BearFan2000

I can't imagine a team giving up much for Earl at this point but I'm game if we can get something for him. It's clear the team has moved on from him. The days of the excelling as the tallest midget in the Bears passing game have come and gone. We now have 4 guys who consistently catch the ball for us, 3 are big targets and the other being one of the better pass catching RB's in the game. It's going to be hard for Bennett to find traction in this offense, and to an extent Wilson will have that same issue. Either one is likely 5th in the pecking order. Hard to believe we actually have legit options to throw to in this offense. It is possible that a team out there struggling with WR depth or injury problems who think that Bennett can help them. When healthy Bennet is a sure handed receiver who is a good possession option with some deceptive speed. Maybe a team like NE, Jax, Cleveland, etc. might be a better situation for Earl. I like Earl and it would be nice to see him find a home where he can be part of an offense. Being on the outside looking in and settling for scraps can't be fun.

soo many good ideas here it's making me hungry lol But seriously I need to get up to Chicago more lol. We are going to the game (YAY!) we'll be taking the train from Michigan City to Chicago and back that night/morning. So we'll have one afternoon to go exploring depending on how early we arrive. So most likely one meal before the game Maybe two if we eat as soon as we get there and do some sight seeing before grabbing a bite before the game. I wish I could go to all these places lol they all look and sound so good. For this trip we might keep it somewhat simple, so it may be Geno's and or Ditka's then the game then home. All our exploring will likely be the afternoon/evening before the game. Unless we decide to stay overnight. I'll look into hotels a little bit to see if there are any affordable options. The ticket's, travel, and dining will make the trip a bit expensive as it is without adding another cost of hotel stay. I'm trying to keep the cost somewhat reasonable but still splurge enough to make it a fun memorable unique experience. With it being the night they retire #89 for Da Coach, I'm really wanting to make a stop at Ditkas, if even just for an appetizer and the atmosphere. Then explore some, and get some pizza at Geno's. Maybe it won't be as long till the next time Dad and I catch a game. Couple questions concerning Ditka's: While I don't expect to see Da Coach there, if he is there how accessible is he, is it possible to get something signed? Also getting in there for a meal or appetizer I have to imagine it is packed and will be especially busy Dec 9th with the retirement ceremony that evening. If we want to eat there I'm thinking that part of the trip will have to be planned in advance and booking a table. Thank you all so much for the info, tips, etc.

I think Trestman is more endearing to his players than it seems. After reading the yahoo article posted on another thread (great article by the way) really shows how the guy thinks, and relates to players. He seeks to be involved and aware of who his players are as men, and uses coaching as a vehicle to help them be better players, better men, better husbands, better fathers, etc. And Trestman has experienced much adversity and success that has shaped him in his own life that he can draw on to relate. The way his former players speak of him proves he is very endearing and respected. I think Lovies problem is he is too nice of a guy, and he had is favorites that he would stick with past the point that it was clear the player wasn't going to cut it. I think it's something that got worse the longer he was here. And along that line, when you as a player have only ever played for one guy, I can understand the loyalty and sense of comfort.

I was going to brign up that point, whether it's one guy, two guys or 3-6 guys. The Bengals game was a clinic on poor tackling... We often had guys in position or guys who should have been able to get into position to make the play but too often didn't look like the effort, or aggression was there to make the stop. Got sick of watching guys wiff, leave their feet to try and hit the ball carrier down, take poor angles, react slowly. This one area of not being sharp had a lot to do with Cincy sustaining long drives. That said rewatching the game the two 90+ drives both included a 40-45 yard big pass play to Green. Not that they weren't moving the ball well, but take the big plays away and perhaps some of their long drives end in FG's or Punts instead of TDs. We weren't the only team to look sloppy in this area. I have to think at least partly it has to do with CBA rules limiting contact in mini camps, training camps, etc. And many of your first string D guys play sparingly in preseason, and some don't even play in preseason saying "I/He doesn't need to play he's ready for the season. When it comes to tackling I see a lot of what looks like practice out there where you run the play full speed but then when the tackle would be made you let up. That's why it takes a couple games or so till tackling tightens up. It also could be just a bad game buy the D which we've had games from this D in the past where we couldn't seem to tackle, or get off the field on 3rd down. The filp side of this is that we've had a lot of these dumb CBA rules in the past as well and I've seen the Bears jump out the gate being stout on D and tackling hard and in numbers. So I don't feel the CBA stuff fully excuses these guys from poor tackling. Is it because we have an offensive minded head coach, and fixing the offense has been a point of emphasis throughout camp/preseason. Lovies staff was definitely defense first mentality. All in all we'll have a better idea of this team as the season progresses, and we have a larger sample size than 1 game. I'm not ready to panic on the D yet. I expect Trestman to address it as it sounds like he has in practice.

This 100% Also agree that intent/premeditation should play into how big/small a fine is. Right now it seems so random that I wouldn't be surprised if they spin a wheel (Think wheel of fortune) to determine the fine amount because there is often little to no logic behind it. Not only that but what get's fined and what doesn't This IMHO creates an atmosphere where Defenders don't quite know how to play the game, will I be fined if that player I've got an angle on changes his body orientation in the last second and my helmet happens to touch (hard or soft), will I be flagg, fined, suspended, etc. Because it's not consistently ruled, officiated, etc. It creates a huge grey area. A lot of Helmet to helmet hits are hits where there is no intent to harm or hit with the helmet. It is a violent game played at increasing speed. You cannot eliminate the helmet being involved in a hit no matter how much you stand on a soap box and say "don't do that." If Goodell had ever suited up and played in the NFL he'd realize it's not that simple. I hope he steps down from the league as commissioner in the near future as he is ruining this game.

Thanks for the info, I had only looked at the train schedules from South Bend to Chicago and Chicago to South Bend, Michigan City isn't that far away, I think both of us would prefer taking the train. I hadn't called yet but planned to, just to see if there were options. That would mean doing our exploring by foot, taxi, or public transpo. I would love to go to Ditka's especially considering that is the night they are having the ceremony to retire his number. Neither of us drink, so we'll probably skip the pubs but I do like the idea of Ditka's and/or Deep Dish/ and thin. Thanks for all the replies, lots of good ideas hoping it works out that he can get off those days, Last time we went to a game it was the old Soldier Field. Should be a great game, great half time ceremony, and of course a Bears win!!!

My Dad and I are talking about going to the Monday Night game Dec 9th we live near South Bend, IN normally we'd take the train but being a night game there wouldn't be any trains coming back here after. What are the best places to park, good places to eat (good deep dish), things to do in around the stadium, areas to avoid. I've heard really good things about Giordano's. If we go we'll both probably be taking Monday and Tues off work. Gates open at 4:30 I believe would like to get a good full game day experience. Neither of us are that familiar with Chicago.

"And I just kept wiffing and wiifing....."

Do you think there is any trade value for James Jones? After putting up nothing in week one and with Nelson, Cobb (whom I own), and Finley getting the bulk of the targets I have a feeling Jones will become dead weight on my roster if he already isn't. I know it's just one week.... but should I hang on to him, try to trade him, or just drop him for someone else. it's a 10 team ppr league.

This is funny, when he was here he never really seemed to know what he was doing or supposed to do that's why he got cut. This is like asking Forest Gump for information. Web can tell Fraizier a lot about how to false start.

That hit was on top of the comments he'd made prior to the game saying they were going to hit Cap as in intentionally go out of their way to do so. I think the fact that Matthew's made those comments before the game then took a cheep shot at cap during the game should warrant something because that to me is premeditation on his part. Suh should have been suspended for that hit, he's a repeat offender the guy has made a name for himself for his dirty hits, it's not an accident, or just a lapse it is a freaking pattern. Suh is a dirty player an you can guarantee he will do something like this again. If the league is serious about player safety they need to stop coddling stars who play dirty with slaps on the wrist while they come down hard on other players for legal hits or unintentional hemet to helmet hits etc.

got a link?

when they first announced the numbers they'd be wearing my first thought was back to Wilson, Singletary, and Marshall. It is cool to see 55, 50, and 58 on the field now if they can play like that trio from the 80's that would be great.

It sure was, not only was it long enough that it could have been good from 65 like Simms and Nantz said it was dead center just a perfect kick. What a great asset to have in Gould. I remember the years searching for a competent kicker let alone a good one.

Agree and something else to consider is their age. With two rookies starting from day 1, Bushrod and Slauson still fairly young with Garza the oldest of the lot. We could see this line gel and grow for the foreseeable future. Find the next young center and we could be set. Taking an area of glaring weakness for almost a decade and turning it into a team strength. Look ahead to next year when Long and Mills have a season under their belt and we enter camp with the line settled. Continuity spanning season after season is what makes great offensive lines. Bushrod - 29 Garza - 34 Long - 24 Mills - 22 Slauson - 27 That said we can now perhaps focus next offseason on improving other areas, adding depth, and maybe finding that next dominant D lineman.

reading this thread, a better thread title would be "overreaction theater" We have to keep things in perspective here. This game had some good things, and some bad things. The bad Tackling... we did a poor job of wrapping up, making open field stops, and taking bad angles. I found myself yelling at the screen begging them to tackle someone. It was frustrating to watch over and over short completions that should have been tackled immediately turn into 10-15 yard gains for first downs. Ball carriers breaking arm tackles. Even Briggs who should know better thinking he can just hit someone to the ground by leaving his feet on one play. Getting burned repeatedly by AJ Green and Eifert. Sans Eifert teams have been getting torched by Green since he came in. He has sick talent and hands. Look at the diving catches he made. He's their primary offensive weapon for a reason. I've watched Eifert play at ND and he is one tough SOB to bring down with great hands. Point is we weren't being burned or beaten by scrubs Green is a stud and Eifert is going to develop into one. And by the way Dalton is no slouch either. The last few years the Bengals have been doing a superb job at building an excellent football team on both sides of the ball. The pick, while I haven't gone back and re-watched it. It's clear there was a miscommunication there whether it's Jay's fault or Bushes doesn't matter they weren't on the same page on that play. Time outs - First half timeout usage was bad no question there were things that forced us to burn timeouts particularly the two quick ones in the first quarter. Installing a new offense and executing it early in the season had it's hickups. The good No sacks.... seriously against that front 7 is quite a feat. And with 4 brand new O-Lineman (two of which are rookies). Last years line would have gotten Jay killed or carted off against these guys. It's been a Long time (pun intended ) since I've actually been optimistic about our Line going forward. As they gel, this could become a strength of our team. This after years of watching a revolving door of scrubs. I do think that the work Trestman has done with Jay is helping the line as well as he is not holding onto the ball like he has in the past. Getting the ball out quicker = less time for the linemen to hold their blocks. I'll bring up the talking and the D here as I believe these are correctable issues we saw today. While it was maddening to watch repeated missed tackles, often times we had defenders in the right place to make the play but they just didn't finish the play. If we wrap up, take better closing angles, and play more fundamentally sound, their offense would have been much less effective, outside of a few big plays to Green (which will happen to a lot of good teams). I'm sure Tucker is not pleased by this and it will be a point of emphasis. We as fans expect better and so do the players and coaches. The time out thing I don't think will be an ongoing issue. This week 1 in a new offense there will be hickups, and bumps in the road. It's one thing to install an offense in training camp, and preseason, it's another thing to execute when the games count and you are going against a top tier D. This isn't the Bungles of 3-4 years ago, this is a damn good Bengals team we faced today, a team that some are talking about them making a deep playoff push this year. Things on offense were a little up and down at first but I like that we came out in the second half and saw improvement, and adjustments that included a better usage of TO's in the second half. Honestly I would rather see us burn a TO than run a play with confusion.. And how about a TE that actually catches the ball? That was great hands on that TD to maintain control. As sloppy as the first half looked Jay finished the day 21/33, 242, 2TD 1 INT and a 93.2 QB Rating. 4 Bears had no less than 3 receptions. Halftime adjustments. We gave up 245 yards in the first half, in the second we held them to under 100 yards, first half we had less than 100 in the second we had 230 yards. They had 11 first downs in the first half and 7 in the second, we had 5 in the first and 12 in the second. The Players and coaches didn't panic and kept fighting even when we went down by 11. They stayed focused and we knocked off a very good Benglals team. After week 1 - Bears and Lions are 1-0, GB and Minny are 0-1.

OUCH though I can understand the logic going in he's an unknown with potential, I'm sure most people didn't figure he'd blow up last night. That said I'd be ticked at myself for not starting him. I ended up declining the trade, and stated that I felt it would weaken my RB's for a marginal upgrade at TE. I may still revisit this and make a multi player trade involving a swap of Mathews for McFadden. I'm also looking at other trade options with other teams to boost my RB and TE depth.

That's how it goes sometimes, can't always get the FA or Waiver wire Gold. I had seen and read about him but didn't make a move before the game, no one else did either. It's a long season there will be other guys who step up. I should handily win my week 1 matchup so no worries. Usually takes a game or two to see how the ball distribution works in an offense. Denver is going to be tough to defend so many weapons.

I agree, while the temptation to "tinker" with my roster is there, it's generally best to stand pat the first week or two to see how your players perform. I do agree on Finley, it's a bit like a broken record, every year thy hype him and say "this is the year he breaks out" and all he ever seems to do is underperform. He's had a good preseason and supposedly good camp but I'm not sold. Julius Thomas is making a name for himself and sadly I have waiver priority #7. I put a waiver claim on him and I'd drop Woodhead, but I highly doubt I'll get him.

Here are our rosters mine is on top highlighted in light blue He proposed a trade involving me sending him Ryan Mathews for Finley. IMO this weakens my RB's for a potential marginal upgrade at TE. While I don't mind dealing Matthews, it would leave me with 1 starting RB (and a temporary one at that) in Williams outside Forte and Lynch. I'm considering countering by including him giving me McFadden and I add someone like DeSean Jackson. Question is would you do it as is, counter with something similar to what I was thinking, or decline and shop elsewhere? I'd really like to have a third solid RB that could be a good RB2/flex. Though Trading Mathews for McFadden is probably a wash there are question marks on both of them. though both if they answer those questions positively could be exactly what I'm looking for.

things got off the rails early in our draft and it became hard to predict rather quickly I made some choices that I'd have done differently in hindsight. I do agree that below Forte and Lynch my backs are a little eh... Mathews has potential IF he can stay healthy, DeAngelo is esentially a rental due to Steward's injury he will have larger role though Cam will steal some of his thunder. Woodhead is somewhat of a crutch for Mathews. My hope is that both Mathews and DeAngelo play very well early and I can then sell high on them to get more dependable guys. I took Lynch in round 1, Forte in round 2, Cobb in round 3, Kapernick in round 4 (he was the best available at that point I was hoping Mat Ryan would drop to 4 or 5 but the run on QB's was earlier and more severe than I'd expected.), round 5 is where I made my first mistake taking Colston when Gore, Murrey, Wilson, Miller, and McFadden were still on the board. I was hoping one of them would drop to 6... and so on. I probably focused too much on WR's after Forte. I'll see how the first game or two goes, I should win my week one matchup handily. but I may look to trade to upgrade areas of weakness.

I think it will be a good test of how good our Bears really are. Bengals have a good offense and a good defense. I do like that it is the first game of the season and we have them in our house. There is very little on tape on the Trestman Bears offense which I feel gives us an advantage because we'll be doing things no one's seen us do even in preseason. To me the x factor is Cutler. If he plays sharp and under control as he did in the 3rd Preseason game where his footwork, accuracy, and ability to get the ball out quickly will be key to our offense against a stout D. This will be a good test for the Rookies Long and Mills, Cincy is a team that does a good job of creating pressure, if our Line can hold their own and Give Jay time I think we can hurt that D in the secondary especially in the middle of the field. A good quick start will be imperative. We need to dictate the tempo of the game on both sides of the ball. If we're able to move the ball well early they will have to pick their poison, stack the box to stop the run and get beat with the pass or cover the pass and we'll grind it out on the ground. Defense will have it's hands full with their weapons in the passing game, BGE doesn't scare me and Bernard is untested yet. I think we can force them to become one dimensional. We must get pressure on Dalton and there should be opportunities for turnovers. This will be a tough matchup but one I believe we can win.

We had our fantasy league draft yesterday, 10 team PPR 16 round draft. I drafted 4th Start - 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1 TE, 1 Flex (RB/WR/TE), 1 Def/st, 1 Kicker, 7 bench spots. Below is my full draft, current starters for week 1 are in bold. What do you think? I like my backs, I think I'm a little weak on WR and TE. QBs went early so I ended up taking Kapernick, but the early rush on QB allowed me to nab Forte in the second. I'm considering trading James Jones, DeSean Jackson or maybe even Cobb and or a RB to upgrade either WR or TE. All in all I feel like it's a solid team. Far better than last years draft. QB1 - Colin Kaepernick vs GB QB2 - Cutler vs Cincy RB1 - Lynch @ Car RB2 - Forte vs Cincy RB3 - Daryl Richardson vs AZ RB4 - Ryan Mathews vs Texans RB5 - DeAngelo Williams vs Sea RB6 - Danny Woodhead vs Texans WR1 - Randall Cobb @ SF WR2 - Marques Colston vs ATL WR2 - Piere Garcon vs Philly WR3 - DeSean Jackson @wash WR4 -James Jones @ SF TE - Fred Davis vs Philly Def/st - Bears vs Cincy K - Josh Brown @ Dalas

but now we'll never again hear that trademark phrase "False start, #73 of the offense, 5 yard penalty, repeat down"

QB's seem to go a bit too high in my league too it's not like our scoring makes them too overpowered but I think people get caught up in having their QB that they reach when they wouldn't really have to. Between those two I'd have picked Cam too. The injury/recovery for RG3 is one thing and the other is I have to think they will reign him in in the running department which was a big part of his game last year. I just don't think RG3's body is built to take that kind of punishment.