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It's Official: Kyle Orton Is Bears Starting QB

Matt SnyderPosted Aug 18th 2008 5:00PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, NFC North



Looks like Bears fans can say goodbye to the Rex Grossman era. How was it for you? I count one NFC Championship, a myriad of injuries, and several thousand over-reactions both negative and positive by fans and media alike while riding the Rex roller-coaster. I also count him becoming overly stigmatized to the point that his confidence has been shattered privately, though publicly he's still rarely accountable for mistakes.

Enter the jack-drinking 10 yard-out-throwing weird-bearded kid from Purdue. Yes, Kyle Orton is a starting NFL QB. The offense is officially stagnant again, as Orton can't throw the deep ball. The defense can crowd the box to take away the run, and Devin Hester as a deep threat is nothing more than window dressing.
Continue Reading It's Official: Kyle Orton Is Bears Starting QB

Kyle Orton About to 'Win' Starting QB Job Over Rex Grossman

Matt SnyderPosted Aug 18th 2008 2:00PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, NFC North

If anyone had the pleasure of watching the Seahawks first defense obliterate the Bears' pathetic offensive line Saturday night, you'll know why I put win in quotes in the title of this piece. The Vikings and Packers pass rush units have to be licking their chops at the chance to face this line twice during the regular season. It was an embarrassing display until the Seahawks called off the dogs.

Make no mistake about it, the Bears inability to effectively patch a decent offensive line together is going to kill any chance some of the talented, young skill players -- Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Matt Forte, Greg Olsen, etc. -- have to show their stuff.

Now, speculation is rampant in the Chicago papers that Lovie Smith's demeanor and some of his statements are pointing towards Kyle Orton taking the starting job over Rex Grossman.

Some of the reasons provided are listed after the jump:
Continue Reading Kyle Orton About to 'Win' Starting QB Job Over Rex Grossman

FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Indianapolis Colts - Under the Radar?

Matt SnyderPosted Aug 16th 2008 8:00AM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Colts, AFC South



Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterbacks: Peyton Manning is returning from injury, and if he doesn't in time the Colts are in serious trouble. Jim Sorgi hasn't shown himself capable in the pre-season while working with the machine known as the Colts offense, and you can't trust Jared Lorenzen as far as you can throw him (love to see anyone try that, by the way). Of course, it's Peyton ... don't worry. He doesn't miss regular season games. Heat Index: 9
Continue Reading FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Indianapolis Colts - Under the Radar?

Fantasy Football Chat ... 1:00 EDT, Wednesday Afternoon

Matt SnyderPosted Aug 13th 2008 12:45PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: NFL Fans, NFL Real Talk



We're getting right into the teeth of fantasy draft season.

By now, you should have your league set up on fleaflicker (um, if not ... get outta here quick, set it up, and come right back). They do, by the way, have a great mock draft tool for every member.

In this chat, though, we're down to discuss anything pertinent ... and there are tons of things on the table in fantasyland.

Like:

-- Can't decide between the two in the picture above?
-- Did you recently have a draft and want us to make you feel better evaluate your team?
-- Is your draft upcoming and you are on the fence about a few different dudes?
-- Are you scared about taking Steven Jackson, Steve Smith, or Brandon Marshall?
-- Keeper league dilemmas?
-- Wanna come tell us how stupid we are for our rankings or "Five Guys" series? Please do. We're cool with defending choices or taking our lumps.
-- On the other hand, we know you're going to jock us for the offensive line series and "consistency" posts. We like praise.

All this and more. Join some of the Fantasy FanHouse team at 1:00 Eastern for a one-hour fantasy chat. Bring your green hat.
Continue Reading Fantasy Football Chat ... 1:00 EDT, Wednesday Afternoon

If Adam Archuleta Makes the Raiders, I'm Trying Out

Matt SnyderPosted Aug 13th 2008 7:00AM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Raiders, AFC West, NFC North, NFL Fans

That's right. You read the headline correctly.

As a Bears fan that sat through Adam Archuleta's futile attempt to play football last year, I have to put my foot down. The Raiders signed him today ... as a linebacker? You have to be kidding me.

Sure, he was once a good -- at best -- player. So was Donnell Woolford. He hasn't collected paychecks in the NFL since 1997, which is about as long as it's been since I played football. Did I play in the NFL? Of course not. I am, however, just as qualified as Adam Archuleta to be compensated for attempting to play football.

Want proof? Let's go to the proverbial tale of the tape:

Size
Archuleta: 6' 223 lbs.
Snyder: 5'8" 165 lbs.
Advantage: Me, of course. I'll be really sneaky instead of stomping around like a Clydesdale out there.

Experience
Archuleta: Seven NFL seasons, age 30.
Snyder: High school ... making me quite the unique American, also age 30.
Advantage: Think about all the wear and tear he's put his body through in seven seasons of the brutal grind. I'm fresh, baby. Sitting around at home blogging keeps a body fit. A spry thirty, to say the least.

Speed
Archuleta: No way he can break five-flat in the 40.
Snyder: Despite having a surgically repaired ACL, I could without breaking a sweat.
Advantage: You know the drill by now.
Continue Reading If Adam Archuleta Makes the Raiders, I'm Trying Out

Muhsin Muhammad: 'Chicago Is Where Receivers Go to Die'

Matt SnyderPosted Aug 12th 2008 11:00AM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Panthers, NFC North, NFC South

Looks like all Muhsin Muhammad did was say what everyone else is thinking. Only everyone else says it, too. The Bears QBs suck. Wow, that's quite an original thought, Moose. No one else is/has been saying that for the past fifteen years or so. Thanks for the revelation.

The statement would have a lot more credibility if it came from Bernard Berrian. You know, the guy that no one thought would be more than a speedy stretch-the-field slot receiver and instead became a very highly paid WR1 for the Minnesota Vikings in the off-season. Did he "go to die" in Chicago?

On the flip-side, you have Moose. He made more noise on the sidelines and in the locker room bitching than he did on the field producing. He lost his ability to gain separation and drops were routine. I suppose those two items fall squarely on the shoulders of Rex Grossman, Brian Griese, and Kyle Orton as well?

In response, the Bears weren't taking the bait ... though it seems like they wanted to:
Asked how Muhammad was as a teammate, Orton snapped, ''No comment.''
Continue Reading Muhsin Muhammad: 'Chicago Is Where Receivers Go to Die'

Here's A New One: Cards Think They Are Gonna Be Good

Matt SnyderPosted Aug 11th 2008 3:54PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: AZ Cardinals, NFC West

It has gotten to the point where I can't remember the last time we entered a season without talk of the Arizona Cardinals finally turning the proverbial corner and winning ten or more games.

Apparently they internally really believe, but don't want to verbalize it:
They might not want this out there just yet, but there's a quiet feeling among Cardinals players and coaches that they have a chance to be pretty good.
Cue the eye rolls everywhere. We've been down this road before and legions of Cardinals fans have been left disappointed. While you may have believed it the first couple times around, why is there reason that this season is the one?

Well, for starters, just because something hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy won the Super Bowl. Roy Williams won a national title. Phil Mickelson has won some majors now. Remember when you had to hear about how those guys just "can't win the big one." Maybe this is in the same boat? Maybe the Cardinals can turn things around this season?
Continue Reading Here's A New One: Cards Think They Are Gonna Be Good

Marvin Harrison Cleared to Play

Matt SnyderPosted Aug 8th 2008 1:25PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Colts, AFC South, NFL Injuries



As late as last evening, Coach Tony Dungy stated that Marvin Harrison would not suit up until the team's third pre-season game. Well, Harrison must own some custom-made healing potion -- from Belgium, of course -- because less than an hour ago an announcement was made that Harrison will go tomorrow night in Carolina.
" ... the eight-time Pro Bowl receiver participated in two practices in a day for the first time Thursday and came away wanting to play.

"He actually wanted to work those two practices, made it through OK, felt good, wants to get a little bit in," Dungy said.
You don't need me to tell you that this is big news for the Colts. This is only the second pre-season game for the horse, and they get an extra one because of their inclusion in the Hall of Fame Game. With three more exhibitions coming after this one, why push Harrison if he's not ready?

Exactly.
Continue Reading Marvin Harrison Cleared to Play

FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Chicago Bears - Devin's World

Matt SnyderPosted Aug 8th 2008 8:00AM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, NFC North, NFL Fans



Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: It's an open competition between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. Cue the laugh track. I'll try to be positive. In 2006, Grossman led the team to a 13-3 record and an NFC Championship to boot. He led the NFL in 100+ QB rating games (yes, I know he led in games below 40 and also had a zero rating once ... remember I was being positive), and threw for over 3000 yards with 23 TD passes for a running-and-defense team. Orton went 10-5 as a starter in the previous season with atrocious numbers (seriously, he didn't even throw for 2,000 yards or ten TDs in 15 games). Look for Grossman to start, unless the Bears want to completely take away the threat of Devin Hester. And they can't do that. Heat Index: 2
Continue Reading FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Chicago Bears - Devin's World

Brett Favre Traded to Jets: What It Means

Matt SnyderPosted Aug 7th 2008 12:00AM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Jets, Packers, AFC East, NFC North

The Brett Favre soap opera -- at least the question of whom he'll suit up for in 2008 -- is officially over.

Legends in Strange Uniforms

    Brett Favre is handing in one green jersey for another after with his trade from the Packers to the Jets. He certainly won't be the first icon to don a strange-looking uniform late in his career.

    Mike Roemer, AP

    The Jets' first legendary quarterback, Joe Namath, seemed like a perfect match with the glitz of Hollywood. Unfortunately for the Rams, Joe's knees were shot when he moved to La-La Land in 1977. Namath only played in four games before calling it a career.

    Allsport / Getty Images

    Being a part-owner of the Wizards wasn't enough for Michael Jordan. When his competitive juices would not stop flowing, he suited up with Washington and played two good, but far from great, seasons.

    Jesse D. Garrabrant, NBAE / Getty Images

    After a long stint with the Giants in San Francisco, Willie Mays came back to New York in 1972. But this wasn't what any fan wanted. He produced little for the Mets and left many thinking he had stayed around too long.

    AP

    After retiring from the Red Wings, Gordie Howe returned to the ice for seven more seasons, the last three with the Hartford Whalers. He was 52 when he finally hung up his skates.

    Denis Brodeur, Getty Images

    Babe Ruth is synonymous with the Yankees. Even their stadium is called "The House That Ruth Built." So it still comes as a shock to see the Bambino donning a Boston Braves uni in 1935 as his career ended with a whimper.

    AP

    Not every team switch by an icon has a sad ending. Joe Montana enjoyed two productive seasons with the Chiefs after leaving the 49ers and almost took K.C. to the Super Bowl in 1993.

    Vince Bucci, AFP / Getty Images

    Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's record as an Atlanta Brave, but he returned to the franchise's former home in Milwaukee for his last two years of his career in 1975 and 1976.

    Focus on Sport / Getty Images

    Jerry Rice won three Super Bowls and became a legend at his position with the 49ers, but Rice finished out his NFL career with the Raiders and Seahawks.

    Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

    Wade Boggs won batting titles with the Red Sox, and a World Series ring with the Yankees. However, his Hall of Fame career ended in the relative obscurity of being a member of the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998 and 1999.

    Peter Muhly, AFP / Getty Images


The New York Jets have given an unknown quantity to the Pack for number four. As Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reports:
The exact compensation was not immediately known, but it is believed to be a single draft pick that increases in value depending upon how the Jets perform during the 2008 season.
How's that for a curve ball? All day we thought it was a done deal that Favre was headed to Tampa Bay, and only a few days ago there was talk of a competition at QB in Packers camp. The Jets were always in the discussion, but it was reported that it was not a desirable destination for Favre.

There are some of the opinion that Favre craves media attention. We'll check that litmus test in the mightiest of media markets this season. No one can be more brutal, especially when it comes to giving games away via the turnover, than New Yorkers. If Favre pulls a repeat of the '07 NFC Championship Game, cue the orchestra known as the New York media and talk show callers.
Continue Reading Brett Favre Traded to Jets: What It Means
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