Mongo3451

I hope you are right. I also hope my enthusiasm improves as the season approaches. My impending feeling of doom is strong this year. Maybe it is a psychological counterbalance to my overconfidence of last year. Seeing a healthy Mike Brown will help. Seeing Matt Forte successfully run will help. Seeing that we get help at the LG position will help. I'm sure the D and ST will be there. But my fear is that the O will be Jekyl and Hyde, with Hyde killing the defense.

The one thing I lost from last year is hope of winning the SuperBowl this year. Last year, we were supposed to be the most bulletproof team in the NFL. The team that was nails even with a mediocre QB. Now we have a mediocre QB(yet to be announced), a new OL(yet to be announced), new RB(yet to be announced) and two new starting wideouts (yet to be announced). For those who have dialoged with me in the past, know I'm a kool-aid totin' SOB. But, not this year. I think we are back to up and coming with a quickly closing SuperBowl window. Rule this year out.

Have you lost your mind? I don't even know where to start...

I hope your philosophy is right. I just don't see it , as it is dangerous. Sometimes less is more. But, if the other OG's really suck, you have to pull the string. I'm still of the mindset to re-sign Rueben Brown before starting St. Clair at OG.

Please don't make them stop, they may bring Shoop vs Turner!

I'm starting to see this another way. IMO - St. Clair should stay at backing up both tackle positions. Even though he can produce value at starting guard, his impact will be felt in a larger way if gets injured and can not relieve one of our OT's, if needed. We have people who can play guard to back up the guard position. I think Metcalf is getting the 1st team reps as an indicator of whether he can play NFL caliber football. His chance last season was hindered by a broken hand. Metcalf is considered a punch blocker. Now that the hand is healthy, there are no excuses. Remember, a healthy Rueben Brown is still out there and waiting for a call. I considered him our best OL until he got hurt last year. He's 36 and would still be an upgrade over any guard on our roster. I don't believe they will hesitate to sign him if deemed necessary. My desire is that they do it sooner than later. But, you know how stubborn our staff is.

I see what you are saying here, but disagree solely on team chemistry. Benson has been an assbag of a teammate and a football player. From the day he came has offered no accountability for his actions. I would rather have a guy with less talent come in and bust his ass to make the team, knowing that when this got into the game he was going to make the best of his opportunity. Cutting Benson ends it at all costs and sends the team a message. We want people who want to play football for a living. Players need to be professionals on and off the field. Regardless, of a players sense of entitlement, it is they that owe the organization they play for. Yes, we'll take a hit and it sucks, but Lovie and JA know the locker room and what they want to drive for the franchise.

Looks from this article, that the brass is starting the pro-Forte PR campaign.

'Pixote' date='Jun 8 2008, 02:34 PM' post='40113'] Well said.

name='AZ54' date='Jun 4 2008, 09:00 PM' post='39963'] http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4766 ....skipping ahead in the article.... Asked what Metcalf must do to cement the starting left guard position in training camp, Turner said: “Just being consistent with his techniques and fundamentals, and consistent with the mental aspects of it assignment-wise and adjustment-wise. “The biggest thing that Harry [Hiestand] will be working with him on is just his overall techniques and fundamentals with his hand placement, his feet, his sets and just the attention to detail, and Harry is as good as there is at zeroing in on that.” ==================================== Really, I think we are not a very smart football team. Talented, but dumb. The coaches and players are constantly saying something semi retarded. Fot Turner to come out and say anything developmental at this point is saying Metcalf can't develop, just my opinion. Couple that with Drakes comments last week and Lovies comments that, "we don't play injured pplayers." I'm thinking Angelo is the only part of the team with any savvy.

Or he doesn't know is a$$ from a hole in the ground and he knows this decision can make or break his and JA's career in Chicago. So, he's already putting his disclaimer out there to make it look like he knows what he's doing. IMO - If Oton looks good in camp, it's his to lose. Remember how good the #2 looks in the 1st 3 pre-season games? Last year it was griese looking like a stud. Just imagine how Rex will look????

Wasn't he benched in favor of Major Applewhite?

The part that kills me is this... "I don't have to tell him anything anymore. He's telling me stuff when I am screwed up." If Darrell Drake has nothing left to teach a 2nd year reciever that scored a 14 on his Wonderlic, he does not deserve his next paycheck. I realize he's just trying to build him up but... I need to look back to see if he's quoted any about how great Mooses' hands are. I think NFO put out a post on every receiver brought in over the last few years that we haven't developed. Makes you wonder how hard these guys are pushed if they are babied in the media. I'd also think JA wouldn't want an assistant coach drumming up fan support for a player in potential contract negotiations.

Was he talking about Rex or Alex?... LOL Just kidding

I read that article and Hester was far from bitching. IMO - he's saying and doing the right things.

I'm still thinking they may bring Rueben Brown back. I'm a fan of Rueben's, as he is a consument pro. He's rumored to be healthy and has also been cleared to play. We can criticize his play last year, but he was playing with one arm. Before that he was our best OL.

He has been my favorite Bear since Walter.

Thanks for the pics. Two things... Tommie looks like he's enjoyed the off season buffet. And having a brainfart here, but who's #80?

I predict Orton should start. For the reasons Mulligan stated and more. I simply think Rex has a hold on the staff. I really hope they give him a chance.

name='GrizzlyBear' date='May 31 2008, 12:56 AM' post='39733'] It doesn't matter what he's done. One - He was basically red-shirted his rookie season in which he could have played. Two - He looked really good last year, right up to the point he blew his knee out. Three - He's 24 years old with a lot of football left. Four - Who do we have that can push him off the team? Five - he's relatively inexpensive. Six - You don't give up on high picks that easily, especially when they've shown promise. I could see that statement about Mike Brown and I would have argued against it. If you would have said Bradley, you would have an argument if he doesn't make it through camp, but not Dusty yet.

Thankfully you are not the GM. Getting rid of Dusty would be nothing short of moronic.

name='CrackerDog' date='May 30 2008, 03:11 PM' post='39706'] Nice to see you back. You basically summed up what we've talked about since you've been occupied elsewhere. No, we were not OK without him last year. Agreed Regardless of how he turns out, I don't see us set for years to come. Capable with no kool-aid... Running for office?

Sad thing is, they said the same thing about Benson. I remember the Enis situation well; the contract negotiation that kept him out of TC was well talked about. He comes in out of shape and underperforms, then blows his knee out just as he is finding his niche. Bout like Benson his rookie season, except we had TJ to keep him off the field. Last year, he comes in reportedly out of shape, finds his rhythm and promptly breaks his ankle. I hope the story starts to change...

Agree with the above. I want to pile on though. Berrian was horrible to the point of me questioning his stones in regards to fighting 1) for the ball and 2) breaking up interception attempts. Regarding breaking off routes, I disagree. How many times did Rex or Griese move in the pocket to create an opportunity for the reciever to break off the route and come back? I don't think we can criticize a failed opportunity that rarely if at all existed. Not sure coaching will make him any less of a pu$$y.

How many games have the Pats won by a game changing play? How many times have you heard the broadcasters remark about how they just seem to make plays when it counts? These just aren't game changing plays, they are season changing plays. Whether it is fresh legs for veterens or knowing the opposition's signals, the blatant cheating by the Pats is a stain on the game and their legacy. Is Brady that clutch? Or does he know the D that was called? You wonder why they lost the Super Bowl? Karma anyone? My Name is Earl...