Alaskan Grizzly

Just like we can't get away from someone being moronic. Your wit defies intelligence or originality. Nicely done.

Shoulda kept Lovie....just sayin.

Since you indirectly called my sister a "fanatic(al) moron" I have to ask how those same fans felt about John Elway since he only won two of the five Super Bowls he played in? Seems he's still pretty popular there. My question about your choice to back Seattle and since many consider them (Seahawks) to be a bunch of classless thugs, so too would their fans be?

Sister is a huge Denver fan so I'll be supporting her team. That and she recently moved there. Not sure how you can't like Manning. But then again you are Cracker so I shouldn't be all that surprised. I agree about Seattle. There are suddenly Seahawks fans everywhere you turn up here. I just returned from Florida yesterday and there were people all over sporting gear and talking Seahawks. Sickening. Whodda thunk that Kellen Davis could be a Super Bowl champion before the rest of his former team? That is enough to dislike Seattle.

Wasn't part of the lure of Slausen to be able to play Center if need? Not that he would be the long term solution...but he did sigma new deal. I too like the idea of keeping Garza. He's been around for quite some time and still is a contributing member. Drafting his "replacement" might be necessary or like Slausen someone young in FA who like Slausen could play more than one role. Why again can't a long snapper also play center? I never understood that.

Or perhaps Jason was trying to make the comparison that because Urlacher was who he was ' on the field' so too was Tillman able to be who he was on the field. Regardless of what either is 'off the field' shouldn't mean one should be demeaned at the expense of the other. I'm just sayin' And you're telling me that you have an issue with "having sex with bimbos"?

I seem to recall Urlacher always getting the title of ' overrated' year after year. Hmmm... But you're right, you can probably find an anchor for less in the draft.

If the team transitions to 3-4, I think someone like Raji would be prime for the NT spot. And it takes a good player away from the cheese whizzers.

Collectively speaking (NFC North); what we lost in a character like Shwartz (whom I hated) we gained in a character like Zimmer (whom I always thought was humorous). He is most definitely the 'anti-Frazier'.

Darn, just heard on the "Herd" this morning that Singletary would be leaving Minnesota at the end of the month. He would've been a nice option.

Thought of putting this in "NFC North" news. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/chicago...:bleacherreport

I'm of two thoughts. First, the intention coming in was a good one. The D was no doubt the strongest piece of the team. Heck the year previous they were scoring more than some teams on offense were. So bowing to the vets of that very same defense and not "fixing what ain't broke" made sense...at the time. Perhaps Tucker was hamstrung because of that? Don't know, wasn't there when he and Emery and Trestman discussed it. Nevertheless, it was admirable. At that point the only real loss was Urlacher. Most of the pieces from the previous year were already in place and Emery acquired what and who he thought would be enough to sustain the run. Hindsight being what it is, we now know through injury the D could not keep up its ways. Which brings me to point two. The rookies and new players didn't seem to get it. Is that the fault of the players or the coaches? Heck is it the fault of the vets? I think, becuse players like Bostic and Greene appeared to regress instead of improve its because of a lack of coaching. Add that a few players were added along the way (Ratlif and Anderson to name two) and they too appeared to be playing on talent alone makes me believe that they weren't coached as they should have. I was personally glad that Tucker came out of the booth and coached from the sidelines. But even after he did, things didn't seem to improve. Players were out of position all too often. And desptie what was SOOO obvious to all of us fans, Conte still managed to play and eventually cost our team a win. That is piss poor playcalling/coaching and THAT is all on Tucker. Bottom line, I would prefer they change direction with the DC. I don't think Tucker is the answer. Not sure who is but pretty sure he's not.

Too bad he wasn't 'first ballot'. But at least he's in.

Couldn't agree more. When I hear people, or some players, complain about the hits and how dangerous they're getting I always think "what would Art Donovan say?" If you never heard him talk about playing football 'old school' you missed out on an awesome 'rant'. Sorry to have seen him go.

...And one might add that through the evolution of time so has the NFL. Since its 'founding' in 1920 it eventually merged with the AFL in the 1960's. After doing so there were 26 teams. Over time and after a few realignments, expansions and Oakland going to LA and back we find ourselves in the current format of 32 teams. As the league looks to expand itself into other markets it must somehow accomodate that growth. I don't like it either but I didn't like the loss of Lovie, the ever growing monster that is now offical replay, the red flag, penalties for hitting too hard, records being broken because of it, mock drafts and pre-mock drafts and on and on. But what is one to do?

....And Lovie Smith would have still been coach. Which I am good with but would wonder how would the offense be by now? For that matter (if playing hypothetical) how would the team have done in those playoff games? Appear in the Super Bowl again? hmmmmm... What could have been. Me too, the old adage of 'anything can happen in the playoffs' is so true. Look at Indy and SD from this last weekend. SD is still in the running after taking out a pretty strong team in Cincy. And Indy returned from a probable romping at the hands of KC in one of the most entertaining games of recent history. I heard somewhere at the conclusion of hte two Saturday games that it was the first time in playoff history that both games were determined by less than 3 points in each game. That is pretty telling. I agree to some degree of the "old school" way of thinking. But with the way the NFL is spreading, its only a matter of time. And you can't blame them (NFL and owners) for wanting to expand on a vey profitable venture. This just broadens that reach. I'm not a big fan of international inclusion but what's not to say it isn't the right move? Soccer is wordwide, baseball and basketball is worldwide, the NHL is internatiional why not the NFL?

Interesting take considering Urlacher was still a huge asset if for nothing else as a "leader" yet Briggs doesn't step up in the last two games and you're ready to cut bait...again. In response to AZ's comment though I for one am actually ok should Briggs leave. I don't think there will be much more reason for him to return this year. He's been a malcontent off and on for years and less 'leader quality' especially compared to URL. He'd be foolish if he didn't try and get to TB. To fill the void I think the logical choice is Peanut. He epitomizes the role and would be spectacular in leading the soon to be youth movement on D. If not him then maybe Jennings. He said he wanted to be a cornerstone guy, he got the contract now is the time. Beyond that I would think either Ratliff (even though he's new) or Anderson would be next in line.

Mad I for one don't see this as a "useless" article. What I see it as is a confirmation on what many here have said. Cutler is a mediocre level franchise QB and the Bears paid him to stay. The reason being is that in the better part of their 100 year existence the team hasn't had many let alone in the modern era. And the alternative is lack of good FAs, a decent elder back up with the option to find a the next Russel Wilson in the draft. The Bears essentially had to put up or shut up. They chose to put up. And for the record; to those QBs he was compared to Rodgers was sacked more times than was Cutler in one three year span. And there is no denying Cutler is turnover prone. If his history doesn't show it this year confirmed it, especially early on. And lastly, the point about injury is definitely one to consider. How many concussions, broken thumbs, torn groin and high ankle sprains have kept him out of games these last few years? Thats a risk, no matter how you slice it. Apparently one the Franchise is ok with moving forward.

Not sure you comprehended the "goofiness" I intended. Didn't say keep Podlesh (heck after this year why?) but was instead suggesting that Mannely probably would want more than some youngster currently on another teams practice squad or undrafted out of college. Is there a high demand for LSers? One of the reasons I liked Clutts was that he filled in pretty admirably as temp LSer when not playing FB. That's called efficiency. Some say "goofy".

First, I don't understand why the team would bother with DJ Williams. He hasn't contributed to the NFL for the better part of two years now. (I actually thought he was injured one year with Denver before being suspended but couldn't find it). Anyhow, this next year he would be only one year younger than Urlacher was when he 'retired' and coming off a year of being injured. Almost similar to how many perceived Urlacher to be useless in his last year. Forget him, I say work on the youngsters: Bostic and Greene and move on. And if anyone stays on the "veteran side"; I'd first look at Briggs and Anderson long before Williams. Ratliff appears to have been a good late season addition so I would be ok to look at a year deal for him. Mannelly? Really? He's a long snapper....they are like Punters/Kickers...dime a dozen. Britton? Nah....Again I'm pretty sure a younger version of what Britton provided could be found elsewhere. McCown most definitely should be added to the "keep list". He has pretty much indicated he doesn't want to be a starter and wants to be in Chicago while he does it, so a deal should be made pretty simple. Wootton should be added, he's a younger Julius Peppers prototype but not as flashy...yet. Bowman showed some promise late in the year so he should be kept, with the premis that a new CB would be drafted, and that Tillman may be a Safety. I know many cringe at the prospect but for what Hester does and still managed to do this year, he should be brought back for at least one more year. He showed flashes of his old self in that Packers game and did in a few other games this last year. He still provides the potential for good field position in KR or PR when the punters try and kick away from him. But probably not to worry as he'll more than likely sign with TB.

I'm good with all three. Cutler is signed through 2020. That helps take care of the primary skill position .

Who knows,maybe Urlacher becomes an LB coach ? Just sayin

Neither was Chip Kelly. One thing I'll be interested in seeing are how many current Bears players end up on TB.

I am officially a co-fan of the Buccaneers now. Go Lovie!

True this. If they were to bring in a 'Tom Coughlin' type coach most of the current players would rebel because their teams leaders are bad examples. Suh, Stafford and Bush to name a few. The only one worth any sand (talent wise and character) is Calvin. Poor guy's stuck on a sinking ship. They do have a lot of talent there is no doubt. Unfortunatley many of the players know it and are compelled to remind everyone else about it.