Bears QB Options

As NBC's Keith Olbermann eloquently noted, the Bears' historically woeful quarterback status has been a constantly revolving door of has beens, never were's and quarterbacks that score more points for the defense than the team he actually quarterbacks . When Rex Grossman's contract expire's at the season's conclusion, the Bears are more likely to sign George Blanda, the NFL's career interception leader(for at least one more week) than extend Rex Grossman's bloated contract. Incumbent, Brian Griese is not his father and at 32, he is a temporary stop gap, not permanent superglue.

So while the Bears settle for Brian Griese, the debate begins on what do the Bears do longterm. Do they build through the draft, sign a veteran free agent or invest in cryogenics and hope for their investment to pay off in the genetic recomposition of Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana in a single entity?

Here are a few non-science fiction suggestions to resurrect the quarterback position in Chi-Town and settle their eternal QB debacle assuming the services of NFL Draft entrants Brian Brohm, Andre Woodson, or Matt Ryan are unavailable to them.

Donovan McNabb- On pure talent, I've never been sure where to rank Daunte Culpepper and Donovan McNabb. Culpepper has had better statistics but he's also had Randy Moss. However, McNabb has also been extremely resurceful as a quarterback. It strikes me as incredibly interesting that both quarterbacks were suddenly deemed dispensable after years of MVP caliber productivity following injuries. Culpepper has thrown for 31 more yards per game in comparison to McNabb throughout their career and a higher completion percentage, however he has also thrown for fewer touchdowns and more interceptions, though this stems from his carelessness earlier in his career. In this scenario, McNabb would be the best option for the Bears who are just recovering from a turnover prone era under Rex Grossman. In addition, it would finally offer McNabb the opportunity to head an offense equipped with adequate receivers. Plus he already has the endorsement of the heart of the Bears success-- their defense.

Daunte Culpepper-Barring Al Davis suffering a serious brain cramp and trading JaMarcus Russell for a silver mesh jump suit and a hoody from Bill Belichick, Oakland is just a layover until a more long term option arises. At 31, next season he'd be almost 3 years removed from major surgery on his knees. Stability is what this championship-ready offense requires. Culpepper is a seasoned veteran who has fought through adversity and has no shortage of confidence in his abilities, a trait Rex Grossman never exhibited.

Colt Brennan- would be the #1 overall pick if not for the perception towards systems quarterbacks but Brennan hopes to buck the trend. Outside of the Top 10, Brennan will be a steal for the team that ultimately drafts him. Unfortunately, I'm under the belief that the Mad Genius Mike Martz is going to make sure sure Brennan becomes the Detroit Lions quarterback of the future in his pass-happy offense.

Dennis Dixon- in any other season, Dixon would be a bonafide first round selection with the season he's embarked on, but in such a senior quarterback-rich draft, they could spend a first round pick shoring up the receiving corp and still manage to collect a steal in the second round-- if Dixon is available past the 32nd pick(sorry 31, the Patriots lost a pick, so the first round is 31 picks in 2008). At 6 foot 4, Dixon is the top dual quarterback prospect since Vince Young. hough, Oregon has prduced some duds before in Akili Smith and Joey Harrington as well as the Jets' promising 2nd year backup Kellen Clemens, Dixon's physical tools are unmatched. I still maintain my comparison of Dixon to a more athletic Tony Romo.

Jared Lorenzen- Despite being one of the most prolific passers in SEC history the former, Mr. Kentucky in high school went undrafted in 2005. Contrary to what his rotund figure would suggest, the left handed Pillsbury Throwboy is a very agile and lithe 285 pound quarterback with a cannon for an arm. Currently, a backup for the Giants, Lorenzen would be a low cost, low risk acquisition with high reward possibilities.

Joshua Johnson- as the success of Division I-AA products Tony Romo and Steve McNair as well as the numerous small school products scattered throughout the league have proven you don't need to hail from a BCS conference to succeed in the NFL. Johnson is a supremely athletic leader who is a front runner for the prestigious Walter Payton Award, Division I-AA's equivalent to the Heisman Trophy whose past winners include Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Steve McNair, Brian Finneran. In his college career, Johnson has passed for 88 touchdowns and 13 intercepetions in 3 seasons as a starter.