Alaskan Grizzly

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000052...-was-all-in-fun Perhaps you heard about McCarthy spouting off about what will inevitability hold true? What troubles me is not that he said it but how it appears he feels he has to apologize for saying it. What happened to the days of posting comments like this on the bulletin board for motivating our team to prove him wrong? Or to simply challenge us (Bears) in bringing our A game rather than suck like we've done for the last 10-11 games? Heck like the article points out, Fox even admits to a degree that McCarthy is right or least substantiated in his bravado. This sport is barbaric in nature and has no room for politeness. You think the late great Art Donovan ever apologized for some of his comments?

You are correct. And not to belabor this anymore than necessary BUT the same point was made about Urlacher when he was let go. Although he wasn't able to perform as he once did, he was still a leader on the team. He wore the "C" for many years. Many here couldn't wait to see him go for whatever reason, mostly due to his outward attitude. So there in that comparison we compare the two. External perception: similar. Internal leadership qualities: Unknown. Diminished/lacking skills to maintain/be All Pro: Wash.

Actually I believe they are. That was pointed out in one article regarding this choice for Captains. Gould arrived in 2005 and Forte and Cutler arrived in 2008. Seeing McPhee and Rolle as the defensive captains leads me to believe they were chosen more for their overall seniority (Rolle) and respectibility for performance already (McPhee). Otherwise you'd be picking a rookie or second year player just about anywhere else on the defense. Save Ratliff - who is serving a few game suspensions. Edit: and thinking more on this wonder why Allen would not be chosen? Is it because he's not considered a starter? Which I think is requisite.

I think it more a combination of the fact the QB is "supposed" to be the team leader and everyone has the unknown anxiety of a new season ahead of them. This is a chance for Jay to prove me and other doubters wrong by stepping and taking the challenge. Both as a team leader and legitimate QB.

So it begins...again. Bowles should thank Rex Ryan for leaving the circus tent up when he left for Buffalo. I was waffling back and forth about BM leaving but this confirms it was for the best. Other than maybe there is some sort of malingering effect on AJ.

Hmm... You think he has anything left? A bit long in tooth isn't he? For some reason when I think Jake Long I think Michael Oher. Was great at one time but now??? Better than what we have? Could be...

Confirmed. Work visa issue. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/...n=chicago-bears

Now there's something about him sitting out week one due to contract concerns. A lot of this I assume (hope) is that since not much concrete has been said the media is taking liberties.

There is something weird going on with AJ. Don't buy he's injured anymore. Wonder if there isn't something more sinister(?)

Might not be a bad idea. Comes from a decent pedigree and has done well in the CFL. Why not? He only lost out because the Colts are deep at WR. Speaking of, Reggie Wayne is in the market too. And saw Isaiah Battle was released by the Rams. Picked up in the supplemental drafts and a few of us here discussed him coming to Chicago. Maybe a Guard filler?

And then we find out Bass is being let go. Who to me looks and plays very similar to Young. Still hate to see Willie go.

NO NOT SWEET WILLIE!!!!! They should rid themselves of Houston before Willie...IMHO

Were those against the opposing team's 1st string or their scrubs? That does make a difference....

Still don't know where anyone is getting Foster did well enough to stay on the team. He never started a preseason game (unless he did last night) and never played with the 'ones' on D. SMC and Jones did and both did pretty good throughout. The fact that Mason was cut before Bostic should tell you something that wasn't obvious.

Yeah I'll admit ignorance when it comes to teams having to commit to players expensive contracts if they are cut. (I thought for some reason he would only be paid whatever a new contract was negotiated). But for the similar reasons I didn't want the Bears to sign Mathis (overpriced) would qualify this one for a pass as well.

And not to pile on but if they (ATL) have invested a lot on their secondary this last year AND their new HC is Dan Quinn (architect of Legion of Boom) and still didn't make the team. This guy might not be worthy of considering.

Pretty good perspective. Have to say I agree, especially about Jay. http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post...in-over-chicago

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/...r-andy-levitre/ Traded from Tennessee to Atlanta. Where he'll be in a "zone blocking" scheme. Hmmm...where have I heard that phrase before? Oh well....

Just read up on him and it sounds like from May - Sept 2014 he had his 2nd and 3rd knee surgery. I see Henry Melton similarities in this one. Lots of potential but derailed by a knee injury. And Henry only had the one surgery that I recall. ---Pass----

The same Khaseem Greene that was previously of the Bears? Uhm... No. I think the team needs to look for a serviceable Guard or Tackle., depending on what they decide to do with Long. And after that maybe a WR.

He's referring to the game the previous week that the Pats played against Baltimore. In that game the Pats won by a slimmer margin. And assuming Brady cheated in that game like he did with the Colts the following week, that may have made enough a difference for the Pats to win. Had it not, the Colts and Ravens would've her playing in the AFC Championship.

Did they play that new QB at all? Weird seeing you guys mention a bunch of names I've hardly heard until tonight. Based on that alone it would sound like these were our starters. Haha.... Who played QB for Cle? McCown or Johnny Money?

On the one hand I'm glad its over...or should be soon. On the other, I can't help think that Brady 'got away with it' or will. Unfortunately, as Cracker alluded to, Goodell has managed to flounder through his tenure as Commish and this ruling is a more a testament to that than anything. From what I recall hearing on a recent airing of "Mike and Mike" they said the judge in this matter generally ruled in the favor of the NFL. So for him to break 'tradition' tells you that he wasn't sold on the NFL's case. Although we may not agree, the CBA these guys (the players in general) signed off on gave Gooddell (Commissioner in general) a lot of decision making ability. One of which was for him not only to hear a case and make a judgment, like this, but also act as arbitrator...of sorts. Unfortunately they (NFLPA and judge) seemed to think Goodell didn't allow enough 'due process' (which to me is BS) hence why I think we see the judgment today. I'm not at all happy the smug Brady and compatriots got away with it but am glad the distraction will soon be over.

He could be the new "Tractor Traylor" (without the 'r')

Agreed, like I said to Cracker's response I could care less about the media's 'feelings' but obviously not being an insider, that's really the only way for me (the fan) to get the info. But as far as trusting the organization, I really do have a ton of respect for Fox and to the same extent Gase and Fangio because of their reputation. I mean to say this is the first time in Bears history they've hired an experienced NFL HC says a lot. I've seen what he can do and has done with other teams and hope he can do it here too. I'm just not patient enough to wait until next year or the year after for it to happen.