Alaskan Grizzly

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.

If not him then maybe Christian Jones. Or even Mundy. Neither started all 16 games but had a lot of contribution. And this was all during the Trestman/Tucker regime. Imagine what will happen with a legitimate coaching staff running the show.

Is this the same discussion Mad Lith had in another thread or are these yet more additions?

Haha... you want to talk about a 'cannon fodder' article, here's one that was imbedded on your article: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/...ively/#comments At any rate, I see this (your article) as more a trying out. Probably no harm, no foul. Maybe one or both of these guys will have some impact, maybe not? I don't necessarily buy that this Thomas guy is the solution for 'up the middle' running. I had thought that was the job for Carey. It's interesting that Thomas was originally signed and released by Miami. But then re-signed by Miami after Knowshon Moreno (who they made a deal for last year) went down with an injury. Who was it Moreno played for previous to that? Fox. I trust Fox will find the right fit if he has to bring in every FA there is, so be it.

It's not like she's living in the rough part of town. Nor probably having to deal with the traffic or much public. She's more than likely living it up somewhere secluded from all that is "real". The question we should be asking is 'why say anything at all?'

I second this! Pair that with he and Forte are in similar situations (although Fortes contract ends this year) and Forte is able to make it. Makes it that much more "prickish". Bennets had what...one good year with the team AND fought with a teammate last year? What has Forte done for the team? Yeah, screw Martellus.

Don't get me wrong, my pity only goes so far. As a person I don't think Jay is all that bad a guy. His football skills leave something to be desired. But I get the feeling he's more a relatively down home small town type of guy. I mean wasn't he from Santa Claus Indiana and grew up a Bears fan? Then he married this ass clown and now, as you say, sleeping in the bed for which he made.

What a piece of work.... http://abc7chicago.com/entertainment/krist...ot-home/779491/

I'll admit I don't follow the OLinemen nearly as much as some do (Jason) but can't say his name rang a bell when I saw it. Nor could the fact that he's "been there done that" will gurantee any suitors either. (Just look at our own Brian Urlacher when he became a free agent or Lance Briggs - they too had multiple pro bowl appearances and pfft...nothing). I'd think if the Eagles were actively shopping him and for a trade and got nothing. And now the fact he's a free agent doesn't mean he will be snapped up for a multi-year deal. But given that he WAS good at his job at one time means I'd be good to see him at least try out for a spot on the Bears.

On the one hand does the question of whether Chip Kelly is losing his mind have validity? Whereas on the other one would ask 'who is this Mathis guy' and should we be interested in him? I have to admit since the article didn't say I had to look up elsewhere to find out he was an OG. So...that being said and he not finding any suitors in trade then I'd be ok if Pace wanted to give him a '1 year prove it deal'. Why not?

I'm actually excited to see Rolle and Mundy reunited this year in the backfield. I have the same anticipation this year as I did last year when they signed Willie Young. There was something mysterious about him that he was overlooked in his role with the Lions that when he came to Chicago he shined. So too with these guys. Where actually they had a pretty decent time together while with the Giants but not enough that other teams were clamoring for their combined services. I think this duo will even prove Terra Tor satisfied at the safety spots for next season. Or is that asking for too much?

Probably not(?). Man it's hard to tell this early. I'd like to think both Willie Young and Jon Bostic figure in the equation some how. And Houston? Looks like he might be lost in the shuffle? Not that I'm bad with it.... I do like the backfield. Something tells me Amos is going to work his way in at some point.

Well said Lemon. And I might add that I think Langford is also able to catch out of the backfield.

I might agree with this except that Carey brings another dimension to the running attack. Where Langford may be more an edge runner Carey is more up the middle. If I had to pick the three I'd say Forte, Langford and Carey with Rodgers being the odd man out. He hasn't shown much in his career to make me think he's a keeper but then again he's never really had the opportunity. But I'd keep him if I knew I could get something in exchange for Forte.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/24797...n=chicago-bears Hard to believe that only year two of his career and he's already looking at a 'make or break' situation. So is this the case? (AZ did you get to see him play for the Wildcats?) From what I see, if anyone was expendable, Forte could/should be the one sent packing. Maybe in the form of a trade? In watching some film on he and Langford they quite literally look like the same back. Forte might have a little more of a jukability in the open field but when you compare their videos coming out of college, they are quite literally the same. Or would it be better to keep four? (Forte, Carey, Rodgers and Langford). Since Fox's offense seems to rely more on the RBC concept, perhaps its better to have more than less.

I say this is a good thing. Jared obviously realizes he's at the twilight of his career. He recognizing a change can probably help him is a good sign of a leader. Wish that Peanut could have done that with a move to Safety. I recall him saying earlier this year that he still didn't like the idea of the change. Apparently Fangio was able to get through to him and convince him this was a good idea. He doesn't need to look far to see someone else, Julius Peppers, having success making a similar transition.

It's good to get perspective from others that are closer to the action. And apparently follow the teams (aside from the Bears) more diligently than I. If the majority of you think Thibs going away is good, so do I. I'm looking forward to what the new guy can do. In the meantime GO HAWKS!!!!!

I'm with *EDIT:: Lucky Luciano on this. Like these alternate variations but wouldn't want them as a permanent replacement. I think the 'old school' look what the team resembled when it helped found the NFL is an important piece of living history. There have been a few variants of other old school designs that didn't pan out, the one with the orange vertical stripes being one.