bradjock

You're probably right, but the media often refers to it as the injured reserve list. I heard several times that Kreutz was on the injured reserve list. They media might just do this because it's shorter and less confusing then saying, "He's physically unable to perform." (and it is "perform" not "play")

Agreed. Now that everyone has been paid, will they all still have the same drive? In damn near the last year we've given new contracts to Briggs, Urlacher, Harris, Alex Brown, Peanut, and Vasher. It's easy to write this off, but after we sucked last season, it's disturbing. Hanie looked pretty good . . . against mostly a 4th string defense. I'm pissed that Monk & Bennett dropped those passes. Bennetts was a tough catch, but Monk's drop was unexcusable. I really like St. Clair. Lets bring back Ruben Brown. Disagree for a couple of reasons: 1. I don't really want to see Vasher back there. He has more important things to do. 2. Bennett's going to have a tough time seeing playing time with Booker, Davis, Lloyd, & Hester all in front of him. 3. Hester looked lost his rookie year as a return man so I'll cut him some slack.

Williams had surgery on a herniated disk in his back. Usually we we here 2-3 weeks, 6-8 weeks, 6-8 months . . . whatever. What scares the hell out of me is the, "There is no time-table for his return." Someone mentioned that we haven't placed him on IR. But we will tomorrow. Hell, if Kreutz was placed on IR, Williams has got to be. Remember the IR for pre-season is not the same as the IR for regular season. Damnit.

Wow you put that up there fast Sox!!! Here's the best part!!! We don't have to see that list every time the Bears play the Packers: Bear's starting QB since Brett Favre . . . PFT is reporting that Chad Pennington will likely be cut as a result of this. Is he any better then Rex or Kyle?

Seeing Matt Forte in training camp, he stands out. He has a "wow" factor. You see him compared to the other guys and you immediately recognize he's that much better. In previous years in training camp, whether it was against Orton or Griese, Rex had that same "wow" factor. He was just that much better. This year Orton has even the tables IMO. Rex looks "slightly" better, but it's close. And Orton doesn't turn the ball over as much. AZ, I honestly believe the QB competition is all but over. Orton will be starting on opening day.

One good thing is that this affects only the lot near Soldier Field, like near the Aquarium. So people will still be able to hang out in the lots by the McCormic Center, near the hospital, etc. That being said, I agree with the Drunkbombers sentiment about "the pussification of America." I miss the days in the old Soldier Field where it didn't take much to sneak in a 12 pack & a couple of sandwiches. If I tried that now I'd probably be detained by Homeland Security. I just don't get the justifcation of it. They're saying that they have to hire extra security but: 1. It costs at least $50.00 to park there (probably much more, especially if you have a camper) 2. Don't they have to pay the security guys to make sure everyone's out? Has there been some major problems that the Bears feel they need to do this? I just don't get it.

No. I'm fairly certain it will not be broadcast on any major network. I only know this because the local Chicago FOX TV station (channel 5 or something like that) is broadcasting the game. I live 200 miles from Chicago, so I'm lucky enough that the local stations pick up the Chicago stations feed and broadcast it. These broadcasts are generic and look like what you'd expect from a high school game. (although they usually have Ditka & some other guy doing the play by play.) Game #3 vs. San Fran is being broadcast nationally on FOX.

I agree 100% with what you said about Booker, and I think we agree on the fact that Hester, Booker, Lloyd, Davis, & Bennett are 5 locks to make the roster. Which basically leaves it between Hass & Bradley. You mentioned guys like Booker to keep the chains moving, but isn't that why we have 3 seemingly very good TE's? Isn't that why we're thrilled with the combo of Lloyd & Hester, because they can both stretch the field and open things up while our TE's work the middle? It's tough not to love Hass. The guy works his ass off. But even if he makes the team, where does he see time on the field? If he makes the team, he's the 6th WR. Not to mention Olsen sometimes lines up as a slot receiver, so that would make him the 7th WR. Last year it was a wasted roster spot having him on the roster. I don't know why he can't play special teams, but he doesn't. That decreases his value also. I'm afraid Bradley will never regain the speed he once had. But we still view him as a guy with the potential to be an elite receiver. If you're going to waste a roster spot, you might as well do it on a guy who will help you in the future.

First and foremost, my #1 concern with Rex is: "Can he take care of the damn football!" Has he improved at this? So personally, I want to see how he handles himself. As for pulling guys like Tait & Kreutz, at this time of year the coaching staff tends to do everything they can to protect their good veterans. So I wouldn't be surprised to see them pulled quickly. Heck, I'd include St. Clair with that group also, but I'd like to see him play some LG. Of course next week Rex is supposed to get the start so Orton will be the one taking a beating. It all evens out. Hopefully, after next Saturday's game versus Seattle, we'll have decided on a starter.

Thanks for finding that stat. I didn't know that. But how many were from mishandled snaps & how many from fumbles. If a guy is getting ready to throw & then gets blind-sided, there's not a helluva a lot he can do about it. It's the result of bad protection. Although Orton has much better pocket-presence then Rex. When Rex mishandles snaps, there always seems to be a lack of concentration on his part. With Rex it also seems like it's a chronic problem. I'm sure Kyle has mishandled a snap, but they've been so few and far between that they don't stick out. Also with Rex, there was the game last year where he was scrambling (for once) towards the goal-line, and he flat out dropped the ball. He didn't get hit, it just popped out of his hands. If this was Rex's only problem with "ball control" I don't think it would be a big deal. But with all the interceptions, all the sacks, and then you throw in mishandled snaps on top of it . . . I always feel as if it's just as likely that he'll move the ball backwards then forwards.

This is actually a better one listed at the SCORE's web site. http://www.670thescore.com/pages/2728099.p...ntentId=2534858

The SCORE's been making fun of this depth chart all summer, since the Bear's refused to name starters at WR or QB. I had trouble find this but the Sun Times had it: Bears release first depth chart of summer By Brad Biggson August 4, 2008 5:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0) Offense WR--Rashied Davis/Devin Hester, Mike Hass, Brandon Rideau, Ryan Grice-Mullen LT--John St. Clair, Cody Balogh, (Chris Williams) LG--Terrence Metcalf, Anthony Oakley, Ryan Poles C--Olin Kreutz, Josh Beekman, Anthony Oakley RG--Roberto Garza, Tyler Reed, Chester Adams RT--John Tait, Kirk Barton TE--Desmond Clark, Greg Olsen, Kellen Davis, Fontel Mines, Marcus Stone WR--Marty Booker/Brandon Lloyd, Mark Bradley, Earl Bennett, Marcus Monk QB--Rex Grossman/Kyle Orton, Caleb Hanie RB--Matt Forte, Adrian Peterson, Garrett Wolfe, P.J. Pope, (Kevin Jones) FB--Jason McKie, Lousaka Polite Defense LE--Adewale Ogunleye, Dan Bazuin, Joe Clermond, Nick Osborn DT--Tommie Harris, Israel Idonije, Marcus Harrison NT--Anthony Adams, Matt Toeaina, (Dusty Dvoracek) RE--Alex Brown, Mark Anderson, Ervin Baldwin WLB--Lance Briggs, Jamar Williams, Joey LaRocque MLB--Brian Urlacher, Nick Roach, Rod Wilson SLB--Hunter Hillenmeyer, Darrell McClover, Michael Okwo LCB--Charles Tillman, Corey Graham, Zack Bowman, Leslie Majors RCB--Nathan Vasher, Trumaine McBride, Ricky Manning Jr., Trey Brown SS--Brandon McGowan, Kevin Payne, Leonard Peters FS--Mike Brown, Danieal Manning, Craig Steltz, Josh Gattis

Adrian Peterson. I'll say AP just because, like Hunter Hillenmeyer, he's extremely under-rated. He's not super fast at running back, but he appears to give it his all. He's a good blocker & a damn good receiver. Not to mention that next to Hester, he'll probably be our best special team's player.

As per Brad Biggs, he's expected to miss a few weeks. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...earnt05.article With 33 days left until kick-off, you figure Metcalf will miss all the pre-season games. That's not good news for a guy who's not looked good in pre-season. Brad Biggs also mentioned that Ruben Brown is available on the "NFL discard pile." On Chris Williams, Zac Zaidman on the SCORE is reporting that he believes William's injury is worse then the Bears are telling us.

Albert always scared me. He wasn't good enough to play tackle in college but the NFL thinks he'd be great? That reminds me of when Q Mitchell was terrible at RG, but Terry Shea thought he'd be a terrific LT. What an idiot. As for Otah, he was drafted after Gosder Cherilus whom most thought would go in the 2nd round. Either way, 10 days into training camp is WAY to early to make declarations about a player.

After last season, I sure as hell am not thrilled he's back. Last year I thought it'd be a huge distraction with the, "Maybe I'll play, maybe I won't" which went on forever. Then there was the distraction of him setting the record for most interceptions, and the distraction of "Is this is last year?" Then all he does is have one of the greatest seasons of his career. I look at it this way: 1. Favre WILL start on opening day. He's better then Aaron Rogers, period. 2. Favre doesn't need much training camp practice. I'd much rather Green Bay spend the next 50 years searching for the next Brett Favre.

I'm not ready to hit the panic button yet. Assuming that the Bears are being honest (although we weren't with Urlacher & R Brown last year) he's only experiencing minor back-pain. The team keeps saying he'll be back any day now, and there something like 35 days until our first game. We've got time. I just hope like hell if he truly is injured that we beg Ruben Brown to come out of retirement. I'm not happy with Metcalf starting, and now he's hurt. I'm even less thrilled with Beekman & Oakley.

While Rex played much better when he returned, Rex's sacks really hurt his chances of starting. Sure the protection sucked, but it doesn't help that everyone knows if you blitz the hell out of him, Rex is likely to make a mistake. The biggest reason Rex was sacked more frequently was because he'd constantly hold onto it too long, while Kyle would throw it away. When your offense is constantly moving backwards . . . The nice thing is it's easy to really like Rex & Kyle. Heck, I'm kind of rooting for both guys. Like you, whoever wins I'll support 100%.

I'd predict he'll start the season on the PUP list meaning he won't be available until after week six. I base this on 3 reasons: 1. We told him to lose 10 pounds so it would take some of the pressure off of his knees. I'm no expert, but I'm guessing you don't want a guy dropping that weight quickly. 2. While he says he's fully recovered, the experts say the injury he suffered last season requires more time for him to be 100%. The more recovery time he has the more effective he'll be. 3. Forte looks great, Wolfe is improved, and AP is as solid as ever. As long as we have 3 healthy running-backs, there's no point in rushing him. Of course I predicted Mark Bradley would start on the PUP list, so who knows?

Agreed. I'd never boo at a practice, but I can understand it in certain situations. Hell, I was ready to boo when I watched Rex fumble a snap when practicing. If fans want to boo a particular play, fine. But what the hell has Rex done to deserve getting booed? The guy's always worked his ass off, he's always come across as a team player, always said and done all the right things. Now if Rex was over-paid, had shown up out of shape, been arrested twice in the off-season, thrown his offensive line under the bus, refused to play because "he had his future to worry about," AND sucked . . . I could almost understand booing a guy like that. (thanks Cedric) But booing Rex for not being great would be like booing Mike Brown for getting injured. It's just plain ignorant.

I'll be a pain in the arse for a second: When did you want JA to draft a QB? Did you want Flacco over Chris Williams? Clarify damnit!!! I'm kidding, but I only throw that out because I get annoyed when people say, "Angelo never should have drafted Cedric!!!" And the people who say that wanted Mike Williams . . . If I were a gambling man, I'd say that next year at this time Rex is gone, Orton's the "tentative #1," we've signed a veteran, QB that nobody else wanted, and we drafted a QB in the first 2 rounds. But I'd much prefer the scenerio where Rex plays so damn good we have to slap the franchise tag on him.

Pix, has any official site or business ever complained about individuals taking stuff? I was just curious. I only wonder because talkbears is so damn small, I can't imagine anyone would ever notice.

120??? Wow!!! I can't even imagine. Be safe!!!

You're thinking of Dante Wesley. I don't think Angelo gave him his word on anything other then for a chance to compete and for a chance to become the #1 back-up. Wesley was the #1 back-up during pre-season that year until the 3rd game when he managed to get THREE passing interferences calls against him (I think it was vs. the Browns.) After that he was dropped down to strictly special teams. If Rex & Kyle both looked flat out terrible in pre-season, I don't think Angelo would having a problem telling them "tough luck." IMO, Angelo's line of thinking was: 1. It's a heckuva a lot easier to find a good running-back then a good QB. Forte looks freaking awesome, and he's likely to start. You couldn't get that from any rookie QB. 2. For a quarterback to be successful, you've got to surround him with good players. Benson sucked, AP is no more then a good back-up, and Wolfe didn't look like he belonged in the NFL last season (possibly because of the way we used him . . . but how do you average 2.7 yards a carry?) 3. As for his comments on Benson, Angelo's not going to bash a player publicly. Heck, I remember Angelo really bragging up David Terrell just before we cut him. You brag players like Benson & Bradley up and give them a chance to be success, but if they can't get it done . . .

Agreed with everything you said. I like how you mentioned that's it's nice to hear JA say, "We liked some quarterbacks a lot, but we had greater needs." You've got to love that honesty. JA actually went as far to say that they didn't even worry about drafting the best player available . . . just need. And we needed a LT & a RB for certain. Green Bay doesn't want to bring in Favre cause they think it would hurt team chemistry & mess up what they're trying to do. Except the street in front of the stadium is named after Favre. I think they could get away with it. IMO there's no way in hell the Bears bring in Favre. It'd be a damn circus. On a final note: I'm going to have a tough time bitching about JA since I saw him at Bourbannis & he seemed really concerned as to whether or not I was enjoying myself. I'm still shocked that's he's this really old looking nice guy who wants more then anything for the Bears to win . . . previously I thought he was an evil robot.