Alaskan Grizzly

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?

Anyone out there that could show the comparison of Fortes deal to the other most recent RB signees or re-signees? And what was his original offers the last year? I'm just curious.

Oh boy, I get to "name drop" Mad Lith. I will contact him, thanks for the info.

How do you find the shirts?

How then does one explain the likes of Julio Jones or AJ Green or Jordy Nelson?

The way I see it against Hester, Jeffery will be the #2. Against Bennet, that remains to be seen. Barring injury, there is almost no question that Jeffery will be playing more at WR (in the starting lineup) than will Hester. And probably Bennet. I would like to see Weems and Thomas contribute too but I expect they will be moreso on ST than anything.

Interestingly enough both Jennings and recently acquired Hayden were on the same Colts team that beat our Bears in Super Bowl 41. And where Jennings didn't play in that game, we all recall that Hayden did. And by the same logic that Jennings has done well for the Bears, due mostly to his familiarity with the Cover 2, I'm anxious to see how Hayden does.

Jason, I will agree with you that traditionally the Bears are known to be a running team. I'm not normally comfortable with seeing them do different. But, as a few have pointed out this is a team in a state of metamorphosis. Cutler is unquestionably one of the best QBs in the league. You yourself want nothing less for him to be able to stay upright in the pocket. Why else would he need to other than to pass? Now he has the likes of Brandon Marshall, most here would agree he's easily a #1 receiver on most teams in the NFL. Alshon Jeffery is a projected top flight receiver, definitely large bodied...again something many here were hoping for. Now with Davis many hope he will able to "produce". Produce what, blocks? And as earlier pointed out Rodriguez is an addition a kin to what you have seen in New England...or at least thats the belief. Heck even the Bears top runner and overall offensive producer was one of the teams lead receivers the last few years. That's something Forte is pretty good at, so why not exploit it. So like you, this pass first mentality is something foreign to me, especially in Chicago. But the pieces are coming together for something totally different. And I have to admit it's pretty exciting.

^ This ^ The popular trend nowadays seems to be this two TE threat that has been successful for NE. So why not give it a try Besides, didn't Emery spend some time with the Patriot organization? Maybe thats where he got the idea from.

No I am not trying to compromise, concede, agree or acquiesce. I'm just sayin'. Cheers bro!

I dunno. I think Bush will be higher maybe in the 20's. (Or better?)

I know, when I discuss something with you I usually am wrong. But I've learned to live with it. But what we are discussing now is simple semantics. As I've said before statistics can be used any wAy you or I see fit. For example, you say the likelihood of first round draft picks at the (OT/OL) position succeeding is higher, where I say the likelihood of the two first round OT picks for the Bears, so far have not (in their respective positions). I will go further and agree that its not up for debate, these are facts.

I have to continue and disagree with the "common" in the common sense as you portray it here. As I've pointed out before, previously before this year the team's last two first rounders were in fact Offensive Tackles. And yet last year (and the year before) a 7th rounder (Webb) played more in THAT position did both of those 1st rounders combined.

It makes perfect sense. Having Bush signed makes Forte almost expendable. I say almost as Bush hasn't really been tested as a feature back for a whole season. Is he capable? no doubt. The additional fact that Kalil Bell and Forte are very similar in their styles (IMHO) also makes it less difficult to watch Forte sit out. The guaranteed money from the teams perspective makes logical sense. With the uncertaintly of Fortes future ability they are wise in holding off for now and see how things are after the end of the year. Forte isn't really gettting that bad a deal in the franchise tag amount. I know it sucks as a player but the team holds the cards in this one.

I'd have to say "no" mostly for the same reasons already mentioned. Especially given Davis, Spaeth and Rodriguez are already on the team. I think the team has as good a chance to get most or all of what they need out of these three. And rather than throw money away at a player like this, save it for using towards getting Forte signed.

Oh no, don't open the door for negative Nellie talk. This place is usually so upbeat and consistently positive.

I was just going to say that if they were going to do this, I wish they would kept Okoye. Unless he was going to cost a lot.

I think I have to agree with Balta's assessment that Forte is NOT a short yardage rusher. Sure the OL could have been a part of it, but Walter Payton could almost always gain yards, in the open field or with being surrounded on four sides. So could Barry Sanders. When in those last mentioned situations, and in short yardage, Walter would just leap over the top. Forte does not do that...or at least I don't recall him doing that. Many times after Benson left and about the time Forte started I could recall how frustrating it was to watch them both run to the line, meet resistance and stop. In between the two there was Thomas Jones who many times would simply re-direct himself when he met resistence and gain big chunks of yards. So yes it could be that the line isn't helping but I think Forte is simply not a short yardage back. Finesse running and pass catching are his (forgive the puns) "fortes".

I'm with you Pix. I've made no secret in my support of Lovie but to think that Emery would pick a guy so that eventually, maybe he could play a role they (whoever "they" are) see him better fitting is ludicrous. I've seen that thought echoed here a few times and chuckle. You hit the nail on the head that if Lovie fails, by associatiation so does Emery. What I think people need to get a grasp of is that Lovie is an effective "COACH" and that his players appreciate playing for him. Our perception of him does not matter, good bad or indifferent. Recent moves not withstanding it should be noted of the players on the team a few have recently signed extensions with the hope of "being a Bear for life". A few years ago it was Urlacher this year it was Briggs. And this despite him saying how displeased he was the previous two years.

Isn't the similar course Dave Duerson followed a few years back? And he was thought to hav lingering effect from concussions. My hope is the NFL will look into this for the health and safety of past, current and future players. Sorry for the Seau family. RIP Junior.

I think there is something to this Brown. I'm intrigued to see how he does. I read one of his "selling points" was that he has fiery disposition. I think he'll be an upgrade to Webb...maybe even Williams (if he goes back to Tackle). http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...ames-brown.html

Until Cutler and Forte were both injured the Bears were on a five game winning streak (7-3?). And they have added better players (Marshall and Bush) so I'm not sure how they couldn't be better. Top 10? Perhaps. At least top 16.

I stand corrected. I was just on my way to passing out on my hammock when I wrote that. And Rosie Williams didn't sound right.