[NFL] Bears name rookie QB as starter

[Crothian]

about time!!

 

[Darth K'Trava]

These kids hold out in the hopes of making more money if they wait rather than signing quickly... which can backfire and have the team try to get rid of them (ie. trade) as they've suddenly become too much of a problem.

 

[Dimwhit]

I always wanted to see Chicago give Ryan Dinwiddie a chance. Best career passing rating in NCAA history. Sure, he was from Boise State, but I would like to have seen them give him a shot when they had him. Not like there were many other options.

As for Kyle Orton, I thought he got a bum rap his last season at Purdue. I hope he does well for the Bears. But it will certainly be another rebuilding year for them. I'm not a Bears fan, but they will always have a place in my heart, since Walter Payton is, IMO, the greatest player ever (but that's another debate).

 

[drothgery]

It seems from previous experiences to try to steer AWAY from Heisman Trophy winners/nominees as they usually pan out when they go pro....

Hmm...

2004 Matt Leinart Southern California QB -- still in college, expected to be #1 overall draft pick next year (would have been this year)
2003 Jason White Oklahoma QB -- didn't make the NFL; won the award mostly as biggest-name player on team that was #1 for most of season
2002 Carson Palmer Southern California QB -- starting QB for Bengals; pretty good for a second-year QB
2001 Eric Crouch Nebraska QB -- didn't make the NFL; won a lifetime achievement award; was an option QB who couldn't pass
2000 Chris Weinke Florida State QB -- backup QB in Carolina; was 25 when he won the award; Drew Brees should have won
1999 Ron Dayne Wisconsin RB -- career backup RB; won a lifetime achievement award
1998 Ricky Williams Texas RB -- had a few great seasons but also had drug problems; Donovan McNabb should have won
1997 Charles Woodson Michigan DB/WR -- consideered a top DB talent with work ethic issues
1996 Danny Wuerffel Florida QB -- career backup QB
1995 Eddie George, Ohio St., RB -- pretty good RB for a long time, probably overused
1994 Rashaan Salaam, Colorado, RB -- didn't last long; Steve McNair should have won

So of the last ten Heisman winners, there were three complete washouts (Salaam, Crouch, and White), two of which were quite predictable (Crouch was drafted in the middle rounds as a receiver; White wasn't drafted at all). There's one arguable great player (George) and two other starters (Woodson, Palmer), one of which hasn't played long enough to establish his level in the NFL (Palmer). One talented player flamed out due to drug problems (Ricky Williams). And three career backups (Wuerffel, Dayne, Weinke). And one who hasn't gone pro yet, but would likely be starting for the 49ers if he had chosen to (Leinart).

It's worth noting that the Heisman winners that have been successful are, with the exception of Salaam, the only ones who weren't considered "system products" coming out of college. Oklahoma under Bob Stoops, like Florida under Spurrier and FSU when they have any kind of QB talent, tended to go pass-wacky. And Crouch, unlike some other option QBs (Vick and McNabb, most notably), never got a chance to play QB in the NFL (probably because he's an even worse passer than Vick), and unlike Matt Jones or Antwaan Randle-El, he was never enthusiastic about moving to wide reciever. Wisconsin under Alvarez has had huge linemen and a heavily run-oriented offense.

I don't know if that's better or worse than first-round picks in general (and some of thse guys weren't first round picks).

 

[romp]

Unsigned no longer!

I was going to point out that Benson signed and is in camp ...

Now I what Clarrett did to get booted from the Broncos, and if anyone else will be foolish enough to sign him

 

[reveal]

I was going to point out that Benson signed and is in camp ...

Now I what Clarrett did to get booted from the Broncos, and if anyone else will be foolish enough to sign him

He was an idiot. Did you read the ESPN article about how he wanted more money? He got screwed because of his own idiocy.

 

[DaveMage]

...and if anyone else will be foolish enough to sign him

Oakland, I'm looking at you!

 

[Crothian]

Now I what Clarrett did to get booted from the Broncos, and if anyone else will be foolish enough to sign him

I predict he will float around the NFL this year and maybe next, then end in Canada or in the arena game.

 

[romp]

I predict he will float around the NFL this year and maybe next, then end in Canada or in the arena game.

yah, arena is what i am thinking, or maybe Europe, he would be soo happy over there ...

He was an idiot. Did you read the ESPN article about how he wanted more money? He got screwed because of his own idiocy.

He was buddies in high school with LeBron James, when LeBron went to the pros and got some Benjamins, Maurice got insanely jealous and has spent ever waking moment trying to get some for himself...

 

[Dinkeldog]

Maybe. More than likely he'll end up being one of those QB's we hear about years from now that "could have been someone if he wasn't so injury prone."

In Grossman's defense, it was a late hit and a broken ankle. That's not "injury prone", that's a victim of poor sportsmanship.