The Chicago Bears drafted 9 players last April in the draft and four of them didn’t play a down and two of them were cut before the season even started.  WR/KR Johnny Knox was the best player the Bears picked last April.  They took him in the 5th round (#140 overall) out of tiny Abilene Christian.  He played in 15 games for the Bears last season and he caught 45 passes for 527 yards (11.7 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  Knox also returned 32 kickoffs for 927 yards (29.0 avg) with 1 TD return.  Knox returned 1 punt for 0 yards and he made 5 tackles last season for the Bears.  In the sixth round (#190 overall) the Bears selected safety Al Afalvava out of Oregon State.  He played in 13 games for the Bears last season and he made 53 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, had 2 sacks, forced 1 fumble and he defensed 7 passes.  The rest of the draft crop was a total waste so far.  DT Jarron Gilbert was the Bears’ first selection in the draft as they picked him in the third round out of San Jose State (#68 overall).  He played in 4 games for the Bears last season and he made 1 whole tackle.  WR Juaquin Iglesius was also selected in the third round (#99 overall) out of Oklahoma.  He only played in 1 game for the Bears and he didn’t catch any passes while making 1 whole tackle.  DE Henry Melton was picked in the 4th round (#105 overall) out of Texas.  He spent his rookie year on the Injured Reserve list without playing in any games.  CB D.J. Moore was also selected in the 4th round (#119 overall) out of Vanderbilt.  He played in 3 games but he didn’t make any tackles.  Linebacker Marcus Freeman (5th round, #154 overall) out of Ohio State and WR Derek Kinder (7th round, #251 overall) both got cut without playing for the Bears.  Freeman is now with the Texans.  OG Lance Louis (7th round, #246 overall) is still with the Bears but he didn’t play a down as a rookie.

GRADE FOR 2009:  C-

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  C-

26-year old DE Gaines Adams has died today of a heart attack at the age of 26.  He played in 10 games for the Bears this season after coming over from the Bucs in a trade earlier this season and he made 7 tackles, forced 2 fumbles and he defensed a pass for them.  He played in 15 games overall this season for the Bucs and Bears in which he had 17 tackles, 1 sack, defensed 3 passes and he forced 2 fumbles.  In his three years in the NFL, Adams played in 47 games in which he made 93 tackles, defensed 11 passes, had 13.5 sacks, forced 4 fumbles and he had 1 interception (he returned it for a TD).  What a shame for the Adams’ family who should be in everyones prayers.

I have been watching Bears’ football for over 30 years now so I decided to rank every QB that has started a game for them since 1980 and here they are:

1.)  Jim McMahon – Jim McMahon led the Bears to a 46-15 record in games he started for the Bears and he led them to a Super Bowl win.  He played in 66 games for the Bears in which he completed 874 of 1,513 passes (57.8%) for 11,203 yards with 67 TD passes and 56 INTs (80.4 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 235 times for 1,284 yards (5.5 ypc) with 15 TD runs.  He is without a doubt the best QB I have ever seen for the Bears (remember this is only since 1980).

2.) Jim Harbaugh – Harbaugh played 7 years for the Bears and he was a solid game manager.  He played in 89 games for the Bears and he completed 1,023 of 1,759 passes (58.2%) for 11,567 yards with 50 TD passes and 56 INTs (74.2 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 296 times for 1,609 yards (5.4 ypc) with 15 TD runs.  The fact that he is this high on the list should really say something about the quality of QB play the Bears have had.

3.) Erik Kramer – Erik Kramer was with the Bears for five years and he might be the best pure passer on this list.  He played in 49 games for the Bears in which he completed 913 of 1,557 passes (58.6%) for 10,582 yards with 63 TD passes and 45 INTs (80.7 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 89 times for 141 yards (1.6 ypc) with 4 TD runs. 

4.) Jay Cutler - I know you are all going to jump me for this one but looking at the names below him I just can’t rank him below 4th.  In fact I think by the time he’s done playing with the Bears he will be the franchise’s all-time leader in every passing category as long as he can stay healthy.  He has played in 16 games for the Bears and he has completed 336 of 555 passes (60.5%) for 3,666 yards with 27 TD passes and 26 INTs (76.8 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 40 times for 173 yards (4.3 ypc) with 1 TD run.  If the Bears can give him some help at WR in the draft and free agency Cutler might put up eye-popping stats next season.

5.) Rex Grossman – Grossman was not a popular QB for the Bears but he did get them to a Super Bowl and he did have a 19-12 record as a starting QB for them.  He played in 36 games for the Bears and he completed 521 of 962 passes (54.2%) for 6,164 yards with 33 TD passes and 35 INTs (70.2 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 55 times for 80 yards (1.5 ypc) with 3 TD runs.

6.) Jim Miller – Jim Miller only played four years for the Bears but he was a solid player leading them to a 15-11 record in games that he started.  Miller played in 32 games for the Bears in which he completed 565 of 965 passes (58.5%) for 5,867 yards with 34 TD passes and 26 INTs (76.7 QB Rating).  He didn’t help much with his legs however as he carried the ball 52 times for 6 yards (0.1 ypc) without any TD runs.  If Miller would have played with the Bears longer he would have been higher on the list.

7.) Kyle Orton – Who would have ever thought (besides Kyle Orton himself) that he would have outplayed Jay Cutler this season?  But he did.  In his three years with the Bears, Orton started 33 games in which the team compiled a 21-12 record.  He completed 505 of 913 passes (55.3%) for 5,319 yards with 30 TD passes and 27 INTs (71.1 QB Rating).  Orton also carried the ball 53 times for 92 yards (1.7 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  The Bears didn’t really know what they had in Orton as he was pretty much just a game manager for them.

8.) Dave Krieg – Krieg only played with the Bears one season.  He played in 13 games (12 starts) in which he completed 226 of 377 passes (59.5%) for 2,278 yards with 14 TD passes and 12 INTs (76.3 QB Rating).  Krieg also carried the ball 16 times for 12 yards (0.8 ypc) with 1 TD run for the Bears.  The Bears were 6-6 in games that he started and Krieg was near the end of his career but he still ranks pretty high on this list.

9.) Shane Matthews – Matthews never could really win the full-time job for the Bears but he was effective when he did play.  He played in 21 games (15 starts) for the Bears and he completed 366 of 599 passes (61.1%) for 3,461 yards with 19 TD passes and 18 INTs (75.1 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 29 times for 73 yards (2.5 ypc) with 1 TD run.  The Bears were 8-7 in games started by Matthews.

10.) Steve Walsh – Walsh didn’t have much of an arm but he somehow got the job done as the Bears were 8-3 in games that he started.  Walsh played in 13 games for the Bears and he completed 208 of 343 passes (60.6%) for 2,078 yards with 10 TD passes and 8 INTs (77.9 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 30 times for 4 yards (0.1 ypc) with 1 TD run for the Bears. 

11.) Mike Tomczak – Tomczak really didn’t do anything well except win as the Bears were 21-10 when he started.  He played in 77 games for the Bears and he completed 454 of 915 passes (49.6%) for 6,247 yards with 33 TD passes and 47 INTs (62.5 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 92 times for 326 yards (3.5 ypc) with 8 TD runs for the Bears. 

12.) Brian Griese – Griese only played 2 years for the Bears.  He played in 13 games for the Bears completing 179 of 294 passes (60.9%) for 2,023 yards with 11 TD passes and 14 INTs (74.1 QB Rating).  Griese also carried the ball 19 times for 23 yards (1.2 ypc).  He was a much better QB with other teams in his career.

13.) Vince Evans – Evans was a good runner but he was a terrible passer.  The Bears were only 12-17 in games started by Evans.  He played in 42 games for the Bears completing 431 of 887 passes (48.6%) for 5,626 yards with 27 TD passes and 47 INTs.  Evans also carried the ball 127 times for 666 yards (5.2 ypc) with 12 TD runs for the Bears.

14.) Chris Chandler – Chandler only played two years with the Bears and the team was 5-8 in games he started.  He played in 17 games for the Bears and he completed 210 of 353 passes (59.5%) for 2,073 yards with 7 TD passes and 11 INTs (69.8 QB Rating).  Chandler also carried the ball 24 times for 67 yards (2.8 ypc) for the Bears.

15.) Steve Fuller – Fuller was a solid back-up for the Bears who were 6-5 in games started by him.  Fuller played in 38 games for the Bears in which he completed 140 of 249 passes (56.2%) for 1,823 yards with 6 TD passes and 9 INTs (72.4 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 47 times for 196 yards (4.2 ypc) with 6 runs for the Bears.

16.) Kordell Stewart – Stewart only played one year for the Bears and he was a poor passer but a good runner.  He played in 9 games for the Bears completing 126 of 251 passes (50.2%) for 1,418 yards with 7 TD passes and 12 INTs (56.8 QB Rating).  Stewart also carried the ball 59 times for 290 yards (4.9 ypc) with 3 TD runs for the Bears.

17.) Cade McNown – The lefty McNown was a complete first round bust for the Bears.  He only played two years for the Bears and they were 3-12 in games he started.  McNown played in 25 games for the Bears and he completed 281 of 515 passes (54.6%) for 3,111 yards with 16 TD passes and 19 INTs (67.7 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 82 times for 486 yards (5.9 ypc) with 3 TD runs for the Bears. 

18.) Doug Flutie – The miniature QB played in 5 games for the Bears and he completed 23 of 46 passes (50%) for 361 yards with 3 TD passes and 2 INTs (80.1 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 9 times for 36 yards (4.0 ypc) with 1 TD run for the Bears.  He only started 1 game for the Bears and he finished with a undefeated record for them.

19.) Chad Hutchinson - Hutchinson had all of the tools to be successful but it just didn’t happen in Chicago as the Bears were 1-4 in games he started.  He played in 5 games for the Bears and he completed 92 of 161 passes (57.1%) for 903 yards with 4 TD passes and 3 INTs (73.6 QB Rating).  Hutchinson also carried the ball 6 times for 14 yards (2.3 ypc) with the Bears.

20.) Craig Krenzel – Somehow Krenzel had a winning record (3-2) in games he started for the Bears.  He played in 6 games for the Bears and he completed 59 of 127 passes (46.5%) for 718 yards with 3 TD passes and 6 INTs (52.5 QB Rating).  Krenzel also carried the ball 18 times for 41 yards (2.3 ypc) in his time with the Bears.

21.) Steve Stenstrom – Stenstrom, much like Hutchinson, had the tools to succeed but he never used them to the best of his ability.  The Bears were 1-6 in games started by Stenstrom.  He completed 123 of 214 passes (57.5%) for 1,359 yards with 4 TD passes and 8 INTs (67.1 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 19 times for 85 yards (4.5 ypc) with 2 TD runs for the Bears.

22.) Mike Hohensee – Hohensee is only ranked this low because his numbers were the result of him crossing a picket line during a strike.  He started two games for the Bears in 1987 and he was 2-0.  Hohensee completed 28 of 52 passes (53.8%) for 343 yards with 4 TD passes and 1 INT (92.1 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 9 times for 56 yards (6.2 ypc) for the Bears.

23.) Greg Landry – Landry only played in 1 game in this timeframe for the Bears and he started and won the game.  He completed 11 of 20 passes (55%) for 199 yards with 1 TD pass and 3 INTs (66.5 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 2 times for 1 yard (0.5 ypc) with 1 TD run.

24.) Mike Phipps - Phipps had some good games for the Bears but they were all in the 1970′s.  He played in 10 games for the Bears in this timeframe and he completed 72 of 139 passes (51.8%) for 801 yards with 4 TD passes and 9 INTs.  He also carried the ball 16 times for 38 yards (2.5 ypc) with 2 TD runs in this timeframe with the Bears.

25.) Bob Avellini – Much like Phipps, Avellini’s best work for the Bears was in the 1970′s.  He played in 17 games in this timeframe and he completed 53 of 105 passes (50.5%) for 557 yards with 1 TD passes and 6 INTs.  Avellini also carried the ball 8 times for -3 yards (-0.4 ypc) for the Bears in these years.

26.) Peter Tom Willis - Willis was mostly a back-up for the Bears as he appeared in 21 games but only started three of them (all of which the Bears lost).  Willis played in 21 games for the Bears and he completed 104 of 183 passes (56.8%) for 1,261 yards with 6 TD passes and 15 INTs (54.9 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 5 times for 14 yards (2.8 ypc) in his time with the Bears.

27.) Jonathan Quinn – Quinn was not a good QB but he was better than anyone below him on this list.  Quinn played in 5 games (3 starts) in which he completed 51 of 98 passes (52%) for 413 yards with 1 TD pass and 3 INTs (53.7%).  He also carried the ball 3 times for 35 yards (11.7 ypc) for the Bears.  The Bears were 0-3 in his starts.

28.) Rick Mirer – Mirer really sucked for the Bears.  He played in 7 games (3 starts) for the Bears and he completed 53 of 103 passes (51.5%) for 420 yards with 0 TD passes and 6 INTs (37.7 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 20 times for 78 yards (3.9 ypc) with 1 TD run for the Bears.  The Bears were 0-3 in games started by Mirer.

29.) Moses Moreno – Moreno only played 1 year for the Bears appearing in 2 games (1 start).  Moreno completed 19 of 43 passes (44.2%) for 166 yards with 1 TD pass and 0 INTs (62.7 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 4 times for 9 yards (2.3 ypc) for the Bears.  He lost his only start for them.

30.) Henry Burris – Burris only played 1 year for the Bears appearing in 6 games (1 start) in which he completed 18 of 51 passes (35.3%) for 207 yards with 3 TD passes and 5 INTs (28.4 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 15 times for 104 yards (6.9 ypc).  Burris lost his only start for the Bears.

31.) Steve Bradley – Bradley started the only game he ever played in with the Bears.  He completed 6 of 18 passes (33.3%) for 77 yards with 2 TD passes and 3 INTs (45.1 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 1 time for -3 yards for the Bears.  The Bears lost Bradley’s only start for them.

32.) Rusty Lisch – Lisch played 1 season for the Bears and he was pretty pathetic.  Lisch played in 7 games for the Bears and he completed 43 of 85 passes (50.6%) for 413 yards with 0 TD passes and 6 INTs (35.1 QB Rating).  Lisch also carried the ball 18 times for 121 yards (6.7 ypc) for the Bears.  He was 0-1 as a starter.

33.) Will Furrer – To be last on this list you had to really stink and Will Furrer fits the bill.  He played in 2 games (1 start) for the Bears and he completed 9 of 25 passes (36%) for 89 yards with 0 TD passes and 3 INTs (7.3 QB Rating).  Furrer also carried the ball 8 times for 20 yards (2.5 ypc) for the Bears.  He lost his only start for the Bears.

So there you have it my rankings of the Bears’ QBs of the last 30 years who have started at least 1 game.  If you have any comments I would like to hear them.

No, Jay Cutler isn’t going anywhere.  But, I do see the Bears trying to upgrade his back-ups as they shouldn’t go into 2010 with either Caleb Hanie or Brett Basanez on the roster.  Jay Cutler finished the season really strong to make his numbers look a lot better than they should have as he stunk for most of the year.  If you would have told me before the year started that Kyle Orton would outplay Jay Cutler in 2009 I would have suggested you to be put in a straight jacket.  But, it happened.  Jay Cutler started all 16 games for the Bears this season and he completed 336 of 555 passes (60.5%) for 3,666 yards with 27 TD passes and 26 INTs (76.8 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 40 times for 173 yards (4.3 ypc) with 1 TD run this year.  Cutler has now played in 53 games in his NFL career and he has completed 1,098 of 1,775 passes (61.9%) for 12,690 yards with 81 TD passes and 63 INTs (83.8 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 153 times for 596 yards (3.9 ypc) with 4 TD runs in his career.  The Bears need Cutler to step up because they don’t have anyone behind him.  They have put all of their eggs in his basket.

24-year old Caleb Hanie was awful in his brief time with the Bears this year.  He played in 3 games this season for the Bears and he completed 3 of 7 passes (42.9%) for 11 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 INT (10.7 QB Rating).  The Bears must bring in a new back-up QB as Hanie is clearly not NFL material.

26-year old Brett Basanez is the #3 QB for the Bears and he’s not much of a player either.  He played in 1 game in 2006 for the Panthers and he completed 6 of 11 passes (54.5%) for 56 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 INT (30.9 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 1 time for 2 yards in his NFL career.  I’m thinking the Bears could sign a undrafted free agent who would be a huge upgrade on either Hanie or Basanez.

With the addition of Jay Cutler in the offseason, there was a lot of buzz going into the 2009 season for the Chicago Bears.  Bears’ fans expected head coach Lovie Smith and his staff to lead the Bears into the postseason, but they were far from it with a 7-9 record this season.  Well, the Bears have decided to keep Lovie Smith as the head coach, while they decided to fire most of his coaching staff on the offensive side.  Most notably was offensive coordinator Ron Turner, along with five other coaches.  The offense was ugly this year for the Bears, and Jay Cutler really needs a fresh start with a new offensive system.  The defense wasn’t great either, and Smith has lost his play-calling authority on defense.  There was a lot of speculation that Smith would be gone after missing the playoffs for three straight season, but perhaps the $11 million left on his contract had something to do with the Bears organization sticking with him.  It will be interesting to see who the Bears go with for their coordinators and hopefully they can light a spark under this organization.  One thing is for sure, if the Bears miss the playoffs again next season then Lovie Smith will definitely be gone.

The Chicago Bears (7-9) got their second straight win, beating the Detroit Lions (2-14) on the road, and have finally been looking like a decent football team.  Too bad it came at the end of the season though, as the Bears were a terrible football team from week 6-16.  Jay Cutler was a big disappointment this season, but he had a great game against the Lions.  He went 22/36 for 276 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Cutler found a late season surprise in Devin Aromashodu, who caught 2 of Cutler’s touchdown passes and is one of the few things the Bears can be excited about heading into the 2010 season. Cutler also hit TE Greg Olsen for some big plays, with Olsen finishing with 5 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.  Cutler got a lot of help from his running game too (very rare this season), with Matt Forte going for 101 yards on 16 carries and Kahlil Bell adding 44 yards on 11 carries.  This game was nothing to get excited about though, as the Lions were one of the laughing stocks of the NFL this year.

The Bears defense didn’t do a great job, considering they were playing a depleted Lions’ offense.  With Mathew Stafford out, Daunte Culpepper was under center for the Lions and he was pretty effective against the Bears’ defense.  He had 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and 262 yards on 23/34 attempts.  The Bears also gave up 100 rushing yards on 25 carries, so it was not a strong effort by the Bears’ D.  It was nice to see the Bears wake up a little towards the end of season, scoring more points in their final two games then all of their other games (besides their first matchup against the Lions were they scored 40).  Still, this was a very disappointing season for the Bears and there will likely be a lot of changes in the offseason.

The Chicago Bears (6-9) are going up against the Detroit Lions (2-13) on the road Sunday and both teams are missing the playoffs once again this year.  The Bears are coming off one of their best games of the year after beating the Minnesota Vikings in overtime last week, and if they play like that this week the Lions have no chance.  The Bears defense needs to be ready to stop the run, something they have not done a good job of this season.  They give up 128 rushing yards per game, but the Lions don’t have much of a passing game so the Bears should be able to key in on stopping the run.  Mathew Stafford is out for the Lions, so it will be either Drew Stanton or Daunte Culpepper taking the snaps.  The Bears will be without cornerback Charles Tillman, but neither Lions’ quarterback has done well in limited playing time this season, so it could be a good day for the Bears’ defense.

The Bears may be without Danieal Manning and Johnny Knox, who both have been big threats in the return game.  Knox has been a threat in the passing game too, and with Devin Hester still out the Bears will be very depleted at receiver if Knox cannot go.  That will make things harder for Jay Cutler, but he and receiver Devin Aromashodu had a lot of success last game.  Matt Forte will have to step up, and although it has been a disappointing season for Forte, he did have his best game of the season against the Lions in their last matchup with 121 yards and a touchdown.  The Bears should definitely win and head coach Lovie Smith needs a convincing win if he wants any chance of returning next season.

PREDICTION:  Chicago Bears 24, Detroit Lions 13