I didn't just hate Cedric Benson. I loathed him. He made my eyes sweat blood. Call me crazy but I much prefer to root for a kid from Tulane than a loafing, weak-willed, self-important douche bag who breaks into tears because THREE PEOPLE were taking before him in the NFL Draft. Looking back, it's remarkable that THREE ROUNDS of people weren't taken first.
Don't blame Jerry Angelo. Who among us didn't think Benson had star potential as we watched him compliment Thomas Jones all the way to the Super Bowl?
Don't blame Lovie Smith. For all his coaching deficiencies, Benson is not a product of them. Benson's problems are internal - located near the middle of his chest.
Cedric Benson is gone now and for those who ask the question, "What will the Bears do without him?" - the answer is simple. Find someone else to run a yard and fall down.
#2 Phil from SATX said . . .This makes me very very happy. As I've said before on here, I was against Cedric when he was drafted. I didn't like him from the very first second he was a Bear. I didn't like him the year he was paired with TJ...as, obviously, I was a huge TJ fan. I'm still pissed about that fumble in the Super Bowl (oh yeah, remember that). I figured on the field performance would cost him his job...but I'll take off the field junk if it gets him out of here.
I would rather have a tough go of it in the running game this year with our youth at the position than lean on an unproven piece of shit.
This is a great day to be a Chicago Bears fan.
June 10, 2008
#3 Duff Diggler said . . .In all fairness, Jeff, it has been widely misinterpreted here that Ced's tears upon being drafted were of anger/sadness when they were actually tears of happiness -
but so the hell what
definitely high on the list of worst Bears ever
not good riddance, GREAT riddance
as a Longhorn who was deeply excited when we drafted Ced, I and the whole Longhorn nation (yes I'll speak for them) apologize to the Chicago Bear franchise and all its fans for our responsibility for foisting this loser on the world
From reading a link on a recent post, I learned a bunch of very interesting things.
1) Devin Hester is NOT being expected to be anywhere close to the #1 receiver - Turner says 5-7 throws go his way per game, and reiterated that as the best returner ever, he obviously needed to be out there in that role
2) He is calling out Davis as the surprise receiver of the year - I know this started sometime before, but it seems to be reiterated - this doesn't have to automatically be deemed a back-handed compliment reflecting how bad our receiver corps is - it could just be that Davis is really impressing. That they're figuring out he was being underused. Maybe he got better. We loved him in '06 in a limited role, don't know why he fell off in '07, maybe for the same reason EVERYONE did.
3) Talk about John St. Clair making a move to left guard. This to me is at least somewhat good - since it means they're not going to try to sell us on Terry Metcalf at the position - St. Clair was an okay tackle, maybe he'd be a better guard.
So the Bears are moving in the right direction, as far as I'm concerned - cutting out the malignant Bensonoma, not relying on Hester to be #1, not relying on the not-nearly-good-enough Terry Metcalf, maybe a bigger role for Rash, I'm sure there will be a signing of Alexander soon - it's going the right direction!
Truly, folks, celebrate, it's a great day for Bear fans - like someone said, addition by subtraction. Time to make locker room chemistry a priority!
June 10, 2008
#4 Taylor said . . .JB, I love the judgement testimonial ala Barack Obama vs. Operation Iraqi Freedom ("I was against Cedric when he was drafted. I didn't like him from the very first second he was a Bear.")...... Kudos....
....you'll have to forgive my constant analogies/similies....
....anyway, I'd like to thank CB for fucking up again! It's finally over! I'm so sick of hearing about potential and stellar practice performances.
A tip of the cap to JA as well. He had to swallow some serious pride with this one, but at least CB made it easy for him....
The word "disapointment" doesn't remotely express this guy. He was a bane to our progress....
I have an aliby for one of my earlier predictions....
I have said that Ced would become a Cowboy. I don't recant that. I only delay it. I can see him with a star on the helmet sometime down the road. However, my money says that he becomes a Houston Texan sooner than later....
June 10, 2008
#5 Phil from SATX said . . .I just read a Larry Mayer Chalk Talk about whether or not the Bears will try to sign a vet. My interpretation of his response is doubtful, and if they do, he won't be our starter.
June 10, 2008
#6 Idonije said . . .Taylor, I hope Mayer's wrong, in my opinion that would be a serious mistake. Don't I remember Angelo saying that Ced would be the presumed starter? Whether or not that was going to happen, I am confident that they don't think Peterson or Wolfe can comprise 1/2 of a two back attack. I'm also confident that they want a two back attack, because it worked so well so recently.
While I am personally putting all of my rooting eggs into the Forte basket, I certainly don't want management doing the same. We know there's a position available, so FILL IT.
June 10, 2008
#7 Phil from SATX said . . .I can not see the Texans signing Cedric Benson. Although I doubt any of the backs on their roster are a sure-fire stud, they have a pretty solid group to fill the complementary roles. How about Arizona or Denver? I am just glad that schmuck is not here anymore.
June 10, 2008
#8 Taylor said . . .The more I think of it, the more I'm sure there will be another RB signing - we have not heard any of the rave talk about Peterson or Wolfe before this which would indicate that they wanted to lay the groundwork for Ced dropping to 3rd string or worse - and if they believed that that could happen they WOULD have telegraphed it - all the conversation has been about Ced and Matt sharing the load.
Now Ced's gone, so there's a hole. I have no problem with them signing some guy and then saying that Matt has every chance to win the starting role come September, but I do NOT want to hear "yeah, we didn't need Ced anyway, the other guys are ready to step up" because I just won't believe that shit, nor should anyone else.
On the other hand, I agree with Duff's tip of cap to JA - he's really impressed me this offseason, and he did it again here with this strong and necessary move. I was on his ass about his "I'm disappointed that Ced would put himself in this position" talk immediately after the first incident, maybe he knew more than we, maybe he is prescient if not psychic, maybe he was paying the Austin cops to keep an eye out for Ced so precisely this could happen... but we know for CERTAIN he hated Ced and is probably very happy to be able to make such a clear decision. Angelo's smart enough to know about sunk costs, and that the bad decision about Ced occurred 4 years ago or so.. and it doesn't have to continue being a bad decision.
Let's hope they got it right with Forte!
June 10, 2008
#9 Brad said . . .I hope he's wrong too. Odds are at least one back will get injured, and reality is, most of the effective rushing teams have 2 quality backs.
June 10, 2008
#10 Perno said . . .KEVIN JONES!! We need another quality back. I understand he is injury prone; however I am sick of the Bears having no one capable of carrying the load unless Forte steps it up big time. I would like to have a "real" change of pace back and KJ could be a great addition. I have always like him, but being in Detroit and injuries have kept him from succeeding. Reminds me a lot of Thomas Jones the first couple of years of his career. I really hope the Bears add another back now, otherwise it may be another long season.
June 10, 2008
#11 Phil from SATX said . . .@Phil from SATX:
This is the first time I've heard Cedric's tears were those of happiness. Many other credible sources stick with the anger/sadness story (David Haugh from the Tribune is one).Whatever it was, just glad this loser is gone. Cedric Benson, what a waste of college talent.
June 10, 2008
#12 CURSE OF THE FRIDGE said . . .It's hard to find the original articles. Haugh is definitely reinterpreting what was going on at the time.
Here was from the Daily Texan at the time:
As the reigning Doak Walker Award winner walked across the stage in New York to shake hands with NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, the months of emotion showed as a tear rolled down his face.
"I can't express what I'm feeling," Benson said. "It's been a long process for me, and I didn't know how things were going to turn out or what was going to happen. ... Obviously the Bears believe in me, and we're going to get some things done in Chicago."
Benson said his tears were a sign of relief at the end of a difficult process.
"It was like I had murdered somebody or something," Benson said. "There wasn't any appreciation or respect for me putting myself in position to be sitting in front of the [NFL team interviewing me]. I just thought it was a slap in the face." [Phil's note - lest you misinterpret this, Benson was referring to the whole process of getting drafted, not the getting drafted by the Bears]
Benson's past, which includes a charge of breaking and entering, was questioned by NFL coaches and scouts, as was his relationship to former Longhorn Ricky Williams. Benson cut off his dreadlocks earlier this year in an attempt to further separate himself from Williams, whose name became infamous after he retired from the Miami Dolphins shortly before training camp. Some speculated the two's relationship might have played a part in Miami's decision to select Auburn's Ronnie Brown as the second overall pick instead of Benson.
"In the first round, everyone knows the players are going to be the best, so any type of talk is going to be criticism," Texas head coach Mack Brown said. "Chicago is a windy and tough city. That is a perfect fit for Cedric. He's the type of tough back they really need."
Well Mack, we all thought that (except for JB). Turns out we were all wrong. But Haugh's rewriting it the way he imagines it must have been in Ced's head.
In the end, though, it probably was meaningful, in a bad way. Ced couldn't believe the nasty things that were said and written about him during his path to the 4th pick - remember that everyone was comparing him to the already weird and busted Ricky Williams so he was constantly having to deflect that. But his whole reaction to the process was in the end, one of entitlement and self-pity - "I shouldn't have to go through this" "why oh why is everyone picking on me" etc. A sense of entitlement, selfishness and not wanting to work hard enough to earn what he felt should be given to him was what doomed him as a Bear. So the tear probably did mean something, but it didn't mean he was sad or angry that he was picked by the Bears. Overcome with emotion, yes. That's obviously not the same thing.
June 10, 2008
#13 Phil from SATX said . . .Not giving up yet on this topic ...
Researched the last 15 years of first round draft picks that were running backs and found 10 that are legitimate busts.
3 of those busts belong to the Bears!!
In fact, the way I rate the running back busts of the last 15 years, the Bears have 3 of the top 6 busts:
1. Ki-Jana Carter
2. Curtis Enis
3. William Green
4. Cedric Benson
5. Lawrence Phillips
6. Rashan Salaam
7. John Avery
8. Chris Perry
9. Tony Smith
10. Tommy VardellI scored every team two positive points if they drafted a good, pro bowl calibre running back in the first round over the last fifteen years, subtracted two points for a bust, and gave them one point for drafting (first round draft picks only) a bust.
The Bears have the worst score at -6. They took three shots i nside the top 21, including two inside the top 10, and whiffed at all 3.
There were a couple teams that were at -1 but the only team to really give the Bears any competition were the Bengals who wiffed on Carter and Perry (and it might even be a little unfair to Perry to put him in that class this soon, we'll see), the Bengals came in at -4. And remember how terrible they were at drafting for many years!
I didn't create the curse, I just report the facts.
I say the only way to break the curse is to bring Jarett Payton in at least to the practice squad!
June 10, 2008
#14 Shady said . . .Boy you are dogged, COTF! Impressive!
To think that you haven't even started on the COTT - Curse of the Tomzcak - yes, my friends, you heard it here first - on that fateful day when Mike Tomczak was busted doing the unthinkable - flashing signs with our offensive plays to Jim McMahon on the other sideline during an otherwise meaningless preseason game -
And the rest was history...
June 10, 2008
#15 Duff Diggler said . . .How can you NOT blame JA?
The signs were there that Cedric had serious character issues, yet JA rolled the dice anyway. Angelo also let TJ leave town and ASSUMED Cedric could handle the role. Obviously Angelo underestimated how pathetic Benson would perform. As COTF mentioned, JA and the Bears have had serious issues finding a RB... But not because of the fridge, because of the inability of Angelo to evaluate offensive talent.
June 10, 2008
#16 Phil from SATX said . . .i think maybe another look at this vid (esp the ending, minus the dickhead part) is suitable....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_g4vAHMNDU
June 10, 2008
#17 Megan said . . .After this year, Shady, we will know for certainty whether the oft-mentioned comments about Angelo's inability to draft offense are true - with Chris Williams (does line count?), Matt Forte and Earl Bennett to add to GO and Garrett Wolfe of last year.
GO looks like winner winner chicken dinner, Wolfe we mostly have our doubts on, and we'll see on these 3. If two of three from this year pan out well, I think we'll need to revise that concept, or at least revisit.
June 10, 2008
#18 JOE said . . .I just don't get how somebody who is lucky enough to get drafted to the NFL can waste such talent. What a cry-baby whinney mo. fo.
There are so many young players who would give their left ________ to play a game for a living.
What a moron.June 10, 2008
#19 JWilson said . . .Phil, I agree. Enough JA bashing. He inherited a team that had been in disarray for decades and took us back to the Big Dance. He put together a defense that will be GREAT for years. He brought us the incomprable Devin Hester! Where is the love?
June 10, 2008
#20 Taylor said . . .This has nothing to do with this subject. But I figured I 'd post it anyways. It really bugs me when journalist,commentators, bloggers, fans, players, and other people refer to our Adrian Peterson as the other Adrian Peterson. Or the wrong Adrian Peterson. Or Minnesota's as the true,or real Adrian Peterson. Chicago Bear Adrian Peterson was in the league first, And should get more R-E-S-P-E-C-T than that!
June 10, 2008
#21 AfroCelt said . . .Duff- That video just made me sad, although I did giggle a little at the end.
Maybe Angelo will apologize to the fans for the idiotic trade of TJ and we can all just get some closure on it... Yeah right.
June 10, 2008
#22 JOE said . . .Just finished watching that video, Duff.
What I really noticed was the line. Did you see the excellent pulls? The gaurds really hustled and exploded the holes. Even when they went base blocking, Jones had time to make several cuts IN THE BACKFIELD.
God, I really miss that.
June 10, 2008
#23 Shady said . . .I've really been looking forward to seeing what Matt Forte can do with pads on, but that video of TJ makes me worried about his burst and explosiveness ... can he be the "football player" that TJ was for us in 06? Watching that video also makes me wonder, what went wrong for TJ with the Jets? Did he run with lesson passion? Did their line just do nothing for him all year? I like the idea of trading to get TJ back. The Jets have their franchise runner now. We were hesitant to pay TJ the big bucks before with Benson's salary on the books, but my understanding is Benson won't hurt us too badly with dead money, as long as nobody picks him up off waivers. Bring TJ back!!
June 10, 2008
#24 JOE said . . .The more realistic Bear RB to return?
Anthony Thomas... The A-Train.
And for the record, I'm not a JA basher, I just call 'em like I see 'em. He knows defense, but offense has been a real struggle to find productive players...
I think GO fell into JA's lap more than anything else, but I guess we'll have to give him credit for not fucking it up nonetheless.
No matter how great our defense may be in years to come - the offense will continue to handicap the "monsters of the midway".
Speaking of which, where the hell is Midway?
June 10, 2008
#25 Shady said . . .ARe you from Chicago or been there? I don't mean that condescendingly, but of course if you've been there you know that arguably the most famous part of downtown Chicago is the section of Lakefront where Soldier Feild, the aquarium, and the planetarium are. The Feild museum is right across the street. And across the street from the field museum is a small airport named Midway. I think just small private planes land there, no big jets. The airport was renamed Midway after the famous World War II air battle in Japan. Over time, that whole section of the city has come to be known as "Midway".
June 10, 2008
#26 JOE said . . .Thanks for the history lesson JOE, haha
Yes I'm from Chicago and I know all about Midway Airport...
I was referring to another blogger who used to make this web-site a regular stopping point.
He and I share a similar disdain...I guess you could call it hatred...for Brett Favre.
Maybe now that Favre has retired...so has Midway (Monster).
See past comments below:
http://www.dabearsblog.com/2008/03/favre_retires.php#77 Midway Monster said . . .
"The Fourth Day of March 2008, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of the Bears. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more
--Midway--
(The day Favre retired)
June 10, 2008
#27 shonbear said . . .I'm an idiot.
June 10, 2008
#28 Megan said . . .oh my gosh COTF!!!
Anyway, I think that with Enis and Benson both being rookie hold outs. It's definitely character that's an issue with these picks, prior to picking them everybody thought both of them had the talent level to come in and do what they were supposed to do to make our running game viable. So it didn't work. Now onto the next guy, will Forte learn something from this history and be a team guy, not hold out for money and spend some time looking at film.
For instance, not so many years ago I can reamember Priest Holmes talking about what he did to improve his game. He said he watched Marshall Faulk game film and patterned his decision making to what he saw Faulk do. Prior to that who heard of Priest Holmes, he had a good run for several years and barring the injury problems would have lasted longer.
I bring that up because I look at Forte and Wolfe and I'm thinking... GAME FILM!! Look what made Warrick Dunn, LT or several other small running backs great. Look at them, learn their styles, choices they make in situations, what kind of line blocking they were getting to achieve what they did. Pattern yourself off of their successes and also add your own flair to become better. This goes for Ron Turner also, he needs to be doing the same thing to put these guys in successful type situations. His job is to create scenarios to highlight their best talents and their job is to become better.
These guys are pros, if they aren't trying to really put in the work to try to get better with Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, LT type commitment in preparing for the game, they shouldn't be with the Bears.
If they are working like this in the offseason and really putting in the work, why aren't we hearing about it. The only news we get is about pot smoking, beer drinking, gun toting, speed demon ticket recieving, car crashing in the early morning hours type stuff. Are our guys as committed to becoming better with more than just training camp and the weight room. Do we really see it conveyed or translated to the field during the season?
Please correct me if I'm wrong, maybe it's just not reported. It just seems like if this was going on we would see the results on the field and we'd have more confidence in our offense (mainly thinking about QB's, WR's and RB's)
June 11, 2008
#29 animal said . . .joe/Shady,
That was Meiggs Field ( I don't think I spelled that right)
It is no longer there. Because of of the flying restrictions around cities since 9/11, Mayor Richard Daley had that air strip(s) at Meigg's demolished.Midway is close to the SW side o the city.
June 11, 2008
#30 animal said . . .Ok, allow me to dream a moment.
WHAT IF Shaun Alexander was just slowed by injuries he is over, and ready to return to form like Jamal Lewis did?
WHAT IF??
Just 3 years ago he put up 1880 yards rushing, 5.1 a carry, and 27 TDs. He only played 23 games the last two years.
Its the offseason. We can dream, right?
My vote is for a rejuvenated former MVP with something to prove. Kevin Jones is another disappointment waiting to happen.June 11, 2008
#31 Shady said . . .By the way, "curse" I'm with you and I've brought this up before, calling it the curse of sweetness I think. Im too lazy to go back through the blogs and see where/when I said it... not that it matters, because I didnt come close to fleshing out the theory to your level. If anything your theory has kept me entertained the past few days.
Did the Curse keep us from winning the SB? Did it cause Ced's fumble and questionable knee injury/fear of Bob Sanders?
DUFF thanks for the TJ video link. Made me even more pissed he's gone. Even if that makes me guilty of "having sex with his memory" as someone put it.
June 11, 2008
#32 shonbear said . . .Interesting...
"According to FOXSports' Jay Glazer, appearing on the Dan Patrick Show, the Chicago Bears' defense collectively voted to "Code Red" Cedric Benson.
Glazer: I mean, hell, one year, they tried to hurt [Benson] to make sure that Thomas Jones was going to be the starter. That's how bad it was with that team. And--
Patrick: Wait ... his teammates tried to hurt him in practice?
Glazer: Oh yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. [...]
Patrick: Who told you this? Was it a Bears defensive player that told you this?
Glazer: No, it wasn't *a* Bears defensive player; it was about ten of them.
... wow... "code red" huh?June 11, 2008
#33 animal said . . .no way, this isn't the Buddy Ryan or John Madden days. This guys trying to sell a book or something.
I could imagine the Defense planning to be rough, but not to give him an intentional injury that could potentially hurt the team as a whole.
June 11, 2008
#34 Luke said . . .Actually, I think this is true and I think most of us knew it. Remember the 06 training camp, for some reason (showing up late) Briggs and TJ were "demoted" for a short time, and Ced was the starter (in name only). Then he got hurt. Reports were that defensive players like Urlacher were hitting him full speed and hard, even though light practice and light physicality was the status quo. Benson whined that they were playing too hard and we all laughed, but there was the distinct impression that he was being singled out and targeted from the reports I read.
TJ was a leader, workaholic, weightroom and practice stud, team guy and highly respected. Ced was an overpaid unproven weirdo. Is it really not plausable that the defense said, essentially, "fuck you lovie, if you want to play this game and punish TJ, we'll just punish this turd you all keep trying to force on the team"?June 11, 2008
#35 shonbear said . . .I'd like to start this off by saying that I've been reading this site for awhile and enjoy it thoroughly. I don't know why it took me this long to join the conversation...Maybe because I didn't want to feel like an ass for introducing myself like I'm in an AA meeting.
....
Fuck Ced and every other version of Ced that's spread across this league. His attitude and lack of commitment and dumbass shenanigans make watching or reading football news or just plain observing the prick feel like you just got done watching a bad reality TV show. I'm sick of football players showing me what dickheads they really are. Go out there, work hard, play the game, do your job, learn the plays, run the plays, and continue to better yourself. Don't just be the guy that worked his ass off in college so he could cut a contract and buy a Bentley.
June 11, 2008
#36 mikebdot said . . .Animal,
All this sounds interesting, I guess unless otherwise I give people the benifit of the doubt without any real proof. I't's believable to me that they were rough with him, maybe teaching him a lesson, showing him the way the big boys play in that way. I don't think they intended to actually give him an injury that would take him out. Of course this stuff probably won't really come out till some of these guys are doing their book tour.
June 11, 2008
#37 mikebdot said . . .animal and shonbear: If Benson was being tackled full speed in activities that are "non-contact" that would definitely warrant complaints. Just a thought.
Regardless, all this crap is water under the bridge for me. I continue to be pissed at TJ for being a Tiki Barber prima donna not able to split carries due to ego. It's a two-way street.
Also, those clips of TJ (one play showed 4 times, which was nothing more than a simple cutback on an overpursuing defense, with poor blocking starting the whole play off) just make me angry that we didn't get better line play. On most of the other carries (shown less than 4 times) you can see Kreutz and Garza and Clark all making a terrific effort and actually getting more than 3 yards down field AND actually blocking somebody. Well, Garza, maybe not so much. Anyway, that was definitely absent last season. Also, those replays of TJ? They probably represent about 90% of the replay material from that season. He only had 4 TDs guys! That is not good enough for a team that gets off the bus running. A "good" running back should be able to get 10 TDs. A "great" running back is now able to get 20+. He has 35 TDs in 77 starts. Shit, Rashaan Salaam had 10 TDs in 12 starts in '95. Yes, he fumbled a lot, but many players fumble a lot. Emmitt fumbled a lot. Payton fumbled a lot. We're so goddamn impatient.
Us fans are fickle fucks.
June 11, 2008
#38 Phil from SATX said . . .Shit, Raymont Harris had 10 TDs, folks. In 13 starts!
Gooooooo TJ! Wooooooo!
June 11, 2008
#39 mikebdot said . . .MikeB, gotta love you man, you're always the voice of reason! Backed by data!
Glad to have you Luke. I agree with the overall sentiment you expressed, also Shonbear - great comments about what the work ethic SHOULD be from these guys. Speaking of work ethic, I think there are a few types of it - there's the workout rats who kill themselves to stay in shape - but there's also those "students of the game" who do all they can to get better and learn from their own study and from those more experienced than them. I suspect there's way more of the former than the latter.
If the "Code Red" thing is true, I think it's terrible. And it would give me evidence to back up a little theory that's been niggling in the back of my head - that Lovie doesn't really control the locker room, or control the overall team personality. I hope it's not true, but the Bears of 2007 were a team in disarray, and I never felt like Lovie really had his hands on the controls - more like an out of control Conestoga wagon where the driver had already been thrown off miles back.
I hope I'm wrong about this, because we unfortunately don't have enough of the right players on this team, leadership-wise, to ensure that everyone's on the same page if in fact our coach is not performing that role.
June 11, 2008
#40 Pissed Off said . . .Phil: I think on D we have plenty of players that can lead the team into battle without the coaches heads on straight. Urlacher, Harris, Briggs, Tillman, Vasher, Brown (when healthy), and I would say even Hillenmeyer as a leader. We have a veteran group of guys on D.
Now, on offense, that's a different story. We just seem to be an amalgamation of people rather than a unit. This is my concern, dude. It's been like this since Payton left. We don't have a "go-to" guy. The closest we've had since then is Curtis Conway, and that's kind of sad, because he was good and not great. We need at least one GREAT player on offense and we haven't had one in over 20 years. I would gladly sacrifice one of our experienced defenders for just one offensive juggernaut, that would include O-line.
Hopefully Hester can be that guy on offense. I think he's the only reason any of us are still remotely interested in this team's potential. Not even at receiver, just on special teams. If he can be a special receiver, we're golden. If not, prepare for more mediocrity on offense.
June 11, 2008
#41 Phil from SATX said . . .If we pick up a vet, which JA might be too proud to do, all bets are off on what I'm about to say but I think AP can be our best RB this year. If Forte turns out to be a stud I can see them two sharing the load. (But who knows maybe Wolfe steps up in his 2nd yr) Call me crazy but I liked what AP was able to do in Ceds absence during his injury later in the year, I think it was the last two games. The YPC and whatnot were about the same but for a couple of those games he toted the rock a lot and that was behind that horrible line. He's just a true Bear in my mind and he's paid his dues. He can catch the ball very well out of the backfield (probably the best of any of our RBs which was a safety net for the QB with the saloon door O-line) and thats important. And this year behind a good line he could be productive. Everyone loves Forte, as do I, but as COTF has said, we are cursed with RBs and so we dont know what Forte will do. I just wanted to give an ODE TO AP.
June 11, 2008
#42 CURSE OF THE FRIDGE said . . .MikeB, I think we have "leaders of football" but not as many "leaders of men" on D. Brian Urlacher is not the most mature or intelligent guy, Briggs is quiet and also could be considered not that mature given his Lambi incident and the whole "I hate the Chicago Bears" thing during his tag offseason. Mike Brown is the guy I'm talking about, a leader of men, but he could not lead last year from crutches. I think Tommie has the potential to be a Mike Brown type of leader.
But really, this is what the coach is supposed to be.
Agree with the lack of go-to leaders on O - it certainly felt like a rag-tag bunch last year. This year there's been many changes, and I will say I am counting on 3 people to lead: Rex Grossman, Marty Booker and Olin Kreutz. I truly think everyone's going to get excited rallying around Matt Forte, who's going to make the players love him as the antithesis of Ced. This Tulane kid seems to be made of strong and intelligent stuff, and he'll be not a leader, but a lightning rod around which everyone can coalesce and find their identity. My fervent hope anyway.
PO'd, rooting for AP is reasonable, he's a great guy (and a candidate for leader of men as well) - unfortunately I felt that we had proof positive that he couldn't do more than Ced even while we were sure the line was working harder for him than they were for Ced, who apparently everyone hated. AP is beloved, and still was not at all productive. Special teams and 3rd down receiver for dump-offs for him, I'm afraid. Wish it were different.
June 11, 2008
#43 jeremy34 said . . .I have good news to report. Based on my research, the Curse of the Fridge that began in 1987 when Walter Payton retired, only lasted 20 years. It was related to the poor way the Bears treated Payton in Super Bowl XX, therefore 20 years was enough time served. Forte may or may not be a stud, but if he is a bust, it won't be because of the curse. OK, I don't really have any research to support that. I just want to get back to being optimisitc.
June 11, 2008
#44 animal said . . .One thing I really like about Forte is that he says he wants to be great in this league. Obviously they will all say that but I remember Benson assuming he was the starter right away. Not, I will give it my all to win this job or I will do my best to be great in this league. No, it was just "the starting running back spot, yeah...that's mine." What a setback to this franchise. I won't miss him a bit.
Come on Forte.June 11, 2008
#45 mikebdot said . . .I think we are all setting ourselves up and setting Forte up by blowing up these expectations. We should be very happy if he manages to split time with the starter (AP/FA) and get 500-600 yards and 4-5 TDS. That would be an incredible rookie year and much more reasonable for us to hope for.
I love that AP is getting props on the blog again. Can't say enough. NFL network has shown the Denver and NY games the last two weeks, and although AP didnt get huge numbers the effort stood out, commentators talked about it all the time. And, he blocked and caught the ball very well. Love the guy. Is he talented enough to be the full time starter? Sadly no, but I love the guy anyway.
Mikedb Im not saying TJ was a superstar, Im saying A. he was the best back we've had in ages and B. we/the team missed him greatly last year.June 11, 2008
#46 mikebdot said . . .animal: TJ had 3.6 yards per carry and a whopping 1 TD in '07. Long of 36 yards.
I just want a running back that is actually a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. This is why I'm in favor of Hester starting at wideout.
I just hope Forte is healthy for the whole year and we don't have to rely on AP and Wolfe. If Forte went on IR we would bring in a has-been RB, cuz, you know, god forbid we actually identify a need and fill it by trading players or picks.
What do people think about the prospect of moving St. Clair to guard? You think he could excel there? Also, I read that Beekman was taking 2nd team snaps at center. Perhaps we're grooming the kid for Kreutz's job? Look out for a Kreutz injury this season. I don't believe he is still the same player as '06, for whatever reason. Wouldn't be surprised if he were actually hurt last season as well. Supposedly Metcalf had a broken hand after game two. Funny, didn't catch that on the injury report...
June 11, 2008
#47 DTB said . . .And by "game two" I mean the second game he replaced Ruben Brown.
June 11, 2008
#48 Bears Fan in Colorado Springs said . . .LeCharles Bentley was released today by the Browns, now I am aware he has had some bad luck the last two years but I do recall him as a Pro-Bowler. He can play guard...
June 11, 2008
#49 jeff said . . .Players I'd like to see the Bears go get:
1. Shaun Alexander - no great expectations here, but a great budget pickup for veteran minimum who could maybe might thrive as second banana in this stage of his career
2. Lorenzo Neal - our fullback is awful
3. Shane Olivea - sign him to a contract that is incentive laden. Motivation issues solved.
4. LeCharles Bentley - we still don't have a left guard and I'm not buying the bs the Bears are feeding us right now, namely Metcalf or Beekman
5. Chris Simms. Rex has this year to make or break his career. But Simms would give us depth at the position. Any guy that plays through the pain of a ruptured spleen belongs on Da Bears.June 11, 2008
#50 Phil from SATX said . . .mikebdot, you can criticize tj's season on the awful jets last year all you like. but i ain't listening. tj carried this club to their only superbowl appearance in twenty years.
June 11, 2008
#51 shonbear said . . .BFICS: Shaun Alexander, yes, fullback, yes we need new fullback, a forgotten position for us (when you would think us having a stud fullback would be a NO-BRAINER - home of Bronco Nagursky and Matt Suhey - and the team that gets off bus running) - don't know Olivea, yes to ANY FA left guard -
but NO to Chris Simms. He has not been a winner at any bigtime level. Tough kid, sure, skills, yes, but I watched him not step it up in too many big games at UT and he's done nothing in the pros. We can do better than that.
It was with discouragement that I read that Beekman was being used more at center. Looks like he's still a red-shirter, cause we have a center. I like the concept of St. Clair moving - remember from that article we shared that the author posited that left guard was the second easiest line position behind center. After filling in on both end positions, left guard should be easy for the big guy.
June 11, 2008
#52 Shady said . . .Here's to make a point about something I've posted several times about Ron Turner's mentality: To quote him from CB.com
“I think they believe we have good enough physical skills,” said the Bears offensive coordinator. “We’ve got the players. [We feel] we’re going to be able to control the football by running it and with high-percentage passes. But I also believe that we can be explosive and be able to make a lot of big plays, and that's what you have to do.
“You can’t win in this league unless you can score points, and you can’t score points just by running the ball and being high-percentage. It’s too difficult to go 80 yards in 12 plays time after time. If you do it three times in a game, that’s outstanding.
“You’ve got to be explosive. You’ve got to be able to make big plays, and I feel we have some guys that can make some big plays. But I also think we’re going to be able to be a ball-control-type team when need be.
He's saying it's outstanding to go 80 yards in 12 plays three times a game. I've said it and said it, he is not depending on a well oiled offensive juggernaut machine, he is depending on the "big play" to be the pinnacle of his offensive game planning. Yes, I love the big play and know we need the big play as much as the next guy, but why is it that it seems like that is our actual game plan. Our game plan needs to be based on a first down getting offense that executes more than three drives a game, spells the defense and executes with consistency. The defense can't stop you and you gain momentum and confidence from that consistency. You eliminate or decrease the three and outs and the big play will come from that foundation.
How much do you want to bet that whichever QB we have in on our first snap of our first drive of the opening season game is dropping back to make a long pass and of course I hope it works, but I predict it won't work and our first drive will be a three and out.
This is the reason why Hester will be a starting receiver, Grossman will be the Starting QB and the other spots will be determined by the big plays made in training camp and preseason.
Of course I hate Ron Turner, but for the sake of the Bears I hope he looks like a genius and the NFL world is fooled by his "amazing" game planning.
Mark my words though, if our players execute almost perfectly, then his game plans look great, but these are not high percentage scenarios. I just think it's better to set our offense up for success, creating high percentage plays (even though he mentions high percentage passes, I don't believe him) and using your players strengths, especially with so many new players on offense.
June 12, 2008
#53 Shady said . . .That's an interesting idea...
Placing bets on what the first play from scrimmage will be... and if the Bars will go 3 and out...
I'll say the 1st play from scrimmage is going to be a 5-7 yd pass from Grossman to Des Clark, the 2nd will be a run to the right for 2yds, and the 3rd will be another 5-7 yd pass to Greg Olsen for a first down in terrible Indianapolis...
Let it be written, let it be done.
June 12, 2008
#54 shonbear said . . .I forgot to mention I have 2
CUBS vs. WHITE SOX tickets for sale!!!
Friday June 20th @ 1:20pm
Section 436 Row 6 Seats 101 and 102
They'll go to the highest bidder starting at $90 bucks per ticket, an bidding will end at the end of next week.
I've sold to fellow Bears bloggers before, so you know even a guy who calls himself Shady can be trustworthy. :-)
Lemme know if you're interested!
Anyway, back to the Bears...
June 12, 2008
#55 Payton was The Greatest said . . .Just a thought, if Lovie breaks the Bears with the possibility he has no real control over the team as expressed by a statement of worry by a previous blogger.
How's Bill Cowher as his successor?
June 12, 2008
#56 mikebdot said . . .Another great post, Jeff. "Find someone else to run a yard and fall down." Good riddance.
June 12, 2008
#57 Taylor said . . .jeff: You can ignore the 24 INTs and 32 forced fumbles (20 recovered) the defense generated in '06 all you want, but I ain't listening. With the field position that we got and the number of turnovers we created our offense should have generated even more points than we had. A better than good running back would have gotten 10-15 TDs. A great running back would have gotten 20+.
Our defense was fucking fantastic that season, not to mention the electrifying Devin Hester. Our defense gets hurt and we suck assholes in '07. TJ leaving us didn't hurt us as much as you think, but you can pretend all day long. He was average. He has heart, I'll give him that, but without talent to actually gain a first down on third and a few, he's worthless. He can't pick up the yards with no blocking and that's what we've had the past 10+ years. Hopefully that changes this season, but methinks with Turner calling the plays, it isn't going to make any difference. I've already resigned myself to expect royal suckage out of our offense this season. It will be '05 all over again if our defense stays healthy. Otherwise, it will be '07. That is, of course, unless Hester is a new Steve Smith at receiver. I don't find that to be a likely scenario...
June 12, 2008
#58 mikebdot said . . .mikedbot- You can't ignore the type of leader TJ was for that offense, something we were seriously lacking on offense in 07.
June 12, 2008
#59 shonbear said . . .shonbear: I think Ron Turner saying "getting 80 yards in 12 plays 3 times a game is great" is a reflection of how his game plan has backfired. Mostly because we seem to 60 yards in 9 plays 3 times a game and they usually end up with field goals! The fact that this befuddles him really pisses me off. Anyone want to take a guess why this happens more frequently than not? Three words. Third down suckage. He sucks at moving the chains.
The only time he excels (or looks like a genius) is when for the whole game he rope-a-dopes (basically, relying on the defense far too much) and then, play-action pass to Desmond Clark. You know how often that's worked, right? About 2 or 3 times per season. That's not going to win the majority of games, folks. Not unless you have Devin Hester actually getting kicked to, or your defense generates 44 turnovers in a season (i.e. is mostly healthy).
June 12, 2008
#60 mikebdot said . . .Mikeb,
That analysis of the Rope-a-dope relying on the defense was genius. That's it, he is lazy, he doesn't want to do the work, he doesn't want the offense to do the work to get the job done.
I watch other teams with consistent offenses and they get the ball and you know they have a serious chance of getting into the end zone. They ooze in confidence. I look at ours and it seems like they are as surprised to have gotten there as we are. Sure in the moment, what do we care about, the win, but it just screams of luck, fluke or one hit wonders. That's not what I want for the Bears.
Reminds me of loss to Carolina (Steve Smith) a couple years ago. At the end of the game the defense said, if you'd have told me our offense was going to score 21 points, I would have had no doubt we'd win. Well that's not what happened so we finally get to the show and we have the Colts on their heals and absolutely could have maintained it with a win, instead we gave the glory to the Giants last season and fell off the face of the earth with the term rebuilding in the air. Oh we are definitely rebuilding (at least the offense).
All for not though, again this will be another year that I will be excited for our Bears and with all that is in me keep the hope alive, no matter how we win, who gets the credit or who potentially leaves with a big free agent contract because of our success I will be there.
Looking like about 40 some days left till we get to camp. YES!!
June 12, 2008
#61 Anytime said . . .Taylor: I don't ignore his ability to be fiery, but it didn't produce results. Lack of TDs actually means something about a player. You can have all the heart in the world, but if you don't put points on the board, you are worthless. This is why I don't particularly like Hillenmeyer. He doesn't make impact plays.
Impact plays are what matter. TJ didn't make them.
Our return man outscored him! Yes, the best return man ever, but starting running backs need to score touchdowns. Our line was not great run blocking. But I thought that leaders were supposed to produce results. You can't ignore that.
Attitude means nothing. Unless you're losing and you can hang your hat on it. Like with AP. And why we're lamenting the loss of Thomas fucking Jones.
June 12, 2008
#62 mikebdot said . . .In 2006 TJ had more touchdowns than Tiki Barber who was considered a great running back. He got the yards but wasn't scoring the tds.
You don't neccessarily need double digit td's to be a pro bowl caliber running back.June 12, 2008
#63 mikebdot said . . .First of all, Tiki Barber is overrated. Second, he had over 2000 yards from scrimmage and, you're right, sometimes getting into the end zone isn't possible, but I stand by my comment. Tiki had two seasons over 10 TDs. Plus, his career YPC is 4.7 (vs. 3.9 for TJ). Tiki had a run of 5 pretty good to really good seasons. TJ had two decent ones. That's all I'm saying.
Sometimes someone can have too much heart and turn into a bastard asshole. That is what Tiki did. TJ was very close to going down that path in my opinion. I think TJ's ego is what shipped him out of Chicago. If that pissed off the players, they can suck it. They're Chicago Bears and he's not. If they were still pissed about that last season, you gotta wonder where THEIR hearts were.
June 12, 2008
#64 Bears Fan in Colorado Springs said . . .Not only that, if TJ was "decent" at catching passes out of the backfield, Tiki was "hall of fame talent". 6.6 ypc vs. 8.8 and 1 TD vs. 12.
I can't believe you're making me say Tiki was actually good. I still think he was simply "very good" and not in the "great" category (where a lot of people place him). Personally, I think he's part of the reason they didn't win the big one prior to '07 (the year he left!)
June 12, 2008
#65 Pissed Off said . . .Some of the other day's comments on RT's penchant for the big play were sinking in, and I developed this theory:
What if Kyle Orton's better record than Rex under RT is actually related to inability to make the big play? In other words, it forces RT to call a different game. Could this explain why Rex would consistently "look" like the better qb because he throws a pretty deep ball. But why Kyle has the better W-L record if RT calls a more grind it out gameplan that while not always producing pretty offense, at least keeps the defense off the field a little more. Hmmmm. ....June 12, 2008
#66 Taylor said . . ."What you've just said......."
June 12, 2008
#67 Bears Fan in Colorado Springs said . . .Colorado- I see what you're saying but how much credit should Orton actually get for most of his wins? All he did in 05 was hand off the ball to TJ. He had 9 TDs in 15 games, and the play book was quite limited to him . The defense and TJ have to get the credit for most of those wins. In his 3 games in 07, I feel like we had rejuvenated defense and O-line that Grossman and Griese didn't have, resulting in a better performance overall by the whole team. Maybe that's a product of Orton being the QB, or maybe that's a product of playing for pride. I've never been all that impressed with Orton and don't think he deserves that much credit for any of those games.
June 13, 2008
#68 animal said . . .There are two moves I desperately, passionately, anxiously want the Bears to make, to the point where I'm about pulling out my hair every hour that passes and a deal still is not done -- what are we waiting for:
1. Shaun Alexander is the answer at running back. At first I was like others thinking the man is done, nothing left in the tank. Then I looked at last year's stats. He started out the year with four very good games out of the first five. Then he got hurt. The man got injured. His stats were affected by his injur. He's not washed up. He'll come cheap and he will either backup Forte or be the backup plan if Forte is not who we think he is.
2. LeCharles Bentley -- He can play guard on a prowbowl level and because of his injury issues, he will come at a discount. Our line would be: Williams, Bentley, Kruetz, Garza and Tait. That woud be solid. No depending on Metcalf or Beekman, except to be the backups we know they are. We'd suddenly have an elite O-line again (assuming the Williams cat is legit). Bentley is the missing piece. What are we waiting for?
June 13, 2008
#69 Phil from SATX said . . .I cant understand diminishing TJ's memory. I can't understand using some stats to pick holes in his game. Let me repeat to be abso-fucking-lutely clear
1. he WAS the offense
2. he was highly respected by the whole team
3. he was a bona fide leader
4. he led by example. look at his fucking arms for chrissakes. they say "I work my fucking ass off."
5. we went to the fucking super bowl. he was a BIG part of that
6. he is the best Bears back since Neal, without a shadow of a doubt
7. he made the playaction work and we got big plays off it
8. he was an every down back, blocking/catching on third down
9. his backup Ced has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was not as good as TJneed I go on?
Are we saying he was a superhero? NO. we are saying he was the best offensive player we had, that we were better with him, and that the trade was a mistake. Those things are indisputable.
June 13, 2008
#70 Phil from SATX said . . .Very interesting commentary. BFICO, you may be on to something, but I think you're may be leading us to the wrong conclusion, as pointed out by Taylor. The scenario you mention is entirely possible, but it doesn't mean "therefore let Orton play." It's just a slam on Turner. I agree with Taylor's concept - Rex could hand off to a RB just about as good as Orton. But add me to the list of those who think that at the end of the season, the whole team came together, maybe because of some key players improving (Brian Urlacher was certainly one).
animal, I hear you, and it's completely indisputable that we would have rather had TJ last year than Benson. Does that mean the trade was a mistake? Not necessarily - signing TJ would have meant BIG bucks devoted to an aging player. TJ was a man in 2006, no doubt about it. TJ on this team last year would have been better than what we have, but I think that would have only worked if the Ced/TJ tandem worked again. And if they had, part of that credit would have gone to Ced. Talk about diminishing memories - Ced deserves a lot of credit for what he did in 2006 too. He just sucked ass when it was time for him to step up and carry the load. But who else sucked ass when they had to step up and carry? TJ, right? In Jets-land? I don't care that they sucked, if they did that's a complete excuse for Ced too, cause we sucked last year and no running back on our roster could do anything.
So I think both are right - animal for wanting to appreciate TJ for what he did and how good he was for us (in the role they put him in, a shared role) - and Mikeb for telling us let's not go start building Michael Jordan-like statutes outside of Soldier Field for TJ. Especially since all the great things you can say about what a great teammate he was was essentially completely countered by how he acted in '06 to get the locker room against Ced, and how he had already concocted a secret plan to get out of there so he didn't have to share the glory with Ced. Selfish moves by a heretofore classy guy. He should have a breakout year next year with the offensive line the Jets purchased - breakout year at 30? Happened to Tiki Barber, right? Maybe TJ does the same thing. On the other hand, it will be very interesting watching the team who best qualifies as a potential answer for "can you purchase a Super Bowl team." We'll see - this one is really a Jerry Angelo vs. Jets GM cage match - if that bought line totally outplays our "add one piece and shuffle everyone else around" strategy, we'll be calling for Jerry's head. Still hoping he's going to add a piece before it's all said and done.
June 13, 2008
#71 Anytime said . . .Let's neither craft statutes nor build statues to TJ. Neither nor.
June 13, 2008
#72 mikebdot said . . .mike-
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely hate Tiki Barber, for a lot of the same reasons that I hate Shaun Alexander. I was just pointing out that TJ was and intrical part of our offense in which I don't know how long it can take to recover from his loss. He wasn't a 1600 yard back but he could make the first guy miss and was there when you needed him. We waited so long to have a player like that on offense and you cannot just dismiss him because he didn't score loads of td'sJune 13, 2008
#73 Staley said . . .Anytime: I'm just sick of hearing about him. He's over a year gone now. He was on the Super Bowl roster, sure, but, once again, to say "he was an integral part of that" severely diminishes what actually got us to the Super Bowl, and that was, without question (in my eyes) the defense and Devin Hester. We were healthy for most of the season. If Mike Brown and Tommie Harris were playing there is no question we win the Super Bowl (IMO).
Though, I will go ahead and grant, if we don't have TJ in '06, it doesn't seem very logical for me to say "well, Cedric Benson and AP could have handled the load". But, with no question mark at QB, and the way our O-line actually played decent (not great) football in '06, I don't doubt for a second we would have gotten just as far, especially with a defensive performance like we got against NO and the solid performance by Grossman against Seattle.
If you look back, which game did TJ really stand out to you? The only one I can think of is "the drive", and even then, all the work was up front. The line got push every single play. Unlike, say, any game last season during pretty much any running play. Our linemen were in our own backfield way too often. The other two games that come to mind are the Giants game (3rd and 22, with a large group of blockers making a gaping divide) and the Jets game. The other two hundred yard games he had were against the 49ers and the Bills, two truly awful teams in '06.
But, yes, I'm still bitter at him for wanting out. If he wasn't comfortable sharing carries and beating out Cedric in '07, that's his problem, not ours. And it makes me not give a shit about him. It makes me rejoice when he doesn't do well.
Big huge arms don't get you yards, or TDs. Big legs do. See, Payton, Walter, or Sanders, Barry. TJ did not push the pile. And, sadly, neither did CB. Hopefully Forte has some legs on him.
June 13, 2008
#74 Rancid said . . .Benson was dead weight. I like Kevin Jones and Shaun Alexander as potential replacements to share time with Forte. Cutting Benson was the best move all off-season.
June 13, 2008
#75 Bears Fan in Colorado Springs said . . .The more we talk about TJ, the more I hate the bastard. I also hope that he has another crap year behind their new expensive line. Saying that he was a great running back for us only makes him more of a bastard for his role in his departure.
Also, But I will say that WITHOUT the benefit of hindsight, and being forced to choose between the two (largely TJ's doing), I would have made the same decision to let TJ go and give the thing to Benson. My only issue was how little we got in return. Obviously in retrospect I wouldn't do that, but I still feel it was a solid decision knowing what they knew at the time. It's probably not a popular thing to say but it's too easy to bash tough decisions after we see whether they fail or not.
June 13, 2008
#76 Willie from Chicago said . . .Mike,
You're selling TJ's effort short in the playoffs of 06. Do you not remember the passion with which he played and the way it seemed to raise for the bar for every Bear? He was possessed, he ran hard. Do you remember on The Drive it was the same running play, several times in a row, 32 dive or something like that. Every single time any player has success running the ball you can go back and say "that's because the line blocked for him." Sure, but the man ran with great skill and especially great passion behind those blocks. I hope we're all coming to the same conclusion here: Was Thomas Jones the second coming of Walter Payton in 06? Of course not? But did he give us the best season from any Bears running back since Neal Anderson? Absolutely.
June 13, 2008
#77 mikebdot said . . .If i were the Bears, I would bring in Saun Alexande. We dont have a running back that can take the load for the whole season. Saun is washed up, however i think he can probably get 1000 yards this season .
I cant believe how stupid Benson is, he was already on thin ice then he goes out and gets a DUI, I think it is better for the bears that he is gone.
Bear Down!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 13, 2008
#78 Weave said . . .BFICS: I think I can agree with that last statement. But all I'm trying to say is that I feel the defense and Devin Hester were more of a factor. We rode their backs. He came along for the ride.
Anyhow, anyone see the article talking up Brandon McGowan. That scares me. Also, the writing appears to be on the wall for RMJ. Supposedly they're trying to decide whether or not to put Manning into the nickel spot. I keep seeing that mentioned. It really leads me to believe he will either be traded or outright released. Maybe they'll trade for a back-up RB? Perhaps a QB if Hanie or Hill are sucking it up now? Send him to Tampa. Levi Brown asked for a trade from Cincinatti. Package him with another player or some picks. Get something done. Any news would be good. Here is list of crap to do:
1. Sign Williams/Forte/others
2. Trade someone for picks/players
3. Sign FA RB (or trade)
4. Sign Bentley
5. Sign Urlacher/Harris/Hester
June 13, 2008
#79 Bears Fan in Colorado Springs said . . .How this team went from the Super Bowl to the Tiddy Bowl is so amazing. No quarterback, no wide receivers, no running core, and if they don't watch out no Urlacher. While their getting rid of people how about Mike Brown. Don't get me wrong when he first started with them he was great. Since then manages to play what 2 games a year??? Here's the deal you're one of the oldest & loved teams in the league. You've got the coin, you added on to Solider Field just to show your fans you love them. But you still left a big steaming pile on the field. Pay for some players. Every 4 years or so you get shit lucky on a draft pick. How about picking up Shaun Alexander???? Everyones saying how the Bears Seahawks games are becoming a new rivalry.
Still true to the Orange & Blue: Weave
June 13, 2008
#80 Max said . . .Willie, if a dude can give you 1000 yards, he's not washed up.
Weave, 7-9 is not the Tidy Bowl. It's not where we had our sets sight, but it's not Atlanta Falcons/Miami Dolphins. PLENTY of teams struggled the year following winning the SuperBowl and then bounced back.
If we get Bentley or some other quality veteran left guard, we'll be great on D and good enough again on offense. To me, we're built like the Ravens. They won their SuperBowl based on their D. They went 7-9 the year after the SuperBowl, then rebounded 10-6, 9-7, then had a bad 6-10 year, then went 13-3 in a last chance year when they were the best team in the NFL and should have won another SuperBowl but lost to the Colts. I think that's what's ahead of us with this current unit (especially on D): a couple more playoff runs, a 6-10 season that happens and allows us to retool a bit, probably one more serious run at a Super Bowl with the core of this group.
June 13, 2008
#81 Bears Fan in Colorado Springs said . . .I say sign Bentley (so many good lines could be used here all season. . .) because we need a legit guard.
NO to Kevin Jones
NO to Shaun Alexander
NO to Lamont Jordan
Not the answers. I am perfectly content to stick with what we have. (well not perfectly, but moreso content with what we have then i would be with a washed up vet)
Only thing i have left to add is that do you think if Benson messed up before the draft and we cut him at that point, then we woulda used our number 1 on Mendenhall or at least traded up when Mendenhall fell all the way to 2o something? I dont know, its just something for me to daydream about while at work.
Man, Benson cant even screw up right.
June 13, 2008
#82 Cry Wolfe said . . .They HAd to take a tackle in the first round. There was nobody left who was good enough to start right away at left tackle after the first round.
As far as jumping back into the first round? I thought they should have done that anyway when Mendenhall fell. But apparently the story came out that somebody in the Bears BT had Forte ranked higher than Mendenhall all along anyway.
I don't think Benson's stuff would have affected the Bears draft, even if it all went down before the draft.
June 13, 2008
#83 animal said . . .The Bears signed Alexander!
June 14, 2008
#84 shonbear said . . .It is amazing how people blow things out of proportion. meanwhile, I watch the replays on NFL network and see a team decimated by injury that lost many, many close games and ended up missing the playoffs by a couple wins.
Phil, you crafted a good response to my TJ post. My thoughts-
you just went to the superbowl and had a legit shot to win, but your young, talented and erratic QB imploded and cost you the game. your starting RB, who carried the O all year, made big plays and did what was expected of him. The backup took a big hit from Bob Sanders and disappeared to cry on the bench with an "injury." The prodigal son shows his colors.
What do you do?
A. make the starter that carried the O a deal he cant refuse, to continue to carry the O the next five years and join the pantheon of great Bears RBS, and maybe continue to carry the O to the playoffs despite bad luck and injuries the next year. Doing this means giving up on a promising high draft pick and damaging your huge ego, but it is best for the team and the fans.
B. give the apparently talented and high priced but unproven and indisputably unliked backup the reigns, trade away the franchise back. Chance that the high pick turns into the hugely talented franchise back everyone thinks he will be- and that he does not continue to alienate teammates and fans as he has done so far.Choose your own adventure. If I were more of a pussy and not an Alaskan, I would have cried the day they traded TJ. Because that's how I felt. And dont think Im smug about it- I wish all the time that Ced had proven JA right and me wrong. It just didnt happen that way.
Side note- comparing his Jets stats is fucking stupid, they sucked dick all year and he still had good numbers given that situation.
June 14, 2008
#85 shonbear said . . .Cry Wolfe, Dude, you are talking trash right? I can't find anything about them signing SA.
If they do sign him or someone, I hope they keep Wolfe on the roster cause I think he has some potential to surprise all of us, if used in the right way.
June 14, 2008
#86 pooper scooper said . . .You know if Cedric would have just played a little better he would have earned the respect that he desired from his team mates by his work and determination on the field. They would have been more willing to open their team mate doors to him.
One thought about JA and his pride though. He brought Thomas Jones there too right, so there should be some pride involved with him bringing in a free agent and seeing him do well the same as bringing in a highly drafted guy and wanting to see him do well. I understand that as it goes, JA has seemed to earn a reputation for not being able to draft offensive guys, but does very good with the defensive guys. I still think the jury is out on Grossman, but this will be the year I make my final decision on him. I am willing to throw myself on the mercy of the court of bloggers if he sucks, but I still have hope that he can play consistently well as he has shown for certain periods. Either way I won't say that Grossman was a bust, maybe he could be a bust in terms of not becoming a franchise guy like a drew brees or manning, but in terms of Bears QB's he's better than most than we've had in a long time. Jim Miller for a minute, Erik Kramer for a minute. Remember a guy named Jim McMahon, he did take two other teams to the NFC Championship game (I think). Who's really been better in terms of leadership, decision making and big play abilty than him in over twenty years? (OK he got some injury problems, but that was GB's fault.
Sorry I digress, anyway onto another point.
About Neal Anderson, he followed Walter Payton and was great for at least three years after, but was it also due to Ditka's coaching ability of good running team schemes? Just a thought.
I know I'm jumping all around our topic, I just think of things while I'm writing and have these tangents (spelling?)
June 14, 2008
#87 animal said . . .go giants
June 14, 2008
#88 shonbear said . . .shonbear did you really buy that? the name was "cry wolfe" for chrissakes! i.e. a hoax with a play on words to include our diminutive running back.
June 15, 2008
#89 shonbear said . . .animal, anythings possible I'm just jonesing for some bears news. The fricking organization seems to drip it out like molasis. Their official website never really says much of substance cause it's like party line, so lot's of times I depend on the blog to give out some things more substantive. I figured the cry wolfe thing, just still need a fix. Can't wait till the Bears start doing something more substantial. Looks like not much is going to happen till training camp. ARGH!!
June 15, 2008
#90 Al In WI said . . .interesting article. Maybe they were trying to hurt him...
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1006802,CST-SPT-bear15.stng
June 15, 2008
#91 animal said . . .I was interested to see today that David Haugh wrote that Lloyd is doing quite well so far in the mini-camps. That is encouraging. If he can emerge it will really boost the wr corp.
June 15, 2008
#92 Shady said . . .thanks for the article link shonbear. VERY interesting.
June 15, 2008
#93 Taylor said . . .My motto this offseason?
"Don't believe the hype"
June 16, 2008
#94 shonbear said . . .hope the link works
Ruben Brown thinks the reports of teammates trying to hurt Benson are BS.
June 16, 2008
#95 Phil from SATX said . . .I just don't know what to believe anymore, I'm taking the high road and saying that Glazer is like a shock jock trying to seem like he always has the inside scoop cause players confide in him. I'd say that after Brown's comments that the locker room isn't going to be saying much to Glazer anymore.
I still think maybe they were just initiating him with some rough hits to see if he'd have a realization about his character and start thinking about the team. The injury just happened, but wasn't intentional. That's what I choose to believe about the guys I've rooted for and will continue to root for, no matter what comes out. If it comes out diferentlyI might be a little disappointed, but it won't change my opinion about the greatness of our defense.
Anyway, how great would it be to see Devin take over where Berrian left off and actually play better than him. Even better how about lighting it up against Minnesota while crushing Berrian in the process.
How sweet would that be?
June 16, 2008
#96 Devin Hester the Defense Molester said . . .I had a dream last night that a friend congratulated me on the Bears signing of LaCharles Bentley - I was so psyched, in my dream I screamed "YESSSS!!! Super Bowl Baby!" (now realize I don't actually know anything at all about Bentley, but as an availble left guard I really REALLY want him).
I woke up and had to check, just to see if I was psychic, or more logically, sleeping with the backdrop of an ESPN crawl permeating my brain.
Alas. Just a dream.
Animal, once again your comments are reasonable - but you have to keep in mind that there should have been a third option to the two you present - keep Benson and sign TJ as well, thus devoting a bunch of money to the running back position. While you can suppose that the Bears wouldn't have done that, it wasn't even an option for them because of TJ. He wouldn't have it, he wanted to "be the man" or be gone. But the thing was, he WAS the man. Nothing from that Super Bowl season should have been any indication but that as the better running back, he was going to be the starter and get more carries. So blame him in at least equal measure as you blame the Bears.
But I totally disagree with your last comment - saying his numbers were good with the Jets considering what he had to work with - I don't think they were any better than Ced's right? And what did Ced have to work with? We know both teams were bad (esp. offensively) and both RBs essentially flopped. I'm sure TJ's flopping was much less offensive than Benson, I'm sure he was trying hard and being professional about it, unlike old Ced. But I don't know why it's stupid to compare the two's stats.
Arguing which team is worse, and whether each team's bad running back's performance is worse - hopefully we don't have to have that kind of conversation after this year, right?
Even though it's a cynical comment, I'm alright with the "don't believe the hype" comment from Shady, especially with respect to low draft picks or iffy FA signings. I'm totally ready to believe the hype with our top 5 draft picks, though, so please don't rain on my parade with that. But yes, when we're hearing about Brandon Lloyd being great, I'm with you there. We always hear great stuff about people who just get shoved on the practice squad, a la David Ball and Hass and others. I think that's just what happens in preseason. But I am ready to drink all the Matt Forte koolaid I can get my hands on.
June 16, 2008
#97 Devin Hester the Defense Molester said . . .Alright I don't know if anyone brought this up or not because I do not possess the mental fortitude to go through all of these at 12 but I'm baffled by this TJ hero worship (exaggerated but close). I fondly recall him running into a blue and burnt colored line and falling over for a gain of two a large percent of the time. I also fondly recall all my friends heckling me for our teams lack of a running back or consistent qb. Sure TJ had a decent burst and if his blocking was there he could spring a pretty good gain but thats it. He was nothing more than mediocre. Not saying he was worse then Benson turned out to be but I don't recall him ever juking someone out in open field or trucking a sole defender. Sleep deprivation could have my memories shot but non of the fans I speak to like TJ either, well not wish for him back at least. Oh by the way Phil from SATX I think your info on the Devin starting job is from last year. From what I've read Turner wants him in the game 30 to 35 times, not thrown to him but in the game at WR. It seems hes going to be seeing a lot of play time but they are really hyped by both TDM's progress and that of Davis. Apparently they've both been working overtime.
June 17, 2008
#98 Shady said . . .Sorry I forgot the whole quote. Jumped the gun. After not sleeping in three and a half days things start getting really weird... REALLY WEIRD! Still think if your on the field that many snaps you'll get the rock more. Just me.
June 17, 2008
#99 jeff said . . .http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3443720
June 17, 2008
#100 Pissed Off said . . .tech problems with the site, guys. so this post will be up a few days. keep the conversation going.
June 17, 2008
#101 Max said . . .100. whoo hoo. Too bad I have nothing productive to say.
June 17, 2008
#102 shonbear said . . .Word is Jay Mariotti got a 3 year extension with the financial stricken Sun Times. . .
As my dad said, "Mariotti might be there longer than the Sun-Times itself"
Oh well. . . Jay will always have a job somewhere.
June 18, 2008
#103 Shady said . . .I would love another topic, but it's not like the Bears are doing anything or saying anything to really provide much hope. I mean they aren't doing anything in free agency as we have all desired with reference to RB, OL or even possibly QB (although I'm ok with the QB situation in that there is really nobody out there that would be an upgrade). They aren't providing sqat with info about signing our remaining rookies and we are about a little more than a month away from training camp. They aren't providing squat about resolving the TH, BU or DH contract issues.
All we are hearing is the hype up propaganda on Davis. Who gives a shite, these guys need pads on to see what's really up. Am I really supposed to believe our defense fears Davis. Sure they might fear any reciever that they can't smash in the mouth, so he makes a catch, then they smash him in the mouth, the next time he's flinching when he knows that hit is coming like it was last time.
How come they aren't saying anything about Booker, like does he look like he even has close to the same skill that got him so many receptions with the Bears before he was traded? Was there a reason for his decline, does our offensive scheme play well into him being more successful.
Are our receivers really going to come together when they are all new to the team? Is Mark Bradly going to be 100% at training camp?
The Bears propaganda machine Larry Mayer doesn't say shit, I don't want to hear who the fuck the Bears best punter was in 19fuckin20 or whatever. I want to hear something more substantial. I want to hear more of the Bears defense come out and deny they tride to hurt Ced, cause whether I can't stand him or not, it rings of two issues (if it's true). It's unprofessional and not what I've come to think about our teams standards. It also reminds me of the Jim McMahon vs Doug Flutie contraversy back in the day. Now in hindsite, I'm thinking that Doug Flutie had longevity and was also a winner who I would have love to have kept. Maybe his trip to the North helped develop him into a better NFL guy, but what I could see was someone that was durable and probably would have been our franchise guy for awhile had we kpet him.
Of course again I digress and it doesn't really relate that much anyway cause Benson showed not talent or heart like Flutie. The main thing I'm trying to get accross is that The Bears organization needs to show us through some kind of comms or action that they are committed to doing something about keeping us on top of the division, or rather getting us back to the top of the division.
What really have they shown in the way of that committment. Anybody? Somebody? I don't want to hear the proaganda anymore I want to see some action. I want our players to start getting a major chip on their shoulder, like the defense has shown with their bad season, they are out to prove something. They are the best, injuries or not. The offense needs to get that chip too and show the non believing NFL world that they are too better than what anybody believes. Rex Grossman ought to have this as his mantra.
Their T-shirt theme this season needs to draw from that back in the day wrestling theme. The whole team for that matter needs to get some serious fire in their eyes and tell the world to:
SUCK IT!!! with the signal and everything, take some flags after everey TD pass and give the SUCK IT sign. T-shirt themes:
-Finish
-Unfinished Business
-SUCK IT XXX !!!June 18, 2008
#104 Taylor said . . .Speaking of T-Shirts, where the fuck are the DaBearsBlog Tees?
...Not that I would buy one...Unless it's really clever... then maybe...But let's see 'em already!
I like the passion Shon, right on. I agree with pretty mcuh everything you said. I especially like: "The Bears propaganda machine Larry Mayer doesn't say shit, I don't want to hear who the fuck the Bears best punter was in 19fuckin20 or whatever. I want to hear something more substantial." haha couldn't agree more. Plus I like the 'chip on the shoulder idea' because they lost it last year after the trip to the SB.
Don't believe the hype, even if it's outta that hobbit John Clayton's mouth...Fucking know it all.
June 18, 2008
#105 shonbear said . . .To my knowledge not a single current Bear ( let alone member of the D) has come out and denied the Glazer report. That is disappointing. I don't want to root for a team that would try to hurt one of their own (even if it is Benson). Not only is it classless, but it shows disrespect for the coaching staff since they were supposedly worried Benson would overtake TJ on the depth chart.
Shonbear- You said "more of the defense", did I miss a denial?June 18, 2008
#106 shonbear said . . .Actually that was a mis statement. It was Reuben Brown that denied it, Michael Haynes virtually said yea.
This thing disappoints me, but it won't make me stop rooting for them. It just is another example of how human these pro's are. We or people put these guys on a pedestal and what it comes down to is these guys are pampered throughout their lives and then they suddenly have millions of dollars, or hundreds of thousands of dollars and it doesn't change their character. They are babies and then they get money and if they were someone that was going to mature into more of a professional then it's too late because they haven't gone through any hard knocks to get to that posistion. Real life set backs, I don't think rehabbing injuries is a real set back compared to people or families that run businesses and go bankrupt or have a terrible accident and are trying to put their life back together. These guys have an injury and have personal trainers all the worlds equipment, clauses that keep them getting paid. Often times they end up getting injury settlements. Sure it takes some mental toughness to want to keep trying to come back (Mike Brown for instance).
So that's my short take, I still hope for the best even if they are spoiled babies. Above all I want to win.
Maybe some of these guys will write books and in hindsight will regret their actions, I know I regret many bad choices that have hurt other people in my life. They are human.
June 18, 2008
#107 shonbear said . . .Well if there is any truth to this attached story about Faneca and the usefulness of Guards. The Bears lack of action in free agency on upgrading the offensive is disturbing. Let's see what happens with TJ and the jets this year. Lot's of folks are constantly complaining about getting rid of him, if those J-E-T-S greatly improve their running game and TJ looks like a superstar, I can't imagine the complaints from all those supporters.
June 18, 2008
#108 jeff said . . .Again I think Ruben needs to be on call... Hope he's available if it comes to that need.
June 18, 2008
#109 jeff said . . .dabearsblog tees are hopefully coming by july and in time to get yours for the season. are they clever? no. are they funny? yea.
June 18, 2008
#110 WierdAl said . . .i mean they used their top draft pick to improve left tackle which - in fact - improved right tackle. they only have one hole on the line and they seem confident someone on the roster will play the part.
June 18, 2008
#111 Bear Buddy said . . .That's what we don't get Jeff, is their confidence that "someone on the roster" will fill their spot at left tackle. We're putting confidence in Beekman? Metcalf? Why?
It reminds me of the pre-Super Bowl years when the Bears refused to have a legit backup qb on the roster. They said no to Kurt Warner because they didn't want to injure Rex's ego.
they have a family mentality thing that is great. I mean it's GREAT. But they take it a bit too far sometimes. We have a hole at left guard, everybody knows but the Bears keep blindly believing in ... WHO???
It's the same thing at RB. Da Site just posted an article where Lovie is saying that they have confidence in the three RBs they got and they have no plans to bring in a Kevin Jones, Shaun Alexander or even a Ron Dayne. I hope Forte is awesome. But are you telling me Dayne's big body couldn't help on 3rd and 1 or that Kevin Jones couldn't help in terms of a 1-2 RB punch?
Our D is stacked and we're closer on offense than people think but we're close yet so far.
June 18, 2008
#112 Rob said . . .WierdAl you're an idiot and your music stinks, too. Everybody knows the Bears know exactly what they're doing on offense. You have to trust the coaches, Lovie said so. We have Garrett Wolfe on our team!!! Why would we need a Kevin Jones? Fool.
June 18, 2008
#113 Devin Hester the Defense Molester said . . .I think Metcalf can be a Pro Bowler this year.
June 18, 2008
#114 Rob said . . .I guarantee it will be St.Clair. Remember... St.Clair. Guy who filled in for Metcalf Orten's last three games. Did better then any of the starters. Not that that's particularly good mind you but it was at least 3 seconds of no pressure. Lovie pretty much declared this on one of the things on the website. I like St but still want Bently. Ohh Rob, disagree. Not only do I think he wont go to the prow bowl but even Beekman will start over Mr. Lets throw the game by drop kicking someone in the head because I'm too unhealthy to preform my job and have to take my fat wrath out on someone. Yea hes through.
June 18, 2008
#115 WierdAl said . . .St. Clair won't even make the team. Watch. He'll get beat out by the kid from Ohio State. Write it down.
June 18, 2008
#116 JOE said . . .If we sign LeCharles Bentley, at least we'll have a vet to help out CW and a potential probowler at guard. we'll be slightly better than complete sucktitude on offense.
June 18, 2008
#117 Bear Buddy said . . .if we sign Bentley, we're going to the Superbowl.
June 19, 2008
#118 animal said . . .If we sign Bentley, we'll be better on paper than the 85 Bears.
June 19, 2008
#119 Phil from SATX said . . .this Bentley shit is hilarious
June 19, 2008
#120 Phil from SATX said . . .Once again I am back to hoping that Lovie is just completely shucking us. I will NOT be happy if we do not sign a FA running back. You have to go into every season either imagining a two back tandem or even in a one-back system, with a guy you're okay going in with as a starter in case your starter goes down. Have we had a season yet in recent memory when the starting RB didn't go down?
We know for a damned fact that Hungry Like is no every down back. We should know the same about Adrian Peterson, even though he could do a more reasonable impersonation of one. But please - the lack of doing this last year hurt us when the ex-Bear went down. I don't care if the guy is not Shaun or Kevin Jones or any of the more household names - but signing a veteran is a must. Maybe even more important than getting that left guard (or maybe not, if Forte stayed healthy).
Agree with the St. Clair take. Metcalf as already proven BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT that he is not good enough - not near good enough. Beekman is apparently not in the plans. St. Clair looks like the highest achiever of those on the roster.
June 19, 2008
#121 Taylor said . . .Get me TEE! xxl, good quality cotton hopefully. Will pay real American dollars for it.
I will be out after today for annual two week trek to the far northern reaches of Wisconsin. No internet, no computer, nothing but cards, games, puzzles, books, fish, cigars, booze, floating in a lake, wind in the trees and guaranteed less than 100 degree weather! Nothing short of heaven on earth!
Da Blog will be my first stop when I get back Happy 4th, here's to the signing of a FA guard, FA RB and signing of all draft picks!
June 19, 2008
#122 Taylor said . . .I don't really know that much about Bentley, but from the little research I've done, all the Bentley admiration is a little much. Has the guy even played Guard? He is listed as a center. No only that, he hasn't played since 05. I'm not saying he would be a bad pick up, but let's much such huge assumptions.
June 19, 2008
#123 Pissed Off said . . .the last part of the is supposed to say....but let's not make such huge assumptions.
June 19, 2008
#124 Phil from SATX said . . .Poeple sure have a high opinion of Bentley. I have to see it. He's available for a reason. I dont know if he just got bored or what but I wouldnt mind picking him up if and only if the price is right.
Phil, I too will be going out of town on a vacation starting tomorrow. Viva Las Vegas, be there thru Monday, not quite two weeks but I couldnt do two weeks in Vegas anyway. Aside from pissing away probably my life savings its just too much walking and heat.
June 19, 2008
#125 Shady said . . .Have fun PO'd, I always thought the shelf life on a Vegas trip was 3 days, 2 nights - after which requires about 7 straight days in a hyperbaric chamber. But that's just me.
June 19, 2008
#126 Shady said . . .I hear the Packers are calling the Dolphins about the availability of Jason Taylor...
June 19, 2008
#127 Viva said . . .You want some good news Bears fans??
Here ya go:
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/sports/pro/football&sa=NFL&eid=3453129
June 20, 2008
#128 Max said . . .Tommie locked up through 2012 is FANTASTIC NEWS!!
PO'd,Time on a golf course is cheaper then time at a table - just bring some sunscreen it was 107 a day ago and 103 today (fucking cold spell).
June 20, 2008
#129 Brad said . . .YEAH TOMMIE!!!!! Deserves every penny cause he is the best DT. Righteous. Now just give Devin his $$.
PUMPED UP!
June 20, 2008
#130 RandomName said . . .No veteran running back! I really is remarkable how important than think the offense is. What would it hurt to bring in another RB? The organization must understand one the main reasons for the success in 2006 was depth at that position combined with a solid O-Line. That is BEAR FOOTBALL and lets get back to that. Bring in a nice compliment and let Forte grow. Stop being so damn stubborn.
June 20, 2008
#131 jeff said . . .No More talk of Cedric Benson please, he's gone. let's talk about who will be a part of the 08/09 team.
June 20, 2008
#132 Shady said . . .unfortunately we're having some posting problems so just keep the conversation going and i'll get on it.
June 20, 2008
#133 shonbear said . . .As much as Cedric Benson "didn't get it"...
Tommie Harris does:
"It was the principle of the whole deal. I wanted this deal done because the NFL gave me a price tag. I don’t believe any NFL player deserves the amount of money that we do get. But in the business that we’re in, they give us tags and say, ‘This guy’s worth this, this guy’s worth that.’ We play a game—a kids’ game—and get paid a king’s ransom.
"I’m just fortunate to be able to be in this position and I will make the Bears organization proud. I’m ready to go out there and continue to keep being the best defensive tackle in the league.”
June 20, 2008
#134 Al In WI said . . .He is classy and with all these greedy players out there, I hope their taking notes about his character. Of course owners are greedy too and I'm not really sure who they should take notes from but they definitely shouldn't be so worried about the bottom line that they are not willing to do what it takes to keep or build a decent team for their fans who are the ones that are really paying those checks. Lastly, I'm all about capitalism, but something needs to be done about the rookies coming in and making more money than the vets, regardless of their college success.
Fix dasite already!!
June 21, 2008
#135 KentuckyBearsFan said . . .There is a reason Mike Ditka is the greatest all-time Bear. "Well if he doesn't want to play then he's a coward." 6/20/08 on Cedric Benson.
June 21, 2008
#136 Blog Down, Chicago Bears said . . .We got our quarterback, baby!
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1013415,CST-SPT-bear19.article
"Wide receiver Devin Hester made as much progress as anyone in the 10-week offseason program, a good sign for an offense desperate for a gamebreaker. His role was extremely limited at this time last year, and now it seems he's everywhere, even wearing Grossman's No. 8 jersey and taking a snap at quarterback."/hope Ron Turner doesn't suck as bad this year by overcomplicating EVERYTHING
June 21, 2008
#137 Devin Hester the Defence Molester said . . .The Bears org. say they don't have plans to bring in a veteran running back now, but wait until Kevin Jones personally works out on June 28. Then, they might change their tune.
June 21, 2008
#138 JWilson said . . .Never a big fan of what Jones did in Detroit but all about giving ex-injured players a chance to show that they're rehabilitated. If he shows something during those work outs and doesn't ask much then I'm all for nabbing the boy and using a Forte/Smith combo. It also helps because if one drops we could still have a Peterson/Smith combo or vice versa. Yes Bently played as guard for one season and went to the probowl before he was switched back to center. Also I'm really hoping for Derick Anderson to do an INSANE job this year. Maybe Quinn will hit the market. Would love to see him in the blue and burnt. That or maybe White or Tebow next year. White over Tebow imo. What y'all think?
June 22, 2008
#139 AK said . . .Time for new topic??
June 23, 2008
#140 Anytime said . . .Who's the worst QB of all time?
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=545
June 23, 2008
#141 Shady said . . .This thread bores me.
June 23, 2008
#142 animal said . . .Reading previous posts (especially live game-day blogs) keeps me entertained...
http://www.dabearsblog.com/2007/11/thank_you_detroit.php
June 23, 2008
#143 said . . .AK awesme link.
interesting whose name does NOT show up on any of those lists...June 24, 2008
#144 Hunter said . . .what Bears fans do with too much time on their hands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdrsoreHDeQ&NR=1
"Brett Favre gets raped"
June 24, 2008
#145 Pissed Off said . . .Hey Pissed Off, How does my ass taste?
June 24, 2008
#146 Hunter Is a Pussy said . . .Hunter, you cant do without me.
June 25, 2008
Fess up bitch. Who are you really? Good job posting when you know PO'd isnt around.
June 25, 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.