MBM

What a POS press conference! JA may as well have walked up to me and kicked me square in the nads! NOTHING is going to change! Same old coaching staff, same group of players, trying to do the same stuff. Guess what?! The flipping result is going to be the same as well! This team can't do shit as an offense so the plan has to remain the same and captained by the same group of retards. God help us all! It doesn't get done like this anywhere else. Cling to the fragile, useless remnants of the past forever because they are the good part. Moving forward and changing--that's's bad stuff. I give up hope for this team until the whole crew from Angelo on down to Lovie Smith's personal waterboy goes the way of the dodo.

Here's a list of things I got from '07 that need correction in '08. Please add your thoughts. I'm sure I missed quite a few. Ron Turner needs to be saying "Do you want fries with that?" at work rather than "Hand the ball to Benson". That being said, I'll take a change in philosophy first, from running team to passing team. If he proves he can't make sound game plans and calls...I'm making the slitting motion with my right hand, index finger pointed, against my throat... Bob Babich didn't put 5 of 11 starters on IR. He earned a pass from me for '07, but he needs to know the leash is as short as it is for the rest of the guys. There's no honeymoon here. Alex Brown has earned the right to start for this and any other team that wants him. He put up with being demoted in favor of a 1st year sack specialist before training camp began. He waited his time on the bench, knew he was being paid to play and did what he was asked to do when called to do it. When he was asked to start for the team, he played for a team with nothing to play for at an All-Pro level. He defined the word "Professional" for me. I'm normally opposed to this, but if someone wants to throw him a bonus, I'd not be opposed at all. Lovie Smith took a giant leap down, in my estimation, on how a Head Coach should act. From talent evaluation to public relations, he appeared quite out of touch. I've met the man. I don't think he was that whacked then. I'll chalk it up to the fact that he may have read too many of his press clippings and enjoyed that extension too much. Again, 2008 is the acid test for him. The pass sets up the run, not the other way like I thought at the start of 2007. As I hinted in my last point, a QB with tangibles like mobility, accuracy, height, and a good release are golden. With good coaching, the rest can happen. Devin Hester's sh*t does not stink. Redo his contract ASAP so you can enjoy the benefit of seeing #23 jerseys sold everywhere, often. Related to the last point--and this came to me as I typed that point--redo Dave Toub's contract NOW! Show the world what you think of great coaching. His smarts are not diminishing unlike some other guys I've mentioned. Maybe some of these other guys will get the point, and you'll attract more bees with honey. Guys like Berrian, Briggs, Ayanbedejo...need to play for teams like New Orleans or KC even the NY Jets. They need to understand what it's like to play for a team that has no solid base in the history of the NFL and learn about tradition and show some respect for it. They'll play somewhere...get their paycheck...and retire. Even if they win a Super Bowl, earn their rights to the Hall of Fame, they still may not do it for the Chicago Bears. The Charter Franchise of the NFL. And that makes all the difference. If they are not getting that, then something's wrong...either with them or the people in charge.

Begging to differ...these two points are the responsibility of the OC. He is supposed to make the players execute and apply effort on all his plays. Those that can't or don't should sit or go somewhere else for a paycheck. I'm willing to give Turner a pass considering that changing is what the GM has promised. It's not Turner's fault the cupboard of starters appeared bare. 2008 is promised to have a restocking for us in both talent and workable game philosophy. If the offense falls short in '08, then someone should get the axe. I am concerned from Lovie's press conference and previous statements that he feels things are not too bad. While I don't think the team is a train wreck, I believe it needs a larger amount of rework than his "Pollyanna-ish" view can sustain. Keeping all the players and coaches will not yield better results. I fear too little will be done to make this team a contender for Champion in '08.

Go back further for the Bears. Sid Luckman in the 40s was the last successful QB at putting a defense on its heels. Hence, players set or tie records like this one: Consecutive 300 yard games-2 Brian Griese( 10/14-10/21) tied with Jim Miller, Bill Wade, George Blanda, and Sid Luckman That's right. Brian Griese managed to permanently etch his name in the Bears record books by doing the unthinkable...throwing for more than 300 yards in 2 consecutive games. 300 yards passing is comparable to having a 100 yd rushing game. And if you are a Bear QB you step into unchartered waters when you throw for 300 yds. in a 3rd straight game! Isn't this embarrassing to you guys? It's long been the time that this things should change and it starts with attitude. I read of others claiming that in swirly winds the passing game is ineffective. Swirling winds are the exception--not the rule. I don't live by exceptions, neither should the Bears. The passing game needs an upgrade. The pass sets up the run.

Last week, Jerry Angelo promised that the coming offseason would bring greater dedication to offensive talent and a close examination of the offensive game philosophy the Bears have displayed under this current regime and the previous 60+ years. Face it, Ron Turner ain't leavin'. But I can handle him sticking around if he can change his offensive scheme to be more aggressive and Lovie's "Get off the bus running" attitude has to bend more as well. The flavor of the day in the NFL is to be a "Pass first" offense. The top two teams in each conference (NE Pats, Indy Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and GB Packers) are ranked 1-4 in the league in passing. New England, the "Perfect" team set new records in passing and does not have a 1,000 yard rusher. Yes, being capable of rushing is a necessity. I think that if NE were to have played the Bears last week in Chicago, they may have gotten clipped! The elements took away the passing game. But you don't get elements that bad every year and you don't have that exposure for most of the season. The Bears MUST evolve! The passing game must be given greater scrutiny by the team and the fans than it traditionally has for the Bears to build a successful team. And I'm talking about a Super Bowl winning team, not just a playoff contender.

It also falls during that "Doldrums" period after the draft and before Training Camp. This looks to be a better time frame than what was held before.

I'm with you on your FA and draft moves. I believe there really is not a lot of work needed to get things turned around, but rather smart moves and continued work through the years. I'm thinking 4 new starters on OL should come from this draft and FA (maybe not starters in '08, but you get my point) Return with Berrian, Grossman, and R. Brown (1 year only) Draft a future QB again. Try developing him this time. Dump Griese. Try having QB competition for starting spot. Replace Muhammad with WR from AZ--Bryant Johnson. Play guys like Hass and Riddeau. Return with same corps on defense minus Briggs, Archuletta, and RMJ. Expect the guys who didn't start or play their positions to compete for positional work or hit the road. No one should stay because they are good at ST play. Get a new OC. Get Michael Turner in FA. The Packers will not be major players in FA. That is their MO per Ted Thompson a few years ago. They will get passed up by the smart FA players.

Thanks for the instruction!

The keepers have their names in bold. The ones to not return are in regular print, I've made some notes behind some of these guys names about why I'd cut or keep them.

What does Meh stand for?

I don't have any problem with how Barnett reacted in that case. I don't care for how he was during many other plays when he'd be pilling on late and holding Bear players (Wolfe) down late.. I just find it funny that a man in Depends put a Sleeper hold on him and he couldn't get out of it. Now he's acting like a biotch and the whole world gets to watch him get taken down over and over. Last thing I would have done was say anything to anyone. Here's a video of Barnett getting punked by Gramps.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg4EQL5ubPI

He's just mad because a man old enough to be his grandfather took care of him. He should stick to beating up drunk women. http://mvn.com/nfl-packers/2007/06/20/pack...avre%E2%80%99s/ Here's an excerpt explaining what a "man" Nick Barnett is: "Early Sunday morning, June 17, Packers linebacker Nick Barnett was the most recent example of the inevitable consequences of the aforementioned scenario. Barnett was arrested by local police around 2 a.m. outside of WET nightclub on Appleton’s popular College Avenue after reportedly “shoving” a female to the ground inside the club."

I think you're right here. Have an anchor at NT to stuff the line and Harris or a quick DT pushing across the LOS seems to be a happy marriage of the two philosophies. I took a 2nd look at the INT Urlacher had on Sunday, and saw that one of the guys on the field was Toeaina. That left Url free to drop into coverage like Lovie wants.

It's not what some team wants to give up, it's what the Eagles want in return that makes this thing tick. They have him under contract already! No one offers up something good? So what? They keep him, Kolb gets more learning time, their cap hit goes down. You actually believe a team is going to: -trade their perrennial Pro Bowl QB -sit and eat a $6M cap hit -explain this away to their fan base. Have you seen Philly fans? Thay really ain't quite right! All this for a mere 2nd round selection! WOW! You're quite deluded. It's thinking like yours that gets me irked about this whole McNabb thing. A LOT of things have to work out PERFECTLY for him to end up in a Bears uniform! And I'm the crazy one for wanting the guy who signed a deal 2 months ago.

And likewise, the Bears should not mess with McNabb. Even though you don't get my sarcastic response, you prove my point. Keep in mind, though, I AM talking about the more VALUABLE of the two due to age, physical condition, and contract status. PS In your second response, you say the Bears will have to trade for McNabb. I'd agree. A 2nd rounder!? You are a White Sox fan! Keep believing that the world will bend over for your LAME trade scenarios. REAL talent will be sought for DM. Please join the rest of us in realityville if you're interested in trading for a perrennial Pro Bowler.

2K-That is EXACTLY the point I have about the offense I've seen and hate for the Bears. There is no "attack mentality". It's all about "maintain" and "hold on". And this psyche spreads to the other areas of the team and destroys those as well. How often have we seen the offense wilt in the face of the opponent when they had the opportunity to control the game? Under John Shoop, this was the standard M.O. Turner started acting this way himself. For coaching his unit this way, Dave Taub deserves a raise. This is what coaching is all about--seeing opportunities and directing your team towards them. Good catch on this. I missed this point completely until you reminded me of it!

Not me...I want Tony Romo. He's got mobility and an arm, and has shown he knows the game. Al logic flies out the window when McNabb's name is brought up. Logic like: -will the Eagles cut McNabb? -what are they going to do with that giant cavern they created in their salary cap? -what if Kevin Kolb isn't the guy they hoped he'd be? A lot of egg on their face, then. -will the Bears trade for McNabb? -who will the Bears trade for McNabb? -what will the Bears trade for McNabb? Are you willing to give up the draft picks needed? -do the Eagles want or need what the Bears can trade? -can the Bears afford McNabb and his existing contract? -do the Bears believe McNabb can return to his form from two years ago? Am I full of it with my Tony Romo dreamin'? Probably. But no more full of it than anyone who wants a 31 year old player coming off knee reconstruction who presents the takers with contract numbers $9.6 M ($6.3 M base) in '08, $9.3 M base in '09, and $10 M base in 2010. Then he's a FA. Romo, on the other hand is 27 yrs old, has no injuries to speak of and carries with him a 6-yr, $67 M salary. Break down the annual numbers and they're a lot kinder than McNabb's for the three years he has remaining, contractually. Face it, if McNabb was born and raised in any other part of the country, you'd be saying "Donovan who?"

Leave the talent where it belongs. Brown is still under contract. Here's a nifty idea...why doesn't the coaching staff develop the talent they have into better players? That way, we don't have to move a guy from CB--in my mind, a more difficult position to find than safety--and hope to draft a winner in that area. McBride has proven himself worthy of a roster spot this year. Graham has earned his paycheck for his ST play and nothing more. These two need to step up in the future. Also, I really don't see bad things in the safety position with guys like Brown (injury prone as he may be), Manning, McGowan (I thought he played his best game today), and with Payne returning. Maybe something will show up in the draft, too.

No quote could ever be more accurate than this! On the Joe Flacco point, he doesn't seem to be as mobile as I would like. I'm not looking for a Vince Young (notice I didn't mention the dog murdering SOB's name) or Donovan McNabb, just a guy who can create space and opportunities with his feet. Even at age 38, Brett Favre does a very good job of buying himself a few seconds more and running for first downs when necessary. If you have a candidate who can throw all the requisite passes accurately, with something on them, and can break away to allow his playmakers get open, I'm interested in the guy. If he is weak armed, a statue, inaccurate, or just plain stupid, let someone else draft him.

We'll just agree to disagree on this. You take the Bears' track record of winning over the past 10 years. I'll take the Patriots. Who has the dynasty? Who is in line to create history with a perfect season? Who is in line to continue these accomplishments? Who is stuck in the past and who is looking to the future? Sorry I agree with the "latest fad" since the latest fad includes winning. I'm not opposed to winning via the run, you have to be efffective in that area as well. But to completely disregard the pass as a "bonus" or "extra" is disregarding the state of affairs in today's NFL and is borderline criminal abuse against a fan base. As we've seen in '07, injuries can wipe out a defense quickly and decimate a team. In three weeks, the Bears lost 36% of its starting defense and had another player playing on one leg. You can't plan on having one half of your team strong--that's bad personnel management. Would you go on a long trip in your car after checking the air in only two of the four tires? The Bears have been trying this for years. I am merely suggesting they try to build a COMPLETE team. Perhaps sacrificing some on defense to gain more on offense.

I like a lot of your thinking here, Ashkum! Here are my tweaks to your plan: FA: add in WR Drew Carter (Let Berrian walk) LT Max Starks--everyone likes Faneca--why not Starks? He's young and huge! (Make plans to not get the stud OL in the draft--if he's there, take him! In a few years, Tait will be looking to leave.) Though he's not Mr. Popularity, Garza will be back and should start at RG unless beat out in TC. I say this for continuity-sake and like being the world's tallest midget, he wasn't the worst o-line player this year. Maintaining the continuity on the o-line as much as possible is key to having good play out of the group. S-Gibril Wilson He'd be a lower-tier FA. At his young age, he'd be good value and could take over for Brown if he makes a return to his Autumnal home on IR. Draft--I like the QB from Oregon, Dennis Dixon. Has both mobility and a strong arm. He'll have time to develop behind Rex and Orton. Give him that and watch him become a star. Bottom line, we both see that this mess can be repaired quite quickly if JA is willing to cut his dead weight and focus on the real problem and not get too enticed be the bright, shiny, defense objects out there in FA and the draft. And for God's sake, no more "He can return punts and kickoffs" as reasons to justify the pick. Get a guy who can play his position.

Who?

I saved these two paragraphs of your because I have some issues with them. Please keep in mind, I am not trying to start something, merely engaging in discourse... The Packers couldn't run early in the season and they DID quit trying eventually and turned to the 5-wide game plans like we saw earlier today. Grant is a product of the pass setting up the run. How productive was he today behind the LOS compared to out in space? The Packers are horribly weak--a farce as leaders of the NFCN--as evidenced by the ass kicking they received by the Bears today. Force them to beat you with the run, it's over. But related to this first argument of yours is the 2nd--running the ball is "Bears Football". The Bears historically have run the ball because that is all they have been able to do on offense. And what has that gotten us? A great bunch of guys with the intials HOF, but one SB winner. And that's the crime because if you look at the history, what would the careers of Casares, Sayers, Payton, and Anderson have been had there been greater emphasis on passing making the offense a more well-rounded vehicle. Offense, for the Bears, has always been the red-headed stepchild. Name great players in Bears history who have played the WR position? Compared to the RB position with the Bears, we are looking at a Pinto vs. a Mercedes! There has not been a consistant effort for the Bears to improve the offense to make the total TEAM better. And when fans like yourself claim that playing Bears football is good, its telling the team "I like seeing you run the ball. Passing is second rate to me." This has to change. Look at the true Monsters of the NFL today...New England, Indianapolis, Dallas...even Green Bay! I don't have the stats, but its easy to say these four teams are definately in the top 10 in passing stats in the league. Where are each in rushing? Lower, statistically, than at passing. I'm not saying the Bears need to abandon the run, but they need to re-examine their thgought process in the draft and their offensive philosophy. If I were the GM, I'd tell Lovie to work with his guys to get the defense together for '08--and back like it was in '06 without a huge change in personnel. I'd be dumping Turner and creating an offensive juggernaut with the new OC--my guy--and there would be a huge turnover on the offensive side and we'd have some guys who play WR that will catch the ball and look to make opposing defenses bleed, will keep opposing offenses off the field, and force the opponents to change their offensive game plan.

That was almost a rhetorical question, Chile! Everyone knows both need areas need improvement. My point was, are we being buffaloed by one side's failures that make the other seem worse? Nevertheless, I am thrilled with the sweep and how the TEAM (very important) played today. You could see they were having fun. Kinda like a lot of bad Karma was cast off their shoulders and they just played football like they know how to play it.

...and Ron Turner is being made to look good by poor weather conditions and a REALLY stupid opposing ST coach. Makes me wonder: Is Turner the problem or is it a bad O-line? The O-line is performing well today and Turner's calls have been very good although conservative. I'm just enjoying some early holiday cheer and fun to watch football. Hope the Bears pile it on the Packers to get some frustration out. I'd like to see another 63-7 final score.