AZ54

As it worked in AZ (and got them to a Superbowl)....run game coordinator helps put together the package of running plays that will work against a given defense, make recommendations about what will work best. Passing game coordinator does the same for pass plays. OC meets with his staff early in the week to build the package of plays they plan to use during the upcoming game. OC calls plays during the game based off that week's cheat sheet. The OC isn't going to hire a guy who doesn't agree with him philosophically, or at least he shouldn't. I see nothing wrong with this and in fact Tice more or less played the run game coordinator for Martz and it worked out well. If a coordinator has a guy on his staff who has expertise in a particular area like the passing game, why shouldn't that OC leverage that knowledge and use it to build his game plan?

I prefer VJack over Bowe...more speed to stretch the field.

I don't think forcing Lovie for a year on the new GM is all that bad. For one it gives him time to come in and evaluate the coaches and if he makes a decision next year to move on then he's got another year to get his players (from first offseason) and his new coach successful. I understand the point about drafting for scheme but regardless the first year of the new GMs tenure the vast majority of talent on the roster will remain setup for Lovie's scheme. The offense, as long as you find a GM who likes to have a power running game then we're built for that now up front. Forte fits in regardless, as does Cutler. It all comes back to the D which is going to get a major overhaul in 2-3 years.

As much as I want help at WR I'd rather fix that position via FA. Our D is getting old we are in a very short window to win the Superbowl with that group. A vet WR is more likely to make a significant contribution than any rookie. OTOH recent history shows 1st Rd LT often come in and play well from the beginning. Even with our current WR group, Cutler has shown he can get a lot of yards out of them so adding a solid vet FA should be enough. What's most important is keeping Cutler healthy.

I like how Bell runs but he had two fumbles, one at a very critical scoring opportunity. If the rest of the team hadn't played so poorly that would be a major topic of discussion. He carries the ball away from his body while running through traffic. Once teams get tape on that the ball will be on the ground all the time. If he hasn't figured out how to stop doing that by now I'm not sure he will ever get it and there's no way I'd count on him to be a steady contributor until he fixes it. I'm sure the coaches will be all over it so we'll see what happens in the next game.

So did everyone else. Now his reality sets in.

I think this was the plan all along when they refused to let him interview for a promotion this past offseason. Lovie has always welcomed his assistant coaches pursuing promotions (as long as they don't stop game planning for a Superbowl) but Tice was quickly locked down with a raise and another year added to his contract while Martz was not.

The fact he's beginning any kind of therapy in just a few days is a great sign. Throwing in three weeks? Even better.

Welcome back to Josh Moore. Hope he spent his time off in the weight room.

Orton doesn't love Chicago enough to give up $3million over 5 games.

Tillman is a good #1 CB. He's not an elite player but when you consider all aspects of the game and not just coverage skills, his run support is solid, and generating turnovers, he's pretty good.

It was nice to see Knox make great adjustments to the ball on two receptions today. Seems like he's going after ball more aggressively than in years past.

Really?

Yes, it was. I didn't notice him much but I wasn't keying on him. I recorded the game so later I'll review to see how he did.

The Bears must have a lot of confidence in Conte because they leave him up top solo quite a bit now. He definitely has more closing speed than any Bears safety I can recall in recent years. In doing all this we have not given up as many big plays as we did before.

Like I said, he didn't have to jump, just make a slight speed adjustment to shield the defender more than he did but that's not Roy's M.O. I've said many times, we don't need your smart-ass mythical WR and I'm not on board with trading the farm for someone like Fitzgerald. It's not worth the opportunity cost. We just need a good WR with bigger stature who knows how to go get the ball like Bennett does. Give Cutler a different option over the top of defenders to compliment what we have on the roster.

Glad to see the resident Oline expert's approval. I'm being serious on that because it means we have made real progress.

On Sunday I watched the Cards game....QB throws 20 yd pass to Fitzgerald a little behind him and defender is in perfect underneath coverage. Fitz goes up, reaches back over the defenders head and scores a TD. Monday night our 6'3" Roy Williams doesn't even adjust his speed to shield the defender and keeps his arms at waist level on that deep pass instead of using his height advantage. We don't need an All-Pro Fitzgerald (it would be nice though) but do need a bigger WR who can go up and catch a deep ball over a defender, or get a quick release on inside slants. Hester and Knox cannot fill that role they need time to run into space to be effective and any contact as the ball arrives means a dropped pass.

Garza gets his guaranteed money early and in exchange the Bears get a little discount on market value. Fair for both sides.

Bears are still looking to add depth long term to the Oline. No problem with them kicking the tires of the occasional practice squad Oline now and then. I also think this indicates more confidence in our safety tandem of Wright and Conte, leaving Steltz and Meriweather as backups along with the other kid they just picked up: Anthony Walters.

Toe's knee had healed and Adams hasn't done anything, at least nothing that I know of. Plus there's a rookie named Paea that is starting to make plays. Do you go with old guy on the downside of his career or get your rookie on the upside of his career going? I'm glad Paea was out there and I liked his diving attempt to get Vick, forced a bad pass. Melton is playing well at times but it will take him another offseason to get fully adjusted to playing at this weight, as well as learning how to play DT. Still, I like the upside with him. This game it was clear the Dline has strict orders to keep Vick in the pocket. I constantly saw our guys the edge on a blocker but then pull back and keep pushing the pocket. Next week Stafford won't get the same treatment.

I thought Forte had bobbled the ball as he was turning and hadn't yet made a football while in full possession. Did he have full possession right before it was stripped, yes, but not without making a football move IMO. In my rule book it's a fumble, in the NFLs I'm not so sure.

Good write-up but you are way to easy on Forte. You give him and Cutler the same grade but if Cutler had thrown 2 INTs and the offense still put up 30pts and won there's no way you'd give Cutler a B. Forte's first fumble as he was tucking the ball away, ok it happens. His second fumble there was no excuse for as he knew he was in traffic and should have had two hands on the ball. Kudos to the coaches for giving Forte a little extra time on the sidelines to think about his ball security while Barber got some carries. Jason will be mad at you for giving the Oline an A+ but for once these guys deserve some real kudos from fans. They forced the Eagles to bring extra guys on pass rushes, relying on their CBs to cover mano a mano. Prior to this game all the know-it-alls had the Eagles D playing great and going on the road and man-handling them as we did was great to watch. My play of the game was watching Lance Louis toss a pass rusher (not sure who) to the ground with one arm. He is no longer intimidated by the game and getting more and more comfortable and more than willing to his man on the ground and keep him there, and he did so several times. He's still learning but he is playing well now and he has a very bright future ahead of him.

Add one big WR who can go up and get the deep ball and this offense becomes very dangerous.

We've given up 3 sacks in the last 3 games, that is awful? I'm not saying we have a great Oline but this "worst in the NFL" tag that keeps being tossed around here does not match up with the data. I'll say it right now too, Detroit is in for a different game when we meet next week. They took advantage of Omiyale who was just horrible but late in that game, when Louis was kicked outside to RT things immediately got better. Tonight Louis at times was pancaking his man on pass protection. He and the rest of the Oline will be ready for Detroit at home and we'll have Earl Bennett on the field.