Barack Obama gets off the bus running for office. Lovie style. Here are the highlights from Dan Pompei's interview with Mr. Smith:
CEDRIC BENSON IS FAT
"You look at some of those things and change your body up," he said. "You maybe play at a lighter weight. You do some things differently."
I've heard all the knocks on Benson and invented a dozen or so myself but I've never heard this one. Does Cedric Benson do anything right?
SCREWING UP A GOOD THING
According to the piece, Devin Hester will see his role on special teams decline in favor of being what Lovie refers to as a "three-down receiver." Let me make a sports comparison here. New York Yankees fans know that Mariano Rivera is widely considered the best "athlete" on the ballclub and you hear all the time that he could play any position on the field. But he's the closer because he just happens to be the best closer in the history of the sport. They don't teach him left field and work him into the lineup. Devin Hester is the greatest kick returner in the history of the sport. He's singlehandedly won a dozen games on his own and kept us in a Super Bowl. Don't screw it up.
ISRAEL MOVING INSIDE
"There are a few players on our roster who I feel haven't gotten a great opportunity to play," Smith said. "One of them is Israel Idonije. … We're thinking about letting him play more tackle. He can be a 275-pound guy or a 300-pound player with [low] body fat. So we need to get him involved a little bit more."
I think the Bears have built a nice roster of young defensive tackles to play behind the somehow-now-veteran Tommie Harris. It'll be very interesting to see Dusty D, Matty T, Danny B and the Wailing Wall (get it? Israel!) battle for playing time.
#2 Pissed Off said . . .I know this is a nutshell, I'm going to go read the whole thing now before I comment.
April 3, 2008
#3 Al in WI said . . .Most of what was said was fine but regarding Hester, if that guy isnt deep for every single punt and kick return all season I am going to be pissed.
April 3, 2008
#4 Duff Diggler said . . .Jeff how could you not have heard this excuse for Benson? I have pointed out on several posts during the season that he looked bulkier and slower then even in past seasons. And David Haugh has written several articles mentioning this as well. He found several observers from Texas who believe that to be Benson's #1 issue last year. He never had great speed to begin with and when he bulked up to handle the load he lost a step. I think there is something to it, but I don't think losing wieght will suddenly make him worthy of that #4 overall draft pick.
The Hester situation is another thing that everyone had to see coming. The teams refusal to re-sign or franchise Berrian, or pursue a replacement has left them in this situation. They have one reciever in Booker, and no deep threat outside of Hester. That means more Hester on offense, less on special teams. A stupid move, that he's not ready for, but the Bears lackluster FA actions have brought about.
Moving #71 to tackle makes sense, he's not a great end and could be quick inside. D-tackle is a concern for me as it is a position that has broken down the last two years. Yes there is a good mix of talent there, but none of them can stay healthy.April 3, 2008
#5 Pernecky said . . .Benson is a bum. Nuf said.
The "Hester Factor" (i.e. average starting field position at the 50) is what kept us in games until the 4th quarter last year. Without him on Spec Teams, we would have been a 4-12 team. There is no reason that he can't do both. Talk of his role reduced on Spec Teams is both stupid and crazy!
Does Izzy's increased role at DT mean we won't see him block anymore kicks too, Lovie?
.......anyway, it's good he'll be used more on D. I'd still like to see him try OL though.....*BREAKING NEWS*
...Chris Henry cut by Bengals after yet another off-the-field issue. I guess it's kinda like the ole cliche: "You can take the Cowboy outta Texas, but you can't take the Texas outta the Cowboy."
...speaking of Cowboys, how long 'til they start talking to him?
April 3, 2008
#6 mikebdot said . . .Being an eternal optimist I am willing to give Benson and Rexy one last shot at living up to their potential...we'll see what happens once the season starts.
As for Hester as a WR...has he ever had something positive to say about being in the WR position? Does he even WANT to be a receiver? It feels like he doesn't (mostly because he can't understand it I'm sure), but is being forced into the situation because the Bears have no other options. For the love of God, please keep Hester as the kick and punt returner!
April 3, 2008
#7 jeff said . . .I really hope this talk about Hester is just him playing possum.
It could also indicate we are interested in Felix Jones who has also shown pretty good ability returning punts and kicks.
I'm of the opinion that if they are going to use Hester at all on offense, they need it to be close to 100% of the time, rather than the clusterfuck of different formations that we tried last year. He should either be a regular part of the offense or not a part at all. I lean towards a regular part.
April 3, 2008
#8 Pissed Off said . . .al, no idea how i missed it. i just missed it. i do apologize for not reading all of the comments.
April 3, 2008
#9 jdawg said . . .Note to Lovie: There are other players in the NFL who are full time offensive or defensive players and still return all the teams kicks. Hester even has age and stamina on his side being young.....he can do both if need be.
April 3, 2008
#10 mikebdot said . . .I don't see the need to limit Hester's returns. Hell, most of the time the other team doesn't even kick to him, so he's already getting limited touches on the return units.
April 3, 2008
#11 jeff said . . .PO'd: Which players do you have in mind there? Not being a douche, just wondering who is an every down player that returns all kicks as well.
In order to make the argument that Hester must definitely be out there on every single return one must say agree that Hester needs to have a limited role on offense, if any at all. If he is out there 100% of the time, and here's the key, is actually making big plays and having good games at receiver, I see no reason not to limit his action at returner if he is producing like an elite receiver.
In short, Elite receiver + some returns >> last year's role receiving + all returns. Therefore, if Hester isn't producing during the first few games of the season (and we're losing) we need to make the change and give Bradley/Booker/Olsen/Clark more time on the field.
All that being said, however, there is no reason they can't have Hester be a "mostly 3 down" receiver.
If he plays 100% of special teams, he'll nearly always be fresh for the kickoff/punt. For a kickoff, it will be after the opposing team just drove the ball. For a punt, the same, only time this might be an issue is if there is a quick three and out. That's the only time he should be tired out there on ST. Obviously, if he's tired due to special teams, they should run a 2 TE formation or some other such formation that allows him to rest a few plays here and there during the drive. Especially if we get the running game fixed!
I just don't see a reason why Lovie would even say this unless he's playing possum or he's a fucking fool for giving away his strategy 5 months before their first game.
April 3, 2008
#12 mikebdot said . . .the very reason that teams kick away from him and sacrifice important field position is why his presence only on special teams is more important than almost anything he could do at wide receiver.
April 3, 2008
#13 Phil from SATX said . . .jeff: If he puts up pro bowl receiver numbers, don't tell me you wouldn't be thrilled. If that somehow happens, how can we not sacrifice a small amount of field position (some of the time) to get actual production from the WR position, especially for the future of the franchise?
If it doesn't happen, you can say this was a stupid thing to attempt to do, but trying to get him the ball on a more consistent basis isn't a bad thought. I don't see a reason not to at least try to do this. He can always go back to being the best return man ever.
Of course, my confidence that we'll actually use his talent wisely isn't very high either and it's more than likely this will look stupid in the future, but I don't care. I'd just asoon take the risk and see what he can do at WR on a consistent basis, rather than catching just 20 passes and making 5-10 returns a game. I'd rather him catch 80 passes and return 2-5 times a game. It would also mix up the return game a bit. Especially with a Felix Jones on the roster...
April 3, 2008
#14 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .If turning Hester into a top 10 receiver would cost him back there on punt and kick returns, I WOULD NOT DO IT. Lovie says "if we're in a situation where we need a big play, you'd see him back there." Uh, Lovie, when are you in a situation where you don't need a big play? Or couldn't use one?
MAYBE if you are up by 3 scores and you're in the 4th quarter. If THAT'S what you mean, I totally buy in. If there's a game salted away, by all means sit his ass down, protect him. In fact you should do that with as many players as you can.
Otherwise, you'd have to be an ASS not to have Devin Hester back there every chance you could when the game's in balance. Don't talk to me about Rashied Davis, Danieal Manning or Felix Jones. THEY'RE NOT DEVIN HESTER, not by a long shot.
I don't get the Brown move, unless it's to protect him from the hard hitting tackles that the strong safety is making more frequently in support of the running game and shorter passing game. That could make sense. But it does seem a strange indictment on D. Manning, who maybe fell out of favor this year?
Izzy in the middle I totally agree with - I saw him in spot duty this year and always felt he contributed, especially toward the end of the year. He's better than the amount of time he's being given on the field.
Don't get nervous when you read that they'll be lining up St. Clair and Metcalf as starters in camp. That's meaningless - it's all they have at this moment, and he's being politically correct to his veterans in not flatly stating that Beekman would start in place of Metcalf. I'm hoping and trusting that would be true, if there were no other options. But there will be.
Regarding Ced, it's all a "whatever" about him. If losing weight makes him faster, that's great. Will it make him a more motivated player? That's totally up to him, but my guess is no. Still like the concept of making him a fullback. Put on weight, don't take it off.
At least Lovie gave us something to talk about. But I swear, if I see anyone but DH returning kicks or punts when any game is still in the balance (which is most of the time) I'll despise Lovie from that missed opportunity forward, forever and ever amen.
April 3, 2008
#15 tenacious d said . . .Here's the Bears pre Season Schedule
April 3, 2008
#16 mikebdot said . . .The goal with Devin is to increase his number of touches. I don't see why he can't play fulltime on both offense and return teams. Heck I'd even let him sell popcorn at halftime if it'd get him more touches. I'm not real worried about him in the return game....he seems to know how to avoid the big hit. The only concern is sending him over the middle on offense and Rex/Kyle getting him killed. But the risk is the same for all our receivers.
April 3, 2008
#17 Phil from SATX said . . .Phil: What if Hester can be the best receiver ever, just as he is the best returner ever? What if we miss out on THAT? Not that I think we will, just saying, what if? What if he's top 5 and not top 10? Is it worth about half of the kickoff/punt returns?
I am not going to be totally pissed either way, because Hester will be on the field more now and to me, that's good, because I enjoy watching him play. But if he isn't making plays, he needs to sit. It's pretty simple.
Also, I know I came down on Hester pretty hard during one of the games where he needed instruction on where to line up and Moose physically placed him somewhere on the field, but they were in no-huddle at the time and it's possible he just didn't hear the call. Also, I read somewhere that Hester and Griese got mixed up one play and that it turned out Hester read the play correctly. I can't recall where I saw that, but if true, I take back my comment. I believe I said I would refer to DH as "Hester Gump". That's pretty low, even for me...
April 3, 2008
#18 Max said . . .It's not like you're spouting nonsense, Mikeb, I just don't agree with any plan that limits his special teams touches. You yourself analyzed it correctly in an earlier post - most of the time he's not expending any energy out there - just forcing them to give us field position. The other times it's about as much effort as a long pass play, and he's been rested before trotting out there.
Maybe that's a better way to look at it. If you want him out there as an every down receiver, can't you just look at the punts and kickoffs as another down? Except one that has a lot higher possibility of success and can potentially give you a score every time, with much fewer moving parts (like the need for a QB to throw you the ball precisely, a cornerback running with you trying to mess you up, the need to catch the ball over your shoulder instead of facing it, etc.)?
And if you decide that Hester has to stay on the sidelines because he's now a true, fulltime receiver, don't think you're doing that because Hester wants that - no sir, does anyone have any doubt that Hester, already dubbed the greatest returner of all time, isn't foaming at the mouth to get out there every single time with the single-minded focus on scoring? Adding to his legend? No, it won't be because Hester doesn't want to do it. It'll be because the coaches are thinking inside the box, WAY inside the box. Who knows, maybe Ron Turner is telling Lovie "if you want me to make him into a great receiver, you have to give him to me full time, no ST." I wouldn't put it past the man.
No, I don't believe there's any argument out there that could sway me to believe there's one good reason not to put him out there for a single punt or kickoff when the game's in the balance.
April 3, 2008
#19 mikebdot said . . .Israel is a pimp, nough said. Keep Hester in on kicks and punts. . . its not like he does much running when he is in there.
April 3, 2008
#20 Rancid said . . .Phil: Yeah, just trying to figure out any sort of logic to Lovie's stupidity. I'm honestly having a very hard time playing devil's advocate on this one.
I think the only reason I could see it is just in case Hester turns out to be the best Chicago Bears receiver of all time AND the best NFL return man of all time.
Let's say he doesn't field 2 or 3 kickoffs/punts per game (he averaged 5.3 per game last season), that would be a sacrifice of 4 TDs (on average, he's at about 1 in 9 or 10 right?). If that allows him to play 80% of snaps rather than 20 or 30, and he has 4+ TDs receiving the ball and gets 1100+ yards or so, I'd say it's a push. But that's asking an awful lot from him. The only way this would be a good idea is if he caught 8+ TDs and had 1300 yards or more (which is probably not going to happen).
I'm going to renege here and just agree with Jeff (and PO'd and most others).
April 3, 2008
#21 AfroCelt said . . .It's stupid to think he can't physically pull this off. How exhausting is to watch a ball fly out of bounds. If anything this should help us. Maybe there are opposing coaches who buy into this idiotic line of thinking, and decide to kick to him because he's soooooo exhausted from playing WR all game. Good plan. Do that. We could get a couple TDs out of this!
April 3, 2008
#22 DTB said . . .Why am I still hearing Favre rumors here and on ESPN? let the man ride off into the sunset already....hopefully he falls off the horse in a most embarrassing fashion.
April 3, 2008
#23 Megan said . . .I couldn't tackle either if I had THIS to go home to...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/extramustard/04/03/hotclicks.0403/index.html
April 3, 2008
#24 Shady said . . .The poor thing.. that dress barely fits her. awwwwww
somebody get her a jacket!April 4, 2008
#25 The Ghost of #4 said . . .I think she's at GhostBar in Vegas.
Am I right Viva?
April 4, 2008
#26 Joe said . . .Brett Favre's agent has been quietly putting out feelers to NFL teams to guage their interest in possibly trading for the three time MVP
Where oh where might he go?
April 4, 2008
#27 Bear Fan said . . .For years now when it seemed the Packers didn't really WANT Favre to come back, I've wished for him to give Chicago just a season or two. A healthy Bears D + Favre at QB + an OT like Otah or Williams + a solid rb like Johnathan Stewart = Superbowl.
April 4, 2008
#28 My Quick Smells Like French Toast said . . .I've taken a very scientific approach toward who the Bears should pick at 14 ... using Madden 08.
Using the Madden feature wher you can trade for players or increase the skills of a player currently on the team, I tried the following scenarios to see which of them made the best difference:
- Having an improved offensive line
- Having an all world stud running back
Adding a first-class right tackle
Adding a top-notch wide receiverBy far, the Bears on Madden were the best when they added the world-class running back. A good back overcame some of the deficiencies in the line, and caused the defense to game-plan for the tough running game which in turn opened up the offense.
For whatever that's worth.
April 4, 2008
#29 Shady said . . .What is the dumbest Chicago coaching or management decision of all time?
Maybe the way Dusty Baker overused and burnt out the arms of Wood and Prior?
The way Crumbs and Reinsdorf prematurely broke up the MJ/Bulls dynasty?
The time Mike Ditka traded away his whole draft to get Ricky Williams? (He was coach/GM for NO at the time, but who cares, Ditka IS Chicago, always will be)Anyway, whateve the wosrt coaching/mamagement decision USED to be, it will become the decision to take Devin Hester off special teams. DUH!!!!!!!!
April 4, 2008
#30 Jesse said . . .Joe,
That just may be crazy enough to work. But it'll never happen.
CUBS FANS
I have 2 tickets for a bunch of games coming up, the first being 4/21 and 4/22 against the brew crew.
I happen to start work on the 21st and won't be able to make it. Let me know if you're at all interested in picking up 2 cheap tix.
April 4, 2008
#31 Jesse said . . .Shady, I'm always interested in cheap Cubs tix, email me at KidronMusic@hotmail.com and I'm sure we can work something out.
April 4, 2008
#32 Pissed Off said . . .(I actually posted everything below two days ago, but it was the last comment on the thread before Jeff started a new one, and then today, it became the hot topic of conversation. So, I'm copying and pasting...)
...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 4, 2008
#33 Pissed Off said . . .Quick hits:
In response to Mikeb Steve Smith comes to mind as an every down player (#1WR) and he returns kicks, I'm sure there are others and I can do research on that if you want, I know the Vikes used AP on kick/punt returns too but not all the time.
I dont want Chris Henry on this team, Angelo, dont even think of signing him, you've already signed enough no-name talent this offseason, sad thing is Henry might just be our best WR if we signed him.
Favre is an idiot. This guy just cant let go, I hope he goes somewhere else and then GB can be pissed at him and when finally does hang it up he'll have no where that'll accept him when his number should be retired. I'm sure they'd eventually forgive him but its the ultimate "fuck you" to GB right now. I hate Favre and stunts like this he pulls make me hate him more, just be honest Brett, and let go, stop jerking people around.
April 4, 2008
#34 Duff Diggler said . . .And if I havent been clear on the Hester issue its cuz I'm not sure what I want, I dont know if he'll be or is good enough to be a #1 or #2 WR. I'm thinking he's more of a #3, then he should get in more often we just need to run more 3 WR sets so its not such a dead give away when he's in there.
April 4, 2008
#35 JB said . . .I don't think it'll matter where Favre goes (if anywhere) as far as retiring his # is concerned....
.....example: Chris Carter
April 4, 2008
#36 mikebdot said . . .shady, can i get your e-mail address? i may be able to take the tickets off your hands.
dtb...i'm not sure you need much more in life than a fat paycheck for doing next to nothing and an amazing looking women on your arm...AA is living a charmed life.
April 4, 2008
#37 mikebdot said . . .PO'd: Steve Smith does not return kicks anymore as well as start at WR. He only did that in 2002. And even then, he only had 26 KO returns. In '03 he mostly only returned punts, not KOs. In 2001 he had only 10 receptions.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitSt01.htm
The fact that he did that in '02 and did so well at it should tell you it's possible, but they eventually favored the receiver route with him.
I would honestly rather have my cake and eat it too.
This also might be a sign that perhaps we'll be trying more no huddle? This might make Hester more tired as well?
April 4, 2008
#38 animal said . . .Anybody interesting in taking a flyer on Dennis Dixon in round 5 or 6?
He's already working out 3 1/2 months after suffering a torn ACL.
http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080404/SPORTS/804040340/1018
April 4, 2008
#39 animal said . . .Bear Fan, I base all of my decisions on Madden 08 also. I put Hester as the #1 wide reciever, run a lot of play action and hit him streaking deep 4-5 times a game for TDs. Id settle for doing that once a game in real life, like we did with Berrian two years ago.
April 4, 2008
#40 JB said . . .I'm getting tired of feeling negative about my team again.
Ced Benson will have a breakout, "fuck you" year. 1400 yards, 10 TDs. A revamped, younger and hungrier O-line will step it up, and Ced will run like the angry, mean, big strong freight train he was backing up TJ.
Take a trip down memory lane with me. Just two years back. For just a moment, forget last year. Remember how excited we were every time Ced came in the game in '06? Remember telling people "watch, watch! He's going to run somebody over!" and then he would flatten some safety and it would take 3 guys to bring him down?
Remember him busting into the endzone for as many TDs as TJ got in much less time?
THAT Ced will be back. Hungry. Scared of losing his job. Angry at the critics like us.
On opening night, when he runs a couple Colts DBs right the fuck over, turn to your friend/spouse/brother and say, "animal was right. Ced is back" and high five or knuckle bump or just smile.Here's to hoping for the best, rather than living in fear of the worst. Here's to Beekman and Chris Williams rejuvenating Kruetz and Tait. Here's to Ced running with a chip on the shoulder he is looking over. Here's to Rex loosing up the D with a playaction bomb to Hester. Here's to Greg Olsen being used like Winslow, Shockey, Gates, Gonzales, Heap. Here's to Mike Brown picking a few off, and more importantly, getting guys lined up in the right formations on every down. Here's to Tommy Harris living up to the hype just by staying healthy. Here's to Urlacher playing AP like he used to play M.Vick.
Here's to the Bears. Bear down baby.April 4, 2008
#41 tenacious d said . . .Fuck Cedric Benson
April 4, 2008
#42 Shady said . . .JB, By the middle of last season, everyone was screaming to see more Adrian Peterson. After Ced got hurt, he came in and put up the exact same ypc at 3.8 or whatever. That proves that Ced was not the problem. I hope he rips it up in 08 behind our revamped line.
April 4, 2008
#43 said . . .Re: Cubs tickets
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BEARS DOWNApril 4, 2008
#44 Matt said . . .Ooops I mean Beers Down.
April 4, 2008
#45 tenacious d said . . .Saw this from a link on the Sun Times web site:
If you only consider the $17 million in guaranteed money, here is what the Bears have paid Benson for so far:
- $10,671.68 per rushing yard.
- $40,476.19 per carry at a 3.8 ypc average.
- $38,116 per touch.
- $1.7 million per touchdown.
Fucking priceless. (Pun not intended)
April 5, 2008
#46 animal said . . .Matt, yes Benson is overpaid based on his production. It's too bad you can't reference stats on how overpaid our o-line is versus their production. Ced had virtually no chance to succeed last season with the atrocious line play. Again, I reference the fact that our AP came in and put up the same paltry ypc, even after we benched Ruben who was playing with one arm for most of the season.
April 5, 2008
#47 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .OK Jeff, time for a new thread. Lets speculate on our 2nd round pick some more...
April 5, 2008
#48 Matt said . . .O.K why is Brian skipping the Bears workout Monday?
Show him the money!!
April 7, 2008
#49 JB said . . .Get to camp Urlacher.
It's not the Bears fault you signed a shitty contract.
This is just what the Bears should do, give a ton of money to a linebacker heading into his ninth year with some strange neck conditon.
April 7, 2008
#50 Phil from SATX said . . .Re: Tenacious #41:
Are you kidding me? Everyone was screaming for AP and he did the same job as Cedric Benson. AP is a special teamer, a career back up, fill in, 3rd down back and he did an equally shitty job as the #4 OVERALL pick in the draft, who has done nothing of quality since he's been here....how is that a defense for benson? I understand the OL is very important to correct, but it is crazy to defend benson as anything more than an up and down runner who is still trying to run everyone over. He's not playing Baylor anymore...the best part about '08 is that it will be the last year with Benson in uniform.
April 7, 2008
#51 Pissed Off said . . .JB, that's a great way to look at it, I had been thinking the same way as Ten. D. Thanks for rerouting me - the fact that AP gained the same as the $13MM man (paid to date) is more damning on Benson than anything else. I'll of course still be rooting for him to strike gold everytime he touches the ball this year but expecting nothing but mud.
Adam Archuleta doesn't compare in the degree to which he's disappointed Bears fans as Ced B. However, still need to point out that Ced of 2006 was an exciting player that we all wanted to see more of. 2007 was horrific for him, in terms of stats and of losing any remaining loyalty from the Chicago fan base. But it WAS just one year. He's on his last leg, and I really won't be surprised if he has an awesome season this year. I think he does have talent, and he sure had heart at UT, and I think he showed heart in his previous seasons before 2007. Maybe we'll all be surprised to see some heart this year.
Since you get about two yards just by making it to the line of scrimmage and falling forward, getting an extra 5 feet or so more is not a great accomplishment, whether it's AP or Ced. It may be that the similar production levels of those two backs merely reflected the average that a decent back can get behind a wretched offensive line. In other words, that average may have shown up with about 40 other NFL backs behind our line, with a few elite ones doing better on their own.
The question remains, will the line actually BE better next year? Still believe it will, even if Ruben Brown is brought back as a stopgap to complement with a Williams or Otah. If the guy's healthy, I'd take him back - it wasn't his fault he was hurt last year, it was Harry and Ron's for not getting him out of there earlier.
April 7, 2008
#52 tenacious d said . . .Not a Benson lover. I'm with those who pretty much say "Benson Blows". I cant stand this guy. I want him to do well but I dont see it. I just wish he'd care and if he did he'd put up better numbers and be liked, by others including me.
April 7, 2008
#53 mikebdot said . . .JB,
We could have had Crazylegs Hirsch at RB and with our line it wouldn't have made a bit of difference. Ced (and most other RB's for that matter) isnt elusive enough to avoid tacklers when they are 2 yards + into the backfield as they were nearly every time he touched the ball. Has he performed like a #4 overall? No. Do we need competition for him? Absolutely. I just don't believe its time to write him off yet, as you and others seem to be in favor of.
April 7, 2008
#54 Phil from SATX said . . .A few comments about CB vs. AP. AP's average ypc was actually less than CB after AP moved into the starting role. AP picked up a bunch of yards on "obvious" passing downs early in the season.
Also, the cash that was paid to CB was going to be spent on any person they drafted at #4. There is pretty much no room for negotiation outside of guaranteed vs. not. Nobody has ever really responded to who we SHOULD have picked up instead of CB. I think it lit a fire under TJ's ass and too bad for us, pissed him off to the point where he wanted out. This is why I hate TJ. If CB is a poor sport, what does this make TJ?
April 7, 2008
#55 jeff said . . .Mikeb, I gotta agree with you about this. If someone is not starting and wants to (like BA), that's a legitimate reason for seeking a new home - cannot be faulted, really.
In the case of TJ, he didn't like sharing time, likely hugely exacerbated by the amount of money Ced was bequeathed just by being the #4 pick in the draft. Given the fact that at that point in TJ's career, he could never have HoF aspirations or anything like that, his desire to leave a good situation here was ego-driven, and therefore selfish. I guess if you presume that he got more from the Jets than he could have gotten from us, that's an acceptable reason to leave too.
But my belief is that off-season Angelo promises to TJ aside, the real reason he didn't try to convince TJ to stay was because he knew he would be flogging a dead horse. He knew TJ, and he knew that TJ's ego wouldn't let him stay here and share with Ced. And btw, we saw that in spades during 2006, so that presumption is no stretch.
TJ was a great competitor, a great teammate too, right up to the time the Bears drafted Ced. Then his ego took over, and he became a putz and a locker room divider. He should have stayed and built something great.
April 7, 2008
#56 JB said . . .i cant get worried about this contract crap. it's a weight lifting session in the spring.
April 7, 2008
#57 Pissed Off said . . .Mikeb, that draft I remember thinking that I wanted Braylon Edwards and if he was gone (and he was), I wanted to trade down in the draft to pick up some extra guys and take Derrick Johnson...which would have loaded us at LB, but I really liked him out of college. Realizing that this might sound faked, I literally said "anybody but benson" when tagliabu came up to the podium with our pick...i was incredibly pissed and still am about that draft.
tenacious...justify it however you want, he doesn't make us a better football team. no one in the league is afraid of cedric benson and i want someone that people have to gameplan for, regardless of the OL.
April 7, 2008
#58 Phillip L said . . .Word
April 7, 2008
#59 Joe said . . .Sorry to be so off topic, but where are these shirts I heard about? I want one...
April 7, 2008
#60 Anytime said . . .Who should the Bears have taken in the 2005 draft instead of C-Ben?
Obviously it's 20-20 hindsight ...
But can you imagine a linebacking corps of Urlacher, Brigss ... and Shawn Merriman.
Then we could have picked up Brandon Jacobs in the later rounds.
Man, it's fun to dream.
April 8, 2008
#61 mikebdot said . . .Anyone here now about the leader of our team having contract issues?? I hope this doesn't blow up in our face. Didn't he want to restructure his contract to keep briggs?? fuck it. just pay 54 his money.
April 8, 2008
Joe,
I agree that Merriman would have been "cool" and all, but, firstly, he would have been a "reach" (taken at 10+ right?), and secondly, we don't run a 3-4, so I'm unsure of his worth in a 4-3 defense, and thirdly, you think the debate between how much to pay Briggs/Urlacher and sinking money into one position was a topic worthy of discussion, imagine with him on the team as well. Yuck. Briggs would be out of here, for sure. Goddamned free agency.
I know CB was sort of a crap pick, but literally, more than half of all picks in round 1 actually "bust". I think this idea of "bust"ed picks is sort of stupid. I really think the problem isn't so much with our offensive players, but with the ability of our coaching staff to develop or tap into the talent on the field. The more I think about it, the more I think moving Hester to receiver has the potential to be the stupidest fucking thing ever done on the entire planet. And George W. Bush is president!
April 8, 2008
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.