Alaskan Grizzly

I believe in Lovie and will continue to support him. If players like Urlacher, Briggs (who are on the roster opposed to me) and others say they will play for him at all cost then I go with their judgement. The Defense looked inspired and the Offense looked "improved". Despite the turnovers, which is an individual problem not a coaching problem, I think the team will continue to get better.

I'd have to agree that the oline wasn't horrific. In fact Martz tailored his offense to Cutler's style of play and thusly did the "zone scheme" blocking which allowed Cutler to roll out and scramble if need be. Looked as though a few players need to keep working on plays and being where they should be (Knox) and figure out what the deal is with fumbling all of a sudden. From what I saw I am encouraged but not quite sold yet. The Defense played stellar. I think Marinelli may know what he's doing after all. The next couple of weeks will be telling for sure.

Sorry I love the Bears and hope all the best for Lovie but Megatron was definitely robbed. No ifs, ands or buts about it. I miss the day of the old leather helmets. Sorry Detroit, you deserved the win. Chicago had better get there heads out of their collective other ends next week.

All will be fine. The game is at home and this will be a good baramoter of things to come. I think a lot of the anticipation is due to the untraditional mixing of Bears football (dominant running) with a Martz offensive scheme (Air Coryell). The two make for strange bedfellows. But it is bound to happen if Cutler is going to be used effectively. I predict a monster year for Taylor. Marshall Faulkish. I'm ready for some football!!!

Both of theses guys leaving is a bad deal for the Bears. Shaw going is very similar to when Ayanbadejo left. I remember watching how much more effective Hester was when Ayanbadejo was around and after he left for Baltimore, things for Hester dropped...at least on the ST side of things. Ayanbadejo was one of those "ST aces" you always hear about and I think Shaw is one of those, who can also benefit the Defense as a backup. But I guess now somebody else will be able to use his services. I would be willing to bet the Bears were hoping that he would be around still to put on the practice roster. With LeFeavour I saw someone that could develop well. I am sitting here now watching the replay against the Browns and he again continued to improve, just like in Arizona. He is a stout "stand in the pocket" QB, something I am a big fan of. And his judgments are pretty sound for a rookie. I guess most of his leaving had to do with the Bears adding Collins and having Hanie still on the rolls. And because Hanie is injured they couldn't release him(??) Good luck to both Shaw and LeFeavour.

I have to agree in large part to what you wrote. The one exception being: "Jerry Angelo's tendency to relegate picking lineman very late in the draft is disheartening". My discourse is summed up in one name: Chris Williams. Round 1 #14 overall in the 2008 draft. That is the true definition of disheartening. Someone you pick that early and that much money and for what? I totally agree with your wanting for a player to play with a controlled "reckless abandon". And from what I've seen around the league you can find that player just about at any level of the draft. Kreutz was drafted in the third round back in 1998. He is unquestionably a leader on the team and, not so much anymore, but used to effectively play with that controlled "reckless abandon" you spoke of. I wish the Bears had a plethora of Kreutz' of varying heights and weights to put on the line..just younger.

Although it hasn't been disproven that the Bears do have issues with evaluating decent WR's: see Berrian, Gage, Wade and Bradley of recent memory who have had decent careers since leaving and others like Muhammad and Berlin that arrived later in their careers. But with Iglesias I see shades of Airese Currie. In fact I swore it was Currie trying out again with a different name on his back. Maybe he will do better with a different scheme, maybe not. My instinct says no. But in reality, how long has it been that the Bears have had a QB that can adequately and "traditionally" use a true WR? Since McMahaon there has been something like 20-30 starting QB's and only a few that have proven decent? Again and as I have mentioned before the Bears have always been more the ground and pound type of offense. I disagree that Davis is not a valuable player. Not only is he a veteran now but as someone else mentioned he has intangible value as a Special Teamer. He also has shown courage with over the middle receptions and being able to make more catches than misses. He may not be much of a YAC receiver but he, like Bennett, is a good "clutch" receiver. Like was mentioned in another reply I too don't see what all the greatness was about Gilbert. He has had a few years to contribute, more so this year with Alex Brown and Ogunleye gone but was unable to produce. So there isn't much you can do or say that would convince me that he is any better than who they decided to stay with, whether it be along the line or somewhere else in the defense.

I too have much faith in Martz and his way of coaching. I think there is something to be said about a guy who has been to the Super Bowl twice and this resume: Martz is best known as the offensive coordinator behind the St. Louis Rams high-powered 1999 team that won the Super Bowl. As a head coach in the NFL Martz was 56-36 in 5⅓ seasons as the St. Louis Rams head coach. He won two division titles, had four playoff berths including a NFC championship and a trip to Super Bowl XXXVI. - courtesy Wikipedia. Martz has been coaching long enough to know that he doesn't need to display all of what is in store. I feel too that he has worked with Cutler to tailor his talents into his (Martz') scheme. And despite what others have said, Cutler is not that much a dullard that he can't figure it out. I reviewed some of the last game in particular and watched what many have said over the years about Cutler's favor to roll out on the pass. In fact I almost was sure that the way the offense was working that Martz was previewing for a future showcase of roll out passing and the "zone-blocking" that Shanahan favored when in Denver. Evidenced by the fair number of screen plays that were put in. When Eric Kramer, and he did this a few times, commented on the screen plays, he noted that it took an athletic type of lineman in order to pull that off. Lineman that are better at pursuit blocking or scheme blocking are not necessarily going to be all that good at straight up maintain the pocket blocking. I don't care what history has said about Martz' offense schemes where the 7-10 step drop back passing is the norm, I don't see that here. Again, I am willing to bet that Martz has a lot in store and will be working to more of Cutler's strengths. Another interesting point to notice was LeFeavour's (sp?) improved play. Where Cutler prefers the roll out of the pocket passing, LeFeavour stood stoic in the pocket to make most of his passes. In that time he was pretty successful, especially against Arizona. Now I know it contradicts everything I just said about Cutler but at the point of the game when LeFeavour was playing not only was the offense much more "vanillaized" but the o-line was the 2nd and 3rd stringers. The big monsters (both the LT and LG stand at 6'8") who are probably not going to be as well adapted to the roll out blocking.

This lack of support and hope that all goes bad is really really disappointing. You can't weigh a whole lot on preseason results. What last year was it the Lions were undefeated in the preseason but got nowhere close to the Super Bowl. I for one am hoping the season goes a lot better than most of you are hoping and Lovie is behind the wheel. Give up this sniveling abot how much you want Cowher. He ain't coming. GO BEARS!!!!

My question would be why don't the Bears prep both Kreutz and Mannelly for each others' jobs? In the event something like what has happened with Mannelly occurs? Additionally, why wouldn't they (Bears) then train one of the "backup" Centers ie: Beekman, to be ready to do either job in a pinch? I mean really....D. Clark? What is the thought process in that? I don't get it.

I know it's a little late but whatever you BBQ make sure you use "Sweet Baby Ray's". It is out of Chicago for one thing and the other is that is simply awesome. I am not much the chef when it comes to "recipes" but do know that the aforementioned sauce is da' "boss"!

I would assume that the old adage applies here; "no news is good news" but just wanted to see if any of you "locals" had heard anything more on Urlacher's status and his calf. Would figure that it shouldn't affect him too much but these days, who knows? I say keep him out for the rest of Preseason, regardless. Let Roach get some more reps in.

There was a keeper league last year? I did the "traditional" FF with folks from this site in the past. One that Pix used to run but didn't do a keeper last year.... that I recall.

This seems a lot different than what I understood "keeper leagues" to be. The major difference being you kept the majority of the team save two or three players. Then you negotiate where your upcoming picks go based on the "value" of that player amd especially if there is a trade valuation. Anyhow, it would seem the majority like this proposal and I too am willing to try out this "keeper" idea. As far as players kept, I say two. I think one round higher or round taken for that "kept" player sounds fair which, as you mentioned, cancels out the next idea of whether the first round pick is given up. I say yes. Not so sure I agree with how long you should keep your players. Not really a big fan of putting a number on it as that kind of goes away from the idea of "keeper" league. But again, if majority rules. Draft order sounds perfect. Makes sense. And the last points (5 and 6) sound pretty reasonable to me. Count me in as interested.

First off, congrats. How did you get that? Secondly, I'm all for a keeper league. Was asking about that last year. Would really like to try it out. Not sure I would want to go head to head with you though . Maybe we can work something out? Takers?

So if Lebron James were to play for the Bulls, what more (besides the Cubs winning it all) could a Chicago sports fan ask for? Maybe James would be interested in catching a few from Cutler?

A few years ago Scotty Gomez (when playing for the Devils and who is from Anchorage Alaska) brought the Cup back to Anchorage. Man was that a big deal. Apparently each player on the team gets to take it (trophy) to their "hometown" for a tour and available for the fans to look at, photograph, etc. I thought at the time, especially not being a true hockey fan, that it was a pretty cool idea. I further agree that the Lombardi trophy is still sweeter. Which reminds me MadLith...nice ad that you found there. And I thought my license plate was clever.... But you, AZ54, have one even better.

I figured things are slow so why not ? Congrats to the Blackhawks and the city of Chicago!

Thanks for your civil replies. I am one of maybe one that likes Lovie and would like to see him win it all. As far as Cowher goes, I am always flabbergasted when I see those wishing for him to be the next coach. I can't remember where or exactly when it was but there was an article some time back where it was said that coaches that go from one team to another, especially if they were previously successful, rarely continue that trend. I think with the Steelers (as an example) it is more the ownership/management that is successful rather than the coaches. In Chicago it too is successful but in a different way. They are not only the oldest team in the NFL but also the winningest team in history. Mostly due to the likes of Halas, coincidently which is the tie to the current ownership in Chicago. At any rate, going along with MadLith's desire to "win it all" I ask what if Lovie does win it all? What if he doesn't and "they" bring in a new coach, how long does he (the new guy) have to "win it all" before they too need to move on? There aren't that many Bill Belichick's out there. Lest we be reminded that he (Belichick) actually went from not so good (in Cleveland) to a bit better (New England). Regardless of "modern era" or not, Lovie has a winning record plain and simple. The others you make comparisons to, did not. So if not Lovie, then who???

MadLith: Another thing Lovie is third in is all- time winningest coach of the Bears behind Halas and Ditka. I do agree that if things don't improve this year then Lovie should be asked to go but if the team improves I agree with the idea of letting him coach out his contract and then assess.

Besides the point that Pixote makes remember you are talking about an O-lineman....who is 6'8" and 300 and some odd pounds. You could've drafted a guy like this in the 1st round, paid him a whole heck of a lot more money and gotten possibly less or as much production. This is a project you try out and if he doesn't work out, no big loss. If he does, you are considered a genious for finding him in the rough. So let me ask you this, of the following names what do you think they all have in common? Steve Tasker, Eric Martin, Bo Jackson, Kevin Gogan, Leon Lett, Keenan McCardell, Odewale Ogunleye and Shaun O'Hara. I can tell you each of the above listed guys were drafted 7th round or less (and in the case of Ogunleye and O'Hara not at all) and were all Pro-Bowlers at some point in their careers. And these were names I randomly found in draft classes 1985, 87, 91 and 2000. You just never know what you're going to get. The one sure positive is the Bears currently have a 1st round going into next year's draft. Something that couldn't have been said the last two years.

Hey BJ, not a stupid question really. It could be I like Kodiak Grizzlies because I thought they were "photo"genic not from an island in Alaska. Yes been in Alaska now 33 years this summer. (33 too many if you ask me). And did you say "down to" 62?

At the half Bulls up by 11. For those of you drinking and whatever in your garages. And by the way TErra, it's snowing ALOT right now. And that is why I'm watching bball.

To borrow a phrase from an eloquent linguinist I know; "mark my words" as the Lions now have Suh we are in for a long year against Detroit. I predict Chicago goes at least .500 against the Lions, if not worse.

I think Angelo means it this time. Going three years without a #1 (or 2 for that matter) is a lot to gamble on. I don't think it necessary to give up next years 1 anyhow. The skill positions are pretty well covered; QB - check, RB- check (2 times) WR - possibly (or at least I'm told), CB - check (despite what others think Tillman will do fine and Bowman will come into his own), LB/DE - BIG check. The only one not so sure is the FS and this draft is FULL of good talent at that position. Plenty that the Bears can wait until round three. As far as OL, I say let's see what Tice/Martz can do with what they've got before really starting to panic. And Terra... Consider your words marked and highlighted.