Alaskan Grizzly

Not sure about all of them but I have to believe a HUGE reason for Baltimores success is Ozzie Newsone. I mean before they moved to Baltimore, look how well "old" Clevland was doing. And the one constant in Baltimore since that move, to include two SB wins? Newsome. As far as Pittsburgh and NE go, I think both owners (Rooney and Kraft) are real good at judging talent. When it comes to coaching jobs (and support) at least. I'll say nothing of the team that shall not be mentioned here.

Technically speaking Houston is really more a DL man than he is DE. Wasn't one of his stronger points the ability for run stop rather than sack specialist? If the Bears were to go to a 3-4 he probably wouldn't make the transition very well but then again what are we really losing with him gone? We gained in Willie Young in what we lost in Houston. For the record, I'm not really a fan of Ryan's but he does know him some defense. And right now that is what the Bears need is something to bring credibility to their truest tradition. Their defense.

Two thumbs up. (Although I think you meant Jim... But I'm good with either).

I think a larger part of SFs issue with offense is similar to Chicago. Bad QB. Kaepernick is overrated. He has players like Gore, V. Davis, Boldin, Crabtree and Johnson and still can't seem to connect with regularity. Mostly due to his run first mentality. So here's a thought: what about Rex Ryan as DC next year? He's bound to be fired in NY so there is that.

If he starts IR now and with a whole offseason for an opportunity to go to his BBQ restaurant a lot more he's not going to come back as an LB but a DL. Hello Fridgerator Briggs.

...like CJ Mosely in Baltimore, Kahlil Mack in Oakland or Luke Keuchly (a few years back) in Carolina

I'm thankful for alcohol.

It sucks is what it does. He hasn't done as well at Guard as he did at Center when Garza was out (which begs the question why didn't they move Garza to Guard when he came back and but DLP at Center?). Anyhow, DLP is a significant loss especially on the heels of losing Slauson. The reserves are dwindling.

My gut tells me that Calvin will have a big day. With Golden on the other side the safeties are going to be busy in pass support trying to figure which side to help more on while watching for the run of Bush. Maybe they'll dilute it with a NB or Jones playing cover assist? In the years since Megatron's surge I haven't seen many CB's effectively neutralize him as successfully as Peanut did. Save for maybe the occasional Talibs or Reavis'. Peanut paired up with Calvin at least twice a year for a few years and did pretty well in covering him. I sure hope Al-Jean can play up close to that standard. One thing we did observe was that the defense actually improved after Briggs left the field and since he's probably not playing Thursday ... who knows.

And the poor choices in general. In last week's game and during one of the numerous "three and outs" while on offense, Cutler obviously audibled to a different call than what was intended. Wanna say the audible was a run play with Forte who was immediately stuffed. Immediately afterwards the camera panned to Trestman was shaking his head and mouthed the words (or as best as I can tell) what the heck are you doing Jay? He was visibly pissed by the play call. Many times in past interviews the questions have been about the possibilities of whether the WR's were running the wrong routes. And many here thought once Trestman very nearly threw BM under the bus. But rather than upset him he fell short. I think then and still do that Cutler was the problem and Trestman didn't want to admit to it. Either because he convinced Emery to keep him (because he thought they could fix him) or because Emery wanted to keep him and Trestman was dealt the hand.

Isn't there something that allows the NFL to flex the schedule or something? Especially later in the season? I thought there was. That might be our only saving grace.

My wife is the same. She's a converted Oakland fan. So she's used to being disappointed. Funny thing is on game day anymore she tends to not watch with me. I used to get worked up but in about the last 3-4 weeks I've lost the spark. What's really sad is my oldest daughter is dating a guy who is a GB fan. Makes for a tough extended family experience. My daughter hasn't given up, she still cheers for Chicago...for now.

I'd be ok with it. Shocking.. I know.

She sounds like a keeper regardless. Both the fact she goes with you to the game and bitches about their play (provided she knows what she's talking about and doesn't think GB is king) then she sounds like a regular tried and true fan.

Have to agree in most of your optimism. I'll even give a positive to Jay's corner. If he can stay patient you're right, the games at least won't be lost as easily. Thought mostly the same about the D. Especially the part of how much better they did sans Briggs. Weird. Chalk it up to coincidence(?). I've been wondering all season how everyone kept saying the D had little or no talent. I was thinking it had to do more with the lack of coaching and I think I feel more confident in that assesment. Granted hardly any of the current members are from last year but together they seem to be improving. Hurst has been a surprising player. Yesterday was not the only day he has played well and had great results. Reminiscent of how Jennings was about 2-3 years ago, but without all the INTs. Washington has suddenly come on. I think you're right about someone working with him and I think that someone is Pasquolini (sp?). All the DLmen (Paea, Ratliff, Ferguson and Sutton) are showing improvement and Pasquolini is the man coaching them. Conte is a solid Safety... Or at least he wants to be. Like I said in the game thread his effort is what gets him hurt. Yesterday's INT was one part opportunity and one part 'try'. If you remember a few weeks back he made a pretty nice INT while stretching out to make the catch. He's done it a few times. The reason he has a bum shoulder and concussion history isn't because he's accident prone it's because he's trying to punish people on tackles and jar the ball lose. I even saw him come into the play in one run and meet the running back just after the LOS. That is what we've been waiting to see from him. Overall since this was TB it's still a game worth it's share of skepticism. Buuuut.. If they continue to play smart anything is possible.

One successful drive against the Bucs. That was it. Forte and the D won this game.

Thanks for clarifying my vague reference. But you got the point.

Sorry, until Cutler leads a win against a team NOT 2-6, then I'll silence my critique.

His price is definitely better for what you get between the two.

Funny, Briggs goes out and suddenly the defense comes alive.

81-63 regular season record. Three division championships, two NFC title appearances and a Super Bowl appearance. Yeah, he's a good "position coach".

You answered your own question.

Agreed. I think what hurts him is he tries too hard to make the big hits. Hence the bum shoulder and number of concussions. In other news, can we just trade Cutler for McCown right now? For all that is good please pull him.

One thing I'd like to see is the continued resurgence of Allen. I want to have him back again next year but first I need to know he's worth the spot. He's got the leadership ability, now can he keep on sacking?

When you sign a troubling WR who is 'besties' with Jay, you might be Catering To Jay. When you draft a huge WR in the second round, you might be Catering to Jay. When your first round pick is an interior lineman from Oregon, you might be Catering to Jay. When you spend money on FA on a stalwart pro bowl Tackle to anchor the left of your line, you might be Catering to Jay. When you sign a relatively gifted TE who's performed well In some places he's been, you might be Catering to Jay. When you hire a mystery of a man from the North of Canada and he is known simply as the "Quartetback Whisperer" you might be Catering to Jay. And when you sign him to a $126 million dollar contract despite his meager performance, you definitely are Catering to Jay.