DABEARSDABOMB

Texans looked really good again in week 2. We'll see what happens tonight, but it should at least give people a little better hope entering tonight's game (and more longer term), given how much the Texans D got after Alex Smith and the Chiefs.

Jimmy Garapalol (or however you spell it).

Zero interest. Want to see what the young guys can do. We were literally so devoid of talent last year (especially young emerging talent), that I essentially view this as year 1 of the rebuild.

Yes. I think we need to get a QB of the future and he's looked good and I say why not. I'd have traded Cutler to the Vikings though because I don't think we can truly start rebuilding without trying to move forward on a QB (and this is coming from someone who has no issue with Cutler). I just think by the time our defense has the playmakers we need, Jay will be too old, and we'll then be trying to hit reset on a QB. I say, why not pull the bandaid off sooner.

I agree with you. I'm not judging to any permanent conclusions based upon the preseason.

Clowney has supposed looked really really good this preseason so we might be regretting this statement.

I agree with you, there are some items popping up that are concerning. Similar to Emery, he started out like roses and then we started to see major kinks in the armor. I'm not there yet with Pace, but there have been some moves done that leave me scratching my head (then again, Ted Thompson in GB does things that have you scratch your head too). I am committed to giving these guys time, but I think all of your appoints above are extremely fair Alaska.

I think we got worse in Barth. Last year Gould was better than Garth. Flat out and he did it in our stadium and has been here for ever. I'm all for cutting players when the time has come, but you do for because you have a better player in mind or have someone who you think can develop into the better player longer term. This just doesn't fit that bill and I'm not worried about the cap space much because we won't use all of it we have this year. Bottom line, if we didn't think Gould was good enough, we should have moved on from him in the off-season not right now. Nothing has really changed since the off-season when it comes to a guy like Robbie. We are getting a guy who was worse a year ago and hasn't dealt with the winds at Soldier Field (not an easy place to kick).

Echo these sentiments. He has hit some huge kicks for us in the past and was really very good (especially given how tough it is to kick at Soldier field). I hope Barth is good, but I think we are actually going to regret this move (not for cutting Gould but for not being more pragmatic and finding a better long-term fit if we were going to go down this path). By the way, Gould had a higher kicking percentage then Barth lats year, hit more kicks over 50 yards and more kicks over 40 yards too. In fact, Gould hit more kicks from 50+ yards then Barth hit from 40+ yards last year.

I presume it had more to do with the severity of the bone spurs and the fact that probably based upon our medical evaluation he was going to need surgery and miss substantial time (vs. his claim that he could potentially play through and have off-season surgery). I know there was an interesting dynamic between him and the Browns and whether he could play / couldn't play.

Sounds like it was really bad. Some reports that Viking players were throwing up at how gruesome the injury was.

Agree. Plus, Dline is one of our deeper positions. If we wanted Potroast, we'd have signed him during the previous FA periods.

Moeaki is never healthy, but when he is, he's a pretty quality player.

Practicing against one of the best teams in the league has to be so darn beneficial for the Bears.

Washington was carted off the field in the second half of the game with an ankle injury that is believed to be serious. This would be the second straight year where he would miss most of the season (if the injury is as serious as some have reported). It is unfortunate cause the rare times he has been in action, you can see a certain explosiveness to him. By the way, great posts and insights as always AZ.

I thought he looked really good, unfortunately his injury might be quite serious.

Just stay healthy boys.

Always liked Nate.

Yeah. Seemed like he had really put on weight and was in a position to take a step forward. Big bummer.

I was quite surprised to see Marshall's comments on Jay. Not surprised about Bennett(s).

Best CB in franchise history.

Thank you Peanut. In terms of playing the game the right way and being an amazing person off the field, you will always go down as an all time favorite, if not my all-time favorite. Thank you for all the amazing memories and I hope to see you involved in the organization and hope you enjoy retirement!!!

Long was good 4 years ago. This is purely a depth move. He isn't a starter and isn't as good as Leno. Any delusions of that are misleading. He has proven over the past few years that he isn't healthy enough to be the player he once was and we shouldn't assume he's capable. Brett Favre was once amazing, doesn't mean I want us to sign him to be a solution now. Long is a quality vet who could teach Leno but any idea where we'd be bringing him at this point to be a starter is delusional. Leno, while not great, was solid last year for what he once and the coaching staff sees upside in him. He was a better player last year than Long has been in a number of years and is much younger with potential to actually get better.

I found it interesting that the Bears coaches are less concerned about Floyd's weight, in fact, they seem to want him to play "light" and he was already light.

By the way, the guy I think is going to be our surprise guy is Hall. I think he's going to develop into a player.