Calling All Arms: Martz Wants Veteran QB
by Mark Saade on May 3, 2010 5:01 PM CDT
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Print"It would make us all feel a little easier with a veteran because you just never know.'' Chicago Bears new offensive coordinator Mike Martz after this past weekend’s rookie minicamp.
As it stands now, Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler is backed-up by third year player Caleb Hanie and newly drafted Dan LeFevour.
Hanie has served as the Bears back up the last two seasons. An undrafted free agent out of Colorado State University, he has shown flashes of becoming a solid pro, but does not have the experience. As Martz goes on to say, "''The only thing we don't know is how well he responds under pressure." Having only played in two regular season games in two years, with only seven pass attempts, I can see Martz’s logic.
LeFevour is a sixth round, rookie from Central Michigan. Having rarely taken a snap directly from center in college due to a spread offense, the rookie must first learn how to handle the ball from center and re-treat into a three or five or seven foot drop. Not as easy as it sounds. All this while trying to learn a very complex offense and getting used to NFL game/player speed. LeFevour has upside, but needs to be coached and groomed before ever seeing the field.
After taking a quick look at Hanie and LeFevour, you can see why Martz is a little concerned.
Two of Martz’s former quarterbacks, Marc Bulger and Josh McCown, are both currently free agents waiting for another opportunity to join an NFL franchise. Both players have started games in the league and have been productive.
Not only could a veteran backup QB add insurance if Cutler should go down, but having knowledge of Martz’s offense could be even more of a valuable commodity than playing time. Hanie and LeFevour are both very young and may need assistance picking up all of the nuances of an elaborate offense. Cutler and the receivers would stand to benefit from an experienced offensive player in Martz’s system as well.
However, adding a vet to the quarterback group would mean letting one go. More than likely, the odd man out would be Hanie. The Bears just selected LeFevour, who seems to have more of an upside as well as a better pedigree.
So, the most important thing to mention at the end of all of this is that we will never see the back-up quarterback play because Jay will never leave the field. Nevertheless, when the Bears are blowing out opponents and Cutler can get a rest on the sideline, who should come in to mop up?
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I can see the need for a vet
but my main concern is that he’s just looking for someone he knows that will make his system look good if Jay struggles and he somehow convinces Lovie to bench him.
Jon Kitna wouldn’t be a bad addition, with experience in Martz system as well as a firm understanding that he’s on backup duty.
I’m just concerned that we won’t put any more time into developing LeFevour than we have Hanie, and then what, we cut him lose a few years down the road when we draft yet another QB.
I Think That's A Stretch Virto
I think perhaps your reading into something that isn’t there. News flash, opposing Defenses try and take out starting QB’s. Just ask Brett Favre what happened to him in the NFC Championship last Year. New Orleans was on a seek and destroy mission.
KItna is under contract in Dallas
And I don’t see him looking for a guy that he can bench Cutler for
"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 4, 2010 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Look at me
Will somebody , anybody, keep this egomaniac away from the Chi. media? This isn’t Mike Martz and the Chi. Bears. This guy is going to screw this up.
good point
Maybe he still thinks he’s a Head Coach?
How is he going to screw this up?
By asking for a vet qb who knows his system? Sounds like a good idea to me…If we dont get a vet and the backup comes in and doesnt perform the 1st thing people are gonna say is “they should have gotten a vet”. Get a vet as an insurance policy and keep it moving.
You can tell the true greatness of a team by how they respond to adversity........
by EmmCeee on May 3, 2010 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed, EmmCeee
Martz is expressing a legitimate concern.
I think that getting rid of Hanie would be a mistake if indeed he is the odd man out. He has a very useful skill set, though he may not have what Martz thinks he needs.
Bulger would be ideal, but is he willing to be a backup at this stage in his career?
"Do or do not... there is no try." - Yoda
You're a goober (yes a goober because i can't use any other words)
Dude seriously?
He is a coach. And he is saying that he would feel more comfortable with a vet presence. How is that being an ego maniac?
Do or do not there is not try-Master Yoda
If it smells like a duck. And looks like a duck...then it must be a
cow?
Do or do not there is not try-Master Yoda
You can email me the word.
And if it’s ok, I’ll give you clearance.
Just kidding, don’t do that, I’ve seen enough of your work to know it’s probably not. ;)
I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule. -Randal Graves
Writer at windycitygridiron.com -/-I http://www.twitter.com/kdoggers
Mike Martz has done an excellent job of building his own reputation as an ego maniac.
Anyone who wants to bring his actions into question for fear he is becoming what many around the NFL already regard him as being (or is that has been?) is fine with me. If he smells like an egomaniac, looks like an egomaniac….. then he must be a goober?
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
Yes, heaven forbid the OC answers a question about the offense...
If you don’t like the guy that’s fine, but don’t pretend an OC expressing his opinion about an offensive position (the most important offensive position) is anything but ordinary.
by SaintCee on May 4, 2010 2:13 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Did Martz refuse to give you an autograph or something?
Saying the Bears need a veteran QB is common sense not runaway egomania. Get a grip.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on May 4, 2010 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Somebody say Matt Jones....
"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. " – Herm Albright
If they get a veteran?
I think that might be the case, cuz JA loves his late round picks far too much to rid himself of Lefevour
Maybe I'm wrong but
I don’t want a vet back up. Why not you may ask well I’ll tell you. If Cutler were to get hurt it’s probably because the Oline wasn’t protecting him. But I digress, if Cutler was to get hurt I’d rather let Hanie get some reps as starter to add to his trade value. If he is a decent qb we may be able to trade him and possibly get a 2nd or 3rd round pick. It’s better to get something for him than to let him go have some other team pick him up and they end up with a solid back up or possibly even a starter. Just my opinion.
I agree. I've said all along that I'd rather we see what Hanie can do if the worst happened and Cutler were to go down.
Let’s face it, it’s going to be iffy making the playoffs out of the NFC north, regardless of whether Jay stays healthy the entire season. Green Bay and MN will be in the mix and the Lions will not be pushovers this year. Even if we brought in a veteran, the likelihood of our making the playoffs if Jay went down would be nil. The Patriots and Cowboys would never have the QBs they do if they thought along the lines of the veteran backup is always preferable. If you like your young QB enough to be your primary backup for 2 years don’t give up unless you’ve seen what you have in him as a starter.
I thought I was the only one thinking that
If Cutler ever goes down, the season’s done anyway, so you might as well put in Hanie to see what he can do and (like you said) see if we can possibly get some trade value out of him. I like Hanie and I have a feeling he’s going to surprise some people in a few years.
Besides, there’s no way Bulger’s gonna wanna hold a clipboard here.
by NorthSideBearsFan on May 4, 2010 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Colorado
Caleb is and undrafted free agent out of Colorado State University, not CU. Hate to nit pick, but I am a pretty big fan of the Golden Buffaloes!
Hate to nit pick BUT
Caleb is and undrafted free agent
Is and undrafted WHAT???? And what? Really, he is and…..
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I Said This All Last Season
The need for a veteran back up on the Bears roster. I’m glad to see Martz shares the same vision I had a Year ago. Now it’s up to Jerry and Lovie to listen to him.
Unfotunately the veteran backup you pined for was Mike Vick.
Hopefully, they don’t have that vision as well.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
That's True JerBear50
That is a name I threw out there and Philadelphia used him very effectively. It was not the ONLY name I threw out there last year however.
Outside of the Atlanta game
He was 4/11 for 38 yards and rushed 20 times for 78 yards. If by effectively you mean sparingly, then yes they certainly did. Although his 1 td to 0 ints is a much better ratio than he’s ever managed before, so I guess that’s something.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Thank you, however
for putting your shirt back on.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
lol, some people probaby have no idea what you're talking about
and that’s a good thing. :)
"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. " – Herm Albright
Yeah, I've kinda gotten used to that.
This would hardly be the first time.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Believe me I understand.
"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. " – Herm Albright
It Can Be Brought Back
If I get 10 votes, let me know.
by Gesiakob on May 5, 2010 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
yeah I reced it!
"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 5, 2010 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
uh oh...rec
"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. " – Herm Albright
No. Rex'd, not rec'd.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Nope still only 2, I wonder if you'll be able to pull it off (no pun intended)
Might have to do a FP on this. :)
"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. " – Herm Albright
there's now four.
and I have not clue as to why I chose to make it that way, self-hate, I guess.
-------
"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox
by David Taylor on May 13, 2010 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions
If only there was a veteran QB
who was available and who knew Martz’ system. Like maybe someone who was groomed by Martz and then given the starting job during his tenure as HC. But I guess if someone like that was available, we would have signed him already.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Can Mike Brown be a back up QB?
"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. " – Herm Albright
I Have Always liked Josh McCown
But his name scares me because it souns too much like Cade Mcnown. YIKES!
This is why the pick of...
LaFlavor pisses me off so much. I get that the Bears want to supposedly “develop” talent, but when you have a quality starter at one position and glaring needs at another, why draft a guy and then go get a vet to take more snaps away from the developmental guy? What that means is the Bears have taken a QB at 2009 first and second round picks, 2010 first and 6th round picks…and still need a vet QB to shore up the position??!!
Maybe LaFlavor is refusing to throw at minicamp because his WRs aren’t available…or worse maybe he did throw at minicamp and Martz realizes he’s just not that good! You don’t buy new tires to fix bad brakes, you just fix the brakes.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!
LeFevour
was never supposed to play this year. He needs lots of developmental time, that’s why he was a 6th round draft pick. And yes, despite all your harping about first and second round picks, Lefevour only cost the Bears a single 6th round pick.
Since Lefevour was never going to play this year, he’s not in danger of having “snaps taken away from him”. The 3rd string quarterback doesn’t get snaps with the 1st string anyway. Seeing as how the Bears knew this is a developmental qb pick, they didn’t learn anything at rookie minicamp that they didn’t already know.
Which glaring needs would the Bears have filled with a 6th round pick?
Vinny: "[Thrust] means pace, it means getting the ball out, it means getting your back to the sidelines, it means extending your outlets, it means getting the ball up the court into our early offense with plenty of time."
All pro lineman that we could have had in the 6th round.
Reply Fail!!
Adrian Pedestrian!! Now that's funny Mr. Bayless...
Since thats looking like the case and LeFevour will be deveolped
His drafting signaled the end of the Hanie era.
"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 4, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions
probably true
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on May 4, 2010 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
This obviously means that they’re probably not real comfortable with Hanie as a backup. But why not sign a veteran? Jake Delhomme was available – briefly… There’s others that are probably still available as FAs, or that they could have traded the 6th rounder to aquire. Since Lefever is a “project,” he doesn’t really offer us any insurance in the short term. That’s why I just didn’t understand this pick. You’ve got several other, more important needs, why not take a chance on someone who might be able to help you right away? The only thing that makes sense to me is that maybe Martz wanted a young guy who he could develop for the long, long term…
That IS The Way I Would Lean Synor
I see no reason for the Bears to cut Hanie. he has been progressing nicely.
agree
still head scratching on the pick of laflavor as well… basenez may be the guy to cut and hanie would be on the practice squad.. still doesnt make much sense and i agree with your analogy
think they could have made a better choice of the pick and just go sign a vet in the first place
I'm not sure if Hanie is eligible for the practice squad
and yes I know I did a piece on the practice squad a while back, I’m just to lazy to look it up!
"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 4, 2010 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Drafting a QB was not a bad pick
maybe you can argue there was a better use for that pick, but they do need a young QB to develop for the long term. Until LaFevour is ready, they need someone who knows Martz’s system and can step in and play right away if something should happen to Cutler.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on May 4, 2010 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Bulger is clearly the better player
So he should be the top target. But if his money demands are out of line or he isn’t OK with being the #2 then McNown should be looked at.
"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 4, 2010 9:03 AM CDT reply actions
McCown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK3CrCIV1XI
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.
Having only played in two regular season games in two years, with only seven pass attempts
Now who’s fault is that?
God forbid you put him in when we were getting smoked by the Bengals or blowing out the Browns or Lions last year
AGREED!
"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 4, 2010 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions
The Bears' best option is to wait
See if any LG possibilities open up. If not sign bulger or mccown. they won’t have to be rushed if there’s little time to adjust, since they’ll be backups anyway…
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