DMD Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Because they need more QBs coming back from injury. Bears doing best to pin down Griese March 21, 2006 BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter The Bears made a push to sign quarterback Brian Griese on Monday night after a meeting of minds in Florida between offensive coordinator Ron Turner and Griese went very well, a source familiar with the situation said. Whether the Bears are able to sign Griese is now largely up to him as he considers his options, which include the chance to push starter Rex Grossman but no guarantee of playing time. "We're in discussions right now,'' agent Ralph Cindrich said late Monday. Cindrich indicated he was talking with multiple teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals, but Griese has visited only the Bears and Bengals. Cindrich said he planned to speak with the Bengals again today, and the situation could be finalized soon. Turner traveled to Florida to meet with Griese after a prior commitment kept him away from Halas Hall over the weekend, when the free agent visited and took a physical. Griese's visit to Cincinnati is viewed as a somewhat curious match because the Bengals already have one quarterback rehabilitating from a knee injury in Carson Palmer. Griese tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee in mid-October but is expected to be fully cleared in time for training camp. If the Bears sign Griese, he is expected to be the No. 2 quarterback, pushing Kyle Orton to the No. 3 role. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had hoped to keep Griese for a reduced price but wound up releasing him in a salary-cap move to avoid paying a $2.6 million roster bonus. The Bucs could re-enter the picture if he agrees to lower pay to back up Chris Simms. Cindrich also represents veteran Jeff Blake, who would like to return to the Bears. Blake did not get any substantial practice time last season, but when he entered the season finale at Minnesota, the offense zipped down the field and scored. "It was so obvious to everybody,'' Blake said. "All I did was go in there and do my thing. "I really like Rex. Rex is going to be a good player. I know I can show him a lot of stuff. I can't take this knowledge with me. I've got to share it with somebody.'' Blake said he gets the feeling team officials throughout the league think he's older than he is. He just turned 35 and has not had any serious health issues recently. "Nobody ever mentions age with Jeff Garcia [36],'' Blake said. "He and Brad Johnson [37] are both older than I am. A lot of teams miss out on good quarterbacks. They have a starter and then they have a young guy behind him, and as soon as the starter goes down, they call one of us. They get someone they know can play. Why don't they just have us in the first place?'' At 31, Griese is younger and would provide general manager Jerry Angelo with the kind of backup he has talked about acquiring for several seasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 blake does make a good point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hosler427 Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 I think if they sign him, they would be fools not to start him. Grossman and Orton aren't good enough to bring this team to the next level. If Griese is healthy, they would be wise to go with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Local scuttlebutt is that Griese is close to signning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted March 21, 2006 Author Share Posted March 21, 2006 I actually think that Grossman could develope into a good QB if he could just remain healthy for more than 24 hours at a time. It does not appear he can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo mama Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Griese is a pretty good QB; at least, he was in Tampa. But my concern has less to do with his health, or even a crowded QB competition. My concern is that the Bears like to run and play good defense, rather than throw the ball. So while Griese could be an upgrade for the Bears for NFL purposes, his value for fantasy will likley end up being less than what it was two seasons ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitem0nkey Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 I'm one of the biggest rex cheerleaders here, i think if he stays healthy for 3 years straight, I would not be surprised if he is a probowler. That being said, if he gets hurt again this year we have to cut him. I refuse to act like some cub fans do about mark prior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 blake does make a good point 1380282[/snapback] Yes he does. Blake is certainly adequate cover for Grossman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Love Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 If I were a Bears fan, I'd love to have Griese as my starting QB... especially with that defense and a pretty good running game. If all Griese has to do is manage the game and make a few throws, this team could be really good. That being said, I'm not a Bears fan, so I'm praying that Griese signs elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengal Mania Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Just read on the Bengals website that Griese has signed a 5-year deal w/ Chicago, and is therefore (officially) out of the Bengals plans. Chicago fans can also confirm. Interesting signing for the Bears.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kryptonite Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 (edited) http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...i-sportsnew-hed From the Chicago Tribune web site, sports page....its official... Edited March 22, 2006 by kryptonite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goopster24 Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 I'm very happy with this signing. It says that Angelo is finally wising up and understanding the concerns. They should open up the competition between Griese and Grossman. I love Rex too but he needs to be challenged. Griese can make the throws they need someone to make in this offense. He is good for almost two TD's a game. His knee is a big question though. I wonder what Grossman is thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 As long as he keeps his ass away from Denver I don't care where he goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loyalboyd Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 As long as he keeps his ass away from Denver I don't care where he goes. 1381402[/snapback] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 As long as he keeps his ass away from Denver I don't care where he goes. 1381402[/snapback] Even Atlanta? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Rodgers Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 He is good for almost two TD's a game. 1381379[/snapback] He is also good for a couple INT's that get returned for touchdowns when all your team needs to do is control the ball and let the Defense finish the game... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverines Fan Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 I'm very happy with this signing. It says that Angelo is finally wising up and understanding the concerns. They should open up the competition between Griese and Grossman. I love Rex too but he needs to be challenged. Griese can make the throws they need someone to make in this offense. He is good for almost two TD's a game. His knee is a big question though. I wonder what Grossman is thinking. 1381379[/snapback] I love the signing! Memo to Grossman: You're on the hot seat, bub. Stay healthy and produce...or else. Here is the lowdown from Associated Press: Griese agrees to five-year deal with Bears March 21, 2006 CHICAGO (AP) -- Brian Griese agreed to a five-year deal with the Chicago Bears on Tuesday, adding depth at quarterback and a potential challenger to starter Rex Grossman. "I don't think there's any question he's going into the position to compete for the job," Griese's agent Ralph Cindrich said. "That was made clear." The 31-year-old Griese completed 112-of-174 passes for 1,136 yards and led Tampa Bay to a 5-1 start last year before a season-ending knee injury. The Buccaneers decided to waive him this month rather than pay a $2.6 million roster bonus. Griese has passed for 16,344 yards and 103 touchdowns in eight seasons with Denver, Miami and Tampa Bay. Cindrich said Griese passed physicals with the Bears, Cincinnati and Tampa Bay, and "he'll be ready to go" in time for minicamp. Cindrich, who would not reveal the financial terms of the deal, said the contract will likely be signed on Wednesday. The Bears have said they are committed to Grossman as their starter, but Griese has started 72 of 75 games in his career. Cindrich said the Bears made no promises After tearing the ACL in his right knee early in the 2004 season, Grossman broke his left ankle in the preseason and missed the first 13 games. Chad Hutchinson flopped, and rookie Kyle Orton began the season as the starting quarterback. Behind a defense that was ranked No. 1 for much of the season, a strong offensive line and effective running game, the Bears went 11-5 and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Grossman's numbers -- 20-of-39 passing for 259 yards in two games -- weren't overwhelming, but the passing game opened up when he returned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wizards Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Great news for Bears......not stuck with Grossman.....competition does a body good!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Furley Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Great news for Bears......not stuck with Grossman.....competition does a body good!!!! 1381691[/snapback] Amen to that!!! I love the signing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitem0nkey Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Griese = 16,344 yards Luckman = 14,686 yards with bears Harbaugh = 11,567 yards with bears McMahon = 11,203 yards with bears so looks like we have the best QB since Sid Luckman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junebugz Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 I actually think that Grossman could develope into a good QB if he could just remain healthy for more than 24 hours at a time. It does not appear he can. 1380414[/snapback] Would help to have another decent WR as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 I'm one of the biggest rex cheerleaders here, i think if he stays healthy for 3 years straight, I would not be surprised if he is a probowler. That being said, if he gets hurt again this year we have to cut him. I refuse to act like some cub fans do about mark prior. 1380449[/snapback] Grossman would never, ever make the Pro Bowl with the Bear offense operating as it currently operates. The injuries are obviously of concern, hence the Greise signing, which is a good thing. I think Blake wasn't given his due in terms of trying to land the starting job, though. He can hurl the rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitem0nkey Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Grossman would never, ever make the Pro Bowl with the Bear offense operating as it currently operates. 1381921[/snapback] I think if rex plays for 3 straight years he will be better than Michael Vick who was a probowler. Now I also don’t believe that rex will be able to stay healthy that long. im talking real football not fantasy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junebugz Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 I think if rex plays for 3 straight years he will be better than Michael Vick who was a probowler. Now I also don’t believe that rex will be able to stay healthy that long. im talking real football not fantasy. 1382026[/snapback] sooooooooo... he'll be better than a probowler who shouldn't have been a probowler :guiness: BRILLIANT! :guiness: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitem0nkey Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 well i dont think you can say rex will never, ever make the Pro Bowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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