balta1701-A

So, um, NFC...the Chicago Bears found a passing game. (a dozen or so other teams run and hide).

We will know almost everything we need to know about the 2007 Bears based on how the 2006 Bears perform. Either; 2007 is a rebuilding seasonn 2007 is a last gasp with 1 or 2 final pieces 2007 is a selling season, where the Bears finally give up on this team and sell off the major pieces to clear cap space.

I think there was more than that. That defense, especially in the 2ndary, really really hurt after Mike Brown got hurt and wasn't 100%, and that really carried over into the playoffs. I can't say with 100% that with Brown healthy the Bears would have won that game. But I do think that the coaching staff made a mistake in their coverage in the playoff game...it was a terrible idea to leave Smith alone 1 on 1 and focus on the other receivers, as was done in that game. But it was a real, REALLY big shame that the Bears didn't go into that game with a healthy secondary, or at least with a qualified backup line out there. The Bears had 2 big holes last year, backup guy in the secondary and backup QB...both of which Angelo hit hard in the offseason. There may be other holes, but Angelo hit the 2 holes that cost the bears last-season in the off-season. And as a Bears fan 2nd and a sucky AFC team fan first...I have a feeling the Bears are in very, very good shape in 06

Here's the reality... Once you get to the playoffs...the best team playing the best football will win. You can win with a sh*tty secondary if other parts of your team play well. You can win with an inconsitent passing attack if your rushing game is damn good. You can win with an inconsistent offense if your defense is dominating. And most of those, you can reverse as well. Get to the playoffs...stay healthy...and we'll see.

Pats turn down trade proposals, Branch files grievance with the league

I doubt Griese would have come to Chicago had he not realized it gave him a really good chance of getting playing time, and maybe a lot of playing time.

I can't imagine a team that could draft at the top of the draft next year giving up their first rounder without some sort of protection on the pick, like it has to be below #20 or something like that. I think they'll get a 2nd rounder at some point and probably take it all things considered.

This team had better get its act together quickly. Otherwise, they're going to be standing around wondering how their record is so bad after the first few weeks of the season, because they're already wasting too much time and effort on this locker room B.S. Maybe the front office should have considered making a few more moves in the offseason, just to shake things up a little more.

I expect that Brian Griese will perform better against people who will barely make the opponent's team, while Grossman will not dominate. Calls will then increase for Grossman's head on a platter or for Grossman to play all of game 3. Grossman will play all of game 3 and will be hurt in the 4th quarter.

If the Bears had signed a Drew Brees or a Culpepper or someone like that in the offseason, damn right there'd be a QB controversy. But as far as I'm concerned, Greise is a capable backup. He is not going to be able to win games on his own with his arm, if he's in there it's his job to not lose games on his own. Grossman at least has the talent to win games on his own. If he comes out and starts losing games, then yeah, you flip to Greise, but as much as he can do, as well as he's played in the few regular season games we've actually watched him play in, I don't think there's any good reason not to put him in the starting slot for at least the first 4 games.

Suggs fails physical, voiding trade.

Rex Grossman is the Bears' quarterback for at least the first 3-4 games of the season unless he gets hurt. If he struggles for the entire preseason and then the Bears offense looks like it did with Orton, then an early-season change may be in order. But the job is and should be his otherwise, no matter how much the Chicago Media might want the backup to play.