jason
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Posts posted by jason
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Couple things.
One. I think you have to go back and remember the situation when Shoop came in. Crowton was the OC prior to him, and as you said, took a lot of chances. We turned it over a lot, and weren't a successful offense. We put a ton of pressure on our own defense. Crowton became vilified. Exit Crowton and enter Shoop. Shoop was w/o quesiton the anti-crowton. I just remember that back then, many liked Shoop simply because he did run the ball, something Crowton didn't know how to do. Also, while he was FAR from explosive, I think you forget how successful Booker was in his scheme.
Two. I recall all too well prior to 2001, Jauron behind the mic talking about how conservative our offense would be. Not his words, but his meaning. IMHO, it was our defensive minded HC who wanted the conservative offense. That is part of the reason I don't blame Shoop as much as you.
Three. I have said this before, but while I am NOT a fan of Shoop, despite what you likely think, I at the same time wonder if he would have been a tad more aggressive if he were given more pieces to work w/. He didn't have a homerun hitting RB. Far from it. He didn't have a QB w/ a great arm. Miller was never a great QB, and was often injured. How aggressive could you be w/ QBs like Mathews, Stewart, Burris and the like? Go back and look at how much Angelo ignored the offense when Shoop was in charge. Our best WR was a possession WR, and our 2nd best was a downfield threat that couldn't catch. No RB w/ speed and no QB with a great arm. I am sorry, but while I totally understand what you are saying, if you tried to make the players Shoop had to work w/ a high powered one, it would have been even uglier than it was.
Back to Crowton, I simply feel he sucked worse. It is beyond me how any NFL coach can believe we can run the ball so little and be effective, unless you have a QB like Brady, which we didn't. I will simply never forget/forgive for trying to use a rookie Qb the way he did.
One final point. I too want an offense that tries to score, as opposed to trying not to lose games. That is why I was disappointed when we hired Lovie. Great offensive minds are not in abundance, and usually to get one, you have to be willing to make the guy a HC. Our continually hiring HCs who were formed DCs is a great part of the problem. As a management, we have put the focus on the defense over the offense. I would further point to the players were brought in. We have not exactly filled our offense w/ big time weapons. So to me, while our offense is a problem, I think Phillips and Angelo are key in blame for this. Until our managment makes a real committment to the offense, I find it more difficult to lay all blame at the feet of the OC. The only exception is Shea, who I felt was simply is so over his head it was embarrasing.
One, I have forgotten nothing when it comes to the Shoop era. I have never hated someone associated with the Bears more. Booker did OK, but that was more a result of the fact that the Bears had to pass some time, and Booker was the primary target. It's the inverse of Crowton, except that the passing game produces large chunks ang deceives about how successful a team/player is.
Two, I didn't forget the Jauron nonsense. Remember, I hated them both (and Blache to a lesser extent). But I was willing to give Jauron and his bogus coach of the year award another chance if he dumped Shoop. He didn't , and he was rightfully sent packing.
Three, I think it is odd that Crowton was able to be aggressive (over aggressive) with nearly the exact same players that Shoop had. There is absolutely no excuse that is acceptable. I think you, and anyone else that sides with Shoop, forget how stupid conservative he was. It wasn't about taking more chances, it was about taking any chances. If Shoop played poker, he'd fold pocket aces before the flop, just to be on the safe side. When he came in people were happy that the Bears had a running game, and at first I liked the idea. I wanted more balance as well. But when I realized he was going to coach like a frightened 10-year old, I knew it was going to be a horrible tenure.
Plain and simple, Shoop and Crowton are polar opposites - Crowton took nothing but chances, and Shoop took none. I'd rather have a guy who takes chances as opposed to a timid bitch like Shoop. At least then there is the potential for big scoring and a dangerous offiense. Afterall, if the purpose of the Shoop "strategy" is to save the Bears' defense, which it surely didn't do with the perpetual 3 and outs, then you might as well throw caution to the wind and try to score a ton...either way you're leaving the defense out to dry.
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Oh, where to begin,
You say the offense would have been better if not for the turnovers, but how do you think you would have avoided the turnovers? We had average talent (at best) and tried to be explosive. I am sorry, but you are not going to avoid turnovers when you have QBs like ours in '99 (Miller, Mathews, McNown) chucking it downfield. It was Cade's first taste as a starter, and he had 10 of the interceptions. Should that not be expected?
In '99, we were able to chuck the ball downfield, and Marcus Robinson did a great job coming down w/ it, but our offense had not consistency. That far more than turnovers was key to our sucking in scoring. We would get a huge pass completion, and follow it up w/ 3 and out. Just because we racked up passing yards does not mean it was a good offense. They were among the worst rushing offenses in the NFL, which is not shock when you have a run pass ration as we did. We threw the ball a LEAGUE LEADING 684 times, compared to being bottom five in rushing attempts, with 396. That is nearly 300 more passing plays than running plays. Sure, game scores were part of that, as was weaker rushing talent, but the reality is, few teams (NE is an exception) can do well w/o even trying to run the ball, and in '99, we didn't.
Our high passing totals had far more to do w/ leading the league in attempts. We had 80 more attempts than the next highest, which was GB, and 140 more attempts than the league avereage. Let me put it this way. If Benson finished the year w/ say 1,200 yards, many would probably say that was a good year. But what if you then realized he had 340 carries and average 3.5 ypc? Would you still say it was a good year, or would you simply argue anyone who runs the ball that much will put up yardage, but that it doesn't signify success?
I know you fairly well when it comes to what you like and want on offense. Believe it or not, we do not disagree as much as you might think in theory. You want explosive RBs. Even if Benson was what he was considered in the draft, you likely would never love him because he was NEVER going to be an explosive home run hitter. Many would have been happy w/ a RB like Rudi Johnson, and talked about how that would be bear football. You would not complain much if Benson put up Rudi Johnson like numbers, but would not be content either. Similar in the passing game. You do not want a conservative offense based on the run and TOP. You want explosive and big plays. That is fine. I personally think we can strive for both. But the point is, even though Crowton sucked, I think you liked him simply because he "tried" to bring an aggressive offense into a city not know for such.
There was much about Crowton I didn't like, but the biggest thing I hated was how he used Cade. I am NOT saying anything to defend Cade. But we had a rookie QB (basically a rookie in his 2nd year too) and put him in a very complex offense. We often had Cade in empty backfield sets. Crowton's offense was based on very quick reads, and the QB/WR being on the same page through adjustments. It was an offense that would be trying for a veteran QB, but for a rookie? I remember the whole time Crowton was here, I watched Minny run an offense opposite from us. In Minny, they too had a young QB (Culpepper) but instead of asking him to do too much, they made a committment to running the ball, and max protecting Culpepper. It was a biatch to get to Pepper those years because they would often send out only two receivers, while everyone blocked. Yea, they had Moss and Carter, but Robinson and Engram were not slouches either. I never understood why we could not do similar. We could still be aggressive, but give the QB time in the pocket. Becasue teams know how pass happy we were, and because we didn't use extra blockers, we really hung our QBs (especially a rookie QB) out to dry. That was my biggest gripe w/ Crowton. His offense "might" have worked w/ a QB like Manning or Brady, and w/ an excellent OL, but w/ the QBs we had, I thought it was a joke. I have little tolerance for coaches who can not adapt a system to the talent at hand, and instead try to force square pegs into round holes.
First and foremost, I never said that Crowton didn't make mistakes. With an inexperienced QB, and a good D, he should have run much more than he did. However, the fact that he was able to get such stats from the team he had, proves his quality as an OC.
I think you misinterpret what I want and like. I like the explosive style homerun hitters; you have that right. But I like a team that produces. What we have had for far too long in Chicago is a team that doesn't produce on offense. As a result, I want and like any coach willing to come in, give it a chance, take some risks, and try to win. I don't want a coach like John Shoop who called games like an absolute pussy. I despise the playing not to lose mentality, the game-manager mentality, the passive "if we score 20 we should win" mentality. The offense is named such because of what it is supposed to do; it is supposed to go on the offensive. At least you had that part right - the reason I liked Crowton was that at least he tried. He may not have done everything the smartest way, but at least he took shots. In other words...
Crowton is to Jalen Rose as Shoop is to Trenton Hassell. Crowton/Rose score because they take lots of shots, some not so well thought out. Shoop/Hassell don't score because they don't take shots. To be honest, it makes me think of Brett Farv. He continues to sling it all over the field, and despite the fact that he's more likely to throw into triple coverage than any QB in history, he puts up stats because he keeps winging it in there.
As for styles, I could care less as long as the team produces. If Benson produced at the rate of a good back (4+ypr), and the Bears continued to win as they ran out the clock, I'd be elated. I would know the Bears still had a chance to score, but were also grinding the clock. In fact, I'm snickering right now just thinking how nice it would be to have our version of Mariano Rivera, knowing that if we get up by two scores, we can run with success and win the game. For the past 20 years or so that strategy would not have worked. Unfortunately, the Shoop types still try that strategy even though the attempts are unsuccessful, and the 3 and outs pile up. Crowton types get up by 20 and think about the next way to step on the opponent's neck, going for the kill, trying to demoralize the opponent in case there is a rematch.
Last but not least, how could the Bears have avoided the turnovers? Well, it's exactly as you said, max protect the young QB (something I couldn't figure out either), and throw to MRob & Engram. Find the TE a bit more. Run a bit more. It was obvious even to the biggest Crowton fan that the Bears' offense was unbalanced.
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Drafting another LT would be ideal!
Damn the competition, etc! I'm just from another school on OL...I like the FA mode and a later round than first. For every Joe Thomas, there's a Mandrich. Same could be said of all the positions really... I guess I'm more of the mind that we have SO many holes, that in the 1st we should virtually take the best available. I'm content in honesty with OL, RB, QB, WR, LB, S....andy of those that's a worthy candidate should make a positive impact on this club. I don't want us to reach.
Plus Angelo could be using the term "competition" as BS.
1. He could legitimately mean that, and maybe bringing in a complimentary back that differs from Benson.
2. He could be BS'ing and has no intention of making any change at RB.
3. He could be BS'ing and completely want a replacement.
THis is a tough year to make judgement calls about this team. The past few season seemed a bit more easy. Now, there's just too many holes!
I will literally protest the Bears next season if they draft a RB in the first round. I will not watch one game. Period. The RB situation may be a problem, but we'll never know if the OL sucks. In order to really determine if Benson's a flop, the OL needs to be fixed. Just look at Jamal Lewis this year. Before the year, you would have been hard-pressed to find more than a handful of people on his side. But with that line, all the sudden he is rejuvenated. The same holds true for this team. For any of you to suggest that the Bears should go after a RB in the first is pure insanity.
If the Bears get a RB in the draft, it should be a mid to late round upside guy, someone who has the incredible speed to take it to the house, but for some reason or another wasn't the #1 all the time or wasn't highly regarded for some minor reason.
If the Bears go after a RB similar to Benson, it'll be incredibly stupid, a waste of money, and self-defeating.
OL, OL, OL...fix the problem up front, and I guaran-damn-tee the running game and the passing game improve exponentially.
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Oh yes, now that you say that it makes perfect sense. If it hadnt been for the turnovers, fumbles, and lack of scoring, Gary Crowtons offense would have been great because they got a lot of yardage.
Yeah, because it's Crowton's fault that the offensive players couldn't hold onto the ball, and the QBs couldnt' stop throwing it to the other team.
Cut the number of turnovers and there is almost a guarantee that there would have been substantially more scoring with all that yardage. Afterall, the field length never increases.
Let's just say that we cut 20 turnovers from the numbers...less than half that year (32 fumbles & 22 INTs). And let's just say that only 15 of those drives were in scoring position...which is also modest considering the yardage totals (all the "good" drives weren't 99 yarders). Then let's say that one 3 of those 15 were TDs, a VERY low extraploation. Last but not least, let's say that of the remaining 12, only 8 were converted as FGs. That's 45 more points. That moves the Bears into the middle of the NFL as far as scoring.
I realize it's extrapolation, but it's not all that unreasonable.
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What defense did Gary Crowton wear down before he left the team before the season was over? I forget, because I really remember the Gary Crowton era offense sucking.
Only offensive minded coach in the last 20 years? Is that discounting Ron turners first run when Erik Kramer and Curtis Conway broke records? From what I remember, that offense was pretty damn good
And remind me when Gary Crowtons offense was scoring.
Was it in 1999, when Shane Mathews was the QB and Curtis Enis was the RB and the team went 6-10?(ranked 25th in points per game)
Or was it in 2000 when McNown was the QB and James Allen was the RB and the team went 5-11?
(ranked 28th in points per game)
1. The defense he wore down was the Bears' defense. And, his offenses didn't suck, but they weren't the best in the league either. If I recall correctly, the Bears had a top-5 passing offense while he was in Chicago. Also, the team was top 10 in yardage. I remember that time vaguely, but what I do remember was the Bears getting a lot of yards, and not getting the points to go along with the yards. Mostly I remember that being the result of turnovers, as our quarterbacks just handed the ball over to the other team via interceptions and fumbles. Given another few years, I think the TDs would have caught up to the yardage.
2. Ron Turner's former status as an offensive mind was revoked after the pathetic year of work he put in this year.
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lol Its funny how now Crowton is this guru, yet everybody on these boards have been ripping him for years.
You can go back to the old boards. I was always on the side of Crowton.
I said that he hurt the team at times by wearing out the defense, but he was also the only offensively minded coach we have had in the past 20 years. To be honest, I never really had a problem, even back then, with a majority passing offense, a "non-Bears" offense. Also, the only difference between the pathetic offenses that we've seen fairly recently and Crowton's offenses is that while both wore out the Bears' defense by putting them back on the field more frequently, at least Crowton's did it with scoring.
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I don't understand the hatred for Wolfe.
Seriously, what games were you guys watching?! Whenever he was given a chance in space, he made things happen. Hell, I'd go so far as to say that he actually broke more tackles than Cedric Benson! He may not have run anyone over, but he juked them enough to break an arm tackle. Furthermore, he made a few really great, shifty, potential-showing plays when he was in there.
What the hell did Benson do?
What the hell did Peterson do?
The guy has the ability to make defenders miss. That is not something that can be taught. He's also quick/fast enough to make a small play turn into something big...or maybe that wasn't him busting out a large gain while I was screaming from the stands at the Saints game.
I just don't get why you guys are so ready to get rid of him already. Suppose he gains 15 pounds of muscle and learns to block better (not that Benson is a good blocker with the added size)...does he then get to stay? Personally, I see just as much potential with Wolfe as I do Benson.
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Unfortunately, we can shelve that pipe-dream; Mike Martz just went to the Niners.
Why is it that the Bears can never get an offensive coordinator who is capable of turning the offense into a weapon feared throughout the league? Oh, wait, we had that guy, and he just got done engineering a great game to win the BCS Championship last night. (Hate how un-Bearlike it may have been, and how it put the defense in bad shape at times, he made our offense a threat that it hasn't been since, and hadn't been for some time before.)
Look forward to seeing Turner next year.
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Berrian is a third receiver. However I think we would be willing to pay him more than Washington can. You would have to wonder why the Redskins would want Berrian when they have Moss and Randel El. I think they have enough shorter fast receivers.
That's just ridiculous. Berrian is FAR better than a third WR. He has serious abilities, but can't showcase them enough in a stagnant, no-passing, bad OL, inconsistent-QB led offense. He's AT LEAST, and possibly a poor man's #1. What do you expect of the guy?
On the Bears...
...he's the only WR who gets open consistently.
...he's the only WR who provides a consistent deep threat.
...he's the only WR who makes big plays and great catches continuously.
I hope we keep him, shore up the line, and show other teams how good the Bears offense can be.
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Drafting a RB in the first round would be just plain stupid, but from a team-building standpoint and a salary cap standpoint.
Even if the Bears move down, there are other holes to fill, and tying all that money up in two 1st round RBs would be a huge mistake. Besides, like others have said, Benson was a stud in college, and if given a halfway decent OL to run behind, should produce.
I'm one of the biggest anti-Benson guys out there...but I remember the glimpses he showed last year, especially a few against the Saints, and I believe he could do big things if the opponents actually feared the Bears' passing game and the OL was better.
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Within the realm of reality, what is your dream offseason?
I think I'd like to see the following:
FA
Faneca, Starks, Flozelle, or Gross
Draft
RD1: OL (depending on FA targets/probabilities)
RD2: OL (depending on FA targets/probabilities)
RD3: QB (Brennan, Dixon, or Flacco (in that order))
RD4: S (Targeted BPA)
Team
Turner = FIRED
Mike Brown, Tommie Harris, Dusty Dvoracek, Dan Bazuin = Healthy
MuhMuh = Demoted
Olsen = Promoted
QB Position = Open TC Battle
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Sorry, but this is very debatable.
"As for having nothing to work with, I call BS on that. He had a stud OL to begin with: LT Blake Brockermeyer, LG Rex Tucker, C Olin Kreutz, RG Chris Villarrial, RT James "Big Cat" Williams."
Funny how Brock is considered so good now, but was ripped every year he was a bear. Tucker was able to remain about as healthy as Mike Brown. Big Cat was on the downside of his career, and the last time played well, so did the offense. This was FAR from a stud OL.
"Also, Jim Miller was a decent NFL QB capable of putting up good numbers if given time."
Really? What did Miller do prior to, or after the bears. It seems to me the only time Miller ever looked good was in Shoop's system, so I would think Shoop would get some credit for that.
"Also, let's not forget the fact that Shoop had no clue how to use TEs or WRs, evident by the fact that Dez "Stone Hands" White continued to start."
Or how about looking at who he had to work w/. At TE, I believe he had Fred Baxter. Wow, there is a great TE. At WR, Booker was his best WR, and Booker was a 100 catch, 1,000 yard receiver in his system. You rip Dez White, and no argument there, but look at what WRs Shoop had beyond Booker. Dez White. David Terrell. Or the oft-injured Marcus Robinson. Sorry, but you while you say he didn't know how to use his WRs, I would argue that he didn't have much to work w/.
"Oh, perhaps everyone forgot about A-Train, who is still putting up stats when given the chance on the Bills."
Your kidding, right? A-Train has been w/ three teams since leaving the bears, and has done nothing w/ any. In Dallas and NO, he was an after-thought. In Buffalo, you say he puts up stats when given a chance. Really? His 3.5 and 2.5 ypc averages beg to differ. The reality is, Shoop was given a 2nd round RB and turned him into the ROY. Under Shoop, A-Train had two 1,000 yard seasons, and has not have a combined 1,000 yards since. You make it out like A-Train is a good player, but he was only good in Shoop's system.
"This is the same guy who would protect a 6 point lead in the second quarter! Maybe a few of you forget, but there was not such vehement hatred for a coach in these parts in a long time, and the clown would have been fired if not for being lucky and hitching a ride aboard the dual-Buddha led defense that allowed Urlacher to roam free, and the team to virtually stop all opposing scoring."
I think you also forget that he ran a system as instructed by Jauron. I recall prior to 2001 how Jauron flat out said we would run a ball control, field position offense. The reality is, we didn't have much talent on offense, and ran a system that tried to win TOP, field positions and control the ball.
Shoop was not a good OC. I am not saying otherwise. But I think you are absolutely wrong when you try to say he had talent to work w/. The players he had have done nothing since leaving the bears. The only time they looked good was under Shoop, which tells me (a) they were probably never that good to begin w/ and (
Shoop got about as much out of them as possible. Sorry, but I look at how Angelo has tried to add to the offense since Shoop and Jauron's departure, and see players brought in that Angelo never added. When Jauron was here, I think our top FA was Clark. Wow. Since then, Angelo added Tait, R.Brown, Garza, Miller, TJ and Moose, while drafting Rex, Berrian, Bradley and Benson. The reality is, Angelo did nothing to provide Shoop w/ talent to work w/, and instead asked our offense to not lose games.
To me, Shea and Turner have been worse because they were given more talent to work w/, and failed regardless.
I think our differences of opinion on the line will have to stand. Aside from Brock who was average, the rest of the line was pretty damn good. Big Cat may have been on the way down, but he was dominant. Add a young Kreutz, a mean Tucker, and Villareal and you have a very good line.
You're just plain wrong on Jim Miller. Please see the end of the 1999 season when he tore it up under Crowton as proof. Also, remember if it weren't for injuries - which I can't deny - he would have remained the starter and probably put up some more good games. Hell, Miller only had one 300+ yard game under Shoop, and he threw 49 times - clearly indicating that this wasn't the common Shoop game - to be honest, I don't know what happened during that game. I can't remember. But there is a good bet that either Shoop was sick, kidnapped, or mute that week.
I think you misunderstood me on ATrain. I didn't mean to imply that he was tearing it up when I said "putting up stats". I meant to imply that he is still a good NFL player, a serviceable NFL player. I would also like to add that Shoop gets no credit in this. The formula is not rocket science. When ATrain got the ball a lot, he ran well for a lot of yards. It's not surprising. He did so the few times Crowton gave him a chance. Hell, he put up a few good games last year with Buffalo! Simply calling X number of running plays is not something for which credit is deserved. To speak of Shoop's system is fallacy. It's simply "hand the ball off"..."hand the ball off"..."bubble screen"..."bubble screen". Repeat ad nauseum.
As for running what Jauron said, this may have some validity. Although, Shoop hasn't exactly lit it up since his time with the Bears either. I don't know how much of the plays Shoop called, how much of the gameplan he was responsible for, but I do know that Jauron eventually had to take the axe because of his loyalty to Shoop. Had Shoop been dumped, Jauron would have saved his job.
Last but not least, the free agency. Well, there is nothing to debate here. We agree. For some reason there was a point at which the Bears organization just said, "Screw it. We're not going to be cheap any more. We're spending."
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I'm amazed at the short memories of Bears' fans.
I realize that we've had to endure some horrible offensive coordinators without imagination or gameday skill/knowledge, but for you all to forget the travesty that was John Shoop is just unforgiveable.
This man's OWN TEAM was YELLING AT HIM!!!
He was, is, and forever will be, the worst OC the Bears ever hire. Period. This is not up for debate.
As for having nothing to work with, I call BS on that. He had a stud OL to begin with: LT Blake Brockermeyer, LG Rex Tucker, C Olin Kreutz, RG Chris Villarrial, RT James "Big Cat" Williams. Also, Jim Miller was a decent NFL QB capable of putting up good numbers if given time. Also, let's not forget the fact that Shoop had no clue how to use TEs or WRs, evident by the fact that Dez "Stone Hands" White continued to start. Oh, perhaps everyone forgot about A-Train, who is still putting up stats when given the chance on the Bills.
Did you forget about the 3-yd pass on 3rd and 12?
Did you forget about the fake to the exact same place the play went to?!
Did you forget about the 3-yd pass on 3rd and 12?
Did you forget about the ubiquitous bubble-screen?
Did you forget about the 3-yd pass on 3rd and 12?
This is the same guy who would protect a 6 point lead in the second quarter! Maybe a few of you forget, but there was not such vehement hatred for a coach in these parts in a long time, and the clown would have been fired if not for being lucky and hitching a ride aboard the dual-Buddha led defense that allowed Urlacher to roam free, and the team to virtually stop all opposing scoring.
Some others may have been bad, but there is no way in hell any Bears' OC has been worse, or will be worse than John Shoop. Never. When the team has an on-field mutiny about Turner, give me a call.
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As much as we all want JA to taked 8 OL in this draft, he's not. at the most, he takes 2, IMO, and signs 1 or 2 on FA.
I would love to have Stewart. Yes, we do need a RB. Benson is average at best...AP too. Wolfe is nothing more than a 3rd down back. there is no real option for the future. But the 1st is too early for RB unless JA can trade down and pick up 2 1st rounders....if not, OL is the pick.
Brennan just doesnt do anything for me but Flacco is a very interesting prospect. I dont know if he'll last past the 3rd and he might make it up in to the 2nd if he has a good enough combine. If he's there with the first 3rd rounder, I'd take him in a heart beat.
Brennan just doesn't do anything for you!!!!!!????? Are you serious?!
I can understand someone being a system QB, but that kid has all the tools. He's a stud, and will play in the NFL. One does not become the most prolific passing QB in college history without having skill. As a rookie, he'd be comparable to what Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton are now. It's not like they make great reads or anything. Hell, Grossman has been with the team a few years now and still makes bad reads and stupid throws.
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As for next year, I have high hopes. I'm looking forward to...
1) Mike Brown being healthy
2) An open QB competition with a good rookie
3) A retooled OL
4) A motivated and healthy Benson with Wolfe as a legit 3rd down RB
5) A new OC
6) A healthy Tommie Harris
7) A healthy Dusty Dvoracek
8) A healthy Nathan Vasher
9) A new starting safety combo
10) A promise of an explosive WR-corp with Hester getting more offensive touches
11) A proper usage of an incredible weapon in Greg Olsen
12) A relatively high first round draft pick
13) A completely healthy Urlacher
14) A distraction-less situation with or without Lance Briggs
15) A return to prominence
Just think, the Bears will essentially be getting seven high draft picks back (the actual 1st rounder this year, Tommie Harris, Mike Brown, Nathan Vasher, Cedric Benson, Dusty Dvoracek, Dan Bazuin).
Look for the Bears to be back in a HUGE way next year.
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so, how do we get the 3 first round selections?
Same thing I was thinking...we don't need a first round running back anyway (just like we didn't need Benson). It'd be a waste behind the present OL.
Draft OL, OL, OL as far as I'm concerned...maybe Flacco or Brennan in the 3rd/4th.
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I'm looking for the video of Robbie Gould's horrible miss in 2005 vs. the Niners. Recall that it was the windiest game in NFL history, and he hit one that seemed to be 20-30 yards wide right.
That was also the game Vasher returned the missed FG for 108yds.
I need to show it to a coworker who is a Packer fan who swears that a game couldn't get windier than last Sunday.
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With the Crayton signing:
How much more will it take to keep Berrian?
And there you have it. Morons like the Cowboys are willing to sign a marginal player like Crayton for serious Jack, and that results in good players wanting even more. And who takes the hit? The fans. The average fans who try to go to one game per year, we take the hit. Pisses me off.
I just can't imagine how a guy like Rashied Davis, who is not even one of the team's top 20 players, a guy who could be cut tomorrow and not many would be that upset, is going to get paid somewhere around a million per year. It's absolutely ridiculous.
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I will be there, and I am looking for a few things:
1) The absence of a ton of false start penalties
2) The presence of an OL that blocks well
3) Garrett Wolfe seeing significant playing time
4) McBride stepping in once again for Vasher - want to see the potential
5) Greg Olsen being used, and used correctly
6) Mark Bradley being used, and used correctly
7) Devin Hester getting the chance to touch a few punts/ko returns
8) Kyle Orton's neckbeard, and whether or not he's allowed to use the whole playbook
9) Whether or not the DL will do well enough to allow the LBs to do their job and stop cutback runs
10) Jamar Williams getting some more PT and showing what he can do
*) An in game firing of Turner
The last one is more of a wish than an anticipation
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here is a little bit of a different take on assessing the current team and moving forward. Here is the 53 man roster, go through it as if you were a gm and decide who you think should stay, and who you think should go, and why. The idea is not to tell us who you would replace them with, but rather why you think they should no longer take up a roster spot.
95 Adams, Anthony* NT - Meh. I could care less. I am sure a good fourth rounder could replace him
97 Anderson, Mark* DE - Stays. The only real sack threat the Bears have on every play
20 Archuleta, Adam SS - Meh. If it doesn't hurt the cap too much, he might have to leave
94 Ayanbadejo, Brendon LB - Stays. Best ST player in the NFL, LB depth
73 Bazuin, Dan* DE - Stays. Young, contract, potential
67 Beekman, Josh G - Meh
32 Benson, Cedric* RB - Stays. Contract purposes alone makes him a keeper
80 Berrian, Bernard WR - Stays. The only WR on the Bears that could be considered a #1
16 Bradley, Mark WR - Stays. How in the hell is he not on the field! If he leaves, he'll end up doing very well on another team
55 Briggs, Lance OLB - Leaves. He will want too much money. He'll be greedy and go FA. Of course, like Rosey Colvin, the NFL will find out he's good, but not as good as once thought.
96 Brown, Alex DE - Stays. Not playing poorly, but sufficiently to stay
30 Brown, Mike* - Stays. The potential is just too enticing. If he plays, he is the veteran Bob Sanders. He is better than Sanders, IMHO. Game changer
74 Brown, Ruben* - See ya!! It'd be better to put in a blocking dummy
88 Clark, Desmond TE - Stays. Still a productive, good TE. Should be subordinate to Olsen though
81 Davis, Rashied WR - Stays. I like him, and think he has done well when given the chance
98 Dvoracek, Dusty* DT - Stays. Shows huge potential, if ever on the field
90 Garay, Antonio* DE - Stays. Depth purposes and minor rotation only
63 Garza, Roberto G - Stays. Still has life in the legs
43 Gattis, Josh SAF - Meh
85 Gilmore, John TE - Meh. With Clark and Olsen, Gilmore should never see the field
9 Gould, Robbie K - Stays. One of the top five FG kickers in the NFL
21 Graham, Corey CB - Stays. Need depth
14 Griese, Brian QB - GTFO. Either you are a stable, veteran QB, or you are an older Rex Grossman. We have a young Rex Grossman, an old one is not needed.
8 Grossman, Rex QB - Stays. Still probably the best QB on the Bears
91 Harris, Tommie DT - Stays. One of the best DL in the NFL
83 Hass, Mike WR - Meh. I'd like to see him since I hear so much, but at this point I just don't know
23 Hester, Devin WR - Stays. Most dangerous player in the NFL?
92 Hillenmeyer, Hunter OLB - Stays. With Briggs leaving, stability is needed
71 Idonije, Israel DE - Stays. Most versatile Bears' DLineman
35 Jimoh, Ade* DB - Meh
72 Kennedy, Jimmy DT - Stays. Showed enough in limited time to be brought back
57 Kreutz, Olin C - Stays. Best OL on the Bears, needs to work on long snap
65 Mannelly, Patrick LS - Best LS in the game!
38 Manning, Danieal FS - Stays. If he weren't young and inexperienced, he'd probably leave, but for now he still has potential
24 Manning, Ricky DB - GTFO. This guy is one of the worst players on the Bears
4 Maynard, Brad P - Stays. Still one of the best in the game
26 McBride, Trumaine CB - Stays. Has shown GREAT potential
58 McClover, Darrell LB - Meh
36 McGowan, Brandon SS - Stays. Better than either Manning
37 McKie, Jason FB - Stays, been a quiet leader this season
60 Metcalf, Terrence G - Meh. Hopefully he'll play better
69 Miller, Fred T - Byebye! This guy has sucked this year
87 Muhammad, Muhsin WR - Byebye! Doesn't get open or create enough separation to be a starting WR
68 Oakley, Anthony G - Meh
93 Ogunleye, Adewale DE - Stays, still playing well
53 Okwo, Michael* LB - Stays, LB depth
82 Olsen, Greg TE - Stays. Obvious
18 Orton, Kyle QB - Stays, and should compete for starting job
70 Oshinowo, Baba DT - Meh
44 Payne, Kevin* FS - Stays. Bears need to see EVERYONE at Safety
29 Peterson, Adrian RB - Stays. The Bears owe it to him in the least
39 Polite, Lousaka RB - Goes.
53 Roach, Nick LB - Meh.
Runnels, J.D.* RB - Stays. We still don't know what this kid can do
78 St. Clair, John T - Stays. Not good, not bad, just depth
76 Tait, John T - Stays. Should move to RT
33 Tillman, Charles CB - Stays. Good lockdown corner
75 Toeaina, Matt DT - Stays. Showed good potential
54 Urlacher, Brian MLB - Stays. Best MLB in the game
31 Vasher, Nathan CB - Stays. The Interceptor is still top notch when healthy
99 Walker, Darwin NT - Stays. Good backup
52 Williams, Jamar LB - Stays. Replacement for Briggs
59 Wilson, Rod LB - Stays. Briggs leaves, need depth
25 Wolfe, Garrett RB - Stays. Young, under contract, fast, big play potential as Westbrook-type RB
* Player on Injured Reserve
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Agreed Moose needs to go (especially if Berrian is resigned).
We have no idea what the hell Bradley can do after 3 yrs (this is disturbing).
Rasheed is a nice special teams player who is at best a 4th or 5th receiver - no way to compare him to Welker.
We have no idea what we have in Hass. I would love to see him play but to say the Bears should have cut Moose to play him is a bit absurd. If anything, they should have given him Rasheed's reps for a few games.
Please don't mention Gage or Wade in the same statement with Engram. They are average receivers on bad receiving cores. Engram has over 550 career receptions and has been in the league for over 10 yrs. They can't hold his jock.
Peace
I wasn't necessarily saying that Moose should be cut because Haas is on the roster. I was saying that Moose should be cut, and this clears up room for Haas to show what he can do.
Also, Engram is heads and shoulders above Gage and Wade. However, the three - along with Marty Booker - are WRs that the Bears let go, but seem to be doing well elsewhere. It is no wonder why the Bears have been searching for WR talent for so long - everytime a decent one comes into town, he's not used properly, he gets upset, and the inevitable departure takes place.
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Regarding this article: Barnett Appeal
I thought Barnett was unprofessional the entire game, out of control, and when the ref tackled him it was warranted. He was clearly not in the play, nor the important part of the pileup, and was serving only as an instigator. I could swear I heard the refs yelling to "Get Up!" They do this every time there is a pileup and dickheads like Barnett jump on the dogpile.
What's more, I noticed two or three times that he was a tad late on hits, something I am fine with as long as it is applied universally. But we all know from the previous game against the Vikings that it is not applied universally ("late" hit before half time).
Last but not least, there was one play where a ruckus started after the play, and the moron announcers commented about how there was pushing and shoving. What nobody mentioned, even though it was plainly obvious, was that when Barnett tackled Wolfe, he was on the ground and gave Wolfe a forearm/bicep hit well after the tackle. The entire reason something started is because an offensive lineman from the Bears saw it and took offense, standing up for his RB. Of course, Barnett in his third-grade reading level mind decided that the Bears player was the one taking a cheap shot, and then got mad.
Barnett should have gotten a fine for his actions this past weekend, and should have no grievance to file against a ref. Perhaps if did what the refs said they would not have to wrestle his dumb ass off the pile. I swear - professional sports and the administration of justice within, is looking more and more like our actual legal system, where those doing right are punished unjustly for doing their job, and criminals bog down the legal process with bogus claims of being wronged.
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The way I see it, there is only one certainty:
Muhsin Muhammed has to either be cut, or take a backseat.
Aside from that, here's what I think:
-Bernard Berrian makes huge plays, and if the OL didn't stink, maybe the Bears could use more plays that utilize Berrian's speed.
-Mark Bradley looks fast, big, strong, and confident every time he gets in the game. It's just too bad that he slept with Lovie's wife, or whatever the heck he did, because he simply can't get out of the doghouse. There is no way he should be behind MuhMuh.
-Rashied Davis seems to be a fairly good slot receiver. I have a feeling that if he went to a more prolific offense, he'd end up being the next Wes Welker type. Whenever he gets a chance he makes tough catches and gets good gains.
-Devin Hester is clearly the X-Factor, and the reason why Davis should not start. If Hester ever figures out the playbook, and the OL/QB can produce consiistently and efficiently, Hester could easily bust huge gains all over the place.
-Haas is, from what everyone has said, as sure-handed as they come, and runs good routes. So, why is MuhMuh still around?
To be quite honest, I don't really see a need at WR until the OL and QB gets fixed. The Bears haven't had a consistenly productive WR on the team since Curtis Conway! Of course...
-Bobby Wade seems to be doing fine on the Vikings
-Bobby Engram seems to be doing well on the Seahawks
-Justin Gage seems to be doing well on the Titans
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Here is a 4 round mock draft thats pretty interesting as a Bears fan. The link is http://www.drafttek.com/
Can't believe they have Jonathan Stewart lasting until the 2nd Round. I would also avoid Hart unless we cut Wolfe.
1-11 Andre Woodson QB Kentucky
other guys available worth considering: Jeff Otah OT Pitt, Kenny Phillips SS Miami, Chris Williams OT Vand.
2-42 Michael Oher OT Miss
other guys available worth considering: Gosder Cherilus OT BC, Jonathan Stewart RB Org, Mario Manningham WR Mich,
3-74 Michael Hart RB Mich
3-90 Michael Hamllin SS Clemson
other guys available worth considering: Earl Bennett WR Vand, Dorien Bryant WR Purd, Frank Okam DT Tex, Tony Hills OT Tex, Heath Benedict OG Newberry
4-106 William Moore FS Mizzou
other guys available worth considering: Paul Hubbard WR Wis, Tashard Choice RB Georgia Tech, Tom Zbikowski SS ND,
I would absolutely hate that draft.
1) Woodson - is overrated, and will not do well if getting trounced behind a weak OLine.
2) Oher - I don't know much about Oher, but I know and have seen others that I have been impressed with...who will be available.
3) Michael Hart - Please no. He will be a flop.
4) Michael Hamlin - I like this pick, but by then it's too late. The first three rounds are ruined.
All Hester Returns video
in Bearstalk
Posted
Wow. Thsoe videos are awesome. Actually, just about all Hester videos are awesome.
Watching these videos just makes me want to punch Peter King in the balls even more. Cribbs over Hester?! Are you F'ing kidding me!?!?