“When players get to the end of their careers, they envision something in the way of a parade”, former Red Sox executive and current Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein once told fading knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.
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And there you have it. The sap of the Peyton Manning Worship Tree, boiled down into the syrupy goodness of the media’s adulation for him. “If he’s healthy and ready to go, he’s our quarterback”.
REALISTIC REACTION: They’re only one game behind Minnesota with two games left against the Vikings.
That seems downright unusual, given that Manning surely has something of value to add in these types of situations; and any help Osweiler can get heading into his first career start would seem welcome.
Fangio was on the 49ers’ side when the Bears treated Kaepernick like Steve Young reborn.
This will be a big test for the 24-year old Osweiler who has spent much of his limited playing time in the casual atmosphere of blowouts. He never looked comfortable in Gary Kubiak’s offense this year and it showed. “He’s probably very similar to (Ravens quarterback) Joe Flacco if you’re trying to draw a comparison”.
Manning has made every start since signing with the Broncos, right up until Sunday’s game. They’ll give Case Keenum the start against the Ravens and hope for the best.
Manning is dealing with foot, rib and shoulder ailments and his franchise-record 57-game starting streak will come to an end Sunday. “At this stage, I’m very, very happy with where I’m at and what I’m doing now”.
The height difference could be an issue.
“He’s about 6-7”, linebacker Sam Acho said. I like the Cardinals to win the game because Palmer will be out for blood in this game and the Cardinals will be playing at home. So I’m used to looking up to guys.
“I’ve done this throughout my career”, Kubiak said.
The Cliffs Notes version: Don’t underestimate the tall guy. “We know he’s mobile”.
“This isn’t easy”, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of his team’s three-game slide after winning its first six, then going on its bye week.
Osweiler admits that he might not know what the Bears’ defense will dial up, but the Bears also can’t be certain what Kubiak will craft for Osweiler, either. They have faced a succession of top quarterbacks, including Aaron Rodgers, Carson Palmer, Russell Wilson and Philip Rivers. “… He looks to take control of the offense when he gets in that huddle. How many secrets and things like that – shoot, I don’t even know what I have”, Osweiler said with a laugh.
SERIES HISTORY: 15th regular-season meeting. Chicago has clawed back into postseason contention with back-to-back wins against San Diego and St. Louis – each coming on the road.TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.
As the Bears prepare for Sunday’s game at Soldier Field, they’re expecting the Broncos to employ generally the same offense with Osweiler as they did with Manning.
The Bears’ offensive approach needs to complement the defense. In 2010, Todd Collins was as bad as Manning, but completed more than a quarter of his passes. Plus, this goes against the normal course of action; typically, injured players get treatment during practice, as that’s a time they are unable to participate. The ultimate victory would be upsetting an undefeated Patriots team in Denver. A Chicago lead early would put an inexperienced quarterback under even more pressure.
Zach Miller – Bears: Miller caught fire on Sunday, hauling in 5-of-5 targets for 107 yards and 2 TDs.
Amos is perceived as a run-stopper, but part of the reason he hasn’t been burned to any great extent as a rookie is he has excellent coverage skills as he was a cornerback in college.
Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) and Peyton Manning (18). “Growing up in Kalispell, (Mont.), obviously there’s a huge following of the Denver Broncos and there are a lot of Broncos fans”. When the Bears saw Bridgewater the second time, Bridgewater threw for 209 yards in what was the final game of the Marc Trestman era.
But this is all the Broncos are telling us.
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It got worse from there, and both the quarterback and coach – clearly not on the same page when it comes to what it will take to get the aching 39-year-old through the season – were shouldering the blame.
