Alaskan Grizzly

And Adrian Peterson, and Ray Rice, and Greg Hardy, and Ray McDonald...etc I'm not sure how wondering if this guy could play for the Bears is not "dismissive"? And to address the other point; how does what he have to say about it make any difference? Maybe you missed the "15 charges" part? What do you want him to say; 'oops, my bad'? This guy needs to first get his mess of a criminal life cleaned up, probably his personal life and more than likely seek professional help before he ever should consider signing on with any team.

Very nice tribute. And it's always great to hear first hand perspectives of TRUE sports heroes. Thanks for sharing. Go Huskers!!!

Is Osweiller (sp?) available for consideration? With Gage and Fox on staff they already know the potential he has but I presume Elway would want a lot for him, especially if the Bears came snooping AND knowing Manning may retire at any time.

Ok with most of it except for Manziel. Like some have floated the possibility of somehow getting Winston for the Bears this would be as equally messy. No way. As far as the rest, if Pace and Fox think it prudent...I'm good with it.

How could he possibly not be guilty? A Grand Jury indicted him on charges of which the total was 15. 15 CHARGES! It's not like he was DUI or had an ounce of Mj on him. He was indicted on a number of felony charges one of which includes "cruelly killing his dog Taz" after tortuting him and not providing him food. Not to mention the idiocy with the alligator. This doesn't just speak criminal to me it says there are some mental issues. To even consider him for the Bears is beyond ludicrous. Especially in today's climate. All that does is send the message that it's ok to act like a barbarian. Abso freakin not!!!!

I thought I did name one, two and three LBs that I think potentially could start on the team this year. Bostic, Jones and Sharpton are all capable. They don't make me "groan" but I'm certainly intrigued. *Edit: I don't think it would be fair to judge our current roster by their coaching from the previous regime especially from the likes of Tucker. New DC Fangio was pretty successful with third round talent in SF (Bowman, Brooks and up and comer Borland). Im pretty sure he'll be able to squeeze some productivity out of our guys. It would still be nice if they could add a veteran talent in the mix who is familar with either Fangio or Fox' style of D.

I don't know that the team has horrible LBs available to them. Young yes but not total crap. For one they must have had seen something they liked in Lattimore since he was just resigned. But with Jones and Bostic I think there is big potential there. And you forgot Sharpton showed an awful lot of promise about mid-year. All is not lost In the LB ranks. Now as far as a veteran leader? Not Briggs but maybe a FA from elsewhere? There a few good ones out there. What abut the 'other Brandon Marshall'? He's apoetentual FA isn't he? And has been in Fox' system already.

One thing that I did pick up on was that Bennettt said Fox hadn't talked to him yet which does seem a little odd. Maybe because he's busy getting set up but thought they'd at least have some sort of introductory meeting.

I'm totally convinced that Fox can get the team, nearly in the condition it's in now personnel wise, to the playoffs. And whether Cutler plays or not to me is a non-factor.

They also kept Mike Groh as WR coach. Seems like a good keep.

First thing I noticed was the amazing restraint Bennett shows when Steven Smith starts his normal spouting off that he's notorious for. As he spoke I got the impression this image was flashing through Marty's mind: I think Bennett spoke well on the team's behalf. As a side note, I'm sure his brother is saying something to the fact of 'glad I didn't sign when you tried talking me into it' so I'm sure he's got that hanging over his head. I think to some extent he agreed that Jay could do better when it comes to leadership. I would even go as far as saying when he made the comment that he's asked Jay during the game about his will to win, that was an indication that he questions it. At any rate, Marty did the respectable thing and didn't sell out Jay. If he comes back as the QB next season the last thing you want is any question of dissension in the ranks. If Marty were to crack that open the reporters would glom all over that and make it worse and before you know it the team would become a total mess. Let Fox and the staff handle things internally and put your best face on when getting interviewed. Marty did that. I'll give him this, he is pretty funny and smarter than he gives himself credit for.

Agreed on most counts. I'm really convinced that Briggs has nothing left to offer the team. As much as I disliked the loss of Urlacher at a similar point in his career, I'm totally good with Briggs going away. With Peanut, you're not only getting a guy who still plays well at the position, but other great qualities. Hell, he's about the only guy that was able to consistently stone Megatron. At Safety who knows how good he could be? Add in the fact that he has been genuine with the team as a person AND more importantly a leader, those attributes are priceless. Especially with such a young team on the defensive side going into a transition like they will be. Tillman is nearly a 'must resign' in my book.

AMEN BROTHER!!!

Right. I meant to comment on that very point. And why I don't think the Bears are in a "rebuilding" mode. Even if they don't keep Cutler and go to a 3-4 D.

Amazing how must of us were able to make the same conclusions and we weren't even in the locker room. I think it safe to say that neither Trestman nor Cutler are the definitions of leadership. Trestman is good at one thing (offense) and lacks the skill or ability to lead a group in the grander scheme. Jay is more a leader by example than a verbal leader. And when I say example I mean to say that he will sacrifice himself on the field to show that he's 'all in' on game day, but when it comes time to verbally discuss a strategy on the sidelines or bring folks together when they need to focus, Jay's not your man. In fact, and speaking to the vacuum that Feely referred to, that was one large reason both Trestman and Emery failed in keeping an outspoken leader (Urlacher) on the roster. Probably would have helped more in keeping the team together.

Should it be titled; "Tampergate"? (Thought you might appreciate that).

So if the deflated ball debacle wasn't enough, how about this? https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/the-other...502306-nfl.html Now I'm not at all a conspiracy theorist BUT isn't it possible this borders on "tampering"? Or am I totally misunderstanding the rule?

I think what is getting lost in all this is not so much how the game was affected. But rather that it even came up and when faced with the accusation, Brady did not truthfully answer (my opinion) about his involvement. I'm relatively confident that Belichick may not have as much liability. But am concerned that if a ball boy takes the fall, that is sad and a measure of the organization and the league. One thing that does bother me is the recent press conference where Robert Craft basically says everyone owes them an apology, especially Belichck and Brady, for this occurring. Like the investigation is over and pretty much challenges anyone to say otherwise. Talk about arrogance.

I never said I was the smartest guy in the room. (I assure you in not). But without going into too much 'science' that would be an interesting theory to follow up on. However with the recent revelation from within the NE organization AND a strong possibility of video evidence supporting that, anything more could be moot.

As Mad said, this is a very unfortunate incident and in the end no one wins. Even if the 'scandal' does not end up being more than one individuals agenda (not likely) the NFL at some point will add yet more regulations. And because of that these regualtions will continue to pile until the game isn't true to itself any longer. It almost has to. The other unfortunate parts to this is that this equipment manager will be put under intense scrutiny and depending on his/her ethical makeup may bear the brunt of the blame. The very fact that I suggest there is a conspiracy in just that aspect of this makes it messier than it had to be. Tom Brady will carry the burden of truth, whether he spills it or not. I'm fairly convinced that Belichick may actually not know a lot about the goings on this instant, but he too has been tarnished if only because of past practices. This is unfortunate all around and on so many levels.

Their reputation precedes them. They are not being tarnished because of this incident by itself. Ask your physicist friends why 11 and not 12 and why was there nothing made of the 12 the Colts had? Look, we all have opinions. Even doctors and scientists. A lot of the time they're wrong. I think it was said recently that just because you go to an Ivy League school doesn't make you the smartest in the room. If you graduate 100th of a 100 doctorate students, you're still a doctor. As it is, it appears nothing really will be done until after the Super Bowl. So I guess we'll have to sit back and enjoy the ride. Go Bears.

Pretty dumb article. The author obviously has an agenda and appears to be from the NE area (because most of the scientific sources are too). The author does nothing to discredit the 'what if' factor of the Colts footballs not showing proof of deflation other than to suggest a hypothetical scandal of his own: that the Colts must have over inflated them. Wow! Talk about a cub reporter.

I think it boils down to if this guy doesn't do anything by virtue of Cutler not doing better, then they're both gone. No impact at all to Fox nor Gace.

We agree for the most part. And unless you're talking about the folks that should be regulating the game, they did more than 'mess up'.

I used to follow NASCAR a lot when I was younger. If you're familar with how they operate even though there are about 4-5 manufacturers they all have to fall under specific measurements and specs. They measure, weigh and critique every aspect of the sport. Most specifically the cars . Every little bump or ding is analyzed because at 200 miles those little tweaks can make a whole heck of a lot of difference . Do they over do it sometimes ? Yes but why do they do that? To keep every one on an "equal" playing field. Since "Stock Car" is part of their title, they are compelled to keep it equal. And when they find one little cheat during their numerous inspections they generally come down hard on the team. Should they get to a point where they regulate the sport out of the game? No but they have to do something to keep it fair across the board. And consistently and gradually increase discipline them should they try to unfairly get the upper hand.