FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[D O.C.]

Good for Matt.
Now we have more to do. on Sundays.

[stoutguy]

Good point 413 on their confidence in Matt.
If you changed the names on the jerseys, or if nobody knew Cutler from McCown to Blanchard and you had to make decision based solely on what each QB showed Friday night, I can't see how anybody wouldn't strongly consider Blanchard as the top QB.  Now I'm not claiming he should be the #1, my simple point is that he was not out-performed physically by any QB on the roster.  Cutler threw a pick on the first play of the game.  We really need to stop acting like Cutler is so great and that the starting spot should be his automatically.   
As stated in a previous post, people can say all they want about the stats being put up against 2nd and 3rd teamers, the fact is Blanchard is also playing with 2nd and 3rd teamers.  His O-Line has guys that can't beat out Jamarcus Web for cyring out loud.  I was beyond impressed that he stayed in the pocket and delivered a couple beautiful downfield passes despite all the pressure.  He did not get shell shocked. 

BTW, he was also the leading rusher for the Bears with 26 yards.

At the expense of really irritating all of you awesome WW fans before the season even starts, I need to ask, "Do you really believe anyone besides Cutler is being considered for the QB job in Chicago?" 

[footballfan413]

Good point 413 on their confidence in Matt.
If you changed the names on the jerseys, or if nobody knew Cutler from McCown to Blanchard and you had to make decision based solely on what each QB showed Friday night, I can't see how anybody wouldn't strongly consider Blanchard as the top QB.  Now I'm not claiming he should be the #1, my simple point is that he was not out-performed physically by any QB on the roster.  Cutler threw a pick on the first play of the game.  We really need to stop acting like Cutler is so great and that the starting spot should be his automatically.   
As stated in a previous post, people can say all they want about the stats being put up against 2nd and 3rd teamers, the fact is Blanchard is also playing with 2nd and 3rd teamers.  His O-Line has guys that can't beat out Jamarcus Web for cyring out loud.  I was beyond impressed that he stayed in the pocket and delivered a couple beautiful downfield passes despite all the pressure.  He did not get shell shocked. 

BTW, he was also the leading rusher for the Bears with 26 yards.

At the expense of really irritating all of you awesome WW fans before the season even starts, I need to ask, "Do you really believe anyone besides Cutler is being considered for the QB job in Chicago?" 

LOL, of course not but it wouldn't be a classic emma17 post without an occasional comment that is a little off the wall!  If Matt ends up on the 53 man roster and as the Bears #3, or on any roster, for that matter, it will by fantastic!   I don't think Jay is losing any sleep over keeping his spot.   

[emma17]

Good point 413 on their confidence in Matt.
If you changed the names on the jerseys, or if nobody knew Cutler from McCown to Blanchard and you had to make decision based solely on what each QB showed Friday night, I can't see how anybody wouldn't strongly consider Blanchard as the top QB.  Now I'm not claiming he should be the #1, my simple point is that he was not out-performed physically by any QB on the roster.  Cutler threw a pick on the first play of the game.  We really need to stop acting like Cutler is so great and that the starting spot should be his automatically.   
As stated in a previous post, people can say all they want about the stats being put up against 2nd and 3rd teamers, the fact is Blanchard is also playing with 2nd and 3rd teamers.  His O-Line has guys that can't beat out Jamarcus Web for cyring out loud.  I was beyond impressed that he stayed in the pocket and delivered a couple beautiful downfield passes despite all the pressure.  He did not get shell shocked. 

BTW, he was also the leading rusher for the Bears with 26 yards.

At the expense of really irritating all of you awesome WW fans before the season even starts, I need to ask, "Do you really believe anyone besides Cutler is being considered for the QB job in Chicago?" 

LOL, of course not but it wouldn't be a classic emma17 post without an occasional comment that is a little off the wall!  If Matt ends up on the 53 man roster and as the Bears #3, or on any roster, for that matter, it will by fantastic!   I don't think Jay is losing any sleep over keeping his spot.   

I know it sounds absurd to move from a mindset of "Cutler is the guy" to "who do you feel actually played the position better".  Again, I'm not suggesting Matt is the number one now.  I am saying that Cutler, IMO, is given way to much credit and slack based not only on his actual performance, but his history of wins/losses and completions.  He's simply not the be all end all QB that he is treated like in Chicago.  He didn't win in college and he doesn't win in the pros often/consistent enough.  From that perspective, I'd love to see Cutler made to feel a little uneasy, including losing some sleep, about his status. 

[AndOne]

I think Emma is a knowledgeable fan.
I also think she is Matt Blanchard's mom..........or at least his sister. 

[footballfan413]

I think Emma is a knowledgeable fan.
I also think she is Matt Blanchard's mom..........or at least his sister. 

emma17 is a VERY knowledgable fan, without a doubt, but not Matt's mom/sister, although, take it from me, he is kind of pretty!   

[footballfan413]

Good point 413 on their confidence in Matt.
If you changed the names on the jerseys, or if nobody knew Cutler from McCown to Blanchard and you had to make decision based solely on what each QB showed Friday night, I can't see how anybody wouldn't strongly consider Blanchard as the top QB.  Now I'm not claiming he should be the #1, my simple point is that he was not out-performed physically by any QB on the roster.  Cutler threw a pick on the first play of the game.  We really need to stop acting like Cutler is so great and that the starting spot should be his automatically.   
As stated in a previous post, people can say all they want about the stats being put up against 2nd and 3rd teamers, the fact is Blanchard is also playing with 2nd and 3rd teamers.  His O-Line has guys that can't beat out Jamarcus Web for cyring out loud.  I was beyond impressed that he stayed in the pocket and delivered a couple beautiful downfield passes despite all the pressure.  He did not get shell shocked. 

BTW, he was also the leading rusher for the Bears with 26 yards.

At the expense of really irritating all of you awesome WW fans before the season even starts, I need to ask, "Do you really believe anyone besides Cutler is being considered for the QB job in Chicago?" 

LOL, of course not but it wouldn't be a classic emma17 post without an occasional comment that is a little off the wall!  If Matt ends up on the 53 man roster and as the Bears #3, or on any roster, for that matter, it will by fantastic!   I don't think Jay is losing any sleep over keeping his spot.   

I know it sounds absurd to move from a mindset of "Cutler is the guy" to "who do you feel actually played the position better".  Again, I'm not suggesting Matt is the number one now.  I am saying that Cutler, IMO, is given way to much credit and slack based not only on his actual performance, but his history of wins/losses and completions.  He's simply not the be all end all QB that he is treated like in Chicago.  He didn't win in college and he doesn't win in the pros often/consistent enough.  From that perspective, I'd love to see Cutler made to feel a little uneasy, including losing some sleep, about his status.

I don't believe it is fair to judge Cutler on his win/lose records when he has the dubious distinction of being the most sacked QB in the NFL for 2 years in a row or is it 3 now?  Hardly his fault that he has played behind lines the equivalent of a sieve during his time in Chicago.  He will be playing for a big contract this season so that should help with the, "uneasy," factor.  I just hope he has enough time on his feet to give he a fair shot at it. 

BTW, Andone, You were almost right.  I am Culter's mom, or is it sister??? 

[badgerwarhawk]

I didn't get to watch a lot of the Bears game but I did see the interception he threw and I had to wonder two things.  One, why are there two receivers in the essentially the same spot and two why didn't the Bears receiver stick his arms out and at least act like he was trying to catch the ball?

Not a bad showing.  Hopefully more and better things to come.  Good luck, Matt.

[retagent]

Haven't watched the Bears game either, but I'm going to DVR it when it's next aired on NFL Network. My thoughts, which appeared here last year, was that Blanchard looked poised and not overwhelmed. He may not beat out Cutler for starting job, but I thought then that he was better than McCown. I'll add what I see after I see the game FWIW. I believe I can be more objective than many UWW fans, but I will admit I would like to see him succeed.

[emma17]

Haven't watched the Bears game either, but I'm going to DVR it when it's next aired on NFL Network. My thoughts, which appeared here last year, was that Blanchard looked poised and not overwhelmed. He may not beat out Cutler for starting job, but I thought then that he was better than McCown. I'll add what I see after I see the game FWIW. I believe I can be more objective than many UWW fans, but I will admit I would like to see him succeed.

You better say something really aggrevating soon, because I'm really starting to like you.

[02 Warhawk]

The job is Cutler's...there's no question about it. Yes, I agree, Cutler may not be as good as we hoped, but he's the best the Bears have, so we have to deal with it.

However, I place most of the blame on the offensive line. I don't think there's been a worse offensive line in football over the past 5 seasons. Like FF413 said, he gets hit more than anyone else in the NFL...by a wide margin I believe too. Also, it seems Jay has to adopt to a new offense each season, with all the turnover at the offensive coordinator position. That certainly doesn't help his cause....there's zero continuity.

[ncc58]

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.

[retagent]

And four years ago, Jason Dufner was stuggling on lesser tours. Now he's a Major Champion. I guess some don't believe that someone can improve with practice and experience.

[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.................

[voice]

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.