Alaskan Grizzly

On the one hand you have to read it as he's making a statement, although bold, that he's going to come back better than last year. For that you have to like his resolve. But.....given how he's hurt himself doing what he was doing when he did it...and thus far not played anywhere near his expectation...I'm more in line with you.

Was picked up by the Rams yesterday. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000050...plemental-draft

You can't argue with the idea that guys are getting themselves ready, on their own time, and not waiting until training camp to start training. Props to all involved. I feel this year will be special.

Good for Jay. To some degree I'm glad to see douchebag Bennett there too. I saw another write up about how AJ opted to work out with Marshall instead of go to Vanderbilt. It was written in a manner that suggested there was (or could be) a rift developing between AJ and Cutler. Gotta say as much as I dislike Cutler sometimes, this seems cheap. http://dawindycity.com/2015/07/09/is-alsho...ing-jay-cutler/ http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-footb...randon-marshall

I think a lot of that is due to the young players already on Defense. Fuller, Bostic, Jones, Sutton, Ferguson, Vereen and added Goldman and Amos this year. And throw in the 'marquee' signing of McPhee and adding respected veteran Rolle you don't have much more that really is needed. The youngsters from last year I don't think had a fair assessment due to Tucker's inept ability so this will prove a test for Fangio and his relatively high rating in the coaching world to see if he can bring it all together.

I'm surprisingly optimistic about next season. Mostly due to John Fox's success at turning teams around on a relatively quick timeframe. In Carolina he took a 1-15 team the year prior and managed a 7-9 record in 2002. The following year (2003) he was able to lead Carolina to the Super Bowl. In 2011 he was hired in Denver to take over a team that had finished the year prior at 4-12 and took the team to an 8-8 record which was good enough for the playoffs. Something to note was that Fox did that mostly with (or should I say 'despite') Tebow as his staring QB. His measured success for the remaining three years in Denver could be more to the success of having Peyton Manning on the team...or could it? I have huge doubt that Cutler is going to find the proverbial 'fountain of QB ability' and suddenly rise up as you suggest. What I believe will happen is that Gase will work some magic of his own and design an offense less reliant on QB play and more dependent on the other skill positions. That's why I think Forte, Langfor, Carey, M. Bennett, and probably Royal will all have hallmark years. Cutler (I hope) will be relegated to a Kyle Orton-esque game manager. If he deviates from that design we'll see Jimmy Clausen starting. Chicago is too loaded with talent on offense to not do better. Fox has done more with less and I'm fairly certain he'll once again lead the Bears to a great turnaround this upcoming year. Probably better than most of us have expected.

So curiosity got the best of me. Why an expected low ceiling for White? Unless you're considering Cutler as the sole reason for it then it's more understandable. However, I suspect there is more to it.

I'm actually referring more to players like Ola, Leno (both last year draft picks) Fabujule, Grasu (this years draftees), Groy and heck even Slausen. He's only a five year guy after all. Hey interesting trivia: both Slausen and Ducasee played for the Jets in 2010. Slausen actually beat out Ducasee for one of the starting guard positions that year. *so says Wikipedia.

I actually think Cutler could be a good short yardage passer. As I pointed out in another post Bennett had a pretty decent year last year. I think where Cutler falters (besides the inability to audibilize) is the long game especially if he thinks about it. With Royal at the SR position something tells me Cutler will actually look good this year. Well and that he'll be asked to think less...hence the uptick in running production. One person that keeps getting lost in all the oline talk is Slausen. He's still capable of being huge piece of the line if he manages to stay healthy. Last year was the first year he didn't manage to start a full year in his 5 year career. Another reason I'm not big on Evan Mathis. Don't need him and his questionable injury(?) past. And want for big money.

Have to say I like this idea. Build from within. No need for Mathis.

Man, where do I start? Gut instinct tells me both Rolle and Royal are going to have big years. And for some reason Langford keeps popping into my conscious. Rolle is Rolle, been a PBer and probably has at least one or two more years of that potential in him. I really think playing with Mundy again will make him solid (can't explain it outside of familiarity). Yes I said Royal. Despite my disbelief in Cutler I think this might play right into his stronger suits (Cutlers). IMHO he's actually better at the short game when he doesn't have to think too much about the longer options downfield. Take Martellus' productive year as a prime example. Royal strikes me as a clutch receiver best suited for the SR especially with Cutler throwing to him. (I find it humorous that for the last few years Royal played with Cutler's nemesis in Rivers. If you recall 'back in the day' Cutler and Rivers were always good for a few 'words' exchanged during the game.) I think Langford will do well because something tells me that the team will do a lot of running this year. To get the most (that they can) out of Cutler they're probably going to follow the model that Dallas went with last year. That means more running. The difference is in Chicago they don't have Murray (or do they?). As mentioned previous Langford is very similar to Forte in his running style and catch out of the backfield. Add in his youth and something tells me he's going to do big things for the team. Outside of that (and staying within the 'new' parameter) I suspect Acho will pan out fine too. Lastly, I think Jared Allen will have a big year.

I meant how was he rated despite only playing 9 games? What the heck are the rest of the OGs doing in the league? It appears he's trying for a money grab knowing he's very near the end of his career. Too rich for us. If they wanted to give him a $1-3 million no guarantee deal - maybe.

This was a solid signing plain and simple. I like that although he's older he's smart enough to make the transition and help many young players (and others learning new schemes) be where they need. Even if he's not on the field all season he's still a huge value signing because of his leadership ability. Although, and in comparing him to another ballyhooed senior player - Mathis, Rolle has at least started almost every season he's played. So durability with Rolle isn't really a question. One other intangible I think is that he could be paired with Mundy. Since they've got history together that could prove exceptionally more valuable. Mundy was easily one of the most underrated players on the team last year.

So how did he rate last year? Looks like he only managed to play 9 games last season. Why is that? Interestingly enough of his 12 years he's only managed 2 complete seasons (starting 16 games 2012 and 2013). And 2 more where he started 15. So of his whole career he hasn't started a full season for 50% of his career. Perhaps that's why he's still sitting around waiting for a contract? Wants too much money AND he's 33 AND he was hurt last year AND may have consistency issues?

Data is only as good as the intended point of its collection. If you simply don't agree with it then yes it is incorrect... In your eyes. But if I favor it then it's correct. It's perception... That's all. If you had some solid undeniable truth that what you say is true about Cutler being able to excel behind a "solid" Oline, then I'm all ready to see it. I would be willing to barter that you could put all your "1st round" all pro starting line in front of Cutler and somehow, someway hell screw up. Unless he pulls a Tony Romo ala 2014 and is asked to hand the ball off way more than pass... Then maybe...just maybe there's a chance. Which concerns me because I don't think we'll see Whites full potential, or probably AJs either, because of it.

And reading up on the backstory to Mathis leaving Philly didn't sound like it was Mathis wanting to leave. As it was more a conflict between Rosenhaus and Kelly. In fact this all came about shortly after Kelly was given the additional duties of personnel VP...or whatever he added on.

I know you weren't too keen on Acho before being that he came by way of Arizona but I feel like he's going to do better than advertised. I see him along the lines (influentially) as Rolle in the secondary. Although older has enough intelligence and experience to be a smart player for the role he needs to fill. In fact I wouldn't be surprised to see us lose SMC in favor of Acho (at least that would be my hope). Not sure how Houston is going to work out for us. I get this feeling he won't make the transition. And as big a fan of Willie Young's as I am I fear you may be right about him not being able to rebound from his injury. Man do I hope we're both wrong. Allen I think could contribute a lot more than some are giving him credit for. I think between last year's illness and the general disarray of the defense he wasn't really given a fair shake. I know he's in the twilight of his career but if Peppers can make the transition to a stand up LB (or whatever position he's playing in GB) and do well at it, I'm convinced Allen can do it. As far as Bass goes. I see him very similar to Willie Young in a lot of ways. Very similar builds and playing styles. I'm glad to see he's doing well since he's shown flashes of being a great player. A player I haven't heard a lot about is Foster. He's supposed to do well in this scheme and be a big pick up for us but so far...nothing. Which might be a moot point with the emergence Jones (knock on wood). And as far as that goes I'm totally fine with as I would much rather have Jones starting for us.

I think you could really only quantify it as truly "worthless pieces or nuggets of data" if it were untrue. Or came from Fox News. In answering your second question, maybe the answer is you ask...nee...demand your QB do less decision making (at least in this instance) and follow the script. Based on the 'nuggets' of data I found, he appears to actually do better if he DOESN'T hold onto the ball.

In looking at this I asked myself the question; 'how good is he when he has time to throw?' and found some info at ProFootballFocus.com The first stats are regarding his accuracy based on pressure. This is from last season. https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/...under-pressure/ In this you'll see Cutler was rated #5 of the top ten 'under pressure/accuracy' QBs. Interestingly enough he was rushed 30.9% of the time. Second less (of this group) only to Ben Rothlesburger at 27.3%. Allegedly, Cutler was rushed more last year than the previous due to injuries along the Oline. I might add that in 2014 his overall completion rate was 66.1% vs 63.1% the year prior. In this sample of information and in relation to being rushed he committed 5 INTs. Another question to ask in relation to the stats at the above link. How do you account for the rest of the turnovers for last year? Which totaled 18 INTs and 9 Fumbles. Did he have time and hold the ball too long or ??? That brings me to my next sliver of information. Again from PFF.com. https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/...-time-to-throw/ This was based on stats from 2012 (the last year with Lovie and assumedly one of his worse production years). On the first chart you'll see of the 33 QBs rated he was 13th with his 'time to throw' at 2.74 seconds (vs Tom Brady who had 2.49). Then in the next box you'll see he was rated #4 in "time to sack" or how long he had protection with 4.01 seconds. Compare that to Ben Rothlesberger (2.55 secs), Petyon Manning (2.5 secs) or Philip Rivers (2.43 secs). When compared to others who are able to get rid of the ball within 2.5 secs or faster, Cutler rates #11 where he is able to complete those passes 63.4% of the time and only sacked 2 times. Whereas when he's given the opportunity (or holds the ball) for longer than 2.5 seconds he's rated #23 with 54.2% in his completions and 27 sacks. So I guess the question really is, is he given enough time to make mistakes or show "flashes of greatness"?

One word to rebut all of what you wrote: Cutler.

...And the more I read the more I'm inclined to say 'pass'. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13059629...ard-evan-mathis At this point it looks like he could be along the lines of a character issue. The last thing the team needs is someone who is unhappy with his contract. If he's unhappy at the prospect of getting $5 mil this year and $6 mil next year (from the Eagles and holding out from OTA's) then what can the Bears offer him without using up all the reserve? A guy who's 33 and 'used to be good', I'll say...no.

Since you asked me in the other string about it I'll answer here. Admittedly I'm vacillating on this but still don't think I'm sold on paying for his services. I suppose that's the biggest reason. Similar to what Lemon said in we have players in development that we should concentrate on. You have veteran presence already in Bushrod, Slauson, Montgomery and now Long (and to some degree Ducasse). So we aren't lacking in experienced players along the line. And speaking on the Guard spot itself we technically have more depth in that either Montgomery or Grasu can play the position if I recall correctly. Lastly, why is it that Mathis is still available? He's been on the market now awhile, makes one ask. Is it the money, age or something else? Or the combination?

So maybe it's slow and I'm looking for something, anything Bears related. Saw this speculative report (below) about the Bears looking at FA Evan Mathis (I'm for the 'no thanks' category). But what caught my attention was that the Bears are $8.1 million BELOW the cap at this point. That is with something like 90 players currently on the roster right? Seems pretty incredible. Of course I k is there are a few that need contract upgrades but still, seems pretty impressive. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...0623-story.html

I think I won last year so of course I'm interested. ?

Royal appears to play and perform similarly as Wes Welker, at least in the description. Hopefully he can stay healthy. I like what I hear and see otherwise. One person lost in the looming contract discussions is Jeffery. He's in the same boat as Forte (last year of contract) but even less a word than Forte. Fortunately not nearly as ass-ish as Martellus B.