nfoligno

Our main concerns this offseason (besides a possible change in some coaching positions?) is OL and WR. The way I see it is we are 2 quality WRs and 2 quality OLmen away from having a top 10 offense. (and of course an OC who know what the heck he is doing) Which means we will draft DL and LB in April.

Regarding why Adams has been on the bench in favor of Dusty, I think the top key is style. Adams is a pure run stuffer. While Dusty is the same weight, but taller. He is not considered a wide body in the middle. I think it was believed that Dusty would be capable of stuffing the run, while also being more capable of rushing the passer. I love the idea of pairing Harris w/ a bigger DT who can stuff the run and help collapse the pocket, but that is not what Lovie likes best. Lovie wants two DTs who can attack. Adams may be our best option at the #2 DT position, but I don't think he fits what Angelo really wants. Think back to Ian Scott. Scott was also a very solid DT for us. He did little to nothing in the pass rush, but was always one of our best defenders against the run, and I would argue helped collapse the pocket too. Remember our SB year when, due to injuries late in the year, Scott started and suddenly, our run defense looked great. Scott was another player that never fit Lovie's ideal DT mold, and thus was also an afterthought. Same thing, IMHO, w/ Adams. Last year, he only played due to injury, but I would argue was our most consistent DL. Not the most talented, but I felt simply put, the most consistent of all the DTs AND DEs. But this year, he was never even given a chance. Why? Because he doesn't fit Lovie's ideal DT mold. But once again, Lovie's ideal fails, Adams comes in, and our defense responds. The 2nd side of this that makes me sick is, I see such a dramatic difference in the way Urlacher plays behind Adams. Look at how he has played since Adams started. Adams eats up blocks, which frees Urlacher to make more plays. W/o Adams in there, Urlacher is blocked out of the picture, and our entire defense suffers. But i am sure next year, we will again try to replace Adams w/ more of a pass rusher, and once again, we will see Urlacher's play suffer, and teams run on us at will.

If we wanted to go this route, how about: 2007 - We draft a DE in the 2nd round when few considered DE a need. Ryan Harris is the starting RT for Denver, and looking very good. He would have been a nice pick there. 2006 - We trade down, and out, of the 1st round, and take a small school DB. Mangold, Addai, Demarco Ryans, D'Qwell Jackson, Thomas Howard, Justice, Lutui are all solid players drafted between our original pick and where we moved down too. Few OL and LBs in that group that would sure look good for us. Don't even get me started on 2003

But who would we have taken? You mention how we could have used OL. I'll never disagree w/ that, but what OL should we have taken at #4? After we took Benson, here is how the top 10 rounded out: Cadillac Williams Buccaneers RB Auburn Pacman Jones Titans DB West Virginia Troy Williamson Vikings WR South Carolina Antrel Rolle Cardinals DB Miami (FL) Carlos Rogers Redskins DB Auburn Mike Williams Lions WR USC Who on this list would have (a) filled a need more than RB and ( improved the team? Cadillac went the way or injury bust. PacMan has tried his best to be kicked out of the league. Williamson and Williams would have filled needs, but are both huge busts. I don't think Rolle was turned into jack. Rogers is a pretty good, not great, CB, but CB was not a need at the time anymore so than RB. Arguably, CB was less of a need. Its always fun to talk hindsight, but the reality is, if we didn't draft Benson, we would have ended up w/ a bust just the same. TJ looks pretty solid this year, but that is w/ a very improved OL and QB. Last year, we did not have an OL or QB remotely close to what NYJ have now. Last year, w/o that improved OL and QB, TJ looked very mediocre. So why does everyone think TJ would have looked so good for us last year?

No, for the following reasons. One. There are some WRs who display the prima dona antics, or showboat, but aren't "that" bad. TO takes it to such an extreme level though. TO has within himself to simply destroy a team. He has been run out of two cities thus far, and is working on his 3rd. Further, in all three cities, he has made throwing your QB under the bus an art form. Calls his QB in SF gay. Shreds McNabb. And now w/ Romo, he creates the tear. The team is overall playing well, but "TO isn't getting his", which brings me to the next point. Two, I want players who want to win more than anything. I have watched TO for years, especially since joining Dallas, and it truly seems to me that TO cares about personal stats MORE than wins. If Dallas wins, but TO doesn't have big numbers, he isn't happy. Case in point, Dallas beat NY last night, but TO still seems to sulk because he didn't have a big game. Reverse, I have seen post-game interviews w/ him when the team lost, but he had big numbers, and you would not know by the interview the team lost. He talks as if coming off a victory because he had a good game. Three, you say age is not a factor, but I disagree. He is 35 years old, and while you say he is still a beast, I would point out he is having one of his worst seasons since the 90s. He may not even break 1,000 yards this year. He is part of a very good offense, but simply has not been as effective as in the past. I live in Dallas, so I hear it all. A BIG reason he doesn't have the stats as he has in the past is he has struggled to get open this year. Some of Dallas' worst games this year have come when Romo has tried to force the ball to TO, to appease TO. TO simply has not been able to get the separation he did in the past. Now, TO still believes the QB should throw to him and trust him to just go up and get the ball, but I wonder if age is starting to show. Getting open was not one of his problems in the past, but his inability to do so now makes you wonder if age ins't creaping in. Four, While the locker room issues is nothing new, something I am not sure all bear fans know is, TO drops the ball like Moose. In years past, he made up for that, but this year, not so much. Dallas has shredded him for the number of drops. Also, he is just not playing the game this year like he cares. Many times, he has quite on a route, or just played half-a. Despite the talent, he has become a WR that Romo simply can't rely on. Last point. There was a time when, if you wanted a #1 WR, you were going to have to accept the prima dona stuff too, as all were prima dona's. I don't think that is the case anymore. I think more and more top tier and elite WRs are coming to the forefront who are betting team players. WRs like TO and Chad Johnson are going away, while players like Andre Johnson, Roddy White, Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, Wayne, Gennings, Boldin and others are proving elite, w/o the massive baggage. Now, you might look at some and point to contract disputes, but haggling over money is a FAR cry from the locker room cancers TO, Moss and Chad Johnson had proven to be. The reputation may still be there for WRs, but I think the time of the prima dona WR is passing before our eyes.

I don't have an issue w/ Hester in the mix at WR. I have an issue w/ expecting Hester, and any other the rest, to be our starters. At one point, all had been mentioned as a starter for us, yet I would argue none should have been. Hester and Davis should have been considered #3s. Davis has looked more worthy of flipping burgers, but I am talking about pre-season. So while I don't have an issue letting Berrian go, as I just don't feel he was worth the money, I do have an issue w/ WR not being a higher priority for us in the off-season.

Sorry, but Berrian and his 42 catches are not worth #1 money, nor franchise tag money. What was going to be our hit if we tagged him? $8m? $10m? Sorry, but I think you have a hard time justifying that sort of money for such an inconsistent WR. Sure, compared to what we have Berrian looks great, but that isn't saying much. There were other WRs we could have added who have had even better production than Berrian, and for much less money. I still believe letting Berrian go was not a mistake. The mistake was believing WRs like Davis, Hester and Bradley were worthy of starting.

Couple points. One, I like what I have seen from Forte, and would take him over TJ. Two, it is always easy to go back and say we should have taken someone other than CB, but I wuold also point out that pretty much everyone we were likely looking at would have also been a bust. Sorry Jason, but that includes Mike Williams. Three, even if we had not drafted CB, that doesn't mean other picks we would have made would have panned out, whether we are talking that years 1st, or this years 2nd.

1 - Anthony Adams is much, much better than Dusty. Next yr, he should be starting. Last year, I actually thought Adams was our best, or at least most consistent, DL. No, I am not saying he is more talented than the rest, but I just felt he was the most consistent of the group, which is why it made me sick he was never given a real shot at the starting lineup this year. I think many forget. Adams was actually a pretty highly touted draft prospect, and part of a solid college DL. After going to SF, they changed schemes and went to a 3-4, which he was never a good fit. Since coming to us, I like the way he has played, and hope the team gives him a chance after this year. He may not be much attacking the QB, but he can stuff the run, and helps collapse the pocket. 2 - Manning is playing much better at nickle now that he is the kick returner. Maybe he needed some success on the field to give him confidence on defense. To be honest, I have not noticed this. What I have noticed is the return capability. I wonder if he can field punts too. 3 - We need an actual free safety. Brown and Payne are both SS. I think this is old news to most fans, but for some reason, our staff believes the safety positions are interchangable, and in-the-box safeties can play centerfield. 4 - Lloyd made a nice catch but also made a crucial drop. He needs to go. We need 2 to 3 new wrs in the rotation next yr. Yep. We need a total infusion of talent at the WR position. 5 - Robbie Gould is worth every penny he is paid. He set a Bears record yesterday with 3 consecutive 100 point seasons. It just doesn't seem like that long ago we were like 50% in FGs. Thursday night, when he had the FG in overtime, I sat there with confidence, which is just a great feeling. 6 - Keep throwing the deep ball to Hester. Alot more goog can happen than bad. What I really liked was how it changed how NO started to scheme against us. Unfortunately, we never adjusted to the weaker box. 7 - Alex Brown loves those back up tackles. On the SCORE they were saying he would be the defensive player of the yr every year in the CFL as all the NFL tackle rejects end up there. Props to him on a good game. Funny. Seriously though, Brown has always been the type to have a group of very good games, but also disappears for long stretches. 9 - Props to Url. That was his best game since last yr. I think part of the reason he is playing better is Adams. Warren Sapp pointed out how, w/ Dusty in there, teams were too easily getting blockers to the 2nd level. W/ Scott in there, Urlacher is finding more space to play in. That is key for most LBs, but particularly for Urlacher.

I'll throw a couple out there. PI in overtime which was a bit questionable. On the Thomas long TD run, we had a player (I think a DB) knock him down about 8 yards deep in the endzone. Easily could have been a personnal foul, which would have killed us on ensuing field position. Another play, I have to go off what I heard Collinsworth say, as I missed it, but per him, after Brees passed the ball, Urlacher (I believe) knocked him down. No roughing call, but Collinsworth pointed it out saying a flag could have been thrown. This is off the top of my head. Point is, as bear fans, we may feel like it more often goes against us, but I think it most often washes out in the end.

Not me. Fans always complain about calls, but IMHO, it usually washes. I thought the AP drop and replay was BS, but Collinsworth was saying all along it would be ruled an incomplete pass, and explained why. He even said fans would be disgusted, but explained why the NFL rules would consider it so. Olsen was mugged in the endzone, but we also got a bit of a questionable PI call go our way in over time. There were a few calls that went our way, or were simply not called, that I thought could have gone Minnys way too. On Thomas' long run, for example, whoever the DB chasing him was, put on a late hit about 8 yards into the endzone. That easily could have been a personnal foul, but there was no call. There were other times we could have been flagged, but were not. Sure, there were times I saw our guys held w/o a call, but that is my point. The refs mess up. I just don't buy into the idea of conspiracy theories.

Give me a break. I know you hate Orton, but come on. There is plenty to knock him on, but give me a break on the turnovers. He had 3 turnovers credited to him in this game, which represents a huge knock on his QB rating, but how many were truly on him? One pass hits Davis in the hands, but he can't catch the ball and it bounces into the waiting hands of a DB. That is not on Orton, but the stat sheet still hits him w/ the pick. He was also credited with a fumble, but anyone watching the game knows it was on Kreutz. Kreutz snaps the ball and sets up to block while the entire OL is still in the stance. Simply put, Kreutz snapped the ball early, but again, Orton is credited w/ the turnover. The 3rd turnover was all on him, and he deserves to get knocked for that one, but don't just try to pretend that all turnovers credited to him were all on him.

Agreed. And I would add in there, if we are going to pass, why would we not run a play designed to get the ball into the hands of a more reliable receiver? If we are going to pass, I would think you try to sling it out to Forte, Olsen or Clark. In that late stage of the game, I just do not agree w/ running a play designed to throw to a player who was recently called up and is not well tested.

Turner said it himself. He said they would be expecting us to run the ball. That frankly is classic Turner. He loves the chess element of the game. "What do they think I will do? What should I do to surprise them". That is all well and good, but the issue I have is, too often I see us go away from our strength and away from the opponents weakness. Forte is our strength. So instead of handing him the ball, grinding out some yards and eating some clock, we throw to a recently called up FB?

I would add, why run the ball so little all game. Collinsworth was even talking about this. While it didn't work, it was obvious early on NO could not defend Hester, and they started dropping everyone deep. It was pointed out how light they were in the box, and questioned why we had so few carried on the game.

The OC is horrible. He doesn't have a clue how to call a game and take advantage of the opponent's weakness. And he sure as hell doesn't have a clue how to use his players to maximize their talents. I mention this in another thread, but while I have been supporting Turner, no longer. Early in the year, I thought he was doing a good job. Some brain fart calls, sure, but overall, he had an offense totally lacking in talent (as you mention) and was able to get production from them. But, now, I am on board w/ getting rid of him. Many things we did early in the year were new, and it worked, but over the season, we have simply continued to do the same things, and are now predictable. While the league has watched film and adapted to what we do, Turner has done nothing to counter. The QB is bad. He doesn't seem to understand how to read defenses, and he can't throw the long ball. I disagree w/ this. He has made a few bad reads, but I think overall, he does a good job reading defenses. I also think his injury is still limiting him. You point out how our WRs can't run routes, drop passes, and I would add struggle to get separation. You point out how bad our OL is. Further, you think our OC sucks. If a QB doesn't have an OL to protect him or WRs who can play, or a competent coach, I question how great the expectation should be on the QB. Orton has had his struggles of late, but how much is him and how much is our lack of talent for him to work w/. He made some great passes yesterday, only to watch them dropped. He had three turnovers, but only one was his fault. That one was bad, but the other two? The ball bounced off a WRs hands and into the DBs for one. The other was very obviously on Kreutz, as the entire OL was still set when he snapped the ball, thus it was obvious he snapped it early. I am not saying Orton is for a fact our franchise QB, but I do believe I have seen enough to believe that if we surrounded him w/ better talent, he may become a very solid QB for us. I swear, if we had Manning or Brady, I think we would struggle. The WRs are bad. Drops and bad routes. Been saying this for some time. This group is just awful. The OL is bad. The don't open gaping holes for the running game, yet they don't pass block great either. Perplexing. Agreed. They have their moments, but IMHO, Orton and Forte have made this very weak unit look better then they are. The TEs and RBs are about the only thing worthwhile. Agreed, but we have a lot of work to do to improve the talent around them. Chuck it all. I disagree on Qb, but not much else. Of course, that means we will draft defense heavily.

I have supported Turner much of the year simply because our offense has done a better job than I think most expected. We simply lack talent, and yet our offense more often than not is able to move the ball and score. W/ that said, I think Turner needs to go, and here is why. Early in the year, I liked a lot of what I saw. Were there plays I disagreed w/ (FB dive) yes, but I felt he was overall calling a good game, and deserved credit for running an offense lacking in talent, but which was productive. But as the year went along, we seem to have become as predictable as ever, and the playcalling has become more and more questionable. To make a key point on being predictable, I point to one play from last night. The play where we tried sideline pass to AP. One of the bear fans I watch the game w/, who is in sports media and who watches film a ton, pointed something out. Our pass play to AP was the exact same play call, in the same situation (down and field position) as well as at about the same time, as the previous game when we tried it. NO was ready for the play, and for a reason. If you run the same play in a particular situation, you become predictable, and the play is simply easier to defend. I would also point to the damn FB dive. Early in the year, some of the plays seemed new, but now they have been scouted and are just plain predictable. As for Babich, props to the D overall for last night, but I agree he needs to go. The one thing that truly makes me sick is how we play in 3rd and long. Most every team in the NFL views 3rd and long as a prime pass rush situation. Attack the QB. You may allow a WR to be open, but if you pressure the QB, it is likely a short gain and thus a turnover on downs. Not us though. When we have a team in 3rd and forever, what do we do? We rush 3 or 4 and drop everyone else back into a zone. You would think 7 guys dropping into a zone could cover 3 or 4 receivers, but the reality is, by not pressuring the QB, no matter how many you have in coverage, receivers will eventually find holes in our zone, and that is what we saw time and again last night. In this situation, we allow Brees all day to throw, and eventually, his receivers find a hole in our zone and convert 3rd and long. That as much as anything makes me sick to watch.

I thought the call was a bit iffy, as the DB did turn his head around and contact was made due to Hester coming back to the ball, but I think a key was the DB also making contact by kicking out w/ his leg. If you watch the previews, not only is there contact, but the DB seems to also try to kick Hester. IMHO, if he didn't try to kick Hester, then the call would have been far more questionable. Regardless, it made up for the no-call on Olsen, which likely would have been a game ender. If that call is made, we get the ball at the one yard line, and despite the past, I believe we would have scored, which would have given us a win and not a tie.

Holy @#$%. We agree on something Chad Johnson was always considered their #1, and I actually think he was. But w/o a QB who can work the deep ball, that offense became all about TJ. To me, TJ is the ideal WR for us. He gets seperation. He runs solid routes. He uses his body well to shield defenders. He goes up and gets the ball, rather than letting it come to him. He is aware of the field, and knows where the 1st down marker is. The only thing he may lack is down field speed, BUT I would argue having a go-to WR like TJ allows other WRs to to work downfield far better.

Det got a 1st, 3rd and 6th (all in 2009), plus a 7th in the following year. The 6th and 7th don't bother me, but I am not high on the idea of a 1st and 3rd in the same draft when we have so many other needs. Many are going to talk about giving a 1st next year and maybe a first day pick in the following year, but I think Az is going to be looking for at least what Det got. And why shouldn't they. Boldin is a superior WR to Roy Williams.

Maybe, maybe not. Columbo was a bit of a unique situation. He was Angelo's first 1st round pick, and I don't recall Angelo ever having a bad thing to say about him. Eventually, the belief was he simply would not be able to play football. Not just stay healthy, but I think there was a question whether he would be able to play football anymore. I also don't recall Columbo ever saying a bad thing about the bears. The point is moot, but I just wanted to throw out there that Columbo was a bit of a different situation. Also, if Angelo was willing to bring back Booker, anything is possible.

I agree free safety is one of our top priorities. IMHO, no defensive position comes close. But I still put OL and WR higher. For me, it is a matter of overall talent on each side of the ball. We are getting by w/ next to nothing on offense. I stil believe we have talent on defense, despite their not showing that on a consistent basis. Also, if I had a preference, I would like to see what FS are available in FA. FS does not cost as much as WR, and frankly, I don't think they bank as much as OL anymore. So I think we can more cheaply add the top FS in FA than we could WR or OL. I also like the idea of a veteran directing our secondary back there. With that said, I am fine going after a FS in the draft. It is not my #1 option, but the position is high enough on my need that I would not take it off the board. If we do draft a FS, I want it to be a freaking FS. No more drafting in-the-box safeties. I am sick and tired of hearing our staff talk about how our two safety positions are inter-changable. They are not. I think we have seen enough evidence that a SS does not workout at FS. Two other points. Boldin - I so would love to get him, but I just do not see how we can do that when we have so many holes. OL - I agree we need a RT, but I think OG is a higher need right now.

If Boldin were an UFA, I would be all over this. Would the financial cost be high. Hell yes. Would it be worth the price. I think so. The problem is, to get Boldin will require a trade, as well as then signing him to that same ridiculously high contract he will demand. Again, the financial cost may well be woth it, but in combination w/ the loss of picks? I have to believe the starting price is going to be a 1st round pick, and likely more. I think most here would agree, we are more than a WR away from the SB. Can a team w/ so many needs afford to give away high draft picks? If we sign Boldin, I think we can assume we are not going to sign any other big ticket FAs. Then, add in not having a 1st round pick, and you have to wonder how well we can upgrade our OL. I think it is must we upgrade at both OL and WR, and I am simply not sure we can do that if we trade for Boldin.

Regarding TJ, look at what he has done this year. This year, Cincy QB situation is so bad, Rex would be an upgrade. Their OL is so bad, ours looks all-pro. Their run game is so bad, they signed and now start Cedrick Benson. And further, Chad Johnson has been AWOL this year, whether he is in uniform or not. Despite all this, TJ has been having a pretty solid season. I don't have his numbers up, but I recall talking abou this last week. He is on pace for around 110 catches and 1,110 or 1,200 yards (can't recall which). That may be down from prior years, but IMHO, does show he can be a #1 WR and further, shows he doesn't need a great offense to play in to produce.

Yea, that is the thing. I look at the list (outside TJ) and really don't see much different from what we have, or what we have tried. I mean, you see a guy like Antonio Bryant, and I think Brandon Lloyd. You see Engram, and I think Booker. It just seems like we have for too long picked up spares, hoping they could become servicable players. I just am not sure what I see different from this list.