Comments

FIRST!

Ok...I'll bite. I really don't feel there is much to be optimistic about this year. Did you watch the Redskins game last night? They looked like crap! And what was the one thing John Madden said that matters? They didn't look good in the pre-season either. I'm not sure why everyone thinks the pre-season doesn't matter. Yea....yea I know they aren't playing hard, don't want to get injured...yada yada. Here is something to consider though that is so crucial. More than talent, more than history, more than records or schedule a team must have good symmetry. I'm not sure that this team has that especially when we know for a fact the locker room is split over the QB position, players are upset about the Jones trade and there is very little that will be fresh in their offense outside of Forte. If the Sunday nights game is close and Orton throws some INT's, the running game is stopped and the defense keeps giving up big plays there could come a sense of panic. Uh oh here we go again. Not saying that will happen, but a lot will be told in the first game.

Just my two cents.

September 5, 2008

You mean chemistry JP or symmetry?

September 5, 2008

The Skins last night looked similar to the Bears last year. Zorn treated Jason Cambell like a puppet alot like Lovie and Turner did with Grossman. They don't put much trust in these guys because they don't show the coaching staff they can lead a offense. There is no question Cambell/Grossman have the physical attributes to play in the NFL but they lack the leadership skills. Cambell really has no excuse because he has amazing talent around him! Grossman not so much. Orton has matured both physically and mentally this year and is emerging as leader. He was named a captain this week and I really think he has great vision to make plays! This team will shut up alot of critics by week 4!!

Bears 24 Colts 17!!

September 5, 2008

Idonije,

BOTH!

September 5, 2008

Yours is the best Bears website bar none. And as far as I am concerned, you are the #1 authority on all things Bears. However, I just wish you would leave politics out of it. It's worthless punditry and serves only to detract from an otherwise fantastic site. Go Bears!

September 5, 2008

The "DOUBLE DEUCE"
It has a nice ring to it.
Good Luck Matt Forte !!!
BEAR DOWN BEARS!!!!

September 5, 2008

The "DOUBLE DEUCE"
It has a nice ring to it.
Good Luck Matt Forte !!!
BEAR DOWN BEARS!!!!

September 5, 2008

I've been reading this blog for a long time now and have yet to post; I feel like the commentary is sharp, for the most part, and don't feel I need to add to any redundancy by restating comments made by the people I agree with. But I do like that over the course of this preseason the subject of optimism and pessimism has been brought to the forefront. It's one thing for the media to piss and moan about this and that, after all they have to fill the pages and the airwaves with something and negativity builds an air of conflict and conflict is at the heart of drama. So it makes sense for those guys to put players and teams down. But it's another thing for a fan to do so. I agree with you Jeff - if you have a defeatist attitude all you're doing is maintaining an emotional distance so the lows won't be so low. If that's the case, are you really a fan(atic)? Probably not.

Don't get me wrong, there are things about this Bears team that give me pause. But I also believe they can wow everybody and go 16-0 and take the Super Bowl. Why? Because that is the miracle of sports. Especially this sport. We all know what Kyle Orton did in 2005 and we went to the playoffs. We all know what this defense can do.

Before the 2005 season, if I'm not mistaken, Urlacher was embroiled, as he often has been, in some stripper paternity suit and everyone was on his case for being a bum and wasting his talent and time. He said then it wouldn't be issue on the field and it wasn't. When the leader of this defense say they will turn it around, I believe him.

With a defense that can rank in the top five, an offense with an improved Orton, and a superstar special teams group, what's to be worried about? Nothing, except for the fourth phase of this team - the fans - the majority of whom, in the stadium at least, can't help but take a shit on these guys every time something goes wrong. It hurts when something goes wrong, but I don't curse my team. I hope for them. I curse myself for loving this game so much.

September 5, 2008

Jeff. Great post. I couldn't agree more. Whats the point in being a fan if, at the beginning of the season, you cant come out of the tunnel pumped up and ready to win???

Maybe a couple weeks from now we will be sitting here, with some regular season games under our belt, bitching. But i would argue there is an equally likely chance that we could be sitting here thinking OMG this team is solid.

Why can't Forte come in an transform our running game like Peterson did in Minny? Why can't St. Clair play soild at LT? Why can't Orton throw for 200 yards/ 2 TD every game? Why can't our defense be one of the best in the league? The truth is we have no idea what will happen, and thats why you play the games.

This is the NFL. Any given sunday a team of professionals can show up and win. This isn't LSU vs. Alaska Tech Community College...

This is not a 4-5 win team. With the defense healthy and ANY running back who is not cedric benson, we are improved over last year. Who are we missing???? Benson. No. Moose. Fuck No. Berrian, he had 951 yars and 5 TD in 2007 (755 yrds and 6 TD in magical 2006), uh no. not for 20 million. Adam Aruculeta? NO (except his wife). Tank Johnson, not really. Rex Grossman? Yes and No (i'm not gonna go there).

Who have we added (since the superbowl in 2006):
Mike Brown (for now)
Tommie Harris (for now)
Dusty D
Payne and McGowan with more experience
Booker, Loydd, and Hester (they can surely make up for that 900 yards and 5TD's from BB)
Most Importantly!!!: Forte and Kevin Jones (probably better than Thomas Jones and Benson)

The truth is this team that will march out on sunday is BETTER than 2006. There is no reason to expect anything short of winning the divison.

September 5, 2008

FYI. We Shall Return... that was one of the best comments i've read on here in awhile.

September 5, 2008

I think we need both...optimist and pessimist side by side. We can be excited about a new season but we had best let the team know when they suck too. I believe one of the biggest reasons Gross Man ain't startin is Lovie and the boys knew that gettin booed in your own house ain't fun for no one and it sure ain't good for the ole psychy. We should never question a fans loyalty just because they call something for what it is. True fans are optimistic but they also want to win and can't stand comin in second or worse every year...if that ain't happenin someone needs to say something.

September 5, 2008

Jeff I agree"every Sunday we don't win,I die a lil bit on the inside"

Friend an family have to comfort me like I lost a family member on sundays when we lose.

An since jay the joke has left,every chi town sports writer has fallen over themselves to be the 1st to write why the bears suck,An feed this defeated before any game is played bullshit attitude.

So i gonna lace em up an be ready for a huge fuck you from the Bears this Sunday to the local media,FWF's,An all doubters.

theres this saying...um.oh yeah!!!

BEARDOWN!!GO BEARS

LIVE BY IT!!

Peace until Sunday

September 5, 2008

The press has decided to write off the Bears based on the O-line. Was our O-line that great in '06? Our defense is aging, but it's basically the same one that got us to the Superbowl. Vasher and Tillman are close to lock-down. M. Brown and T. Harris are Probowlers when healthy. Briggs and Urlacher are top linebackers. And A. Brown is back to his rightful spot opposite Ogunleye. Go Bears.

http://jpbears.blogspot.com/

September 5, 2008

Great thread Jeff, and great topic. I would like to say that I like JPs insights here and I've never seen you post here before I dont think so kudos.

If you all remember way way back when, the main reason I ever came to this website was back in the 2005 season, was due to my pessimism so I cant say pessimism is all bad....it helped me find this site. (Man I cant believe its been 3 years next month I've been posting as a regular here) I found this website in a fury after a loss to the Browns in Cleveland in that infamous 2005 season in October. I was so pissed just looking for basically anywhere to rant, where someone might listen, for the first time ever I had actually written a three page rant that I actually emailed and USPS mailed to the chicago tribune. Yeah, it was that bad. Have you ever done anything like that. I am an eternal bears fan with a love for this team but I have equally a love for the players on this team. And you know where I'm going with this so I'll keep this part of it short but the players make up the team and when my favorite player (currently) is not starting for no good reason (farce QB competition) after taking the team to a superbowl in his first full year, I have a problem and losing his job to injury pisses me off as well.

Now moving on, I said I'd keep it short, I just want people to realize that pessimism isnt the worst thing ever and I have my reasons for being that way...will it pass, yes, eventually no matter what the circumstances or what happens with any particular player, my favorite or not. You can all rip me for #8 being my favorite player but I think he's the best QB we've had in a long time and certainly the best with the most potential during my lifetime as a fan and I've seen what he can do and I will hang on to those threads until its impossible for me to do so.

A so-called casual fan doesnt waste his time on this site for hours every day, or write letters to papers or read seemingly every news story available about the team if their casual....my point....I'm not casual and I'm pessimistice right now and I have a right to be. I dont know how else to explain it but I tried my best.

September 5, 2008

Good post Jeff. I honestly feel the Bears can go 16-0. I never can see them lose.
I really think the season comes to one person, and one person only. Lovie.
I think he sucks, but I still gotta have faith that maybe he'll change his ways. This season is on Lovie. No excues.
Go bears

September 5, 2008

This is the first time in a long time watching the Bears when I just haven't got a clue what to expect. just too many unknowns to make any sort of prediction.

So I'll expect to win, I'd rather be disappointed on game day than mope around assuming they're going to loose every game.

You can play What if all you like, but you can construct as many good scenarios as horrid ones. What if Hester really does have a break out year at Wide out? what if the offensive line is actually better than last year? What if Orton surprises in a good way?

It's a pointless excercise, I'd rather go into Sunday expecting a great performance from the D and enough from the O to pullout a win. Watch the game and maybe re-asses at the end of it.

September 5, 2008

JP,

As far as John Madden goes, I don't even trust his opinion for playcalling Madden '08.

Also, the '85 Bears went 1-3 in preseason.

September 5, 2008

Funny you should mention it Jeff. Look a the blog I just posted on Fan Nation. http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/245819

September 5, 2008

WOW
Dear fellow bloggers who bashed me for too much TJ love,
Read what Briggs said, and then shut up.
"Thomas Jones, he was a great, great leader for the Bears. He was a fiery leader. He was a guy that when he got out on the field there were no biases to who he went to and told, `Hey, we need to get this done."

I got a ton of shit, along with those who agree with me, for "revisionist history," for making TJ out to be a super hero, etc., etc. All I have ever said is what was just said in this post.

September 5, 2008

IN 2005, TJ WAS A SUPERHERO.
(for anybody who remembers that season)

September 5, 2008

2005 our running backs faced 8-man fronts all season long.

September 5, 2008

I've held for a long time that running backs are horribly overrated, especially the Shaun Alexander types who can't catch passes or block. There are too many examples of supposed "no-name" running backs who burst onto the scene as injury replacements or whatever and put up sick numbers. (See: Broncos, Denver.)

The relevance of this is that I was actually in favor of the Thomas Jones trade when it went down. (I feel like they could have actually gotten something for him, but whatever.) I figured that Benson, who'd looked decent down the stretch in '06, would be fine as a feature back, assuming that the O-line continued its level of play from '06.

Now, I'm not so stubborn to think that I wasn't mistaken. I probably overstated my case a little bit, as the running back obviously makes some difference, especially when the replacement in question is a whiny, out-of-shape loser with a questionable work ethic and substandard speed and quickness. But I don't think most people honestly knew that about him at the time.

Last year was a train wreck, but Benson wasn't entirely to blame. The O-line was a disaster, thanks to the deadly combination of injuries and ineffectiveness.

That leads us to this year, and the whole optimism/pessimism debate. The rational side of me thinks that without vast improvements to the O-line (and, to the Bears' credit, they TRIED to address it), the RB (and even QB and the WRs) are largely irrelevant. The emotional side of me, however, believes that everything will somehow work itself out, and I will continue that irrational optimism up until they are mathematically eliminated.

GO BEARS!

September 6, 2008

If the Bears want to do anything at all this year, then the'll probably have to finish 4-2 in their first 6 games.

I mean its doable,:

Week 1: @ Indy (L) Even with Peyton Manning not starting in the pre season, i still dont think the Bears can pull this one out on the road at the opening of the new Lucas Oil Stadium. I still think itll be close.

Week 2: @ Panthers (W) Without Steve Smith (who has been a Bears killer over the years) the Panthers are going to be basically dead on offense.

Week 3 vs Tampa (W): The Bears D will overmatch the Bucs o-line at home.

Week 4 vs Philly (L) Philly has really improved from last season, the Bears will stay in the game late but i think the Iggles will win by a field goal.

Week 5 @ Detroit (W) Comon, its the Lions were talking about here.

Week 6 @ Atlanta (W) With Matt Ryan at QB with that mess of an offense, the Bears D will be putting on a clinic, the Offense wont need to score.

The Bears can easily go 4-2 for the first 6 games. If they can do it, they'll have 6 of the last 10 games at home including 3 of the last 4 games at home.

Its Possible to make thhe playoffs, especially in the NFC- North.

BEAR DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!

September 6, 2008

This matters somewhat, should Hester have to change his number 23 jersey?

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2008/09
/when_it_comes_to_hester_its_ab.html

The article states that he would have to. I hope he doesn't.

September 6, 2008

Man I read this page everyday. You guys always are right on even if I I don't agree, if that makes sense.

You are totally right in this piece about optimism. I live in CT and I live and die with the Bears. The bulls, White Sox, Blackhawks, Revolution, etc could lose everyday of every week and it not effect me the same as the Bears losing one game.

I can't help but be optimistic about the Bears this year, every game, every snap, every tick of the clock, every article puts me through shit I can describe. Thank's for laying this out now I know I'm not the only crazy fucking fan. Let's go Bears, "YOU CAN DO ITTTTT!"

Bear down baby.

September 6, 2008

Now this is some funny shit. There’s a new site/blog called Football Fashion Fanatics. Ya gotta check this out. Two guys have taken the Uniwatch idea , sharpened the focus to the NFL, planted toungues firmly in cheek and punched the afterburners into a new level of sports absurdity. Fashion Power rankings, panel discussion videos about the most trivial details of NFL uniforms present and past. If you like football, you’re gonna get a laugh out of this : www.footballfashionfanatics.com

September 6, 2008

Good grief....it took waaaaaaaay too long to find a site that wasn't trying to throw the team under the bus before kickoff.

I personally have the team going 12-4 this season. I believe Kyle Orton is a far better QB than he's being given credit for, and I think he's a work in great progress. I said 2 years ago, and after, on other MB's and blogs, that I saw in Orton a QB who was far more suited to the job than Grossman, though I liked Rex too. I know - that makes me nothing more than cannon fodder.

We've all seen the article of a couple weeks ago or so where it was stated that people have no patience anymore with developing QB's for their respective team, that everyone wants superstardom in the rookie year, or by year 2 minimum. It's that whole "pizza-in-30-minutes-or-its-free" mentality that has always driven me nuts.

Orton is "Bear-Tough", in my opinion. I think he's going to surprise the heck out of people (and dismay his critics) over the next few seasons, and I think he's going to be impressive, win or lose, this Sunday night.

He doesn't get easily rattled at all, he's tough-minded, and he has good vision.

So while we all agree that Forte is a terriffic addition, I'm going to bathe in yet more Bears Koolaid, and watch Kyle Orton stun people all season long. And yeah, I'm serious.

I think I need to come here more often. Nice to hear cheers for a change.

September 6, 2008

Another great post, Jeff. Thanks.

September 6, 2008

The NFL is an interesting place. These days, it seems that there are a handful of teams who are always in the playoff mix...the rest of the league sits together in a big blob and it is hard to predict which teams in that big blob will emerge as a playoff team in any given year.

For instance, I see the Giants as one of those blob teams who overacheived beyond their wildest dreams last year and won the Super Bowl...but honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't make the playoffs or just got in at a clip of 9-7 or something like that this season.

Anyways, it gives everyone hope at the start of the year and that is why the beginning of the football season is probably the most fun...because your team has a clean slate and anything is possible.

I'm really sure what I expect out of this Bears team this year. I think the defense has looked terrible all preseason....and I know it is the preseason, so it is anyones guess just how much that means. The face that Tommie Harris is not 100% healthy and looks more and more like he may never me certainly gives me pause. The fact that no one opposite of Mike Brown has stood out at the safety spot is equally as worrying (Payne has showed some potential though and his last name is perfect). Plus, although Brownie has always been my fav Bear, we all know there is a good chance he can't make it through the season so then we will be left with a suspect last line of defense.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised if the defense gets it together and keeps us in games. Offensively? I have no idea. It all hinges on just how bad the O-Line is. If they can somehow turn into an average group, perhaps the offense won't be as bad as the pundits think. Orton has showed poise and Forte looks like he has the potential to be a very, very good running back. At receiver, it's anyones guess...we'll just have to wait and see.

My prediction...I'll say a 9-7 record with a playoff spot...and hopefully, a playoff win or two...but of course, plenty of fun time on this site regardless of what happens this year.

Enjoy the game tomorrow everybody...and of course, Bear Down!

September 6, 2008

Thanks Jeff. I think we go through this type of thing every year. I enjoy going into a season with low expectations because I get to see who among us are that special type of chicago sports fan that believes we'll win regardless of media or talent or whatever. I watch this team because I believe we'll win every game. I watch every snap because I think we're one play away from something spectacular. I'm very excited for tomorrow. I have little doubt in my mind we'll see a close competitive game with us winning by a late Robbie Gould field goal. I've got this one at 23-20.

September 6, 2008

Damn Jeff, way to get me PUMPED!!! The excitements starting to kick in. I started my day with a healthy dose of 'Super Bowl Shuffle' and began playing Madden whilst listening to it.

'You're the pride and joy of Illinois
Chicago bears, BEAR DOWN!'

September 6, 2008

Why Optimism? Why not

As Da Coach himself said , any team can win and any team can lose "that's why you play the game".

So there's my optimism.

September 6, 2008

10-6 jm sticking to it, and yes we get a bye week all caught up the other day with hurricane/flash flood hanna my bad gents!!!Bear down BEARS!!

September 7, 2008

Why Optimism? Because at the beginning of the '06 season, how many people thought we were going to the Super Bowl? Not many. The NFL is such a year-to-year league. You never know what is going to happen. I'm not gonna predict, I'm just ecstatic that I get to watch Bears football again. Everyone enjoy.

September 7, 2008

Way to go Deuce Deuce
Bears win

September 8, 2008

Way to go Deuce Deuce
Bears win

September 8, 2008

Way to go Deuce Deuce
Bears win

September 8, 2008

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