Peter King ranks the Bears fourth in his pre-summer Power Rankings, stating that "If Cutler can lead an offense that puts up 400 points, only a point and a fraction more than a year ago, the Bears should win 12." I love the idea of the club winning twelve games (and wouldn't mind a Super Bowl either) but history tells the story of a team that lives well NOT by the quarterback but by the man running the football.
Why, you say? Why are you trying to take the pressure off the man you have heralded as the savior of the franchise? (I'm not) Aren't you just covering your ass in case he becomes a colossal failure of Elizabethan proportions? (He won't)
The 2006 Chicago Bears had only 3 games all season long with under a hundred yards rushing - 2 against the brilliant rush defense of the Minnesota Vikings and 1 in the statistical anomaly known as the Monday Night Miracle in Arizona. Three games. All year. Under a hundred yards. For that they received a trip to the Super Bowl. (The '85 Bears had only 2 all season long, including the playoffs.)
2007? 12 games under a hundred yards rushing. 2008? 10. Get the picture?
Now I'm not arguing that strength at the quarterback position won't lead to more success in the run game. It certainly should. But Ron Turner's Chicago Bears offense won't depend on just Jay Cutler or Matt Forte or acquiring Anquan Boldin. It will depend on the confluence of many, existing parts. Cutler's presence will be threat enough but he can't turn the ball over. Orlando Pace has to protect the blindside. Frank Omiyale has to become a viable starter. Someone has to catch the ball. If these things happens, Forte and Jones will find holes and find success.
Because in the Lovie Smith era, no statistic has more coincided with victories than rushing yards. Not turnovers. Not rush defense. Nothing. If this team is moving the ball on the ground, they are winning. Facts don't lie.
#2 We Shall Return said . . .First?
May 11, 2009
#3 Ditka Forever said . . .If I'm not mistaken, during his introductory press conference, Cutler mentioned the shallow depth at running back. I was, at first, surprised at this comment given Forte's success, but he's absolutely right. Yes, there's Jones and Wolfe, but neither have proven threats in any situation. And given Jones' fragility and Wolfe's small size, should we be concerned?
Forte was suffering from a sore toe at the end of last season. Sure it's nothing serious, but it's those little, nagging injuries that are the result of carrying the offensive load. Plus, they lead to bigger injuries.
If Jones goes down and Forte's left to carry the bears alone . . . you can't stay fresh all season long.
May 11, 2009
#4 Urlacher FTW said . . .I think that Forte and Jones are a pretty good combo, and Cutler's presence insatntly makes them half a grade better.
Jeff: which Elizabeth is a failure? I think QE I is probably the most powerful in UK history and QE II is no slouch. Shannon Elizabeth, on the other hand...
May 11, 2009
#5 Kenneth said . . .Shallow at RB?
1. Matt Forte - starter in 08 broke rookie rushing yardage, total yardage, and receiving number records. Carried 3rd highest % of offense ever.2. Kevin Jones - former rd1 selection and 3 down back starter for Detroit until his injury.
3. Adrian Peterson - Hard nosed, good run finisher who has started multiple games at RB for the bears due to injuries.
4. Garret Wolfe - Top 5 rusher in nearly every category in D1 football. Rarely gets to see the field because of depth at the position.
I can only assume the comments came from Cutler because of being gun-shy from what happened in 08 to Denver but noone is going to have talent waiting at the 6th RB slot. You can only plan for so much before you start burying start-able talent on a roster. We ar perfectly fine at RB barring catastrophe.
May 11, 2009
#6 jdawg said . . .The standard counter to this, of course, is that causation is not correlation, and what you think is true may be reverse.
Or, to put it bluntly, winning leads to lots of rushing yards, not the other way around.
May 11, 2009
#7 We Shall Return said . . .well -- you can also look at our RB depth this way:
1) Forte -- was ridden like a mule last year
2) Jones -- obviously still recovering from major knee surgery
3) AP -- all guts team but not really a viable BU
4) Wolfe -- this guy is not built for the punishment an NFL back absorbs. A 3rd down back at best.May 11, 2009
#8 Joseph said . . .My sentiments exactly, jdawg.
May 11, 2009
#9 Joseph said . . .Michael Gaines TE is a Bear.
You called it Jeff...
May 11, 2009
#10 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .Actually Vaughn McClure called it but whatever...
Bear Down
May 11, 2009
#11 Fresno,CA BEAR FAN said . . .Wolfe is actually a pretty amazing runner, i wouldn't doubt him just because he's not 6"1 218 lbs.
there are plenty of smaller RBs that do fine, and for the role he's in, can carry that amount in the NFL.
May 11, 2009
#12 Shady said . . ."WE ARE A RUNNING FOOTBALL TEAM"
May 11, 2009
#13 Sarcastiholic said . . .The Gaines signing is huge, might not seem like it now, but on those 4th and 1 situations we so fondly remember we now have the TE who can manhandle opposing DEs and LBs for that yard and big 1st down or TD.
May 11, 2009
#14 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Really hoping that Jones will have a much better year now that he will be in his second year after surgery.
As for Wolfe, look at what Sproles in San Diego has been able to provide in a backup role.
May 11, 2009
#15 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Good job with Gaines, Bears! Now get Tinoisamoa!
May 11, 2009
#16 The Ghost of Halas said . . .And excellent point, Jeff!
May 11, 2009
#17 jdawg said . . .Sorry for the third post in a row, but I looked at Peter King's rankings. I agree with all of the top five except New York Giants at #3.
May 11, 2009
#18 Foxtro Tango Packers said . . .Wolfe is not built like Sproles. Wolfe is a tiny person. I have nothing against tiny people. Some of my best friends are tiny, but Wolfe is not a 1, 2 or a 3 down back. He is a 3rd down back. If Jones is healthy we will not see Wolfe in the backfield for more than a dozen plays next season, if that.
May 12, 2009
#19 NY Bears Fan said . . .Um... pretty sure Wolfe is an inch taller and has 5 lbs on Sproles, and Wolfe runs a faster 40
i dont know why everyone hates on Wolfe
May 12, 2009
#20 BDG said . . .Garrett Wolfe - 5'7" 186lbs
Darren Sproles - 5'6" 181lbsMay 12, 2009
#21 NY Bears Fan said . . .I think there has to be a package made for Wolfe this year just to see what we really have with him. He is very similar in stature to Sproles I think Tango is right slightly bigger, maybe not as compactly built though. But the way to win is match ups and he gives us a match up problem if he is half as good as Sproles. There is no sense wasting him away and not knowing what he really is or could be. A.P. is solid but I think this should be his last year. They should draft a young runner with some potential, but he has a 4.1 career YPC so he has been a serviceable back-up and great team player. Kevin Jones looked decent in limited ops last year and should be fully recovered this year so our RB situation isn't too bad. We might even have Melton the thumper to fall back on for short yardage in a perfect dream
May 12, 2009
#22 Shady said . . .Yet another reason I like Matt Forte http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?STORY_ID=5815
May 12, 2009
#23 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Yeah Wolfe had a better 40 time out of college too, but you wouldn't expect it when you compare their statistics on the field.
Don't get me wrong, Wolfe put up some great numbers on special teams last year, but as far as rushing production as a running back goes, it's not even close. Could Wolfe produce like Sproles with great blocking up front? Sure he could, the guy is elusive as hell in space, but that's the thing - he's got to find space to demonstrate his acceleration and quickness. But if the Bears can't get the blocking they need and they start running Wolfe right at waiting lineman and linebackers, it can get ugly very quickly.
How our bookends Orlando and Williams perform is going to be key this season.
I can't wait to see this offense, so much raw potential... If only Ron Turner could figure out how to make it work.
May 12, 2009
#24 jdawg said . . .I'm a big fan of Wolfe. First of all, he's a local boy. Second, he's got heart. Third, he was the best player on Special Teams last year.
He's never gotten a chance. Even after our buddy Ced got himself injured in 2007, Wolfe didn't get much of a chance from the coaching staff. After the season, rumors came out that he was not very disciplined in his study of the art of football and therefore did not see much of the field. That changed during the offseason and it showed in his play on Special Teams in 2008. He probably won't get a chance unless Kevin Jones goes down again.
May 12, 2009
#25 cbears said . . .I'm not hating on Wolfe. As a matter of fact I like him. But, from what I've read, he's tiny. Not Jones Drew tiny, but honest to god tiny.
May 12, 2009
#26 Urlacher FTW said . . .Tinoisamoa Tinoisamoa Tinoisamoa Tinoisamoa Tinoisamoa please Tinoisamoa
May 12, 2009
#27 The Ghost of Halas said . . .I'm not impressed at all with Tini. He's a below average LB with below average size and would have trouble beating out Roach and Hill, may even fall behind the rookie out of Kansas, he's a big kid. We need a strong side and Tini isn't it.
May 12, 2009
#28 Duff Diggler said . . .2008:
Brian Urlacher: 93 Tackles
Nick Roach: 37 Tackles
Lance Briggs: 110 TacklesPisa Tinoisamoa: 104 Tackles
Hmm.
May 12, 2009
#29 Fresno,CA BEAR FAN said . . .#2- i'm pretty sure he was talking about denver's running game when he said that.
Good signing with Gaines. NFL network jes showed bears/lions from last year @ soldier. Hopefully he can hold on to the ball now that Briggsy isnt hitting him....
Random stuff: Have u guys heard this shit about the superbowl possibly being played abroad??? I think this is absolute bullshit!!!
As a matter of fact, i think the current SB situation is bullshit!!! This would just make it worse.If you are AZ, NO, Dallas, TB, or Miami, u pretty much have a 1-5 chance of having homefield if u get that far. I think weather shouldn't be a factor. have an annual lottery with all NFL stadiums being eligible. The SB boosts the shit out of the local economy, and while thats a lot bigger-a-deal for potential small market cities, how ridiculously awesome would it b to host a SB in chitown!?!? Plus if weather was such a factor (and not $ neccessarily) then why the fuck is london even in this discussion?!?! dome or not, they deam the SB and it's economic bump as a week long event.
Here's what i'd do....
They're talking about having 17-18 game seasons. soon. so...
make it 17, including one regular season game overseas (maybe involve other cities too, like berlin, tokyo, moscow, etc...) for every team, every year. that way, the nfl gets their $, and spreads worldwide, which i have no problem with... it's goin to happen eventually, plus over time, there will be a lot larger talent pool for our beloved bears. plus this way, there would b no bitching about one less home game. 8 home, 8 away, 1 AWAY away for every team.
Lets keep the playoffs at home though.....
lottery the SB. thats fair.thoughts?
May 12, 2009
#30 jeff said . . .Im all for the signing of Tinoisamoa....Roach? Hillenmeyer? these two guys are no where to what Tinoisamoa is......He might not be great but he is way better improvement than the two guys we have now....so LETS SIGN HIM!
May 12, 2009
#31 Urlacher FTW said . . .duff, i'm actually all for playing the superbowl in cold weather conditions and i think it's ridiculous that they don't. this sport was founded and developed in chicagos, green bay, new york, washington, cleveland...etc. and those cities have been unfairly told that they can'thost the game's signature event without building a dome.
May 12, 2009
#32 BDG said . . .Ghost - Tino has like 340 tackles since 2003.. In the same time Briggs has over 500 and Urlacher 600. He isn't in the same league as either of them and can't replace them. And he is not a strong side LB... that is why St Louis cut him. He plays weak side LB and anyone who wants him over Brighs is on dope. BU has 2 seasons with under 100 tackles and we want his ass gone but this Samoan gets over 100 one time in 6 seasons and we really want him...
May 12, 2009
#33 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Report: Tinoisamoa To Visit Bills
The article said he actually played as light as 220 last year.May 12, 2009
#34 BDG said . . .No, I would never take Tinoisamoa for Briggs, but luckily we don't have to. It's not a hard thing to move a player from weak to strong side. Like all moves, it just takes practice.
Plus, as many have pointed out, he is considered undersized. In my view, that would aid in more versatility if Coach Smith still wants to run the Nickel defense. i.e. Tinoisamoa can be used as both a strong side linebacker and nickelback utilizing his speed. There is no question in my mind that Tinoisamoa is a better all-around football player than Hillenmeyer and Roach.
Why do you and I always seem to lock horns, Urlacher?
May 12, 2009
#35 Foxtro Tango Packers said . . .Duff,
I think we send enough jobs over seas to give a foreign city the money the super bowl brings in too. It's bull shit. I suggest the super bowl runner ups play over there. I think that would be a great way to promote the league. They would have to figure out a way to pay a bonus to those players similar to the pro-bowl to make it worth their while and competitive but that would be fine.
I've always hated the fact the S.B. only is played in certain warm weather cities. They can play AFC/NFC championship games in cold weather but they don't want the S.B. decided by bad weather it's crap. It will always be an advantage to warm weather teams. As long as both teams are playing on the same field then who cares what the weather is. And there is enough die hard fans of ALL teams to show up to any city no matter what weather S.B. weak is.May 12, 2009
#36 Peoria Matt said . . .I couldnt agree more that the SB being played in warm weather is complete BS... on top of the fact that this is an AMERICAN sport, do we play the world series in another country?
i gues MLB would if toronto was in the World Series, but short of that. why would we play the "N"FL - that's national, for American National - championship game in fucking jolly old?
start playing in Seattle, Cleveland, NY, and for God sakes, Chicago. before you start shipping our favorite games across the damn pond.
this is like the talk about renaming "Wrigley"...
May 12, 2009
#37 B said . . .Maybe I'm not the first to say it, but I think Kevin Jones is going to have a very nice year. And yes I mean at football.
May 12, 2009
#38 Anonymous said . . .Lottery for the SB - Yes
17 game season - Yes
One game a year played abroad per team - Yes
Playing the SB in another country - Maybe but not in the near future. If they did want to do that it would be at least a decade in the making including having all of those games played abroad. The NFL sucks at setting up other football leagues around the world. NFL Europe sucked, they just didn't know how to draw the crowd. Besides if you have a bunch of pro teams of different sports in your native country soccer, hockey etc what's the draw to go see a semi pro football team. There is no culture, tradition, or foundation to build upon. The only way to get it done is by developing this connection with games abroad in cities that have large american populations London, Berlin, Tokyo. As an ex patriot who lived abroad my entire life until I turned 18 I can tell you "american football" doesn't make any sense to most people. Hell i never even watched a football game until i was 18 and i still have yet to go to any football game of any level. Hoping the home opener this year will be my first. GO BEARSMay 12, 2009
#39 CSauce said . . .Ghost - I don't think we always do, just recently :) me and BDG went through a time where all we did was argue but lately we agree; just happens and is most of the fun of this forum.
It's not that I think Tino is a really bad player, he just really doesn't make sense. The SAM is the one always having to take on a TE/FB block and make the tackle anyway. This is where size comes in and why SAMs are usually bigger than WILLs. Tino has been proven to be bad at playing SAM because of his lack of size and ability to deal with TEs. Nickel corners are slotted in passing situations because of the need to cover either a TE in passing or the slotted WR and there no longer being a need to have a big body in to deal with blocks. So if you have an undersized hybrid LB at SAM so that you don't have to have a nickel package, you won't need a nickel package because teams will just run down your throat all day over the 220lb LB.
May 12, 2009
#40 Sarcastiholic said . . .Honestly, I'm find having this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slt_q1c4MXI&feature=related as our 3rd back. Look at him tear up OSU and other big schools. somewhere around 2:00 into the video, there are some nice clips of him running inside too.
I'm not sure how much of a bruiser Kevin Jones is, but we've got a little bit of everything in our backfield - smooth, power, and shake-'n'-bake. I'll take it.
May 12, 2009
#41 BearsTransplant said . . .It seems like a lot of knocks on Wolfe (here on this board) is due to the problems the Bears have had with blocking and play calling.
Sproles definitely receives a boost from San Diego's line, and maybe Wolfe will too now that we have some new blood on the line (including last years pick who will finally be able to play).
And should an offensive coordinator adjust his scheme based on the talent he has? Should they be adjusting their play calling to fit what a player does well, and coaching on the areas that need improvement?
May 12, 2009
#42 www.purplepride.org said . . .Sproles is a physical freak; I heard he out-bench pressed Shawn Merriman at a rookie OTA when they both got drafted. He's been that tiny his whole life, and he's been tearing up competition whenever he had the chance. Wolfe, very fast, but doesn't have the upper-body strength of Sproles.
That's why you use Wolfe as a 3rd-down back. The times I've seen him try to take a handoff up the middle or off tackle, he doesn't have the push to get through, or the vision to cut back. Maybe he'll improve, maybe he won't. All I can say is, everyone behind Forte is basically unproven, and if we're counting on them to do something they haven't done before, we might be waiting a long time.
And Tino is a WILL (thank you #38). Completely unsuited for SAM in our scheme. So please drop it. Roach is already undersized.
May 12, 2009
#43 The Ghost of Halas said . . .www.purplepride.org
May 12, 2009
#44 Albert in Tucson said . . .I don't necessarily mind the Big Dance being played in cold weather without a roof, but I think the pagentry of the event would be less successful. Nobody is going to want to go to a Super Bowl at Lambeau in the last week of January. I sure as shit wouldn't.
I do not think that the Super Bowl will ever be in Chicago...cold weather coupled with the smallest stadium in football? Unlikely. Not in my lifetime anyway, and beyond that I don't care.
I likewise disagree with overseas games. I think it's fine to have one...or maybe two games overseas in London or Berlin. But not every team having a game at Wembley Stadium. What is the point? Why are we flying our football team a quarter of the way around the world and back to play a football game? If football had been a exceptionally popular sport in the continent of Europe, then why is it that NFL Europa crashed and burned with startling speed? Granted, I haven't followed European football, but seems odd to me. Money seems to be the only answer, but money from what? For what? Why? I haven't seen anything at all about having the Super Bowl overseas...what a travesty that would be. That would be the first Super Bowl I don't watch...unless the Chicago Bears are in it.
May 12, 2009
#45 Albert in Tucson said . . .CAVEAT EMPTOR! Don't get too excited when the source is PETER KING. As a matter of fact, I might even worry. He's up there with the likes John Clayton and Chris Mortensen among overrated, self-important NFL "insiders" in my book. I don't recall if his lips are as chapped as the latter two from kissing Brett Favre's derrierre or not. I like Garrett Wolfe for his hustle and tenacity, I'm sure he's been written off most for his size of his adult like. Sadly after watching him for 3 saeasons and despite an occassional flash, I think BEARS TRANSPLANT's assessment is pretty much right on and I don't think he's an answer at running back, even if the question is about depth there. I think the Bears are best served with Wolfe and Peteson on special teams.
May 12, 2009
#46 Shuffle Deux said . . .What I MEANT to say in #44 was...
I'm sure Wolfe's been written off for his size most of his adult life.
May 12, 2009
#47 BDG said . . .This can be a bit decieving, since you almost always rush for more yards in wins (killing the clock) vs. losses (chucking it around trying to come back). I think if you look across every team in the league you will find similar results. Football Outsiders research pretty much shows that scoring through the air and stopping the pass are the most important factors in being a contender. Hence Baltimore Ravens & Pittsurgh Steelers. On the other side, the Vikes have the best rush D and best RB (when healthy) for 2 years running but have never been serious SB contenders due to lack of pass rush/secondary and QB play.
May 12, 2009
#48 mikebdot said . . .Bears TE Michael Gaines will have a base salary of $620,000, but can earn as much as $1.25 million through bonuses and incentives.
Pretty hard to argue that signing if this contract is true. Only hope we keep Kellen Davis on the roster too.May 12, 2009
#49 zmac said . . .Jeff:
We went 3-3 last season when gaining 100 yards on the ground. When winning TO battle we went 6-1.
In '07, 2-1 when gaining 100 yards on ground, 4-8 when not. 3-2 when winning turnover battle. Close to a push.
In '06, 11-4 when gaining 100 yards on ground, 4-0 when not gaining 100. 10-1 when winning TO battle.
In '05, 10-3 when gaining 100 yards on ground, 4-2 when not. 7-1 when winning TO battle.
In '04, 5-5 when gaining 100 yards, 0-6 when not. 3-2 when winning TO battle.
I'm not sure how facts don't lie in this case. I would think this shows higher priority for TOs. Win that battle, straight up. I could redo numbers for outrushing opponents. That might be a more fair comparison.
I always feel like TO battle is the first step. When you don't turn it over, it increases the number of yards you can run as well. Likewise, when the other team does turn it over, it increases the number of yards you can run because their D is tired and there is more pressure on the D and it's another possession.
Turnovers are a big deal to me.
May 12, 2009
#50 NittyGritty34 said . . .Sorry, not sold on Kevin Jones.... I dont get how most of you are.
May 12, 2009
#51 zmac said . . .MikeBDot is right. But it takes more than winning one facet of a game to win consistently. Of secondary importance to winning the turnover battle is a three way tie: Run game, Run D, Protect the QB/Get to the QB. All of these are very important and there's no need to get into which one is more. If we're good in these areas, we'll be competing every year.
Having a pro bowl QB doesn't hurt either. (I just love saying that still.)
May 12, 2009
#52 MikeBrownhadaPosse said . . .Urlacher, you completely mis-read what people are saying. They want him to replace Roach/HH nor Briggs or Urlacher.
To be honest, I would like to see what Marcus Freeman can do. I think he was a steal in the draft for us.
May 12, 2009
#53 BDG said . . .mikebdot - I agree...as I pointed out to a Vikings fan not too long ago on this blog, all the rushing yards in the world don't mean jack if you fumble the ball before it gets in the end zone.
Thankfully, we don't have that problem with Employee #22.May 12, 2009
#54 mikebdot said . . .Only thing I don't like about K.J. is injury concerns. Can do everything when healthy. Injury is big though that's for sure
May 12, 2009
#55 MattIsMyForte said . . .Kevin Jones = Cedric Benson
That's my opinion.
May 12, 2009
#56 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .#49 & 54
I think one of the big reasons that many Bears fans are confident in K. Jones is the same thing that makes him different than Ced. WORK ETHIC.
This town likes a fighter and he is just that. He has battled back from a serious injury and has something to prove, to himself and to the game. I hope to see a lot of him early in the season. If he is not getting it done, we can switch up the game plan and get Wolfe more involved. This would give a chance to see what we have in him while also forcing oppsing teams to change their defensive strategy when game planning for us.
I am not exactly "sold" but am excited to see what we can do with this 1-2 punch. He certainly isn't = to Ced though.
May 12, 2009
#57 mikebdot said . . .This is a little late, but....
I'm all for a 17 or 18 game season. Instead of playing one or two games overseas, why couldn't teams play games at neutral sites in areas that don't have NFL teams, but have major college stadiums to play in. For example; teams could play at stadiums in the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, etc. There are a few college stadiums that will seat 100,000 plus (Michigan, Tennessee, Ohio State), where marquee matchups could take place. Or, another way to put a$$es in those seats would be to play the neutral site games where ticket prices are such that not just the locals will attend, but fans will travel to the venues. The NFL could work with the universities and expose fans to some of the pre-game traditions from other colleges.
As far as a Superbowl overseas.....wait....I just threw up in my mouth a little.
I would love to see a Superbowl at a cold weather venue...but I'm not holding my breath on that one. Although, they could play in a semi-temperate climate such as KC, Carolina or Tennessee, where it may be cold, but not crazy cold.
May 13, 2009
#58 BDG said . . .I don't give a happy monkey fuck about the perceived amount of physical exertion of a player. I give a happy monkey fuck about results. This is why I like Mike Brown. But Kevin Jones hasn't done shit. No results whatsoever. This is why I have no faith in him. This is why I don't believe is Jesus Christ, the messiah. It's a pretty simple formula I always use.
Don't get me wrong, I'll root for the kid, but I'll root extra hard when he makes plays even with his limited time on the field last season.
May 13, 2009
#59 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Mikebot are you talking about last year or career for Jones?
They probably should play some games overseas in the future just not ever the S.B. The Pro-Bowl even but not the S.B. The Pro-Bowl already is very expensive for most people to go since it's in Hawaii so let them have that. They could get the Stars they are looking for.May 13, 2009
#60 BDG said . . .Actually, this year (and possibly in the coming years) the Pro Bowl is going to be the week BEFORE the Super Bowl and take place in the same stadium.
For instance, the 2010 Pro Bowl is going to be held in Miami between the AFC/NFC Championship games and the Super Bowl. I am an opponent of this change.
May 13, 2009
#61 MaddBearFan said . . .Yeah Ghost it's ridiculous isn't it. So none of the players in the S.B. can play in the P.B. I think I heard they have already come to an agreement to send it back to Hawaii after this year.
May 13, 2009
#62 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .I don't see the SB being played overseas. Too much money would be lost. And the economy being as slow as it is no one could afford to go. If you wanted to do the PB, go for it. Hell this is an American game, keep it here. I seem to recall comments from some of the commentators that it wasn't very busy at Miami last SB, of which may have been due to the teams playing or the economy or both.
The main reason for playoff games being played in cold weather is for home field advantage. And there is no question in my mind that the north has some advantage over the south in cold weather games.
As far as the SB being played up north in snowy sloppy weather.. NO way.. I like it played in as ideal conditions as possible. Where neither team has an advantage over the other. I comes down to game plans and the players to see who wins. No other distractions. Leave it the way it is!!May 13, 2009
#63 mikebdot said . . .Then i think the arguement could be made that the Conference championship games, should have the same handicap, as it is almost as important as the SB itself. how can weather not matter in that game, but be a deal breaker for the Superbowl?
i dont follow the logic?May 13, 2009
#64 Duff Diggler said . . .BDG: His whole career. He has had three good runs in his career, all in his rookie season. He had a 26 carry, 196 yard game which included a 74 yard run against Arizona, the worst team in the league that year in terms of y/a (which, I'm sure had something to do with giving up that 74 yard run, but still).
He had 4 100 yard games that season, followed by 3 100 yard games in the following three seasons.
Color me unimpressed. Of course, his line sucked ass, but I do not see anything special when he carries the football. I will say the same for our Adrian Peterson. I say the same about Cedric Benson. That's all I'm saying.
Matt Forte is special.
May 13, 2009
#65 Sarcastiholic said . . .#56- Windy, although it would be kinda cool to host games at neutral college sites, i think it would b kinda pointless. everyone in this country is already exposed (those who have direct tv that is....) to all the football they can handle. Plus the difference in ticket/concessions $ between having a game in U of Michigan's "big house" as opposed to Ford field, is not that much n the grand, nfl scheme of things. For them, it's about TV $$$. The fans who shell out $ at the game are just icing at this point.
BDG- Love the idea of giving the Pro Bowl away. After the SB, that is.....
KJ v. Ced= no comparison. Yes, they have their similarities (1st round busts), but comparing them now is ridiculous, not to mention irrelevent. But for the sake of arguement.....
*How many chances did we give Ced??? Plenty!
*They have completely different running styles.
*KJ knows that he is, and will be (as long as he stays here), the back-up/complimentary back. Ced thinks he's an every down back. lmao! Thus, no TJ/CB competition here. KJ knows his place. Forte is the man.
*They have both been injury prone, but i think KJ has shown more flashes of greatness than CB.
*KJ isn't a character-issue guy (as far as i know).
Please, let that be the end of it. Who gives a shit about CB anymore? Fuck him.
Jeff, any word on the new site? I thought u said late last week.... :(
May 13, 2009
#66 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Sorry, Duff. Can't stop beating a dead horse. I also think the comparison of Jones to Benson is a little out of porportion.
Kevin Jones (stats provided by NFL.com)
Rookie Season:
241 attempts for 1,133 yds - 4.7 avgSophmore Season:
186 attempts for 664 yds - 3.6 avgNot bad in his rookie year - drop in attempts in second year, but it was Lions and they were getting pass happy since they had to play from behind a lot.
Also: Jones in 2006 (third year) only had 181 attempts for 689 yds but he also caught 61 passes for 520 yds (8.5 avg). Obviously has good hands.
I'm not saying Jones doesn't have injury concerns, but he definitely isn't the bust for us that Ced was. The Bears have Jones on a one year retainer. He did not cost us a first round draft pick and a billion dollars. If he comes back healthy and strong this years as a good change of pace for Forte it's a winner. If not, back to the drawing board.
And I still think that Wolfe has a lot of potential and that the OC has not utilized his abilities by putting him in the best position to use them.
Fine... he's not a circus freak like Sproles: capable of biting the head off a chicken while bench pressing Merriman in a leopard skin bikini. He's still one of the fastest, shiftiest players on the team. Let him catch more passes. After that he can go sell cotton candy and man the Tilt-A-Whirl.
May 13, 2009
#67 JAB said . . .I don't see Kevin Jones as a bust at all. He's been hampered and weakened by injuries. I think on a lot of teams (including the Lions if they kept him) he would be starting.
Mikebdot, I couldn't believe those stats you stated so I looked for myself. His rookie season he had seven or eight games in a row I would consider very good/excellent. Successively beginning at Week 10-17, he rushed for 81, 100, 99, 196, 156, 79, 123, 72. That's damn good production. His stats begin to fall dramatically the next year. One of the best performances of his career came in 2007 against our beloved Chicago Bears in which he rushed for 105 yards.
I'm no Kevin Jones apologist, but there's no need to demonize a guy who is probably going to be a great pinch hitter for Matt Forte (pardon the baseball analogy).
May 13, 2009
#68 mikebdot said . . .I'm going to say right now that if this O-line is half as good as I think they're going to be, Forte rushes for over 1,300 yds and K. Jones busts out at least 800 yds. Remember it, write it down even, for it is fact. Jones will be a major contributer this year and is going to have a great role as a back up. The guy can find holes,catch passes and block. He's not going to challenge Forte for starts by any means, but he is going to provide one hell of a burst when Forte needs some rest.
May 13, 2009
#69 JAB said . . .I'm convinced KJ was aided by none other than Cory Schlesinger. He missed the first half of '04 and came back...game 9. He was a great blocking fullback. They had some really piss poor teams and I think he aided them greatly without anyone ever mentioning it. He was awesome. Something we sorely lack. McKie sucks donkey ass. If you're slow you have to be strong and he is just plain NOT. He has no power whatsoever.
I'm not saying KJ isn't a decent player, but that's it. He is another AP. So what is the point of having him on the team as well as Wolfe? It's stupid. Period.
We should convert him to fullback. He'd be awesome there. Or god forbid people have two running backs in the back field. I hate current offensive coordinators.
KJ is a supplement, not a diet. That's all I'm saying. I would not be comfortable on a KJ diet.
May 13, 2009
#70 BDG said . . .bdot,
I agree that good fullback play can make a running back even better(see Tomlinson since Lorenzo Neal left). You are right on saying the Bears need to perform better at that position. However, I believe that Kevin Jones numbers dropping in Detriot were more based on a bad o-line and Mike Martz's love for the passing game. I do see your point about the fullback position making a monumental difference in running games though as Tony Richardson has done everywhere he has gone as well.
May 13, 2009
#71 jdawg said . . .Jab just nailed it! Where you(mikebdot) talk up the FB being the reason behind KJ's limited success in Detroit you have to look at the Oline he was running behind. Terrible. The offense not built for running but did show off his very good receiving skills which should end any Benson comparisons right there. They are not even close to the same player totally different styles. He's closer to A.P. but bigger,faster and more explosive. And why on earth would you want to convert an injury prone RB with potential that we need right now to FB? Surely he would be on IR before the season started if he was put in that position.
I remember being mad as hell they only signed him for one year last year because I thought we would rehab him and lose him and I haven't lost any faith in him yet. But next year it is time to bring in a big young rookie for A.P.'s roster spotMay 13, 2009
#72 BDG said . . .phew
I think the FB is only on the field in RTs offense for about 25% of the snaps.
If KJ is healthy he should be a pretty good back, if he's healthy.
Wolfe is a 3rd down back, at best. These comparisons to Sproles are crazy. You know what? Shaq and Will Purdue are both big and 7 feet tall so you know Purdue is a first ballot HoFer.
May 13, 2009
#73 Urlacher FTW said . . .lol that's pretty good jdawg. FB should be set now with Gaines taking over the key situations.
I just had a random thought about a possible FS. Not that I think this would happen but wondering what you guys think. What about Dre Bly? He's been a ball hawk his whole career and not a bad tackler. He's losing a step so I think that's why he's not getting any love as a FA at cb but I think he might convert nicely to FS. I think about how good Troy Vincent was when he got up in years and switched. Any thoughts on my pipe dream for a FA FSMay 13, 2009
#74 Max said . . .Yah BDG that wouldn't be a bad idea. I don't think Bly is willing to play for FS money though he probably wants to be paid CB money.
The thing to me is.. we have Vasher and Tilman as penciled in starters - Manning as the penciled in Nickel - that leaves Zach Bowman and Corey Graham who showed a lot of promise when they played on the bench. I would like to see Graham converted if he can learn.. he has size and is young enough to hopefully change and that way he stays on the field the whole game. We would still have Bowman and the rookie along with tiny Trumaine to backup the CB roles.May 13, 2009
#75 jdawg said . . .First off, I do not expect Kevin Jones to see the field this year. PERIOD. Turner just wants to run Forte into the ground.
Superbowl should be held in both cold weather and warm weather. It will never happen because the NFL wants more money and they figure cold weather will scare off people from the events preceding the game.
If any corner moves to safety, it should be Bowman. Graham is to valuable at corner, IMO.
May 13, 2009
#76 mikebdot said . . .don't forget the rookie, what's-his-face.
May 13, 2009
#77 BDG said . . .BDG: Jones' reception count was aided by double teams on Furrey and Williams the whole year (they STILL caught 98/82 passes respectively) and the lack of pass blocking by their line. Kitna was sacked 63 times that year.
6 TDs on 181 carries is great and all, but dang, I just don't give a shit anymore. It's about opinion. I have the opinion that if Forte goes down, I would rather have Wolfe get starts. That's messed up.
Bigger, faster, and more explosive? Seriously? I don't see it. At all.
May 13, 2009
#78 The Ghost of Halas said . . .A.P. - Height 5-10
Weight 212 lbs.
K.J. - Height 6-0
Weight 228 lbs.
A.P. was timed as slow as 4.68 in 2002.K.J. ran a 4.38 40 coming out of school in 2004. now I realize he's not as fast as he used to be but there is not doubt in my mind he is way faster and more explosive than A.P. still. The point about his hands are he has very good hands to make that many receptions where Benson would have had to be pulled for a third down type back in that offense. But it's all good we can agree to disagree on this one.May 13, 2009
#79 Shady said . . .Max, everything I have read says different. They plan to use Jones (and probably Wolfe) much much more. If they didn't, then why did they just re-up his contract? They don't want to run Forte into the ground.
Also, I hope like hell Will Ta'ufo'ou makes the team, because I want that jersey.
May 14, 2009
#80 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .Agreed... On both points.
May 14, 2009
#81 Peoria Matt said . . .I for one, further the Wolfe fan-isms, because of the new "no wedge" policy, you need lightning quick guys to just simply slow down the man to man blockers, which our 7 deep DTs cant do, but bench LBs and RBs can do a good job at.
more Hester on returns this year, back to scoring touchdowns
May 14, 2009
#82 Phil from SATX said . . .Anybody hear anything regarding a Desmond Clark/Braylon Edwards trade?
May 14, 2009
#83 O-Line wins games said . . .Here's my take on the running backs - also disagree with Max, RT knows full well the danger of using Forte this year the way he did last year. Since RT has shown no historic inclination to change up personnel on the fly once the season's started, I'm banking on the months of offseason to let that concept percolate into his skull. Add Kevin Jones to the long list of "Why wasn't this guy playing" - which by the way is almost exclusively an offensive phenomenon, not defense.
I will say that believing we are solid at RB is pure conjecture at this point, not proven up by anything we've seen on the field (of course I'm not talking about The Future, only his backups). This is especially true with respect to Wolfe, who at this point in his career is far closer to 3rd round bust than viable NFL running back. We truly have seen absolutely nothing to indicate he can do anything, much less be a Darren Sproles. Doesn't mean he can't, it just means there is nothing to base a statement that he can on. It was good to see him carving out a role on ST, even if that meant that our gunners were not being successful in the first wave (like safeties making tackles instead of linemen).
I believe the only issue that holds back KJ from being the exact guy we need is health. I've seen enough of his running to know he can run, and do it more than competently - and significantly better than AP.
I'm betting he stays healthy, so I will hereby predict that behind the strong improvement of our line in run blocking, MF and KJ will be the 1-2 running punch everyone in the league talks about this season. And I'll also predict, sadly, that Hungry like the.. is off the team at the end of his contract if not earlier.
May 14, 2009
#84 Albert In Tucson said . . .4 - "Top 5 rusher in nearly every category in D1 football" .... this ain't D1 football.
"Carried 3rd highest % of offense ever." I don't really see this as a compliment, you kind of counterargue yourself here. He carried 3rd highest % cause... Orton sucked, Turner over used him, and he did not have a good back-up cause they were shallow at RB. KJ was still recovering last year from his knee, AP is an above-average special teams player, and Wolfe is an above-average special teams player... he is not Sproles nor we he ever be anything close to Sproles. Wolfe does not even deserve to be compared to Sproles, he has not done shit yet.23- "Rumors came out that he was not very disciplined in his study of the art of football and therefore did not see much of the field." I hadn't heard that before but honestly if this is true I don't like Wolfe anymore... there is no excuse for that.
81 - Desmond Clark for Braylon Edwards... hopefully you are joking or someone is having fun with you.
I thought we should have drafted James Davis at 190 and made him the 3rd RB in case Forte or KJ got injured, but the Bears and their infinite wisdom thought we needed a 5th SS... I repeat a 5th SS in Afalava.
May 14, 2009
#85 The Ghost of Halas said . . .DC for Braylon Edwards? News to me and JUST a rumor, I hope. The Bears already too many wideouts whose specialty is the dropped pass.
May 14, 2009
#86 Urlacher FTW said . . .A great Tight End with extraordinary blocking ability who can catch a ball and gain yards with it for a Wide Reciever who dropped 1/3 of the passes thrown his way in 2008. Hmm. Decisions, decisions.
May 14, 2009
#87 Dave said . . .We run a lot of single back sets and have a starter who is a true 3 down back. We are a running football team that tries to run to set up the playaction pass, it is the entire basis of our offense. So of course Forte is going to carry a huge percentage of our Offense, not only is he running but also receiving passes.
QB talent has about as much to do with which RB is in as ice cream flavor has to do with tire size, how much you run maybe, ot who does it. By your theory Faulk carried so much of the offensive load during the greatest show on turf because Warner and Bruce were so awful, no they wanted the ball in Faulk's hands as often as they could same with Matty. It isn't even RTs decision which back is on the field, he calls the plays but final personnell on the field is Lovie's call; and we are not shallow at RB. The fact is KJ would start for 7 or 8 teams in the NFL. Many other teams in the league with a 1st rd pick - 1000 yard rusher as the backup?
We are not a run by committee team, so if Forte gets hurt um yah we are screwed, who wouldn't be.. Grant goes down in GB, Turner goes down in ATL, Lewis drops in CLE, Portis in WAS; I mean any one star RB team that loses them is going to be hurting.
It would be nice to have Chris Johnson and Lendale White to split carries but a time will come when one will want more money or more carries and leave so I will take having Matt Forte and whoever we can sign for emergencies any day of the week.
Not to mention the fact that we don't even have a #1 WR and people are worried about our # 3 RB or how many damn LBs can we sign.May 14, 2009
#88 jdawg said . . .Hey, I heard Braylon said fuck the Bears.
Apparently he said going to Chicago is like getting sentenced to hell.
I don't know, sounds like no good receiver wants to go to that shit hole town.
Cuntler will just have to settle on that pussy, Whoopy look alike Hester.
May 14, 2009
#89 BDG said . . .Jones is going to see more time this season than last.
Prediction: we see Forte split wide.
May 14, 2009
#90 BDG said . . .They did that with Forte last year jdawg so yea pretty sure your prediction will be spot on.
Jones will get many more caries this year. He's just as well rounded as Forte not as good but as well rounded. They don't want to beat Forte out of the league in 5 years by over loading him.
May 14, 2009
#91 jdawg said . . .Wow Dave didn't expect to see you here with the crap happening with one of your boys in Pittsburg. How longs he out?
May 14, 2009
#92 MikeBrownhadaPosse said . . .don't feed the trolls
May 14, 2009
#93 The Ghost of Halas said . . ."A great Tight End with extraordinary blocking ability "
You are, of course, talking about Michael Gaines....right?
DC is a stalwart TE who has done alot for the Bears, but I think "extraordinary blocking" may be overstating the case.
May 14, 2009
#94 BDG said . . .Meh. I don't think so.
May 14, 2009
#95 Babootycall said . . .Gotta go with MikeBrownhadaPosse on this one. Dez is a capable blocker but "extraordinary" not a chance.
May 15, 2009
#96 MikeBrownhadaPosse said . . .I don't post much but this has to be the greatest day of my life. I played basketball against Jay and G. Olsen at my gym today. Jay played the point and I matched up against him all game. I even set a pick on G.O. Olsen is sick as hell! He can jump out of the building. Cutler definitely had his swagger. He's full of himself for sure but he's our fuckin quarterback! I think I just creamed my pants. Again...
May 15, 2009
#97 Irish Bears Fan said . . .Babootycall, very nice - just be glad you didn't put a knee into Cutler.
Bartman would've been King of Chicago compared to the guy that dinged The One in a pickup bball game.
May 15, 2009
#98 Foxtrot Tango Packers said . . .First up, the Bears living by the run ..... yes, we did, because we had to for a thousand years. If your QB is Jay Cutler with the support group he has on ST and defense, not to mention an improved O-line, I cannot see how this team loses no matter what it does. Cutler has the wily ways to deal with our divisional foes and it's all good. How long Cutler can live in Chicago handing the ball off is the question .....
Superbowl in England ? Please. Keep the NFL int he country that respects it most. I have seen Army v Navy, West Point v Notre Dame and the Bears v Steelers in Ireland. Whilst it was a great privelege to see those games - I've never been to the States - there was no atmosphere. A Superbowl played in a country that has a small but loyal NFL fanbase like Britain would be a disaster, and completely senseless. NFL is Mur-ee-ken. Then again, if the Bears win the NFC ....
May 15, 2009
#99 Fresno,Ca BEAR FAN said . . ....When the Bears win the NFC
May 15, 2009
#100 BDG said . . .BabootyCall you played ball against Jay Cutler and Greg Olsen? where at? you lucky son of a bitch...I play basketball almost every day against semi pro people and I consider that to be great and a privilege... but you got to play with Jay and Greg..you fucking lucky bitch!
May 15, 2009
#101 BDG said . . .Babootycall what's this shit about setting a pick on Olsen haha just kidding very cool. Something you can tell your grand kids about
May 15, 2009
#102 Albert in Tucson said . . .Boy I'd be nervous if I were a Colts fan
Mudd, Moore Officially Retire
Posted by Mike Florio on May 14, 2009, 5:54 p.m.Colts offensive line coach Howard Mudd and offensive coordinator Tom Moore have filed their retirement papers, the Indianapolis Star reports.
I think Manning pretty much ran the offense during games, with Moore just giving basic formations for the most part and helping with planning but this has got to hurt them big time. Mudd will be a huge loss.
May 15, 2009
#103 big rob said . . .ATTENTION BLOGGERS: WE HAVE A LOST LITTLE BOY IN CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO ANSWERS TO THE NAME "DAVE". WE ASK THAT HIS PARENTS (OR KEEPERS) PLEASE COME BY AND CLAIM HIM. ALSO PLEASE STOP BY THE BOYS DEPARTMENT AND PICK HIM UP A CHANGE OF CLOTHES AS HE'S A A LITTLE ACCIDENT. THANK YOU.
May 15, 2009
#104 Wayne said . . .when do we get the new site?
May 15, 2009
#105 BDG said . . .With Cutler, Matt is only going to get better, Period. So watch out.
May 15, 2009
#106 Anonymous said . . .Dave's trying to figure out what's happening to his boys in Pitt.
May 15, 2009
-1'
March 17, 2011
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.