Below are some facts I have looked up for all Bears fans....its facts on some of the best WR's in the game today and where the started and where they are now....its stuff like this that we can now look at since we finally have our franchise QB.
Despite making the Chargers' roster out of training camp, Welker was cut after the first week of the 2004 season and signed with the Miami Dolphins, where he was mostly used on special teams. He later made 3rd WR on the Dolphins roster in 2005. It wasn't until 2007 when he signed with the Patriots (and Tom Brady) that his true potential came out. That year he had 1,175 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Despite the initial concerns of the NFL scouts after Boldin registered a relatively slow 4.71 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, Boldin has broken several NFL records. Boldin was the only rookie WR selected to the 2004 Probowl.
Driver was picked by the Packers in the 1999 NFL Draft in the seventh round (213th pick overall). Driver had the privlage of playing with and learning from one of the best QB's in the league. But you can see what a talented QB can do with a seventh round pick.
He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft(204th overall). In 2004 he was promoted to the starting lineup along side Ocho Cino and recorded 73 receptions for 978 yards and 4 touchdowns. Again he had a talent QB to play with in Carson Palmer.
He was brought to the Panthers organization as a third round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. Smith spent a majority of his rookie season as a kick and punt returner, leading all rookies in net yardage with a 1,994 yards, and landing in fourth place among all NFL players behind Priest Holmes, Marshall Faulk, and Derrick Mason.(Kinda like Devin Hester). In 2002 he was given a starting WR position, in his first year as a WR he had 872 yards and 3 touchdowns
I think everyone get the point of were I am going with this. I am tired of Packers and Vikings fans saying we dont' have WR's.....We have a probowl QB now, no one knows what our WR's will do this year now. Look as Wes Welker, he had been in the NFL for several years just playing at a medicore level, then he joins a Tom Brady and the Patriots and his stats explode....now you can't tell me that had nothing to do with Tom Brady, cause it had EVERYTHING to do with him.
The thing, problem, whatever with these guys is that they're almost all playing second fiddle on their teams behind true #1 WRs, they're basically very good or even great second options, but nothing more.
We already have great #2 (Hester) and other (slot, #4, #5) options (all those young inexperienced guys), but what we lack is true #1 WR who will draw double coverages and free up space of all other guys and even run game, without him this will be one tough season for Cutler and our pass attack.
Just look at it, Wes Welker was nothing before he came to Pats where he played #2 and slot role behind Randy Moss who is REAL #1 option there.
While all those listed except for Smith had #1 wideouts along side them Scyte, the Bears have a better run game than all of them. I wont even try and list Hester as a #1 right now. Nor will I be overly excited about our other recievers. I do have faith in the talent of Forte.
Now lets compare the Pats. They run a spread offense and have an elite QB and dangerous WR's. So when a defense prepares for them, they want to contain Brady and the WR's. So they are able to run the ball effectively. With the Bears I see it as being the opposite to some degree.
Last season we had no WR's that shined. Hester wasn't a factor because of KO's weak arm and inaccurate passes. That will be different this year. Last season Forte was our offense. He faced 8 man fronts and still rushed for over 1200 yards last year. Not even adding the receptions.
While we may not have a True #1 WR, we dont really need one to be successful. Forte and Jones will produce this year. Cutler's ability almost garauntees it. So if they stack 8 in the box to stop the run, Hester will see single coverage and should be able to burn them for a long gain. If they try and double Hester while covering Olsen and the other recievers, then Forte has the ability to burn them on the ground.
Not 1 RB for denver last year was good. You had a commitee of RB's though who produced good rushing numbers for the team. That was all because of Cutler, Marshall, and Royal.
Will even 1 of our WR's be considered good this year? Maybe not, but because of our rushing game the Bears passing game should produce good numbers.
Now I do believe our recievers will standout this year compared to others, as well as Olsen being regarded as a top 5 TE by the end of the season. Could an experienced WR help, of course but with the options left I would feel comfortable in seeing how our current crop can perform and make a run for Boldin next year if we need to.
The lack of a Bears wide receiver standing out last year had a lot to do with Kyle Orton's limitations, poor line blocking, and play calling that tried to deal with this by dumping passes into the flat, for the most part. Projecting forward based on last years performance makes no sense to me because everything should be different this year. Better QB in Jay Cutler, improved talent and depth in the line, and consequently more aggressive play calling. Somebody's going to surprise people and emerge as a no. 1 receiver, whether it's Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Brandon Rideau, one of the rookies. If none of that happens next year and no receiver emerges then I will man up and agree with those that say we need to go out and get a veteran. I just don't see it coming to that though.
I agree I also believe someone will step up and emerge my money is on Devin Hester.If you watched any games last season from the Atlanta game on I feel he made huge strides in his first FULL season as a starter.He was running routes way more fluent creating seperation and actually looking like a reciever.You cant blame him for under throws and not enough zip on out patterns.Some fans just buy into the hype of their own players but I trully believe with Jay Cutler"s arm and Devin's speed and progression it is a match made in heaven.
While we may not have a True #1 WR, we dont really need one to be successful. Forte and Jones will produce this year. Cutler's ability almost garauntees it. So if they stack 8 in the box to stop the run, Hester will see single coverage and should be able to burn them for a long gain. This is partially true..
The Patriots were won 2 Superbowls minus a legitimate #1 receiver but not so fast.. They had legitimate #2 wideouts which we lack hopefully Hester emerges as that guy in 2009. They also had a top 5 defense those years which we no longer have.
Hester wasn't a factor because of KO's weak arm and inaccurate passes. That will be different this year. Last season Forte was our offense. He faced 8 man fronts and still rushed for over 1200 yards last year. Not even adding the receptions. This is also partially true.
For every over or under thrown pass by Orton there were dropped passes by Hester, Olsen and our core of stone handed wideouts. Forte and Clark were our most complete pass catchers in 2008 yes I'm counting blocking and yards after catch as well. I've never been a fan of Orton but it would be disingenuous to suggest our lack of production were all his fault. If we're honest it's more like 50/50 QB/Rec fault wise.
More than likely we'll be forced into battle with who's here now. That means Hester and Olsen have to show and prove this year. Hester's got to consistently beat his man one on one to be a #2 NFL wideout. He's also got to find a solution for bump & run, press coverage, crisp route running and blocking. Olsen's got to become a better blocker, show constancy catching and his yards after the catch must improve as well. We saw far to many one man tackles on a 6'4 / 4'5 speed tight end. Defensive coordinators got his number the second half in going nickle on him vs a LB.
Earl Bennett...Meh..Iglesias should take the #2 possession spot before years end. Other than Hester and Olsen he the only one having "all the tools" on our roster. The growth of those three will go along way to determining our fate this year.
If all goes well next year we can go out and find a legitimate #1 with our #2 & #3 positions solidified.
I don't know why all of US Bears fans think we have a stud, franchise quarterback now that we have Cutler has a losing record playing for a better offensive team in Denver. Grossman had a winning record playing with all the bums in the world on offense. When Grossman had a running back (T. Jones) and a halfway decent receiver (Berrian) they went to the Super Bowl. No one can take a team with Benson at RB and Hester as your #1 WR anywhere. Get a clue, CUTLER IS NOT THE FREAKING SAVIOR. He's a punk that threw a feminine ass hissy fit when Denver wanted a better QB in Cassel and bitched his way outta town like a whore that can't find the right prom dress to get banged out in at the mall. My team, the Bears, will have a losing record again this year because Cutler's a punk and will realize he made a mistake by leaving a team like Denver with Receivers.
Teddyted I would guess you are from the school of thought that a receiver makes a QB, if so then I disagree. The fact that the Bronco's had no defense offers litlle consequence to his record as a starting QB? again I disagree. When refering to hissy fit, wouldn't that be the same type of hissy fit that Peyton or Eli Manning threw when that didn't want to go to the teams that had a right to draft them. After this season plays out I'm afraid you will be the one that is clueless, and therefore would need to find one. I'm not as yet proclaiming J.C. as the savior, but with him, this is the best shot we had in finding one in decades. Go Bears Go Jay Cutler
I don't know why all of US Bears fans think we have a stud, franchise quarterback now that we have Cutler has a losing record playing for a better offensive team in Denver. And why was that. Denver, though had a high powered offense, lacked defense. Not only lacked, they really didn't have one. I watched many Denver games last year, and there were 11 guys on the field and thats pretty much all you can say. Cutler might have had a losing record, he might have been on a team that was one game away from the playoffs last year and couldn't close it out, but that wasn't him. A quarterback, though thee most important guy on the field, cannot do it alone. You can score a ton of points, but if you give up a ton of points, you will lose too.
CUTLER IS NOT THE FREAKING SAVIOR. He might not be a "savior" as you put it, but when is the last time this team had a quarterback that was a proven quarterback? An excellent quarterback? His teammates are already saying that they look up to him, they are saying his leadership skills are dynamite. This guy showed up to every OTA the Bears had so far and went out there to work. He might have thrown a "hissy" in Denver but I would be upset if a new coach wanted to trade me and bring in someone else that was arguable not as good.
I might pretty pessimist about our team this year, but it is certainly not because the offensive side of the ball. My conerns are defensive in nature and if this defense can even to half as good as they did in '06, this team will be very dangerous.
By the way, those receivers weren't anything special when they got there. They were special because Cutler. If I am wrong, and they put up the same numbers this year with Orton, then I will eat my words and admit it. But I wouldn't get your hopes up about Denver's receivers this year. We have plenty to get our hopes up about OUR receivers this year.
Now it has taken a very funny turn. Comparing Jay Cutler to Tom Brady? wow. i am at a loss for words with this one. Tom Brady didn't make Wes Welker better. It is Randy Moss getting double and triple teamed every play that leave welker running against LB out of the slot. Without Randy, Welker doesn't do half as good. So you guys don't have a Randy to make whoever is lining up at WR for you guys. So stop comparing Cutler to Brady because there is no comparision.
Kyle Orton did a great Job for you guys last year. As good as somebody probably can behind that O-Line. He will do great in Denver. The stats he put up were with the Bears. Not denvers. If Marshal stays watch Denver get to the playoffs and LEAD a team like that immature Cutler coudn't. How do you have a 5 game lead and you can't win one of the last 5 to make the play-offs? I'll tell you Cutler is not a leader. Don't try and compare any of you guys to anyone on that list except Welker before he Moss on his team.
wouldn't that be the same type of hissy fit that Peyton or Eli Manning threw when that didn't want to go to the teams that had a right to draft themEli threw a fit but Peyton was drafted first overall by the Colts. Eli is a Bi**h. Peyton never said anything so anything else you have to say is irrelavant.
Vikes fan your right the wrongColts draft pick it was actually John Elway who refused to play for the Colts and said he would play baseball unless he was traded. BTW vikes_fan - did you get your sniffles #12 jersey yet? oh wait thats right the nfl won't allow them to be shipped until the player is signed and the contract approved. Go Bears
Now it has taken a very funny turn. Comparing Jay Cutler to Tom Brady ? wow. i am at a loss for words with this one. Tom Brady didn't make Wes Welker better. It is Randy Moss getting double and triple teamed every play that leave welker running against LB out of the slot. Without Randy, Welker doesn't do half as good. So you guys don't have a Randy to make whoever is lining up at WR for you guys. So stop comparing Cutler to Brady because there is no comparision Who exactly compared Cutler to Brady? Until you brought it up nothing like that appeared on this thread. And for a guy that was at a loss for words you sure managed to string together a lot of crap about something that wasn't part of the original thread. The point was that in the right situation many WRs who have struggle elsewhere have excelled - somehow that point elluded you. A Bears fan mentioned Tom Brady and you jumped to the wrong conclusion (not that it comes as a shock).
The fact is that a solid QB is more important than WR. Plenty of teams have proved that theory. Find a me a team that was successful just because they had a great WR. You won't. There are many teams that have succeeded without elite receivers - very few have reached the Championship level without a great QB. And before you start typing away furiously, no, I don't think the Bears have enough talent to win it all next year. What they do have is a franchise QB to build their offense around. Couple that with Matt Forte and the Bears have good reason to be optimistic about their offense.
Kyle Orton did a great Job for you guys last year. As good as somebody probably can behind that O-Line. He will do great in Denver. The stats he put up were with the Bears . Not denvers. If Marshal stays watch Denver get to the playoffs and LEAD a team like that immature Cutler coudn't. How do you have a 5 game lead and you can't win one of the last 5 to make the play-offs? I'll tell you Cutler is not a leader. Don't try and compare any of you guys to anyone on that list except Welker before he Moss on his team. Where to start with this paragraph.............
1) Orton was NOT great. He was a game manager - period. Defenses had no respect for his arm and safeties crowded the line. That made it a lot tougher for Matt Forte facing 8 man fronts. He did a good job but what you saw in 2008 is as good as it will get for Orton. Find me a Bronco fan who is thrilled to have Orton instead of Cutler - you won't.
2) The Bears O-line was decent in 2008. Not great, but better than expected. The Bears only surrendered 29 sacks last year. The Vikings surrendered 43. And which team allegedly has one of the best O-lines in football? The Bears added players that should help improve the O-line. The Vikes let a perennial Pro Bowl C in Matt Birk go and are replacing him with a 5th round pick in John Sullivan. That should help...........
3) How did the Broncos blow a 5 game lead? How about with a defense that gave up an average of 35 points in their last 6 losses. Please enlighten me as to how Cutler bears responsibility for the fiasco that was the Broncos defense over the last two years.
4) And who will create room for the WRs? How about established players in Matt Forte and Greg Olsen. How about the fact that Cutler has the arm strength to keep the safeties honest. The Bears were 9-7 with Orton at QB. Why can't they win 1 or 2 more games with Cutler under center?
There are no guarantees except for the fact the Bears will have a better QB than the Vikings - and yes, that is even if the Vikes sign Brett Favre.
And again, the joke in all this is YOU wanted Cutler for the Vikings. Everything you post now on this subject is nothing but sour grapes.
2) The Bears O-line was decent in 2008. Not great, but better than expected. The Bears only surrendered 29 sacks last year. The Vikings surrendered 43 What's worse about that is that Minny is a running team. They ran the ball 519 attempts to our 434 and they threw the ball 452 to our 528. How did they give up more sacks? Their 0-line has questions, just like ours. As a matter of fact, their QB situation has been in just as bad of a situation as ours for quite some time. Say.... 9 years. At least Grossman and Orton had an upside and showed something in their winning records (and super bowl appearance).
No one is declaring the Bears to be the best team ever assembled led with the next Tom Brady. So if we are excited about a QB who has the potential to throw the ball for once, give us our peace.
i think it is funny that the i can admit the Vikings short comings but you guys refuse to admit you have no WRs. I'll admit it. WR is a major concern for the Bears in 2009.
It's true and all Bears fans know it. Maybe read a few threads from Bears fans before making statements like that. Why do you think so many are still talking about trying to sign a veteran WR? This is one of the most common threads from Bears fans.
There is also a sizable group that wants to give the existing WRs the opportunity to show what they can do without losing playing time to a veteran WR who may only be around for a season. Last year the Bears brought in Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker - their presence probably had a negative impact on rookie Earl Bennett because they took playing time away from him.
Again, on the Bears offense WR is the biggest issue. I've got no problem saying that.
But the reality is that QB is a far more critical position to the offense than WR. How many teams do you know of that won a championship when their best player was a WR? Look it up.......I'll wait.
But on the other hand there have been many teams that won championships because they had a QB that made their receivers better.
Again, I think the Bears need a lot to fall into place on both sides of the ball before they could be a championship team, but they have the toughest commodity to secure on their roster - a franchise QB.
Really? I heard stories from mini-camp that he turned water into Gatorade...............
That gave me a good laugh. Thanks lol
Viking fan, first off that guy was not comparing Cutler to Brady. He was simply showing examples of which talented Qbs do to WRs, and Cutler is a talented QB, that's for sure.
Also, I believe alot of the Broncos losses at the end of the season were due to a TERRIBLE defense and to the fact that denver was at about it's 8TH STRING RB by that time! The guy who got the majority of the carries for Denver was PJ Pope, a guy who couldn't even MAKE the Bears roster as he was on the practice squad here for about 2-3 seasons. Yes, Cutler did have QB ratings in the 70s in the last 3 games, but I am willing to bet that alot of that had to do with them having no running back. Also, their D let up 30, 30, and 52 points in those 3 losses, an average of 37.3 points per game.
I just love when you guys come into the Bears page and start spewing the same old crap over and over. First of all, read the posts and stop lumping all the fans in based off of a couple statements.
Now it has taken a very funny turn. Comparing Jay Cutler to Tom Brady? wow. i am at a loss for words with this one. Tom Brady didn't make Wes Welker better. It is Randy Moss getting double and triple teamed every play that leave welker running against LB out of the slot. Without Randy, Welker doesn't do half as good. So you guys don't have a Randy to make whoever is lining up at WR for you guys. So stop comparing Cutler to Brady because there is no comparision. First of all, no one was comparing Cutler to Brady as stated earlier. The point you made above is warranted (regarding Welker) but I would like to ask you how many Super Bowls has Brady won with Moss at WR? Now try and name a legitimate number 1 WR he had when he won the other 3 Super Bowls. Can't do it, can you. The point being that a star #1 WR is not always needed when you have a legitimate QB. Just for the record I am not saying Cutler is going to be Brady, just that a good QB can't make do with average WR's.
How do you have a 5 game lead and you can't win one of the last 5 to make the play-offs?Wow, Cutler plays defense as well? He's better than I thought. Also I guess the Broncos need to protest the end of the season because they went 2-3 in their last 5. By your logic and lack of knowledge when making posts they should have made the playoffs. They lost the last 3 and I have already posted regarding this matter showing that what he did in those games proves the losses weren't exactly all of his fault. I'll recap because I won't waste my time trying to prove something to you that you obviously know nothing about. The Broncos had over 400 yards of offense in the loss to the Bills. When the playoffs were on the line against SD, I guess it was his fault the defense laid down and gave up 52 points. Once again ridiculous statements with no facts to back them by a Vikings fan.
i think it is funny that the i can admit the Vikings short comings but you guys refuse to admit you have no WRs. Wait a second, we have NO WR's? Holy crap, thanks for letting us know. JA better get some on the roster, I can't believe he forgot to sign WR in the offseason. WOW, good catch. Oh wait, I guess you mean we don't have any quality WR's. Whoa, that scared me, I guess this was another baseless statement, thank god I considered the source before calling Bears management.
We are not stating that we have a roster full of Randy Moss's, Terrell Owens's, Larry Fitzgerald's or Brandon Marshall's. Oh wait, how many Super Bowls have those guys won? Hmmmmm I think one by Owens and he was a number 2 behind some guy named Jerry Rice. We are trying to make the argument, which was obviously lost on you, that we can still win despite not having a true number 1 and that a good QB can make average WR's better. We all know that our WR position is a big question mark, thanks for pointing that out. We can admit that it may be a weakness but no one really knows because we have never had a QB as talented as Cutler and most of the guys competing haven't really played, but they are WR's and I just checked with Bears management who said they will be on the field, so we do have WR's.
I'm done ranting just can't stand anymore mindless posts. Good luck by the way trying to go to a Super Bowl with a 40 year QB who is coming off shoulder surgery, who's team lost 4 out 5 games coming down the stretch to miss the playoffs last season (notice I said team, maybe this is who you were thinking about when you said Cutler lost his last 5 games last year), doesn't like to practice and would rather train with some high school kids than with his possible new teammates. Sounds like a real winner you all want as a QB. After writing that, Cutler at his worst is not as bad as Favre.
I think the problem is "VikesFan" only saw what he wanted to see, this thread had nothing to to with Tom Brady and everything to do with WR's and how they develped with talented QB's.
