Mongo3451

I have been hoping for awhile that we would develop another safety that likes to hit. Our defense has lacked that identity as Mike Brown has deteriorated. Though Brown would lay a solid hit on you, he was never considered someone that would de-cleat you. Afalava seems to have that reputation and the burst required to deliver it. I'm rooting for him. I want that identity back.

Honestly, I would be disappointed if Cutler wasn't lobbying for a say in who he is throwing to. Even though his influence may be downplayed, I would argue that his opinion weighs a lot. From what am reading, Cutler is a once in a decade talent. That needs fostered as much as possible to get maximum return. I also don't think he would risk alienating teammates by providing any recommendations. For all that remain; if it's good for Cutler, it's good for the offense. Here's something I picked up from the Bears website: And I loved it! Having Cutler push for a certain receiver to make the 53-man roster certainly won’t hurt their cause. “I think [the Bears] are definitely going to ask me,” Cutler said. “If they don’t ask me, I’m going to tell them what I think because I’ve got to be the one throwing to them on game day and I’ve got to trust them. But [offensive coordinator] Ron [Turner] and I have been on the same page since the start of training camp in what guys we wanted to see working in with me and what guys have stepped up and what direction we want to go with this group.”

:Here are some interest parts NT Anthony Adams / Dusty Dvoracek / Marcus Harrison (3 way tie) SLB Pisa Tinoisamoa / Nick Roach / Jamar Williams Marcus Freeman (Pisa was quick to #1) LCB Trumaine McBride / Corey Graham (Tied) FS Danieal Manning Josh Bullocks Craig Steltz (Steltz 3rd string!!!!) Earl Bennett Brandon Rideau Devin Aromashodu Johnny Knox (looks like Knox may get the redshirt IR, as we have discussed) Matt Forte Kevin Jones Garrett Wolfe Adrian Peterson (AP better be a stud on ST or he's done) Greg Olsen Desmond Clark Kellen Davis Michael Gaines (With davis ahead of Gaines, we may keep 4, as we have discussed)

It also looks like either Iglesias or Knox might get a redshirt IR. Cutler seems to like where Aromashodu is in comparison to the rooks. I think the fact he is talking the way he is might be a sign of how things are shaping up or a wake up call to the others.

You are not alone. There is plenty of blame to go around though. 1) Lovie should have trusted his coverage unit on ST. They simply don't give up the BIG play. 2) Goes to Babich. He should over-emphsized the plan and recognized he lacked experience from the the fall guy corner. 3) Goes on the corner. Regardless of experience, he's played long enough to know how much time was on the clock. 4) Goes to Brown. Yes he should have cheated a little more than he did. No way the Falcons throw to the middle and win. Brown's main failure is what you already pointed out. He is simply done athletically. He will prove that yet again this year. The only team he could sign for was grossly inferior.

Thanks bro! I'm hoping it won't be too packed since Mort was there on TH and fan day is Sat.

That's encouraging. LOL

Camp starts at 3P tomorrow. How ealry should I arrive to get a good seat and my son not miss autographs?

I tried to enter a poll and screwed up more than once. Please disregard and/or delete.

With an estimated 20 mil of cap space and no-one to sign. What should JA do? (hindsight welcome)

I also like the face we are spliiting Olsen and Clark out. Not only does the defense have to think about how to guard the extra size outside, it could also place emmense pressure on the safeties to deal with Hester and Bennett underneath. I could also see Forte running all day on a seam route. Of course everything has it's pitfalls. By us going big on the outside, we are essentially shifting our speed to the middle of the field where the defense prefers them. In a nutshell, like any new wrinkle, we must make the defense pay a price before it can become plan altering for the opposition.

...Or "The Three Stooges" Man, that's pretty ugly when you put it on paper.

Nice tidbit! You know, if we can regain a steady pass rush from our front 4 this is a great tactic. One - it allows the CB's to engage the run more readily. Two - they can see more of the field. Three - It will allow the FS to play center field. In Mannings case that will be playing to his strength - speed. Lastly, the LB's will be free to do different alignments without removing the ability to play in front of the ball. (thus enhaceing our ability against the run and slant patterns. It all starts up front though. If we don't get pressure, the CB's will be in retreat mode once again or we'll give up some huge plays in the passing game. What I really look for to, if it all comes together, is unleashing D Manning from the nickel spot when the other team goes into max protect on 3rd and long situations. There's aways new hope with every season.

That article was really weak. It's title suggests that Cutler would be the focus of the content in it. It makes NO mention at all of how Cutler's specific set of skills will or could make the WR's better. I've read better from our board members. Have any of you thought of getting published?

I'm hoping he becomes a player that creates mismatches for the defense. Put him in motion, slot, H-back and wideout. If you leave Clark at the traditional spot and make Olsen 100% hybrid, you can have them both on the field a greater % of the time. I think they will keep 4 TE's. My thinking is that AP or Wolfe get the axe while keeping 6 WR's.

I have a hard time believing these moves weren't taught before now. Hopefully, Marinelli will teach it in a way that it becomes 2nd nature.

Oh, I don't know. Just venting frustration with Harrison's lack of work ethic and wondering how he wasn't motivated to do better. I do place some of that on the staff, given all the changes that were made.

He aprticipated in the off season program. I guess I'm just curious to see why this isn't monitored / noticed in June / early July??

Lovie's team, Lovie's D especially. He is squarely on the chopping block this season, if the D flops this season. I've disagreed with many personnel descisions he has made, but D Manning back to FS kills me. The guy is dumber than a fence post at the position. Lovie has a boner for speed and Manning brings a little extra Viagra. Hopefully Lovie can see past his lust. I really hope Lovie isn't right and that Manning is our best chance to succeed. Which means the Mike Brown exodus will haunt us all season. ...and that isn't saying much.

I think Chris McCallister is availible???

Sounds great! I might make the 200 mile trip for that. Let me know what size you are, so I can bring the right size Depends. Sorry, couldn't resist the old joke.

Agreed, Marshall is a stud. He reminds me a lot of Andre Johnson. (size, speed, hands) I do believe also, that if Hester had the same opportunities that he would have some really good numbers, as well. That being said, I really don't want to see Hester used in that way, as I don't want to see hin absorbing the punishment a 100 catch receiver endures. If he catches 70-80 balls a year and consistently provides nightmares for opposing DC's, I'm thrilled. Let our #2, TE's and RB's be the workhorses of our offense. Keep Hester fresh for the ridiculousness!

What we repeatedly see from our DL is that they wear down as the game goes on. I have been preaching about keeping them off the field for years now. (TOP) All might think that is easier said than done, but it has a lot to do with the scheme we run and most importantly the inability of the offense to produce sustained drives that control the clock. I was reading "Chalk Talk" yesterday and something Larry Mayer wrote reminded me of that. He gave the stats of points we gave up and our highest totals came in the 2nd and 4th quarter when the defense is tired. We all can remember watching the games last year and thinking, where the hell did the pass rush go!!!? This was mainly in the 2nd and 4th quarter. Maybe DFG can provide stats by quarter on the pressure our D applied. Anyway, yes depth is a huge issue as rotation will help to preserve the legs of our rushers. Scheme is another huge factor in that, we need to get the pressure with the front four, period. Our LB's suck at blitzing and are more effective playing in their traditional alignments. If we blitz, I'd rather see it from the DB's. Lastly, is the offense. If Cutler, Forte and company can provide 3 more 1st downs a game, we dominate the clock and keep the DL fresh. All the while, we are doing to them what they have been doing to us.(wearing their DL down) That is Bear football in December. IMO - the components are in place.

I like all your breakouts. I just don't think Olsen is sneaking up on anyone this year, as he is noted for being on the rise. Not sure about the duds. I only agree on Crabtree. The others may not have spectacular years, but I see them being productive. Tell me more about why Forte will be better then AP... I would love to be swayed, as I really hate picking AP.