BearFan2000

For me the top of my list is what Mad pointed about inconsistent. Whether its suspension, or fines. When it comes to fines; we've all seen plays that later earned a fine but when there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the amounts (ie. an accidental helmet to helmet or play where the defender couldn't have avoided has seen fines bigger than plays where the player clearly took a shot intentionally, etc.) There's simply no consistency on what action constitutes what dollar amount fine. Almost like he approaches each situation as if it's the first one he's seen and forgets the context or any other infractions similar or different. Also think they are too quick to slap a fine. When you watch a replay in super slow motion from your easy chair, you lose perspective of the context of that play or the live speed of it. I don't feel he takes into account the entire play, the actions of both the "offender" and the "victim." IMHO a defender who's momentum is carrying him towards the ball carrier and his intent is to hit/tackle said ball carrier as per his JOB and the ballcarrier changes his body position and the defenders helmet then strikes where he didn't intend to. It's a a penalty and a fine. I'd be like saying every time someone is rear ended it's 100% the fault of the person who struck the driver in front of them. Even if the driver in front of them made an action to cause that accident. Basically when you are inconsistent, your players have a vague idea of what's acceptable and what's not despite what they "officially" hear. Your accidental play in essence may draw a higher fine than an out right dirty one. Also what Mad said about being a hard ass on some but not others. There are players who are repeat offenders who over and over again make dirty plays, dirty hits, cheap shots, and some like Merriwether after the skins game last year who was originally to be suspended 4 games, joked about this kind of thing and his suspension is reduced to two games. Suh.... nuf said. There are players that the league has to know are dirty, but because they bring money to the game let them continue to play. While other less marquee players do not get that benefit and are made examples of. The league sells and markets itself on big hits on Sunday but fines those players for the hits the following week. The tinkering with rules is something that is not Goodell's alone but the competition committee's but he does have a big influence on the areas of rule changes, points of emphasis, etc. During his time here Defenders have become more and more handcuffed on what they can do or can't do. They are over-penalized for actions they sometimes have no control over. Making a dumb play and drawing a PF is on the player and is deserved but when physics causes a play that the defender couldn't anticipate in real game speed. I'd be like saying every time someone is rear ended it's 100% the fault of the person who struck the driver in front of them. Even if the driver in front of them made an action to cause that accident. The rule changes, and points of emphasis overwhelmingly have and continue to benefit the offense because points = ratings. Look at all the laundry this preseason most games I've watched are hard to watch, because there seems to be a flag thrown on every play, in some cases resulting in teams offenses have 2, 3 and even 4 shots when they should have been punting or kicking a fg on some very ticky tack calls. I think if they are going to call some of these things tighter like illegal contact, defensive holding, etc then perhaps they should also review the results of those penalties and asses which ones should in fact reward a fresh set of downs. If this preseason is any indication on how the regular season will be this game may become unwatchable. It's also inconsistent from team to team, player to player, and even within a game. Personally if there is going to be more laundry on the field then perhaps looking to allowing some drive/game changing penalties to be challengeable. IMHO these miss calls on key plays that change momentum, or kill it are every bit as impactful to the game's outcome as watching super slow motion to see if a receiver's foot touched the out of bounds line on a TD catch, or when the ball came out on a fumble, etc. Overall I'd say since he took over the quality of the game has lessened and certain aspects of the game have become an out right joke. It's clear his goal is higher scoring games because he sees that as making the game more appealing to new audiences. Those of us who are old school and appreciate the drama, and excitement of a hard fought lower scoring game. What he's turning this game into is a more like arena league. I for one can only stomach so much of that.

The table is certainly set for us to take the next steps towards not only getting back to the big game but winning it as well. The offense returns basically the same group from last year plus if there's any substance to the talk of Wilson turning heads. Last year we had two monsters on the outside in Jeffery, and Marshall, along with Bennet as a big target, now you add a 4th big target, we could be downright lethal in the red zone. Who do you focus on? We upgraded our backup RB situation. Carey may be a rookie but he has a lot better potential than Michael Bush. I can see our offense forcing defenses to play a lot of Nickel to try and cover our WR's but then you risk leaving a softer box for Forte to burn you. Our offense could be top 5 this year and create nightmares for DC's picking their poison. Offense was our strength last year and should continue and only get better. Defense is what cost us the NFC north last year or any chance to do anything. This offseason we added run stuffers to a D that was historically bad at stopping the run. This offseason we added pass rushers to a D that couldn't get to the QB This offseason we added depth and some potential upgrades to the secondary to a D that couldn't clean up the mistakes in front of them on the D line We do have a new system which may be a hybrid of concepts we've run before but sounds like the goal is to throw different looks at oppsoing offenses. Offensively I'm excited to see them take the next step. Defensively I can see us getting off to a slow start as the players gels more and gets more proficient in running the new system. The way I look at it is If the offense can carry us early, and the D doesn't cost us games early, by the time we get to the end of the season the D could be getting strong and good at the right time. We've seen this happen with other teams in the past. I look for the Bears to be better top to bottom at the end of the season then they will at the start. If we can survive the growing pains and stay with the competition early on I like our chances. As with any team injuries can potentially ruin good plans, so staying healthy is important. I see us going somewhere between 10-6 and 12-4, NFC North title, and a shot at going to the Super Bowl. Once you make it to the playoffs anything can happen good or bad.

How about 2-3 Pro Bowl WR's, a Pro Bowl RB, and a Pro Bowl QB, that would be freaking sweet. Yes that is the kool-aid talking but really not that far out there as a potential reality. Continuity in a grown up offense is huge. Returning the same group for this offense to take the next step.

Thanks for the many years and memories as the anchor of our punt, FG, and Xp teams. Best of luck with the rest of your life. Great player, leader, teammate, and all around good guy on and off the field. You will be missed!

We have good reason to be excited for this coming season. And I agree that there has been a much more positive vibe since Emery took over but it's due in part that I feel he has a better handle on unity, and getting everyone focused on the goal of winning, and winning championships. Which is easy to say but it seems that he has the ability to unite the organization. It feels like there is more a sense of direction and organization with the Bears. From the top down everyone seems invested and that goes a long way from CEO down to the water boy. The players have bought in. When your working together and feel like there's a purpose to what your doing it give you a real boost. Then they bring in Trestman and he himself seeks to bring a positive, focused team atmosphere. It really does feel like they are building something special here. I think all teams (well most) try to sell the ra ra our team is going to be great mantra but often rings hollow and for some teams it's been hollow for so long that fans have given up as their team seems forever stuck in either neutral or reverse. What makes us different is the feeling that we are building to something big. We have reason to look forward to this season, the offense keeps going and takes a further step. and the D with the emphasis this offseason on D, it's natural to expect improvement there. Put an average or better D with this offense and lookout.

This one really takes some thought, we have been blessed over the history of the team with such great players who weren't only just good players but good men off the field as well. Right up to the current roster. Current fav player? I don't think I can pick one. But for me it's a 3 way tie. In no particular order: Marshall - came in with a mixture of excitement and a clouded past including the specter of a club incident hanging over him when he got here. He very well could have been a problem child that we took a chance on and proved to not be worth bringing in. But since coming here he has won the hearts of his teammates, the organization, this city and it's fans. Marshall has been nothing short of a blessing to this team, and community. He has overcome so much personally and it's made him a better man, a better player and a better teammate. I'm proud to have him here. Matt Forte - Has very quietly come in and become the best back we've had since Neal Anderson, he does it all well, he runs with speed and vision, cuts really well, catches really well, and is an excellent blocker. He's worked his tail off here and his low key personality gets him overlooked to an extent but he comes in every day, and brings it and will give you all he's got. Charles Tillman - What list of favorite current bears would be complete without Peanut. A hard working, humble man on and off the field. He makes stripping in the NFL a good thing. The man has made the ball punch an art form, and that is and will be one of his legacy's here in Chicago. He's created so much havoc and headaches for opposing offenses, ball carriers and receivers. He can do it all at CB and is a rare talent. A true game changer, and has been a pleasure to watch.

Unless the offer is really good and/or helps us this year, I'd say no. Simply because we are in a position to make a run this year. And sending Briggs away would weaken a position we already have a lot of question marks at. Like will SMC pan out at LB, will Bostic and Green prove to be solid contributor's or starters this year, does Williams stay healthy and solidify a spot in the group? Briggs really is the only known commodity we have at LB. So for me it would take a lot for us to ship him away.

gotta say it's nice seeing J. Allen in Bears gear It is interesting to hear that they are experimenting with Jennings moving to nickel backer and Fuller outside. I would have expected Fuller to come in as the nickel as I'm sure most of us would. But I'm sure they will be doing some experimentations at CB, and at some point they'll test Jennings staying put and Fuller at nickel. I'm glad they are moving parts around to see what works best on field. I like hearing that SMC is looking good at LB, he's definitely got the measurables and tools to be a very effective LB. This move could prove to salvage his career. Most of us were saying he's a better fit at LB than DE when he was drafted now we will get to see if we were right. Bummer about Hix torn ACL and subsequent early retirement. But thankfully he's not a key component to our team. Like the Cowboys loosing Lee again. Always good to get Bears news

and his game isn't built around speed, he uses good body control and sure hands, with the strength and agility to get run after the catch. The thing great athletes do as they age they learn to play smarter. Maximize what the can do and not try to be like their 20 something selves who just got drafted. I don't see any reason Marshall can't be highly productive for 3-4 more years. As also pointed out the fact that we aren't playing OC musical chairs like we had been under Lovie. Stability of the system will help everyone in our offense gain confidence and grow. Congrats to Brandon, I remember the trade and soon after hearing about a club incident allegation that seemed consistent for a player with a troubled past. But I couldn't be more happy, and more proud of how far he's come as a person and a player, and I'm glad he's a Bear!

After the historically atrocious defensive display we put on last season, I think 12 is fairly fair for us. That puts us a bit below the middle of the top half of the league. We made a lot of changes in both FA and the Draft that should positively impact and improve our D. The Bears look like a vastly improved team on paper till we consistently show it on the field I wouldn't expect us to be ranked super high. You can add a lot of talent but if it doesn't gel and work together in real life all you did is throw money and bodies at the problems. I think we will vastly improved and if our D can be average or above look out because our offense will be able to build on last years success hopefully taking the next steps. I'm drinking the kook-aid but at the same time want to see results on the field.

lots of milage but back on topic it does get old how Forte doesn't get the props he deserves, the Dude has been the rock in our offense since he got here. I still remember his first TD run as a Bear vs the Colts in Indy he just exploded through the line for a long TD run. His cutback ability and vision, soft hands, and versatility has been so valuable to our offense. His stats are right up there with the some of the best Bears RB's second only to Walter in total yards. He's been one of my favorite Bears, great guy on and off the field. Forte does his talking on the field.

That's probably what I'll end up doing, while I'd love to have Matt again this year, Charles has no real competition for carries other than to spell him from time to time. He's a dual threat. They did pick up De'Anthony Thomas in the draft who might play the role that McCluster did previously. Not many true feature backs out there so hard to pass up on Jamaal. Could even see taking McCoy even with sproles there, the amount of plays they run per game with that uptempo offense I can see another solid year for Shady.

Stein is the man. A true contract genius. Love how quickly he gets things done. And how creative he is in getting contracts worked out!

That will be tough. The tricky part is the guy who has the second overall pick, is the same dude that kept wanting trade for Forte no matter how many times I said I wasn't trading him period and they weren't even good offers like crap players for him. If it wasn't for him trading down might be easier, considering if I trade down to #3 he very well might take him at #2 after whoever I trade takes Charles at #1. He really wouldn't be more of a reach than taking Rice a few years back. My best choice may be to stand pat and take Charles, as I could see Carey eating into some of Forte's load, Same thing with McCoy potentially being effected by Sproles. Charles is the main man in KC but lots of miles on those tires.

so as far as Fantasy goes, would you: a. Stay at #1 and take Charles b. Stay at #1 and slightly reach for Forte c. trade down a few spots and take Forte there d. try to trade for a 2nd first rounder somewhere in the middle of the round and hope Forte falls and if not I'd still have a shot at another good RB. I know in our league there are several owners who always seem to go QB first. Which is partly why I got Lynch and Forte last year. Hard to pass on Charles but I like having Forte. Last year I was spoiled and had Forte and Lynch as my 1 & 2 because Forte dropped to me in the second.

plus year two in the new offense should also help Forte and the rest of our skill players. In my PPR league I have the #1 pick, and logic would dictate I take charles... but I would love to have Forte again this year. Too bad it's not a keeper league. I've actually thought about reaching a little to grab Matt, I think he's in for a bigger year than last year. We are going to introduce draft pick trading (it's a redraft league) Maybe I'll trade down a couple spots. But a few years back when i had the first overall and everyone assumed I'd take Peterson or Foster, I took Rice and he had a monster year.

I agree and I like what he's done as well. True the picks may not have been what I or others on this board would have taken, I think we got good players in the draft to add to the FA's we added earlier this offseason. I'm old school in that I feel you build a team starting with the front line and work back. Last offseason Emery focused on retooling the offensive line and it payed dividends by keeping our QB's upright, and opening holes in the run game. The offense was the best we've seen here in years and it will continue to improve. This offseason Emery focused on the front 7 and added some competition at the back end. I believe that improved D-Line play will go a long way to helping our secondary. A porous line like we fielded last season that couldn't stop the run, couldn't get to the QB, I think put a lot of pressure on the back end of our D to make up for the poor play in front of them. When your safeties have take on RB's with a head of steam, and pass defend forever because we aren't pressuring the QB, it makes it tough to do your job. Effectively. In general your safeties should be more focused on pass coverage than having to worry about everything since the front seven is stopping nothing. Doesn't mean our secondary is good as is and doesn't need improved, but I do think the situation had a negative impact on their play. This season we should see a marked improvement from the front 7, and that I think will provide a more realistic basis to evaluate our secondary. Last year it was really hard to properly evaluate any area on our D because it was just that awful all around. You have to start fixing somewhere, and I agree with Emery in fixing the line by adding players and getting healthy.

I agree with this too, and while like many of us who had our idea who the Bears should draft, I was frustrated with some of these picks at the time but having had a chance to go back and review footage of these guys, I'm liking our draft more than I did when the picks were taken. Watching Fuller play does remind me a lot of Peanut. He's a ball hawking cover corner, who appears to often know the route as well or better than the WR, but he also has that aggressiveness and nose for the ball in the run game. Let Peanut teach him the ball punch and we could have ourselves a solid corner to carry on when Tillman is gone.

Thank God they are in the AFC

would have rather had nix

ug… think I might throw up

our pick is in

we should take best punter available here

Maybe we should talk about the guys we don't want to draft seems whenever we throw a name out there someone takes them

not going to be much left when we pick