BearFan2000

Exactly, we're all aware that this is preseason and the true test comes in the regular season and post season. If Long and Mills are the day 1 starters on the right side they will be tested, we know DC's around the league will for sure test and attack that side of the line. The rooks will for sure make mistakes and fail at times but the hope here is that they overall hold their own. The points I was making in my post isn't to assume these guys are all pro based on preseason action. But look at the guy's we've drafted in recent years on the OL and I don't recall much praise being thrown their way even in preseason. Many of our highly drafted OL under Angelo had sucked even in preseason and it was always about hoping they would eventually get better. Comparing that to Long and Mills this preseason thus far and there is a stark difference. Which does give us hope that we may in fact have starting quality lineman on the right side, it's a long season and they will be tested, but at this point in time I'm more optimistic than I have been in past years. If they do pan out that definitely bodes well for the future and gives confidence that this staff can fix what the previous staff couldn't. Isn't that what all of us want?

As high as they are on Blanchard like many others here I think it's a warm body and and an arm in the mix till Blanchard is back. Don't think there's intent to keep him on long term as a #3

I find this encouraging beyond just how well Long and Mills are doing but in future drafting of OL. How many colossal misses did JA have picking offensive linemen in the draft and how many much higher picks than Long or Mills that never panned out no matter how many chances they were given. It seems to me that Emery/Trestman seem to have a better system of evaluating OL in the draft than their predecessor. That bodes well for us. Let's just say for the sake of argument here that Long and Mills solidify the right side, Bushrod works out at LT and we get serviceable play out of Garza and who ever ends up as our LG. The next offseason of FA/Draft could provide us with the next two pieces to solidify the OL for the next several years. If that all happens it would have taken Emery 3 seasons to do what angelo failed to do in the years following the 2006 super bowl season when the line really began to go down hill. Angelo waited till it was a dire situation and then repeatedly failed to correct it either thru the draft or free agency. Now this is early and Long and Mills have looked good thus far especially Long and a lot can happen in an NFL season, but, when was the last time we were excited about the play of our rookie offensive linemen at any point. It's always been "well he's a failure at that spot, maybe he can fit here" or wondering what kind of compromising photos the guy had to keep being given chances well after it was clear he didn't belong in the NFL. This start at least helps me feel more confident that this staff can finally fix what the previous one couldn't. And IMHO till that's fixed it won't matter who you put back behind center.

what a difference it makes having big targets with good hands. Many of us were begging for us to start getting bigger at the WR position and now we are seeing why that was a good move. I like that the Bears are targeting big WR's rather than the short lanky one's we've tried in past years. If the offense can put it all together and get on the same page with the timing, and execution this could be a tough passing game to defend. Want to double/tripple Marshall? Fine you leave M. Bennet, Jeffery in single or roaming free, throw in Forte out of the backfield and it could be a pick your poison. Perhaps this year the Offense puts it's grown up pants on! I am concerned though with the rash of injuries specifically to the OL. That will be the key to our success or the root of our failure.

my team's name this year is Cutler's Last Stand

I know this isn't Bears related but I'm hoping to get some feedback. It's my second year as League Manager for an NFL.com league. It's a 12 team PPR. The question is about roster structure. Currently roster is 15 players (9 starters + 6 bench). Starters are 1QB, 2RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 Flex (RB/WR/TE), 1 Def/ST, and 1 Kicker. Should I make any adjustments to the roster size, # of starters, or # of bench players, or just leave it as is. I realize adding to the roster size would shrink the talent level of the FA pool.

I'd be on board too. Not so sure Rex would want to come back here though.

You lost me at... LOL

I dont' have many concerns with Cutler, the guy wants to win and will do whatever he needs to do to make that happen, there's been no indication whatsoever that there's been friction between Jay and Trestman. Quite the opposite actually they seem to be getting along well, and working together well. One of the bright sides of Jay having so much change in his OC's over the years I think it's made him more adaptable and it also allows Trestman and Jay to use a wider variety of things that worked in the various different systems. I don't think Jay is stubborn and set in his ways... he's not played in any one system long enough to be set in his ways. He's in the last year of his contract and a good season earns him a new one.

if it was one of us we'd be behind bars. What an idiot. Good luck with that Det LOL

I'm with mad on this. I would say for FA Bushrod would have to a fairly close second. Draft I was not pleased with the Long pick at the moment I wanted one of the other guys still on the board but having had time to think about it if Long turns out to be an anchor for the line for years to come this pick will have been a win. Reach or not. I also like the LB's we got and the other OT we got later. When you remove the rounds, and pick numbers and look at the players we drafted this class should make the Bears better and that should be the goal of every draft. Staff I'm looking forward to seeing what the Trestman lead Bears will look like I like the staff he's put together and Kromer is a great addition, This guy is the real deal Tice was considered a line guru but failed to get results. At this point much is speculation, but I am excited about the Bears looking forward hoping we take a major step forward this season. And hey at this point Trestman is undefeated as Bears head coach LOL

when I first saw that clip I don't think what I saw included the second angle. From the first angle at full speed it looks like helmet to helmet but the second angle clearly shows he lead with the shoulder. IMO now having seen that I believe it was a clean hit. I think if the QB's helmet doesn't come off maybe there's no flag. This is why I think some penalties should be challengeable. Should not have been a flag on that play but so so often now if even looks like it could be helmet to helmet they will flag it.

He called in to the waddle and silvy podcast and it was an entertaining interview. He said his choice to have the cig in his mouth wasn't due to the "smokin jay cutler" site but when it was brought up he thought it was funny. I like Jay, yeah he can seem like a prick sometimes but his personality definitely grows on you and you see it in interviews when he's able to joke around. I always enjoy the banter between him and Waddle those two could do a comedy act together. On the field he's one tough SOB as many hits as he's taken in his time here in Chicago, he just keep getting back up and going again. He has a passion for winning and success, that's why sometimes his frustration is misread blown out of proportion. He wants to win and here's hoping that our revamped o-line can keep him upright and give him a chance to shine and give this team a chance to make a serious run at titles.

My one concern with Bostic and Green is they both seem to have a tendency to lead with the helmet, compare that to the clip of Williams leading with the shoulder still rocked his man but less likely to draw some laundry. Don't get me wrong I like the big hits, the intensity, but in todays NFL you have to play smart too, you can still lay a guy out just need to be aware of the fact that if it even looks close to helmet to helmet you'll get a personal foul call. Personally I think the league gets a bit over cautious with this and quick to throw the flag. But it is what it is. That big hit loses it's luster when it cost the team 25 and an automatic 1st especially if you have the team stopped on 3rd down and give them new life.

I think a lot of the problems from his past have much to do with the disorder he has and it seems like his awareness of it and ability to handle it has gone a long way to ensuring there won't be relapses or slips. I had my doubts about him coming in but he's shown that he has matured and grown a lot in recent years and out of that maturity wants to help others succeed in life. I've been impressed as much with him off the field as I have been with him on it.

And the better the offense performs the less pressure on an aging D

It would be nice to see us utilize the hurry up to keep defenses on their heels rather than only use it in the last mins of a half or in the 4th Q playing catchup. If we can have our offense play fast without sacrificing quality or efficiency (not playing fast just to do it). I don't recall us using the hurry up as a tactic rather than a necessity at least in recent memory. It sounds like from Trestman to Emery etc. We want to install a fast, aggressive scoring offense. Wouldn't it be nice to have an offense that can quickly put the opponent in a hole and watch them try to dig their way out against a very tough D

Apparently my java was out of date updated and all good now hope people come and chat

I've been trying to get into the chat room but I never get the log in option.... wonder if I'm doing something wrong lol.

Anyone going to be in the chat room on here during the draft?

Yep that is totally how that one went down Manning was going to be the #1 pick IIRC and Sandy Eggo had the first pick, and Manning said he wouldn't play for the Chargers. Thus the Giants and Chargers traded I believe after the picks were made. It was weird and I agree with the earlier post no player should be above the system. It's just the way it works out the higher the pick you are the better the odds of you playing for a team that had a bad season the year before.

This is just my 2 cents for what it's worth lol. If someone would have asked me who I thought would still be with the team between Hester and Urlacher, I'd have thought it would be URL but. I wasn't sure how it was going to shake out would he quit, make it clear he wanted to be elsewhere, or stay put. I felt the whole time if he were to stay here it would and should only be in the capacity that he currently is. And that is special teams only. I don't think he's smart enough to play wide receiver TBO. He struggled at being in the right place at the right time. The whole mindset of a WR is different than a returner. Where as a wider receiver requires precision, running proper routes, timing, and hitting pre-determined points on the field so Jay can trust you will be where your supposed to be. It's a much more technical thinking position After the catch or when a play breaks down is the only time you are then able to freelance. As a returner you have your blocking schemes but it is a much more fluid freelance style of running with the ball, once you field the ball it's all up to following the blocks, finding the crease, setting up blocks and using your vision as the play develops. I feel this is where Hester excelled before he was put on offense and had a lot of fun doing it. Putting him back in a position where he can focus on what he does best without having to also "think" too much like he would if he was on offense (especially with a new offense being installed). I think this gives him the best chance to get back to where he was as a return man. Not saying it will happen, since there's no guarantee you can get your groove back but if Hester can I think they are putting him in a position to do so. We'll just have to wait and see how that works out. If it does work out and Hester does get his groove back, that will help our offense tremendously in the field position department with teams having to fear kicking to him again. If he doesn't we have other guys on the roster who can return as well.

"Davis set career-highs with 19 receptions for 229 yards and two touchdowns for Chicago last season." This part made me laugh so hard. When your stats are so bad you almost have to try to sink that low and that is your career high. Good luck with that Clevelend there's a reason we dumped his worthless hide.

It is what it is. I'm a big fan of Urlacher and have been since he got here. The fan in me wanted him to be back and wanted him to have that Walter Payton type exit as he retired a Bear. But the reality is very few players end their careers where they start or get to end them on their terms. When you have a coaching and/or GM change there is often roster changes that turn heads and shake things up. We've watched and enjoyed Brian's 13 year career here and are pretty attached to him and the player he's been for his time here. When you don't have those attachments you are able to look at things more objectively and evaluate who on the team do you want to keep, who you would be willing to let go if you have to. As well as who you would like to bring in to fit the schemes you want to run going forward. These kinds of moves are tough from a fans perspective because sometimes a player deemed expendable is a fan favorite, but we may well look back realize it was the hard right decision. Sometimes these moves send a message that you better perform or you could be gone. It's also easy to forget that more than once Brian and his agent threatened holdouts, other tactics to leverage more money added to past contracts. He's even admitted that at times he's acted like a baby crying for more money. Brian has been handsomely paid during his time here. It does suck to see him go, but I think he's now trying to play the victim angle and the media (local and national) are more than eager to oblige and stir up controversy. I think what Brian is going to have to realize is his injuries and diminished skill-set are a concern to anyone thinking of signing him. That any team will want an incentive laden contract and he'll need to prove that he can stay on the field and be effective. 31 other teams in the league don't have an emotional attachment to him so they are looking this objectively. The Bears chose to look at it that way as well focusing on what he can provide now rather than past performance.

I don't see us running it a lot but more like once in a while, Cutler is a mobile QB and I do see this as similar to play action as AZ pointed out. It would be dumb to run this a lot or use it exclusively that isn't who Cutler is and it is going to get those running QB's killed. But having it in the playbook and being able to pull it out when the situation is right I can see it being effective. If it's done sparingly as I believe it will be then I'm for it if it's something we will see a lot of then I'm not a fan of it as it only exposes Jay to more hits. Trestman has already said that protecting Jay is a top priority so I don't see us using it a lot but having it available doesn't hurt.