CrackerDog

I think the team now has something like 43 linebackers signed on it. So there should be some nervous guys who wore numbers in the 50's on their backs last year.

I'm more interested in Virginia's take on this than Vic's. I've got to believe that this type of signing gets blessed at the top and she's a known feminist. I can't believe they'd sign him if she didn't approve. And if she approved, it might mean they have enough data to suggest he's clean. We'll see.

That might be true. But there are thousands of women who never come forward because they know they're going to have their lives torn apart during the trial. So, it's tough man. I tried to be "fair and balanced" in my earlier post but you have to be really careful you don't end up with a serial abuser or rapist on the team. And I'd prefer to err on the side of the woman when there are multiple charges or claims. The Bears better know something we don't or they're going to end Pace's career a lot faster than anyone would like.

Yep. Get it done!

I would assume, based on the article, that he's been able to "prove" his innocence to the Bears or this wouldn't be happening. If they're not 10000% sure on this, the deal better be a one year with no guaranteed money. If they're buying into his innocence, then I'd be OK with a longer deal. But frankly guys, and yes he's deserving of his day in court and innocent until proven guilty, but I don't want anyone on the Bears who could've done these things. The only reason I'm not against this is the earlier call HE placed to 911 which suggests she might be a bit unhinged and he was defending himself. Who knows? You can't simply take one side or the other without knowing more than we do in that article. And him filing a countersuit to try to clear his name tells me something. Has anyone confirmed this is a done deal? The press conference will be interesting because you've got to handle stuff like this perfectly or it goes off the rails real quick.

I just registered here: https://nfldraft.fishsoftware.com/prereg/ If that doesn't work try this: http://www.nfl.com/drafttickets and then click the link they provide. Good luck!

I put my name on the list for tickets but haven't heard anything back. Not sure if they've already dispersed the tickets or not but as of last week they still hadn't.

Dude, that's hardcore! My old man slammed an axe into his forearm somehow and gashed it wide open. I remember him walking into the house putting pressure on the wound with his other hand and telling my mom to drive him to the hospital. I generally try to avoid using an axe.

Yep. Force equals mass times acceleration (Newton's Second Law). The only thing I remember from HS Physics class. So it appears all those hulks moving like they're roadrunners is finally taking it's toll.

I don't think there's any question we're softer than previous generations in many ways. My grandfather got a fishing lure's treble hook set buried in his hands and just ripped it out. No blood! Big chunks of callouses from years of working on the railroad but no blood. Crazy. Old guys from then were rock hard even in their beer bellies! And I won't even go into their mental toughness... With that said, I don't think that would change the instances of head injuries. In fact, because we're better nutritionally (as to speed for our athletes) and bigger those are the traits that I think lead to more injuries of this nature. Bigger bodies, moving faster and colliding. Not a good combo. That's why this is such a huge problem. The players aren't going to get any slower or smaller so....

I think the NFL has all the info they need on the topic. I actually expected better helmet technology to solve the problem but thus far it hasn't. As to concussions, I had a terrible one in 1979 playing 16 inch softball! I was playing first base and stretched for an errant throw down the line and the runner's knee nailed me in the head as I was going down to get the ball. At 50 I still feel occasional pain or numbness in that spot. Don't know if there'll be further affects as I age. I never had a head injury playing football either.

I don't like Cutler the person but think there's more to Cutler the football player than he gets credit for. Only time will tell what his legacy is. I hope for the best for him and the Bears.

My son played 6th, 7th and 8th grade football. When he got to HS I told him it was his choice as to whether he went out for freshman football and told him he'd already earned all of those "dad memories" for me and that it didn't matter. I'm actually glad he chose not to go ahead with football as he'd already experienced a concussion even at those early levels. I'm a huge fan of the game, the old school game. The Doug Plank game. But I totally understand why the changes have been necessary. I don't like the sport as much anymore and do fear it can't survive in it's current form. And it'll only get softer as time goes on. But without a feeder program of young players the professional game is sure to suffer.

I'm just glad one of you "punk kids" does twitter for the group so I don't have to. LOL! Thanks for the update.

Since I had no idea what to expect I'm not surprised by the pace that's been set. I think they've found some helpful FA's thus far and it follows from what we were told early on, you draft the BPA and you make that possible through free agency. The decision to retain Cutler given that their hands were really tied and other options, either through the draft or free agency weren't very good. It wouldn't surprise me if we picked a QB in the 3rd round or later, however. What we don't know, though, is how many of our current players are actually capable of playing in the NFL if they're given solid coaching. I think many last year had high expectations going into the season given what had transpired the year before and how we seemed to shore up the D. Is it possible some of those players can actually do the job for us so we aren't in a mad scramble for serviceable players? If so, we're closer to turning this around than anyone here would've believed after that terrible season last year. Again, our schedule this season is brutal so expecting playoffs in the first season under the new staff is probably a bit much to ask. But I'm cautiously optimistic that this season isn't going to be horrible.

That's pretty damn mature for an internet post. I agree. We all need to move on from our favorite pet bitch and just see what the next generation of Bears leadership brings. This whole clean break thing can apply to many aspects of life!

Based on the way you two reacted I thought there'd be something significant here. This is almost a nothing comment. Now, I'm SURE we'll hear Brandon go off in the future but this just didn't get me nearly as pissed as I thought it would. Just wait.

It had Cutler's head on it. I found it disturbing but definitely NOT sexist.

For this reason I like the signing. Oh, and Conte being back with Lovie is just a cherry on top of the sundae.

Honestly don't know what BB would do but I think, after all the FA's picks are in, we'll either target a DT or speed WR. Not sure if that means we trade back or not but those are two spots we can still help ourselves. If we don't yet get Pork Chop Pot Roast we'll probably go DT. If we do and we think we've got something on the roster for speed WR, then I could see us just going BPA.

If you put enough B+ players on the field at the same time, you'll get an A+ defense with some Pro-Bowlers on it. Particularly if they're well coached.

IMO this is about nothing more than sending a clear signal, rallying the troops, etc. It had to be said even if it was obvious that they didn't have much in the way of options. Since rumors were out there they took a leadership position on it and killed the rumors. It isn't unlike Lovie's "Rex is our Quarterback" statement but somehow it seems different. At the end of the day, the contract, the holes elsewhere and the lack of other viable options in the draft/FA make this a no brainer. And Jay's prior experience with Gase should pay dividends. All I know is Jay has ZERO left in terms of excuses. I was his biggest backer for a while and it's clear to me that he's let everyone down and played a role in getting two head coaches fired. This coaching regime will be standing after jay Cutler is an afterthought on this team so he either gets his shit together ASAP or we'll be moving on without him.

We'll have to seen if that holds true but it could be. I'm not sold on Rolle anyway but as a spot-gap, maybe it's a good signing. We'll see about that too! Lot's of what-ifs playing out right now...

Best accidentally humorous post in a LONG time.

I was thinking the same thing. But he didn't do the deals, just brought in some of the talent.