Bearstalk

The news will come today on Cutler, if it is season long, are we now rebuilding for the future? Cutler would be a big loss, but I think our main problem is a porous defense with no bright light in the future. Our top two playmakers are hurt, hopefully not for long. Peppers is average at best. Safeties suck a big one. Bostic, Bass, Frey, are a few names to watch going forward, but not much in the well. The end result of bad drafts are showing now with not many backups looking like players. Stars are getting older. Low lights-Peppers, Wright,Conte, Tillman hurt all the time, lack of depth at DT. Highlights-entertaining games but, fear will be …

I have had some time to reflect on the Cutler injury and I wanted to ask the board something: What do you really expect from your backup quarterback when your starter is likley to be out for an extended time? I would say that most backups are such for a reason; either they are in the development stage or have not succeeded on the big stage in other locales. Not every backup can come in and perform like Frank Reich; usually their performance tends to gravitate towards the Caleb Hanie end of the spectrum. For me, the best I can hope for from McCown is a .500 record. I don't think he will win every game with Cutler out. Your thoughts? P.S. I don't th…

PEr WSCR, torn groin muscle

But i would not mind throwing a third rd pick at washington and try to get cousins if they don't bring cutler back.. he too has an arm, escapability, and is smart with the ball... not to mention a former spartan who isn't new to playing in cold weather...

In the spirit of some of the discussions here regarding whether McCown can 'carry the team' (long term - this season) or otherwise. McCown and the playoffs? So if I understand it, the burden is more on Trestman at this point than McCown to produce. Again, the 'operator vs scheme' discussion.

In the locker room, as per Michael C. Wright. I am sure we will find out soon. I wonder if it is players or coaches or both.

http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2013/1...eak.html#page/1

We can move the ball on offense. And can't stop anything on defense. Going forward however during the bye week: Defense: Briggs said at the beginning of the season that they should keep the same defense because it wasn't broken. My friend it is full broken. The playoffs aren't an impossibility but changes have to be made. Offense: I would keep Cutler out as long as necessary. We have enough weapons to score. It is tough to say he isn't the long term answer when there are not good options out there. But I would definitely draft a quarterback and not over invest in a Cutler contract.

Consistently Briggs has been a great player. Really sucks to lose him. Get better Briggsy. This will give our young linebackers a chance to step up and get some development time.

Can't play the fade, can't tackle, can't lay a hit in the goal line, and can't play centerfield.

First, let me say it has been a joy watching him all these years and I am glad he tied the return touchdown record today. That being said, he has clearly lost a step and I would not pay him more than the veteran minimum next year to return. Peace

With the news that they already have signed Jordan Palmer, you have to believe the outlook for Cutler's injury is not good. They are saying he was moaning in pain, and couldn't even walk to the locker room when he got into the tunnel. If he's out for the year, what do you do next season at quarterback?

So was reading on Rotoworld where depending on how well Freeman does in Minnesota, Ponder could very well be released next year. And they pointed out chances are he would not compete for a starting spot. So I ask.. Could he be a fit? Pluses: two years removed from being a number one pick (young), good numbers at Fla State, strong arm and good speed. Cons: hx of shoulder and arm injury (throwing), tendency to stare down receivers, indecisive Wondering aloud if this would be a worthwhile project for Trestman (that is should he be successful in his current project).

And a game thread appears.

http://www.csnchicago.com/bears/urlacher-i...ve-any-problems Not necessarily a rousing endorsement but good perspective nevertheless.

After watching them on Sunday night the Redskins didn't put up much of a fight on offense or defense. RG III continues to improve his ability to run but he's not reading the field very well right now and he's definitely not taking care of the ball in the pocket. We need to take advantage of that and blitz to make up for our lack of pass rush. I know we'll give up some plays like this but we should be able to get some big plays too. Our defense is not in position to sit back and hope something good happens, we'll have to force it. Our offense on the other hand should be able to find consistent opportunities against the Redskins defense.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/...-marvin-austin/

While I wasn't able to find an online stream till late in the second quarter and thus missed the bears 3 first half TD's I'll comment on what I saw. Offensively. We are inconsistent, when things are clicking we look great but we seem to hit a snag, be it a bad play, and the rest of the drive loses it's flow. We keep wanting to run Forte inside but don't get the push in the middle to give him a chance, he's not the type of back that can maul up the middle and make his own hole. Forte's at his best when he can use his vision make cuts. If we can't open holes up the middle then we need to stop running him there. I thought Jay looked pretty sharp, made go…

Thayer has some good analysis on our fullback and how he impacted the game. There was some discussion after the Giants game about how ineffective we were on runs up the middle but it was hit and miss. I felt it was worth sharing as it explains why the Giants impacted that with their 8 man fronts even using the 46 Defense at times. http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/vid...2d-260208440f47

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpos...amp;src=desktop As Robbie was kicking his second field goal (his 10th in row from 50 or more) my wife commented. "Robbie needs to go over to Hester and say 'how many times have you scored today'? God I love her.