Mongo3451

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.

I like your picks of Hester and Nicks. I have a feeling Palmer is going to help free up Benson, but I'm simply done with him. Palmer says Chris Henry is going to be a stud this year. I see Greg Olsen breaking, but don't think it will surpise too many people. I forget the rookie the Colts drafted to replace Addai, but he's worth a flyer. Beware T.O. Not because of T.O., it's a Buffalo thing.

I can't help you with TM, but I do think you can't go wrong with that game. It should prove to be a heck of a game. Don't worry, odds are it will mean something.

This may need moved to another part of the board, but... Who do you guys think will be fantasy breakout players this year and why? Hopefully, we can share enough to help each other in our leagues outside of this forum. I hate to say it but I have the 1st pick in my draft and can't find a reason NOT to pick AP. I can't stand pinning my hopes on a damn Vike. Gotta do it, as my league gives a 3 pt bonus for 100 yards rushing and receiving.

Not sure, that's why I'm not a huge stat guy. We all saw what we saw las year with our OL. IMO - the rankings from worst to best are St. Clair, Tait, Garza, Beekman and Kruetz. One thing I am excited about, is that Pace has said he is healthy for the 1st time in a few years. Not to say he's found Ponce DeLeon's summer villa, but he's not a geezer. My guess is the change of scenery changed/enhanced the off-season program for him.

Love the insight.

Actually you agree and disagree. You are agreeing that it is premature to annoint him as a franchise QB. But, are disagreeing with the assessment that he will flop. My main argument on giving out a 60 million contract is to look at the Anderson in Cleveland.(one year wonder) Cassell can be that as well. Heck, at least break the bank mid-season for the guy. As far as him flopping is concerned. Just got a feeling based on watching him play and the superior talent and coaching surrounding him. Taking an undefeated team and almost making the playoffs did not impress me much. I also think their division was a little over-rated last year.

Fact is all of those teams you mentioned had "good reliable" wide receivers. I would even argue that their #2's were better than our best. It's hard to gauge with Brady though, since he might hit 10 different guys a game, which is rare.

I agree.

I agree, a top QB is the most important factor in that everything else becomes better as a result. I still think that top QB's need good reliable wideouts, in order to be top QB's. We'll be hard pressed to find a top QB on this list that didn't have one or two.(some had three and four) Fact is, we have unknown's. Sure most are on the upside, which I like. But they are unproven, to say the least, especially since Cutler is new with them. Going to the next common denominator (D). We are also hopeful that our veteren unit can re-kindle some of the lustre they lost since the Superbowl. I like our chance to win the division this year and maybe get back to the big one. But our WR's, D and Cutler will have to be there with no drop off from Forte.

Do we have anyone that could be an emergency QB?

I think AP gets cut. I think we keep 4. I think we keep 6. Look for a possible veteren FA. I also think Davis is a lock, unless the FA is what he is.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/07/19...ball_outsi.html For all you stat guys out there. I like the way these guys look at stats. It has a link within the article for the entire book if anyone is interested. I'm going to start trying to digest it. It looks as though it may be a good FF tool as well. They are going to post more articles on this later.

Totally agree! He may not set the world on fire this year, but he should have steady stats and a good taste of winning. As LT2_3 pointed out, Cutler has improved his pass/int ratio in each of the past 3 seasons, showing that the arrow is indeed pointing up. Throw in what you said about the ancillary units and you have a QB that can be a little more cautious. I'll also add that his primary weapons are going to be less risk than wideouts as he was using them. I mostly see a good dose of the RB's, TE routes and Hester short and deep. Sure, he'll have to throw some medium range routes to keep the D honest, but it won't be the bread and butter as it was in Denver.

That quote struck me in the forehead when I read it.

I hope you are right and wrong, at the same time. Right about the number of offensive plays we may run.(obviously) Wrong about Fortes' carries not going down. The reason I hope you are wrong is two fold. One - If KJ and Wolfe take some carries away, it means we have total effectiveness in the running game. Two- I really don't want to see Forte diminished by the time he is 27-28. He seems like the type of back that can be an all around asset for a long time and would prefer to see that maximized.

Count me in too... I really loved this off-season. Torry Holt would have been the cherry on top.

I don't know. I was just going off Nfo calling him Hub. You know what they say about assuming...