Alaskan Grizzly

Thank you for the re-direct to "on topic". Other than he may/may not have gone to Europe earlier this year (http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/14653378-606/brian-urlacher-evasive-about-reported-knee-procedure-in-germany.html) ...nothing I've heard. The fact that he is being elusive makes me wonder more about his viability for this year. Could he be trying to not discuss it too much because it's a "contract year", or because it's really nothing to worry about or....he's Brian Urlacher dammit and he doesn't give a sh*% what others think? Wait, got him mixed up with the honey badger. Anyhow, I fear his career is near done.

Well the point is pretty simple, it has to do with Lovie being the third winningest coach behind two legendary coaches in a very established and storied franchise. It either points to his being successful and despite your pointing out the .552 winning percentage, that is a winning record. Or it says that over the course of the team's 93 year history they've never really had any other coaches that have measured up. So thinking ahead and if the team were to manage three winning seasons in a row let's say a 10-6 record at the very least. That would bring Lovie's record to (not counting post season record) 104-78. Which is a .571 winning percentage...and still a winning record. I assume you mean to compare the "winning percentage" mark and suggest that Lovie's doesn't "add up". Here's a few more to compare to: Jimmy Johnson (Cowboys Head Coach 1989-93) winning pct: .579 to include postseason and two super bowls; Bill Parcells (Dallas 2003-06) .531, Chuck Noll (Steelers 1969-91) .571 to include 4 super bowl wins and Tom Coughlin (NY Giants 2004-present) .589 with two Super Bowl wins.

I think it worth noting that Lovie is the third winningest coach (74-60) after Halas (318-148-31) and Ditka (106-62). Considering the history of the team. For refernce Bill Cowher is 149-90-1 (.623 winning percentage)

There are 40.6 million reasons to justify him playing. And for him to decide whether he wants to. If he had left the game the play before his injury, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

I get that you're never going to like Lovie. Maybe that would be the best way to approach this. Beyond that, there really is no way to determine WHEN to pull a player (unless you have a fully functional crystal ball). If Urlacher plays, it's for a matter of reasons to include him wanting to and him needing to. As far as pulling Cutler, we know he's the starting QB for the team, why bother having him play anymore Pre Season games? He's proven what he needs. What if HE gets hurt? Is Lovie "stupid" for letting him play to experience different looks from different teams?

THIS!! And Lucky L: As outspoken as Urlacher is, you cant convince me for one second that if he didn't want to play he would've said something.

Glad to see Angelo go but again wrong about Lovie. Would you expect anything less from me?

They don't "run the cover 2 that much" and just because they ran it ON THAT play means very little. Urlacher is what has made that "D" work in Chicago (and vice versa) over the course of the number of years he's played there. Cover 2 or otherwise. Would he be as effective in a 3-4 style D? Or as an OLB? A lot of what ifs. Urlacher is effective moreso BECAUSE of the cover 2 scheme, not the other way around, or at least it hasn't been proven otherwise. Where was the team really in the big scheme of things? I don't recall them being totally and completely eliminated from the playof contention until later. What if Lovie had done as you suggested? And NOT made the playoffs because of it? Instead it would've been "should have kept the starters in and given the team a fighting chance". For what its worth, the team should play EVERY game as if it means something. If they were assured a playoff spot then rest the starters, but until that time keep it as it was. These guys are payed handsomely to play a game for 16 weeks...and hopefully longer...each year.

Agreed, this is a school problem. Apparently they are being scrutinized for some procedural issues and some how Pepper's name popped up. Which brings another issue where they are not to be disseminating student informationas it is deemed "confidential" yet there it is, being talked about. Perhaps I'm wrong but someone has an axe to grind and unfortunately Peppers is being drug into it. It doesn't provide anything other than rumor mongering material. The school needs to get its stuff together.

You're right, it is too early. Most of those guys you listed probably got more chat time from the various "experts" who put out a gazillion mock drafts before the actual draft. Just because they (players) may have done well in week one, it doesn't mean anything more than those guys ("experts") trying to justify their hot air. McClellin did fine in his debut and for that matter Jeffery played just as well as a first rounder for his position did and he's a second rounder. You remember all thr press Brady got before he was drafted? Well ok, maybe he didnt get that much hype. How about the first QB selected in thr first round that year, Chad Pennington, hows he doing these days? So let's just sit back and relax for now and enjoy it for what it is, preseason aka glorified scrimmage. By the by, Mayock is a tool.

'This' or 'ditto' or whatever is needed to say, 'thank you'.

How about we do this, wait until the season actually starts then speculate why he hasnt practiced? I mean really, "the season is done?". Wow, you know Forte, Cutler and Peppers didn't play last night either so maybe it is "over". Think back, haven't players like Strahan, Favre, Umineorya and R. Moss all take training camp off from time to time only to excel (or at least do well) during the regular season? Let's give this one some time.

Au contraire... Didn't he play arena ball last year? But you're right, I'd take Marshall and Jeffery nine times to Tuesday and once on Sunday to those guys.

I beg to differ on Roach. Don't have stats and a lot of news to reflect that feeling. Other than to say he's been on the team since '07 and starting since '08. I think he CAN do it, if need be. Other contenders will more than likely be McClelllin, DiCicco or Mayes. Of those three I can see McClellin starting at LB this time next year.

Yeah!!! Let the Rashied Davis fan club reconvene!!! Welcome back Rashied! Good pickup.

It's great to see pictures like this as it means the real deal isn't that far off. One thing that makes me content, at least on the Defensive side, is having Roach continuing to line up with Urlacher and Briggs. Shows some continuity in the LB rank. And if needed he (Roach) may or could step up like Briggs did in the past and run the D. In one of the pics it almost looked like Cutler was trying to tackle Forte, but then I noticed the ball. And its confirmed, Marshall and Jeffery LOOK as Bad A** as people have been saying.

Oooh...I get first pick? I didn't realize the team stunk it up that bad. Last year is such a fleeting memory. At some point we need to pick our keeper right? And there will be a deadline for that? And it can't be the same as last year? Should I just read the league rules? Thanks....

Team "Da' Grizzled" checking in and ready to go...sir!

Manning had the "face" thing too and "the house that Peyton built" in Lucas Oil Stadium. I just hope URL doesn't become insistent on a price and rather hopes to be a part of tradition, something Chicago is rich in.

You were right that the team did suffer some significant losses (or near losses) and still managed to play pretty well. Despite themselves in regards to Martz being the play caller and Tice slowly and progressively putting together a decent OL. I think the team will vastly improve, partly due to the points you made, but also by "addition by subtraction". In this case, with Martz gone, Tice has it "easier" as Cutler is a pretty capable QB and has been given the reigns (if you will) to run the offense more to his liking. Add to that he has gotten Marshall and Bates on the staff to help him improve. Someone on the board (sorry can't remember who exactly) did a comparitive listing of the Bears players to the Packers players (QB-QB, WR-WR etc) and just in that comparison it is simple to see that the Bears actually do add up to the Packers. Historically the Bears have done better against the Packers. They don't always win but the Packers don't usually score a load of points like they do against other teams. What that tells me is the Bear defense is able to hold it's own and the Offense struggled. After this year I think those struggles will be a thing of the past. And I too disagree with the Packers doing better than the Bears by three games.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post...urlacher-cutler So the question has to be asked, what do you think the team will do (in the long run) with both Brian and Jay? Obviously it's way too early to probably worry about it but if the team does do reallly well this year, it could make for some dicey negotiations. By the way, I could help but notice how dour Cutler and Urlacher look in the article picture.

I think some of the reason some of us get "miffed" is for the same reason the Bears and Packers have a rivalry. If you love your team and hear (read) someone within take to task the negatives of the team, you're going to challenge those points. And if that person regularly challenges by throwing up the "what it's" and appears to be negative they are either a devils advocate (not bad), pessimistic (meh), or a plant. As far as "pissing in the Koop aid", I'm personally someone who enjoys my meals deficate free. With regards to challenging the Packer fans on their home turf, let me tell you I'm a Democrat with MANY Republican friends. To try and go into "enemy territory" and stir the pot isnt smart or brave, it's foolhardy...and pointless.

I wonder sometimes if you do this just "for the sake of arguing". Your counterpoints are somewhat laughable. The fact the you attempt to legitimize a Packer's fan perspective of our team is almost treasonous. 1. How do you explain the 7-3 (?) record prior to Cutlers injury departure? The line seemed to be coming into its own as the season progressed. More on the offense scheme to come in a min.... 2. Is that so? "suspicions" of this and that? I pity whomevers jury panel you serve on for their criminal trial. Marshall is not the "basket case" as many have alleged. He'll be fine in Chicago. 3. A "sour puss"? The fact he derides what he doesn't like (aka "tell Martz to f*ck himself") is more a conviction of his leadership ability rather than lack. He's calling it like he sees it. 4. There is a difference between getting and being old. I'll take a current Urlacher over any other LB and nine times on Tuesday. Tillman is still good as is Peppers. Many key players are aging but still good at what they do. 5. Again, your propensity for pessimism clouds your ability to accept that maybe, just maybe the team has a gem hidden in the group of youngsters at Safety. 6. The fact that Tice is allowing Cutler the idea of calling audibles and doing away eight the 5-7 dropback passes speaks volumes of his judgement abilities. Cutler by far will be able to do more if he is given the ability to call the play he wants if the need is there. And his innate ability to throw on the run will be showcased again. Don't give up just yet. The season hasn't started yet.

I agree with Mad Lith...that Booker isn't more than an EXPERIENCED warm body at a low price. It does appear that Toub must be asking for more options in the ST realm though what with this addition and the adds of Weems and Thomas. Appears they are wanting some guys to try out for Knox' position and who knows, maybe Hester's?