Greg Olsen Shines, Brian Griese Making Way For The Return of Kyle Orton?

by WCG on Jul 30, 2007 10:16 PM CDT in News Comment 5 comments

The first days of training camp haven't decided anything yet, but as they say in golf you can't win anything on the first day, but you can lose everything. The two stories coming out of camp so far circle around Olsen's play and Griese's non-play.

It looks like Olsen, once labeled a work out warrior, may be all he that he showed and more.

Olsen, the rookie tight end and first-round pick, continued his near-flawless play with a spectacular, one-handed touchdown catch late in practice. Olsen did have one drop, but he continues to show how much of a deep threat he can be.

For every good play Olsen makes it looks like Griese makes a bad one.

...his backup status might be in jeopardy if he continues to play this poorly. His passes have been well off-target, and throwing an interception is becoming his norm. Chris Harris picked off Griese during 7-on-7 drills Monday. Starter Rex Grossman also threw an interception to Danieal Manning.

If Grossman turns out to be the guy we hope he is we could do much worse than Kyle Orton as a backup. Griese is getting older and can't seem to get himself straightened out. He might find himself looking for a new home next year if not sooner. If what we paid him is high for a backup, he is hugely overpaid for a third stringer.

Regardless of his play if Grossman plays well enough to earn his big contract next year, it would be hard for the Bears to keep on Griese.

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Did Griese have a bad winter?

Like did he show up out of shape or something? Or is he usually a slow starter at camp?

I do not want to think about the Bearded One's return.

I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Jul 31, 2007 9:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Two things

First, I haven't heard anything about Griese's history in camps or if he is in bad shape.

Secondly, why so crass on Orton. He was a thrid stringer promoted to starter, how much did you honestly expect from him? He has shown up to camp in the fantastic shape and is outplaying Griese. I say give it to the kid.

by WCG on Jul 31, 2007 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fine, I'm cool with Orton ...

but I don't want to think about getting in the Delorean and go back to 2005 again, when he was at the helm, do you? I'll "give it up" to him, he's an Iowa boy and he works his ass off, but he ain't the future of the Bears.

I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Jul 31, 2007 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lovie plays guys who earn playing time

If Orton ends up ahead of Griese it will be because he deserves it and if he earns that 2nd string spot, then good for him.

first the Rush...now the Bears.

by mike on Jul 31, 2007 11:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Olsen looked really good...

when I watched practice on Saturday morning. The best part was how they moved him around before the snap to confuse the D. He'll make the runs more deceptive and the passes more effective. All this from a guy who hated the selection when the Bears amde it.

by TCaptain on Aug 1, 2007 1:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs