Alaskan Grizzly

I can't see the link but assume it is an article abotu Wooton and SMC splitting time at the position. FWIW, you have to admit that SMC did play pretty good in the preseason. Maybe not 'stellar' but not any worse than did Wooton. I seem to recall the report also noting that Williams and Bostic would be in the same setup. Despite Briggs' contention.

So to go contrary to my own advice, I'm going to swing at the dying horse. I think an arguement could be made that Pace was considered an "upper echelon" guy. He was very similar to Michael Oher until he came to the Bears. It would be as if the Bears would have somehow brought Oher to the team this year, he is no doubt declining and probably wouldn't be considered 'top tier' any longer. However for so many years he has been a steady lynchpin in the Raven's offensive line. As could the case be made for Chester Taylor. He was a 1,000 yard back, unfortunately for him had to play second fiddle to AP. When he got to Chicago, he didn't live up to the hope. So far Bush and Taylor are very similar in a lot of ways. I hope more for Bush and feel he'll come through this year. Manumanuleuena I'll agree was not. Had flickers of greatness in St Louis but nothing sustained. Peppers is in the perfect place...Chicago. I almost wonder if he would be better as a stand up OLB? I know a lot of the former 'hand in the dirt' DE's that are making the transition (seems to be a trend) are liking it. Maybe if/when the team changes to at 3-4? I could see McClellin benefitting from that.

You're a jerk.

SCS: There is no doubt you have passion for not just the Bears but sports in general. And with that you have knowledge. Believe it or not, it sounds like you have some keen knowledge about the team that even I'm not aware of. For this I am gratefu. I know you are/freelancing for PPF(?) so that is something I've never accomplished. If you speak out of turn or come across as 'childish' ... oh well. As I've said before and is witnessed in some of my posts (especially when Jason is concerned As far as the personal life, I think it safe to say that you find some "friends" in the group here or you wouldn't have posted what you did. That takes guts. Good for you and thank you. Without being too mushy about it all, we all have to experience "life" in order to get a better appreciation of what's to come. Most times its all good, sometimse not. As the old proverb goes: "This too shall pass". Sounds like you'll have an opportunity to vent this Sunday and I, similar to you, look forward to our Bears putting the hurt on the kittys.

GBCW? To SCS: Never mind, you are asking for it. You and Stinger deserve each other. And to Stinger's credit, he actually tried to be civil in his last respone to me. To Chitown: Amen to the season starting...Sunday can't get here fast enough.

Green may not be as much trouble as Eifert could be. Since he's a relative unknown the Bears will be relying on LB or Nickel coverage for him Given he's as young as he is and as good as he's projected, this could prove difficult for the team's middle protection. Man to man, Green may have the upper hand...but not by much. I would suspect that Jennings will get that challenge (since he's the younger of the two CB's) with help from Wright. Not to say that Tillman couldn't hold his own (ergo last year's matchup with Megatron) but of the two, Jennings would probably have a better go.

Of course you did. Lovie Smith to me is like J'Marcus Webb is/was to SCS.

So I did have one thing right. That's encouraging. Also good to hear. - Exactly. And I agree, that if he can't produce this year then discuss with him after the season is over, not make motions like you intend to before this season even starts. Regardless of his age, Peppers is still a force to be reckoned with. (The point you enforce below). Altough he did try a few others that didn't work out; Chester Taylor, Brandon Manumanluena and Orlando Pace to name a few. But I agree sometimes Angelo didn't get enough credit for some of the good he did do. Bringing Peppers to Chicago was one of them. Thanks for the explanation. It does help me better understand some of the 'behind the scenes'.

Thanks for the clarity. That does make some sense. On the surface, especially with the talk of possibly cutting him next year, 'something is rotten in Denmark'. But I assume that what you just explained is being sold to both Peppers and his agent to explain their rationale. To which I would defer MadLiths eariler comment about trusting Stein. He probably knows what he's doing. (Not MadLith but Stein - ha ha). Most of this cotractual talk is all greek to me. One of the several reasons I'm not an NFL exec, just a fan.

Funny, not only do they need a spell checker but a thought/context checker when people are posting. My 'minority' comment was in regards to my opinion of how the team woefully handled the Urlacher situation. I think he deserved one more year as did Lovie. But because the NFL is a business, tradition and 'second chances' sometimes get in the way. Again, my opinion which I know is in the minority.

I think it safe to say you were one of the reasons he left. If I may be so bold. You equaled his immaturity step for step and eventually he blinked first. I know this because I've had 'discussions' with you in the past only to realize I am proverbially beating my head on a wall to try and get my point across. I never figured to hear myself think this way but you "young whippersnappers" sometimes don't know when to give up. Your post above proves my point.

Good analysis. It is intersetingly unsettling that the Bengals and Bears could be compared on the same plane. But you're right, where one advantage gives the team a leg up it is equaled out by a similar advantage found somewhere else. This should prove to be a pivitol game for the Bears early in the season and will set the tone. Maybe the advantage for our team will be the fact they are playing at home. I recall thinking last year the first game would have been an easy walkaway game for the Bears especially with a rookie QB starting. But the Colts didn't just lie down and give up. Not only that but they played well through the whole season encough to make the playoffs. Who knew? I look forward to Sunday. Should be a good match.

No, unfortunately its a league all about the allmighty dollar. QB or DE be damned. The comparison I was making was that at some point a person (or team) realizes they have made enough money and are willing to help the team they play for by giving some back to help the team keep or get players that will get the team where it wants to be. It sends an irreverant omen to players if they think they are being used. Maybe Peppers has indicated he wants to retire next year and is willing to take the hit this year? Don't know, but I would hope the team isn't doing what they did with Urlacher and saying 'our way or go away'. It will come back to bite them.... I know I'm in the minority but to me it is what it is. A business. And unfortunately the traditionalist aspects are slowly being squeezed out of it.

I'm not sure what it all means exactly but I would like it to be known that I don't like it. (If the team is positioning to jettison a player like Peppers a year in advance). It's crap. I'll believe that management has a bit more class than that and this is more akin to what Brady has done for the Patriots in the past.

Maybe its just a way to shore up the "rainy day" fund. Given the unknowns going into the first game (75% different players from last year?), perhaps management is looking for a way to buy FA players that could contribute if one or two players currently on the team don't work out. My understanding was the team is "up against the cap" so it would make sense.

Isn't Maneri a converted lineman? Maybe that's the thinking? Since it appears the team is looking at double TE sets what real concern is there?

Dude, now you're just trolling. All others would be wise to just disengage from this thread. It's apprent that it's turned into fishing expedition.

Perhaps. But now I'm even more perplexed hearing the Bears jettisoned K. Adams as a result. Not sure that Rosario is that much better than Adams. But I'm sure he's much older and a 'sorta been'. Oh well, that's why they play the game.

Soooo... Now I'm even more befuddled. Why, if the Cowboys already had two TEs (Witten and Hanna), would the Bears give up a 7th round pick for what equates to a reserve player?

I know. It was heavy sarcasm mixed with early morning dementia that made me post that. Lol. I was just emphasizing that he's been playing for what seems like forever. One thing i did find in reading up on him was that his former coach, Fox, mistakenly listed him as the actress "Rosario Dawson". *wikipedia. Poor guy, can't even get the coach to get it right.

He's gotta be getting close to retiring. He's been around 'the block' a few times. Recall when he played for the Panthers back in the '80s, he wasnt too bad. But since, not so much. Im guessing the team isn't settled on TE yet. I equate him to The recently released Pope (former 1st round and who they gave up less for). Must think he's able to contribute if they gave up 7th round. I sure wish thy could get Olsen back.

PREACH!!!!

This. Having Forte as a factor will be a BIG help in the overall pass game. I know the Marshall hip omen could be all hype, but something about it is unsettling. That may be a bigger issue in the long run..... But I will agree having a large targets (as a whole) will help the WR corps. Regardless of experience. The blend of experience with Marshall and yes Alshon will help the younger group. I'd give this group a B- grade going into the 1st game.

The main topic of this thread was to be able to proclaim something you KNOW about this team. But you were passive in your remarks, thus not totally convinced. Here's what I KNOW about this team, from the "devil's advocate" position. Marc Trestman is the head coach: How long ago was he last in the NFL? Where was he coaching before? Why was he not in the NFL the last 15 (?) years? Jay Cutler is the Quarterback: When was the last time, or only time, when Jay approached "elite" status? 2008. The year he made the Pro Bowl. Since then he's been a better version of Rex Grossman. The interception laden Dr Jekyll for a game or two then the pro-bowl caliber Mr Hyde the next. The Chicago Defense: Sure they are one year removed from the record setting team of 2012. The key players on the team; Briggs, Tillman and Peppers are all in their 30's. And no matter how you slice it, neither DJ Williams or Jon Bostic are Urlacher. Could they be? Perhaps. So far we've seen nothing of Williams and although we've seen FLASHES of greatness from Bostic, we've seen more of his humanity than not. The offensive line is almost 50% rookie. Is that bad? Not necessarily but its not a resounding "I KNOW" they will be stellar. B. Marshall: Is struggling with his hip surgery recovery. Will it matter during the season? Probably not, but why else was it even brought up? Did we really need to even know it? M. Bennett: I'm tired of "hoping" and "hearing" he's the solution to the TE position. People tell me he WILL be fine, I'm not so sure. He's inconsistent. The only time he's been productive was when Eli Manning was throwing to him. And Jay Cutler is no Eli. Phil Emery is the second coming: Ok, maybe that one's a little over the top but so far what has his last two recruit classes done so far? As of today, most have done little. So to equate them (Emery and Trestman) to what Ditka and Buddy did in the mid-80's is a little over-hyped. There are too many uncertainties to KNOW that this team will excel.

Interesting post, since you don't seem to have much conviction in your thoughts (more on that in a moment). I wouldn't go as far as saying this staff is as good as it was when Ditka and Buddy were with the team. Nothing's been done yet...just some intriguing personnel moves. And a 2-2 preseason record...against some garbage teams. Interesting that you left "bad" as an option. Here's where things get a little dicey in your post.... All the words bolded are 'passive' remarks. Meaning you don't believe what you wrote. If you did you would have said "This offense WILL..." and "...WHEN Cutler plays..." but there are too many unknowns to make bold predictions.The one that you did was that Peppers "will get double digit sacks". This I agree with. The rest, not so much. I mean if we really have to ask how well the team will perform against the Cinncinnati Bengals, then maybe we should wait until the game is actually played.