It's pointless to start writing passionate pleas to Jerry Angelo with headlines like "Get T.J. Houshmandzadeh" or "Consider T.O." The team re-signing period changes direction. The Franchise Tag kills dreams. Instead my pleas will go topsy-turvy, asking the man in charge to avoid the possible pitfalls of an organization in playoff purgatory. (For advice on how you can use alliteration to excess, please email me.)
1. DON'T IGNORE THE RUNNING BACK POSITION
While the rest of the fanbase is foaming at the mouth for a number one receiver, I'm not. When a franchise's best number ones in history have been mid-80s Willie Gault and early 00s Marty Booker, wide receivers just doesn't compute as a necessity. (I understand the counter-argument). The Bears have the versatile Matt Forte and the under-used Hungry Like the Wolfe but they lack a bruising, short-yardage back. They lack the kind of runner a defense will fear tackling in a bristling Chicago December. In the era of two backs, a Brandon Jacobs-type in navy and orange could change the game.
2. DON'T LET JOHN ST. CLAIR WALK OUT THE DOOR
Some players can earn the respect of the fans with guts and St. Clair did that in 2008. He didn't have a great season but he was significantly better than anyone expected. Assuming Chris Williams will be the starting left tackle, having St. Clair could either provide depth on both sides of the line or become an adequate replacement for the over-matched John Tait.
3. DON'T SIGN A YOUNG QUARTERBACK
I know I'm heavily criticized for my support of Kyle Orton but I don't care. This is not the off-season for an open competition heading into training camp. Orton - in only his second season as a starter - showed enough positive play to be named the starter in 2009. This organization needs stability under center and Orton provides that with his consistent play (pre-ankle) and balanced attitude. If a veteran is what you crave, look to Big Gus up in Minnesota or even a sure-to-be-released Jon Kitna in Motown. Let 2009 be a mandate season for both KO and the head coach.
#2 animal said . . .While I do desperately want a WR, I still think that Bennet should be that guy, if not, why'd we draft him? So I agree on all points. I think the focus of the offseason needs to be on both lines. The longer I've watched football the more I've realized this the key to any team. I want a passrusher, and Kreutz's successor. I'd love to see a Max Unger type get drafted and beat Olin out in camp.
January 16, 2009
#3 Idonije said . . .Jeff you echo my thoughts closely.
KO is our guy.
St. Clair overachieved and is a valuable player.
A good WR in one system can flop in another.
And I have been saying constantly that we need a #2 RB like Benson was to TJ.January 16, 2009
#4 jeremy34 said . . .I am all over Kitna as the backup...good call.
January 16, 2009
#5 Prefontaine said . . .I want a stud wide receiver. Kreutz is the heart and soul of this team. You don't mess with Kreutz. I wouldn't mind someone to spell Forte, but don't use a 1st or 2nd on another running back.
I would like a big-time playmaking safety. Then I forgout about our Defensive Line. What happened to our pass rush???
January 16, 2009
#6 Rancid said . . .If we get a shot at Mays from USC we have to take him. There is Mike Brown's replacement right there and we stole Forte in the 2nd round so find either a bruzing back or a WR. I still like the idea of Macklin in the 2nd round if Mays isn't available.
January 16, 2009
#7 BearDown1982 said . . .Jeremy - Kreutz was fantastic for a while, but the last two years he has struggled. I definitely wouldn't call him the heart and soul of the team. I'll leave that to Mike Brown. And actually, a lot of people messed with Kreutz this year. It's not my goal to hate on Kreutz. I just feel that if it is now acceptable to admit that Urlacher is mortal, and may have lost a step or two, then the same is true of Olin. He's allowed to age. It's time to think about who will step in to fill his shoes when he's done, be it this year, or three years from now. The same with Tait. At the beginning of the 07 season our line of Tait, Brown, Kreutz, Garza, and Miller was hailed as one of the best in the league. They aged quick and became ineffective in one season and the team wasn't prepared for it. You really need to stay ahead of the curve with these lineman. Also, as I have posited earlier, we should not draft a WR, I know we need one, but we suck at drafting WRs. Buy one, trade for one, whatever, just don't waste another top three pick on one.
Prefontaine - I like the Mays kid for a rookie safety, but also William Moore from Mizzou. Either of them would be good picks.
Kitna is intriguing as a backup. I hadn't even thought of him. The more I think about it the more I like it. He would probably sign just to have the potential chance to piss on the Lions. There's nothing like being dropped from an 0-16 team to beat down the old ego.
I'm also wondering if our Fullback need could be combined with our power back need to be one guy. That's basically what L'ron Maclain (spelling?) is. Someone like a Brian Leonard/Jacob Hester. Couldn't one guy fill both roles? I guess I don't know enough about the Fullback position.
January 16, 2009
#8 Idonije said . . .Receiver - if we can get a #1 type guy I am all for it . Hester would be a decent #2 and having a real receiver at the #1 spot would only make him, and the whole offense better.
Running Back - Agreed. Forte is an all around weapon for sure, but we can't keep him at the pace he was this season or he won't last long. Any ideas on who will be out there?
St. Claire - sounds good to me. The offensive line does need to continue to get younger though.
Prefountaine: Mays is not entering the draft and returning to USC . Maclin will be gone by the 2nd round easily with speed like that.
Rancid - I'm a Mizzou grad and watched a bunch fo Mizzou games the last two seasons. WillyMo was spectacular in 2007...hard hitting and a big time playmaker. This season, he didn't look like the same player and seemed to make mental mistakes he never used to. That said, he has potential.
I'd rather have the Bears take Jeremy Maclin with the 18th if it was between either Mizzou player personally.
January 16, 2009
#9 BearDown1982 said . . .Mays was to freaked out after carroll was apeshit about Sanchez
January 16, 2009
#10 Anonymous said . . .Yeah, what was up with Carroll? That was just weird...he was acting like a little baby.
I mean, disagree with the decision fine, but don't take a giant shit on the biggest press conference of his life!
I kind of want Sanchez to be good now...as long as it isn't in the NFC North, which is probably unlikely anyway.
January 16, 2009
#11 jdawg said . . .Jeff -
Speedy Willie was never a #1 receiver in the early 80's. He was an exceptionally fast deep threat, who dropped alot of balls and was afraid to get hit.
Dennis McKinnon was our # 1. Please don't say he was our possession receiver...that's what #1's did back then. Imagine that.
As for St Clair - I wholeheartedly agree. He is the only Bear FA on the roster who should be concidered for an extension.
Kyle Orton is mediocre, and to suggest otherwise is suspend reason. If Matt Sanchez drops to us in the first round (he will not), I would draft him and turn the keys to the offense over to him the very next day.
January 16, 2009
#12 jeff said . . .I agree with Jeff on KO.
We do need another receiver, not necessarily Boldin (unless we can get him with out mortgaging the farm). Separation and hands.
January 16, 2009
#13 animal said . . .gruden and allen out in tampa bay.
January 16, 2009
#14 animal said . . .Wow. Gruden and Shanahan fired the same year. Too bad we are not looking for a HC. Wait, maybe now that Lovie is the DC we can hire Gruden or Shanny.
January 17, 2009
#15 Murph said . . .three things not to do
1. fire a hall of fame coach
2. fire the coordinator of a unit that ranked in the top 5
3. fire a super-bowl winning coachJanuary 17, 2009
#16 animal said . . .I agree with you Jeremy, Kruetz isnt washed up and he sure isnt old (31) by offensive linemen standards. Time will tell.
And the bloggers say "Kyle is our quarterback"January 17, 2009
#17 Murph said . . .murph and jeremy apparently didnt catch any bears games this year and see my favorite Bear Kreutz play as a shell of his former self.
January 17, 2009
#18 Murph said . . .Regarding Rancids comments, drafing Unger is a win win....even if he didnt beat Kruetz out, he has experience at tackle and could shore up the right and be ready to step into the center position. Not sure he'd be there when we draft.
January 17, 2009
#19 animal said . . .Matter of fact animal I did see just about every game, not sure if I missed any...but It seemed like he was doing more one on one against much larger men. He seemed to be on more of an island this year, not sure if schemes changed or if it was noticed more. Compared to a lot of those tackles he looked outweighed by 50 or more pounds. Im off to Honolulu sunday, and if I see him Ill be sure to ask if he thinks his skills are slipping. He was honest enough last year to say he didnt play as well as heed like.
January 17, 2009
#20 Rancid said . . .This is a Duke-type situation, where the coach has so much clout and say over players staying that they won't go against him. So when one of them does he freaks.
Control freaks. If a kid can go get huge millions, who the fuck are any of us to stand in their way?? That whole premise is the stupidest shit I've ever heard floated.January 17, 2009
#21 Murph said . . .I'm not saying its time for Kreutz to go, I'm saying its time to draft his replacement. Now if that replacement performed so well that he could replace Kreutz now, that would be great, but realistically it probably wouldn't happen for a year or two. The point is we should draft a replacement now, and one for Tait too. Old linemen get older in a hurry. The same goes for Wale.
January 17, 2009
#22 mikebdot said . . .And I agreed with ya Rancid....especially if his replacement, like Unger can play tackle. I do think Taits skills have declined since we signed him, man I wish we hadnt given up on Columbo.
January 17, 2009
#23 Rancid said . . .Whoa. I couldn't agree less.
1. Matt Forte is awesome. Get rid of AP. Keep KJ. Keep that little bastard we never use (Payne). Turner can go to hell for not using him a la Sproles. He's that type of player.
2. Screw St. Clair. He's slow and can't block anyone as he's running, which makes him a piss poor run blocker.
3. Signing a young quarterback does not equal a competition. Especially when Orton is signed through the season. In the event of a piss poor start to the season, a young quarterback wouldn't be a poor thing to have on the bench.
Wow. I can't believe what I'm reading.
January 17, 2009
#24 Rancid said . . .Murph - I checked the ages of all starting centers in the league. It goes like this with the age first and then how many starting centers there are in the league that are that age:
24 2
25 3
26 1
27 3
28 4
29 4
30 3
31 5
32 1
33 1
34 0
35 1
36 0
37 1This adds to only 31 since I couldn't tell who was the Bungles starting Center
I learned a few things.
1. Centers seem to take a few years to mature into solid starters.
2. Centers seem to drop off fast. For this reason I do believe 31 is old. I think this explains Olin's dropoff.
3. We are in bad shape unless Beekman can really play center since Kreutz is getting to the end of normal starting age and we have no one else on the roster.January 17, 2009
#25 NY Bears Fan said . . .So I suck at adding after 11 pm. It should have been 4 centers that are 30 and 6 that are 31. The dropoff after 31 is simply nuts, and they say RBs hit a wall at 30. I hope our Brain Trust is aware of this.
January 17, 2009
#26 Chucky for Offensive Coordinator said . . .The Dallas Cowboys fired Brian Stewart of his duties after two seasons. Stewart was let go despite Dallas improving from ninth in total defense in 2007 to eighth in 2008 and finishing fourth overall against the pass and leading the league in sacks.
Dallas is in such a screwed up situation, Jones will not fire Philips and it looks like Garrett could end up at St Louis. I still think the Bears should have let Babich go but the position coaches played the fall guy's this year.
January 17, 2009
#27 JDawg said . . .Imagine if we had Cowher for Head Coach Gruden on Offense and Singletary (too late) on Defense (or Rivera. Nothing wrong with a top 5 defense every season )
Oh let a Bears fan dream!
January 17, 2009
#28 BDG said . . .I don't really think the position coaches were fall guys. I listend to Doug and OB the other morning and they were crying for those guy's heads mid-season. The players were making the same mental mistakes over and over. Apparently the DL couldn't stand the previous line coach and you could see poor technique from the players, especially the green ones like Dusty, Izzy and Harrison.
Basically Babich was demoted to LB coach, where he's good. We now have a two-headed DC in Lovie and Marinelli, not too shabby considering Lovie was thought of as one of the best DCs prior to coming to the Bears and Tampa had to protect Marinelli from leaving when he was d line coach/asst. head coach.
Babich is DC in name only.
January 17, 2009
#29 BDG said . . .I've only written a few times, but here are my thoughts.
We have Olin's replacement on board. It's Beeckman. They should pull the trigger now move Beekman in and sign a stud Guard and draft one not loving Garza either.
We definetly have to resign St. Clair. He can play anywhere on the line and showed he is atleast capable on the LT in case Williams is a bust or injury risk. If Williams can hold up then maybe St. Clair should start over Tait who I believe is nearing the end and fast.
We could use a #1 reciever but only if the price is right. I think Lloyd can be very effective and hopefully Bennet will be ready next year. We should let Booker and R. Davis go although i really like them too many drops that we can't afford. Woud love to see Brandon Rideau get a shot here. We need that big reciever with some speed.
Would love to get that combo back that Rancid spoke of. If we are a team that gets off the bus running than we should have an elite FB to open holes. If he could do some short yardage stuff that's just an added benefit.
I'm putting faith in Marinelli getting the most out of our D-line. I have to believe we have the players to get pressure it's just a problem with the creativity getting there.
Move Tillman to safety now he will be great there and draft or sign a great CB.
Just my thoughts for now. GO BEARS. I'm also going out to the Pro Bowl so I hope to see some of the players there and get their oppinion
January 17, 2009
#30 CA BEAR FAN said . . .Oh and the QB
Keep KO in there as the starter. He has show real progress, bring in a veteran like Garcia or Leftwich preferably and let the kid Hanie be the developemental. He has some skillsJanuary 17, 2009
#31 CA BEAR FAN said . . .Hire Gruden as Offensive Co
January 17, 2009
#32 zisk said . . .caleb hanie should be our future!
January 17, 2009
#33 Rancid said . . .As optimistic as I am about hanie we have to remember what he is. Not a 50 thousand dollar mutual fund, he's a one dollar lottery ticket. Were probably not going to win the jackpot but if I win four bucks I'm happy.
January 17, 2009
#34 jdawg said . . .So I've done some looking at Beekman. He started at guard his entire way through Boston College with the exception of three games his senior year where he started at center. In one game he actually moved back and forth between the two positions. From the commentary this is virtually unheard of, and says a lot about his talent. Since then he has played center in relief of Olin Kreutz in at least one preseason game, earlier this year against KC. He got good grades there, of course I would have to assume it was against the others teams scrubs. This season he started all 16 games at guard.
Where Beekman should play really depends on how he is evaluated as a guard. If we're happy with his performace as a guard, then he should stay there. It's foolish to move a guy from a position where he has a year of experience and put in a good performance to move him to a position where he has potential, but has not yet proven himself. I don't believe that 3 college starts and half a preseason game counts as being proven.
However, where I begin to change my mind potentially is when we get to Dan Buenning. This guy started all 16 games at guard as a rookie for Tampa and then the next 9 before he tore his ACL. Tampa replaced him and therefore viewed him as expendable and traded him to us. If Buenning is good enough to be a proven starter, then we could move Beekman to center (provided he could beat out the aging hero Kreutz in camp) and start Buenning at the guard spot. This way we can solve the issue without using a draft pick on it. Of course this all based on Beekman being good enough to play center and Buenning being good enough to start at guard.
The other option of course is to draft a future center (Max Unger or someone similar) and hope that Kreutz can give us another season or two while that guy prepares. We also really need to address the RT position in this draft though, Tait is getting too old and St. Clair is serviceable but I like him better as the utility lineman in reserve who can fill any of the spots in event of an injury. I know its not all that sexy but I believe that the changes made this offseason to the O line will have a huge impact on next season. I am hoping that Marinelli can fix the Dline without much changes to personnel (I think I'm ready to replace Wale), but the O line will definitely look different this year, so to me it is the main offseason issue. The only people who really have enough information to make this decision is the coached and management. I hate having to trust these guys.
January 17, 2009
#35 Rancid said . . .I think what we're all forgetting here, or at least a lot of us are, is that the center is responsible for more than just blocking. He also calls the blocking schemes. Also, even if Olin is on the downside it seems crazy to put a rookie, or even Beekman, in there if we're trying to develop Orton. Olin may not be a pro bowler any more but he's been around and knows the league and finally, the two guys always mentioned as the leaders of the locker room are Olin and Brownie. I'm pretty sure we're going to see both of them back next season, which would be fine by me.
January 17, 2009
#36 sean said . . .Even if Kreutz and Tait start for us for another year, and I'm fine with that, my main point is that there needs to be a plan in motion NOW for their replacements. Last time we waited too long and we screwed ourselves over.
January 17, 2009
#37 sean said . . .we need adrian peterson, andre johnson, tom brady, ed reed, terrel suggs. then we're good.
January 17, 2009
#38 So.ILL Bears Fan said . . .we are keeping ron turner ow fuckkkkkkk he is the reason the bears ran the ball against minnisota who is fucking number one in run defense have forte run up the middle up the middle oh and if we did not lose that game we have forte on the alanta game if he had not went for it on 4th in goal and kicked the field goal we would have won 22-21 ron turner makes me sick god damn
January 17, 2009
#39 jdawg said . . .JULIUS PEPPERS WANTS OUT OF CAROLINA!!!!
he said he believes he can reach his full potential in a 3-4... he had like 14.5 sacks this season...not his full potential??
he becomes a free agent in February......
what do you guys think?
should we take a look at him or is he too much money???
just a thought fellas.....BEAR DOWN!!
January 18, 2009
#40 Joseph said . . .you know, I try not to get too excited about asst. coach hires, but I keep reading things like this:
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1382825,CST-SPT-rod18.article
If it weren't guys like Rice and Sapp saying it I probably wouldn't pay that much attention.
January 18, 2009
#41 AJ said . . .The Bears need (in no particular order):
1) Bruiser short yardage running back2) #1 and #2 wide reciever
3) Right tackle
4) Shutdown corner
5) Ballhawk strong side linebacker
6) Ballhawk safety
7) Offensive coordinator
8) Veteran QB
9) General Manager
Hey...it can happen!!
January 18, 2009
#42 animal said . . .Honestly.. Marinelli is going to make our D-line as great as it can get. I truly believe that. He will light a fire under Tommie and crew.. trust me. However, he cannot make the secondary great. We need a cover corner so badly. We all know this. Tillman and Vash are cover 2 d-backs and get burnt weekly. It shows! I like Harvin or Hawyard-Bay as WR's in the draft for us. They are both uber athletic and dynamic WR's that would work perfectly with D. Hester. I doubt we'll get them cuz Angelo will probalby trade out of the first. I hope we get a QB before the 4th round this year and I hope we get a very athletic DB before the 4th as well. Booker needs to go to make room for Bennett, who I still think is an amazing talent... and someone new via draft or FA probably. I also think we need a big-time talent at Hunter's old OLB spot. I love Brian Cushing. He's from my town here in NJ and he's a freak that would fit perfectly with Brian and Lance. We think that we dont need a good other outside backer... but we really do... Brian cant go in coverage everytime nemore.. come on he's a MLB in the NFL isn't he?? SO far... Angelo and Lovie have started the offseason properly with Lovie now to make the calls on D and also with the very underrated hiring of an amazing posititions coach.
January 18, 2009
#43 animal said . . .Chicago is going to the Super Bowl! Yaaa baby!
(the Chicago Cardinals that is).
Anyone still think it isn't all about just finding a way to make it to the dance? Both of these teams won 9 games, and just found a way to get in. Now one of them goes to the big game.January 18, 2009
#44 talking to myself said . . .why is andy reid a moron?
TD- now down 19-24. What do all of you do? I am sure those of you with brains all go for two. Make it? down 3. No good? not much difference between being down 5 or down 4, really.
What does fatty do? Goes for the extra point kick, and has it blocked. Karma and stupidity walking hand in hand.January 18, 2009
#45 WTF R they thinking said . . .this should piss everyone off. we wanted this guy to be a Bear. My 12 year old son wanted to write a letter to Angelo asking him to make Zibs a Bear. This makes me sick.
January 18, 2009
#46 Z said . . .I completely agree we need another RB for short yardage but I think OL is the priority.
Someone who can get the tough yards and gives Forte a breather would be great. I just think some open gaps and allowing Orton throwing time to get the Safties off the line would be more helpful.I'm sorry but St.Claire was awful. I'm pretty sure you could find someone else to come and suck that much. Considering that Jared Allen owns him and he has to see him twice a year should be enough.
I like the Kitna idea but only as a back up. He can put points on the board but that was with some good WR. He won't have that in a Bears uniform.
So who are they going to get in freagency or a trade? The only reason Boldin looks good is because of Fitzgerald. Who I think it's safe to say isn't going anywhere. Hasn't Ogunleye or Muhomid taught us anything?
January 19, 2009
#47 Z said . . .Yeah Zibs and his team leading 23 ST tackles (more than Pro Bowler BA) and backing up at S would look pretty good on Da Bears.
I am getting more excited about this Marinelli hiring. Sapp, Rice and Hovan credit him with turning their careers around and in some cases, their lives, sometimes in only one season. If we can turn that D-Line into beasts and get to them QB's, that changes the whole ball game and goes a long way to covering up deficiencies in the secondary.
The Arizona Cardinals are in the Super Bowl? Like Animal said, no one should ever spout the words "I don't want to see them make the playoffs cause they'll just lose and have no chance" Philly and Az (both 9 win teams) in the NFC Champ and Az to the big game. Just make it into that second season. The only way you do not have a chance is if you are not in it.
Any Team
Any Sunday
Seriously what were the odds of the Cards going to the SB at the beginning of the playoffs much less the beginning of the season? Big bucks.
We need to make some moves this offseason. FA and draft. Not one or the other JA. Both. You can get us back to the playoffs and the job you save may be your own. (And Lovies)
January 19, 2009
#48 mikebdot said . . .Man there are a lot of players on the Steelers I would love to have on Da Bears and several on the Ravens too. Come on JA. Make something happen.
January 19, 2009
#49 NY Bears Fan said . . .I know I've always said a player should be punished for catching a football. But players need to learn to stop leading with their heads. It's like high sticking someone in hockey. I've come to the conclusion that using your head as a weapon should be grounds for not only a penalty, but being kicked out of the league. It's borderline assault and battery. But that's just my opinion.
January 19, 2009
#50 Ebuckets said . . .http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-19-bears-jerry-angelo-chicagjan19,0,6072150.story
Interview with Angelo....doesn't seem to be a chance of Mike Brown coming back
"Can you envision a scenario in which Mike Brown would return?
I don't see that right now, given how it affects Danieal. Allocation of money comes into play, too, in what we want to do at other positions. There could be a case where we want Mike back, but we can't afford to do it given what we want to do in other areas."
January 19, 2009
#51 BDG said . . .This is what the bears need to do this offseason in order to get over the hump and make the post season again. Priority number one sign a proven pass rusher with a fat contract. J peppers of carolina fits the bill perfectly. The bears leading sacker had under 6 sacks; that is just not acceptable!! With the bears late first round draft pick go for a wide receiver. The one's i have my eye on are Percy Harvin of Florida and Jouquin Iglasesis of Oklahoma. If those guys aren't around the bears should go in another direction. Under no circumstances should the bears Draft a QB in the first four rounds, a young QB is not what they need right now. It would be prudent though to go after a vetren QB to compete with orton for the starting job. Orton is not a QB i envisioned leading my team to the super bowl. Somone who could throw the ball down the field would be a nice improvement. Guys to consider are: Leftwich, Kurt warner, and Kitna. Truthfully, i am all over giving Kurt warner a three year deal!!
January 19, 2009
#52 Max said . . .Sad day to hear Angelo's comments on M. Brown. I think D Manning can be a elite kick returner, but other than blitzing on occasion as a db he is a nightmare on defense. He's still young and ultra athletic but I can't see giving up our best safety and one of our all time great bears to free up a spot for Manning to stink up the secondary. I hope at this point if they don't sign a fa ( Jermaine Phillips T.B.) or draft a stud early they give Steltz or McGowan (if he returns FA i think) a shot over Manning. I feel Steltz could be the future but we need a better alternative NOW
January 19, 2009
#53 San Gold said . . .Word BDG. . . I cant believe Angelo would close the door that fast on someone who bleeds blue and orange.
i agree with you Jeff, you have to keep St. Clair. He is better than our other option (Fred Miller). I just think there are too many question marks in our line that we can afford to get rid of St. Clair.
mikedbot - i assume you mean Wolfe, not Payne as the RB that is under used. You are right, i think he should be seeing the field alot more. You at least have to give him a chance. That said I think you keep A.P. he has another year or two on his contract and he isnt overly expensive.
January 19, 2009
#54 eli said . . .Why not go after Kurt warner?
January 19, 2009
#55 shonbear said . . .Why not go after Kurt warner?
January 19, 2009
#56 Rancid said . . .heres jerry using a lot of words saying nothing:
http://www.670thescore.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=3343745
I am so frustrated with the management and coaches, these guys just need to be sequestered with a gag order, they are so full of shit.
January 19, 2009
#57 mikebdot said . . .Shonbear - I swear I can hear JA slip and say "I feel good about Kitna . . . errr... Caleb Hanie." Maybe I'm just hearing things.
January 19, 2009
#58 jdawg said . . .Max: Yes, that is who I meant...didn't feel like correcting myself. :) Too bored with it all at the moment. Nothing a little Xbox360 won't fix...
January 19, 2009
#59 Z said . . .fuck... keeping Mike Brown would hurt Manning? How about not keeping Mike Brown would hurt the Bears.
JA is now officially a dumbass in my book.
January 19, 2009
#60 BDG said . . .Hey mikebdot, throw Julius Peppers on Da Bears on the Xbox 360 and let us know how that looks.
I'm sure Mike Brown will not be expensive to bring back. What a bunch of bullshit.
St. Clair definitely needs to be brought back, hopefully as a utility back up to almost the whole line.
Warner for 3 years? I still feel he is one more concussion from retiring and his price keeps going up with every playoff win. We can not spend a lot of money on the QB position. We are a pass rushing monster, S, WR, 1 or 2 O-Linemen, and a bruiser for a #2 RB/FB away from glory. And maybe a shut down corner and a DT and a strong side LB and maybe you see that we should not be investing too much more at QB this season. Leftwich or Kitna could be OK as a #2.
I am excited for Marinelli to start showing our D-Line shark attack tapes and telling them that is what he expects out of them on Sundays. Sapp says he is going to start working with Tommie right after the SB. Whatever you think of Sapp, he did go to 7 straight Pro Bowls and Defensive end Simeon Rice also thrived, compiling 11, 15½, 15, 12 and 14 sacks in his five seasons under Marinelli. We need some fucking intensity out of this Defense.
I would love to say Arizona is going to win the SB just cause I think it would be a big joke on the NFL but Pittsburgh's D is just so nasty. Polamolou (sp) is a heat seeking missile. He jumped over the whole line on a QB sneak and pulled the QB backwards with him. It was beyond sick.
January 19, 2009
#61 MIKE said . . .Good ears by Rancid. Sounded like Kitna to me. I'm not sure there is anything to read into it but very interesting non the less. I've been thinking about the whole Kitna idea since everyone seems to want to go in that direction. I remember Kitna was a great influence on Carson Palmer early in his career and he seems to always be positive (predicted like 12 wins for Detriot lol) which is just what we need in a back up. He would be a good role model for KO and Hanie or who ever our future ends up being. Plus he could absolutely win some games for us in a pinch if offered decent protection. I don't think it would matter to Kitna but not sure how he feels about Marinelli seemed to be some controversy when he got hurt and put on I.R.
I'm also curious to see how many of you think that Marcus Harrison could become an absolute stud? I honestly believe he may have more upside than T. Harris.January 19, 2009
#62 JerBear50 said . . .I hope they have their eye on possibly drafting nate davis from ball state...i have a good feeling about him and he may fall into later rounds...
January 20, 2009
My take is this; ORton may not be the long term answer, but he's good enough for now. It makes no sense to spend big money on a QB that's gonna get the piss knocked out of him week after week. We need to address the other holes, and then consider a new QB. First and foremost is continuing to draft OL. Leave Beekman at guard. Center is an incredibly difficult position to learn on the fly and be an acceptable long term substitute, and it's too important to take a chance on screwing up. Go with the line in Rd 1 and maybe Rd 2. Then address the secondary. Angelo might suck at a lot of things, but he's damn good at finding serious defensive talent in the midrounds. I agree with the comments about needing a big bruiser, weather it's a FB or FB/HB hybrid, but luckily they can be found in later rounds usually (a la Jacob Hester). Ogunleye needs to go. He's never come close to producing like his big season in Miami, and he seems to have continuous ankle and knee problems. We overpaid for him based on that one year (just like we did for a certain ungrateful asshole WR from Carolina), and it's time to replace him, but NOT with Julius Peppers. Even if he was willing to go to a 4-3, he's gonna cost way too much, and he is really, really inconsistent and temperemental. Once we fix those problems, then we worry about WR's and a QB. Oh, and take it from a Bears fan relocated to Tampa Bay- you do NOT want Jon Gruden in Chicago. No way, absolutely not. The guys ego is unreal, and most of the players absolutely can't stand him because of his constant lying.
January 21, 2009
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.