NFL Says Soldier Field Sod in Good Shape

• I wonder how important this game will be in determining the off-season plan for Jerry Angelo and Bears management.  We know there will be tremendous focus on building the offensive line but if Aaron Rodgers shreds the Bears defense, I wonder how much attention will go their way.  If the defense stops Rodgers cold, you could make an argument for the same eleven starters next season.
• Chris Harris has been on the Chicago Bears three of Lovie Smith’s seven seasons.  In those three seasons, the Bears are 35-13, three NFC North titles, 3-2 postseason record and an NFC championship.  In the other four seasons the Bears are 28-36 with zero postseason appearances.  Harris is listed as Questionable for tomorrow but says he will absolutely play.
• It does not look like weather is going to be a major factor tomorrow, with little chance of precipitation and winds only gusting to around to about 9 mph.  
• The more I think about the Bears passing game the more I think Earl Bennett is going to run some of those Rashied Davis routes from Week 17 and become Jay’s primary target to combat the aggressive Packers blitzes.
• Mike Francesa brought it up a bunch on WFAN in New York this week and I think he’s right.  Jay Cutler has heard the media’s canonization of Aaron Rodgers this week and he’s going to attempt to make a statement.  Troy Aikman told Mike he thought the Bears would open ultra-conservative.  Joe Theismann believes Martz will allow him to take shots early.  Nobody knows anything but it’s what makes this game so interesting.
• I’m not going to shill for a product so trust me on this.  The big hot dog from BigHotDog.com is one of the most remarkable things I’ve ever seen.  I’ll have photos up when we cook the thing.
• I am not nervous about this game tomorrow.  I was nervous for the Seahawks game which was essentially a no-win for the Bears.  I am excited about this game.  I want it to happen.  I want it to be epic.  And I think it will be a great day for the Chicago Bears.

I guess it’s that kind of week.  That kind of game.  For the first time since it’s initial debut, here comes the third Audibles in a single week.

Lots of posts this week, kids, due to lots of traffic/interest in the site.  I keep it coming with a second dose of Audibles…

I won’t sleep Saturday night and I might not sleep Friday night without the aid of my old friend Ethyl Alcohol.  If this were the Falcons on the opposing sideline, the Saints…who knows?  But it is the Green Bay Packers, the oldest rival of our beloved franchise, and I can’t stomach the notion of Aaron Rodgers holding the Halas Trophy at Soldier Field.

• Maybe I’m misguided, “drinking the Kool-Aid” as they say, but I believe in the corner combination of Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings.  They are being left in man-to-man situations far more than usual and truly excelling at times.
• Julius Peppers.  The Green Bay offensive line was not great against Atlanta, relying on Rodgers’ escapability to the outside.  I expect a big day from Orange Julius.  And when they kick and punt back to us…
• Devin Hester.  When I saw Eric Weems return a kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown last week against the Packers, I sensed a long week of debate for Mike McCarthy.  For some reason I think the focal point of our conversations Monday morning will be Hester.
• I do believe Matt Forte/Chester Taylor can improve on their 18 rush, 102-yard performance from Week 17 and I think it will be a product of usage.  With 8:10 remaining in that game and Bears facing a second-and-nine, the Bears were sacked on back-to-back plays ending the drive.  When they got the ball back, they ran twice to set up a third-and-one (with 3:59 on the clock) and never rushed the ball again.  Lovie believes they learned a lot in Week 17.  I think this sequence was a primary teacher.  
• The Packers showed everything they had in the blitz department in Week 17 and I think the Bears will be prepared to attack with the short passing/screen game.  
• I think I redeveloped my confidence in our return coverage with the unit’s near-dominant handling of Leon Washington.
• I really believe this game will be decided by one person: Jay Cutler.  While he outwardly dislikes the media and seems to shrug off his own failings, I believe embraces competition in the truest sense and I think he knows the ultimate middle finger to the world would be outplaying Aaron Rodgers Sunday.  I think he does.

Andrew Quarless

Julius Peppers signed a six-year $91.5 million contract with the Bears in the spring – $42 million of that deal guaranteed.  Peppers signing in Chicago marked the arrival of the first certifiable sack man since perhaps Richard Dent to Lake Shore Drive and his presence improved the entirety of the defensive line, especially Israel Idonije on the other side.  I think it can be said, without argument, that Julius Peppers earned the $13 million plus he’ll receive for his performance over these first seventeen games of the 2010 campaign.

‘Vanilla’ Approach a Definitive Advantage

His players gave every ounce of effort on the field. Smith even risked injuries to quarterback Jay Cutler and other prominent starters but left them in the game until the bitter end. What the Bears coach didn’t tell you, however, is that his staff didn’t game-plan for that game like they will prepare for the rubber match in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on Sunday.  

The Aaron Rodgers Ignores Cancer Patient Thing

“We don’t like each other. You don’t have to be in love with someone, or you can have some dislike, and not put it out in the media everyday. Believe me, there’s not a whole lot of love for us coming up north.”

I can’t lie.  I like it.  I like an honest, angry Lovie Smith.  And I hope it translates to the field on Sunday.