Alaskan Grizzly

That explains why during a presser earlier today Cutler said he'd have "Slaus" back at center this week. I was wondering about that. And for the record I like this Slauson dude. Good 'high character' guy and he's from Nebraska. Go Huskers.

Was reading a presser today that upon Ratliff's release from Chicago, that precipitated the team to call Dallas on a precautionary nature. Given the volatility of the release, Ratliff's history with Dallas and apparently still maintaining a residence near Dallas' training facility... made sense. Have to hand it to Pace, Fox and some degree McCaskey with their dealing with not only Ratliff but with McDonald earlier this season. Although some would argue that the McDonald situation was nearly self-inflicted, they still addressed it rather than let it malinger. And with Ratliff they addressed it rapidly rather than let it make a mess of a very 'young' and relatively inexperienced locker room. Unlike in Dallas where not only are they allowing a proven ass like Hardy act the way he is, they are nearly congratulating him by talking an extension. How completely ludicrous!!! I think given the current state of the NFL and how sensitive 'off the field issues' has become, this is a well defined moment (to the positive) for our team and what they're trying to do.

Interesting character this Ratliff guy. On the one hand a multiple pro-bowl player with boat loads of experience. But underneath it all there was something that just seemed 'off'. I recall when he first left the Cowboys and officially changed his name from Jay to Jeremiah. There was an locker room interview, I believe, where someone referred to him as Jay and he sorta went off about how he no longer was Jay and should be called Jeremiah. That could be just a glimmer of what percolated. And for him to come in after being suspended for the first four games and being on thin ice already pull this? That is if there truly was a 'verbal altercation'. Going with the youth movement and that they are being successful, so far, with it. This makes more sense on the surface.

Yep. There is hardly a player on any team that can match up one on one with Megatron, let alone cover him. My wife and I commented during the game that about the only one we saw constantly stand a chance was Peanut.

Maybe I should've titled the string "Ryan Pace - I'm a big fan" Keep it coming Ryan...nice work so far.

Looks like we migh have ourselves a gem in the making. He doesn't wilt in run defense which is a huge attribute. Check out Thayer's analysis of he and fellow rookie Langford's impressive play. Thayers playbook And I just read that Detroit's RB Zach Zenner was lost to IR after breaking four ribs and a collapsed lung. Because of a collision with Amos. http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/..._partially.html

Mostly 'also rans' QBs it looks. What is the basis for these stats? Beginning of this year? Which Manning is that? Where are Rodgers, Brady, the other Manning, Ryan - presumably in the top 18? Of these guys what's the TD:INT ratio?

Whether this was when it happened or later in the game it appears Fox is taking the blame. http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/10...arter-runs-call Saw that he was sorta second guessing his own clock management as well. And from what I read this isn't new for him. Allegedly he did this last year with the Broncos when they were playing the Rams. They ended up losing and Peyton was said to be pretty pissed about it.

On the other hand...

What were you hoping for me to say? And yeah, the "play calling" in the red zone is the problem. Right....

I see why Detroit is 0-5. Man talk about offering up every opportunity in the world.

Hey Adam, you or another Admin need to delete Terras posts immediately.

What Coach Fox and more specifically Coach Fangio are doing with the defense is amazing. To not only completely change the style of defense from 4-3 to 3-4 and do it SUCCESSFULLY with as many young players as the team has is pretty incredible. This is a top 5 defense right now, AND of the veterans he has he's doing it with players from other teams some who have played 3-4 and some who haven't. Talk about pure coaching. Looking forward to see what HJQ has in store for his first official start.

Another curious thing related to this is that I read somewhere that there is an open spot on the 53 man roster (maybe two now) which makes one wonder... When's the trade deadline again?

At the risk of being labeled a "troll"... http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/tracy-porter-player-injuries Perhaps he's not playing at the moment with a bad hammy he certainly has a history of it. And more to my point is that these guys (Porter and Cutler) are playing regardless of their positions where AJ is not. And as I said earlier he's got a history of injury. all that equals him being labeled as a risk, fair or not. Sitting out doesn't help his case.

Completely agree. As Connor said though, there is next to no way he gets big money. Even if he does come back and help the team keep winning. This is not the first time he's had nagging injuries in his short career.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...1012-story.html So, where does the team stand? When you have players like Porter and Cutler (yes I said Cutler) who can somehow play "hurt" with a bad hammy...this continues with AJ? I know he needs to be near 100% to be really effective but c'mon! Theoretically since he's not doing much now he won't have much value come 'new contract' or when other teams come sniffing.

Well said.

Saw an article where they speculate Smith was signed to keep from risking Carey and Langford in STs. But a lot of comments, preumably from Falcons fans, say they really wish he hadn't left Atl. We may have a diamond on the rough if he stays healthy. Also saw that injury you mentioned and also broke his leg to boot.

So I wonder what the connection is to Atlanta RB cast offs? In reading up on Smith it looks as though he left Atlanta on an "injury settlement" last year. Any word on what that injury was? He seems to be similar to Rodgers in some ways, not just from being a former Falcon, but does well in STs and is shorter (5'9") for a RB. He had a 4.33 / 40 in the combine so yes speed is his thing. Speaking of Atlanta castoffs, heard Roddy White is not happy and could be available just before the trade deadline. Edit: looks like I was a day late and a dollar short. He's changed his tune... http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/...his-whole-life/

Stinger I know I'm wasting my time in doing this but if you'd look at the body of what I've written you'd understand, or at least comprehend, my point. I'm glad he did well today. Have never said I wanted to be "right". Please get that idea out of your head. All I'm asking for is him to keep up the winning trend. Not revert to sloppy play. History has proven that to be true.

For the sake of argument and because most of my "beef" is based on historical play of Jay, I'll give it to you. He played well TODAY, yes. Against a defense that may or may not be better than their record shows. The only litmus test is if this continues. Jay must prove he's the QB you and a few others THINK he is before I'll buy in. Until then I'll stay critical. At the risk of hurting Jason and Hustla's sensitivities. A lot of why our team won is because Fox and crew know what they're doing. Like Jay said, they're on the verge of something special. "I hope to be there when they do (turn that corner)." (According to John Lynch during in game commentary).

Nope not kidding. They've were ranked 29th in the NFL going in. Allowing 397 yards per game. *source ChicagoBears.com And here: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef They're ranked at the bottom in most stat providers. Yes they have a lot of "former" pro bowlers but it means nothing when you're overall defense is ranked at the bottom. Look no further than Seattle and you'll find a team 2-3 (just like Chicago) despite all they're recent success.

YES YES YES YES WHat has he DONE? Look back the last 10 years and tell me WHAT HAS HE DONE? Except can you do it without all the feeble excuses you make every time? You're like some sort of conspirist. I usually give you more credit. Look, today was sweet I won't deny it. It's good to see he and the team play like they did. The fact is KC isn't all that good a team. They were 1-3 going into today and rated at the bottom of the NFL in defense. Offsetting all that was the fact the Bears were playing with a bunch of second and third string players. Like I said before if he can keep it up I'll be even more impressed.

You are an idiot. Glad to see Jay play like he should ALWAYS be playing. Congratulations Jay on a clutch win. Now keep up the momentum and maybe I'll be a lover too.