The Chicago Bears will open the season at Indianaplis on Sunday night. Here are my thoughts:
#2 tenacious d said . . .I actually had a bet with a friend that this would be the opener. I don't like sitting through a slate of games waiting for the sunday nighter, and primetime has some drawbacks.
when we beat the colts, we wont be sneaking up on anyone...
March 31, 2008
#3 animal said . . .Actually looking forward to playing these guys with a healthy Tommie Harris and Mike Brown. The defense the Colts faced in the Super Bowl was missing 2 of its top 4 players.
Being a Southern Indiana Bear fan I take all kinds of crap from Colts fans all year long. They'd rank right up there with the Pack as far as teams I despise.
March 31, 2008
#4 big rob said . . .A win like this would be an awesome start to the season. On the flip side, a loss wouldn't kill us. Nobody will expect us to win. I will be watching with fingers crossed that we dont lose key players in the opener like last year. As we learned, the difference between worst and first is injuries.
March 31, 2008
#5 Pissed Off said . . .Dang!!!! I hate that they are doing this to us again!!
I think part of the reason we had such a crappy start to last season was the fact that we played San Diego @ San Diego...
Hard to get a some momentum going when the first game of the season is a battle from start to finish....
Now we have to go to Indy to start Aye aye aye...
March 31, 2008
#6 Al in WI said . . .Well said animal. No injuries please. And last year we had the toughest game at the top too with SD. Another road game, cant we get a tough game at home to start. I'd like to see the team start slow but go ahead and schedule the Colts. I love a primetime game to start the year. It'll be showcased and that exposure is awesome. Another benefit is that I can watch closely whats going on and what teams look like opening week since I dont have to focus on a Bears game. This will be valuable info gained on future opponents and will allow me formulate intelligent opinions....er opinions.
March 31, 2008
#7 The Duke said . . .Agreed Po'd remember back in that day when the Bears started every season with a home opener, usually a win? We used to start every season at home now we start every year on the road.
With 5 months to prepare, here's hoping even our coaching staff can get creative!March 31, 2008
#8 AfroCelt said . . .Bears just received 3 extra picks in round 7...i know it's round 7 but c'mon, 3 more picks is 3 more picks.
March 31, 2008
#9 mikebdot said . . .where that from Duke?
I actually like tough games up front...the only tough road opener we've won recently was in Green Bay...and we all know how that season turned out.
March 31, 2008
#10 Bringing Rexy Back said . . .http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4525
I think this is their strategy for next season as well. Don't sign free agents so you receive lots of compensatory picks...
March 31, 2008
#11 mikebdot said . . .I like it. We can make a statement. WE'RE BACK!!
March 31, 2008
#12 Pissed Off said . . .BRB: Let's just hope the statement isn't "ouch, I'm hurt again this season" from the likes of Mike B. Or Dusty D. Or Dan B. Or Kevin P. Or Mike O. Or anyone. If we lose I'd be happy with a good showing and no serious injuries.
March 31, 2008
#13 big rob said . . .Mikeb I'd agree, hey that rhymes. Anyway I cant expect a win that week all things considered but a good showing and no injuries should get us excited for week 2 and the rest of the year.
Kinda like last years opener against SD, coming off of that super bowl and playing supposedly one of the top 5 teams in the NFL on the road to start the year in week one; after we lost that game I said that I didnt see us losing another game all year, honestly, go back and look it up. And its true, I thought if we played SD tough, like we did that day that we should handle about every other team in the NFL that year.....look how that turned out. Ok now I'm depressed.
And I'm happy again knowing that a new year is around the corner.
And regarding the compensatory picks, big deal, its not that much different than picking up undrafted free agents after the draft, you can pick up as many guys as you want.
March 31, 2008
#14 DTB said . . .From Da Site:
The Bears will open the season away from home for the fourth straight year and the seventh time in the last nine seasons. Since 1980, Chicago is just 1-8 when opening the season on the road with the lone victory coming in 2006 with a 26-0 rout over the Packers in Green Bay!!!!!!!
I added the exclamation pts....
GO BEARS!!
March 31, 2008
#15 Rancid said . . .3 Compensatory picks! Sweet!
All in the 7th. Weak...
March 31, 2008
#16 animal said . . .Mixed feeling from me. Love the fact we should be healthy. Worried that a new line/receiveing corps won't have it all figured out yet. I do agree that a week one win against the Colts does much more for us that a week one loss hurts us.
In the end, it should come down to our D. I'm ok with that. Our D looks like if it's healthy, it's going be awesome, and week one everybody's healthy.
March 31, 2008
#17 animal said . . .hey, remember, our late rounders from last year ended up on the field a LOT.... don't totally discount those 7th rounders.
And, they can be added to a trade to make it more enticing.Here's to hoping Tommy Harris shows Manning what he missed in Miami.
April 1, 2008
#18 Dreamer said . . .Oops. Teams are not permitted to trade those picks. There goes half of my point.
Oh well- Ill take another Trumaine McBride any day.April 1, 2008
#19 Max said . . .i'd much rather face a weaker opponent.. to build up confidence and all ya know
April 1, 2008
#20 Max said . . .Screw it. I just want the season to be here already. . .
April 1, 2008
#21 AfroCelt said . . .Or the draft.
April 1, 2008
#22 RandomName said . . .this is just crazy talk, but who do we currently have at DT depth-wise? Harris, a shaky DD...who else?
April 1, 2008
#23 RandomName said . . .Hey, What determines wheter the bears(any team) starts the season at home? since after the duperbowl trip we started in sandeiego and anfter an under .500 season we start in indy, what gives?
April 1, 2008
#24 Rancid said . . .on an extra note I'm prayin Mike Brown can get his body together.
April 1, 2008
#25 Bearfan34 said . . .Afro Celt - here's our DT's besides Tommie and Dusty
1. Matt Toeina - "The Big Toe". Really like this guy. I forget which team drafted him last year, but in my draft guide this year they got ripped for letting us steal him off their practice squad. Looked real good at the end of last year when he got in games.
2. Anthony Adams
3. Israel Idonije
4. Babatunde Oshinowo - somebody else's draft cast-off
April 1, 2008
#26 AfroCelt said . . .Let's crush them in their new building!!! I hate opening the season on the road!
Last year at SD was enough, now Indy!!!
As Always,
Bear Down!
April 1, 2008
#27 Phil from SATX said . . .thanks Rancid...had a bit of a senior moment there.
Excited to see what BigToe can do this year.
April 1, 2008
#28 animal said . . .Hey guys, back from a little vaca and also had to work like a dog to hit quarter end. Turns out my work management was not so good at the first part of the quarter, causing massive catch up necessary. I wonder why?
PO'd, excellent point on those 7 rounders - they're just a few picks away from undrafted FAs. I guess the bonus is you don't have to fight any other teams for them, and I would think it would cause the Bears to focus more on uncovering rocks - I'm sure they do it anyway because they're always picking up some undrafted FAs to bring into camp, but maybe they'll focus more on it because they know there's 3 more guys they HAVE to select.
Is there no news in the world of FA? I heard this morning that Patriots flew out McFadden. Do they have a shot at him? The comment on ESPN was that if they got him, one of their guys would become expendable.
Interesting if we learn later that the "second season" of FA (after the draft when guys get cut because of high draft picks spent on same position) is what the Bears were targeting. I'm sure they traffic in intelligence much more than we even do - like maybe a friend of a friend told them X team is definitely going after a tackle with their first pick which will make X veteran expendable.
Maybe they'll surprise us. I'm still very pissed that there has been NO REPORTING, NOT WORD ONE as to why Angelo made no visible efforts to sign a FA offensive lineman. I've groused about it before, but surely there's no bigger question for Bear fans and readers than that one this offseason, right? I even re-sent my question to Larry Mayer, toned it down a bit to match the other BORING questions that make it on the site, and... nothing.
Instead you get "what past Bear would you like to have on the team right now?" and scintillating, informative, mind-expanding shit like that. Like Jeff said, he's a shill. Biggs needs to take questions, he'll answer. Or better yet, Rosenblog. Guess he's taking the offseason off.
April 1, 2008
#29 Rancid said . . .Rancid you just made up that 4th DT didn't you?
If not, what is our thing for guys with African-sounding names? Some sort of shout out to Obama?April 1, 2008
#30 Rancid said . . .He's for real. I'm pretty sure he sucks and won't be on the field anytime but he is currently a DT on our roster.
Here's the link:
http://www.chicagobears.com/team/player152.html
April 1, 2008
#31 tenacious d said . . .Although in retrospect, they didn't put a picture of the guy up on the page. Maybe they're making up fake players and putting them on the roster to keep us from killing them for not signing people.
"whaddaya mean, we've got 6 DT's on the roster, and that African kid has real potential"
See, then we go home happy and never check the guy out. Angelo is smart.
April 1, 2008
#32 Shady said . . .A soothing thought for all of you impatient Bears fans (like me).....We are officially in Draft Month!!
April 1, 2008
#33 mikebdot said . . .Guys I need your help, I have a (good) problem:
Should I work for a financial firm (Merrill Lynch) as a client adviser (administrative/customer service work)?
or
Should I work for a smaller retail consulting company (SD Retail) which is about 75% travel?
The pay is about the same, the commute is about the same, just hoping you guys can help me out with this one.
I need to decide today.
April 1, 2008
#34 Shady said . . .Just saw on da site that they released Mike Brown...
Rough.
April 1, 2008
#35 tenacious d said . . .Whattt??
No they didn't.
April 1, 2008
#36 JB said . . .Mike, This has got to be April Fools.....
April 1, 2008
#37 tenacious d said . . .how 'bout no april fools jokes on here.
shady, you really asking for career advice on this site?
i think it all depends on the type of travel and whether or not you want that in your life. if you have a family, it'd probably suck, if not, go out and see the world. my consulting job is cool and i like traveling for the most part.
April 1, 2008
#38 mikebdot said . . .shady,
Pick whichever job you think you would enjoy the most. Life is too short to waste time on a job you don't like, even if the money is better. Also, the ability to get along with your boss is an importantant factor.
April 1, 2008
#39 animal said . . .Yeah, was feeling bored and sick of slow (no) news...
:)
April 1, 2008
#40 animal said . . .Now, if you had said something like "Mike Brown blew 18 ligaments playing tag with some neighborhood kids" we may have bought it.
April 1, 2008
#41 Matt said . . .Shady, I say go Walmart Greeter. Best damn job on the planet. Ever see those guys frown? Exactly. Just smile and wave, smile and wave.
April 1, 2008
#42 Jesse said . . .Lane Kiffin says the Raiders are not looking at McFadden......smoke screen or not?
He might be dropping.......
April 1, 2008
#43 Jesse said . . .So, the Mock Draft never happened here. Which is probably just as well. But it did give me something to do for a while, as I spent some time looking at the needs of other teams at the front of this draft.
And then, today, I spent a good amount of time looking at what the professional prognosticators thought of the first round.
And I came to a conclusion, I want this guy, watch the video below, especially about 5 seconds in...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=O7OiYXlBEZU&feature=related
I didn't think the Bears would take him, because of the 17 million dollars we invested in Ced a few short years back. But really, Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams don't look so good either. So the 2005 1st round draft RB class was a bust. Not just Ced. The right thing to do is move on. The thing to keep in mind is that JA and the BT weren't the only ones who thought Ced was good, so did Kiper and the rest of the scouts/self declared experts. But sometimes picks don't pan out, that doesn't mean you should stop trying to draft superstar talent. We need a lot of positions, but most of all, we just need somebody to make a difference, and make plays that give our Offense some self-respect and confidence. I say, keep picking RB's till you find an answer.
Sure, some will say we need an OT more than a RB, But it's almost a sure thing that at least 3 OT's will be gone, maybe 4, by the time our 14 rolls around. So would you rather take the 4th best OT or the 2nd best RB? ALSO, many mocks have us taking Otah at the 14... and many of you say, "sweet a big OT, just what we need" But it's worth mentioning that almost every relevant talent evaluator considers him to be a raw talent... meaning he won't contribute much next year. Plus, after the first half of the first round, most of the other teams that need a OT, will have one. Meaning, the 5 or 6th ranked tackle will most likely slide and become a great value pick in the second, or possibly early third round.
Plus, if there is going to be 4-5 first round OT's taken, it's a good bet that some of the teams making those picks are going to look to save money by cutting one of their current OT's. And even if that doesn't sound like a solution to you, it would look like a great move if we can fill our one of our skill positions with the 1st this year, and take care of OT with our (hopefully) mid to late first round pick next year.
I think the only reason not to take Mendenhall with the 14, is if your convinced that you can take Jonathan Stewart later in the draft. And if your scouting department has declared that he is a better RB than Rashard Mendanhall.
I would actually be okay with a JA trade down in the 1st round of this draft, particularly if we then use some of our late round picks to trade up in the 2nd or 3rd, as I think there will be some quality value picks available in those rounds.
What do you think?
Am I wrong?April 1, 2008
#44 animal said . . .Mel Kiper now has the Lions taking Mendenhall at the 15th pick.
If he pans out as a stud RB, I might puke when we face him twice a year.
It's bad enough that we play AP twice, and we could have had him (Washington offered to swap picks last year for Briggs)
I can deal with that because I like having Briggs and I really like Olson.But if we pass on Rashard, and take C. Williams (soft) or Otah (Raw), I won't be able to watch him play for the lions. I'd have to skip those games.
April 1, 2008
#45 Pissed Off said . . .McShay's latest mock has the Bears taking Ray Rice in the second round...
Crappy O-line is at least a big part of the reason Benson looked like shit.April 1, 2008
#46 Jesse said . . .Jesse, the mock didnt and wont be happening...not enough participation. Regarding your take though I strongly disagree with a lot of what you said. First off Otah is strictly speculation cuz he hasnt played an NFL snap but if you think that if we draft Otah and he isnt the opening day starter, your nuttier than squirrel shit. He's a starter, all 16 games barring injury. No one is taking an OT in first round that isnt a starter, Otah is no exception. If you want Mendenhall thats fine but Otah as well as Cherilus, Long, Clady etc. will all be rookie contributors in a big way next year.
And I can see your bust take with Cadillac Williams and Ced although for Williams he's had some injury issues and is pretty solid when healthy but Ronnie Brown is a certified stud. It took a couple years for him to break out but last year before he went down to injury he had some of the best numbers of any NFL RB. He was rushing for 100+ every game and catching a lot of balls for 40-100 yards per game.
Shady I dont know if I'd be asking for career advice on this site but if you got family dont do the travel. I did it for a year and though its fun to see new things you just want to be home with your family at night. I'm sure you already know deep down which job you want though.
April 1, 2008
#47 Jesse said . . .yeah, Mel Kiper has the bears taking Ray Rice in the 2nd too.
I don't dislike Ray Rice, and if they pick him, I would be kind of excited to see what he can do for us.But Mendenhall is a powerful back who is very fast and very shifty. That sounds pretty damn good about now.
The O-Line is definitely a big reason why Benson sucked last year, and it does need to be addressed. But let's flip that equation around...
I think that Cedric Benson is a big reason that the O-Line sucked last year. I realize that the guys were aging, but come on, they took us to the super bowl with Thomas Jones (who I love, but who is a slightly above average back) and Cedric Benson.
Then last year, when they just had Benson, it looked they gave up. He's a chronically unpopular locker room guy, and as much as it shouldn't matter, it does. Guys block harder when the like the RB, or at least when they feel like the RB is going to make it worth their while.Cedric Benson isn't well liked, and he doesn't inspire any confidence either. They figure they could bust their ass, and he will be at best, marginally better.
Let's get somebody who inspires his teamates to bring their A game every sunday.
April 1, 2008
#48 AfroCelt said . . .yeah PO,
I wasn't clear enough on that point,
Otah would start 16 for us, I just meant I don't think he will make us much better. He could be very good a year or two down the line, but I don't see him being better than average next year.
He is very much a "S&P" guy. Which is Size & Potential, and in every sport, every year, a lot of guys are drafted based on S&P and they never figure out the skills at the professional level.
Some of them do, which is why Otah is a first round pick this year. But I think he is easily as risky as taking a potential stud RB, and I think a stud RB will make for a bigger improvement next year.
And, Okay, Brown isn't a bust, although he has dealt with some injuries. But that doesn't really nullify my point, in that, since he was off the board before our pick, we still can't feel to embarrassed for drafting Ced.
My point is, if you Bust, the best course of action is to fix the problem as soon as you can. Every team in the league has busted a first round pick. It sucks, but so what. You still have to try again. You can't just be afraid of first round RB's becuase it didn't work in '05
April 1, 2008
#49 Jesse said . . .Knew that name looked familiar. Was at an all-area game with him around. He went up against my girlfriend's older brother once or twice. Did alright, but not stunning.
April 1, 2008
#50 animal said . . .In an effort to kick up the excitement on this board, I'm going to start multiple arguments at one time...
1) As I previously stated, Rashard Mendanhall with the 14. Not an OT. Unless Clady slips.
2) I don't want Devin Hester to be our #1, or even #2 WR...
First of all, the guy is already our number one contributer on offense. He's the reason we start every drive with great field position. He basically gets us big yards on every drive before the QB takes the field. Why not let him continue to get better at that? Just because he is the best ever in his 2nd year doesn't mean he can't get better. Why not let him develop a little more before we throw more shit at him... Why not let him focus on the other teams ST Defense every week. Could you imagine how good he could be if he went into each game fully aware of the weak spots and tendencies of every opposing special team unit. If he spends each weak focused on trying to learn the WR position, which he is brand new at, it is only natural and obvious that he can't spend 100% focus on returning.
Second of all... He doesn't catch well. Even my girlfriend has learned to be nervous when the kick is in the air. He bobbles/drops a lot of kicks. And thats when he has plenty of time to get under the ball. He is the best ever at his position, but not because of his hands, it's because of his vision and legs. Sure, those abilities are great in a WR, but, plenty of highly skilled athlete WR's have lost jobs for dropping balls. (Anybody else remember that deep bomb bouncing off his pads last year?) Not that we would ever cut him, but I would hate to spend three years with him penciled in at the WR, only to realize he can't catch and then demote him back to only a KR. It would be a blow to his confidence. And it will have prevented us from adding true superstar talent at WR. Better to sit him down now and say,"Skunk. your so valuable at KR, we're going to focus all your energies there ".
Third... He's already so valuable. If he gets hurt on a downfield block, I'm going to scream. He is likely to stay healthy if he only returns kicks... most of the time, the offense kicks away from him, and we get great position anyway, and much of the time they do kick to him, he scampers into the endzone virtually untouched. Plus, he's only on the field for a handful of plays per game. And he obviously makes huge contributions from that position even with limited time on the field. If we put him in as an every down WR, he will likely miss some games. And then we lose two important players, our WR and our KR.
April 1, 2008
#51 Jesse said . . .I say Ced gets one more year to get it right or be labeled a bust. I say the jury is still out- he looked like a fucking runaway train spelling TJ, then looked like shit last year until he got hurt.
I won't excuse his shitty-ness last year, but I will say it has to be partially because of the decline on the O-line and overall offensive decline. They weren't hitting those big play action bombs that they got early in 06. Teams totally stacked up against him. The D wasn't dominate either, which carries over in confidence, help on the scoreboard, etc.
And ya, he ran soft and gutless, to make it all worse.Next year he will be running for redemption, for a job, and hopefully for a rejuvenated, motivated team, not a complacent/injury riddled bunch coming off a SB trip. Remember he didn't get a full year because of the injury.
I say, give him one more shot (he'll get it anyway) to break out. Unequivocally, if he can't dominate next year, he is a bust and Ill put him in the hall of shame/ curse of Payton next to Rashaan fucking Salaam and Curtis Penis.
April 1, 2008
#52 Jesse said . . .
Now, what I might do is put him in the slot for about half the game. Teach him about six plays, and have him learn those routes and plays like the back of his hand. And I would have him split time in the slot with a big, physical WR. That way the opposing Nickel CB has to cover a 1-2 punch. And if we face a slow secondary, we can up Devin's plays a bit for that game.And if they must use Devin at WR, then we need to start grooming the Postman, Garret Wolfe, to take over at KR.
That's where Wolfe's skills translate best. That way when they kick away from Hester, Wolfe will get some opportunities to use his skills. And if Devin does go down with an injury, we will have a scary KR still back there.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=slt_q1c4MXI
I want to see Devin & Wolfe lined up for every kickoff this year.
April 1, 2008
Good Vid on the RB's we will see in the draft...
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8076b31d
April 1, 2008
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