotless record before then.
Now, there are undoubtedly some times that will show some interest in Vick. That being said, the number of teams with a dire quarterback need is growing thin. The Detroit Lions, of course, hold the #1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and could select Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, reducing their motivation to sign Vick, and their cap room, considerably. On the other hand, signing Vick could give the Lions the opportunity to select an offensive lineman (a left tackle, specifically) and then either trade down or pick the best player available with their second 1st-round pick (#20 from the Dallas Cowboys). If Vick proved that he could still cut it at the NFL level, this situation could bode very well for the Lions.
The Jacksonville Jaguars could also try and be in the hunt for Vick's signature. David Gerrard has proved that he can play well, but I think the Jags have reason to be somewhat concerned about their depth at quarterback and the resemblance between Gerrard's and Vick's playing styles is perhaps the best you will find in the league.
The Kansas City Chiefs, having just recently traded for Matt Cassel, are most likely out of the question, as are the New York Jets, who have recently publicly stated that they are happy with thier current group of signal callers, and the Chicago Bears, whose style of power run does not fit Vick's abilities.
Having just placed Jay Cutler on the trade block, the Denver Broncos could pursue Vick, but I see that as being unlikely. The signing of a player like Vick—with a controversial past and demands for a salary equaling Peyton Manning and surpassing Tom Brady— would seem to directly contradict the policy of "team before stars" that Josh McDaniels is trying to set up in Denver.
I think the team to not rule out, though, is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their infamous quarterback carousel under Jon Gruden may have faded away, but unless they trade for Jay Cutler their short- and long-term solution for quarterback remain unsolved. Vick had superb arm strength before he left the league and his outstanding speed and mobility were the envy of quarterbacks everywhere. With some improvements to his accuracy, I believe he could excel in the same type of West Coast offense that Jeff Garcia and, going further back, Steve Young played in.
So, my advice to Vick: Don't expect to start or make a starter's wage, don't expect a warm welcome back into the league immediately, and (here's a little bit of a plea in here as well) please, PLEASE keep your head on straight. I'm sure that if you prove yourself to the league, there will inevitably be a job waiting for you somewhere.
There is no doubt that Vick is (or at least, was) one of the greatest athletes to ever grace an NFL field (note the use of the word athlete, not quarterback). His electrifying speed dazzled many fans during his previous career with the Atlanta Falcons, and he was at one point considered to be one of the most (if not the most) exciting player to watch in the whole league.
But slow down, Mr. Vick. An NFL team is not likely to sign you at all—let alone for $10 million annually—unless you can prove you're back in shape. A year and a half of incarceration and prison food would wreak havoc with the body of even a great athlete, so pardon the NFL teams for being skeptical. And that's completely ignoring the whole reason why you went to prison in the first place, or your less-than-spotless record before then.
Now, there are undoubtedly some times that will show some interest in Vick. That being said, the number of teams with a dire quarterback need is growing thin. The Detroit Lions, of course, hold the #1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and could select Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, reducing their motivation to sign Vick, and their cap room, considerably. On the other hand, signing Vick could give the Lions the opportunity to select an offensive lineman (a left tackle, specifically) and then either trade down or pick the best player available with their second 1st-round pick (#20 from the Dallas Cowboys). If Vick proved that he could still cut it at the NFL level, this situation could bode very well for the Lions.
The Jacksonville Jaguars could also try and be in the hunt for Vick's signature. David Gerrard has proved that he can play well, but I think the Jags have reason to be somewhat concerned about their depth at quarterback and the resemblance between Gerrard's and Vick's playing styles is perhaps the best you will find in the league.
The Kansas City Chiefs, having just recently traded for Matt Cassel, are most likely out of the question, as are the New York Jets, who have recently publicly stated that they are happy with thier current group of signal callers, and the Chicago Bears, whose style of power run does not fit Vick's abilities.
Having just placed Jay Cutler on the trade block, the Denver Broncos could pursue Vick, but I see that as being unlikely. The signing of a player like Vick—with a controversial past and demands for a salary equaling Peyton Manning and surpassing Tom Brady— would seem to directly contradict the policy of "team before stars" that Josh McDaniels is trying to set up in Denver.
I think the team to not rule out, though, is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their infamous quarterback carousel under Jon Gruden may have faded away, but unless they trade for Jay Cutler their short- and long-term solution for quarterback remain unsolved. Vick had superb arm strength before he left the league and his outstanding speed and mobility were the envy of quarterbacks everywhere. With some improvements to his accuracy, I believe he could excel in the same type of West Coast offense that Jeff Garcia and, going further back, Steve Young played in.
So, my advice to Vick: Don't expect to start or make a starter's wage, don't expect a warm welcome back into the league immediately, and (here's a little bit of a plea in here as well) please, PLEASE keep your head on straight. I'm sure that if you prove yourself to the league, there will inevitably be a job waiting for you somewhere.
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