Alaskan Grizzly

Was watching a replay of a recent broadcast from CSN Chicago(?) where a panel (to include Arkush) were discussing some Bears news. Mostly it was about whether the Bears would win this weekend against the Colts. Anyhow a couple comments from Arkush caught my interest. I'm not as familiar with him as some of you are and was curious about what you know of him. Anyhow the first comment he made was that no team should ever 'tank' a game just to do better in the draft. (Something I'd agree with wholeheartedly). He went on to say that "no team in the NFL would ever do that." And that doing so is a "disease". The second comment was a bit more intriguing. He said he has a suspicion that Pace is not really running the operation of the team as they (Fox and Pace) had indicated earlier on. That being that Pace was in charge of getting the 53 man roster assembled and Fox was in charge of the coaching staff and whatever '53' were given. Arkush believes that Fox is "running roughshod" of the team. Leading me to believe that he (Arkush) thinks Fox could be the one making a mess of things. Agree / disagree? Being all this way in Alaska, I'm a bit removed from the day to day of what is the Bears and look forward to insight from those closer in. And by the by; my parents currently live in the Indy area so there's a bit of mini rivalry in place. They've been there since before the '06 Super Bowl. -ugh-

I'll be curious to see what happens when Jays thumb gets healed.

I love me some Jacoby Glenn!!!

Hello Robbie? Are you still out there? Please come back!!!!

Yes. A dominating defense has always been a piece of the Bears for as long as I can remember. Would hope that Fangio could one day restore that to match his rough exterior.

This is more a story of levity while we head into week 4 against the Lions. So you recall a few weeks ago we were discussing Fangios recent 'call out' of Leonard Floyd? And how some thought it might have been a bit harsh? Apparently Coach Fox was out with a bug yesterday and Fangio took on the un-enviable task of talking to the media about various things. The particular subject at hand was the health of Jay Cutler. "After answering questions for more than 10 minutes about the Bears defense, Fangio was asked if he had an update to give on the health of quarterback Jay Cutler. "No, I don't have an update to give you," Fangio said. "Want me to make one up?" Personally I love it. That to me is Bears Football...or at least a part of it.

Not for nothing but Pace doesn't appear to be holding up to well (at least in pics/still shots I've seen lately). I saw a Twitter post of he and Joique Bell during Bells signing and Pace looks like a shell of his former self. Also saw some shots during the game last week with Dallas and again he just seems out of it. I'm guessing the strain of the teams lackluster performance is getting the best of him. I wonder aloud if we don't see him gone this year especially if things don't look up. I wouldn't say I agree with the thought, just that I think it possible.

I'm with Chile on this (and I'm without the liquid levity). It is embarrassing to be considered as possibly the worst team. I keep holding out hope that they'd 'get it' but suddenly they find themselves missing half the team due to injury and any ground gained previously is lost. The conspiracist in me always wonders if there really are that many injuries or is there some sort of silent protest going on? Or does our team have that bad of luck? If it were practically any other coach than John Fox I'd have thrown in the towel but if for no other reason I still have a glimmer of hope that the team will somehow manage to at least look respectable at some point this year.

Maybe not a bad add. Has had flashes of brilliance but if I remember correctly has had a history of injury. Where would we be if we have Forte one more year?

Yeah that's awesome. Thanks for sharing. Did he say whether he was ready to play again?

Is it too late to forfeit?

You think it'll be that close? Sheesh. I hope so!! Thank goodness for rum and coke!

Yeah was sorta wondering the same thing when I saw his name pop up a few days ago. Another RB in the active roster? Trying to spread out the 'by committee' thing? Maybe after seeing Howard succeed where Langford hadn't started some murmurs?

Before I fall into some sort of trap, what type of ground rules are there to this discussion? For example; question one. You ask me when have the Bears had a good OL. I know, in my many, many discussions with you on that very subject that we will never agree on what constitutes a good OLine. Nor will we ever agree with how to build one. So for me to answer that loaded question, I'm being set up for failure. My answer to that question, knowing the subjective nature, is that the team has tried on several occasions to get him the Oline help you thought he deserved. Whether it be through FA (O. Pace, Bushron and Sitton) or drafting (Long, Whitehair or Grasu). They have done it recently with what I outlined just a few days ago. Short of drafting an Olineman in the first round every year, they have not met your expectations. I might add some interesting tidbits of info (besides the discussion we had last year about the Cowboys all 1st round talented Oline and Romo's two injuries) that the Dolphins currently have four 1st round drafted Olinemen and "ranked 28th in run blocking and 24th in pass protection" (Football Outsiders). PFF ranked them 31st last year and dead last the year before. Why is that? I'm not sure how to answer the question of 'how many OC's is too many' but I can tell you this, in looking for comparisons; Joe Flacco (who is currently paired with Marc Trestman - yes that Marc Trestman) has had four OC coordinators in the last 5 years and gone to the playoffs twice and won the Super Bowl. So I'm not sure how justifying it would be if I said 'more than one'? I might also point out that of the two years Trestman was the HC, Josh McNown looked like a Pro Bowl level QB in his system where Cutler played like...well Cutler. Uhmmm... What was Lovie's forte again? Defense right? Perhaps one of the best defense minded coaches out there(?) It's safe to say that the majority of the Bears' winning seasons these last number of years were due to Lovie Smith's defenses. Jay Cutler played in about 2/3 of those seasons. For the last question, as you tighten the filter of qualifying responses, I'd be remiss to try and assist you in what you seek. Because my answer would be simply; Cutler is an NFL franchise QB making more than NFL franchise QB money so not having everything line up perfectly shouldn't matter. But to you, I know it does. Do me a favor and read the article I attached below. It pretty much outlines all the points you bring up..and then some. http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/1150532...ever-just-right

The same Urlacher that called Jay a "p**sy" when he played for the team?

Oh brother. I use the Rodgers comparison and its 'how dare you'. Then told that Rodgers is in a totally different class. So I guess you proved that point. In fact it's that very comparison how Rodgers is able to produce despite a bad Oline. Problem is when Cutler does this type of play it turns into turnovers a higher percentage of the time.

You and Cutler were made for each other.

Most of what you wrote is absolutely ridiculous and desperate. Try watching the games in their entirety rather than focusing on one or two plays ..and repeating it over and over. Cutler is mediocre on his best day. Plain and simple. The stats support it, his career supports it and his lack of winning anything significant supports it . He's had 10 years to prove it despite all the various excuses you or anyone else offers. And still he's average..if that

Yet again there's excuses being offered for Cutlers poor play. I stopped reading the article but did they explain why when in the grasp Cutler decided to try and chuck it ahead of him but instead lost control of the ball? That's not a play you usually see a 10 year vet do. That's more indicative of someone who is a rookie and panics.

I lost track of the posts and submitted my thoughts on McPhees reaction on another string. But simply put, McPhee has every right to challenge Cutler. Cutler has never held back in the past about challenging coaches and players on the field for what he perceived they did wrong. (Whether or not they did is the basis for many a debate). And the fact McPhee is in street clothes makes no matter. Last I checked he's still on the 53 man roster and at one time he was chosen to be a team captain. That's his job. If you or I don't like it... Oh well.

Right on brother Mad! Something to consider. I believe in Fox and Fangio. Mostly because Fox has 'been there, done that'. He's made it to two SBs with less talented QBs than Jay. Well I guess one year was with Peyton BUT he did have success with a former QB known as Tebow. Even getting. As far as the playoffs with him. Now I know my slant on Cutler had been negative so what comes next may seem prejudicial. However the talent they are trying to develop, especially on the defense, is being affected (adversely) by Cutlers play. Turnovers in the redzone and turnovers for TDs will never help you defense. Especially one that is still trying to learn their way. Not to mention repeated three and outs...all together just doesn't help. Your offensive talent, with Cutler leading the way, has limited capability because of his adverse play. What's more, when he commits a turnover and looks like he could give two shits after doing it, I can't blame someone like McPhee getting upset. I don't care if he's in street clothes or not. He wears (or did) a C on his shirt because his teammates picked him for it. That's what leaders do, motivate in the face of adversity. If you were offended by what McPhee said or did, oh well. Cutler being called out by other players or coaches is nothing new. After some time as it seems to be repeated you have to wonder if there isn't something valid there. None of us here punching away at their keyboards have been in those locker rooms the last few years. All we can do is speculate. With a near perfect .500 record you can certainly see why he's being challenged for not being better.

pernell rips cutler This is evidence of someone who cares versus someone who doesn't. You decide who's who.

Do you ever notice that you almost always comment after me? Bromance much? ?

I think you've missed the point in this. Jason's claim is the Bears have done almost nothing to protect Jay cutler. I was showing how that was inaccurate. They drafted at least one (?) OLman in the top three positions of the last few drafts with the very intent to build a young oline and protect Jay and whatever QB later for years to come. Even when injuries came late in the preseason they signed a very suddenly available Sitton who has had a string of Pro Bowls on his resume. I think it safe to assume their every intent was to not only protect Jay but allow him to play efficiently . So far the injuries and Jays (predictable) erratic play have countered those plans.

I was one of the first to praise exuberantly when Jay came to town. In fact I remember it well as it was near my bday and I was thinking what a cool 'gift' it was. I even defended him against those that questioned his toughness during that fateful championship game. He's a tough guy, I won't ever take that away from him. But it was shortly after that I started to believe the nay sayers. I saw the 'Jekyll and Hyde' of his tendencies to play lights out one game only to implode the following game. I saw him throw into double and triple coverage (knowing SOMEONE has to be open). I saw him throw an INT to that fat DT on the Bills a few years ago and very nearly to the biggest of them all, Vince Wilfork just a few days ago. I saw him help DeAngelo Hall tie the record of 4 INTs in one game and I saw him almost literally help GB win some of their games with the repeated failures in the red zone and the turnovers everywhere else. I got to a point where I thought enough was enough. Coaches have come and gone. Coordinaters and receivers too. Two constants remain. Losses and Jay Cutler.