Looks like we're back up and running here at DaBlog and (I promise) t-shirts will be available prior to the start of the season. I've spent the last two and half weeks living in theatreland so I'm playing catch-up but here's my compilation of thoughts moving forward.
1. It looks like Matt Forte will have more pressure on him than any Bears' rookie in an awfully long time. Forte is going to be asked to carry the load for an offense that will not be able to survive his growing pains, should they occur. He needs to be good and he needs to start being good in the dark hours of Indianapolis.
2. I'm making my all-time least favorite Chicago Bears team (to debut this summer) and Cedric Benson v. Curtis Enis is the battle to watch.
3. Cade McNown needn't worry. His spot is safe.
4. So is Adam Archuleta's.
5. So is Dave Wannstedt's.
6. Just look at the NFC North and the Bears defense should have a three-word mantra throughout camp: stop the run. If Kitna, Jackson and Rodgers beat you - it's a deserved beating.
7. If you could sign for ten wins right now, wouldn't you do it? (I would.)
8. How about nine? Think about it. (I wouldn't. But I'm stupid.)
9. When does the official quarterback competition start because from everything I've read, Rex Grossman is the starting quarterback already? Will they fire the gun at the start of the race?
10. Three months, baby. Three months.
#2 Anytime said . . .I really hope the Neckbeard vs the Cannon gets a fair shot.Many fans in Bear-land need this since,Rex keeps getting the job handed to him.With a true fight for the job whoever wins will be better for it. Oh Yeah Beardown!!
June 25, 2008
#3 jdawg said . . .On completely off the topic note I was at a bar by wrigley on saturday, right below Baccis pizza, and they had a Cleveland Browns banner up. I asked him what was the deal with that because it was also a Cubs bar. He said that it is better to have a Browns bar because Bears fans are the worst fans and they only watch when they are winning and completely ignore them when they are not. He almost made me spit out my delicous 24oz bud light right there. It took every ounce of self control not to jump over the bar and strangle this man.
I simply call bullocks on him and will no longer be a patron at his establishment, and I call for all others to as well.
Even if he sells 24oz bud lights for 7$.June 25, 2008
#4 RandomName said . . .you mean 24oz tinkle for $7
June 25, 2008
#5 beardown1982 said . . .yeh Forte as a rookie umm, I hope he's up for the challenge.
June 25, 2008
#6 Phillip L said . . .Yet another strange offseason...nice to think that football is in the not so distant future again though.
June 25, 2008
#7 Pissed Off said . . .Is it fall yet?
June 25, 2008
#8 shonbear said . . .Random Thoughts:
Vegas was awesome, again. But it was time to come home.
Forte will have the pressure to be good and my best comparison of what he'll be doing is to that of Marshawn Lynch of the Bills last year. Not the premier back taken in the draft but a guy who is expected to carry the load. I expect similar numbers from Forte as I saw with Lynch last year. 280 carries for 1115 yds and 7 TDs. Looking at the Bills offense in general I say this is a good benchmark. Tell me why this is a bad comparison.
I read in the sporting news, last weeks issue (with Jared Allen on the cover), a blurb somewhere in there about the QB competition, and that whoever wrote it put down to look for Orton to win out. I laughed. Then I got sad thinking about does this guy know what he's talking about, what does he know that we dont? I hope to hell its Rex.
I'd probably sign up for 10 wins. This offer will never happen so it doesnt really deserve a reply but yeah I'd PROBABLY sign up for 10 wins. That said I'm glad the offer isnt on the table cuz I'd like to watch every game not knowing the outcome. Plus we have a favorable schedule, and if Rexy gets hot (which he is capable of doing and will be playing his ass off for his careers sake), the O-line pans out (still the biggest ? in my mind), and Forte works out and the D is healthy, who can stop us?
June 25, 2008
#9 Pissed Off said . . .Please watch these total blow jobs:
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3453818&categoryId=2459789&n8pe6c=2
OMG!!! These guys know absolutely about our Bears. Listen to this shit. 1. BU is injured and he's not going to show up. Our defense had one good year and one bad year. (HELLO? How about one injury riddled bad year which ended on a high note). Orton is on a two year extension and Rex is on a one year extension, what's up with the one and done statement??? Then the slam on the O-line, no reference to Chris Williams and another slam on the run game which nobody really knows. The QB slams are expected. This is the kind of stuff I'm talking about, these guys need to eat their mic's when this season starts.How don't they mention Hester?
The only good thing I heard is at the end about the Bears and Packers being the only two teams to ever win since the conception of the NFC North Division.
The Bears offense and defense needs to watch this kind of stuff to get some serious motivation.
Comment on the QB competition, espn website's Seifert says that Orton looks like he has the edge. I've been reading all this stuff and really not seen either of the QB's do anything out of the ordinary. Those preseason games are the tell. How could this guy not mention Hester, he's talking about Bennet. I've barely heard anything about Bennet, it's all (or mostly) been Davis and Hester. WTF!!! Man!!!
June 25, 2008
#10 Smitty said . . .I still love Rex. His talent is unmatched. Not to mention, he is quite the looker. I'm not gay, but I would definitely swallow his baby batter.
June 25, 2008
#11 jeff said . . .I'm surprised David Terrell (sp?) doesn't make the list. He was a huge bust...Wannstedt also was bad but the Bears were not a good organization from the top down during Wannstedts tenure. He get a slight break for this unfortunate truth.
John Shoop? Seriously, remember how bad he was?
June 25, 2008
#12 jdawg said . . .i'm going to make the full roster of coaches and players sometime in the next week. this has fun written all over it.
June 25, 2008
#13 Prefontaine said . . .don't forget John Thiery
June 25, 2008
#14 Continental Flying Spur said . . .Welcome Back 'Blog. I've checked everyday for about a week and it is so great to have you back. Now my half hour of internet surf time before work can be fruitful and productive.
Great to have you back.
June 25, 2008
#15 Al In WI said . . .#9 PO'D COMMENT
WOW!!!!????????
June 25, 2008
#16 notPOeither said . . .I like this format, I do.
1. The Forte take is dead on, I think the season rests on the ability to run the ball. The Turner system is all about play action passes and the real down fall of the team last year was on the line and at the RB position. This kid had better be for real, I'd like a A-Train like rookie season from him. But also keep an eye on PJ Pope as a sleeper for this roster.
2. I share Po'd concern about this QB derby. The tribune staff seems to think it's Rex as do most national "experts." But several of the guys at the Sun Times and the Score seem to think Orton is the favorite. This concerns me greatly.
3. I think Brandon Lloyd is on his way to the starting job opposite Booker. He's been good, and Bradley is hurt again. I doubt Bradley makes the team.
4. The scariest thing in the division is an injury to TJack of the vikes and the entrance of Ferrotte as the starter in Minnesota. He is solid and that is all they need right now.
5. The Packers are setting themselves up as the 04 Bears. Everything rides on Rodgers health if he get's hurt that team won't win 6 games.
6. Yes I would take 10 wins from this team and love it at this point.
7. I nominate Dez White to all-time sucking list.
8. Johnathan Quinn too.
9. Stan Thomas should be the LT.
10. I'm so ready for some football.June 25, 2008
#17 Prefontaine said . . .snotty faker, leave this site alone.
June 25, 2008
#18 said . . .Can I add Henry Burris to the "Suck-It" list at QB. The only reason is that he gave Tampa their first win in below freezing weather at game time. Pisses me off that it happened at our place. ARG!!
June 26, 2008
#19 Max said . . .RB rookies are better off than QB rookies...or maybe even WR rookies.
June 26, 2008
#20 mikebdot said . . .Cade McNown is by far the greatest worst bear of all time. No question.
No calls for Rashaan Salaam??? David Terrell is a good call also. Of course, Jeff will no doubt include Mike (we shouldnt say his name here) Green.
I have to include Todd Sauerbrun. Just a jackass.
June 26, 2008
#21 Pissed Off said . . .I vote for Jeremy Lincoln and Walt Harris at CB.
June 26, 2008
#22 Animal said . . .God are you a pussy.
June 26, 2008
#23 Pissed Off said . . .FINALLY a new post! Right on.
Shonbear, I like your thoughts and mean no offense, but you need to know that only kids, fags and women use shit like "OMG!"
I think WTF is acceptable on the blog, from what I've seen. Despite its gay ass text-ese connections, it includes the manly word "fuck" as a saving grace.Funniest shit so far: PO "I'd swallow his baby batter" WTF??
I second the nomination for David "the big cocksucker" Terrell for the worst list. Second Stan Thomas, what an overhyped (and coincidentally from Texas) joke. Diddo Johnathan Quinn.
Funny shit today. Nice to have a new post.
June 26, 2008
#24 Pissed Off said . . .Thats directed at the douche who posted #9 and Continental #14 for being so dumb he thinks I may have actually posted that myself.
All time suck ass, my personal fave is David Terrell, Dez White and the slew of QBs who include Quinn, Burris, Kordell, etc. What seriously was the deal with Quinn. They actually brought that guy in to be the backup. What did he seriously show you that made you think he could play QB in the NFL, he was the biggest trainwreck ever. I remember I was at the game in Minny where he came in late in the 4th and we needed a drive down the field to win, we were deep in our territory, he then proceeded to throw 4 straight incomplete passes I beleive, What a loser.
How about Ced Benson, if we asked this question in a year or two, it'd be Benson. He tops the list of losers.
June 26, 2008
#25 shonbear said . . .And apparently it applies to animal.
June 26, 2008
#26 jeff said . . .Animal,
I think OMG is viable as long as you consider the tone or influction that it's used in, but if I had to make a choice of your three options, I'll take the kid.
Still those guys really know nothing or little about the game or the teams they are trying to be "experts" in speaking about. The more they talk the more you see how little they really know. They are just filling a space.
There are some good ones out there, but they don't cut the mustard.
June 27, 2008
#27 So Chicago Teams Do Better With The #1 Pick said . . .by the way, all curses and foul language are more than welcome here. kids have to learn some day. i just don't like it directed at individuals who don't wear the uniforms.
June 27, 2008
#28 jdawg said . . .Rose + Some Trades = Bulls Playoffs
June 27, 2008
#29 LLcoolR said . . .don't forget Rosevelt Williams. Wasn't he picked in the second?
Also, I stop reading any entry once I see the word "cuz".
Benson will be the biggest RB bust if he is out of the league by the end of this season.
June 27, 2008
#30 LLcoolR said . . .Cool topic this time. I was getting really tired of all the benson stuff.
I like the Marshawn Lynch comparison, production-wise. I dont know if they have similar games though. Forte seems like he'll be a little more straight ahead. I really hope they get the same level of production out of him though.
As far as disappointing Bear players, nobody has mentioned Alonzo "bat-shit crazy" Spellman. it killed me to watch that guy just never seem to dominate. i mean, he looked like a world beater, he should have just taken over games nearly every week, but he'd just never put it together.And how about this for a future topic. Favorite Bears players who were always stuck on terrible teams. this is the list to include Zorich and Flannigan, and for me, even Erik Kramer. Could you imagine if we had Kramer for 06? that's just sad in itself, "what if we had Kramer?"
June 27, 2008
#31 mikebdot said . . .Just thought of another guy stuck on bad teams, Shaun Gayle. I liked the way he played.
June 27, 2008
#32 jeff said . . .LLCoolR: Shawn Gayle and Mark Carrier were awesome on Tecmo Super Bowl. Unless they were feeling "bad".
June 27, 2008
#33 Viva said . . .LL, i like that. i mean we'd have to define what constitutes terrible. post-ditka, pre-2001. the entirety of the 1970s?
June 27, 2008
#34 Al In WI said . . .All Time Suck List
Here are some nominees, and I think I already saw Thomas on it...
1. Alonozo Spellman, DE
2. Stan "False Start" Thomas, LT
3. Mike "Signal Stealer" Tomszack, QB
4. James "RoboCop" Thorton, TEJune 27, 2008
#35 shonbear said . . .I would have say that Benson is the biggest bust of all the running backs we've drafted in the last 20 years. Salaam at least had one good season, and then got hurt after that. Enis was hurt in his 1st ever start. So at least they have excuses for their failure. Benson has none.
Shaun Gayle would not make the list of Bears players to suffer on bad teams. He was on the Bears teams of the 80's and won a Super Bowl.
That list should really start with Dick Butkis and Gayle Sayers.
Mike Tomczak actually makes the list of best Bears QB's. He won two playoff games for the Bears.
June 28, 2008
#36 KentuckyBearsFan said . . .Cade McLousy, Curtis Penis, David Terrible, Dave Bombstadt, Terrence Methalf and I can't help but remember how Steve Fuller blew the SF playoff game the year before we won the Super Bowl. He may have had some decent games, but that year he really blew it.
June 28, 2008
#37 Bears99 said . . .Oh man, memories of the Mighty jonathan Quinn...man did he suck
I looked up his 2004 stats in the 5 games he played for the Bears (all 5 losses), with THREE STARTS:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Q/QuinJo00_games.htmBack when a 10 yard pass completion seemed like a MIRACLE.
June 28, 2008
#38 Da Bears-n-CT said . . .Watching big bad Jonathan Quinn play was the most painful experience of my adolescence. In the madden games he had an overall of about 62. He must have been surprised to see that after throwing primarly to the opposite colored jerseys or the ground.
June 28, 2008
#39 Shady said . . .There's only ben one offseason that I was happy with. That was the year we hired Lovie. Other than hat the Bears always aggrevate my chronic football stress. Ugghh
June 29, 2008
#40 animal said . . .The Bears still need to figure out a way to run the ball this season...
How are you going to help solve this problem Angelo?
Either:
A. Sign some FA help to the O-Line (G,T anywhere, anybody!)
B. Sign some help to the RB position (K. Jones, N. Davenport)
C. Solutions A & B
If JA and the Bears refuse to answer this question, I might just have to stage a protest to this season... Alone... In my DaBearsBlog T-Shirt...I refuse to sit back and allow this organization to waste such a great defense because of an awful offense for yet another year!
June 29, 2008
#41 animal said . . .Did anyone else catch the ESPN radio John Clayton interview with Forte? Nice to hear from him. He said all the right things, especially how much he respects AP as a vet and how much he is learning from him, picking his brain on the playbook and what defenses will do, and leaning on him. VERY nice to hear the respect and that he trusts one of our favorite Bears on this roster.
Very decidedly not a Cedric type interview to say the least- no claims to the starting job, arrogance, or paranoia.June 29, 2008
#42 Rancid said . . .And what about Michael Haynes as a top bust? He was picked before Grossman and never, ever did shit. I distinctly remember the first time in 06 I saw a 97 jersey fly to the ball and make a play and I thought, holey shit! That's the first time I've ever seen him make an athletic play!
Of course, only to hear the announcer explain that Haynes was cut, and rookie 5th rounder Mark Anderson had taken his #. Nice.June 29, 2008
#43 Shady said . . .I'll admit I'm drinking the koolaid concerning the run game. I've never been a real negative fan despite the beating the Bears can put you through. I have faith that Forte is going to be the man and that the new line will return to form. It's just the way I am.
June 29, 2008
#44 Rancid said . . .I didn't know the O-Line was serving kool-aid, and if they were I don't know why you'd drink it. It couldn't have more than 1% ABV...
And returning to form? I don't think we can expect Fred Miller or Reuben Brown to return to form. And while Garza, Kreutz and Tait didn't exactly have a pro-bowl type 2007, I don't know why we can expect these seasoned veterans to improve anytime soon.
In case people don't remember last season, the Bears O-Line was badder than bad. I had said if they don't seek improvement this offseason then we can expect more of the same...
While they did draft Williams in Rd. 1, the Bears didn't take another O-Lineman until the late rounds and haven't signed any FA lineman either. In fact, they've lost a couple. As a fan it can be easy to look past some of the issues facing a team (mostly because our defense/special teams can win games singlehandedly) but at some point you have to start holding owners/GMs responsible for their actions, or lack thereof.
June 29, 2008
#45 shonbear said . . .We did the research on here a few months ago that shows that first round tackles normally step in and do just fine. I am happy with Williams, Olin, Tait, and Garza. So we're missing a guard, which was also presented on here as the easiest position to step in and play. So the kool-aid being served by the line is that someone on our roster is good enough to step up and start at guard. With the second koolaid shot being that IF we have someone on the roster who can start we also have a few backups that could step up if needed. I don't love the idea of going with just the depth we've got, but I don't see us as being hopelessly screwed.
June 30, 2008
#46 shonbear said . . .It can be said that if Forte does inject some inspiration in the running game with some great hard runs the whole offensive line will be charged to perform better this year.
If the receivers actually execute and don't drop critical passes the way they did last year, drives will stay alive, rythem will happen and the line will be better.
If they don't commit the penalties like last year, then they will be better.
Injuries are another issue to bring to the table. RB was hurting bad and he had been a probowl type player prior to that. Let's hope we stay healthy. On all sides of the ball.
So yea, I'm drinking the kool aid too, but I do believe that vets can get better. Health and inspiration, not to mention the whole team really didn't perform well coming off a Superbowl loss like many teams that don't. We are no different than any other team that's fallen on their face the following year.
That's why a big win in Indy and Carolina this year could inspire a whole year of the same. Our Defense has a chip on their shoulder, they will perform, shoot they could ptentially win the game themselves. The offense I think has something to prove now. Hester, Olsen, Grossman (likely) an unknown receiver ?Davis maybe?, these guys are going to come out of the gate firing. Nobody knows what to expect from Forte, he could be amazing, maybe just solid and safe, we have solid or safe already in AP, but we also have potential in Wolfe for certain plays.
So my hopes are high as they are every year, yes last year was one of the hardest coming of a Superbowl loss to not make the playoffs, it's hard on the players, it's hard on the fans, but I'm going with us on top until otherwise seen.
I agree 100% that our owners/GM's coaches need to be held accountable for the action or inaction. If the fans are paying for the merchandise and tickets, they should be doing what they can to get a winning combination together. Over the last 23 years, I'd say that they have pretty much done that or at least worked towards that within the last six years (most notably the probowl player increases and playoff appearances, but they have to keep it going don't rest, keep firing). I don't want to wait another 20 some to get back to the big game.
June 30, 2008
#47 LLcoolR said . . .It can be said that if Forte does inject some inspiration in the running game with some great hard runs the whole offensive line will be charged to perform better this year.
If the receivers actually execute and don't drop critical passes the way they did last year, drives will stay alive, rythem will happen and the line will be better.
If they don't commit the penalties like last year, then they will be better.
Injuries are another issue to bring to the table. RB was hurting bad and he had been a probowl type player prior to that. Let's hope we stay healthy. On all sides of the ball.
So yea, I'm drinking the kool aid too, but I do believe that vets can get better. Health and inspiration, not to mention the whole team really didn't perform well coming off a Superbowl loss like many teams that don't. We are no different than any other team that's fallen on their face the following year.
That's why a big win in Indy and Carolina this year could inspire a whole year of the same. Our Defense has a chip on their shoulder, they will perform, shoot they could ptentially win the game themselves. The offense I think has something to prove now. Hester, Olsen, Grossman (likely) an unknown receiver ?Davis maybe?, these guys are going to come out of the gate firing. Nobody knows what to expect from Forte, he could be amazing, maybe just solid and safe, we have solid or safe already in AP, but we also have potential in Wolfe for certain plays.
So my hopes are high as they are every year, yes last year was one of the hardest coming of a Superbowl loss to not make the playoffs, it's hard on the players, it's hard on the fans, but I'm going with us on top until otherwise seen.
I agree 100% that our owners/GM's coaches need to be held accountable for the action or inaction. If the fans are paying for the merchandise and tickets, they should be doing what they can to get a winning combination together. Over the last 23 years, I'd say that they have pretty much done that or at least worked towards that within the last six years (most notably the probowl player increases and playoff appearances, but they have to keep it going don't rest, keep firing). I don't want to wait another 20 some to get back to the big game.
June 30, 2008
#48 Pissed Off said . . .I wanted to speculate over the "would you buy 10 wins from this team?" question. right now, just looking over the schedule, who do you guys think they should beat down? here's what i'm optimistically hoping for. (these are the games i feel like they have no reason to lose, right now, no injuries, on paper, in my mind, blah blah blah)
Bucs, home opener, this should be a definite W.
Lions should be 2 W's, after the embarassment of being swept last year they should return the favor this year.
Falcons, no excuse if they drop this one. has to be a W.
Vikings for one win. it's tough to sweep the vikings
Packers for one win. After sweeping them last year, they'll be playing for revenge, plus it's gonna be important for the potential to play in the playoffs.
Rams shouldnt be too much better with Howies kid, so this should be a win.
Saints late in the season? this is one of those history repeats itself things. win.So by my count the Bears have no reason to not get these eight wins, and they should pick up at least two along the way that are pretty even matchups. the eagles, titans, and panthers, and texans all seem to qualify. it would be awesome to see the upset in indy, but that will be a longshot, and same goes for the jags. that team is just really solid, so that one would be tough to look at as a win at this point.
i really need the preseason to get started. i'm seriously sitting here thinking of matchups that are half a year away. sorry if this was just too ridiculous for you guys to read all the way through.
June 30, 2008
#49 shonbear said . . .I could get on board with drinking the Kool-Aid but the RB and O-line positions are still the biggest question marks. Its not that I dont think the group we have cant get it done.....Forte, could be good and with AP and Wolfe, it could be a good combo and the O-line, Williams should kick some ass and Tait back on the right is great, Olin is solid...but my worry is INJURIES! This is the NFL and they happen. What if we lose Williams to injury, or Tait or Olin, then what, we dont have enough depth, if we lose Williams for example, we're right back to where we were last year, suckage. Thats why I want/wanted us to get another O-lineman and RB in free agency, proven guys not rookies either. We really dont know what Forte is going to give us, we dont know what Wolfe is going to give us. We know what AP will give us but thats probably not enough and if one guy gets hurt, then what. I just think this thing has potential to work well and also has potential to blow up in our face.
July 1, 2008
PO'd,
my sentiments exactly. This brings to mind the Reuben Brown scenario that not everybody is onboard with in addition to that west coast guy. Maybe, just maybe they are waiting to see what happens with the upcoming roster cuts. Good players lost by virtue of no choice, then they get them for low dollar.
Right now maybe they are only concerned with signing the remaining rookies, possibly satisfying Brian and Devin and dealing with their own roster cutting problems to focus on this stuff.
I say that unless somebody knows something I don't about Metcalf's ability then they need to be thinking of losing him. They won't though because even though he sucks he knows their offense better than some guy off the street.
670 reported yesterday that Forte may have had 6 fumbles as a senior at Tulane. If we the fans start seeing that kind of stuff, we are going to freakin go pyscho about not picking up one or two viable free agents in the way of RB's or OL's.
I have a dream that Forte will surprize and demonstrate a little Minnesota Adrian Peterson on the league. This is a good dream, keep the hope alive. Win those first two and the sky is the limit!!!
July 1, 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.