Dr. Z, I really do like your columns, but I think you really missed the mark with your prediction for the Bears this season. You say they are the 32nd ranked team in the NFL and will only win three games this year. I still think the Bears can win nine games this season. Really, the only thing that has changed since I first made that statement is that Grossman broke his ankle. Now that seems like a big deal, but really, Grossman doesn’t have a whole lot more NFL experience that Orton has. I’m saying that Grossman had a lot of high hopes laid on him, but he’s really not much more than a rookie himself. What’s to say he wouldn’t have gone through growing pains, making bad reads, and making costly mistakes had he stayed healthy? We will never know. I definitely like the Bears’ chances a lot more with Orton at QB than with Chad Hutchinson, A.K.A. Mr. 0.0 QB rating. Also, it was a new offense this year, and Grossman didn’t have that much of a head start on Orton in learning it. I’m anxious to see what Orton looks like against the first teamers in the final preseason game. I hope I don’t have to eat these words.
The defense is still the backbone of this team. All they need is just a LITTLE help from the offense to sustain some drives and keep them off the field for a while. It looks like the running game is also a strength of the team this year. Again, all that needs is a LITTLE help from the passing game, so the opponent’s defense doesn't always stack everyone in the box like last season. I still think Mushin Muhammad is going to have a much better season than anyone is predicting. His value to the team just can’t be overlooked. I don’t think the Bears are in nearly as bad of shape as Dr. Z thinks.
I have high hopes for Cedric Benson later this season. I took him with a late-round fantasy pick last night. He’ll be riding the bench for me for quite a while, but that’s okay because I also drafted Ladanian Tomlinson with my #1 pick, and also have two other RBs that should pan out nicely. Benson was a value pick for me, based on potential. Call it an investment.
Bear down!
2 comments:
Dr. Z's rankings look very conventional-wisdomish -- he took no chances, didn't go against the grain of any other sports scribe, and will most likely be incredibly, incredibly wrong. He also apparently didn't take into account schedules, as the Bears' is cake. 3 wins would be achievable if the only Bears standing at the end of preseason are Brad Maynard and a 14" Ditka. (14" Ditka admittedly needs the punting help).
Orton has looked pretty good from the standpoint that he appears poised and his arm looks strong. One of those should remain regardless of the quality of the opposition, the other not necessarily so... But man, that first interception he threw against Miami and his subsequent attempt to make a tackle were pretty bad...
I'm still optimistic on the year.
Yeah, that interception against the Dolphins was really bad, but he bounced back after that on the following drives. It sounds like Orton usually recovers well after making mistakes, instead of spiraling further down into problems.
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