Rex Grossman is starting again for the Redskins. His first outing with them didn't go so well.

If you think we have problems in Chicago, try being a Washington Redskins fan.  Your team isn’t winning, you’ve suspended Albert Haynesworth and now you’re bring Sexy Rexy back.  ESPN reports that Donovan McNabb is going to be benched this week and ex-Bear Rex Grossman will be the starting QB for the Redskins against the Dallas Cowboys.  Rex is their quarterback.  But Sexy isn’t going to a Super Bowl this year, as the Redskins are already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.  This moves seems to be an audition for Rex, who has potential to be the Redskins starter next year (to the amazement of all). 

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Donovan McNabb is headed to Washington in a surprising intra-divisional trade. (Photo: UPI)

The Washington Redskins have acquired quarterback Donovan McNabb from the Philadelphia Eagles for their 2010 2nd round pick (37th overall) and either a 3rd or 4th rounder in 2011.

When you compare that to what the Bears gave up to get Jay Cutler a year ago – Kyle Orton, their 2009 and 2010 1st round picks and a swap of their 2009 3rd for Denver’s 5th – it seems like the ‘Skins got a bargain deal.  Think the Eagles were desperate to move him?  It’s even more strange that they traded within their own division, so they’ll get to see him twice a year.

McNabb is 33 and his most productive years are likely behind him, but new Washington head coach Mike Shanahan and owner Daniel Snyder must be betting that they can put a Super Bowl run together with an aging backfield.

Why else would they get McNabb and every over-the-hill running back that’s on the open market?  Between Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker, they’ve got more mileage than Jenna Jameson’s mattress (and with slightly less plastic surgery.  Have you seen her lately?  Even Ben Roethlisberger wouldn’t have anything to do with here.  Yikes!)

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Even though the Bears‘ season is over (sigh), it doesn’t mean football season is over.  Wild-Card Weekend featured plenty of teams the Bears faced this season (5), ex-Bears runners, a crumbling dynasty, an ex-Chicago team and a hated Bears rival in an instant classic.   Here’s my wrap-up:

Jets 24, Bengals 14

Ex-Bears ran wild in this game, especially Cedric Benson, who ripped off 169 yards and a long TD run in a losing effort.  Former teammate Thomas Jones added a TD of his own as the Jets cruised past the Bengals behind Rex Ryan (yes, Buddy’s son) who runs a lot of the old Bears 46 defense.

The loneliest guy in Cincinnati has to be Shayne Graham.  It seemed like every time the Bengals tried to close the gap, he was missing a short field goal.  It’s going to be a loooong offseason for that guy.

The Jets head to San Diego to take on Phillip Rivers and the red-hot Chargers.   (more…)

Cutler has been horrible in night games this season, tossing more than half of his picks after the sun goes down.  Some might say he is afraid of the dark.  This from Dan Pompei’s recent Chicago Tribune article:

In his four-year career, Cutler has played in 13 night games and is 4-9, even though his numbers with the Broncos at night mirrored his daytime career statistics. Still, what stands out most is Cutler has thrown one interception for every 20.3 attempts in night games, compared with one interception for every 34.6 attempts in day games. And yes, those numbers are a bit skewed from last Thursday’s five-interception evening in San Francisco.

Bears fans are hoping that Cutler gets bitten by one of those teeny-bopper heart throb vampires from the Twilight movie and starts playing like a creature of the night.  When I saw one of the movie posters, I thought I noticed a eerie resemblance:

It’s just too bad the Garrett Wolfe has been declared out for the game.

On to some Keys to the Game…  (more…)

Bear Goggles On: The Eagles have been a little schizophrenic this season – big win followed by a shocking loss. Which Eagles team is the real deal, the one that beat up the Giants or that got humbled by the Raiders?

BirdsFan: That’s really the question everyone in Philadelphia has been asking themselves for the majority of this season. The inconsistency is too much to handle. It really is painful being an Eagles fan. The last two weeks the Eagles have made A LOT of mistakes but still found themselves with a chance to win towards the end of the game. That is what gives me hope. Also, they tend to be a strong team down the stretch. Our squad is loaded with talent, and that’s why I think through the rest of the season you’ll see the “good” Eagles, not the “bad” Eagles.

BGO: McNabb has long been coveted by the Bears fans. Seeing what’s happened to Cutler this season, do you think Donovan could have had success in Chicago had the Bears somehow drafted him?  (more…)

The Bears’ next 4 opponents are all in the playoff picture.  The course for the season will be set by the time the calendar hits December.  If the Bears can’t get through this next stretch at least 2-2, start booking your January tee times gang.  Let’s take a look at this critical stretch:

Cardinals 4-3

Kurt Warner brings the high-flying aerial attack of the defending NFC champs to town.  The Cards come to town after a discouraging home loss to the underachieving Carolina Panthers squad.  The Cards have been nearly as erratic as the Bears this season.  This is exactly the kind of game the Bears have to win.  We’ll take a closer look at how they’re supposed to go about doing that, but for now, let’s just say we need this one.  (more…)

Stone Tablet Locks – chisel these guys in stone as MUST PLAYS this week.

1. Minnesota DST @ St. Louis – The Lambs OFFENSIVE offense has scored an average of 6 points per game…does anything more need be said???
2. Donovan McNabb vs Tampa Bay – The Tampa DST is 3^rd worst in the league in allowing plays of 20+ yards.  I expect D-Mac to pick up where he left off and shred the Tampa secondary that has been terrible this year.
3. Andre Johnson @ Arizona – The Arizona DST is ranked 30^th against the pass and I expect this game to be a shoot-out of epic proportions.  AJ is generally a must-start, but a downright no brainer this week.

DeCon’s Blessing – given to SLEEPERS to sneak in to grab you some big points.

1. Chester Taylor @ St. Louis – Expect a lot of points in this game…by the Vikings and expect this laugher to be over by halftime, leaving plenty of garbage time for CT to do some damage.
2.  Julius Jones vs Jacksonville – The return of Hasselbeck likely won’t save the Seahawks season, but it should open up some lanes for JJ to exploit.  Believe it or not, JJ is actually a top-12 RB in PPR leagues and certainly worthy of a blessing this week.
3. Tim Hightower vs Houston – The Houston DST has allowed a league-high 8 rushing TDs this season.  As mentioned before, this game should be a shootout and with Houston’s aggressive defensive front, I expect Hightower to get plenty of chances in the passing game, as well as the rushing game.

Bent Over the Altar – you MUST SIT these players because no one wants to be bent over the altar.

1. Denver DST vs NE – The Denver DST is a top-3 scoring DST, but don’t be fooled as they have played subpar competition.  Expect the Evil One in the cut-off hoodie and #12 for the Pats to have a lot to say about bringing the Broncos DST back to earth.
2. Matt Ryan @ San Fran – I’m sorry, but until someone looks good against this defense (and not lucky, Mr. Favre) it is hard to think of anyone going into SF right now and doing any damage offensively…except of course on Nov 12, 2009 when a certain team we all know and love will go visit Coach Singletary and the boys…Matty gets put on ice in this game.
3. Ronnie Brown vs NY Jets – Miami is quietly leading the league in rushing, but with Henne at the helm, expect 8-9 Jets in the box on every play making Henne’s life miserable and wreaking havoc on both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

In Need of a Confession – Teams are ON A BYE and will be skipping services this week.

Bears – Cutler and Forte owners need to plug some holes, but at least the Bears can rest.

Packers – Rodgers and Jennings are about the only offensive players worth having on the Packers.  

Chargers – No Rivers, Gates, Sproles, LT or Vincent Jackson…man, this is a bad week for missing your studs… 

Saints – Brees, Colston, Bush, Pierre Thomas…geez…almost as bad as having the Chargers on a bye in the same week…oh wait, they are too….

How do you fill in the Pews this Week??? 

If David Garrard is still available, grab him or if you are really desperate, I actually like Derek Anderson this week as the Browns face the Bills…two equally hapless franchises. 

Julius Jones and Chester Taylor, mentioned above might still be available in your leagues and could be good fill-ins this week, along with Sammy Morris whose production will increase since Fragile Fred is out for about 4 weeks with an ankle. 

Look towards Mike Sims-Walker, who was a hot add this week, but he may still be available.  Another WR I like is Percy Harvin as I believe the Vikes will roll up a big number on the Lambs.

Visanthe Shaincoe and Brent Celek should be solid contributors this week at the TE position and could be available.

Can I get an “Amen?”

The DeCon has spoken…so let it be written, so let it be done…

I’ll hear your fantasy football confessions at beargoggles.decon@gmail.com.  

This should be a common sight at Eagles games this season.

The Michael Vick PETA Protest Tour will make a stop at Chicago’s lakefront this season.  Fear not, Bears fans; Michael Vick is NOT a member of the Chicago Bears.  Vick reportedly signed a 2-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles today.   Vick’s Eagles visit Soldier Field on November 22nd for a prime time Sunday night affair.  This was already bound to be a good game, and with the addition of Vick, the spotlight will be bright.  Let’s give him a warm Chicago welcome Bears fans!

Here’s what Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported:  (more…)