Life In The DPC!

The Chicago Bears announced that Kyle Orton will be their starting quarterback over their incumbent  Rex Grossman.  Orton went 2-1 last season while subbing for the injured Grossman during the last three games of the season.

“In the end it comes down to a gut feeling that you have,” head coach Lovie Smith said. “And I feel good about Kyle leading our team.”

Orton has amassed a record of 12-6 as a starter and Grossman is 19-11 while at the helm of the Bears.
                      Games  Rating  Att.  Comp.  PCT.  Yards  Y/G    Y/A    TD    INT
Rex Grossman       32      70.9   489   900      54.3    5907 184.6    6.6       31     33
Kyle Orton             18     62.2    233   448      52.0    2347 130.4    5.2       12     15

Despite leading the Bears to the Super Bowl I, like many pundits, have never fully embraced Grossman and to this Bears’ fan they seemed to succeed despite his maverick style. I waste a lot of time watching football and one of my casual   observations is to watch how the players interact with one another on the sidelines during the game. For the most part Grossman never talked to anyone but the occasional coach and this was usually for some form of admonishment.

While a guy like Orton was interacting with his teammates and for the most part he seemed at ease with his peers and they liked being around him. It is the opinion of this scribe that players are more inclined to perform and stick their necks out for a guy they like. Grossman always seemed to be isolated on the sidelines and this may have led to him being a distant leader on the field. A lieutenant needs the respect of his men and the Bears finally realized that Orton has it.

Yes, I realize that the NFL Draft was on April 26th but I recently moved back to Phoenix and I am finally getting my affairs in order. With that said, here is The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of The 2008 NFL Draft. Also please keep in mind that I watched the NFL Draft at University of Phoenix Stadium, home of your Arizona Cardinals, at their Draft Party. I often thought that I should focus my attention on more pressing issues, like the Election, but I wasted my afternoon with my Cardinals brethren (A surprising amount, truth be told. I often thought I had no life but they were also holding an RC Plane show at the stadium too, so I feel a bit better about DPC. Not much but a little bit better)

The Good:

Atlanta Falcons: They’re doing their best to put the Michael Vick fiasco behind them and regain some of their fans back and the additions of Matt Ryan and Sam Baker are a good start. I am not overly sold on Matt Ryan but if I was a Falcons fan I’d be stoked by the simple fact that Joey Harrington isn’t my best quarterback option.

Oakland Raiders: They’re using the same template as the 2007 Minnesota Vikings (i.e. a lack of a passing game can be overshadowed by an abundance of talented running backs). I don’t think Darren McFadden will be as dominant as Adrian Peterson but he will definitely come up large. Al Davis also took a gamble on a pair of physically gifted wide receivers ( Chaz Schilens and Arman Shields) to maintain the perceived threat of the Vertical Stretch.

The Bad:

Any Quarterback that DPC thought would be good: Andre Woodson was once considered a top flight prospect and fell to the sixth round (NY Giants), John David Booty 5th round (Minnesota Vikings) and of course Colt Brennan (Washington in the sixth round). Brennan’s fall from grace wasn’t surprising due to his performance at the Cotton Bowl and showing under weight and dismally performing at the Senior Bowl. Woodson surprised me. Maybe because I thought he would be picked up by the third round after a productive career at Kentucky. Booty was hard to predict because he played in pro style offense but was considered to a second day pick, which he was, and just lacking in positive NFL qualities. I am not sure what he is lacking because he had a good career at USC, of course he wasn’t Carson Palmer or Matt Leinart, which likely explains a lot about his public perception.

The Ugly:

Chicago Bears: Mainly for avoiding that whole lack of a quarterback issue. I know it is getting redundant to harp on the Bears for their lack of a tip/top QB but one has to wonder if GM Jerry Angelo is risking his career with an abnormal infatuation with Rex Grossman? That and apparently drafting a running back, Matt Forte, has driven Cedric Benson off the deep end or at least off their roster. Which could be a blessing in disguise since the former first round draft pick has proven to be the anti-Walter Payton (or is that Bizarro Payton?)

• NFL Czar, Roger Goodell, refuses to reinstate Pacman Jones before the 2008 season begins. This seems to be a bit of hypocrisy by the NFL because Jones’ suspension was for the 2007 season and they’re also infringing on his ability to seek another employer. It stands to reason that the Titans are not interested in Jones and it is time for both sides to move on and start over. Pacman is a commodity, a shut down corner and an upper echelon returner all rolled into one, and though a few teams will be turned off by his record off the field many will acknowledge that he has paid his debt to society and tender him an offer (or the Titans for his rights)
• Colt Brennan has transformed from Mid Major superman into a second day pick. Bucky Brooks, of Sportsillustrated.com, has Brennan ranked as the 9th best QB in the draft. Well, at least he beat out Dennis Dixon. All joking aside, I think Brennan is definitely worth a 3rd round or later pick from a team that is willing to give him time to develop. Best case scenario: a career like Jake Plummer. Of course he could easily find himself dominating the Arena Football League in a few years. Scouting QB’s is an inexact science and as is similar to the Jeanne Dixon effect.
• Joe Flacco is the next Kyle Boller.
• John David Booty will exceed his draft status and will find niche as another USC alum. More Matt Cassel than Carson Palmer but still in the NFL.
• Chicago Bears’ GM, Jerry Angelo, is evil by making minimal attempts to keep everyone’s favorite Fresno State Bulldog Bernard Berrian and by likely keeping Rex Grossman. Of course if Rex is at the helm of the Bears next season there is no point in keeping talented wide receivers. At this point I’d consider David Carr an upgrade. Plus the idea of a Kyle Orton and Carr quarterback controversy boggles the mind.

Vinny Testaverde became the oldest starting quarterback, age 43, to win a game as he lead the Carolina Panthers over the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals were forced to use Tim Rattay after injuries to Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner. All praise to Testaverde aside, and he deserves it, but where is Jeff George?

At this point in the 2007, and this is no different than any other season, starting quarterbacks are dropping like flies or they are just incompetent. Am I being a bit off base when I say that George is better suited to lead the Chicago Bears than Rex Grossman, Brian Griese or Kyle Orton? Would you rather have Trent Dilfer at the helm of the 49ers? If Kerry Collins is getting a paycheck where is the love for the former number one pick out of Illinois?

It is a foregone conclusion that Devin Hester and the Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals Monday night match up would be the highlight of my existence in Phoenix. It still comes up in idle chatter about once a week (this down from daily) and it is difficult for me to explain that Monday Night Football is an event in every city where the carnival stops during the season. The Cardinals and their fans were shocked to be part of Monday Night Football and the city was buzzing over being on a national stage for something besides hosting the Fiesta Bowl. Despite the buzz Matt Leinart came out gunning and Rex Grossman tanked (foreshadowing the Super Bowl?) and the Bears were down throughout until the defense came up large and set the stage for Hester…

Devin Hester is now the fastest man in the history of the NFL. At least he is according to Madden ‘08 where his speed is listed at 100 (1-99 scale). No player in Madden history has hit the century mark in any category. At this point Hester is now faster than his mentor Deion Sanders, who has one of the fastest electronically timed 40 at 4.29. Fabian Washington has the current record at 4.25.

“Deion has told me a bunch of times that I was as fast as he was,” Hester said after the announcement.

It is well documented that I am a Hester fan. He is the rare player that you always watch when he gets the ball because you have no idea what could happen but he is not the fastest player I’ve seen.

I believe that his mentor, amongst others, are fastest than the Windy City Flyer but in his defense Hester’s football speed is near the top. With that said here are the men faster than Hester, in no particular order.

1. Deion Sanders
2. Randy Moss
3. Bo Jackson
4. Tim Dwight
5. Gale Sayers
6. Bullett Bob Hayes
7. Willie Gault
8. Darrell Green
9. Reggie Bush
10. Michael Vick

The NFL has delayed its decision on the suspension of Pacman Jones. Jones’ attorney is summarizing their appeal in writing and will be reviewed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell has maintained a new sheriff in town mentality towards the recent increase in NFL off the field troubles. At this point Jones is trying to have his suspension reduced to anything less than the entire 2007 season.

Would I want Pacman on my team? Yes, I had many theories on how the Bears could use a man of his talents but ultimately he is the  rare shutdown corner. His special team skills are also at a high level but lets keep in mind there is always Devin Hester.  Truthfully Pacman will be dumped by the Titans and he will be scooped up in a moment. It stands to reason that he will clean up his act for the remained of his NFL career.

Randomness: The Bears announced that they are moving Hester to offense. From the few times I saw him play defensive back last year it is apparent that his talent are with the ball in his hands. I think the experiment can work and I did the same thing in Madden ‘07. He is fourth on the wide receiver depth chart. Keep in mind that this also the same squad that has Pacman and Hester returning kick offs.

http://embed.technorati.com/embed/zi47pyzv8f.js”>>

*Due to cancelling cable last month I was forced to listen to the ESPN Radio coverage of the 2007 NFL Draft.

The Good:

Oakland Raiders:
JaMarcus Russell is the prototype Al Davis quarterback and is an upgrade out of the gates over Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter. Zach Miller was a good grab in the 2nd round. Also on Saturday night they traded their 4th round pick (105) to Detroit for QB Josh McCown and WR Mike Williams.

Cleveland Browns: Grabbed the most coveted OL in the draft Joe Thomas wiith the 3rd pick and wheeled and dealed to get another 1st round pick, 22nd from Dallas, and grabbed Brady Quinn. Their is the possibility of two franchise players with their first two picks.

The Bad:

Miami Dolphins: Ted Ginn Jr. with the 9th pick was an odd choice when they needed to address their QB issue and Quinn was available.

Detroit Lions: I realize they got the best player in the draft in Calvin Johnson but they should have dumped traded the pick to garner more choices and fill many pressing needs.

The Ugly:

Brady Quinn: He fell from a likely top 10 pick all the way to 22nd. I thought Leinart got shafted last year but Quinn’s recent drop blows it out of the water. On a positive note he went to the team he wanted to but lost some serious cash in the process.

THE Ohio State: Criticism has already been thrown towards Ginn Jr. Antonio Pittman was once conisidered a 2nd round pick and fell to the Saints in the 4th round. Troy Smith went from Heisman winning darling to tanking in the BCS and is now an uncertainty in the draft. On a positive the other Tony Gonzalez went to an ideal situation with the Colts.

The Chicago Bears come from behind victory of the Arizona Cardinals had grim repurcussions for those associated with the Monday Night Football Malady. Head coach Dennis Green fired his offensive coordinator Keith Rowan the following morning and replaced him with quarterback’s coach Mike Kruczek.“I’ve known Keith for a long time. I have the utmost respect for him,” Green said. “We are not scoring enough points.”

It seems odd to me to fire the offensive coordinator when the Cardinals put more points on the board than any team that has squared off against the Bears this season. Hell, the defense was stout too but I know desperate times call for desperate actions and the promotion of Matt Leinart wasn’t enough to satisfy the Cardinals community. The past few weeks have been very difficult for the Cardinals they blew games against the Rams, Chiefs and now the Bears. A  bit of luck and some execution and they are 4-2 but luck has never been something they have had an abundance of (drafting Leinart aside) and now we get to watch Green melt down before our very eyes.

A part of me feels bad for Green he is in a situation that he can not overcome. The Cardinals are at least two years away from serious playoff contention and most likely he will not belong for the ride when this maturation process comes to fruition. Many of the parts are in place. Leinart the franchise QB. Boldin, Fitzgerald and Johnson the trio of downfield threats. Dockett and Barry anchoring the line. And yet their are holes in this star laden armor but these flaws can be fixed but these soultions of pass and run blocking will not occur this season and Green may not be here to put the pieces in place.

The future is bright for the Cardinals but this season will be like the other 18 that the Cardinals have enjoyed in the desert; mediocrity and crushed dreams from pig skin prognosticators that guaranteed glory and playoff births. If those that jumped on the bandwagon when they built their new stadium stay on through this lean season fruition and the actual fulfillment of off season promises will be realized.