[CBFF] Are Bears interested in signing Leftwich? - Chicago Bears - Sent Using Google Toolbar

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Are Bears interested in signing Leftwich? - Chicago Bears



Larry: Now that Byron Leftwich is available, do you think he will be a
candidate for the Bears' quarterback position?

Andrew M.
 Los Angeles, California

Andrew: I'm not so sure that Byron Leftwich is that much of an upgrade
over any of the Bears' three quarterbacks. He had a couple of pretty
good seasons in Jacksonville, but Leftwich is an immobile pocket
passer who has been plagued by injuries. He has played fewer games in
each season since entering the NFL, from 15 in 2003 to 14 to 11 to 6
to just 3 in 2007. The Bears had a chance to draft Leftwich in 2003
(before trading down), but wanted to acquire an additional pick and
were targeting Rex Grossman. If Grossman re-signs, I expect Grossman
to compete with Kyle Orton for the starting job in training camp. If
Grossman departs, the Bears could be in the market for a veteran,
though I'm not so sure that Leftwich would be the player they would
covet.

Larry: Your comment that Ed Sprinkle should be in the Hall of Fame is
right on. That raises a question: Who is the oldest living player on
the Bears' all-time roster?

Michael C.
 Ankeny, Iowa

Michael: Ed Sprinkle was identified as the oldest living Bears player
in a recent magazine article about him. But I believe that John
Siegal, who played five seasons with the Bears from 1939-43, holds
that distinction. Siegal is 89, five years older than Sprinkle.

Larry: Is it unthinkable that the Bears could trade up in the draft to
get Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long? Are there any other offensive
linemen who are worthy of the 14th pick?

Nick J.
 Tampa, Florida

Nick: Although Jake Long is the consensus No. 1 offensive line
prospect, I don't think it makes sense for the Bears to trade up to
get him, given what they would have to cough up coupled with the fact
that the offensive tackle position is deep in this year's draft. Four
other tackles are projected by many experts to be selected in the
first round—USC's Sam Baker, Boise State's Ryan Clady, Pittsburgh's
Jeff Otah and Vanderbilt's Chris Williams—and all of them have the
potential to make an immediate impact.

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