Bronx33
04-08-2009, 03:59 PM
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-08-haugh-bears-chicago-apr08,0,254393.column
He's not worth the headache as other options are available
David Haugh | On the Bears
April 8, 2009
In some ways Plaxico Burress is the perfect wide receiver for the Bears: A guy who shot himself in the leg playing in an offense that traditionally shoots itself in the foot.
Of course, that is a dated characterization of the Bears offense in the years B.C.—Before Cutler. That figures to change now. Since trading for Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler last week, suddenly anything seems possible for a Bears team that should challenge the Vikings for the NFC North title.
Cutler may not make the Bears immediate Super Bowl contenders, but the presence of a 25-year-old franchise quarterback reopens that Super Bowl window a crack as long as he stays behind center. What an unprecedented, exhilarating week it has been in Beardom.
But let's not get carried away, Chicago.
David Haugh E-mail | Recent columns
Related links
Chicago Bears coach open to receiver options Burress coming to town would be bad for everybody around here, except possibly bail bondsmen.
Nobody faults Cutler for believing Burress would be good for him. What NFL quarterback wouldn't want a 6-foot-5-inch target with Super Bowl experience running routes in the red zone?
So when Burress told WSCR-AM reporter Zach Zaidman in Detroit on Sunday night that Cutler has called to gauge his interest in signing with the Bears, it was understood. To NFL players, big picture means the Jumbotron.
But to NFL general managers such as Jerry Angelo, it means evaluating risks that wouldn't be worth the rewards.
He is the type of player who helps teams win games but the type of person who guarantees coaches and GMs will lose sleep—and, worse, quite possibly respect or control.
Burress still faces a possible prison term and a likely NFL suspension stemming from his infamous gun incident last fall in New York City. Last month, Burress reportedly went on a profane tirade when pulled over by police in Florida. That is no way to impress NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or any future employer worried about Burress' disturbing pattern of defying authority.
Whichever team signs Burress, the best-case scenario would make him available for 12 games in a new offense after he serves a league suspension.
He also is likely to sign a one-year, prove-it contract with incentives that could make him more obsessed than usual with how many balls are thrown his way. He has a history of missing medical treatments, being late for meetings and practices and acting in a way that defines uncoachable.
In short, this guy could fill Tank Johnson's old baggage rack in the Bears locker room without any problem at all. By comparison, Burress makes Cedric Benson seem like a boring date.
The Bears would be better off addressing their gaping need at wide receiver by thinking more long-term than quick fix. Cutler actually allows them the flexibility to resist Burress rather than sign him in a knee-jerk act of desperation.
If the Bears have so much faith in Cutler improving the pedestrian receivers they have, they don't need to take a chance on a problem child such as Burress whose contributions in 2009 wouldn't be bigger than his distractions.
Find another veteran who never has been on Court TV. As long as Torry Holt remains unsigned, insist he listen. Ask Holt if either of the two teams he is reported to have his choice narrowed down to—the Titans and the Jaguars—has a quarterback who will make him look better than Cutler could.
If Holt remains disinterested, see what Amani Toomer or Joe Jurevicius has left. Both are in their 30s but might have the moxie to find enough separation to catch 50 balls from Cutler next season.
What about seeing if Mike Furrey might fill a similar role in the Bears' offense that Brandon Stokley did for Cutler in Denver? But stay away from the troubled but talented Matt Jones.
Even if the Bears add a reliable veteran as they should, they still must target a wide receiver in the second round good enough to start.
Two additional wide receivers would give the Bears a solid, if not spectacular, committee of five to complement tight ends Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen in the passing game.
If that approach doesn't work in 2009, then the Bears can pursue a big-play character risk if they like in the off-season. That's when Cutler's former Bronco buddy Brandon Marshall is expected to become a free agent.
Cutler might want to keep his number, but he can lose Burress'.
He's not worth the headache as other options are available
David Haugh | On the Bears
April 8, 2009
In some ways Plaxico Burress is the perfect wide receiver for the Bears: A guy who shot himself in the leg playing in an offense that traditionally shoots itself in the foot.
Of course, that is a dated characterization of the Bears offense in the years B.C.—Before Cutler. That figures to change now. Since trading for Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler last week, suddenly anything seems possible for a Bears team that should challenge the Vikings for the NFC North title.
Cutler may not make the Bears immediate Super Bowl contenders, but the presence of a 25-year-old franchise quarterback reopens that Super Bowl window a crack as long as he stays behind center. What an unprecedented, exhilarating week it has been in Beardom.
But let's not get carried away, Chicago.
David Haugh E-mail | Recent columns
Related links
Chicago Bears coach open to receiver options Burress coming to town would be bad for everybody around here, except possibly bail bondsmen.
Nobody faults Cutler for believing Burress would be good for him. What NFL quarterback wouldn't want a 6-foot-5-inch target with Super Bowl experience running routes in the red zone?
So when Burress told WSCR-AM reporter Zach Zaidman in Detroit on Sunday night that Cutler has called to gauge his interest in signing with the Bears, it was understood. To NFL players, big picture means the Jumbotron.
But to NFL general managers such as Jerry Angelo, it means evaluating risks that wouldn't be worth the rewards.
He is the type of player who helps teams win games but the type of person who guarantees coaches and GMs will lose sleep—and, worse, quite possibly respect or control.
Burress still faces a possible prison term and a likely NFL suspension stemming from his infamous gun incident last fall in New York City. Last month, Burress reportedly went on a profane tirade when pulled over by police in Florida. That is no way to impress NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or any future employer worried about Burress' disturbing pattern of defying authority.
Whichever team signs Burress, the best-case scenario would make him available for 12 games in a new offense after he serves a league suspension.
He also is likely to sign a one-year, prove-it contract with incentives that could make him more obsessed than usual with how many balls are thrown his way. He has a history of missing medical treatments, being late for meetings and practices and acting in a way that defines uncoachable.
In short, this guy could fill Tank Johnson's old baggage rack in the Bears locker room without any problem at all. By comparison, Burress makes Cedric Benson seem like a boring date.
The Bears would be better off addressing their gaping need at wide receiver by thinking more long-term than quick fix. Cutler actually allows them the flexibility to resist Burress rather than sign him in a knee-jerk act of desperation.
If the Bears have so much faith in Cutler improving the pedestrian receivers they have, they don't need to take a chance on a problem child such as Burress whose contributions in 2009 wouldn't be bigger than his distractions.
Find another veteran who never has been on Court TV. As long as Torry Holt remains unsigned, insist he listen. Ask Holt if either of the two teams he is reported to have his choice narrowed down to—the Titans and the Jaguars—has a quarterback who will make him look better than Cutler could.
If Holt remains disinterested, see what Amani Toomer or Joe Jurevicius has left. Both are in their 30s but might have the moxie to find enough separation to catch 50 balls from Cutler next season.
What about seeing if Mike Furrey might fill a similar role in the Bears' offense that Brandon Stokley did for Cutler in Denver? But stay away from the troubled but talented Matt Jones.
Even if the Bears add a reliable veteran as they should, they still must target a wide receiver in the second round good enough to start.
Two additional wide receivers would give the Bears a solid, if not spectacular, committee of five to complement tight ends Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen in the passing game.
If that approach doesn't work in 2009, then the Bears can pursue a big-play character risk if they like in the off-season. That's when Cutler's former Bronco buddy Brandon Marshall is expected to become a free agent.
Cutler might want to keep his number, but he can lose Burress'.