Oct 18, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Smith has been the good soldier as he’s been left behind while Colin Kaepernick has taken center stage as the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback, leading them all the way to the Super Bowl.  Smith went out with a concussion and has been relegated to the bench.  Move over Wally Pipp.

Smith hasn’t made himself into a distraction as his Niners prepare to take on the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII, but he’s made it clear that he will seek his release after the season.   Alex Smith is owed $8.5 million in 2013 so that pricey contract could make him a little harder to trade.  If they can’t trade him, the Niners will most likely will give Smith his release.  If Smith makes it onto the open market as a free agent, would he make sense for the Chicago Bears?

Before you think I’m running Jay Cutler out of town, read on.   (more…)

November 11, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The against the San Francisco 49ers tied the St. Louis Rams 24-24. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

The Chicago Bears head out to San Francisco to take on the 49ers in a Monday Night Football showdown.  The Bears will certainly be without Jay Cutler, as the concussed quarterback will sit out a week while he recovers.  On the other side of the field, Alex Smith practiced three days but hasn’t faced any contact as of Saturday.  If Smith can’t go, backup Colin Kaepernick will bring his “WildKap” style up against the Bears defense.

It was going to be a tough game for the Bears even with Cutler, but without him, it’s looking that much tougher.  Jason Campbell is a capable backup, but he’s still a bit rusty and will face a tough challenge against a very physical San Fran defense.   To help us prepare for this Monday Night Football showdown, we’ve enlisted the help of Eric Melendez, editor of Niner Noise for our weekly Q&A.  Here are my questions and Eric’s answers: (more…)

Nov 4, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE

This week on Monday Night Football, the Chicago Bears (7-2) and San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1) will battle for NFC supremacy at Candlestick Park for the 62^nd meeting in the team’s histories.  The 49ers hold the series edge with a record of 31-29-1.  The Bears have won three of the last four games, but have lost the last seven in San Francisco.

The Bears have already ruled out QB Jay Cutler with a concussion, so we are going to see how well backup QB Jason Campbell can perform after a full week of preparation.  He has played six games on Monday night (3-3) and started 70 career games (31-39) since 2006.  Bears fans will be keeping a close eye on him after last year’s backup debacle with Caleb Hanie.  If Campbell struggles early, look out for chants for Josh McCown echoing through the Bay.

The 49ers QB Alex Smith also suffered a concussion last week but will most likely get the start.  He is finally living up to the potential of a first overall pick, leading the 49ers to a 19-5-1 record since the beginning of last season.  This year, he is completing 70 percent of his passes and has thrown 13 touchdowns to go along with only five interceptions.  The Bears defense may have trouble forcing turnovers by a stingy Smith, but he has been sacked 24 times with only 217 pass attempts.

Let’s take a look at some fun facts for the showdown in San Francisco.

0-5:  Combined career record of Jay Cutler, Jason Campbell and Josh McCown in games played in San Francisco.

1985: The last time the Bears won a game on the road against the 49ers.

0:  Touchdowns scored by the Bears the last time they played against the 49ers in San Francisco on November 12, 2009.

57.0:  49ers QB Alex Smith’s quarterback rating in two career games against the Bears.

54.3:  Bears QB Jason Campbell’s quarterback rating in two career games against the 49ers.

120:  Receiving yards by Matt Forte the last time the Bears played against the 49ers in San Francisco.

5:  Number of interceptions thrown by Cutler the last time the Bears player against the 49ers in San Francisco.

1:  Number of times that Campbell has thrown more than two interceptions in a game.

170.2:  Average rushing yards per game by the 49ers this season, first in the NFL.

9:  Number of turnovers by the 49ers this season, sixth in the NFL.

28.8:  Average yards per kick return by 49ers opponents this season, second worst in the NFL.

35.92:  Average yards per kick return by Devin Hester against NFC West opponents (13 returns), including two touchdowns.

4:  Number of times the Bears have turned the ball over in the second half this season.

32:  Longest kickoff return by a Bears opponent this season (Darius Reynaud in Week 9).

10:  Number of interceptions by Tim Jennings since the beginning of the 2011 season, the most in the NFL over that span.

27:  Number of interceptions by the Bears in the 15 games that Chris Conte and Major Wright have been the starting safeties.

14-3:  The Bears record when they lose the coin toss since 2010.  They are 12-12 when they win the coin toss.

4:  Number of Bears defensive linemen (Israel Idonije – 4, Henry Melton – 5, Julius Peppers -6, Corey Wootton – 4) who have at least four sacks this season, the most in the NFL.

10:  Consecutive field goals of 50+ yards made by Robbie Gould, one shy of the NFL record held by Tony Zendejas (1988-1993).

7:  Number of games this season where the Bears defense has forced their opponent to punt at least five times.

125.7:  Average net passing yards per game by the Bears in the seven games Cutler has missed since joining the team in 2009.

2:  Number of United States presidential elections since the last time a Bears quarterback, other than Cutler, threw more than two touchdowns in a game (Kyle Orton – 9/28/08).

This game is going to be all about Jason Campbell.  He will need to get every ounce out of a Bears offense that hasn’t shown much outside of throwing to Brandon Marshall.  The positive is that Alshon Jeffery should be returning after missing the last four games.  The negative is that the Bears always play terrible in San Francisco.  Let’s hope the defense puts some points on the board and makes life easy for the newest “Jay” at QB.

Bears Spotlight

June 12, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) passes during Bears-Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

Jay Cutler has thrown for over 18,000 yards in his first six seasons, but he has only been a top 10 fantasy quarterback once in his career when he threw for 4,500 yards in his last season in Denver.  Cutler hasn’t been higher than 17th while playing for the Bears due to poor blocking and turnovers.  There will be no excuses this season with the weapons surrounding Cutler.  Most mock drafts have him falling to the 11-13th selected quarterback which could and should prove to be a great value.  The past few seasons with Martz as coordinator it was way to risky to start Cutler on a weekly basis! With Brandon Marshall and rookie Alshon Jeffrey along with Earl Bennett and the Hester Package along with Matt Forte, this should be a huge season for Cutler and almost a shoe in for a top 10 quarterback season!

Fantasy Top 10 QB’S

1. Drew Brees-

Drew Brees -Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

In the post-Bountygate world in New Orleans, Brees is now the de facto offensive coordinator.  Brees has not thrown for less than 4,000 yards since arriving in Cajun Country, and without Sean Payton, you have to believe that the Saints offense will be even more pass happy.  There’s also a good chance that they will be trailing more than last year which will mean more Brees passing and #1 Qb in fantasy.

2. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers-Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

If Rodgers didn’t sit out the last week of the year he would have easily been last season’s #1 fantasy quarterback.  Rodgers had 45 touchdowns to 6 interceptions last season and there’s no reason to believe his production will slip.  The Green Bay Packers still do not have an established running game and have named James Starks as starting running back which translated in fantasy football terms means Rodgers could be passing 50 times a games.  Rodgers has been a top 10 fantasy QB since taking over for Brett Favre, and 2012 should be no exception.

3. Tom Brady

Tom Brady- Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

The old veteran now of fantasy qb’s.  Except for his one pass injury season of 2008, having Brady on your roster has always been a good thing.  The Patriots offense is always adding new twists from The Randy Moss years, to the two tight end passing game, and now Brady has a new toy to play with in Brandon Lloyd.  Brady only threw for 5,200 yards last year, and with the new addition the sky is the limit in 2012.  Draft Brady early because he will not be available very long in any draft.

4. Matt Schaub 

Matt Schaub-Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Schaub will be availble later in the draft then some other guys ranked lower in this ranking for one reason only—HEALTH.  Schaub and the Texans offense always put up great offensive numbers and they have some of the best weapons at ever postition in Foster, Johnson, and Owens.  Schaub has only completed 2 seasons which is alarming but when he’s on the field he puts up some great fantasy numbers.  He may be a red flag risk but the high end reward is there especially the later the round in the draft that he’s still available.

5. Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford- Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

It’s amazing what health and having arguably the best Wide Recevier in the league can do.  Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards in his first season where he played all 16 games.  Stafford had the luxury of Calvin Johnson which makes the QB job a lot easier.  Stafford will most likely be gone by the 2nd round at the latest in your draft.  The Lions early on will not have much of a running game and how well Leshore fits into the offense is still to be determined on Sundays so expect a lot of balls in the air in Detroit again this season.

6. Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan- Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

Ryan’s stats have been very consistent and improving every season since entering the league.  He leads a very boring offense which isn’t sexy but still puts up the stats every week.  This season could be a change from the vanilla to maybe neapolitan since Julio Jones after a very slow start came on at the end of the season and could burst on to the scene.  Jones could help Ryan become a top 5 QB like Johnson did for Stafford last season.  The Falcons are not going to abandon the run but it will not be surprising to see a lot more explosive plays from them this season and make Ryan and very good value as a fantasy QB.

7. Eli Manning

Eli Manning-Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

The good side of Eli is that his yards per season has increased the past four seasons and he’s very consistent in his TD’s per year.  The dark side of Eli is the interceptions! Everyone likes to harp on Jay Cutler for bad int’s but Eli has the same bad tendency.  In his Super Bowl season’s he has been able to steer clear of the turnover bug and put up good numbers.  He may be without Hakeem Nicks early on and will be missing Mario Manningham.  This could be a small decline in his numbers from last season but the decline shouldn’t be too drastic not to draft him in the t0p 4 rounds.

8. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning-Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

The former #1 fantasy quarterback for years now has a new home and address.  Drafting him will be a huge risk with the neck injury, but the reward could be huge if he stays healthy for the entire 2012 season.  Manning will be in a new system with unfamiliar players, but he’s just too good of QB not to believe he will make all the adjustments needed through his endless preparations to be highly successful in Mile High City.  In mocks drafts his position has been very unpredictable so where he gets selected will depend on the fondness for him by you or your league mates.

9. Cam Newton

Cam Newton- Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

Cam Newton did something no other rookie quarterback has done in fantasy football…Dominate from day 1.  His turnover ratio does need to improve, last year it was 21-17 but he was unstoppable by the goal line rushing for 14 touchdowns.  Defenses seemed to catch up to Newton’s passing skills  late in the season, so you may want to keep an eye on him during the pre-season action to see if his accuracy has improved, but his natural talents and progression could lead to even greater statistics then his first season.

10. Tony Romo

Tony Romo-Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Forget the fact that Romo chokes in the playoffs or when a possible playoff spot is on the line.  This is fantasy rankings and Romo is a stat machine.  Romo routinely puts up 4,000 yards 30 touchdown seasons.  Dez Bryant could be the next big receiver in the NFL which will be an added plus to Romo owners.  He still has his security blanket in Whitten, and he should have a good running game with Murray and Jones.  There has been little chatter out of Dallas this off season compared to other years which could lead to a Dallas revival!

Breakout Fantasy QB- Alex Smith

Alex Smith- Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE

Just like the Bears off season, the 49ers have added offensive weapons. Oldie but goodie Randy Moss and Super Bowl champ Mario Manningham have been added to a very average 49ers offense.  Smith had a rebirth under first year coach Jim Harbaugh throwing for 17 touchdowns and only 5 picks.  Smith may not leap into a top 10 fantasy qb this season but his stats could see a tremendous jump with the added offensive firepower surrounding him provided Moss plays at a high level for most of the season.

Bust Fantasy QB-Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco- Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

The bizzaro world of Tony Romo.  Flacco has tremendous playoff success but is a liability during the regular season in fantasy football. Flacco hasn’t missed a game and his stats are very similar the past three seasons but there has been no progression.  He has one of the top running backs in the league in Ray Rice, so you know the Ravens will force feed him as much as possible.  This is the season where no progression meets regression for Flacco.  They play the Steelers twice a year so that’s a guaranteed two weeks you won’t want to start him, and they will never go into a game with the philosophy of airing it out.  Steer clear of Flacco as your #1 qb this season.

The ball will be in the air more than ever this season! Who’s your top 10, sleeper, or bust?  Will Jay Cutler be a top 5 fantasy qb? I would be glad to see your lists in the comments section!!

Da BEARS!!!