Mongo3451

I hope he plays. I work in Indy and if they beat us without Manning, it will be over for me. If we beat them, they will have the biggest of excuses and the win will also not benefit me. I'm sure all Bears fans want to see the beloved bury Manning in the new turf of Lucas Oil Stadium!!

No to Simms. I'm not interested in signing another QB, unless they can develop into a franchise QB. There are none out there at this point, so our UDFA's have a better shot at being what we are looking for.

We can only hope. Then we can look for an OG.

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4858 I read the above story and picked out a few tidbits. I know coach-speak is simply fluff this time of year, but tell me what you think. A ROOKIE DOESN'T NEED A LOT OF REPS TO BE GOOD... Looks like we have another spoon fed starter. If you are his coach, you better know he's capable. AP's been on the team how long? I have issues with the lack of savvy on this coaching staff. It seems like everytime our coaching staff is interviewed, some jackass staements are made. I'm still spinning over the WR coach saying Hester corrects him when he makes mistakes. Do good coaches function this way? Or am I being overly critical? My opinion is that he over talking on Forte to erase bad PR on Benson. He is giving the positives of AP to off-set his lack of talent. Most telling, he is calling Wolfe out. When you mention that someone needs to step it up twicewhile answering the same question. Point made. To what extent do you think Wolfe is getting called out.

The only time, I agree with restructuring a rookie out of the gate, is when a running back proves to be the real deal. If Forte shows he is a stud, I would re-structure after year one to get him in a longer contract to provide security for himself and the team. Odds are, for a running back, that they won’t make it past a 4 year deal, but if he does, it’s a whopper of a contract. Lock him in for 6 yrs after his rookie season and you’ve both paid him and harvested his best years.

I think Forte's situation is complex. For one, we really don't have a good barometer to gauge any projected stats. If Benson was truly out of shape and NOT hitting the hole with authority that may leave yards out there for Forte in two different ways. 1) Is the short plays where Benson was stacked up at the LOS. If Forte is quicker to the hole, he may be able to hit a few that Cedric didn't. It seemed AP was doing this a little more frequently, but couldn't out run anyone. 2) If Forte can hit the 2nd level, he has 4.4 speed. I'll assume that the box will be stacked again this year, which means there are opportunities to hit a big gainer now and then, but we'll have to struggle through a bunch of 2 yarders. We also need to factor in a re-dedication of our OL. They are a prideful group and will want to rebound from a season of blame and shame. I can foresee a real fighting instinct in them this year. (sort of like a cornered animal) On the flip side: We have no clue who Forte is. He has less odds of making than Benson did. We also have no clue who Chris Williams is either. It could be a jailbreak in our backfield this season. With all said, I'm going to jump out on a limb and say Forte is my candadate for leading all rookies in rushing this year.

Why trade when you can get him for half the price via free agency? Add to that, if we trade RMJ, we lose his salary and get a draft pick or player with a better value dollar wise. FA backs are not drawing interest right now and their value will be low unless backs start going down to injury. With the amount of backs that we have already speculated, I don't see paying that much for someone who was unseated by Justin Fargas. Also, RMJ may draw more than he's worth in trade as some teams out there are really weak at CB and we seem flush with them.

Count me in on that. I respect Favre for all he has done. But getting Favre now, would be like bragging about nailing Pam Anderson after Tommie Lee got done with her. One, she's washed up at that point. Two, she gave her best years to the competition. If she were in her prime you give a testicle to hit that. AMEN! There are just some things that are instinctually wrong. Plus, think of how Packer fans would feel about that? Not that I give a crap, but they would burn Thompson's house down. It's ridiculous to think they would ever let him go to a divisional rival.

I have to pile on here, as well, with some stats. Let me 1st give my stat disclaimer: Stats can be used in many arguments, but it's hard to determine skill level through passing stats, as the variables going into them can make them look better or worse to untrained eyes. Stats can also be mis-leading when it comes to effectiveness and leadership. Rex gets sacked 1 out 9 pass attempts to Kyle's 1 in 40. Rex throws a pick 1 in 32 times, while Kyle throws 1 in 40. Also, add in that Rex had 6 fumbles to Kyle's 2. The sacks go to pocket presence, which a lot of people confuse with mobility. Marino was one of the most immobile QB's in NFL history but had an obscene pass attempt to sack ratio.(to the good) The picks go to judgement and accuracy. Rex was 0.4% more accurate than Kyle last year, but how much does that percentage matter when the pick ratio is greater? The fumbles come down to genetics, because you just can't overcome tiny hands. Another skill Kyle has over Rex is savvy. You really can't measure IT, but you know what IT is when you see IT. Not saying Kyle has IT like the big boys, but he definately looks a lot cooler than Rex does out there. All told, I don't think Rex's skills outweigh Kyle's at all. It's close, but I give Orton the nod on intangibles.

If alive, Helen Keller would get it.

As we all know, different players make different impacts on the team. Whether it is being in position to make a play or putting someone else in position to make a play, Mike Brown is the man. I truly feel he is the straw that stirs the drink.(kool-aid of course) If you look at overall excellence and proven consistency, Brian Urlacher is the man. But, if you look at an unstoppable force that creates havoc and disrupts the timing of the offense, look no further than Tommie. Which player is the key and we can least do without? Tough question. If you look at what happens when we lose any one of these players the result is similar. (The defense suffers) I would like to see a W/L and defensive stats in relation to these players respective health. Our defense will still be good if we lose one of these players, will be hamstrung if we lose two and devastated if we lose all three. IMO - the most irreplaceable player is Urlacher. I just seem to notice more of a difference when he is not in the game. But, in playing the odds game, with Harris and Urlacher being more physically dependable, Brown is the key. If he stays healthy, odds are all three will have a season together.

I agree, he's not a naturally greedy person. I think he's coming to terms with feeling like a mere mortal and is wanting to maximize his earnings. I don't think he should push management too hard on a new contract, as you don't want to bite the hand that feeds you.

I really like Rex. In the same breath, I'll say I'm sick of hearing about him doing something to improve himself. It's just been a slow long tease that I have grown weary of. He has been the best of professionals six days out of the week.

Nice work! I live in Indy and we are building our 2nd stadium for the Colts. The 1st was when we lured them out of Baltimore in 83' the 2nd will christened when the beloved destroy them openeing weekend. We pay extra taxes as a result. Lucas Oil did come out of pocket for a large portion, but that was for naming rights. As a result, we get to keep the Colts and host a SuperBowl. Hopefully, that will repay the tax payers.

Only if there is incest involved.

I think Goodell is proving to be a little bolder than Tags. But, this situation has been discussed for years. For some reason on the last CBA, the owners did not strongly pursue it. If they had, they would have had a strong base of players following the owners to the bank. I'm not really sure why it did not pass last time. I'll defer to our cap experts on that. Yo, LT2-3 that means you bro!

There is a difference between someone who has proven they can't vs one who hasn't shown they can. There is no hope for one and guarded optimism for the other. I like Wolfe, I just don't trust him with the load yet.

OK, I have to answer my own post, because the more I sit here and think about it, the more it ticks me off. I really hope they reconsider bringing in another back to compete with Forte. I don't want another rookie annointed the starter on this team without legitimately earning it. Peterson or Wolfe can not push Forte. AP doesn't have the talent and, other than college, Wolfe has not shown he's an everydown back. If we wait too long, we don't get our pick. If we lose Forte, the price skyrockets. This could be the last straw in the stubborn streaks of JA and Lovie.

Kevin Jones hosted a workout for NFL suitors and only four teams showed up. Just so the suspense does not kill anyone, the Bears were not in attendance. Strangely enough, the steelers were there. I found that odd after they just let go of Davenport. Here's the link. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3465537

name='nfoligno' date='Jun 25 2008, 01:16 PM' post='41030'] Tait doesn't suck at LT, he's just a better RT. He makes the right side better, more than he weakens the left side with his departure. I think you just argued against yourself on that one. Garza is a finesse player and Metcalf a power player. Under that scenario, Garza would be better suited for the left side. When we signed Garza, he was introduced as insurance for all 3 interior positions. I'm not arguing for this, but in theory you could make the right side the power side and the left side the finesse side with a switch of Metcalf and Garza. Q: Isn't Larry Allen a LG? (the most powerful human to ever play OL) IMO- improvement to the LG situation does not lie on our roster at this point in time. Very true.

Agreed and well said. Every team that has a great offense has an X factor that you have to game plan for. The X factor usually does not have to have a great game for the unit to be successful. IE: Hester on special teams. The main goal with special teams is field position. Bears are #1 in field position, even with teams kicking away from Hester. They game plan against our X factor and he still makes them pay somehow. If Hester can somehow pull attention from the line of scrimmage as a WR, the OL and running game has the potential to have greater success. If he can't, they have to achieve success on their own merit. The key to all of this is if Hester can burn a defense early in the season., either by drawing attention for another payer to get a matchup or making the play himself. My guess is that week one against the Colts, he will have many opportunities deep. The Colts will put Sanders in the box and dare our QB and recievers to get it done. If Turner is smart, play one will be a play-action bomb. Even if unsuccessful, it sends a clear message if he gets separation.

I think things have to fall into place for teams to have the best of any unit. 1st is health. Tommie is a year+ removed from the hamstring surgery which should only make him better. Our ends should be strong with our big 3 intact and Bazuin coming off red shirt. Importantly, there's Mike Brown. If Brown is healthy and can contribute, Urlacher gets to play closer to the line of scrimmage, thus taking pressure off the line. Most importantly is the offense. If the O eats up the clock and is able to generate touchdowns thus D line will be able to pin it's ears back and reek havoc. Look at Indy: they have some talented defenders, but nowhere near our cast. Their O makes their D really good. Look at the Giants: their O did what I've wanted the Bears to do the last couple of years. Run strong and don't turn the ball over. That made their D line able to do what they did in he SB. O is our key; if they don't make it to mid level, they wil have he D worn down by week13.

I think the kool-aid is strong. There is nothing wrong with optimism. I'm just not there yet. The main question with me this season is this... Will the defense carry the offense or will the offense destroy the defense?

Agree that St.Clair looked good at OG and is probably better than anyone else we have for the position. But, until they bring in someone that can backup the tackle spot, I believe he should remain there. His value is simply greater at T, than the upgrade he would provide at G for two reasons. 1) because Williams is unproven. 2) because we have no depth, outside of St. Clair in case of injury. As bad as he is at tackle, I would want him fresh and focused only on that position. I doubt Williams will be a bust, but I never imagined Benson would bust either.

Neither does the staff. If they are throwing their eggs in Forte's basket, they are nuts. Ditto if they are counting on AP as a servicable #2. It is imperative they have a contingency in place if Forte can't carry the load. A vet must be signed. That reminds me of a less eloquent post I threw out there the other day. "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)" The yet to be announced part is good and bad all rolled into one. You have violated man-law with the word "obfuscating". Please use dumbed down language in the future. LOL! I really don't care that Lovie said we won't add a back. If he meant it, then I have a problem. I'm not sure about the regime change as of yet. I still like Angelo, a lot. He has put us in a position to win the last few years and deserves a little slack. Lovie, on the other hand, I don't think so much of. I don't like his choir boy act, all while he's lying to us. I also don't like that he doesn't have a ton of experience on his staff. That's either ignorant, arrogant or the McCaskeys pulling the purse strings on quality assistants. All told, this is a make or break year for Lovie. If we don't make the playoffs, I really think he is gone. Then, I'll starting my Cowher chant again...