Alaskan Grizzly

Forget about any of the RFA's, especially since their current teams pretty much have first dibs on them. If they are "top candidates" in either category then that will be something difficult for the Bears to match. I consistently see many here suggest the Bears are in need of a new (or improved) FS for the defense. (IMHO - still think needs first and foremost are on Offense). But if you were to entertain the FA route then there are few here that are worth considering. Again, if the Bears were to persue this RFA (unlikely) then my money would be on someone like the Rams Otogwe. He is good, consistent and probably ready to make the move to another team as did Tinoisomoa, Pace and Archuleta (and possibly Martz) did before him. Otherwise if money was no issue (or so was reality for that matter) than I would do all I could to get someone like Darren Sharper. He was available last year and the Bears squandered their opportunity. I still like the suggestion some time back about the conversion to the the 3-4 with Tillman playing FS. This type of move allows the Bears to work with what they got. Think about the LB positon with Urlacher, Briggs, Tinoisomoa and Roach(?) all working at the "second level" of the defense. Sounds pretty intriguing.

Connor, couldn't agree with you more. This is obviously an op-ed piece written by another disgruntled Bears fan. It has as much creedance as a claim that aliens live on Pluto. Wait, Pluto isn't a planet... Anyhow, most of you will recall that Tom Coughlin was in a similarly tenuous spot as Lovie when the season ended. Jerome Bettis even came out during the end of the season saying that Cowher wanted to go to New York. What's to say he (Cowher) wasn't "assembling a staff" to go to New York? Good luck Lovie and the Bears in 2010.

Yeah since he is in Division it would only go to reason that he would not come to Chicago. But so far little has made complete sense. His long resume doesn't impress me much. If he's been around that long why not something more prestigious? Just another interview more than likely. Means he'll be the new OC.

"Yes! Although I did say it as a joke, I'll take your jab accepting full responsibility that I indeed did write that. You are also one of the "masochists" I refer to. We all are. The term is meant as strong statement (albeit maybe a bit over the top...I'm not running for office here, so I have a bit more leeway) that we seem to dismiss the pain and aguish over a poorly run franchise and keep coming back for more. Here's the definition: A willingness or tendency to subject oneself to unpleasant or trying experiences. Sound familiar?" I think when it comes to being an actual masochist, you have to KNOW that you are going to experience unpleasantness or subject yourself to a trying experience. Why would we watch the game knowing the Bears were going to lose every time and put ourselves through that? That's not what happened 7 out of 16 games last season. Who would've thought the Bears would have won the second game against the Vikings? Or earlier in the season when they beat the defending champion Steelers? If I knew that the Bears would have lost every game, I wouldn't bother. Heck if I wanted to be a true masochist I would become a Detroit Lions fan. I don't like pain or torture. It's about the element of surprise I suppose or believing that the team will prevail. Not just Lovie, not just Angelo, not just Cutler or Urlacher even but the team. Hence why you and I and most of the other folks here are fans of the Bears. "And if wearing a burlap sack is all it took for us to get a Super Bowl win, I'd wear one every freakin' day! I'm glad your offer still stands. Not sure why you reference it in your counterpoint to my post as I'm not a season ticket holder, and I too in fact would buy someone's season tickets. I guess I just have a tendency to subject myself to unpleasant or trying experiences. But a regular game ticket, I'm not buying until there's a regime change." Good, that will allow someone like me to get a better seat at the game. And, my reference to the "season ticket holder" is not so much towards you but those that have thrown up their hands in disgust and said they can't do it anymore. Could be "steam blowing" I suppose but for me, patience.

This coming from someone who said he would wear a bag over his head. Maybe you and your fellow "masochists" should put on the burlap getup, look what it did for the Saints? Meanwhile, my offer still stands. Those of you so fed up, so peeved, so embarrassed, so disenchanted; I will be more than happy to purchase your season holder tickets. I live in Alaska and can't even make every game but I'll still buy them and try and get to Chicago whenever I can.

So long Brett. Maybe.... I was thinking about buying a new TV, which do you recommend?

Thank you. This is pretty much the same stuff that I have been saying. I like the article you included as it uses "conventional wisdom" and common sense as the approach. I totally agree about the position coaching (Tice) in that how many ways are you going to teach a grown man how to block other than maybe one or two techniques to help the process? Or maybe Tice will come along and make the linemen and TE's work harder. I mean after all he was a pretty decent TE himself. (So was Ditka right?). This idea of waiting is really not a big deal and speculation abounds that the team has no direction or idea of what its doing. The thought that the Bears could be waiting until after the SB only strengthens my belief. Like I said in another post, noone starts the real offseason until March anyhow so just chill out. Watch the Daytona 500 next month. One last point. I am at a further loss as to why the folks are concerned with Cutler having to continuously learn new schemes each time and speculate, given the tenuous situation that Lovie is in, he will have to learn another next year. Let me ask you this, what happens if Lovie and crew does better than many anticipate (see hope) and if they hire a REAL good OC, what's to say he isn't the HC this time next year if plan A doesn't work out? Then there won't be this changing Offensive strategy again as many speculate. Jay's a smart kid, he'll adapt.

"Honestly, you're right...it doesn't matter, and more likely could be a plus that Smith is backing off slightly in recruiting due to the interview. His desires have been busts and I'd rather have Jerry doing it than Smith. " Ok so we are cool here. Not sure that not having Lovie's say in the recruitment process is necessarily a bad thing. Angelo isn't always right on the money. But really, we're talking about 3rd round talent here....who could they entertain there? Just curious. "Waitng is a HUGE problem. How can it not be? The longer you take the get a staff in order, the less time you have to prepare. Als, the longer you wait, the fewer top candidates are out there. It also gives off 2 impressions. 1. They don't know what they want or know what they're doing 2. No one wants to come here with a lame duck staff The longer things take, the more fuel goes to those 2 fires. Perception isn't everything. But it's a lot." Back when Smith was hired in 2004, Nick Saban (who turned down the job), Romeo Crennel and Jim Mora Jr. were leading candidates. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=evIsA...smith&hl=en Saban, as we know moved onto Alabama after bailing on the Dolphins and well we know what happened with Crennel (fired once) and Mora Jr. (twice). Of course with Lovie as HC the Bears made the Super Bowl in '06, where did the three teams the other candidates end up? My point is, you may find a better prospect in the rough if you show more patience. I realize that most coaches may "percieve" the short term impication or lame duck or whatever, but what's to say that candidate couldn't be the next #1 next year if he does really well at leading the OC? "If I'm NO or Indy I could care less. Were in the SB! And one will win it. Deal with issues after that. It's a small price to pay for winning it all. Everyone else who lost, gets a small advantage then. I'm sorry, I just do not buy the spin that this lingering search is good. It's rationalization based on fallacy. And that fallacy is that the powers that be know what they're doing." Two thoughts here; first what's to say that the Bears might be looking at a member of either the Colts or Saints staff that interests them? I know you and I can speculate either way but see my earlier notes and think about it. Secondly, so how did things work out for Pittsburgh again after winning the Super Bowl? Where did they finish the season?

That is awesome he was chosen but my money is that he won't be able to play either. Probably wouldn't be a good idea anyhow.

First, I don't see any problem with Lovie staying in Chicago to help in the assistant search. The Senior Bowl doesn't play until this weekend anyhow, how long do you think it will take to interview they guy if he comes in tomorrow? Lovie could be at the practices by Wednesday and get updates from the scouts. Secondly, I still don't see how waiting is a problem. If it was in August I would be worried but the season isn't completely over yet. Hell, New Orleans and Indianapolis haven't even started getting ready for next year. What if they were to lose some of their coordinators after the Super Bowl? They would be that farther behind in their search. I understand the trepidation and concerns but what is the rush with all this? Teams can't even start any of the "off season" work until March. Relax. What would you guys do if the season were 18 weeks and the Super Bowl was played in March??? C'mon Man!!!

I think there could be something good from this idea. I like that Ochocinco, Houschyourmama (a 7th round pick originally eh? - hmmm...Knox), Chris Henry and the younger Laverneous Coles all flourished with this guy's coaching. Pair that with while at USC he scouted and recommended bot Palmer and Leinart (Heisman winners no doubt) probably means he knows something about QB development. Lastly he not only looks to have helped Flacco out but worked with the likes of Ray Rice, McClain and McGahee. All who have been steady smash mouth RBs. A staple to play in Chicago. Imagine what could be in store for Aromashadu, Knox, Olsen, Forte, Bell, Cutler and Boldin (thats right I said it) if they brought in a guy like this.

"What have you seen out of Anquan Boldin to make you think he's a #1 WR? Last year I pointed out issues with him versus the contract he wants. I love the way he plays the game and he'd definitely fit into the Bears persona. He'd even make our WR corps better...but he's not a #1 WR. " I am not quite sure what your definition is of a "#1 receiver" but I would be willing to think that our definitions differ. If it's stats alone then I can point out another WR tandem where the definition could be skewed. New England's Welker and Moss. In 2009; Welker (who most would not consider NE's #1) made 123 receptions (2nd highest in NFL history) for 1,348 yds and 4 TD's. Whereas Moss had 83 receptions for 1,264 yds and 13 TD's. Now as far as points go then Moss clearly is the #1 but is he Brady's #1? Not sure you can think that way if you look at the receptions (123 to 83) meaning Brady looked to Welker quite a bit more. Even in Arizona and for 2009; Boldin had 84 receptions for 1,024 yards and 4 TD's where Fitzgerald had 97 catches for 1,092 yards and 13 TD's. In this case Fitz edged Boldin in receptions (by 13) but Boldin beat out Fitz in Yards by 48 yards. And this was with Boldin not playing a few games because of "injury". "He's too slow and without a true #1 deep threat opposite him those underneath routes he works aren't going to be worth too much. I haven't seen anyone struggle to keep up with him all year. He does make people miss tackles but that comes at the expense of injuries every season. He again missed the playoffs due to injury." Speaking of injury. Even with a broken jaw and his mouth wired shut in 2008 Boldin still managed to get 1,038 yards and 11 TD's. Pretty good considering the hit he took to get that broken jaw. As far as this year goes, and judging by your moniker I would bet you have a better insight, I am willing to bet that Boldin was prepared to play in more games than Whisenhunt was willing to let him play. He had some injuries but a few times stated that he was dissatisfied in the choices made at the coaching level regarding him being able to play. That tells me that he wanted to play but was not allowed to. Why? Could be contract disputes, could be attitude, could be ???? "All this puts him in the solid #2 category for me. We have enough of those guys on our roster at a much lower cap hit. I'd rather keep the upside of a young Iglesias in the mix versus the downside of Boldin at the end of his career and his $9million cap hit. That money will have a lot better effect on wins if it's spent on fixing the Oline or Dline." With Boldin, even if he is what you consider a "solid #2" he is better than the current #1 candidates on the Bears roster. He is a proven commodity versus a speculative one in Iglesias. What has Iglesias accomplished in the NFL thus far? Could he be the next Jerry Rice or could he be the next Airese Curry? Don't you think that Cutler would prefer to work with at least one receiver that has some mileage on him and is a proven stat leader than all youngsters? I know I would be at better peace knowing that someone like Boldin was on the team for the youngsters to get some pointers from. Sure the current WR's on the rosters could prove to be electrifying over time but in the meantime bringing Boldin (or someone like him) could definitely move thing faster in that direction.

"Realistically" I think the OL will pretty much stay the same, save Pace and maybe Omiyale staying on the team. I could see the Bears looking at getting one OL through either FA or draft. I still believe if a strong candidate at WR is out there then that should be the Bears first play. Having a strong veteran WR can only better the young crop of WR's currenlty on the team. As far as this FS concern, I think the article recently regarding revamping the Def to a 3-4 stance and moving Tillman to FS could and should be a thing they seriously consider. (Think Mike Brown)

I like this, for the most part. I cringe just a little about the idea of having a "Ryan" back in the mix at Chicago but then again Lovie is not Ditka. And, if Rob is anything like his brother then I think he could be just what the Bears need in someone fiery on the sidelines. And who knows, with the possibility of Lovie gone next year he (Rob) could be looking at the possibility of the lead gig. I like the idea of the Bears going to a 3-4 especially with the ideas that were listed in the article. The big draw is putting someone like Urlacher in a position where he doesn't have to cover the whole middle of the field. I also like the idea of Peanut moving to FS. He has lost a step or two on coverage but does have speed. The one idea that I am not keen on is going after someone like Sean Rogers. I feel that Anthony Adams is sufficient and would do fine as a NT. He has the size and what do you really need from a NT other than to plug the middle? Beyond that getting someone like Seymour would be nice but unlikely. Why not keep Idonije(sp?) especially that he has a lot of strength and could develop as a pass rusher? Or even Brown, Ogunleye and Anderson rotating on the Ends? I really think the money needs to be spent on the Offensive side first and foremost. I think the Bears should persue a high profile FA WR then maybe an OL before they go and start tweaking the Defense too much.

All this FA talk has gotten me thinking. Given Cutler likes Shannahan and he is now in Washington: would you be willing to trade Cutler to Washington for a 1st and/or 2nd and Jason Campbell? Campbell isn't all that a horrible QB and the Bears can get back two of the draft picks they probably will need come next year. I, for one, would not want Cutler to go anywhere but just thought I would throw that out there. Food for thought.

"Against Minny, we were moving the pocket a lot more, and using Cutler the way we should, but you can only do that so much. Final game was against Minny, who has a pass rush weaker than ours." What?? With both the Williams', Jared Allen, Jimmy Kennedy and Ray Edwards? They have a worse pass rush than the Bears?? "No, I do not think our OL is close to settled. I think Williams replacing Pace is a great start, but I am not happy with anyone we have projecting to RT at the moment. Also, while Omiyale improved, that is a very relative comment. Garza is not awful, but not good either. And Kreutz is near the end, and many thing the end was a few years ago." I am pretty sure that most here, myself included, would be ok with Omiyale being shown the door. I believe Beekman is ready to come into his own. I would be much better with leaving Garza where he is and ok with Kreutz returning. Williams is definitely the long term solution on the left (better be after the draft choice he cost) and maybe Shaffer is the answer (for now) at Right. If not then maybe one pickup for RT could do the trick. In that I would be inclined to use either the 3rd or 4th round pick and entertain other players later in the preseason for G/C. "OL played better at the end, but comments like yours exemplify my greatest concern. Just because it played well for a game or two does not mean it isn't in need of fixing. I am sure you would say the same for the WR position, but here are the differences, IMHO." Not sure why my comments "concern" you as I was only agreeing with the previous poster. And I was trying to make a point in not venturing in FA with the thought the Bears should waste money on OL when there are higher and more valuable skill players available IE: Boldin and Marshall. To me, that is where you make the money. I think the problem with the Bears' OL from last year was the inability to solidify and work as a true unit. As far as the rest, it is pretty clear you and I disagree what the Bears priorities are and again, are off topic. I still like Boldin over any other FA...RB or otherwise.

"You look at what Cutler and the WRs did the last two games. Key in those games was the protection and time Cutler had. I would take that over the span of 16 games. Wouldn't you? If you want to help the passing game, start w/ the OL. I don't care if we added Fitzgerald. If Cutler is on his back, he can't get the ball to Fitz." Ah ha, so you admit that the current OLmen could work if coached by the right person (Tice)? No need to go out to the FA market to sign another Pace or Shaffer or Omiyale? "Boldin is a hell of a WR, but once again, he showed an inability to stay healthy. We suffer through enough injuries w/o trading away players/ picks to add more injury prone players." I don't know that I would call Boldin "injury prone" unless you consider when he had his head almost removed in '08 and still managed to play again despite having his mouth wired shut....injury prone. This year he was injured a bit more than advertised and I believe held out a few games not because of injury but instead he and Whisenhunt not getting along. My money is he would have still played in those games if allowed. "Josh Reed? In 8 NFL seasons, his best season was less than what Bennett gave us this year. Why would we want him?" Ok, maybe Reed is a bit of a stretch but maybe he and the rest on the list could find themselves in a better enviornment with a QB like Cutler and the soon to be named OC. "Disagree. I don't care who we bring in. If we do not fix the OL, no system in the world is going to run well." See my earlier comments. How do you fix the OL again? Keep what you got and fix it or spend more money on other FA's?

"A quote from JA about TJ when he made the trade with the Jets was that he promised TJ he would try to accomadate him after the season when he demanded a trade after the Bears drafted Benson. When a player demands a trade it doesn't sound like he is happy with his current team. The so called rift between Cutler and Urlacher as first reported by the well-traveled Bobby Wade and then a attributed more recently to a comment heard in an interview by a player who was injured during the first half of the first game of the season( which BTW Cutler agreed with). The local media hear in Chicagoland has said that most of the players get along with each other and the fact that you mention 2 of a 53 man roster is a very low %." I think we are getting off topic but I will give your comment due diligence. I believe the above reply was to your generalization that "we have a bunch of guys that like each other" so I pointed out the top two "leaders" of the team and recalled their disagreements. I really doubt "2 out of 53" is all you would find are discontented with their current situation. "How many SB trophies do the Steeler have totally? How many this decade? If you answer these questions truthfully you realize that this is a successful franchise." As far as this microcosm with regards to the Steelers being so successful, the same could have been said had we had this discussion about the Bears in the 80's. In fact if we were to compare the franchises in whole the Bears would come out on top with 9 total Championships (since their inception in 1919) versus the Steelers 6 total championships. And this from Wikipedia: "The Bears have the most enshrinees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with 26 members. The Bears have also recorded more regular season and overall victories than any other NFL franchise." That seems pretty successful to me. I think realisitcally it is all in the eye of the beholder. What's done is done. Let's see how the next decade goes. I still like Boldin before any RB or any other player for that matter in FA.

"IMO if I had been JA I would have kept a pissed off TJ and Benson because it seems that animosity served the team well. Now we have a bunch of guys who supposedly like each other and they have missed the playoffs 3 straight years." Actutally, I don't think TJ was "pissed off" until he was traded away to the Jets (until he found himself one game away from returning to the Super Bowl that is). Conversely, Benson was "pissed off" before. And I don't think that there are a bunch of players that "like each other" ergo Cutler and Urlacher, on this team. "As for Bell he is what he is an undrafted free agent RB we have gotten more than we expected from him and if he gives us anything more we should be considered fortunate.The Steelers unearthed a gem like Willie Parker and still used a first round pick on Mendenhall." I'm not sure of the point here. Bell could very well be the "gem" you compare to in Willie Parker so why would you think the Bears should consider a high pick like Mendenhall if Forte is already in the mix? "This is how successful teams (Pittsburgh) operate and the Bears should start to do the same." Sorry, I didn't realize that 9-7 and out of the playoffs was considerd "successful".

"Marshall - I don't think he is going to be an UFA, and we don't have the ammo to trade for him, even if we wanted to." Actually I believe Marshall will be an RFA and regardless I hear Seattle is making a push for him. With Carroll now there, things could get challenging for a team like the Bears to go into a bidding war. And as far as "ammo" I would offer up a player like Urlacher or even Hester in trade talks and entertain whatever the team the Bears talk to in regards to other players. The Bears are most definitely in the "beggas can't be choosers" role this next year. "Cribbs - Um, not a WR. Hester is more of a WR than Cribbs. We already tries to take an elite return man and make him into something he is not. You really want to try and do this again?" Cribbs is actually listed as WR even though he played QB in college (compared to Hester's prior experience at CB). And his size (6'1" 215) versus Hester (5'11" 190) makes him a much more targetable WR. Especially given his speed and weight. He would be a great over the middle type receiver. He is more along the size of Aromashadu who I definitely hope the Bears keep around. As far as the rest; Knox - maybe one to two years left with speed being his main attribute (and depending on his later season injury), Bennett - I like him as a #3 in most cases. Beyond that they can all go. "Harrison - Seriously. His game was going downhill fast. Not a team in the league wanted him last year, and now he is simply a year older and further removed." All the more reason to consider him. The Bears won't have a lot in the way of bargaining chips to offer up so why not try him out for one year? Think Muhammad. He was a great pick up for the Bears who did OK (probably due to Orton running the offense) but when he returned to Carolina he turned out to be a pretty good utility receiver behind Steve Smith. Another few notables that I totally forgot about; Anquan Boldin will probably be looking for a new home and next to Cutler I would be willing just about to give anything to bring him in as a #1 WR. Since Angelo tried once already maybe Boldin will appreciate that fact and appreciate that he would be the man at WR if he came to Chicago. The list continues: Antonio Bryant, Steve Breaston, Braylon Edwards (probably too much money and depends on how far the Jets make it), Josh Reed and Troy Williamson - once a first rounder who recently was heard to say that he would like to "duke it out with Brad Childress". That would be fun to see especially since he could see him twice in the same year. One other notable RB to consider is Leon Washington. He will probably be the odd man out with the Jets with TJ being the perrenial 1,000 yard back and the surge of the rookie Green. Washington definitely has the game breaker ability and has shown he could play alongside another showcase RB, in this case Forte. "I am not saying that we should not even consider adding a WR, but I sure don't want to put any legit amount of money there. IMHO, there are 4 areas of top ticket need (OL, DL, FS, CB). I doubt we can afford DL or CB, as those two units are simply so expensive. I think we should be able to afford OL and FS though." Agreed. But in the long run a lot of what comes down the pike in regards to eventually signing players depends on who is chosen as the new OC.

I think (hope) the Bears learned their lesson after the Thomas Jones / Cedric Benson affair from a few years ago. If you recall, Benson was labeled the whiner as he didn't get the ball enough (especially as a number 4 overall pick) so off went TJ. Then a bit later off went Benson. I think leaving things as they are, in the RB dept, is the best course of action. Forte will get better and I think there is something there with Bell. And I believe that Wolfe offers a different angle with his size and Sproles - like ability. I think upsetting the apple cart at this point would prove detrimental, especially with a malcontent like McGahee. If it came down to it and the Bears thought they HAD to have another back then I'd say go with Taylor. He's a real decent player and person. Reminds me a lot of TJ in fact. I say the money needs to go toward a WR (Marshall, Cribbs or even Harrison) and OL.

I have to also agree. Not sure what all the excitement is about not hurrying the process. There are plenty of viable candidates out there that are on teams that are in the playoffs that could be interviewed. Leslie Frazier is one that comes to mind. He is currently the DC at Minnesota and being looked at for a few HC spots but what's to say that he wouldn't think about coming to the Bears staff as the DC knowing that Lovie may not be around after next year? He does have ties to Chicago after all. Who knows? Speaking of "who knows", what happens if Lovie does get the team into the playoffs next year? Is he a repeat of Marvin Lewis: who was in a similar status this time last year, and was just voted the AFC coach of the year? What then?? In the meantime: GO CARDINALS!!!!

I'll cut to the chase, if Warner can stay healthy it'll be Arizona vs Indianapolis in the SB this year with Peyton winning his second ring.

For some reason my vote won't register but if it did, I would go with the second pick. I am one of the few that would like to see Lovie stay where he is for one more year. I wasn't so sure a few weeks ago that would happen but have more confidence after these last few weeks. As far as the OC and DC go, I am all for the expulsion of Babich and Turner. Who instead? We shall see. However things work out I would like to congratulate Lovie and the team in these last two wins especially with the defense missing as many starters as they were. Here's to an improved 2010.

"Shoulda, coulda, didn't" is what I hear. Wasn't Turner also the one that missed an opportunity to get Cutler on the roster at University of Illinois when he was coaching there? I'm not saying he doesn't know how to judge (or use) talent but... http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/04/be..._by_m.html#more And with as much nepotism as there are in sports, makes you wonder why it is Ron's brother doesn't have him helping out in San Diego? Turner needs to go away and stop talking. HERE'S TO A SAFE AND AWESOME 2010!!!!