Alaskan Grizzly

Oh yeah!!! Who could forget that???? I'm pretty sure that Dennis hasn't.

Well as memory would serve me, thinking in the "glass half full" way (which I know drives you crazy). I would recall that there were a few games last year that were "prime time" that didn't really go to badly. For one, I believe the first game against GB last year was on a Monday. And I believe the Bears won that. Another that comes to mind was a game against the Jets....right after Christmas(???)...another win. How about the game where Hester set the record for return TD's? Although it was against an ailing team represented by Brett Favre, it too was on a Monday. And it was for nothing more than sealing up the NFC North Championship. Oh yeah, speaking of Favre, I believe that was also the game where we all got to meet the new "Purple People Eater" in Corey Wootten. And since Lovie has been coach, the Bears have gone .500 in their playoff appearances (counting the SB loss in 06) and ALL of those games were prime time and against non-"crummy" teams. But in the advent of Direct TV almost every game is prime time nowadays. And for the record, I feel a bit better about the upcoming game. I think the Bears are out to prove they aren't overrated.

Another thing that has gotten me to ask ???? Has anyone heard why it is Martz has decided to watch the games from the press box? I would think that maybe it is because he could see what is going on better but he seemed to do fine last year being "closer" to the action. I have heard that he likes to stand away from the mob of people and usually seen at the opposite end of the sideline so to get a better view, on the field. (Kinda like Jay was doing late in the NO game). The other added benefit would be to actually TALK with the players that are on the field....see Jay Cutler. I'm just wondering.

I'm not sure exactly the question in the first paragraph but if Martz were told to leave I have heard and seen a few mention Tice taking over on O calling duties. His style would probably be more rudimentary but we are talking Bears football. And he is the one teaching the oline... More on that in a second. The other name to consider is Toub. Not that long ago when Lovie was in hot water there came a story that Toub would have been asked to HC. I think it an intriguing choice considering how innovative and successful he's been. With regards to the 5 and 7 step drops. I've been watching these games, especially NO and wondering why so often Jay looks to be so far behind the pocket. It would appear in what you wrote above that the line is learning to form a pocket with a certain technique blocking scheme that isn't jiving with the 7 step drop. When the line is forming their protection they are doing it with where they expect the QB to fall back to and for some reason Jay is going back farther. This doesn't allow for protection but also gives nowhere for Jay to step into because he'll run into the tackles forming the top of the pocket. Thusly he has to scramble more and his line of sight is obscured. Not sure where the disconnect would be. One would think with Martz' known like for the deep drop that the blocking would be more flat or linear to allow more field view...think zone scheme in Denver. For whatever reason though it would appear that Tice and Martz are not on the same page... Or someone. I haven't understood the want for a seven step drop back. Too much time and process. QB's are normally afforded so much time in order to get off a pass and this cuts into that protection timeframe. And why we see Jay doing a lot of the back foot throwing. Not sure why they don't instead employ more of the shotgun that way the QB is already near where he needs to be.

Amen! Things will go better this time. Except I think the score will be the other way around.

I was wondering when I saw that during the game. Usually they put some sort of footnote or reference on there to show their legitimacy and where they came from. Gotta hand it to Johnston for playing the fool saying "these were actual headlines". What a nincompoop. I like the article's closing line about Fox could have just "hacked Cutlers voicemail instead" of fabricating this story. Now that's funny.

Sorry, I'm going to have to agree. Mid season it's doubtful this would happen, especially after only two games. As embarrassing as Sunday was there are a few options that will play out before much longer to include Martz adjusting and/or the staff collectively realizing they need more help (OLmen or WR). I know it sucks, and I remember feeling like I do right now last year when the Bears lost in similar fashion to New England and the Giants. But the fact remains the team made it to the NFC championship game. And no Madlith, I'm not resembling that Kevin Bacon character from 'Animal House'. I'm not happy but I'm not panicky, not yet.

The wheels have come off. OFFENSIVE line....truest sense of the word.

WOW the OL finally tried to protect Cutler.!!!!! Unfortunately the play was over....

I'll say that the "O" didn't look as prepared this week as last. Glad to know (hope) that Barber will be back next week and maybe R. Williams. That should get the Bears back on track with their running game...pretty much all Forte today. Didn't see as many screens and delays that probably would have been more helpful. But...bottom line, Martz is a way better coordinator than Turner ever was (if there is a comparison to be made). As far as the D goes, I can only say that besides having to face one of the more elite QB's in Brees, it looked like they were a bit gassed today. Brian looked tired at the beginning of the game...understandably so. Next week the team will come back more ready and prepared. It will be good for them to be home and facing their most hated rival. Should prove to be a good game.

Tim Jennings!! What else is there to say? Other than UNDERrated???

http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/chi/chicago-bears So according to this, we could see a lot of Meriweather playing against the Saints. Not sure about this just yet. As much as I like him on the team, having him still learning the D and then face off against Brees concerns me a little. And, for what it's worth, I am glad to see Barber is staying out this week. Don't think he will be as needed this week as he will be against GB. I feel that given NO's defense, Forte and Bell will do just fine.

It will be good to see Olin again. Especially for the players that knew him well. He'll play the way he's capable, which anymore is nowhere as good as he's been. As far as overall. The Bears have won the last five (?) matchups between them. Not guaranteeing anything but I think it'll come down to how well the Bear D matches up to the NO Offense. Jay will have a decent day (235 yds 2TD 1 Int) ish.

Thanks for the video DTG. Ah to be amongst fellow Bears fans!!! What an experience. Hope someday to actually see them play live. Again thanks much... Good stuff

I have to agree. Waiting until later is not a wise choice, especially for Forte. He has everything to lose and that could be bad for the Bears in more than one way. First they set a precedent that you produce this year or else and other players see that. Secondly they run the risk of Matt deciding he doesn't want to deal with the Bears anymore, has a great year becomes an FA and off he goes. Although from what I'm hearing/reading that's not Matt's character. And through it all, he soldiers on which only builds on his credibility and reputation...in the positive. I have to think that they aren't that far apart. It's time to swallow ego (in this case Angelo I think) and negotiate a long-term reasonable deal. Matts going to do his part regardless.

In watching a few highlights and specifically the New Orleans / Green Bay contest earlier this week, many teams Defenses' are simply not ready. I believe Deion Sanders was making the point on NFL Network during "NFL Gameday". Something along the lines of how during the off-season and specifically the lockout you heard of teams' Offensive members meeting with each other but not many Defensive players (as a unit) getting together. Going back to the Saints/Packers game a total of 76 points combined and the passing that was going on, revealed many blown coverages. And in many other games highlights again Defensive backs and LB's not being where they were supposed to be. Or in the case of the Bears / Falcons contest where they (Falcons) were unable or willing to wrap up and make a tackle. Save the Bears...they seemed to do just fine. Perhaps because most of the players have been in the same system for awhile? Hmmm.... I think it could be a few weeks before we see the other Defenses catching up with where the Offenses are in terms of preparation.

I've said it once and I'll say it again. Say what you will about Martz, but not only is the team learning the Martz concept, but what we have been watching as of recent is not "The Greatest Show on Turf" redux. Martz is adapting his style of offense to what the Bears give him. He is also taking into account with the difficulty the OLine has been having. With screens and delays and a few trick plays thrown in occasionally to keep the opposing Defense honest. It was seen in small amounts during the pre-season and yesterday in larger doses with the Falcons. This adaptation by Martz definitely put the Atlanta Defense on its heels.

I have to say your REview was pretty sweet. However your PREview...well let's just say that I too am glad you were wrong. However, if you continue that trend and the same results come about, then by all means keep it up.

Jennings is no doubt a very reliable player. He has produced with regularity, the ONLY real knock on him is his size. Or, as I've said before, the lack thereof. He measures in at 5'8" but plays much bigger and fast. He seems to be in the right place at the right time, most times. The trouble he has is the "jump ball" situation against receivers like Robert Meachem (6'2"), Jordy Nelson (6'3"), Calvin Johnson (6'5") or other receivers the Bears could be matching him up against. But then again, as was mentioned Julio Jones was kept "quiet" throughout most of the day and he's 6'3".

Hey a Meriweather sighting!!!!

Another smart heads up play by Reed.

Say what you will about Martz but this is not "the greatest show on turf"'. Instead he has figured out ways to adapt his play calling to work with what he is given. The man knows what he is doing. The biggest adapt: adding delays and screens.

This was a good keep on the Bears part. Something tells me he is going to pay big dividends.

17-31 in favor of the "Dirty Birds"? Really? As Keyshawn would say: C'mon man!

In defense of the Bears. Their (GB) offense is the same they had last year, save that rookie kid that ran back the 108 yd TD. Finley will be tricky to cover but with stout (and I hope that it is) coverage by Jennings and Tillman (with help from Harris and Meriweather(?)) then he will be the only real concern. In that regard Finley could have it tough with Urlacher, Briggs and Roach(?) covering the middle. I see more of zone type coverage in the middle for him. - slight advantage Chi I saw NO go to the cover two later in the game too and things seemed to calm. Unfortunately for them I don't know that is their comfort level D. With Gregg Williams just starting as D coordinator there (paired with the lockout) and that New Orleans has not had a prolific D I didn't see them getting comfortable UNTIL they went to the Cover 2. The Bears have been running the Cover 2 for how long now and have some of the best players in that scheme - big advantage Chi The point of the "pass rush" you make is an important one. If I'm not mistaken, that is what disrupted Rodgers in all three games the Bears and Packers played last year. Even the sluff #2 game with backups playing most of the way. With Peppers and Idonije (and who knows who else) getting on Rodgers that only makes him become hurried. The big gains last night were due to poor pass rushing and his ability to scan the field. Rodgers usually gets pretty beat up playing the Bears and that counts in the Bears favor - big advantage Chi. Their defense is pretty decent. With Dom Capers you know that there will be a lot of corner/safety blitzes and Clay Matthews showing up in the backfield. Something I saw in the preseason gave me hope which was the development of a lot of delay and screen plays. That will be huge and as I said before they could hope to meet Jay in the backfield all they want, problem is that Forte or Bell will already have left. That will open things up down field. Although their secondary is good they too will have the same challenges as the Bears with one on one coverage. They may do better in that regard but what equals it out is the Bears better running attack and improved Oline run blocking. - even or slight advantage GB Overall there is no denying that GB is a flashy team but Chicago was able to corral them pretty well in two of the games they played together last year. The first matchup, that CHI won, was actually with most of the starters in so GB couldn't even use that excuse. These two games this year will be like usual. A knock down drag out fight to the finish. If Chicago stays true to itself and doesn't try for the big gains it will do just fine.