Bears coaches contend preseason performances will determine which quarterback, either Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton, will start at Indianapolis on Sept. 7.
In reality, not only do stat lines and game tape against Kansas City and Seattle and so forth not matter, but Lovie Smith and his team of decision-makers would be better suited spinning a bottle or throwing darts to determine the lucky winner.
This quarterback competition is merely a formality. Over the last three years Grossman and Orton have given the Bears plenty to see, too much to actually believe anything they do in limited preseason action will make or break their future.
Even though the Bears have yet to announce their opening-day starter, the answer's simple. With one year left on Grossman's contract and two left on Orton's, give Grossman the starting nod and don't pull the plug on him until absolutely necessary.
If Grossman proves sufficient with an insufficient offensive line and unproven receivers, sign him to another short-term contract. If he proves to be another first-round dud, cut your losses with the 2003 draft pick and make the job Orton's to lose in 2009.
Meanwhile, show a commitment and care for the position by drafting at least two quarterbacks and signing one free agent to push Orton in camp next year. The Bears need to load the position like they load the roster at tight end.
Can someone please explain why the Bears feel the need to be five deep at tight end and three-shallow at quarterback? And while you're at it, who should be the starting quarterback come opening day?
Honestly, I could care less who they put at quarterback, and I'm a die hard Bears fan. But I'll give you my honest rundown of what you can expect from each quarterback if given the job.
Grossman: He'll turn the ball over at least 5 times every game, fumble a couple of snaps, and make a complete baffoon of himself. With that being said, he'll also give about 140 yards and might throw a touchdown pass. Yes, some of these turnovers will be attributed to his good for jack squat offensive line, but Grossman still cannot resist the stupidity temptation when the pocket starts collapsing.
Orton: The more "boring" option, but only because Ron Turner will not turn him loose. They'll have him throw 3 yard passes for the whole game, and you may see Brad Maynard be awarded the Bears most valuable player due to countless 3 and outs on a weekly basis. Orton will go 8-18 for 42 yards, and the Bears only hope of scoring will be either Devin Hester (who you'd have to be stupid to actually kick to), a flukey run by either Forte or Peterson (only flukey because our offensive line is abismal), or a defensive touchdown, which hasn't happened on a consistant basis for a long while.
So who is the better option? The human blunder in Rex Grossman or the king of the three and out in Kyle Orton? If I had to pick from this freakshow, I choose Orton. If the Bears want to be a ball-control offense, you have to choose Orton simply because Rex Grossman DOESN'T CONTROL THE BALL! But either way, even the most die-hard bear fan will have to admit that this season is going to be unwatchable. Heck, this may be the worst Bears team in a long time, so bad that Doug Baffone might have to break out the champagne! Okay, maybe not that bad, but this whole QB "battle" is driving me up a wall. Let's all take a moment and be honest with ourselves. The Bears are a hopeless case, their championship window has closed, Lovie Smith is useless, let's talk hockey!