Bearstalk

IMHO the reason the 2008 Bears didn't make the playoffs was because of coaching or the lack of it.With all the moving of players to different positions, using schemes to put the LB'S at the line, schemes to use your corners in the bail instead of jam off the line, squip kicks, playing too deep at the end of the game with 6 seconds left, going for it on fourth and one by handing off to the fullback, not using Olsen,Clark & Davis(TE) in the red zone, running Forte bewteen the tackles 80% of the time and not outside more. Not using Hester/Wolfe on the little underneath screens to get them out in space. Trying to throw deep with Orton who was either throwing the ball too …

1. ted phillips - great bean counter and cap guru. accomplishments: great stadium deal if you are the owner and cheap help. all designed to keep money in owners pockets. 2. jerry angelo - cheap first time GM who is great as a cap guru and, as phillips right hand man, helps keep money in owners pockets. accomplishments: great cap management which helps put cash in owners pockets but after 7 years of drafts has nothing/nothing special to show for it on either side of the ball. hired the cheapest inexperienced coaches and staff possible and sees no need to change any of them after 2 pathetic back-to-back seasons of regressive mediocrity. won't rock the salary boat…

I was very impressed with him today. He's a rare guy who's a possession WR but can stretch a simple 8 yard pass into a 40 yard gain. He caught a 15 yard pass today and ended up taking it 65 or so yards for a TD. He's a monster. If this guy is really on the market and Angelo really doesn't want to give up a 1st and a 3rd, they're nuts and so is he. If I were Angelo, I'd make the trade. Period.

I'm still undecided. I love Britt but Nicks is impressive and could allow us to go E. Brown in the 1st, but Bey is long but still a bit bulky with nice hands.

If we had the #1 pick in the draft, what would you do with it?

This is a very creative offense. They bring out just about every formation, the wishbone, the wildcat etc.. Their unique running style makes Chad Pennington look like a Pro Bowler when he's really just like Kyle Orton if you think about it. I wish the Bears would develop a clever offense like this, that keeps the defense on their toes. Bring that OC over here

San Diego was horribly burned on the one play where they were trying to substitute. Other then that, Ron Rivera's defense looked damn good against Indy. In fact, it's amazing how the San Diego defense has improved since he took over. Is there any doubt at this point that it was a huge mistake to let him go? To be honest, when it happened I was ok with it and thought our defense could be even better. Damn I was wrong.

Last year around this time, most of the experts pre-drafts had us taking QB Andre Woodson at this time. Of course, by the time the draft rolled around: 1. We'd already given new contracts to Kyle Orton AND Rex Grossman making the idea of drafting a QB at #14 improbable. 2. Andre Woodson had been bad enough in the combine that he slipped to the 6th round. How the hell does a guy go from being projected at #14 overall to #198??? While I can't wait for the April 25-26th draft, I just wanted to rant for a moment that I hate all the pre-combine speculation . . . and I'm bored and pissed that the Vikings are winning in the second quarter.

Please take Bob Babich and Darryl Drake with you!!!! http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/01/br...u_coach_ex.html Peace

The Texans, who finished the year (thanks to us) at .500, didn't do well on defense, and fired a handful of their defensive coaches. Expectations for this defense were never high, but after finishing 22nd in the rankings, it was low enough to make a statement. GB had greater expectations entering the season for their defense, and after finishing 20th in the rankings, basically fired all defensive coaches. Now, those are two programs I would say made statements. They finished the season and said changes were necessary after not playing well. We entered the season w/ high expecations, at least for the defense. Two years ago, the D helped carry the team…

http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=rookies

News on the Score was that the Pats have placed the franchise tag on Cassell. So, one potential option is off the board.

I'm wondering what JA is thinking about Lovie and what Lovie is thinking about JA. I think maybe there's a little rift going on and our next move may be a sign of things to come. Lovie Smith said in his post season interview that it didn't help when he lost his #1 and #2 WR. I take those comments as strikes towards JA. I even think this started about a year ago. Muhammad was released in Feb, Berrrian was not resigned and then Lovie stated "Devin can be a #1 WR in this league" putting pressure on Hester and JA. The Bears also had Mark Bradley who IMO Angelo wanted to see get his shot, but Lovie refused. If it was Lovies choice not to play/develop and then cut …

ESPN and the Sun Times did a bit of Salary Cap work for the NFC North. Below are the figures for the four teams: Detroit: $26.8 million Minnesota: $20.4 million Green Bay: $19.09 million Chicago: $17.4 million These numbers do not reflect cap credits each team will get, including as much as $9m we are due to receive in credit for CB Marcus Hamilton. $9m for Hamilton? Wow. So we are looking at about $26M, and you can bet the others will be due increases also. What I didn't feel was mentioned much though was how each team is set up entering FA in terms of current players the team needs to sign. The bears have the following players due to hit …

Would he be something to look into? Granted, his crimes were bad. But, he did serve his time...and we tend to be a forgiving nation. Would Vick be of interest to us? Back-up Kyle? Not sure how I feel, but on some level, I have interest. I hated what the guy did, but if he served his time, etc... I know leopards tend not to change their spots, but jail time is one thing that can sometimes make a difference for some.

St Clair wants to remain with the Bears http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=5511 excerpt: Knowing that Williams likely will be given every chance to earn the starting position in 2009, St. Clair wouldn’t be opposed to moving back inside to guard. In 2007, the 6-5, 315-pounder started one game at left tackle, one at right tackle and the final three at left guard. “I’ve played everywhere,” St. Clair said. “If it fits, I’m all for it. I’ve always been a team player. I can play all the positions. I pride myself on playing everything.” Coach Lovie Smith said last week that it was premature to discuss St. Clair’s role next season. …

If they win it all, we'll get the 17th pick. Obviously, not a huge difference but it could be the difference between a great prospect who falls a bit.

January 6, 2009 Bears release linebackers coach Lloyd Lee By: By Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 1/6/2009 6:07 PM LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears on Tuesday released linebackers coach Lloyd Lee. Lee originally joined the team in 2004 as a defensive quality control coach, a role which he filled for two seasons before becoming a defensive assistant working with linebackers in 2006 and nickel backs in 2007. This past season was Lee’s first as linebackers coach. Last Tuesday the Bears released defensive backs coach Steve Wilks after three seasons with the team. Another defensive assistant who won’t return in 2009 is line coach Brick Haley, who is pursuing an …

Kurt Warner should be high on Chicago Bears' shopping list Bears would be wise to show interest in 37-year-old potential Hall of Fame QB David Haugh | On the Bears January 6, 2009 An NFL general manager who establishes finding a quarterback as his team's top off-season priority, as Jerry Angelo has for the Bears, is like an astronaut who says he is ready to soar into space. Conceptually, there can be no limits to the possibilities, or what's the use? That thought left the deepest impression when considering how the Bears viewed the first round of the NFL playoffs, a weekend that included 37-year-old free-agent-to-be Kurt Warner taking the Arizona Cardi…

Bears seeking family plan? By Vaughn McClure | Tribune reporter 10:01 PM CST, January 6, 2009 If Joe Barry had his preference, his next family reunion would take place in Chicago. Barry's father-in-law, Rod Marinelli, has an opportunity to join the Bears staff. Barry wouldn't mind tagging along. "If I had an opportunity to work for Lovie Smith, I would cherish it," said Barry, who was fired as Detroit's defensive coordinator when Marinelli was dismissed as the Lions head coach. "I have a relationship with coach Smith. I have a relationship with [general manager] Jerry Angelo. So if that was an opportunity, it would be something I definitely would be…