National Football Post Diner News

17 February 2009

QUOTE:  "When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge." ~ Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

FROM VAUGHEN MCCLURE OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE… Kyle Orton is expected to be the starter next season, but Garcia is worth consideration. He turns 39 on Feb. 24 but probably has a few good years left in the tank. Jerry Angelo implied that the Bears would add veteran help at quarterback, but Chris Simms, another ex-Buc, seemed to be the target. Simms wants to remain with the Titans. The problem with Garcia is he probably wants to be the starter, and the Bears might not be willing to just hand him the job. The only quarterback move the Bears have made this offseason is signing Brett Basanez to replace Rex Grossman. With Garcia leaving, maybe Grossman is headed to Tampa Bay now.

The Bears going for Jeff Garcia does not make sense to me.  Yes, they need another quarterback, but they need someone who can deal with the elements of Solder Field.  Garcia rarely throws the ball outside the numbers, and it takes a big arm to make all the throws in Chicago.  Garcia needs to go to the right spot. If not, much like what happened to him in Cleveland and Detroit, he will fail. 

Garcia needs to be with a team that knows him and can deal with his constant moving around the pocket.  With his movement and his inability to stay on a wideout and getting off the receiver too quickly, he can drive a coach crazy.  I don’t think there are going to be many starting positions available to Garcia. 

With all these players being released recently, there will be an opportunity for teams to improve if they can bring in the right player.  You have to have a specific role for each player and make sure he can handle the role.  In Garcia’s case, he does not fit the scheme of the Bears and would not be the right fit. 

OMAR KELLY OF THE SUN SENTINAL…  Re-sign linebacker Channing Crowder or let him walk as a free agent? The two sides are said to be far apart, and Crowder, last season's every-down linebacker, plans to sign with the highest bidder. That means he's likely played his last game as a Dolphin unless the market turns on the former Gator. The roster features replacement possibilities in Akin Ayodele and Reggie Torbor, but the Dolphins will likely add another option through free agency (Baltimore's Bart Scott), trade (Dallas' Bobby Carpenter) or the first round of the draft ( Ohio State's James Laurinaitis).

I believe the Dolphins will let Crowder walk and not get into a bidding war for his services.  The Fins are looking for linebackers and they will beat the bushes for every available player.  Crowder has some skill, but he is not a great third-down player, and to pay a linebacker, you have to be able to make a difference on third down.  The agent for Crowder has expectations as he sees his player as a starter and wants to get starting money.  But for me, if a linebacker can’t play on third down and make an impact, he can’t get a big contract.  When a team can just use a formation to get a player off the field, why would it pay him big money?  He’s a replaceable part. 

If Crowder doesn’t get a big deal in the first few days of free agency, there will not be a big deal at all.  And this week in Indianapolis, there will be a good indication of what he can expect in the market place.  But with his injury history and lack of third-down production, I don’t see him making big money. 

Sorry for the short Diner today, headed for a flight. …

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