A few thoughts on yesterday's game with complete understanding that the Lions might be the worst football team in a long, long time.
-Lovie Smith made two decisions that I absolutely loved. (1) Going for it on fourth and one with eleven minutes left was accurately describe by Brian Billick (the best color man in the country right now) as an attempt to seize the game emotionally. If Forte had gained the yard, we’d be talking about the play as the moment the game changed. (2) Challenging the Marty Booker catch is the kind of move that gets players jazzed to play for you. It was a boost to Booker and Kyle Orton.
-Kyle Orton is a terrific quarterback. There I said it. He’s capable of being a great quarterback. There I said that too. Anybody who doesn’t recognize how this kid has improved since 2005 simply doesn’t want to. KO has a lot of Eli Manning in him: calm presence, quick decision making, strong arm…etc. If he can find a bit more touch down the field, we’re looking at something special.
-The Bears have two legitimate All-Pros on the defensive side of the ball: Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs.
-And Mike Brown is close.
-John St. Clair’s days are numbered at left tackle. He has provided a noble effort against some of the league’s elite pass rushers (perhaps the best is coming Sunday) but Chris Williams needs to get ready. Whether St. Clair slides into the left guard slot is up-for-debate though I would not like to see the development of Josh Beekman interrupted.
-Matt Forte didn’t have a good day running the ball yesterday but what makes you happy is his versatility. Forte can slide into the slot, move out wide or stay in and chip ends. Good to see Ron Turner (who was excellent all day) give him the ball down the goalline.
-I was wrong. Dead wrong. Devin Hester is going to be a terrific receiver and it might be time to minimize his role on special teams. I can’t help but think the fumbled punt was a symptom of overuse.
-Hester and Greg Olsen will create those kinds of mismatches for every defense they face all season long.
-Two nice Bears-related tidbits from Peter King this morning. (1) "Catch of the Year? Chicago wideout Marty Booker's one-hander at Detroit, one of the best catches of this, or any, NFL season." (2) "Tom Coughlin and Lovie Smith suspended top players for the game Sunday, then went out and won by a combined 78-13. Message there? Could be."
-Put that coffee cup to your lips and smile. Your 2008 Chicago Bears are at the top of the NFC North.
#2 Jokey said . . .Didn't see the game cause I was taking my kid to the ER (he'll be fine) but unless the Booker challenge was the second to last play of the game, I have to think it was an unwise decision. Maybe I'm not the master motivator Lovie might be...
October 6, 2008
#3 AfroCelt said . . .Didn't see the game cause I was taking my kid to the ER (he'll be fine) but unless the Booker challenge was the second to last play of the game, I have to think it was an unwise decision. Maybe I'm not the master motivator Lovie might be...
October 6, 2008
#4 zmac said . . .Just happy that we won...where was Urlacher that game? He's been quiet this year.
October 6, 2008
#5 Jokey said . . .Big improvement from KO yesterday. I am starting to think he might be a serviceable QB for longer than this year. I still want to see him do it against a good defense. Terrific QB? No. Possibility of being great? Probably not. The thing is, we all know you dont need a great QB to win, you just need one that can make the plays when he NEEDS to. KO hasnt done that well yet, but I think he can. The Vikes, Packers, Titans and Jags will all be tests for KO. I really hope he plays well.
Remember guys, it is a long season. We saw these same glimmers of hope from Rex in the beginning of 2006. His game early in the season against the Vikes fooled me into thinking he was the next great QB.
October 6, 2008
#6 Spanish Bear said . . .I should add that Booker's catch was great whether it was a stat or not - on the highlight tape it was obvious to me that it was a catch and that the initial call was wrong. (Sorry for the earlier double post - 1st one didn't show up when I refreshed the page)
October 6, 2008
#7 Urlacher FTW said . . .Well, I didn´t like the Booker challenge. We were ALREADY in the one because of the pass interference penalty. The risk/reward ratio was not in our favour. I bet Lovie wouldn´t challenge if the game was tied at that moment.
Also, I liked the 4&1 BUT didn´t like the playcalling in 3&1, I simply didn´t understand the pass to Mckie that was badly missed.
Finally, I think we could have call a pass play to Earl Bennett. I don´t know when he is going to be activated again and when the Bears will have such an easy rival - well, certainly we play the Lions again in a month ;).
October 6, 2008
#8 Mike Phipps said . . .The challenge on the Booker catch was absolutely the right call; the Interference had them set up at the 5, I was watching it live and that is where they had the ball spotted during the review. The catch was overwhelmingly a catch, not only did he get 1 knee down with control but his WHOLE BODY drug about 2 yards until he was out. The only conceivable reason for not calling it a catch was the ref must have thrown the flag and stopped really watching the play. So a call that is 90% likely to be overturned, with your receiver telling you "It's a catch, period", and 4-5 yards of field position in the red zone; yah that's worth a time out, esp when your up 17-0.
zmac, you're an idiot. Sorry but there are probably 4 other QBs in the NFL that could have made those throws as consistently and as accurately as Orton was making them. Anyone who can't see Orton blossoming into something we never thought we had is either obsessed with Rex or doesn't understand the game of football. I am not saying he is definately going to be great; but the is more than a glimmer of hope there. Look at his carrer stats, every single category he is improving on, for Christ's sake the Bears have a QB with nearly a 90 QB rating after 5 games! I am not saying this guy is the best but get your head out of your ass, realize this is 2008, and pull for KO. He does great, the Bears do great period.October 6, 2008
#9 Joseph said . . .Loved the Booker challenge. It was a catch and, actually, our field position did improve. They had the ball at the spot of the foul then moved it up to where Booker went out. Plus the emotional lift. GREAT challenge. Not only are the Bears atop the NFC North they are over .500 five games into the season. Great start to this year. Very promising team but Atlanta doesn't look like the gimme 'W' as it did at the beginning of the year. But, we'll cross that bridge on Sunday. For now, we bask in the glow of being in first place and, perhaps, the best team in the division.
October 6, 2008
#10 jdawg said . . .Consistancy from the QB position...good or bad is all I ask for! Hopefully more good than bad! Orton brings that! So far he is consistanly above average and that's all he needs to be.
Grossman one week would have a 120 passer rating then turn around and kick me in the nuts with a 40 passer rating!
Kyle is projected to have 22 TD's and 13 INT's...my nuts can live that!
GO BEARS!!
October 6, 2008
#11 BearDown1982 said . . .a key quote about Orton:
"Decision-making is his strength," quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton said. "Without a doubt."
That, ladies and gentlemen, is important.
It will be interesting watching this offense progress. I know the Lions suck but still, the needle is pointing up.
And remember, our #1 pick has been cleared for full practice. Expect to see him after the by-week.
October 6, 2008
#12 Viva said . . .I didn't watch the game yesterday...had to listen to it on the radio on my way home from Wisc.
What I loved from the hightlights.
1. Booker's catch. I guess those freakishly huge hands come in handy from time to time.
2. Greg Olsen. Finally got to see him run in the open field...two nice catches with plenty of YAC.
3. Orton's performance. That sideline pass to Davis between the zone was one of his better passes of the season. Really have to like how well he plays inside the 20 yard line as well.October 6, 2008
#13 Bill said . . .Receivers and TE's ran great routes yesterday.
Stache did all the little things well.
Turner dialed up some great plays...for an entire game. As did Babich. There is hope.
Good to see that we won both halves of that football game yesterday.
Anyone interested in signing Roy Williams as a FA next offseason must review yesterday's game film...
Marcus Robinson may be the steal of the 2008 draft class.
KO looked fantastic yesterday. He looks very comfortable. I like that he has a comfort zone and knows his own limitations. Turner MUST continue to dial up plays that utilize his strenght (duh), but sooner or later he will be exploited, and we'll know wheter or not he is "terrific" after we see him forced into making some adjustments. His floor and ceiling are higher then it was to start the season.
Speaking of, we have a rookie QB on the hook Sunday in Atlanta. Something tells me he is going to have a hard time reading our D.
Marty Booker can palm a Volkswagon!!!
October 6, 2008
#14 Bill said . . .I was going to make the same point about why the challenge was important. I actually thought the foul was closer to the ten.
Can't agree about the TV commentators. They don't seem to be paying attention all the way through. I can site three examples:
The Booker catch - they never DID figure out that the challenge improved the spot significantly enough to be worth it.When Manning downed the punt but had his feet on the goal line (which was obvious) they declared the Bears had pinned them inside the one, and went to commercial. Despite the ref signalling touchback.
A long runback by someone (I think it was us) had a flag right fromt he start. The "flag" graphic was on the screen. They didn't comment on it until the ref made the announcement.
Now it's obvious they watch the game and not the screen. Which I think is excellent, because they will see things that the viewer can't see and comment. But when the viewer sees things they don't - well, it doesn't quite make up for it. You'd think one of the THREE of them woudl glance at the monitor or see the flag on the field.
I have a theory too about Forte's TD lunge. Had the Lions not been so bad, and had there coach not take a running start before going for distance with the red flag - think maybe the ref sess the play differently? While I tend to agree it was a touchdown, I was pleasantly surprised the ref saw it that way. They usually won't allow points unless it's pretty clear.
October 6, 2008
#15 Chitillidie said . . .Viva - I think you mean Marcus Harrison. And yes, he has proven to be very valuable.
October 6, 2008
#16 animal said . . .A great win...but I have some concerns. Forte has rushed for fewer and fewer yards each week. Some of the problems seems to relate to his blocking, but on a couple plays I saw him hesitate, and then not hit the hole until it was too late, or wait for the cut-back, which often wasn't there. He needs to follow his blocking better like he did in game #1. That being said he picks up the blitz better than any rookie I've ever seen.
St. Clair has been serviceable, suprisingly stout in pass-protection, but the man simply cannot run-block. He's frequently running around in the 2ndary looking for someone to hit.
Kyle looks fantastic. He's making the intermediate throws that Rex never did. That one throw right between the LB and safety was a thing of beauty. I'll take a QB w/an 80 rating most outings over a hot-cold guy like Rex. Consistency at the QB position is exactly what we've been lacking, and it looks like we found our guy.
Our D looks sick. Just sick. Lance Briggs is playing out of his mind right now. The mug-up look is giving O-lines fits too. A true pleasure to watch.
As long as we block John Abraham, stop the run, and contain Roddy White, next week looks like another win, though by no means a gimme.
GO BEARS!
October 6, 2008
#17 jeff said . . .KO has been solid. I just dont want to get too excited too soon.
Two legit all pro's on D... Jeff, why are you leaving off Alex Brown? He has played out of his head.
October 6, 2008
#18 Al In WI said . . .john abraham and justin tuck are my all pro ends right now.
October 6, 2008
#19 Ronaldo said . . .I second Animals comment on Orton. If I started the year with a 10% approval rating for him I'm up to a 70%. That's a lot of movement but I'm not completely sold just yet. He's making good improvements in a lot of areas to be sure and that is very nice to see. After being up and down the last two games he put together a complete game. That's progress. But I still caution that there is a ways to go with him and several hurdles yet to be cleared.
I am just stunned at how bad the Lions are at this point. How is it even possible to be that bad considering that they've had top 15 draft picks in every round of the draft for almost a decade! I know Millen was an idiot, but still he was still drafting guys that were scouted to be in that range of the draft as far as talent. Unreal!October 6, 2008
#20 Luke said . . .Is it me, or is it that Dez Clark don't give a shiznit anymore? I think we were all huge on this guy at the beginning of the year, but he looks like he's putting forth lackluster effort. I was watching a replay of the game on my DVR and of all Da Bears, he seems to be having the least hustle out there yesterday. Dez, listen buddy, we like you but you've got to pull yourself together before the next couple games. We need you. We could use another receiver up the middle to occupy the LBs to take some eyes off Deuces Wild.
Al in WI, I agree with you on the KO comments. But not that this makes it right or wrong, if anything it points out the silliness of the pundits, but let's say that KO played in for the Cowboys, dated a blonde, and didn't have a neckbeard; with his performance this year (shoot, sub Aaron Rodgers for Romo even), they'd be hailing him as The Next. Romo comes to mind for comparison's sake because of his similar up/down performance in his first year (more up than down, but still had his downs). The point being, he's not going to be Hall-of-Fame material every game, but he'll give you steady production over a 16 game season.
October 7, 2008
#21 BRIANsong said . . .I love what Kyle's been doing, but I think we need to not get ahead of ourselves. I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here, but at this point in 2006 Rex 'The Sex Cannon' Grossman was 93 of 156 with 1243 passing yards 10 TDs and 3 Ints. Just sayin... Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
October 7, 2008
#22 Willie from Chicago said . . .Didn't notice the lack of effort from Clark. I'm sure he's not pleased with a reduced role in the system.
October 7, 2008
#23 LLcoolR said . . .Well, when the season started I predicted that the Bears will start off 4-2, however, I didnt think they would have won at Indy and vs the Eagles.
KO played the best game he's played thus far. I hope he can stay this way as the season goes on.
Guys, dont get too excited, you have to remember, they beat the Lions, it was a good solid win, but it was the Lions. Next week they play the Falcons, this is a tough game on the road against a hot team, if they win next week, they will be in great shape.
BEAR DOWN
October 7, 2008
#24 animal said . . .first off, go bears! i didnt get to watch the game because i'm on duty these next few weeks in Camp Grayling, MI. but that did give me a chance to listen to this game as told by the lions commentators, and it was hilarious! every throw KO made those guys were just steaming over. i really wish i could have watched it. i guess i'm not used to having our QB consistently piss off the opposing teams radio commentators. please let this continue!
and this might be asking for a little too much from the football gods, but please let aaron rodgers continue to throw games away! i have waited for this my whole life, seeing the packers with a fragile, inconsistent QB. i just want it to last forever
i'm not too concerned about forte, because it sounded like they played a lot of 8 men in the box, and if teams continue to do that, i think KO is starting to believe that he can exploit it everytime
October 7, 2008
#25 Shady said . . .I agree- it was the Lions, so we should take it easy. HOWEVER it was the same damn team that swept us.
Before the game I summed it up basically by saying, if we win, its because we should and we are doing ok BUT if we lose we are that neurotic team from last year that can't focus and put it together.
I am not ready to say we are great, but I am relieved as all hell that we are not that team.I am watching MNF closely- anyone else.
A. we play both of these teams. We have had the Aints number for sure, but as we all know we cannot take anyone lightly. I want to see what this ViQueens team is really all about. They were suppose to be SB contenders. They started T.Jackoff and now Gus "I sucker you into thinking Im ok then lose games for you like Brian Griese" Ferrotte. Hmmm...
2. I am leading in my FFL matchup, with no players going tonight. My opponent has Drew Brees. Right now Im still up 10.
October 7, 2008
#26 AfroCelt said . . .Dez Clark remains one of my favorite Chicago Bears. Although he's struggled to create space and get open, Dez is a great blocker in the run game and in my mind underrated.
I can't help but agree on KO regarding not getting too excited yet, there is a ton of football to yet to play. But you can't help but like those statistics, especially the TD to INT ratio. He still has a few things to get up to speed, the first is pocket presence. Orton needs to continue to work on touch for the long range pass and that timer in his head letting him know a DE is coming for him and the ball.
Next week is going to be a great game, I have a feeling it's going to come down to Matt and Michael vs. Brown and Briggs. This defense has looked GREAT so far this year, there IS a solid case for the Bears being literally 3-4 plays away from 5-0. Consistency hs been the problem for this crew in the past, let's see if they can keep a winning streak rolling one game at a time.
October 7, 2008
#27 animal said . . .Why is Kornhieser on these ESPN Monday Night Games? I hate the dude. Jawarski is providing intelligent Saints breakdown and Kornhole is just running roughshod over him, spouting off about some butterfly in the distance. Disgusting.
October 7, 2008
#28 Bearman on the Sangamon said . . .http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=3624109
very interesting take on the big impact Forte had in the Lions game.
Brad Childress is TERRIBLE. With a 20-17 lead late in the game, just after a big mo changing Bush TD on a punt, he calls three straight passes.
Dude, you have the fucking lead. You have AP and Chester Taylor. You have nobody playing quarterback.
He then lets his punter kick to Bush AGAIN who trips over a grassblade in the open field or he woulda scored again.You are a fucking retard.
things I'm thankful for:
Tavarias Jackson and Gus Ferret
Favre to the Jets
The Lions
Aaron Rodgers' gimpy shoulder
The Lions
Brad Childress
Matt Millen
Cedric Benson going to the Bengals (poetic justice)
Cowboys imploding (Thanks TO, Tank)
The Lions
Matt Millen
Brad ChildressOctober 7, 2008
#29 big rob said . . .Beatiful post, animal. Yes, it is merely the Lions, but it is an NFC North rival who swept our boys in 2007 and that victory combined with the Green Bay loss put us on top of the division and gave us a record above .500 since that glorious and storied 2006 campaign.
I also agree. Tony Kornhieser is the worst thing to happen to Monday Night Football...even worse than Rush Limbaugh and Dennis Miller combined.
Do you all remember Chicago @ Arizona in 2006 (of course you do)? 'Kornhole' interviewed Charles Barkley and asked him which was a more physically demanding game; football or basketball. Barkley was silent for a moment as though contemplating the ineptitude of Kornheiser and then responded resoundingly that football was indeed the more physically demanding sport...who would've thought.
October 7, 2008
#30 animal said . . .I hope Devin is watching this game with the Special Teams unit........
October 7, 2008
#31 big rob said . . .WOW.
See my last post, on the Saints, cont'd.
HE PUNTED TO BUSH AGAIN.
TD, REGGIE BUSH.
This is just after Bernard Berrian had the ball hit him in the hands on third down.... game tied, critical drive... and of course, dropped it.Things I'm thankful for,
BB getting a huge contract in Minnesota and sucking
Brad Childress
October 7, 2008
#32 animal said . . .animal can you copy that article into a post? You have to be an ESPN insider to read it. Thanks!
October 7, 2008
#33 big rob said . . .Chicago
1. The numbers might not reflect it, but the offense actually went through RB Matt Forte, who is doing everything well despite being a rookie. He runs with power. He moves very well laterally to make tacklers miss. He is patient and sets up his blocks. He is crisp with his routes and catches the ball cleanly. He is an impressive blocker who understands his assignment. The Bears got him the ball early in a variety of ways -- short, high-percentage throws, inside runs, outside runs -- and that was big because while he might not have busted any long runs, it made the Lions respect the run game. They were forced to crowd the line of scrimmage to help a shaky defensive line, which left the secondary exposed and allowed the Bears to make plays in the passing game.2. Devin Hester is growing up as a wide receiver. Of course he is fast, explosive and exceptional with the ball in his hands, but he is showing a better overall understanding of the position. He was quick to read blitz and adjust his route to be the hot option, and his routes were sharper than in previous outings. Hester still body-catches far too often and doesn't have snatch hands (and probably never will). His overall ball security is still very questionable, both as a wideout and returner, but Hester's maturation is exciting. The Bears' offense really could use him as he develops as a legit wideout and brings more quick-strike ability to their arsenal.
Detroit
1. The Lions' offensive line continues to struggle. Chicago kept its linebackers very close to the line of scrimmage and in gaps on early downs, which forced the Detroit blocking scheme to react very quickly against smaller, quicker defenders. Needless to say, the Lions didn't react well. Chicago further complicated the blocking assignments by constantly bouncing its linebackers in and out of those first-line gaps presnap to better disguise its intentions. The right side of the Lions' offensive line is extremely inexperienced and it showed from a recognition standpoint. Until the Lions' line improves, Detroit should expect to see more of this tactic going forward.2. Not to throw dirt on Matt Millen's grave, but watching the Lions get destroyed by the Bears just reaffirmed the lack of talent there. They are trying to mimic Tampa Bay's Cover 2 scheme but don't have the necessary firepower on the defensive line to pull it off from either a run-stopping or pass-rushing standpoint. Offensively, there are so many question marks that you could make a case there are only maybe two or three guys worth keeping from the starting crew. Whoever takes over as GM, it will be a tough task because there isn't much here to start with, and considering the Lions were coming off a bye week and this was the best effort they had, that lack of talent was very evident.
Falcons 27, Packers 24
Atlanta
1. DE John Abraham continues to play at a very high level when rushing the passer. The Falcons continued to rely on their four-man rush while dropping seven on the back end in coverage. With his explosive speed and quickness, Abraham did a nice job of bending the edge and closing on Packers QB Aaron Rodgers.2. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey did a great job of using the run to set up the pass for rookie QB Matt Ryan. The Falcons used some misdirection and Ryan's mobility to attack the edges of the Packers' defense. Ryan also extended plays with his feet, and the Falcons utilized their off-tackle counter trey plays that revolved around attacking the right side of the Packers' run defense, especially RDE Mike Montgomery (who was replacing the injured Cullen Jenkins). The off-tackle play was designed to use FB Ovie Mughelli as the lead blocker behind pulling RG Harvey Dahl and created a lot of inside run space for RB Michael Turner.
Green Bay
1. Rodgers did a nice job of dealing with the pain in his right shoulder. Even without any practice time this week, the Packers' passing game was in sync and had a good rhythm. Head coach Mike McCarthy did a nice job of dialing up plays that exploited the middle of the field with TE Tory Humphrey against the Falcons' zone-defensive schemes. Also, the Packers finally showed some flashes of getting their running game going with Ryan Grant. It was the same zone-blocking schemes, but they finally showed a little commitment to the running game, which was huge.2. The Packers were not very effective stopping the run. Defensive coordinator Bob Sanders showed a lot of multiple defenders in the box and tried to isolate Turner. But with injuries on the defensive line, the Packers' front seven simply wore down. On top of that, their linebacker corps didn't seem to play with a lot of discipline when attacking downhill gaps. The Packers did a poor job of adjusting their run-gap responsibilities, which created a lot of inside spacing for the Falcons' running game.
October 7, 2008
#34 animal said . . .animal you are a gentleman and a scholar!
October 7, 2008
#35 Bearman on the Sangamon said . . .How's that Rob?
I added the comments on the Pack/Falcons, since we have both of them on our minds.I am now up by 5, 98-93. My opponent has Brees playing. 4 minute mark. this sucks.
October 7, 2008
#36 enderwiggin said . . .Fucking Saints can't do anything right. They are not a very good football team. Can't wait until December 11.
October 7, 2008
#37 Spanish Bear said . . .animal.. you are da man!! so, is the insider worth the yearly fee?
October 7, 2008
#38 RandomName said . . .Well, I thought that we were already in the 1 yard line with the pass interference penalty. Now I think the risk involved with the challenge was worth it.
Also, Don´t you think guys that Garret "Hungry like the" Wolfe deserves much more playing time??
October 7, 2008
#39 jdawg said . . .Heard Bernard Berrian made a spectacular catch for Minnesota, i'll have to catch the hilights on nfl.com or someplace. teach me to miss monday night football again.
October 7, 2008
#40 Bill said . . .Berrian will make a spectacular catch and then drop an easy one.
Turner will not have the success running against our D that he had against GB.
October 7, 2008
#41 Urlacher FTW said . . .Saints passed twice incomplete befroe the 2 minute mark. Allowed the Queens to keep their 2 TOs. Then Gramattica misses and they get the ball at the spot of the kick at the warning with 2 TOs. Game Over.
And the dumb announcers never even mention that bit of the game within the game.
October 7, 2008
#42 mikebdot said . . .Since my Fantasy league isn't unlocked, jeff hasn't written anything, and ESPNs overly biased Power Rankings aren't done I thought Id give my top 10 a shot. I don't feel like arguing whether Detroit or St. Louis is the worst team so Ill just do top 10.
1 - New York Giants - Superbowl Defending Champs plus undefeated equals they are number one until someone proves otherwise.
2 - Tennesse Titans - Only undefeated team without a bye. I don't think they have the chemistry to stay here but for now they are.
3 - Carolina Panthers - Man it hurts, we were close huh, anyhoo; only one loss team with a consistently great D; they don't have to go win a shootout every week which should spell success.
4 - Washington Redskins - After week 1 I thought these guys would be in the bottom 4, but Campbell has made a drastic turnaround and they are turnover free, another recipe for success.
5 - Dallas Cowgirls - I hate that they are this high; really I do, my only saving grace is that they are probably one loss from a TO meltdown that could spell FAIL.
6 - Pittsburgh Steelers - I do like the Steelers, kind of our AFC counterpart in some ways, just more consistent. If their O-line can hold, They win the division.
7 - Buffalo Bills - Noob QB , noob return man, no real big names on D, no problem. If you would have said last year the Pats, Colts, nor Chargers would be leading their respective divisions people would have laughed. The Bills probably won't stay long but the view is nice.
8 - Denver Broncos - I know you are what your record says you are but if you take away the blowout first win of the season over Oakland; this team's 3 other wins are by a combined 6 points! They are as close to 1-4 as the Bears are to 5-0. Still they are 4-1.
9 - Tampa Bay Bucs - This one really hurts, I mean really; but H2H they got the W.
10 - Chicago Bears - WOO! Hopefully climbing soon, this team is for real, ATL should be a good measuring stick; we HAVE to stop the run and make the rookie beat our sliding MUG or whatever they call it. Orton needs to be solid but I'd really like to see a big ground attack.
October 7, 2008
#43 said . . .Bill: Same thing happened against Indy. Houston handed the game to them. Not sure if they mentioned it or not, but it was quite possibly the most disgusting finish to a football game I've ever seen. I hate the Colts so much. It's really good to see the only way they won the football game was some really boneheaded plays by the Texans. They fumbled the ball running a QB bootleg on a 3rd and 8 (against Freeney and Mathis on the edges? Seriously?), giving the Colts a defensive TD. Then, the next possession inexplicably called 2 passing plays, one of which was incomplete, giving them a timeout, then the second one caused the QB to roll out, not protect the football and proceed to hand the Colts the football at the 20 yard line. Gary Kubiak sucks ass. The Colts ended up with an extra timeout leftover. 0-4 football teams find ways to lose games I guess.
How did the Colts luck out and get two expansion teams in their division when they reshuffled teams a few years back? And, to hell with everyone, the Titans are so overrated, this includes their coach. Yes, I said it. Jeff Fisher can eat a dick.
October 7, 2008
#44 Crown said . . .Well, the Bears finally closed out on a team they were supposed to beat. Where is Mr. Biggz and PO to tell us that Orton doesn't have the arm to throw the deep ball? Hello? You guys still around to talk some bullshit? I don't think so. Did you guys get to see your boy Rex pouting by himself on the sideline? That shot was priceless. I thought the nicest pass of the game was to Davis along the sideline when Orton threw in between their safety and corner in zone coverage. Perfect ball down the sideline. I loved when one of the commentators said that Orton looks like a guy from the IT department that would come down and fix your computer at work if it was broken, but that he was playing like an efficient veteran QB. The one word when I think about KO is poise.
Hester finally became a legitimate receiver yesterday. He ran nice routs in the middle of the field, he got popped and got up shaking his head like you can't hurt me, and he had a receiving TD.
Olsen down the middle versus a linebacker needs to always be one of KOs first options.
As far as the defensive side of the ball: Isn't it nice not to see the gaping hole in the middle of our D line when Tommie is not out there? Last year, I thought that other teams were consciously running down the middle and exploiting us when Tommie was not in there. This year, with the Israel/DD/Harrison combination, there has been no drop off in performance. Those guys are flat out stopping the run week in and week out. Forte's success running the ball this season is partly the reason why Orton had a breakout game and the WRs had man coverage. I thought Forte improved this week on blocking in pass protection. He was picking up DEs when they got free and was chip blocking well when they came on blitzes. Forte is a veteran and a professional 5 games in to his career. He seems to improve on some aspect of his game every week. Bears.
October 7, 2008
#45 AfroCelt said . . .My bad. That was me. Bears.
October 7, 2008
#46 zmac said . . .I've always liked Jeff Fisher...mainly because he makes do with complete garbage year in year out.
October 7, 2008
#47 zmac said . . .#7: Excuse me, but fuck you. My head is obviously out of my ass and I am pulling for KO. There is absolutely no reason to attempt to insult me so you can fell like you know more about football and so you can feel all warm inside saying to yourself, "Yeah, I told that guy off over the internet!"
Soriously, dont be a jackass.
October 7, 2008
#48 mikebdot said . . .45: Agreed. Fischer is one of the best, if not the best in the NFL.
October 7, 2008
#49 NittyGritty34 said . . .Regarding Jeff Fisher:
Here are the Titans decent seasons: 13-3 in '99 and '00. 11-5, 12-4 in '02 and '03. 10-6 last season. Those best four seasons are a direct result of riding Eddie George's ass into the ground. Amazing too, in '98 and '01, George fumbled the ball the most in his career and they finished 8-8 and 7-9.
Not to mention Steve McNair was actually a very good QB.
That's 5 decent years in 13 years. Made one super bowl. Every other season has been 8-8, 7-9, 5-11, or 4-12. Mostly 8-8. They've been very lucky this year.
I don't know, I just don't get it. They play in a terrible division along with the Colts. The Texans and Jaguars are not good teams, though Jax is getting respectable. There were also a few years where the Bengals, Steelers, and Ravens (and the Browns first two seasons as well) were terrible and they reaped the rewards when they were in that division, too.
Oh well, to each their own.
Incidentally, this is why I don't think much of Lovie Smith. The only two decent teams in our division the past few years are us and GB. We should beat the Vikings and Lions at least 3 times every season, allowing for statistical anomolies. And GB hasn't actually been that great, they just had continuity at the QB position and that is a big deal as it turns out, especially a well-above-average one like Favre (you'll NEVER hear me call him a "great" QB).
The NFC sucks ass right now and there isn't any reason we shouldn't be competing with Dallas or the Giants for 'top dog' status. Especially with our defense.
The Bears lead the league in third down percentage on defense (they're 8th! on offense, holy shit), but are 10th in #of penalties taken. We played a very good game the past two weeks in terms of penalties, so I hope that trend continues. Hopefully that is Lovie Smith, but I somehow doubt it.
October 7, 2008
#50 Albert in tucson said . . .I've often said that if the Bears relocated or ceased to exist for some god forsaken reason, that I would be a Titans fan becuase of Jeff Fischers style (run run run, defense defense defense, tough tough tough) and the fact that he was a former Bear. That is, if I didn't off myself first.
October 7, 2008
#51 Albert in tucson said . . .The Booker challnenge was a no-brainer.
A) It was OBVIOUSLY a catch and B) There's a HUGE difference between 1st & goal at the 1 and a half as opposed to the 8. Color man, Brian Baldinger's, comment that the Bears were challenging to make Booker feel better was LUDICROUS! I am sooo tired of announce crews doing Bear games who apparently think 'preparation' consists of perusing the rosters 10 minutes before air time. Sunday's announcers (Billick excepted) were pitiful. Nice game for Rashied Davis who I'd start calling "Ocho Uno", but ...he dropped another 3rd down pass. And....While I hate the preening, attention-seeking Referee, Ed Hochuli, I have to say I think he got the non-fumble call CORRECT Monday night. Of course, that doesn't excuse the apparent temporay blindness by him and his entire crew on the BLATANT facemask foul that preceeded the Reggie Bush fumble.October 7, 2008
#52 said . . .The Booker challnenge was a no-brainer.
A) It was OBVIOUSLY a catch and B) There's a HUGE difference between 1st & goal at the 1 and a half as opposed to the 8. Color man, Brian Baldinger's, comment that the Bears were challenging to make Booker feel better was LUDICROUS! I am sooo tired of announce crews doing Bear games who apparently think 'preparation' consists of perusing the rosters 10 minutes before air time. Sunday's announcers (Billick excepted) were pitiful. Nice game for Rashied Davis who I'd start calling "Ocho Uno", but ...he dropped another 3rd down pass. And....While I hate the preening, attention-seeking Referee, Ed Hochuli, I have to say I think he got the non-fumble call CORRECT Monday night. Of course, that doesn't excuse the apparent temporay blindness by him and his entire crew on the BLATANT facemask foul that preceeded the Reggie Bush fumble.October 7, 2008
#53 #53Said... said . . .Kyle Orton: A couple of advantages over Rex have become quite apparent. His height is a definite advantage and he handles the pocket pressure much better by either stepping up, where the strength of this offensive line is in , or he rolls away from the pressure, surving to either make a play or save a sack by getting rid of the ball.
The Booker challnenge was a no-brainer.
A) It was OBVIOUSLY a catch and B) There's a HUGE difference between 1st & goal at the 1 and a half as opposed to the 8. Color man, Brian Baldinger's, comment that the Bears were challenging to make Booker feel better was LUDICROUS! I am sooo tired of announce crews doing Bear games who apparently think 'preparation' consists of perusing the rosters 10 minutes before air time. Sunday's announcers (Billick excepted) were pitiful. Nice game for Rashied Davis who I'd start calling "Ocho Uno", but ...he dropped another 3rd down pass. And....While I absolutely hate that preening, attention-seeking Referee, Ed Hochuli, I have to say I think he got the non-fumble call CORRECT Monday night. Of course, that doesn't excuse the apparent temporay blindness by him and his entire crew on the BLATANT facemask foul that preceeded the Reggie Bush fumble.October 7, 2008
Bear Down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 10, 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.