lemonej

Unless this OG can play OT its not likely he would go that early in the first round.Usually the hot shot guards and centers go towards the end of the first round and into the second and 3rd round.I could see a scenario where they would trade back to get your player since JA likes doing that anyway.Now if there is a stud safety like Cheung of Oregon there at 17 I could see them pulling the trigger on that. I could even see them taking another OT also.

Which TE should he have thrown to because one of the TE's had two critical fumbles in the game.The play that the Bears got stuffed on is the same play that ran on the goal line for a TD. I do agree that they should have used play action but Turner thought he could fool the Panthers or that they could get one yard since he had 3 TEs in the game.On that same play another of the TEs got caved in on the play by the DE who made the initial hit on McKie.So as a group the TEs had a poor game and I would have used play action and went to Lloyd since he seemed to be the only receiver Orton had feel for.The problem with all our speculation is that the Bears have decided that they are going to "Get off the Bus running"and if you can't get one yard in a critical situation you can't back those words up.

I thought I noticed the tackles getting to the second level and throwing blocks while they used the interior linemen to cave in the middle of the defense.The FB would lead throught the whole first and then Forte was right behind him.On one play Olsen was used as a FB out of the Bears 2 TE set and he was the lead blocker.While watching NFL Matchup this morning I found out the TE as a lead blocker is a staple of Ron Turner's.The analyst showed a play from last weeks game and one from 2 years ago with the only difference being Clarke was the TE and Thomas Jones was the RB.The reason why both Jones and Forte have success with this type of blocking is because both of these guys don't waste time running through the holes.

I think this is going to be a field position field goal type of game.The key is the Bears 2 TE alignment on offense.They split Clark and Olsen wide a few times in the Indy game which tipped off whether the defense was in man or zone coverage.Expect the Bears to do more of this.When they go to this alignment look for them to utilize Davis in the slot and that will be key. Lets also keep in mind the Bears have played the Panthers quite a few times under Lovie with some success during the regular season.Orton also has a start against the Panthers with a win so he should be familiar with what they will be trying to do to him on defense. On defense the Panthers will be without Steve Smith for the second straight game so look for them to try and pound the ball gainst the Bears with Stewart and Williams forming their one two punch.This will be a LB and Safety game for the Bears D and tackling good is a must.Even though there was a great effort at Indy,this will be a much more physical game. Special teams will be the key with the emphasis on Maynards punting,Robbie Gould FGs and Idonije blocking kicks.I think Maynard will pin the Panthers inside the 20 a few times in the first half resulting in Gould lining up for at least 3 FGs.Idonije may get a block of a FG early in the second half that will be a momentum changer.Don't expect Hester to get any clean kicks punt or kick off and don't be surprised if D.Manning gets a key run back. Bears 19 Panthers 14

I think we have to give them a dose of what is affective against our version of the Cover 2 short passes to the backs out of the backfield,neutralize their best defensive players(Freeney and Sanders)and attack the center of the defense with the TE.Also execute what the WCO is all about taking what the defense gives you.If its underneath routes then so be it.Be patient and don't force anything.

The number one thing that will improve the Bears fortunes this season is an improved running attack.This will especially be key in tonights game.Run the ball control the clock and keep the defense fresh and off the field. As I remember from the Super Bowl the Colts battered the Bears with Addai and Rhodes running and threw short passes underneath the Bears zone.Look for them to employ a 3 WR set with Harrison,Wayne and Gonzalez in a bunch and Dallas Clark split on the other side.How would the Bears matchup with this formation.If they go to a nickel the Colts will hand the ball off to Addai.If the Bears stay base Cover 2 then Manning will pick them apart. Here's My 5 Keys. 1.Run the ball and control the clock. 2.Stop the run 3.Try and take advantage of Bob Sanders in coverage with Clark or Olsen. 4.Get the ball in Hester's hands"By Any Means Necessary" 5.Win the turnover battle.

Check that! I just looked at the entire 32 picks of the first round and only 3 of the picks are considered stars Braylon Edwards,DeMarcus Ware and Shawn Merriman(Who will be playing on one leg and has been busted for a banned substance).Thats 29 other picks who have not reached a high level of play.3 of the top 10 players drafted that year are not with their original teams.2 of those are currently out of the league and 1 was suspended for a year.When you look at the draft this way it doesn't hurt as much.

I agree with you and if we look at the first10 picks of that same draft and see where they are now you would be surprised that the Bears aren't the only team to have made a mistake.

The Lions released Jonathon Scott he was pretty good in college but I'm not sure what the problem was in Detroit.

Like I just stated before it wouldn't hurt to bring Anderson in for a look and Barton to the practice squad might be risky.They kept him on the roster for a reason.He didn't look bad during preseason.

Thats where I'm at Chile. I saw where the Bengals cut Willie Anderson I hope that they bring him in for a look see.

I agree about Toeina and I am a little surprised they kept him with Harrison and Idonije in the mix inside. As for Bazuin when was he going to play? Ogunleye,A.Brown,Anderson and Idonije will get most of the PT at end so that points to depth in the middle being more important where the Bears rotate players a lot.With Harris and Dusty coming back from injury you need another body inside.

Agreed Pix This is what is making it hard to contribute to some of these threads because of all the unrelated posts.

When Marriotti showed up here from the Detroit Free Press he basically was under the radar until he wrote a colunm about Michael Jordon not accompanying the Bulls on their visit to the White House because of other committments. Since that article he has been the self proclaimed voice of the Chicago fan when most of us knew he was a transplant with stops in Ohio and Detroit before coming to the Sun Times. My problem with Marriotti is his articles were basically put together by his researchers since he was constantly trying to get into electronic media with failed radio shows on WMVP(Now ESPN Radio) and Sporting News Radio.If there is one thing you can give Mike North credit for it was his show that Marriotti was constantly trying to go up against and usually North's ratings crushed Marriotti's.So while he was pursuing all these other interests his colunms started to lose more credibilty with me because with all the production meetings involved in these various shows how could he possibly have the time to actually watch any of Chicago's sporting events.Give him credit for having a good research staff but also recognize the fact that he couldn't be in several places at one time. The best thing about Marriotti's departure is there is a guy at work who would read his colunms daily and believed every word he said and now this guy won't be able talk sport's without those colunms to quote.

I think this could be the projected cut list: Chester Adams Atterbury Baldwin Balogh Booker* Bowman Trey Brown Clermond Gafford Haas La Rocque Mines Osborn Peters Poles Polite Pope Rideau Stone Toeina

What has been over-looked as part of Idonije's value to this team has been his knack for blocking kicks which has become a lost art in the NFL.Since his arrival as an undrafted free agent he has worked his way into being a key contributor on defense and special teams.On a lot of Hester's runs you can see Idonije's number throwing a key block.I would put Idonije's value on special teams right behind Hester,Gould,Maynard,Mannely and AP. This along with his ability to swing between tackle and end may make a couple of guys expendable.

It would be hard for them to justify putting Bazuin on IR because he has played significant time in the last two games and he seemed to be moving well in both IMO.Dusty OTOH has had just a cup of coffee on the field so far.Right now Idonije is probably the 3rd down tackle in obvious passing situations alongside Harris with Ogunleye and Anderson at end. Don't be surprised if the Bears did cut him.They have cut 3 first rounders and 1 2nd rounder in Angelo's tenure.Remember Michael Haynes, Marc Columbo and Roosevelt Williams?

I've watched every PS game and the only impact D.Manning has had has been in the return game.He is supposedly being tried at the Nickel which I haven't seen him on the field much in that capacity.For that matter I haven't seen Ricky Manning Jr. that much either.The back ups at safety have been Payne and Steltz. What I meant about Tillman was prior to the Niner game he looked decent with a pick and a couple of pass breakups in two games.He also seems to be doing the best job of tackling of anyone on defense IMO.Its really troublesome when the best tackle of the PS was made by your starting RB(Forte) on an INT return.

The NFL has had a history of going after these guys who have held the title of world's fastest human.Bob Hayes had a HOF career with the Cowboys and won the gold in 64. Jimmy Hines the gold medalist in 68 had a tryout with the Dolphins but couldn't catch the ball. World class hurdler Renaldo Neamiah(Sp?) had a short undistinguished career with the 49ers.Little known to a lot of people but,Bo Jackson,Herschel Walker,Butch Woolfolk all Nfl running backs were top NCAA sprinters. Then there were guys like Johnny "Lam" Jones,Mel Latany(SP?) and most recently John Capel a Bear draft pick have had absolutley no impact in the NFL.Since the Olympics have started allowing professional athletes to compete it has been easier for sprinters and runners to declare their earnings and still compete on the world stage. As was stated their earning potential from endorsments can be very lucrative and the appearance fees that they may receive from the various sponsors of track meets mirrors some of what happens on the PGA Tour.Taking this option versus putting your body through the rigors of an NFL camp would seem more attractive.That is why this hasn't been debated too much recently.

Nfo I agree that the main problem with this defense is poor tackling and the safeties constantly being out of position.When I visited TC one thing that was eveident to me was that they weren't tackling.Now I don't believe they should be pounding each other into the ground but,I do recall in the past when Rivera ran the D Urlacher and Mike Brown put Benson out of commission with some tough hits in TC.Now the practices seem to be glorified walk throughs.How can you get acclimated to the physical nature of this game without tackling a little. As for McGowan and Brown at safety,they both may be able to knock your block off if they are in the right position but that has been the problem.They have been fooled a few times already.Nate Vasher has also looked medioctre.The only guy who has looked decent in the secondary is Tillman and of the backups Corey Graham.

Gattis looked lost in the game Thurs-nite so his departure was expected.I think the toughest cuts will come from the d-line and backup LB positions.

There are quite a few guys that are omitted from the list with the most glaring one being Tebow. Then there is Chase Daniels at Mizzou who is a little short.Wells from OSU at RB is also another.We could do this for days but it would be futile if the Bears continue to do things the way the have and put the focus on the defense first.I also think that Cinci's Ben Mauck who doesn't have any college eligibility left wouldn't be a bad QB choice to look at.He would come in probably older than Hanie is now.

He was drafted by the Texans and was 3rd string behind David Carr and I think Sage Rosenfeld(sp?)

I left out Rufus Mayes who ranks right at the top of Bears' draft busts.

Pix this doesn't surprise me since it was rumored that when he was in the draft the Bears had some interest. His name and Dave Ragone of Louisville were supposedly on the Bears' radar.