Alaskan Grizzly

Yep. I saw the same things that both you and Ashkum saw. And agree totally that he's grasping that role, at least outwardly.

Very good point. And they made similar comments about Bryce Callahan and how well he played despite his background. I'm encouraged for the teams future based on what I'm seeing thus far. Reminds me a little of how Seattle built itself up about 4-5 years ago. And at the risk of being burned (Jason), I'd like to see more of Mariani playing out of the slot. He may not be all that flashy in the return game but he made some nice catches last night and certainly looks like he could play the Amendola,Welker, Edelman role in the slot. Speaking of return men, when are they going to give Smith a shot at it?

At the risk of hurting Hustla's sensitive proclivities (because I'm going negative for a minute) but not sure how you can see that AJ was "pulled". If you look at the video from the game he made a decisive cut TO HIS LEFT as if to catch the ball inside. If, as you suggested, he was "pulled" inside I think we would have seen him turn right and would have been facing more to his right looking over his right shoulder while FALLING to his left. Whether or not there was contact between he and the defender, in this instance, is of no consequence. Gruden even pointed out that AJ and Cutler had done this same play five times the week prior when playing Minnesota. In fact Gruden further pointed out that Verrette (who had presumably been studying film) said he was going to jump that route. And guess what...he did. Sweet top it all you want, Cutler made an error. This doesn't completely debunk your theory but here's a comment from Cutler in the Chicago Tribune. "I felt like (Jeffery) got pulled (inside) a little bit," Cutler said. "I put the ball where I wanted it. It should have been a completion." The way I see it you should be asking how do you translate; "...I put the ball where I wanted"? I know, I know most of you will point out that 'yeah but..this or that' I'm just telling you what I saw and have been seeing. This from an ESPN tweet earlier today: "Jay Cutler has the 2nd most turnovers (160) since 2007. Eli Manning has the most with 181." Thing to note here is that Eli has two SB wins in that timeframe. I know, I know... 'But Lovie didn't do this, and Emery did this, and Webb sucked, and on and on....' Again apologists aside, it is what it is. I've said it once I'll say it again, others (QB's) have faced as much or more adversity and still managed to do more. So looking at this last week's competition; San Diego. Formerly ranked 2-6 and now 2-7 where did they rank in total defense? 20th. Where do the next three opponents rank? The Rams (5th), Denver (1) and GB (23rd). I might add Cutler is 1-11 versus GB in the last 12 meetings (or something similar). Anyhow, my point that if he plays as well as he has been as of late, against respectable teams without making these potentially game changing mistakes then maybe I'll back down my rhetoric and doubt. Shifting my thinking to the positive, if only for a minute. From the same Tribune article I referred to earlier, this from Jeffery right after that interception: "When we came to the sideline, I told Jay on the next play we just need a go route. I don't care what the coverage is. Let's go right back at him." On the next snap, Cutler went back to Jeffery, back at Verrett, connecting on a deep ball up the right sideline for 47 yards." To that end, I'm very encouraged that Cutler did not give up. I'm glad he persevered and played to the last whistle. As a fan, that's all I can ask for. He did good. And admittedly is looking more comfortable in Gase's system...against weaker teams. These next few weeks will be a true test. And no Hustla, Stringer or anyone else who insists I'm "hoping" for Jay to screw up, I'm not.

Not having a 'pick six' might have made a difference too. ?

Not having a 'pick six' might have made a difference too.

Nice one kiddo. ? I'm not sure why you insist on saying I wish Cutler would f*ck up. I don't have to, he nearly every time does it at the most inopportune time. And when he does ... Boy oh boy. But I suppose it if it makes you feel better to think that way keep it up skippy. Whatever you need to do to cope. I suppose it's better than thumb sucking.

Yep

Why are you such a buffoon?

Hes baaaackkkk!

Looking good so far!

I was looking for that article and found something else intriguing in the Tribune that I didn't know before. Apparently Gase was also a candidate for the SF HC job but didn't like the management "heavy-handedness" and wanted to keep Fangio on as DC but they weren't interested. He ultimately chose Chicago as did Vic. It would seem viable that we could lose both in a manner of ways.

I don't care how you dice it. You NEVER EVER throw games to get better draft picks. That's absolutely ridiculous.

My two cents. I think a lot of it is based on last year in a lot of ways. Most realized the abysmal condition our team was in and since Fox has come in and despite being 2-5, the team is a more "respectable" 2-5 (if you can say that) than their record indicates. Most of the losses have been minimal not blowouts. Throw in that the defense, although completely re-engineered from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and has a ton of youth has a lot of weight . And they are still holoding their own. I think and continuing to use last year as a gauge names like Pace and Fangio, who were both front runners, haven't really hurt their stock. (Some may consider Gase a wunderkid or miracle worker for the reasons you list). Especially if they manage the team to .500 (or better) record. Then all bets are off. So yes we can probably expect our team will get a lot of scrutiny for the remainder of the year. One quick last thought. I'm of the opinion that there may be an agreement of some sort between Fox and Gase and Bears management that allows Gase to become HC when Fox retires. Not sure exactly when that will be whether it's this year or next. But something I've considered since they interviewed Gase last year for the HC job and despite not getting it still came over as OC.

Update: trade deadline came and went...in a fizzle. (Unless you consider Vernon Davis going to Denver a big deal - my family does as many of them are in the Denver area). FWIW I'm glad neither AJ nor especially Forte were traded as speculated. Moving on...

....and today they release their former #1 back Randle as one report puts it; "too much baggage". Instead they're putting faith in oft-injured Darren McFadden to carry the load at RB. Weird. What a "show" indeed.

Props to Jay. Good to have AJ back.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS KYLE FULLER KID?!?!

Krikey!!!! Sign im up mate!!!

Nah I'll pass. It was more in jest anyhow. I'm of the opinion he's here to stay *sigh*. Love him or leave him... I have to learn to accept it... And drink more. Fortunately I have lots of faith in Fox's ability as a coach. He's like the Tums to Cutlers ulcer. ? But i do like Ashkums proposal for Forte. Makes sense to me. Was watching highlights of Hester today and thinking as one dimiensional as he was, he was a huge piece to our offense 'back in the day'. Now someone who actually is more than one dimensional (Forte) is someone they would consider losing. He has too many attributes to simply let go...IMHO.

You're off by one position when you say this.... Who also happens to be in the backfield. Happy Halloween! ?

I was going to say, wasn't he leading the league in rushing at some point just before the bye? Another reason I hate the thought of him leaving. I was comparing him to Payton the other day where like Walter, Matt carries the offense for most of his years then just before his leaving the league the team makes it to the Super Bowl and wins. Except in this version Matt would score at least once in the big game.

What if Indy would do a deal where we get Luck and they get Cutler and our 2nd for next year? ?

Coming soon. Of the current Bears there are three names that I see pop up here and there. Forte, Jeffery and Cutler. Obviously Forte is the most logical (although I personally would hate it) as there are several teams in need of star RB. The article below makes it sound viable especially when you consider Denver and "our" apparent new familiarity of one another. And the way it appears Langford is gaining trust with the staff it makes Matt even more expendable. Haven't heard much about Jeffery as of late but admittedly could see him being dangled, especially if the team loses this weekend. And yes I did see some mention of Cutler as a possibility for trade to a team like Houston.... who is in definite need of something viable. I fear Matt could be gone next week but here's to hoping not. http://www.sportsworldreport.com/articles/...t-rb-future.htm

Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it was synthetic in nature. IE: Meth, Spice of Bath Salts. Seems common behavior foe at least some of them.

When I first heard this story break I instantly recalled the Belcher / Chiefs incident from a few years ago. Sad indeed. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8697360/...cide-police-say