There's an even sadder truth out there...

[blumeany]

For all those fans at the game last night that were chanting 'Griese', I hope that helped them feel a little bit better. They paid a lot of money to be there and watch our team get decimated by injuries and a QB from Eastern Illinois.

But the sad, sad truth - beyond the fact that Rex is finally done - is that this franchise is done as well. For all the great moves Angelo has made, his biggest mistake - betting the farm on Grossman - will be his downfall.

I hope that none of those fans chanting Griese's name really expect him to come in and be our saviour. Kids, there's a reason that Griese is just a highly paid backup. He will throw INT's too. As will Kyle Orton. We are toast. Even *if* our defense wasn't decimated by injuries, we'd be toast. Can we be competitive? Damn skippy. But we can't go all the way with an incompetent offense. While Rex does shoulder the blame in many of our losses, the rest of the offense is flailing just as badly.

Angelo's second big mistake will turn out to be Benson. For all the talk people say about how 'tough' he is, he sure seems to go down quickly. And not only does he go down quickly, but it seems like he pouts on the ground after every run. There is no 'pep' in his step. You never see him jump up after a play and get ready for the next one. It's always someone else having to pull his ass up. He's also pulling an Enis on us - he's got two moves: 1. fumble, 2. run, stop, bury head in ground.

What really kills me is that our franchise has suffered so long without a quarterback, and then some unknown from our own backyard gets picked up by a powerhouse like the Cowboys - who have had great QB's througout their history. Meanwhile our conference is being taken over by the 37 year old Brett Favre - a constant reminder of our QB woes.

Where do we go from here? Honestly, I don't know. I just don't see any of our QB's taking us where we need to go. It will always come down to our defense, and our 'built for speed' defense will always get beat up and worn down against a bigger, more physical offense - ESPECIALLY when our own offense can't win, or at least equalize, the time of possession battle.

[Cliff Levingston]

The rest of the offense just needs some confidence in their QB. You expect Berrian to drop two easy passes like that regularly?

Cliff Levingston agrees that Griese isn't the savior but he's not going to throw incredibly bad passes in the frequency that Grossman does. He's going to throw INT's like any other one but he's a decent QB... enough to not have the offense lose games for us.

Benson could be better but it's too early to write him off. He looked pretty good last night; he was more patient and he was gaining a couple extra yards after contact consistently. His running style isn't pretty but it can be effective if you give him the carries.

But yea, this season is over.

[NLK]

I say, if we're as bad as we were last night, it can't hurt to allow Griese to step in and help our Defense. Right now, Rex sure isn't, same goes for the rest of our offense. Someone, anyone has to be vocal in the huddle, and garner some kind of fire and lead the Offense down the field, control the clock, even if its for FGs. Our D can only be strong if we can minimize the time they stay out on the field.

Unfortunately, I don't see Griese being that vocal leader, ditto with Benson, & Berrian. Maybe Moose & Clark can try, or Kreutz. I'm not ready to say the season over and begin thoughts of starting over (i.e. mentioned by TreyZz in one of the other threads).

Right now, we sort look like last year's Eagles, where the D was out there for significant time, and lost games...EXCEPT their Offense didn't have these many turnovers. Why oh Why couldn't we have dumped Griese for Garcia! I'd so welcome his 2 TDs, 0 INTs, 198.3 PYPG. He'd be the ultimate complement to our average offensive crew, with a voice in the huddle. Our guys on Offense just don't seem to have any direction or fire when they leave the huddle to go to the line, if Rex is thinking too much of a past play. His confidence is long gone, and the coaching staff is trying to save whatever human quality he's got left...not realizing they're turning him into Ryan Leaf, minus any rebellion that Leaf has.

[blumeany]

Is Leaf available? Maybe Lovie and Jerry would like to give him a few hundred second chances.

[Sinistar6]

I never thought I'd say this but I think picking up David Carr might be a low risk/high reward transaction.

[WEFFPIM]

I never thought I'd say this but I think picking up David Carr might be a low risk/high reward transaction.

Delhomme just injured his elbow, I doubt the Panthers are willing to let Carr leave.

[fleet]

Injury update: It's not pretty
By Vaughn McClure, 2:12 p.m.

The Bears' injury situation might be worse than orginally anticipated.

Safety Adam Archuleta came out of the locker room Monday with an air cast and tape around his right hand. Offensive lineman Fred Miller had his right leg wrapped.

That added to the injuries from Sunday night, with Lance Briggs (groin), Nathan Vasher (hip abductor) and Tommie Harris (sprained MCL) all knocked out of the game. Ruben Brown had his left ankle wrapped, an injury he suffered in the second half Sunday.

I don't know if the season is over. It sure feels over. The way the offensive line looks could be the final death knell, even if Griese can play...will he survive the season? Will they run block?
Rex has taken sone shots. Griese is an older man with mileage. Perhaps he is more instictive in the pocket where he can get rid of the ball better and sooner than Rex. Lots of bodies around the line of scrimmage to stuff the run and harass the backfield.

I had a feeling the seaosn could bve over the first week when we lost Dusty. I thought Mike Browns injury hurt bad, but could we expect Darwin Walker and Tommie Harris to be iron men in there? It did not feel like we could.

Nathan Vasher is hurt? UHHHgggggg
I like Jamar Williams, but Briggs looks faster on the field, and hes just the final insult to what could be a fatal series of news events.
If a QB change results in less TOs and more points, if the O-Line can suddenly look younger... enough to give the defense a chance, if the replacements can be competant...maybe we can hang on. Too many ifs though guys

Oh BTW, the Packers are in first place. Good grief

[dougthonus]

If Vasher, Harris, and Briggs (or even 2 of the 3) are out for a significant period of time, then the season is basically over. Even 1 of the 3 will really effect the defense. All 3, and we might become one of the bottom defenses.

[NoSkyy]

On the bright side, if the injuries do happen, Brian Urlacher would get 2x the tackles and if he keeps up his sack rate should win DPOY.

.......

oh yeah, and a high draft pick! Wooo.