I know it doesn't count. My friends have told me. Bartenders. Family. "The game doesn't count," they say with an air of incredulity about them. I've tried to explain using metaphor after metaphor what it means that the Colts and Bears will be on the same field Monday night.
This isn't about retribution. No game ever makes up for the big one. This isn't about the Bears putting up another preseason W or playing a dominant first quarter. This game is the jilted lover showing he's moved on. This game is about taking a step out of the shadows of 2006 and establishing the tempo for 2007.
What will it mean to see Rex Grossman play intelligently aggressive? What will it mean to see Cedric Benson slice through the Parkay from seven of Indy? What will it mean to see Joseph Addai held for less yards than carries? Nothing in the stat book. Nothing in the story of this coming NFL season. Nothing to the casual sports fan who doesn't even know football has started.
I think it means everything to a team that sees itself as the heir apparent to the highest throne in professional sports: Super Bowl champion. I think the UNFINISHED mantra of Olin Kreutz ceases to be a shirt slogan and commences as a battle cry. I think if the Chicago Bears don't play like Monday night means something, then I question much more about them then their signal caller.
Unfinished.
#2 Megan said . . .For the first quarter or so, our starters v. theirs, ya it means something. We have something to prove. And nobody could convince me that Tommy H. or Mike B. wouldn't love to remind the Dolts that they weren't able to make that game.
Two pro bowl starters from our defense make a big difference, Patyon. Big difference. I'd love to see Tommy plant his robotic ass, and watch them haul his carcass off the field.
Man, there are a lot of sour grapes here- I could go on and on. However, the final score will be largely dependant on 3rd stringers and guys who wont make the 53 man roster. So, there is a balance here. Ya, it means more than any other preseason game, but it is preseason, which will be painfully evident by the second half. After the first quarter drama of the starters facing off, I'm waiting to see if Wolfe gets touches, if Bazuin makes it on the field, if Dvorchek plays with more passion and fire (channeling Chris Zorich!), if Trumaine plays good again, who is winning those backup jobs, etc.
And, sticking to my mantra on preseason, most of all I'll be praying nobody gets hurt. Too many flashbacks of Grossman in St. Louis.
Bear down.August 18, 2007
#3 BPT said . . .Can't say that I don't have anxiety pangs about Monday night, I do. BUT I am trying extremly hard to keep it in perspective. It is PRESEASON, don't get too wrapped up in it. Hester isn't on special teams, Rex might try another shotgun and, is Urlacher playing? We do have a different team then we did in Feb. How will Wolf/Olsen do? Yeah, I'd like to see CB cut through and run, I'd like to see Peyton sacked and I'd like to see special teams do better then last week at least but, it's preseason. Get the lump of coal out of your behind, I think you've already made a diamond.
Can't say I wouldn't have made one by now either.August 18, 2007
#4 BPT said . . .Peanut's thoughts (taken from article on Da Site)...
"No, preseason’s preseason. We know their starters aren’t going to play that long. That’s just typical of how a preseason game goes. I’m sure the media and the papers and everyone else will [promote it as]: “The Super Bowl XLI match-up, the Bears versus Colts back in Indy.� You just can’t really buy into all that. You’ve just got to go and play the game like you normally would. It’s a normal preseason game. But anytime you keep score, you want to win."
Gotta like that last line.
Good article, check it out. See y'all Tuesday morning.
August 18, 2007
#5 Max said . . .Peanut's thoughts (taken from article on Da Site)...
"No, preseason’s preseason. We know their starters aren’t going to play that long. That’s just typical of how a preseason game goes. I’m sure the media and the papers and everyone else will [promote it as]: “The Super Bowl XLI match-up, the Bears versus Colts back in Indy.� You just can’t really buy into all that. You’ve just got to go and play the game like you normally would. It’s a normal preseason game. But anytime you keep score, you want to win."
Gotta like that last line.
Good article, check it out. See y'all Tuesday morning.
August 18, 2007
#6 Rancid said . . .No offense Jeff. But I don't. I want them to play well. Da Bears want to play well. Peanut says it best.
And sure, I would love to see Tommie drill Peyton once or twice, . . . or five or six time or Mike Brown level Dallas Clark over the middle. But I would want to see that anyway and i think those guys would look forward to doing that even if we did not lose the SuperBowl to them.
I love the Bears. I love the fact that football is back. I will watch the starters closely and evaluate for myself how I think they do. But it is preseason. The number 1 priority is to get out of the preseason HEALTHY.
Leave the unfinished business til the regular season.
August 18, 2007
#7 Midway Monster said . . .I agree, It does count while the starters are out there. So it doesn't matter who wins, but it matters how our best look against their best. In a side note, I'm watching the Charger/Rams preseason right now, and the Chargers defense isn't playing too well, so that's pretty good. Also, jeff, brian leonard carried 6 times on the first drive and looked nasty. Good call, too bad he didn't end up in Chicago.
August 19, 2007
#8 Midway Monster said . . .Pre-season... pre-season... I don't believe in pre-season. But as WC Fields said: 'A man's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another drink.'
--Midway--
August 19, 2007
#9 BPT said . . .Hummm. Got $1200 for a replica ring?
--Midway--
August 19, 2007
#10 Al in WI said . . .Hard to disagree with Biggs...
"It's oversimplifying it, but you can make the case that this team will go as far as Rex Grossman and Benson carry it. Grossman needs to cut down on the turnovers that plagued him last season, especially in his second-half slump, and Benson needs to prove he can be the durable back the Bears thought they were getting when they drafted him in 2005."
I think that about sums it up.
August 19, 2007
#11 JB said . . .I'm about ready to cut our loses with Mark Bradley. Yes he can play when healthy but the freaking guy can't stay healthy for 2 weeks at a time. He's always hurt, and is yet again.
As far as the game, I want the squad to look sharp get in a td from the 1st string offense, no injuries, and some flashes from the rookies. It would be nice to see geyton get knee capped though.......August 19, 2007
#12 Al in WI said . . .To respond to all this preseason crap, I will quote Tommie Harris; “We don’t entertain foolishness. We don’t even talk about it.�
Moving on, I'd like to fast forward through the next few weeks and get to meaningful football...everyday aches more than the last, i can't take it anymore.
August 19, 2007
#13 Max said . . .I want to amend my somewhat overly harsh Bradley comment. I don't mean he should be cut, I'm just ready to stop counting on him, because he's always hurt. I was hoping he could line up opposite Bernard with Moose in the slot. But he needs to get on the damn field and stay there.
August 19, 2007
#14 JB said . . .Rashied is in the slot. . .
August 19, 2007
#15 StartOlsen said . . .Who cares about Bradley when you got B-Twice?!
August 19, 2007
#16 Max said . . .I feel the same about Bradley- tired of waiting, seeing exciting glimpses, and hearing about the next injury. He once again made me look/feel stupid, talking in a previous post about being excited to see him play, then going to the trib online minutes later to see he was hurt.... again.... Ya we have other great receivers, but you can't tell me you wouldn't like to see a healthy Bradley in there over Davis, or taking over for an aging Moose...
August 19, 2007
#17 StartOlsen said . . .Moose, yes I wouldnt mind Bradley taking over there soon.
But Rashied, hell yes i would take over a healthy Bradley. Rashied is my boy. 'Nough said
August 20, 2007
#18 Max said . . .Seriously? There is a difference between liking a player and objectively evaluating talent. Now, I'm no scout, for sure. But I see a healthy Bradley as a far superior player to Davis. Size, strength, speed. Just go back and watch the Jets and Giants games, man.
I love Davis, because of the clutch catches. The catch against Seattle in the playoffs was far bigger than the catch against Minny.
But the bottom line is, a healthy Bradley is way better. Health being the operative word...August 20, 2007
#19 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .That could be true. . . It is most likely true. . . but I will probably refuse to admit it to the bitter end. Hopefully he gets healthy and takes Mooses spot. Thats in my ideal world and then I wont have to admit i was wrong.
August 20, 2007
#20 Rancid said . . .Ah yes- it's the match up that will allow some trash talking for whoever wins. How nice of my blue co-workers to decorate my office in the wrong color of blue.
I'm glad I wore my Bears attire to work today (in Indy) :)August 20, 2007
#21 JB said . . .Unless I'm missing the article you guys are reading, Bradley isn't injured. He skipped a practice with "knee soreness" something many Bears player have been doing all preseason (Urlacher included). I hope this is the article you are referring to, cause if it is, it's not an injury. If he really is injured, it's too bad, he's a good player but we do have good depth at receiver.
August 20, 2007
#22 Phil from SATX said . . .Nicole, keep up the good fight...can someone elaborate or give me the reference to this Bradley injury...I was in Arizona all last week and haven't seen the reference. Thanks.
August 20, 2007
#23 Pissed off said . . .I'll just reiterate what Rancid said - I got momentarily very concerned from the previous comments thinking I'd missed something. These aren't the same kind of injury reports - and this year is definitely shaping up into a major Bradley year from all accounts of camp - ALAHCSH (as long as he can healthy).
Who's excited for tonight? I almost feel like it can only be a letdown from the first game, where mostly good things happened throughout (except special teams). How about this as a singular goal
SACK PRETTY BOY
I know it's meaningless, but this is the only time prior to the Super Bowl where you'll have a chance to make up for what you didn't do in last year's final game. Can Babich show us how he'll do things differently from his predecessor? Will Tommie make a difference? Do the Bears care? I do.
GO BEARS
August 20, 2007
#24 Pissed off said . . .Another nice Rex cheap shot from Jeff, almost didnt catch that one......
Regarding Bradley, I hope that damn guy isnt hurt again. I would also say I would rather have him than Davis, and probably more that Btwice as a possession guy. I like Berrians speed for sure for the deep passes (and we need those) but otherwise I like Bradley as a possession guy. And whats with everyone dogging Moose? He's still the best guy we have, he was the best in the business when we got him.
I am a little excited for tonight but it is just preseason and staying healthy while getting up to NFL speed and getting everyone some work is the goal.
August 20, 2007
#25 Phil from SATX said . . .And OK I guess I'm still bitter so I would like to see someone break Mannings leg and put him or Addai or Wayne or Harrison out for the season. Oh is that to harsh, I dont give a shit, after that loss I hate the Colts like I hate Favre.
August 20, 2007
#26 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .There you go PO'd, that's the spirit. Agree with you on Moose - rumors of his demise are greatly exaggerated - would have to consider him having the best hands on the team still and he's a physical presence. Should have his best year as a Bear this year. Unfortunately for Max, it will likely be Rashied who becomes more the forgotten receiver this year - with the 3 B's (b twice + bradley), Moose, GO Bot and the Dez Dispenser occasionally lining up in those 2 tight end sets, how are they going to fit in Rash on 3rd downs?
Anyway, should be a good problem to have this year.
Bears, break a leg tonight! (or 2)
August 20, 2007
#27 Hewdown said . . .Pissed Off: I'll see if I can swing over to the dome before kickoff and give Manning a little love tap to the knee cap.
August 20, 2007
#28 Phil from SATX said . . .
"That was a classic, it's always tough stuff between us," Federer said. "Playing Lleyton makes me nervous. He makes you miss so much. I'm happy to escape with this win."August 20, 2007
#29 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .Nicole - you're back! It must be football season! I thought you moved to Chicago???
August 20, 2007
#30 Pissed off said . . .I was checking in during the summer but it's been quite hectic so blogging took a back seat. I moved but still in this blue city for now... my heart will always be in Chitown.
You guys read the story about the bear eating that man? I think it's an omen.
Look for me on tv tonight and right now, I'm going into a meeting with the owner of my company, wearing my Orange and dark blue beads, a Bears hat, the replacement to my scarf and a Bears button that says "I heart the Shuffle". I'm fierce!August 20, 2007
#31 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .Thanks for bringing up the shuffle Nicole. I am still pissed that the current Bears didnt make some sort of new age shuffle remix before last years Super Bowl, we lost so it wouldnt have meant much but still. Lets be real, when the Bears make it to the Big Game this year they damn well better do some super bowl shuffle video. Where and How can we start a petition for the players to do it? We can call it the "unfinished Shuffle" in honor or Kreutz' shirt.
We can call the it the
August 20, 2007
#32 JB said . . .About the shuffle... can they ever really make another shuffle? Regardless of what they produced, it would have been compared to the original and I believe it would have left a sour taste in my mouth. If they do something that becomes iconic like the Shuffle, I'm all for it. As for last season, I'm glad they left well enough alone.
August 20, 2007
#33 Al in WI said . . .agree with nicole...although if they did it, i fully expect them to utilize bad 80's green screen technology to put in benson and Rex after original taping.
mini butterflies have started to stir...didn't think they would, but they have. first opportunity to break out the authentic B-Twice jersey i got for this year.
August 20, 2007
#34 Max said . . .I was referring to the fact that Bradley missed most, if not all of last week's practices with swelling in one of his oft-injured knees. And according one report in the trib was likely to miss tonight’s game. I hope that isn't true but I'm very frustrated with him constantly being hurt. I really believe that if he could stay in there, putting him opposite Berrian gives the offense more options and limits what the defense can do to take away Bernard.
The strength of Turner's system in my opinion is that if you bring extra defenders up to stop the run, Rex will hit you long. And if you play off to take away the deep threat, the running game will pound you. Bradley fits into that because the saftey will have to cheat one way leaving the other wr one on one.August 20, 2007
#35 AfroCelt said . . .It is distressing that Rashied will be the odd man out. Especially if Hester gets on the field for 10-15 or so plays on on offense, whose spot is he going to take??? not sure but that means Rashied will definitely not be out there. This makes me sad. . . very sad
But it is good to see you again Nicole. Stay strong over there
August 20, 2007
#36 Dave said . . .http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20350573/
Vick Will Plead Guilty to Dogfighting
sorry to hijack :)
August 20, 2007
#37 Ed in CO said . . .Oh look, I've wandered into the land of drucks, dickheads, and dipshits.
This game has about as much meaning as PO'ed life. Nothing.
You already know Rex sucks shit, and the rest of the team is extremely overrated.
What more do you need to know?
August 20, 2007
#38 Brian said . . .Dave, at least you are right about the "Drucks". Once I've drunk a few bears, I get druck and shotfaced.
Anyways, I'd like to see a couple of formations with Berrian, Bradley, Hester in the slot and Olsen at TE. Can you imagine the speed of that receiving setup?? And what's the defense gonna do? Put in a nickel defense? We'll just run it with Benson. Keep a lineback in the game? good luck covering Olsen with just a linebacker. Go man to man? All 4 of them could outrun 90% of the corners and safeties out there. And there isn't a defense outthere that has more than one on a team. Maybe Broncos with Bly and Bailey. But that still leaves Hester and Olsen wide open!
Re: Shuffle. Wasn't there some overblown post-draft hype about Olsen doing a dirty non-pc rap during his college days? We could get him to write and perform the new superbowl shuffle!
August 20, 2007
#39 StartOlsen said . . .Glad to be back reading Da Bears Blog....you guys are as passionate as ever. The shuffle talk is a bit disturbing...frankly any attempt to re-create 1985 is a huge mistake.
That being said....if they WERE going to remake the shuffle then they have to do it right....week #13 or earlier! I want each team to know that we know that they know we are going to win the whole damn thing....just like 85
August 20, 2007
#40 StartOlsen said . . .please God, please, give my five minutes alone with Kornheiser
August 21, 2007
#41 "obligatory Rex post" said . . .Start working on the obligatory Rex post and firestorm to follow...
August 21, 2007
#42 Max said . . .Have we not seen these same mistakes before?
August 21, 2007
#43 Max said . . .I love Rex. I support Rex, but when ya cant take a snap, it really makes it difficult to argue for him. (although on the strip, Miller got burned so badly, the guy was in the backfield before Rex could even get set).
Dave glad to see your ever witty and intelligent comments are gracing our blog again.
I like Mr. Tony. I think he does good with Jaws.
Rex is my starter. But i am not looking forward to the controversy coming tomorrow because honestly, it doesnt look like we progressed any from where we were 6 months ago.
God, I need another Natty.
August 21, 2007
#44 StartOlsen said . . .p.s. I love AP
August 21, 2007
#45 Rancid said . . .who is Dave and why does he keep trying to talk with cock in his mouth?
August 21, 2007
#46 Max said . . .That wasn't good. I did not enjoy that game at all. Oh, and then I come here and see that Dave is back. Let the debate begin as to whether we should ignore him or make crude comments about all his female relatives. I'm still not sure.
August 21, 2007
#47 StartOlsen said . . .Dave i think is a packer fan, but I am not totally sure on that. He likes to come in here and talk shit. He did it for quite some time last year. Although his posts have been sparse since then.
August 21, 2007
#48 StartOlsen said . . .That's funny- a fudge packer fan talking shit. Some people don't get it. I have a friend who is a Raiders fan, and he talks shit about the Bears. How can you rag on one of the top teams in the NFL when your team sucks so much ass?
Dave, Favre is terrible, go to the store and get some Depends for his ass already.August 21, 2007
#49 Phil from SATX said . . .Max I love AP too... Im always singing his praises to the jackasses who say if Benson goes down we are screwed. AP may not be a star but he is a workhorse, an ultimate team guy. He has shown he can run, block and catch out of the backfield....
Im an A.P. fan.
Archuleta had a nice hit on 88 tonight... too bad he got back up.August 21, 2007
#50 mikebdot said . . .Boy did that game put me in a bad mood. Didn't even really enjoy watching it, which really sucks since it's so early in the season and I should be so easily amused. Not that there weren't lots of great things to take away from the game - there were - but what a sinking feeling in my gut when I watched Rex in what can only be called a debacle.
Just don't know what to say about it - I'm not going to overreact and say install Griese as the starter (Kyle Orton taking a definite backwards step last night) - but come on. I flashed back to last year when John Madden said, about the blown quarterback/center exchange - "you just can't have that in the National Football League." And what, 3 times he did it? In an indoor stadium? No weather involved? Shite!
Then there was the first of this year's potentially game -changing interceptions - and what an awful one it was, deep in his own territory, short pass without hands in his face, no excuses on that one. Horrible!
The fumble batted out of his hands was not his fault - or was it??? Does Peyton Manning get that ball batted out? Not sure.
I want to talk about the good things, because they were many, but I'll wait - because even to myself, I was saying, yeah, great special teams, great defense, some great receivers, great tight end, great running backs - what does it get you without good QB play? Bupkes. What you get is a team that could get to the SB but lose once they get there. Which we had last year.
PO'd talk to me. What was your take?
August 21, 2007
#51 Pissed Off said . . .Phil,
"only" two center exchanges were screwed up, then there was the lost fumble. I think his problem on just straight up batted ball fumbles like that is his lack of hand size and arm strength. That may also be his problem on the center exchange too. One of the exchanges looked like everyone moved before the ball was hiked. I'm honestly not sure why there was not an "illegal snap" or "false start" called. Maybe I'm imagining that though. The other snap was totally Grossman's fault from what I could see.
As for the interception, it looked like the corner was draped all over him, playing great bump and run coverage on a poorly run route. It also appeared there was contact while the ball was in the air. Davis just seems too small to run those routes. If you are going to line up someone in the slot and ask them to run a quick in/slant they cannot be small. He can do it all day on the outside because the angle is much better, but to ask a guy that is Davis' size to do that is just plain stupid. He doesn't have a big frame and can't move the pile to get the extra yard if the ball is thrown quickly (i.e. before he gets to the 1st down marker). In my eyes, Davis has one strength, running up the seam. Every receiver has that strength. He's a one trick pony. All that being said, it was a stupid throw. But, if Bradley is in there, maybe he isn't thrown around like a rag doll prior to the throw and actually makes the catch or at the very least bats it down. I would not be heartbroken if Davis only caught 10 passes this year.
August 21, 2007
#52 Phil from SATX said . . .I thought Dave was a Pats fan?
Anyway it was stessful to watch Rex throw that pick, and fumble the couple snaps. I just yelled "SHIT" out loud at the botched snap as I was watching. I have defended him and defended him and as soon as it happened I'm just thinking "dont make me look bad for standing up for your ass all offseason." Damn Rex. Now I am still Rexs' guy, this is preseason, he looked mediocre last preseason and the bottom line is that mistakes will happen. There will be botched snaps, there will be fumbles by QBs and there will be INTs thrown by QBs all over the league. In my opinion Rex's mistakes are just magnified to a super level that we just start doubting him anytime he is not perfect. Being on the national stage of ESPNs MNF didnt help that cause either.
Now regarding some other stuff, Wolfe is quick, not Hester quick but he can make some people miss and I think if given enough playing time he will have an impact but I think he will rarely see the field this year being the #3. Future looks bright though for that guy.
I love the defense, enough said, all of it. All the new guys, Adams, Walker, AA. And all the old guys Wale, (nice sack, way to hussle and show that you can be the sack leader of the NFL again) Mike Brown, Briggs Urlacher etc. ALL OF EM! Dvoracek is a stud, that guy looks like he has something to prove, and I guess he does. I wouldnt be shocked if he was the starter opposite Tommie at some point. I didnt know Daniel Manning was such a return stud. I guess a year under his belt helps him, he's going to be damn good in the NFL, he was good in his rookie season and it only gets better people. Hester about took one back but got tripped up by some slappys feet. Nice to see he's in mid season form already. That totally instilled confidence in our Special Teams. We will be having such great field position all year, we'll only need 30 yard TD drives most of the game.
Bradley didnt play that I saw. He needs to stay healthy.
August 21, 2007
#53 mikebdot said . . .Mike, I could be wrong but I thought there was another one that seemed to bounce off the ground and back into his hands, which I counted as a botched exchange. Good point about slant/seam issue with Rashied - maybe that's why he's a third down guy, because there are seams to exploit with so many receivers to cover.
How about watching those kick ass special teams? The Bears know how to put the "special" in that unit. Never knew Manning could do that, he was studlike. Agree with the commentators about why even try out Berrian there? He's a starter, right? And coverage was awesome as well, back to last year it looks like. PO'd is right, with this unit we're going to be playing on a tilted board all season long, in our favor.
How about the Haas catch from Orton? Yesterday he looked much better than Rideau, who had a bad night. Is he a Tom Waddle in the making?
And Pretty Boy did get sacked, so thank you Bears. He drives me crazy. Did they again spend about 15 minutes last night talking about what a genius he is? Apparently the smartest guy ever to play the position, and the most obsessive, best work habits, BLAH BLAH BLAH. I'm sick of it! SO happy that the genius didn't make it into the end zone in that one series. And let's say it now, HE's the guy we want to see in the SB. No one else. When we'll get another chance to bloody that pretty face, and bloody it we bloody well better do. Fuck Peyton!
August 21, 2007
#54 mikebdot said . . .PO'd: I could have sworn Dusty IS going to start next to Tommie, or did the depth chart change since I've seen it? He was the "starter" when they went through the roster at the beginning of the game...
http://www.chicagobears.com/team/depthchart.html
I liked the stat that Grossman's 25 turnovers last year were more than 18 NFL teams had last year. That's kind of sad. I will hold off on whether or not I'm still on "the bus" until after game 4. That should be plenty of time to tell whether or not he's made the "2nd full year starter" improvement we're all hoping will magically occur.
August 21, 2007
#55 Phil from SATX said . . .Phil: Did Berrian fair catch every single punt? It seemed he had room on a few of them but chose to fair catch anyway. If so perhaps they were just giving him practice fielding them...
You could be right about the fumbled snap count. I could have missed one. Or lost count...
August 21, 2007
#56 mikebdot said . . .Hey, new Jeff thread happening in case you're not updating - guess what it's about...
August 21, 2007
Yeah...sort of figured as much...
August 21, 2007
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.