Bearstalk

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 …

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…

All of you know my thoughts on who is to blame for the collapse of our defense. That being said, I also called for Babich to be the scapegoat. From everything I have been reading, it is looking as if he is staying as DC. Is this Jauron/Shoop all over again? Seriously, WTF is going on? Are they so clueless to think firing the DB coach is going fix the shit we saw on the field? Are they secretly giving the power to Marinelli to save face? Thoughts...

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

PFW

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.

IMHO this is what I think the Bears should do in the FA period if all possible. In the secondary Let M.Brown and McGowan go & get Sean Jones from Clev.and Asomugha from the Raiders Move Payne to SS and Vasher/Manning to the nickel DE see if Peppers is still there to Ogun WR get either C. Johnson. T.O or T.J. Hous, Bouldin or oneone to be the number one. Move Williams to LT, sign ST. Clair at LG move Buenning to RG and find someone to back up Tait Find a center in the draft...kruetz is getting old

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

http://www.vsngaming.com/2008/12/simulatin...ldcard-weekend/ What is your guys' take on the results? The only one I disagree with is that the Eagles are not going to lose to the Vikings. After the impressive show they put on last week, I just dont think it'll happen.

Listening to Hub on the score today he talked about a couple of changes to watch for. We all know JA wants to bring in Marinelli as he mentioned it during the press conference. Marinelli didn't do so well in DET, but I can't say that says alot about his coaching abilty as much as the organizations ability to commit to his philosophy. Marinelli was our first choice when we brought in Lovie to run the D, but Tampa refused. His coaching style is about having discipline and working hard and those are two things I think killed our D this year. Hub didn't say the Bears would bring him in to be the D Coordinator, but as the D Line coach with an assistant head coach title, o…

http://www.only17points.com I swear that video is purely amazing. I laugh just thinking about it.

I remember after last year's draft all the "experts" were blasting Tennessee for drafting RB Chris Johnson when they so badly needed a WR. All Johnson did was help them establish the #2 running-game in the NFL, next to the Giants, and help establish them as arguably the #1 team in the NFL. This is a copy-cat league, and we're not that far off from doing what they did on offense. Which is: #1--Establish a dominate running game. This means we'll need to add another explosive running back and beef up on our offensive line. A lot would hinge on how good Chris Williams can be. #2--Utilize the TE's: Tennessee's top WR was Bo Scaife, and they used Algae Crumpler …

SI.com Thoughts? As of now, it looks a bit easy. The Lions, Packers, Browns, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, and Bengals all have top 12 draft picks. Obviously, it could change totally (see: 2008 Falcons, 2008 Dolphins) but as of now, it looks like the NFL schedule's are in our favor.

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…

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 …

From Profootballtalk.com URLACHER ON HIS CRITICS: ‘THEY DON’T KNOW FOOTBALL’ Posted by Aaron Wilson on January 1, 2009, 6:26 p.m. Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher unleashed a personal blitz package after being knocked by critics who questioned whether his game is slipping, lashing out after the Bears didn’t make the playoffs and he was only voted as a third Pro Bowl alternate for the NFC squad. “I’m tired of criticism that is unwarranted,” Urlacher told the Chicago Tribune. “People who say stuff about me, they don’t know our defense. They don’t know football. Yes, I wish I would have made a lot more big plays. Obviously, everyone could say…

Bears | Smith to meet with Marinelli Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:05:46 -0800 Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith is scheduled to meet with former Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli Friday, Jan. 2, about the possibility of Marinelli joining the Bears coaching staff. Marinelli is expected to take the Bears coaching job, but his agent says there are other opportunities. "Rod has a number of opportunities and he is seeing Lovie and they're sitting down and talking. It's a visit," agent Frank Bauer said.

I'm not sure if you guys saw this hit today by (my boy) Taylor Mays in the Rose Bowl, but sign me up. I understand he was flagged, but that's always called in college as opposed to 60% (IMO) in the NFL. You can bet your ass no WR will be happy about having to go across the middle of the field against this guy, either. Seriously, not because I'm a USC guy, but this guy's potential is one of the best of all time. He is also a fumble forcing machine (had 1 tonight) and he's officially been stopped throwing to on his side so INT's come at a rarity. Honestly, I would think about trading up (trade our 1st, 2nd, and 6th) if I was Angelo (but he won't) to get him, then trading on…

Did you know that we have Cameron Worrell back on the team from the Dolphins and that J.D. Runnels the fullback is now signed with the Bengals?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3804004 Jones: Favre's play warranted benching ESPN.com news services Updated: January 1, 2009, 4:27 PM ET * Comment * Email * Print Thomas Jones Has Harsh Words For Brett Favre Team owner Woody Johnson has stated clearly that he wants Brett Favre to be the New York Jets' quarterback next season, but some players seem to be bristling at the thought. Days after the Jets' 1-4 finish left them out of the playoffs and helped trigger Eric Mangini's firing as coach, running back Thomas Jones blasted Favre's final-game performance and seemed to suggest the QB's play -- nine interceptio…