DABEARSDABOMB

I really can't see how anyone could make a case that TIce hasn't done a good job. He's made the most of crap and in fact, we have already seen some solid developments out of Webb and Williams. At times when I watch Webb I see a guy that is a total beast. Problem is he isn't consistent but the problem with our line has nothing to do with Tice. In fact, I think our line, when healthy, is actually a lot better than people think. Our problem is the boob calling plays and the fact that his plays take forever to develop and he doesn't mix-up the playcalling enough. This offense is built to be a power rushing offense. We have two above average backs (Forte & Barber) and a pretty strong offensive line from a run blocking perspective (our line is pretty big and physical when healthy). I might be crazy though, haha.

I just hope everyone can agree that our WR's aren't very good. We have some solid complimentary guys but there is a big difference between a complimentary guy and a legitimate #1 wideout and right now our offense needs that.

I won't be surprised if Martz is fired at the bye-week.

I'd say it is a great thing that Cutler has dropped some fat and put on more lean muscle. Especially since we know he has diabetes. I'd assume this can only be good for him.

Outside of Bennet, who is not particularly tall, the Bears have absolutely zero wideout who has proven/shown the ability to really do much any job getting open in 3rd and 7 or less situations. These situations typically involve press coverage and the Bears wideouts have done nothing but struggle against this type of coverage an in turn our 3rd down rates have struggled as well (sure there are other factors, but the wideouts struggles with press coverage are one of the significant factors). Roy Williams provides the Bears with a wideout who is physical and get break through that press coverage and get open and thus give Cutler a target to help move the chains on 3rd down. Twice Williams did exactly that for the Bears (1st 2 drives of the game), problem is Williams didn't execute (e.g., catch the ball). In Roy's defense, the 2nd of the passes was not an easy catch but one a good wideout makes 7 out of 10 times.

Last year was horrible. Far worse than yesterdays game. Yesterdays game wasn't great but despite the score there wre quite a few positives in the game. Cutler played really good and if his wideouts caught the ball he'd have had a TD plus a few more drives would have continued on with 3rd down conversions.

I'm not writing him off after one bad preseason game. It was an awful game. I also saw Cutler go to him in key situations and get the ball in his hands, which goes to show you, how important it will be to get Cutler a big, physical receiver. We just have to hope Roy can be that guy and that he can "catch" the ball.

I was really pleased with Cutler. He showed some nice footwork and great accuracy. Did some things with his feet. Only bad play for him was taking that sack. His passes were smart and accurate. He seemed to have a much better feel for the offense. Unfortuntaely the wideouts killed him. Roy Williams dropping 2 3rd down balls. Davis dropping one. Hester falling and than dropping another (at least one of which would have been a TD). That was absolutely brutal. Redzone offense still needs to improve, but I can live with that for now. It will be better this year with Barber around and another year in the system. I expect this unit to continue to improve. Carimi looked good.

Great post and I'm in complete agreement.

He can also play and practice during the preseason.

The key to me is the Bears have some quality youth in Webb, Carimi, and hopefully Williams. Garza is a solid vet and the other spot is the question. It would appear that Lance Louis doesn't have it, but maybe he'll develop. Ideally we'd have at least two vets around the three young players. You have to remember Webb is raw, Carimi is a rook, and Williams is still barely into his career as a guard.

Born and raised in Orange County, California.

Multiple sources reporting the Bears decided to take a pass on Hayden for now. Hayden indicates he passed the physical inspection but the Bears haven't commented. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...9,0,25767.story

Except Hayden is not signed because he is coming off of an injury and plays the cover 2. That limits his marketplace significantly, imo.

Here are some Lovie quotes. Makes it sound like it isn't done. But at the same time, when your head coach is commenting about a guy that is visiting with you in this sort of detail, makes me think the interest is at the very least, mutual: Lovie Smith on Kelvin Hayden's familiarity with system: "I think that's probably why he's looking at us a little bit." Lovie Smith on Kelvin Hayden: "He's a good football player. We'll see what happens." Lovie Smith on Kelvin Hayden: "Right now, we're in the informative stage."

So in short, it sounds like it is close, but not a done deal. There have also been tweets within the last 2 or so hours from Jennings & Tillman. Tillman has indicated he's on board to have Hayden come in. Jennings said he's interested but also tweeted that if Hayden comes he feels that one of Jennings/Bowman will be cut.

It was a twitter from a writer, Rich Smith. He's more recently updated his twitter to indicate that the Bears have waived QB Matt Guitirrez to make room for Hayden. Zach Zaidman, a Chicago sports guy, has confirmed with Lovie that the Bears are currently visiting with Hayden. http://twitter.com/#%21/ZachZaidman

This would be a relatively big signing. Hayden is a pretty good, physical cover 2 corner. In fact, this would be the best corner duo the Bears have had, if he does sign and is healthy, since Peanut & Vasher were both playing at pro-bowl like levels (which was a long time ago and pre-Vasher extension). Would definitely provide the defense with some great depth. The question is would one of Jennings/Bowman be on the way out? What would this do for Joshua Moore? Would one of Jennings/Bowman move to nickel and replace DJ Moore (who was pretty money at nickel)? Really would be a fan of this signing.

ATTENTION NFL UPDATE- Sources reporting that CB Kelvin Hayden and the Chicago Bears are close in their contracts talk, pending physical.

Hayden is visiting the Bears today. He seems like a really good fit.

Knox has a lot of upside, but he absolutely killed our offense at times last year. He put our QB in some bad positions by being in the wrong spot or just out-muscled on quick slant passes. That type of stuff is inexcuseable, imo. Now that he's a year into this offense and continuing to get stronger, I expect him to make strides in that area and hopefully take his game to the next level. I still expect him to get the 2nd most snaps out of our wide-outs (ahead of Hester & Bennett).

So Chris Williams will be on the bench, correct?

The Bears have always done a great job taking care of there own under the JA era. Look at all of the extensions we've handed out to our own guys. Whether it was Vasher, Tillman, Tommie, Urlacher, etc.

I'd love Umenyiora, but I'm not trading 1st or 2nd rounders for him. If they want 2 3rd's, I suppose I'd do that. However, one of those 3rd rounders is likely to be an early pick (given that the Panthers suck). And those picks could easily help us address the oline (potentially a center or guard that falls) or LB/DT/CB, etc.

To be honest, I think we have to give Williams a full year at one position to see what he can do. Whether that is tackle or guard, I think after investing a first round pick in him, you have to fully see what you have. I think our line will be better than a lot of people believe. I don't think it will be elite though, but much much better than the crap we ran out last year. Carimi is an upgrade, Spencer might be an upgrade, and our other young players all have a season under there belts.