FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[badgerwarhawk]

LOL. The evaluations of Blanchard are pretty much what I expected to see here. Blanchard is being evaluated as nothing more than a #3 QB. And I thought his performance was ok, Bear fans have seen worse. But nothing special. Bear fans have seen decent preseasons from #3 or even #4 QBs before. I hate to even mention some of those names. In my view, Blanchard is a long way from being ready to play in the NFL. If Cutler gets hurt, I would be extremely uncomfortable with Blanchard at QB.

Now, had Blanchard been able to tie the score in the last minute, I might have been more impressed. I thought it was a poor decision to run with less than 10 seconds and no timeouts. Heck, throw the ball up. Maybe someone makes a play. Maybe there's an obvious penalty to call. Maybe it was the play calling but there were too many 5 yard passes in the end of a game where you needed a TD.

How comfortable are you with Josh McCown?   Eleven years, a QB rating south of .60 and more interceptions than touchdown passes.  Do you keep on working with a player you know isn't going to get any better and frankly hasn't been good enough to stick with one team more than a couple of seasons or roll the dice with a younger player with more of an upside. 

[footballfan413]

LOL. The evaluations of Blanchard are pretty much what I expected to see here. Blanchard is being evaluated as nothing more than a #3 QB. And I thought his performance was ok, Bear fans have seen worse. But nothing special. Bear fans have seen decent preseasons from #3 or even #4 QBs before. I hate to even mention some of those names. In my view, Blanchard is a long way from being ready to play in the NFL. If Cutler gets hurt, I would be extremely uncomfortable with Blanchard at QB.

Now, had Blanchard been able to tie the score in the last minute, I might have been more impressed. I thought it was a poor decision to run with less than 10 seconds and no timeouts. Heck, throw the ball up. Maybe someone makes a play. Maybe there's an obvious penalty to call. Maybe it was the play calling but there were too many 5 yard passes in the end of a game where you needed a TD.

You can blame us for being homers all you want but it doesn't change the fact that Matt is in his 2nd year in the NFL, this season under a new regime and HC known for his talent working with QB's, came into camp as the Bears #3, with no other competition in sight, (at least for the time being,) and played the entire 2nd half ending up with a fabulous stat line despite being sacked 5 times. A few mistakes, sure, but this is only the 4th game he has played in.  Pretty sure none of this would be happening for Matt if the coaching staff agreed with your assessment of his, "being a long way from being ready to play in the NFL." Will he make the 53 man roster this season, end up on the practice squad, or get cut eventually, I do not know.  But, this is a D3 player we are talking about and he has accomplished a great deal already!  And, please, let's not minimize what it takes to be where he is right now, like #3 for the Bears is no big deal.................

I just got back from Bourbonnais 413.  Matt had a solid practice this morning. I chatted with him for nearly 15 minutes after practice. He is very upbeat and looking forward to more action vs. San Diego later this week.  I'll have a story up on Warhawkfootball.com in a couple of hours.

Very nice! Looking forward to it!  I suspect he's upbeat because he may have gotten better feedback about his performance from the coaching staff than he would have gotten from Il Gator. 

[emma17]

LOL. The evaluations of Blanchard are pretty much what I expected to see here. Blanchard is being evaluated as nothing more than a #3 QB. And I thought his performance was ok, Bear fans have seen worse. But nothing special. Bear fans have seen decent preseasons from #3 or even #4 QBs before. I hate to even mention some of those names. In my view, Blanchard is a long way from being ready to play in the NFL. If Cutler gets hurt, I would be extremely uncomfortable with Blanchard at QB.

Now, had Blanchard been able to tie the score in the last minute, I might have been more impressed. I thought it was a poor decision to run with less than 10 seconds and no timeouts. Heck, throw the ball up. Maybe someone makes a play. Maybe there's an obvious penalty to call. Maybe it was the play calling but there were too many 5 yard passes in the end of a game where you needed a TD.

I think we need to slow this train down.  IL Gator- what evaluations have you read on this site, other than mine, that comes close to deserving a "LOL"? 
 
For the record, I stand 100% behind what I posted.  If we were dropped onto this earth from a planet that specializes in objectively evaluating quarterback play- without ever having heard of Jay Cutler, Josh McCown or Matt Blanchard, then Matt would be sitting in a good position for future evaluation-no less than equal to the others. 

Now, IL Gator I'm not trying to pick a fight, for all I know you are a QB guru and have many specifics to support your statement of "Blanchard is a long way from being ready to play in the NFL".  I know that's something we commonly hear or read from the media- (those that specialize in general statements because they really don't know the specifics).  Do you have actual areas of weakness you know he needs to work on before he is NFL ready?  If you have that knowledge, would you share?  Is it that his footwork isn't as good as Cutlers?  Is it that he doesn't protect the ball as well as Cutler?  Is it that he doesn't get rid of the ball to prevent sacks as well as Cutler?  Is it that he doesn't read the defense and get the ball to the open receiver like Cutler?  Keep in mind, Blanchard was 15-18 throwing to 2nd and 3rd string receivers.  Cutler has a career completion % of just under 61% (his highest in Denver was under 64%).  Do you know for a fact that Blanchard can't read defenses, make audibles or get the O in position before the snap? 
Did you see anything Friday night that actually leads you to believe Matt isn't at least AS accurate as Cutler? 
I'm curious why you're comfortable posting a statment that Matt is a long way from being NFL ready based upon his performance Friday night (or perhaps you've seen other practices?). 

Matt probably should have tossed the ball up for grabs on the last play (although I wasn't at the game and haven't heard/read something specific to the play), but we don't know what the situation was downfield.  What if the only receiever had fallen, was pushed out of bounds?  Granted, Matt still probably should have thrown it with the hopes of a penalty.  But that said, is this the reason he isn't NFL ready?  Do you really believe, really believe that with all the games and big games Matt quarterbacked, that he isn't smart enough to know what he should do in that situation?  Have you not seen star professional players make boneheaded plays in games?  Are they no longer NFL ready?     

There are two points being made here, and they are mutually exclusive. 
1.  Matt Blanchard played no less than equally as good as any of the QB's played on Friday night.
2.  I believe Jay Cutler, whether Matt Blanchard is trying out for the team or not, is over-rated and I believe his struggles are more than poor O Line play and turnover at the OC position.  Jay simply hasn't done enough in his pro careeer to insulate him from having to face competition.  In the same amount of time as Tony Romo (we won't go into the upper echelon QB's), Jay has 136 TD's to 100 INT's (many in Denver)- Tony has 177 TD's to 91 INT's, and a 5% higher completion percentage. 


 
 

[voice]

I was down at Chicago Bears training camp this morning and had a chance to interview Matt Blanchard following practice. The first of my stories is up on the Warhawkfootball.com Newswire

http://www.warhawkfootball.com/newswire.asp

[stoutguy]

Wow!  This is so great.  All this discussion generated and I only lost 3 Karma points (so far), for suggesting that Cutler might just keep his starting job.    Well worth it.

[footballfan413]

Wow!  This is so great.  All this discussion generated and I only lost 3 Karma points (so far), for suggesting that Cutler might just keep his starting job.    Well worth it.

Right now, the only guys,  posting from UWW who are FIB's are a small core group of regulars who I know, personally, very well, and I highly doubt any of us waste our time smiting. I haven't smited in many, many years, preferring positive enforcement instead.  Not to mention, I totally agreed with you.   Maybe it is someone else from another board who just doesn't like WIAC guys no matter what we say or someone you have ticked off in the past, posters from the MBB boards, for example?   
Or then again, I'd suspect badgerwarhawk if I were you.......................   

Plus karma from me to help catch you back up.   

[badgerwarhawk]

I would never, ever smite StoutGuy.  After all he is StoutGuy.  Besides we've met on occassion and I actually kind of like him.  And who can take his comments seriously?  I mean, come on, he doesn't even do that.

However I can't let this opportunity go by without quoting his broadcast partner who in a moment of uncontrolable excitement uttered the now infamous...."take that WHITEWATER" after a Stout score giving the BlueDevils an early lead in a game they would eventually lose by multiple scores. 

Take that StoutGuy

Oh ya, plus karma from me too.

[voice]

What struck me most talking to Matt Blanchard after Bears' practice yesterday was the way he stressed accountability as a major trait in being an NFL quarterback.

The final statistics for Blanchard in last Thursday night's preseason opener at Carolina read 15 of 18 for 194 yards and one interception. What is even more impressive is the way Matt spread the ball around.

The former UW-Whitewater quarterback completed passes to six different receivers while targeting eight. He talked about the importance of "keeping everyone engaged"

http://www.chicagotribune.com/videogallery/77004974/Video-Blanchard-says-Bears-must-share

[02 Warhawk]

LOL. The evaluations of Blanchard are pretty much what I expected to see here. Blanchard is being evaluated as nothing more than a #3 QB. And I thought his performance was ok, Bear fans have seen worse. But nothing special. Bear fans have seen decent preseasons from #3 or even #4 QBs before. I hate to even mention some of those names. In my view, Blanchard is a long way from being ready to play in the NFL. If Cutler gets hurt, I would be extremely uncomfortable with Blanchard at QB.

Now, had Blanchard been able to tie the score in the last minute, I might have been more impressed. I thought it was a poor decision to run with less than 10 seconds and no timeouts. Heck, throw the ball up. Maybe someone makes a play. Maybe there's an obvious penalty to call. Maybe it was the play calling but there were too many 5 yard passes in the end of a game where you needed a TD.

I think we need to slow this train down.  IL Gator- what evaluations have you read on this site, other than mine, that comes close to deserving a "LOL"? 
 
For the record, I stand 100% behind what I posted.  If we were dropped onto this earth from a planet that specializes in objectively evaluating quarterback play- without ever having heard of Jay Cutler, Josh McCown or Matt Blanchard, then Matt would be sitting in a good position for future evaluation-no less than equal to the others. 

Now, IL Gator I'm not trying to pick a fight, for all I know you are a QB guru and have many specifics to support your statement of "Blanchard is a long way from being ready to play in the NFL".  I know that's something we commonly hear or read from the media- (those that specialize in general statements because they really don't know the specifics).  Do you have actual areas of weakness you know he needs to work on before he is NFL ready?  If you have that knowledge, would you share?  Is it that his footwork isn't as good as Cutlers?  Is it that he doesn't protect the ball as well as Cutler?  Is it that he doesn't get rid of the ball to prevent sacks as well as Cutler?  Is it that he doesn't read the defense and get the ball to the open receiver like Cutler?  Keep in mind, Blanchard was 15-18 throwing to 2nd and 3rd string receivers.  Cutler has a career completion % of just under 61% (his highest in Denver was under 64%).  Do you know for a fact that Blanchard can't read defenses, make audibles or get the O in position before the snap? 
Did you see anything Friday night that actually leads you to believe Matt isn't at least AS accurate as Cutler? 
I'm curious why you're comfortable posting a statment that Matt is a long way from being NFL ready based upon his performance Friday night (or perhaps you've seen other practices?). 

Matt probably should have tossed the ball up for grabs on the last play (although I wasn't at the game and haven't heard/read something specific to the play), but we don't know what the situation was downfield.  What if the only receiever had fallen, was pushed out of bounds?  Granted, Matt still probably should have thrown it with the hopes of a penalty.  But that said, is this the reason he isn't NFL ready?  Do you really believe, really believe that with all the games and big games Matt quarterbacked, that he isn't smart enough to know what he should do in that situation?  Have you not seen star professional players make boneheaded plays in games?  Are they no longer NFL ready?     

There are two points being made here, and they are mutually exclusive. 
1.  Matt Blanchard played no less than equally as good as any of the QB's played on Friday night.
2.  I believe Jay Cutler, whether Matt Blanchard is trying out for the team or not, is over-rated and I believe his struggles are more than poor O Line play and turnover at the OC position.  Jay simply hasn't done enough in his pro careeer to insulate him from having to face competition.  In the same amount of time as Tony Romo (we won't go into the upper echelon QB's), Jay has 136 TD's to 100 INT's (many in Denver)- Tony has 177 TD's to 91 INT's, and a 5% higher completion percentage.

If Blanchard makes the practice squad and doesn't dress this season....then that'll answer most (if not all) of these questions.

I would love for Matt to dress each week and get some playing time, but then again I know it's a long shot.

[emma17]

Come on 02- if I was a smiter I'd ding you just for being Glum. Don't think of it as a long shot.  You saw 3 Bear's QB's play Friday. Was there something you saw that makes Matt a long shot? 
Let's face it, the biggest unknown is whether Bear's management will bring in another QB before the start of the season (which would be an indicator).  If they don't then I see this as a huge vote of confidence as 413 said and I believe Matt has an excellent chance to make the roster with a strong showing over the next 3 weeks.
How can Trestman not like him- especially w a West Coast styled offense?

[02 Warhawk]

Come on 02- if I was a smiter I'd ding you just for being Glum. Don't think of it as a long shot.  You saw 3 Bear's QB's play Friday. Was there something you saw that makes Matt a long shot? 
Let's face it, the biggest unknown is whether Bear's management will bring in another QB before the start of the season (which would be an indicator).  If they don't then I see this as a huge vote of confidence as 413 said and I believe Matt has an excellent chance to make the roster with a strong showing over the next 3 weeks.
How can Trestman not like him- especially w a West Coast styled offense?

No, I wish I got the game up here, but I didn't.

Do 3 QB's dress for each game?? If so, then yes...I like his odds of being on the sidelines. Because I believe only 3 QB's are in camp now, right?

[oshfb]

Yes, Blanchard was 15/18 for 196 yds. He also fumbled a snap and threw a pick 6. The full stat line was:

15 completions
18 attempts
196 yards
0 TDs
1 INT
1 fumble
0 fumbles lost
5 sacks

I agree he played 'OK', but anything beyond that is a huge stretch.

You BEARS fans crack me up...everyone in the league knows Cutler is over-rated.

[stoutguy]

Wow!  This is so great.  All this discussion generated and I only lost 3 Karma points (so far), for suggesting that Cutler might just keep his starting job.    Well worth it.

Right now, the only guys,  posting from UWW who are FIB's are a small core group of regulars who I know, personally, very well, and I highly doubt any of us waste our time smiting. I haven't smited in many, many years, preferring positive enforcement instead.  Not to mention, I totally agreed with you.   Maybe it is someone else from another board who just doesn't like WIAC guys no matter what we say or someone you have ticked off in the past, posters from the MBB boards, for example?   
Or then again, I'd suspect badgerwarhawk if I were you.......................   

Plus karma from me to help catch you back up.   

Thanks for the karma, but especially thanks for all your insight over the years.  I have always respected your comments and your knowledge. 

[stoutguy]

I would never, ever smite StoutGuy.  After all he is StoutGuy.  Besides we've met on occassion and I actually kind of like him.  And who can take his comments seriously?  I mean, come on, he doesn't even do that.

However I can't let this opportunity go by without quoting his broadcast partner who in a moment of uncontrolable excitement uttered the now infamous...."take that WHITEWATER" after a Stout score giving the BlueDevils an early lead in a game they would eventually lose by multiple scores. 

Take that StoutGuy

Oh ya, plus karma from me too.

Thank you, too, BW for the karma, but gosh I just can't get you to forget that ill advised "Take that WW" that my partner uttered many years ago in a rare moment of success against WW even though the euphoria was soon to be crushed by the purple bad guys, as usual.  One guy I know for sure will give me the plus karma is my good buddy BlueDevil Bob who sticks up for me know matter how stupid I get.   

[stoutguy]

Thanks for the karma, but especially thanks for all your insight over the years.  I have always respected your comments and your knowledge.

I see tongue is firmly planted in cheek here Stoutguy. Plus you used the words "gosh" and "purple bad guys".

Anybody buying this I've got a cheap medical plan I'll sell you.

Stoutguy is anything but stupid. He's one of my heroes.

No, actually, no tongue in cheek at all.  Footballfan413 and BW pay more attention to d3 football than I ever will.  I respect the passion.