CrackerDog

Oddly we agree, I'm not excited about the hire either. Hope I'm wrong. With that said, I'm surprised we aren't hearing from the "Catering to Cutler" crowd since this is clearly an attempt to keep the same system in place so Jay can take another step forward. Bringing in an outsider would give him (and his fans) the ability to say "Yeah but... Another OC!" Not sure how it'll all work out but I kinda got used to an entire staff that was either former HC's or highly thought of candidates to become an HC. This is simply the price of hiring those well thought of folks. Unfortunately we didn't get the high level success that usually comes with losing people like Gase the following season. But in the end, I think even Gase would say 2015 wasn't his best year. I thought the offense was professionally run but it never blew my doors off. Not that I mind conservative offense when your D is so suspect...

Not everyone can be as right as me... I was basing my opinion on how desperate teams are these days and the fact that Gase was a finalist last season for so many teams. I assumed he'd be high on the list and his efforts this year, bringing the Bears back to respectable and with Cutler's improvement... He didn't hurt himself. I wish him well and hope we continue to see the offense move in the right direction.

Ain't NOBODY giving up 3 early round picks for Jay Cutler. This year's picks, next years, any firkin years.

Well, considering 50% is a coin flip, 22% better (really 44% of the upside) isn't as impressive. But yeah, it's enough for me to say that drafting earlier has value and that's why teams give up extra shit (picks, players etc) to move up. If it had no value teams wouldn't do that.

Yeah, Jason's point here doesn't make sense unless there was continuity on the front office throughout the period being evaluated. I'd give Forte a 2 year deal if he'd agree to be compensated like a 30 year old RB. I love the way he plays but you can't ignore that Langford looks very capable and Matt is 30 years old. With that said, if we do part ways with Forte, I hope it's done better than they did it with #54.

All valid points. Thing is, usually when a team is bad enough to be thinking about doing something like this, the coaching staff is in a win at any cost mode to save their jobs. So I doubt you'd see it very often. Further, you don't just bench everyone, you do it subtly. Just use the opportunity to evaluate and coach up the guys who might otherwise not get PT if you were a legit contender.

As long as they promise not to ever let him return a punt or a kick again. Although he did have one nice return yesterday. I agree, he's a nice little possession receiver, it seems.

I'd say any coaching staff insecure about their future with the team could act the same way Lovie did. I don't think this is a Lovie exclusive trait. I agree with your other general observations about changing things up once the team is mathematically eliminated.

Just wondering if there's anyone here, after Jay's subpar day yesterday, VERY interested in going QB in the first round. I know it depends on who is available to some but would like to know your thoughts. I think Jay had a nice season and the bad game yesterday wasn't on him. I'd assume the Bears will use the pick on a legit OT who can help keep the d linemen off his back. Could obviously pick D players in this slot as well.

I with you on this!

I don't hold a grudge against BM. He did his best for us when he was here and really just got shown the door because he pissed off Virginia. Not a good thing to do, piss off the boss lady. Regardless, I'm glad the Jets didn't make the playoffs because I dislike Mike Greenberg on Mike and Mike and he's a Jets fan.

Seems a might unfriendly there, don't you think? In any case, assuming your analysis is 100% accurate (and I have no reason to doubt you) then there are 28% of the years in which better caliber players are selected in the 11-20 range rather than the 1-10 range. Frankly I'm surprised. I would expect it to be a lot closer to 100% of the time. So... I guess what I'm saying is sure, it should work out the way you suggest, we should get better players with an earlier pick. Two things to note: 1.) Because GM's are human, they make mistakes. To the tune of only getting better players in the top ten about 3 times as often as the next ten picks. 2.) When you bust in the first ten picks, the cost is more significant and can have longer lasting negative impact on the team. PS. Just noticed in the HOF portion at the bottom of the long analysis, Dan Hampton is listed twice.

Gase is a goner. No idea who replaces him.

Sorry dude, no matter how much sense it makes I can't root for them to lose to the ferkin Lions. GO BEARS!!!

It's been another tough year for the blue and orange but at least we have beating Green Bay on Brett Favre Day to smile about. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

LB is a big problem. Depends on what Pace is able to do in FA as to what we go after in the draft. I could see us taking a offensive tackle, linebacker or QB there, depending on what falls to us.

I wouldn't even call it a fade so much as the team is known to be flawed and they've shown those flaws in losing 4 games a team further along would've won. Further, as our resident GM, Jason, says, it's all part of the bigger plan and losing is really winning... At least as far as this season is concerned. And as of the last ten days or so, I agree with him. The season was made by beating the Packers on Brett Favre day. Along with a few other highlights. I'm very optimistic given the cap space we have, our #1 draft pick last year giving us, effectively, two #1 picks hitting the roster for the first time next year. That along with the coaching staff that turned this pile of dog shit into a team that was most often in the games despite the lack of talent fills me with hope for the future. Imagine this lot with a dozen new play makers next season. It's possible. I'm definitely not worried about the guys on one year deals. Those that performed and are young enough will get new deals of various lengths. Those that didn't are gone. Some vets will be shown the door and Robby G will be leading the conga line out of town. I think Shea and unfortunately Forte will be heading out too. We'll have to see what's available at QB in the first round next season. Could be Jay's last year next season.

We just need guys who can fricken TACKLE. Don't know how many times we needed the second or third guy in to actually bring a runner down this season!

Not bad. Not perfect but yes, above average for sure. I'd take that for our current roster any day!

1980 something. Although Wanny had some decent lines, IIRC.

Not sure he's even above average there. I think it wasn't an experiment so much as a need that Kyle was willing to fill. Yes, move him back and draft or buy a RT. No question. I had reservations with the whole thing in the first place. Still think he's one helluva football player. PS. It didn't help that the coaching staff never committed to this configuration during preseason and moved him without much real experience in the spot.

Dude, really? Ha. I hate this guy and loved Gault. I think what you're telling me is Mariani would need two more KO returns (which he isn't likely to get now) and if he averaged more than 2 yards he'd surpass Gault's average return for his career? That's nuts. I guess Willie stands out in my mind for other things.

The more I watch Forte late this season the more I think the Bears need to try to keep him. But I'm still not committing to huge dollars or more than a few seasons. So it'll be up to Matt as to where he thinks his market value is. I'd let Bennett go at this point so I guess I'm one of the few that generally agrees with you on this thread.

Anybody still feel like defending a $4 million dollar kicker who lost two games in a row for us? Pathetic.

Well, regardless of our disagreement on the W/L issue, I'll grant you this. The Bears appear to be doing things the "right way". You can see the results the Cubs and Blackhawks have achieved by building from the ground up. And yes, while the Cubs were doing that they experienced some ugly years. The Blackhawks moved to the front of the class much more quickly. Football is different and I still believe you can continue to rebuild, retrench and remodel the team while continuing to win and put a team on the field the fans can be proud of. Frankly, despite the record, the Bears have done that this year. And on that point I'm with you.