Alaskan Grizzly

And more than likely a few current "special teams" players will probably be gone anyhow. Either Hester or Weems (they aren't keeping both) and Costanzo. They don't need him.

Oddly enough another former first round pick Chris Williams is apparently fighting for the starting LG position in St Louis, not Tackle as he was drafted for. www.turfshowtimes.com/2013/8/13/4619606/st-louis-rams-position-battles-2013-offensive-line-depth-chart

Hmm... Just wondering aloud here. Any way you'd be able to see what was said back in 2000 when a former Safety turned LB (drafted by the Bears) was making his first plays in the preseason? With his experience at safety one would think he too would be good "at reading the eyes" with a tendancy to "over pursue" due to his speed. Urlacher who?

I don't think you'll find people argue that Webb lacks the TALENT to be a good offensive lineman. It's the maturity and desire (as you pointed out before). And I think AA has some insight since he practiced and played against Webb in the past. Seeing this reminds me about previous discussions and observations about Alshon Jeffery. I recall talking about him after his drafting and realizing he was the same player I saw the year prior play in the Bowl game against Nebraska. In that game he ended up getting ejected for all the fighting he and Alonzo Dennard were doing througout. Despite that he, Jeffery, still won the MVP award due to his productivity. I saw that translate over to his rookie year with the Bears. How many times was he caught "pushing off" and other extraneous crap throughout the year? A lot of that, IMHO, had to do with him (a Rookie) going up against many veterans. Anyhow, I agree that if Webb were to display half of the tenacity that Jeffery did we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Since SCS seems to be getting singled out, I feel compelled to help him out. This post is indicitave of his 'broader viewpoint' on the subject. He is in agreement to the fact that Webb may not be the best solution at LT, RT or even as a back up. He wants what we all want (and Cutler) which is for the best five to get the job. Just because he notes that Webb may have done well in 8 of 9 games does not necessarily make him a homer for Webb, its just an observation. It would be similar to say that some of us think Cutler is an elite QB. When if you look at the "body of work" and are honest with yourself, he's not. All that being said, I have noticed several times in the last year or so that Webb is out of his league. Not being able to get his shoe on and looking like a child when Cutler berated him on TV as examples of his immaturity. I even considered that with natural maturation and gaining a year of experience, he might have made that transition. But with the recent posting of his twitter feeds and the fact that he JUST NOW seems to realize that he needs to focus, I feel the team has wasted enough time on him. And as SCS points out, so has Kromer.

Martz was an 'Air Coryell' guy. A lot of 'slight of hand' underneath for the big play. Which as many pointed out played away from the protection because there was none. And the underneath and outlet routes were diminished due to needing blocking TEs and Forte to help with max protect. WCO (of which Zone blocking is a staple) is more max receiver quick pass based. One mantra of WCO is to draw in deep coverage with multiple short dink and dunks then the occasional bomb after the coverage starts playing tight. Part of why I think Trestman is keeping up tempo for practice. Does two things, wears down the D and gives Cutler time to audible if he sees a bad mismatch. The thing that might derail this is Cutlers difficulty in the quick decision making involved in WCO. ....And I think Onubun's days are limited in Chicago. He's pretty bad.

Nice photos, thanks for sharing. Was it me or did Shea McClellin look bigger last night? I saw some replays on ESPN and saw 99 flashing in on a few plays. Mistook him for a shorter Peppers. Has he beefed up this offseason? If so that should be a good thing. And haven't read the wire yet and one of your shots reminded me that Melton was injured last night. Any word?

But, again the point why those guys may have done well is because Brees is quick release, Cutler not so. The way I see this playing out good for Jay is either he learns to quick throw or the blocking will allow him to throw on the run or out of pocket (ala Denver) or similar to how Steve Young played. I sense option two as we hear how that is one of his major strengths.

It means nothing if it continues through preseason and stops in the regular season. Until then and as Mongo said; "more to come". As far as Cutlers experience with the WCO. True, he does have experience with an "eerily similar" passing scheme but since then he has developed a nasty habit of holding the ball. Similar to a Roethlisberger. The WCO demands short and decisive passes moreso than the long bombs ala "Air Coryell". Is Cutler capable of doing that still? Others here, as do I question that. And with the WCO of his Denver days, Cutler received protection from the zone blocking scheme set up by smaller and more agile linemen. Is that what Chicago has? Outside of Long, probably not. Maybe Bushrod too as he seems to have done better with a quick release QB (Brees). Which brings us back to question #1.

Two thoughts on this. First, this will be the first test in the 'QB whisperers' ability to coach. Cutler has always had a propensity to the turnover, most times because he rushes things when he does throw the INT. So by the very nature of the WCO, he may find the adjustment difficult. Secondly, a player like Steve Young (who himself was not known for the quick release) swears by Trestmans ability. So the rescipe is there. Question is, will it be gourmet or disastrous? As I've said before, and I will repeat, I hope that the TEAM does well. I have my doubts in what Trestman can do. And so far I have been slowly losing faith in Cutlers ability. But like I have for the last 40+ years, I'll watch each Sunday and hope (like I always do) for the wins.

Josina Anderson @JosinaAnderson Breaking: Source: Vince Young will sign a 1-year deal with #Packers.

I fear Earl's days with the team are numbered. Too bad.

Before I go much further understand I was never a fan of Angelo's. However there were some picks that did "pan out", both on D and O. Matt Forte was a pick of Angelo's. As was Greg Olsen (Martz screwed that one up). Heck even Hester (although not really an offensive player) "panned out" pretty good all things considered. And if not for Angelo, would we as fans be calling Cutler our QB or Julius Peppers as a member of the Chicago D?

Well for one none of us know who he was or wasnt contacted by so to assume that he wasn't would be wrong. I think it safe to say, and you somewhat alluded to it later in your post, that Urlachers pride probably got in the way of him signing with another team. We know because he was "insulted" by the offer the Bears originally gave him. And I would be willing to bet that he wanted to return to the Bears more than play anywhere else. But this, to include your earlier comments, is all scepticism. And similar to you I am glad he ultimately chose to retire rather than go elsewhere to "prove a point". I think one more year is what he was owed but not necessarily at the cost he wanted. Could have been a year deal laden with incentives but as before, what's done is done. (And for the addendum to the earlier record; I never said "MLBs", just LBs. MLB would be too narrow a focus).

So, just thinking aloud here, as I mentioned before he came from a respectable class of TEs that draft year (2006). With the likes of Vernon Davis, Marcedes Lewis, Tony Sheffler and Tony Fasano he (Pope) wasnt drafted until the third round. So should we really expect 1st round talent? When compared to someone like Onubun (former BBall) player I'd take Pope any day. Does he need to have the 4.3 speed (or whatever it was) as long as he proves to be worthwhile as an all around contributer? Comparing him to another TE on the roster, Maneri, I'd still choose Pope as he has more true TE attributes to add to the team. Who knows maybe Trestman will be able to work some "magic" with him?

Must be some upside to this. With a three year deal they must be planning on him sticking around. But from Princeton? Hmmm.

I seem to remember coveting Pope when he came out for the draft...can't remember why. He was in a class of a few other decent TEs then. But I'm glad he's (or will be) on the team.

For the record I never said "starting". Just LBs.

Stinger, as you may have missed I have "gotten over it" enough that I'm looking forward to the new year. I do so with strongly guarded optimism though. Trestman hasn't proven anything as of yet. Whether you like it or not Lovie had a winning record. His teams finished .500 or better in 6 of his 9 years as coach. Unfortunatley he wasn't so good at offense and had too many friends (that he thought he owed) where he couldn't look outside the bubble. That was his Waterloo. And just because Urlacher "hung around" doesnst necessrily mean he (Lovie) was holding onto "has been" players. Last year's Urlacher was probably better than half the LB's in the league.

Sorry. DP

Fair enough. And you're right, I've moved on. I hope the team does as good or better than 10-6. That's what they deserve. . And again you're right again, nothing left to prove but on the field.

I make it no secret my disdain for management letting Lovie go. And I'm still a little put off with the loss of Urlacher. But whats done is done. So who really cares why Emery fired Lovie? What we might ask oursleves is why did he hire Trestman? "So he's got "a football mind"? So did Turner, so did Martz. Neither worked. I hope, more for the sake of the Franchise, that Trestman (and Cutler) succeed. But if this turns out to be a debacle then Cutler needs to go. Then Trestman should be given one last shot and he too should go. (It almost goes without saying that Emery would be excused somewhere in there). Cutlers's already shown a resiliancy to the new era with his comments the other day. Is it true or just "Jay being Jay"?

I'm good.

I'll second the Hardin nomination. And still have this strong feeling that Anderson and Bostic will have some significant impact at LB. More so than does Williams.

That's mine. Haven't had a chance to get onto yahoo to re-join. If you would like to have noobs join you that's fine, let me know and I'll back out. Otherwise I'll do the sign up this weekend.