With news today that the Chicago Bears have signed Brandon MCGowan to a one-year tender, the Bears have once again turned the spotlight on their bright and shiny hole at the safety position. I quote Vaughn McClure directly:
"As it stands now, the Bears are likely to return all their safeties from last season, with Mike Brown and Kevin Payne returning from injuries and Danieal Manning, Adam Archuleta and McGowan still in the fold."
We tend to be hard on this team's offensive issues and with good reason but we ignore the safety position at our own peril. Bad safeties lead to long plays in the running game. They lead to making shitty tight ends look like Mike Ditka. They mean that at on any single play from any place on the field, the opponent can score then and there. One play. That's all it takes.
And signing Brandon McGowan to a one-year tender ain't changing anything.
#2 Prefontaine said . . .first
M Brown will be ready. He will make all the difference in the world.
Mark it down now.
If it is not so against the Colts I will be here to eat crow Tuesday morning.
April 1, 2008
#3 Rancid said . . .Agreed! I still continue to have so much faith in Mike Brown dispite the injuries. He is such a powerful force when he is full strength. I want to believe that these last few injuries were flukes and he can still return to Pro-Bowl form.
Just remember...SF game....Cleveland game...Arizona game (Pre-Injury)
He can change a game by himself. Keep the MB faith!!!
April 2, 2008
#4 Matt said . . .This is why I would rather see us take Kenny Philips if he is available at 14 than a RB. If one of the top 4 OTs Long, Clady, Williams, Otah) is there, I prefer that, but if not, I'd rather have Phillips over a RB.
jdawg - everyone on here loves Brown. We're not worried about Brown for the Colts game. He will be there and he will be fantastic. But will he be there for the next 15 games? That's the tough one.
April 2, 2008
#5 The Duke said . . .totally off topic, but:
http://www.wdnweb.com/articles/2008/03/31/sports/sports02.txt
thoughts?
April 2, 2008
#6 jeff said . . .Why Archuleta still has a job is beyond me. Can someone tell me how he still has a job? Is Lovie that loyal to former players?
Mcgowan is solid and will on;y get better. MB will have a career season. Book it. If Williams, Otah, and Clady are off the board let's go Mendenhall. Bear down.April 2, 2008
#7 Z said . . .i'm getting ready to write about clady, otah, and chris williams because i think those are the bears first round targets. i don't think they're going to take a running back there.
April 2, 2008
#8 Jerry Angelo said . . .Jeff you have sufficiently reminded me about the big plays I have seen given up due to the weakness of safties not getting it done. We need depth there. I was wanting Kenny Phillips at 14 for awhile but didn't think he would be there. Looks like he might be.
What does everyone think of him?
Our strategy of a sick D can make up for some of a weak O has worked out for us in the past sometimes. But it has to be a sick D all around.
I don't care just pick someone good at any need position BT.
April 2, 2008
#9 Your Gramma said . . .Everybody talks about offense, offense, offense. Who cares about offense? I put together a Super Bowl that had Rex Grossman as our quarterback, for crying out loud. The truth is, I don't know that much about offense. But I know how to build a good defense. I'm not trying to give too much way, fans, but all I'm saying is I really like to draft first-rounders who played in Florida, especially if they're fast and of course, if they play defense.
April 2, 2008
#10 Brian Urlacher said . . .Even I could play better safety than Adam Archuleta
April 2, 2008
#11 Da Beer Drinking super fat Super Fan from those old SNL skits from whom we get the name of this illu said . . .I can play safety. I played safety in college.
I know what you're thinking: why would I want to move position when I've been so awesome at middle linebacker all these years?
I'm not talking about not playing linebacker anymore.
I'm Brian Urlacher.
I'll play both positions.
April 2, 2008
#12 Jonathan Stewart said . . .Even I can play better safety than Adam Archuleta.
Daaaa Bears
April 2, 2008
#13 William Perry said . . .I don't get no love from you Bears fans.
I'm at least as good if not a better back than Mendenhall and I'll probablybe available when you draft in the second round.
Get yourself a safety -- or even a defensive tackle -- in the first round. I'll be waiting for you. Steal. Of. The. Draft.
April 2, 2008
#14 Matt Toeaina said . . .I'll come out of retirement right now and kick your @#$% Adam Archuletta. Don't think I won't do it.
April 2, 2008
#15 Michael Scott said . . ."The lone hole on the defensive side"
What am I all of the sudden, an All-Pro?
April 2, 2008
#16 Adam Archuletta said . . ."The lone hole on the defensive side."
That's what she called it.
April 2, 2008
#17 A HEALTHY Mike Brown said . . ."The lone hole on the defensive side"
I've been called worse.
April 2, 2008
#18 Lance Briggs said . . .Bob Sanders, here's my jock strap. Take a good whiff.
April 2, 2008
#19 the skinny nerdy dude with glasses in "Little Giants" who likes like an 8 year old Dr. Ruth said . . .RE: The lone "hole" on the defensive side
-- I guess it depends on what kind of "hole" you mean.
April 2, 2008
#20 Kevin Payne said . . .Shut up, Archuletta, even I can play better safety than you can
April 2, 2008
#21 Cam Cameron said . . .Um, I don't know if you know this or not, but actually, I don't suck.
April 2, 2008
#22 mikebdot said . . .RE "Adam Archuletta is the Worst Player in the NFL"
Did you SEE the roster I had to work with last year?
April 2, 2008
#23 jdawg said . . .Wow, I saw "21 comments" and thought "damn, surely there can't be THAT much discussion already regarding Brandon McGowan". Then I realized someone was really really really bored.
April 2, 2008
#24 Pissed Off said . . .Arch is still on the team because he got all his money LAST YEAR. He comes on the cheap. I'm not defending him, I'm just explaining why he's on the team.
Jeff, I have a sinking feeling those three guys are going to be gone by the time we pick, so I hope Angelo has a good plan B in place.
April 2, 2008
#25 ncbearsfan said . . .I'm glad they signed him. Arch sucks, no argument here but the rest is solid if Mike Brown is healthy. I like Manning a lot, its just that AP strip instead of tackle play sticks in everyones mind. Outside of that play I'm more than OK with him starting at safety. McGowan is a good player getting better every year as well as Payne and Manning. I gues their giving Arch another shot this year but I dont see why.
I dont have a lot of faith in Mike Brown staying healthy but man if he just could.....
Jeff, agreed with your #6, this team is taking OT in the first round, its almost a guarantee. I cant honestly even speculate or listen to speculation about us taking another position at #14 unless some magic happens where McFadden falls or Ryan or Chris Long or something nuts like that.
I think everyone is high on Kenny Phillips cuz hes like the only safety in the draft, if it was a normal year he might be a 2nd round or 3rd round pick.
April 2, 2008
#26 Tom Zbikowski said . . .If Dajuan Morgan is still available in the 3rd round after the Bears take care of repairing that O-line or getting a running back, they should definitely draft him. He's pretty much been the entire defense at NC State for the last couple of years.
April 2, 2008
#27 Tom Zbikowski's Mom said . . .Not only will I be on the board in the 4th, I run a 4.5, STILL ROCK the MO-HAWK, can play on spec teams, play safety better than AA, and i'll kick his ass in the ring too!!!
April 2, 2008
#28 Tom Zbikowski said . . .It's true! Even Wikipedia says so:
Thomas Michael Zbikowski is an All-American punt returner and strong safety for the University of Notre Dame football team. He grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and attended Buffalo Grove High School in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. He also was a Golden Glove boxer, who had an outstanding amateur boxing career. Zbikowski is described by coach Charlie Weis, as "all day tough." Zbikowski did not play as a freshman and started as a sophomore. He is currently a senior with one remaining year of eligibility heading into the 2007 season. He was named a third team All-American safety at the conclusion of the 2006 regular season after being named third team All-American as a punt returner in 2005.
On June 10, 2006, Zbikowski made his professional boxing debut at Madison Square Garden in New York City, beating his opponent, Robert Bell of Akron, Ohio, by TKO within 49 seconds of the first round. The fight was compliant with NCAA guidelines. Bell, who is an Ohio State fan, wore an Ohio State football jersey into the ring. Zbikowski will continue his boxing career after the 2006 football season. He signed a three fight contract and has one fight left. Zbikowski's second fight was against Ryan St. Germaine on March 6, 2007 at the Century Center in South Bend, Indiana.
Friend and former roommate of alumni ND star wide receiver and Chicago Cubs pitcher, Jeff Samardzija.
During his first two years at Notre Dame, Zbikowski lived in Alumni Hall.
15th in the nation in punt returning AVG. in the NCAA last year with 14 yards per return. (Highlight of the season was his punt return for touchdown in USC game)
Led team with 5 interceptions in 2005.
April 2, 2008
#29 RandomName said . . .Plus, if you take me, i promise that i'll talk to Samardzija and let him know that the Bears need his WR skills more than the Cubs need his pitching right now.
April 2, 2008
#30 mikebdot said . . .The force-out rule has been eliminated, any thoughts? Maybe corners cand catch receivers close to the out-of-bounds line and run with them now. lol I just think of such things and laugh.
well who are for it and who against? just curious.
April 2, 2008
#31 tenacious d said . . .RandomName: I'm fairly ambivalent towards the force out rule, but I usually lean towards rewarding the defense for good play, so I think I like this change. I also like the elimination of the incidental face mask.
I really wish the league would do more to enforce pass interference and the 5 yard no contact rule. They are truly awful at enforcing those penalties. They need refs watching from above with cameras, not on the field. They really only need two or three refs down there on the field to call the penalties and keep the peace. I don't understand that at all. It's really stupid.
Also, why is there so much resistance to putting radios in the helmets of more than one player? Why not the entire team? More teams would do no huddle, but so what?
April 2, 2008
#32 animal said . . .I like eliminating the force-out rule. It is way too subjective. How can you tell where a receiver would have landed if he had not been hit while in the air. Even with the help of instant reply, its just a guess.
Plus, as you can tell by my screen name, I enjoy watching receivers get anihalated along the sidelines.
April 2, 2008
#33 AfroCelt said . . .Dont forget, this was not nearly as big an issue with a healthy Vasher and Tillman. With those two, Ricky Manning plays the nickel, and we are much, much more solid.
Last year I believe the most overlooked thing was the injuries to our corners. Vasher is a pro bowler, and he missed 9 games. We ran Trumaine McBride out there a LOT.
Ya, sure, we need another safety. But the real issue is keeping the DBs we have healthy, which will make D.Man and Brown much, much better.April 2, 2008
#34 AfroCelt said . . .I'd rather only the QB and defensive captain get radios. I don't want more no-huddle, since the league can score easily enough as is.
April 2, 2008
#35 animal said . . .also, explaining my opposition to more no-huddle, it makes distinguishing who is in pre-snap much more difficult. It also makes swapping defensive players nearly impossible, and gasses the defensive line much more quickly. As a former DT I hated late-game no huddle offense with a passion...its much easier to make efficient play when you know where you and the ball are going.
April 2, 2008
#36 Draft Zibs said . . .Drafting Zibs would rank up there with drafting Zorich for Bears/Irish fans... I would hit the f@cking roof. Screw all of you who will chime in that he is not a great pro prospect, blah blah blah... Its Zibs. Mean. Nasty. Hard hitting. Ball Hawking. Golden Domer.
We want him in our secondary!
We NEED him in our secondary!
Not sure how I forgot my earlier obsession with drafting him, but thanks for reminding me.
My screen name went from start olsen, to animal, and may now have to change to draft zibs for the next month.April 2, 2008
#37 another option... said . . .http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/insider/columns/story?columnist=muench_steve&id=3291825
April 2, 2008
#38 DELMAR said . . .Small-school prospect
Appalachian State SS Corey Lynch
If you caught Appalachian State's monumental upset of Michigan in the season opener, or at least saw the highlights, you saw Lynch preserve the two-point win by blocking Michigan's last-second field-goal attempt. That game aside, playing at the FCS (formerly Division I-AA) level prevented Lynch from showing what he can do against elite competition and raises concerns about his ability to adjust to the speed of the NFL game. There are also questions about Lynch's lack of top-end speed and explosiveness, so it comes as little surprise that he projects as a seventh-round pick or rookie free agent. Still, he could develop into a quality reserve for the right team because he's a tough run defender who flashes big-play ability in coverage and has a propensity for blocking kicks.
Denver needs a safety and John Lynch could be the perfect teacher for a young player coming into the league. But Corey Lynch isn't a good fit for the roster because the Broncos need a safety who can develop into a starter, and he doesn't have that kind of upside. Chicago, on the other hand, could make good use of Lynch's skills. Current Bears FS Mike Brown is a team leader and SS Brandon McGowan exceeded expectations last year, but Brown hasn't been able to stay healthy and Adam Archuleta had a disappointing season. So even though Danieal Manning provides adequate depth, Chicago needs another safety. Lynch will probably never develop into an every-down player but he can make an impact on special teams and would provide adequate depth if an injury forces Manning or Archuleta into the starting lineup.April 2, 2008
#39 animal said . . .DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY THE BEARS HAVENT TALKED ABOUT DRAFTING TOM ZBIKOWSKI FROM NOTRE DAME TO HELP FILL THIS SAFETY ISSUE?? THE GUY IS A STUD AND WOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON THE TEAM. SOMEBODY PLEASE LET ME KOW, THANKS
April 2, 2008
#40 animal said . . .Delmar your caps are stealing my thunder.
April 2, 2008
#41 animal said . . .Hey
The Biggs article on McGowan lists players visiting Halas Hall. Apparently only a few (8) players visit.
Does anyone know the history of the Bears actually drafting players they bring in to visit? Is there a strong correlation? Seems this could be a big clue to who we draft....
"The Bears will bring Georgia offensive lineman Chester Adams to Halas Hall next week for a pre-draft visit. He is one of eight known players who have a visit scheduled or have made one, joining quarterbacks Nick Hill of Southern Illinois and Caleb Hanie of Colorado State, safeties Matthew Harper of Oregon and Haruki Nakamura of Cincinnati, San Diego State running back Brandon Bornes, Western Kentucky wide receiver Curtis Hamilton and Oregon defensive tackle David Faaeteete."
April 2, 2008
#42 jeff said . . .Notice ALL those guys play positions the Bears are known to be targeting, especially in later rounds:
OL
QB
Safety
WR
RB
DT
(I know that covers a lot of positions. But there are no corners, LBs, TEs, DEs- positions we have filled)
Im going to do my homework on these guys.April 2, 2008
#43 Duff Diggler said . . .lovie confirms: suntimes.
Smith projected that Mike Brown will be the starting free safety. Presumably, that means Danieal Manning is out of a job and Brandon McGowan and Kevin Payne will battle for the strong safety job.April 2, 2008
#44 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .claims responsibility for the Zibs/Zibs mom's posts (in third person nonetheless).
but shit.....
.....maybe the Cubs do need Jeff Samardzija
April 3, 2008
#45 joe said . . .Here a article with Lovie talklng about Benson an the Bears
April 3, 2008
Archuleta's not very good at safety, but apparently he does a pretty good job singing on that American Idol show.
April 4, 2008
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