Can someone explain to me why the Bears didn't sign Leftwich? (1 Viewer)

[MooseCats]

He was fairly cheap, young, cannon for an arm, tough as nails. I agree he is injury prone but the Bears have a better o-line than the Jags. The Bears had QB issues last year, although they were in the SB. They should have been thinking ahead. Greise is a small step up but definitley not the long term answer. They will finish too high to get someone like Brohm in the draft, and he would take at least a year or two to be a solid QB in the NFL. By then the defense is old and the o-line is ancient. Is it possible that the rumors are true and McNabb will be a Bear next year. Personally I doubt it. So back to my original question, Why didn't they sign Leftwich, or even Carr when they had the chance?

 

[Couch Potato]

Because they plan on having McNabb next year?

 

[SteveInChicago]

He was fairly cheap, young, cannon for an arm, tough as nails. I agree he is injury prone but the Bears have a better o-line than the Jags. The Bears had QB issues last year, although they were in the SB. They should have been thinking ahead. Greise is a small step up but definitley not the long term answer. They will finish too high to get someone like Brohm in the draft, and he would take at least a year or two to be a solid QB in the NFL. By then the defense is old and the o-line is ancient. Is it possible that the rumors are true and McNabb will be a Bear next year. Personally I doubt it. So back to my original question, Why didn't they sign Leftwich, or even Carr when they had the chance?

We're 10 and 2, with Rex as our Quarterback.We just won the division, with Rex as our QuarterbackWe just won the NFC championship, with Rex as our Quarterback.Disclaim: Currently live in Chicago, not a Bears fan.

 

[RBM]

Stupid?

Stubborn?

 

[circelli17]

Easy answer: they didn't want to carry 4 QBs and the don't want to rid of Orton just yet

 

[Couch Potato]

He was fairly cheap, young, cannon for an arm, tough as nails. I agree he is injury prone but the Bears have a better o-line than the Jags. The Bears had QB issues last year, although they were in the SB. They should have been thinking ahead. Greise is a small step up but definitley not the long term answer. They will finish too high to get someone like Brohm in the draft, and he would take at least a year or two to be a solid QB in the NFL. By then the defense is old and the o-line is ancient. Is it possible that the rumors are true and McNabb will be a Bear next year. Personally I doubt it. So back to my original question, Why didn't they sign Leftwich, or even Carr when they had the chance?

We're 10 and 2, with Rex as our Quarterback.We just won the division, with Rex as our Quarterback

We just won the NFC championship, with Rex as our Quarterback.

Disclaim: Currently live in Chicago, not a Bears fan.

That's all fine, but the fact is they did all that despite Rex as their QB. Without that defense they would have been just another struggling team.

 

[MOAT]

Because they plan on having McNabb next year?

Wouldn't McNabb want to play for at least a full year somewhere? The Bears have a revolving door at the QB position. I'm convinced they could figure out how to make Peyton suck.

 

[-Crippler-]

Even easier answer: Leftwich is terrible. Period.

 

[Couch Potato]

Because they plan on having McNabb next year?

Wouldn't McNabb want to play for at least a full year somewhere? The Bears have a revolving door at the QB position. I'm convinced they could figure out how to make Peyton suck.

I was saying that mostly tongue-in-cheek, after that big thread following their 0-2 start in which guys were saying he's headed out of town and to his hometown of Chicago. You're right though. I don't remember the exact number, but I read somewhere that in the same time frame Favre has started every single game for the Packers, the Bears have started some huge number of QBs (I want to say it was something like 19 but that seems impossible and I'm probably remembering it incorrectly).

 

[EBF]

I get the impression that the NFL's opinion of Leftwich isn't as rosy as the FF community's.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Even easier answer: Leftwich is terrible. Period.

 

[Moe Green]

Even easier answer: Leftwich is terrible. Period.

He's not terrible but he probably wouldn't be that much of an upgrade over Grossman to make much of a difference.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

.... or the Vikings ?

 

[Hemi-Colon]

Leftwich, Carr? I'm thinking they didnt do it because they were looking to upgrade from Grossman.

 

[BBRULE]

Easy answer: they didn't want to carry 4 QBs and the don't want to rid of Orton just yet

 

[Wadsworth]

Leftwich, Carr? I'm thinking they didnt do it because they were looking to upgrade from Grossman.

I don't get all the Leftwich hate. Grossman has more INTs than TDs and a QB rating below 70. Leftwich has a 51/36 TD/INT ratio inspite of playing with terrible WRs with the exception of a couple years with an aging Jimmy Smith, and a QB rating just over 80. But Leftwich isn't an upgrade to Grossman? Base on what?

 

[maxwell1295]

Leftwich is a defintely upgrade from Grossman. Heck, I'm an upgrade from Boldin and I haven't played flag football in 15+ years...

 

[Couch Potato]

Leftwich, Carr? I'm thinking they didnt do it because they were looking to upgrade from Grossman.

I don't get all the Leftwich hate. Grossman has more INTs than TDs and a QB rating below 70. Leftwich has a 51/36 TD/INT ratio inspite of playing with terrible WRs with the exception of a couple years with an aging Jimmy Smith, and a QB rating just over 80. But Leftwich isn't an upgrade to Grossman? Base on what?

His perception is negative in fantasy circles because he has let owners down so much, due to injury but also due to team philosophy of just not passing that much. He's not had starter-worthy fantasy numbers for most of his career.I'm a believer though. I have him in 4 leagues and am looking forward to him taking over that vertical Petrino offense with that big arm of his. I think getting out of J'ville will be a positive for his fantasy stats.

 

[MOAT]

Who's Grossman?

 

[Max Power]

kyle orton is better

 

[Hemi-Colon]

Leftwich, Carr? I'm thinking they didnt do it because they were looking to upgrade from Grossman.

I don't get all the Leftwich hate. Grossman has more INTs than TDs and a QB rating below 70. Leftwich has a 51/36 TD/INT ratio inspite of playing with terrible WRs with the exception of a couple years with an aging Jimmy Smith, and a QB rating just over 80. But Leftwich isn't an upgrade to Grossman? Base on what?

I'm assuming the terrible recievers you are referring to are the likes of M.Jones, R.Williams, TE M.Lewis etc.. All of which at one time were considered to have decent to great fantasy potential. Maybe they actually would have had upside if they had a half way decent QB. Underachievement of the WR's is a ridiculouly unfair assumption. By that theory I ges it would be safe to assume that R.Wayne and M.Harrison would still be must starts every week with you or I at QB.

 

[Wadsworth]

kyle orton is better

Based on what? 9/13 TD/INT, QB rating under 60 and hasn't played in 20 months. I'm not saying you are wrong, I just don't know what you based that statement on.

 

[Wadsworth]

Leftwich, Carr? I'm thinking they didnt do it because they were looking to upgrade from Grossman.

I don't get all the Leftwich hate. Grossman has more INTs than TDs and a QB rating below 70. Leftwich has a 51/36 TD/INT ratio inspite of playing with terrible WRs with the exception of a couple years with an aging Jimmy Smith, and a QB rating just over 80. But Leftwich isn't an upgrade to Grossman? Base on what?

I'm assuming the terrible recievers you are referring to are the likes of M.Jones, R.Williams, TE M.Lewis etc.. All of which at one time were considered to have decent to great fantasy potential. Maybe they actually would have had upside if they had a half way decent QB. Underachievement of the WR's is a ridiculouly unfair assumption. By that theory I ges it would be safe to assume that R.Wayne and M.Harrison would still be must starts every week with you or I at QB.

I do agree that it's hard to tell if the WRs are any good with the current offensive scheme. But it's also hard to tell if the QB is any good. If you use the exact same logic you just used with the WRs at the QB position then you'd counter your own point with Leftwich. Couldn't you say that "at one time (he was) considered to have decent to great fantasy potential". Maybe he actually would have had upside if they had halfway decent WRs. Underachievement of the QB is a ridiculously unfair assumption. By that theroy it would be safe to assume that Peyton Manning would still be a must start every week with you or I at the WRs.So why do you jump to defend the WR with logic that can be applied in the exact same manner to the QB, yet you assume the QB is not an upgrade to Gossman?

 

[Couch Potato]

kyle orton is better

Based on what? 9/13 TD/INT, QB rating under 60 and hasn't played in 20 months. I'm not saying you are wrong, I just don't know what you based that statement on.

I'm not taking a side on Orton, only that it's hard to say how good he might have been in his 2nd year. He was thrown in there as a rookie without the benefit of preseason 1st-team reps, and his numbers were pretty typical for a rookie. They also did their best to protect him by keeping the offense simple and limited the amount/kinds of passes he had to make. He really didn't have much of an opportunity to make plays. He was asked to just try not to lose games and let the defense and running game win for them.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Considering they dropped out of the 4 spot, the year Leftwich was available, leads me to think they've never been a believer in the first place.

 

[pizzatyme]

Even easier answer: Leftwich is terrible. Period.

Wait, Leftwich is getting ready to throw the ball, look, here comes the windup, and the throw. Insert mindless Color Commentator dribble...these WRs need to get separation.Leftwich makes his WRs look worse than they really are with that slooooooooow windup and delivery.

 

[Wadsworth]

Even easier answer: Leftwich is terrible. Period.

Wait, Leftwich is getting ready to throw the ball, look, here comes the windup, and the throw. Insert mindless Color Commentator dribble...these WRs need to get separation.Leftwich makes his WRs look worse than they really are with that slooooooooow windup and delivery.

Yea he has a long wind up. But how has that translated into his performance? He's not sacked more than the average NFL QB, in fact he's been sacked less than the much more mobile David Garrard while playing behind the same O-line. He doesn't fumble more than the averge NFL QB. His TD/INT or INT per attempt ratio doesn't suggest that DBs are better able to jump his passes. If his wind up takes 10 seconds what does it matter as long the results are good?

 

[TwinTurbo]

I remember watching Leftwich in college at Marshall and thinking this is a guy that can make all the throws. Short touch pass, intermediate route, deep bomb. He could make any throw on the field. But in the pros, he just hasn't looked as good. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was the offense or maybe all the injuries. I do think he would be an upgrade from Grossman from a talent standpoint, but he's not a long term answer either.

 

[Bears_Man2]

He was fairly cheap, young, cannon for an arm, tough as nails. I agree he is injury prone but the Bears have a better o-line than the Jags. The Bears had QB issues last year, although they were in the SB. They should have been thinking ahead. Greise is a small step up but definitley not the long term answer. They will finish too high to get someone like Brohm in the draft, and he would take at least a year or two to be a solid QB in the NFL. By then the defense is old and the o-line is ancient. Is it possible that the rumors are true and McNabb will be a Bear next year. Personally I doubt it. So back to my original question, Why didn't they sign Leftwich, or even Carr when they had the chance?

We're 10 and 2, with Rex as our Quarterback.We just won the division, with Rex as our QuarterbackWe just won the NFC championship, with Rex as our Quarterback.Disclaim: Currently live in Chicago, not a Bears fan.

LOL I laugh at that every time.We gave up too early on Rex! 9 straight wins and we're...10 and 2, with Rex as our Quarterback.-----------Anyways, I don't hink at that time they wanted Rex to have to look over his shoulder at another QB. And at that time, they didn't have the idea that Griese would be replacing Rex anytime soon.I thought it made sense, at that time, given Rex was a pending FA. I'm not down on having Griese. I just believe he'll become a limited ability QB that we've had for the past 20 some odd years.

 

[JohnnyU]

We're 10 and 2, with Rex as our Quarterback.We just won the division, with Rex as our QuarterbackWe just won the NFC championship, with Rex as our Quarterback.Disclaim: Currently live in Chicago, not a Bears fan.

They won despite Rex, not because of him.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Leftwich, Carr? I'm thinking they didnt do it because they were looking to upgrade from Grossman.

I don't get all the Leftwich hate. Grossman has more INTs than TDs and a QB rating below 70. Leftwich has a 51/36 TD/INT ratio inspite of playing with terrible WRs with the exception of a couple years with an aging Jimmy Smith, and a QB rating just over 80. But Leftwich isn't an upgrade to Grossman? Base on what?

I'll give you some Grossman hate if you're looking for it.I think he is a career backup, and will notstart another NFL game unless his #1 QB is injured.

 

[Bears_Man2]

Leftwich, Carr? I'm thinking they didnt do it because they were looking to upgrade from Grossman.

I don't get all the Leftwich hate. Grossman has more INTs than TDs and a QB rating below 70. Leftwich has a 51/36 TD/INT ratio inspite of playing with terrible WRs with the exception of a couple years with an aging Jimmy Smith, and a QB rating just over 80. But Leftwich isn't an upgrade to Grossman? Base on what?

I'm assuming the terrible recievers you are referring to are the likes of M.Jones, R.Williams, TE M.Lewis etc.. All of which at one time were considered to have decent to great fantasy potential. Maybe they actually would have had upside if they had a half way decent QB. Underachievement of the WR's is a ridiculouly unfair assumption. By that theory I ges it would be safe to assume that R.Wayne and M.Harrison would still be must starts every week with you or I at QB.

Please don't lump Wayne/Harrison with Jones/Williams in any comparison. TIA

 

[flapgreen]

Please stop suggesting Orton is better than anyone if you didn't see him play a couple years ago. Anyone in their right mind could not want Orton to start for them.

 

[rotorooter]

He was fairly cheap, young, cannon for an arm, tough as nails. I agree he is injury prone but the Bears have a better o-line than the Jags. The Bears had QB issues last year, although they were in the SB. They should have been thinking ahead. Greise is a small step up but definitley not the long term answer. They will finish too high to get someone like Brohm in the draft, and he would take at least a year or two to be a solid QB in the NFL. By then the defense is old and the o-line is ancient. Is it possible that the rumors are true and McNabb will be a Bear next year. Personally I doubt it. So back to my original question, Why didn't they sign Leftwich, or even Carr when they had the chance?

hmmm slow pocket passing QB who tends to hold the ball to long and is inaccurate on intermediate passes. Sounds like Rex lite to me.

 

[Bears_Man2]

Please stop suggesting Orton is better than anyone if you didn't see him play a couple years ago. Anyone in their right mind could not want Orton to start for them. :X

I have little doubt that Orton would rather live the life of an NFL player rather than to become a better NFL player. And as much as you'd like to not believe that, there's quite of few of guys like that in the league. They're making $$, they're not getting beat up.He'll hang around for a few years in the league as a 3rd stringer/PC squad guy.

 

[Chaka]

By that theroy it would be safe to assume that Peyton Manning would still be a must start every week with you or I at the WRs.

Maybe not with you and I at WR but I guaran-freaking-tee you that he would make the WR corps that Lefty played with look much, much better, probably a few pro bowl appearances even. Nobody works harder at his craft then Peyton, there might be a few who work as hard but no one works harder.Leftwich is just an average QB at the NFL level, so is Grossman. Why bother with a lateral move in talent to a guy who doesn't know the system and would be way behind? Even if the Bears did sign Lefty, Griese would have remained #2. And I am not certain that Griese is so bad, I wouldn't be shocked to see a Rich Gannon type of emergence from him.I agree with the poster who said the Vikings should have snapped Lefty up instantly. Kelly Holcomb? WTF?

 

[mr. furley]

Because they plan on having McNabb next year? :X

Wouldn't McNabb want to play for at least a full year somewhere? The Bears have a revolving door at the QB position. I'm convinced they could figure out how to make Peyton suck.

I was saying that mostly tongue-in-cheek, after that big thread following their 0-2 start in which guys were saying he's headed out of town and to his hometown of Chicago. You're right though. I don't remember the exact number, but I read somewhere that in the same time frame Favre has started every single game for the Packers, the Bears have started some huge number of QBs (I want to say it was something like 19 but that seems impossible and I'm probably remembering it incorrectly).

it's actually 20+

 

[AngryPatriot]

I currently have Leftwich ranked as QB 82. No, for real, why the Leftwich hate? It's not hate he's just not very good. If a person who knows football a little can't see how a baseball like windup is not good for an NFL qb and therefore the teams success then there is little hope for said person, like my wife, in a FF context. It's not everything, or course, but it seems that he also made a lot of poor late game decisions. And was very slow.

 

[texasbirdfan]

I currently have Leftwich ranked as QB 82. No, for real, why the Leftwich hate? It's not hate he's just not very good. If a person who knows football a little can't see how a baseball like windup is not good for an NFL qb and therefore the teams success then there is little hope for said person, like my wife, in a FF context. It's not everything, or course, but it seems that he also made a lot of poor late game decisions. And was very slow.

I keep telling this to the Falcons message boards- he is not that good. Atlanta was kind of in a bind because they needed a 3rd qb and the ones they wanted, teams didn't let go- so they were kind of left with Lefty- now he is the next coming to some fans. Please.

 

[Chaka]

I currently have Leftwich ranked as QB 82. No, for real, why the Leftwich hate? It's not hate he's just not very good. If a person who knows football a little can't see how a baseball like windup is not good for an NFL qb and therefore the teams success then there is little hope for said person, like my wife, in a FF context. It's not everything, or course, but it seems that he also made a lot of poor late game decisions. And was very slow.

I agree with you about Lefty's release seeming to deliberate but if it is so bad he would have a significantly worse career TD:INT ratio because DBs would get a better jump on the ball.

 

[twistd]

Easy answer: they didn't want to carry 4 QBs and the don't want to rid of Orton just yet

I think you are absolutely right.

 

[mrspree15]

I currently have Leftwich ranked as QB 82. No, for real, why the Leftwich hate? It's not hate he's just not very good. If a person who knows football a little can't see how a baseball like windup is not good for an NFL qb and therefore the teams success then there is little hope for said person, like my wife, in a FF context. It's not everything, or course, but it seems that he also made a lot of poor late game decisions. And was very slow.

I agree with you about Lefty's release seeming to deliberate but if it is so bad he would have a significantly worse career TD:INT ratio because DBs would get a better jump on the ball.

Yea he has a long wind up. But how has that translated into his performance? He's not sacked more than the average NFL QB, in fact he's been sacked less than the much more mobile David Garrard while playing behind the same O-line. He doesn't fumble more than the averge NFL QB. His TD/INT or INT per attempt ratio doesn't suggest that DBs are better able to jump his passes. If his wind up takes 10 seconds what does it matter as long the results are good?

 

[Angrymutt]

He was fairly cheap, young, cannon for an arm, tough as nails. I agree he is injury prone but the Bears have a better o-line than the Jags. The Bears had QB issues last year, although they were in the SB. They should have been thinking ahead. Greise is a small step up but definitley not the long term answer. They will finish too high to get someone like Brohm in the draft, and he would take at least a year or two to be a solid QB in the NFL. By then the defense is old and the o-line is ancient. Is it possible that the rumors are true and McNabb will be a Bear next year. Personally I doubt it. So back to my original question, Why didn't they sign Leftwich, or even Carr when they had the chance?

Carry 4 Qb's? Who do they cut? They need help all over

 

[Kai's Hero]

Because he's horrible

 

[John Black]

Everytime I hear the name Leftwich I think of this

 

[flapgreen]

Please stop suggesting Orton is better than anyone if you didn't see him play a couple years ago. Anyone in their right mind could not want Orton to start for them.

I have little doubt that Orton would rather live the life of an NFL player rather than to become a better NFL player. And as much as you'd like to not believe that, there's quite of few of guys like that in the league. They're making $$, they're not getting beat up.He'll hang around for a few years in the league as a 3rd stringer/PC squad guy.

I think we're in agreement here. I have no issue with Orton on the bench. The guy has it made. That's a great gig, however, those suggesting the Bears are holding onto him thinking he could be a viable starter are nuts.

 

[Yenrub]

I currently have Leftwich ranked as QB 82. No, for real, why the Leftwich hate? It's not hate he's just not very good. If a person who knows football a little can't see how a baseball like windup is not good for an NFL qb and therefore the teams success then there is little hope for said person, like my wife, in a FF context. It's not everything, or course, but it seems that he also made a lot of poor late game decisions. And was very slow.

I agree with you about Lefty's release seeming to deliberate but if it is so bad he would have a significantly worse career TD:INT ratio because DBs would get a better jump on the ball.

Yea he has a long wind up. But how has that translated into his performance? He's not sacked more than the average NFL QB, in fact he's been sacked less than the much more mobile David Garrard while playing behind the same O-line. He doesn't fumble more than the averge NFL QB. His TD/INT or INT per attempt ratio doesn't suggest that DBs are better able to jump his passes. If his wind up takes 10 seconds what does it matter as long the results are good?

 

[Chaka]

I currently have Leftwich ranked as QB 82. No, for real, why the Leftwich hate? It's not hate he's just not very good. If a person who knows football a little can't see how a baseball like windup is not good for an NFL qb and therefore the teams success then there is little hope for said person, like my wife, in a FF context. It's not everything, or course, but it seems that he also made a lot of poor late game decisions. And was very slow.

I agree with you about Lefty's release seeming to deliberate but if it is so bad he would have a significantly worse career TD:INT ratio because DBs would get a better jump on the ball.

Yea he has a long wind up. But how has that translated into his performance? He's not sacked more than the average NFL QB, in fact he's been sacked less than the much more mobile David Garrard while playing behind the same O-line. He doesn't fumble more than the averge NFL QB. His TD/INT or INT per attempt ratio doesn't suggest that DBs are better able to jump his passes. If his wind up takes 10 seconds what does it matter as long the results are good?

What? Do you expect me to read the entire thread?

 

[Chaka]

I currently have Leftwich ranked as QB 82. No, for real, why the Leftwich hate? It's not hate he's just not very good. If a person who knows football a little can't see how a baseball like windup is not good for an NFL qb and therefore the teams success then there is little hope for said person, like my wife, in a FF context. It's not everything, or course, but it seems that he also made a lot of poor late game decisions. And was very slow.

I agree with you about Lefty's release seeming to deliberate but if it is so bad he would have a significantly worse career TD:INT ratio because DBs would get a better jump on the ball.

Yea he has a long wind up. But how has that translated into his performance? He's not sacked more than the average NFL QB, in fact he's been sacked less than the much more mobile David Garrard while playing behind the same O-line. He doesn't fumble more than the averge NFL QB. His TD/INT or INT per attempt ratio doesn't suggest that DBs are better able to jump his passes. If his wind up takes 10 seconds what does it matter as long the results are good?

Precisely what are you waiting for?

 

[RandyDB]

Everytime I hear the name Leftwich I think of this

That was a total waste of a minute and 45 seconds