***2011 Chicago Bears Regular Season Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[flapgreen]

OC Martz asked if KahlilBell is the go to guy now, "he's the ONLY guy we got!" I guess we know what that means for Barber.

Mike Martz on Nathan Enderle: "It's just too much of an unknown right now. We're trying to win." McCown is known?

Lovie on what went wrong with Caleb: "Don’t know. I don’t have a whole lot of time to figure that out. We’ve moved on now." Bye, Caleb.

Bears OL coach Mike Tice said that Roberto Garza is gonna have to call a helluva game this week w/a new QB at the helm. Ok buddy.

Earl Bennett's current four-game stretch is the worst of his career. Three catches for 30 yards in the last four games. Embarrassing.

 

[yoman]

Earl Bennett's current four-game stretch is the worst of his career. Three catches for 30 yards in the last four games. Embarrassing.

But he was just signed to a contract extension that is more lucrative than Jordy Nelson's extension.

 

[Raider Nation]

Willie Gault can't outrun the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Los Angeles, CA. – The Securities and Exchange Commission charged former NFL wide receiver Willie Gault and five others of engineering an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud Tuesday.A Super Bowl champion with the Chicago Bears and former member of the U.S. Olympic team, Gault has been accused of generating publicity for shares of a company called Heart Tronics.The alleged scheme defrauded investors of more than $8 million, the SEC says.The SEC filed the complaint in Los Angeles against Gault, talent agent J. Rowland Perkins and attorney Mitchell Stein and alleged that the trio gave a false impression that Heart Tronics Inc. had millions of dollars in sales orders between 2006 and 2008 to defraud investors.Stein brought in close to $8 million using Gault’s and Perkins’ celebrity status to create investor confidence in Heart Tronics, authorities said.Gault also is accused of using investors’ money for his own personal use, including the purchase of company stock to give the appearance there was high demand for Heart Tronics shares.

No word if Matt Suhey is involved.

 

[flapgreen]

5 loses in a row. Numerous people should be fired following this season, but they won't be. The team will continue its tradition of mediocrity with a good year tossed into the mix every few years. This Bears have every reason to be as successful as the Packers but aren't and probably never will be. Lost last 4 versus the Pack now. No excuse for it. Just sad...

 

[Your Mom]

5 loses in a row. Numerous people should be fired following this season, but they won't be. The team will continue its tradition of mediocrity with a good year tossed into the mix every few years. This Bears have every reason to be as successful as the Packers but aren't and probably never will be. Lost last 4 versus the Pack now. No excuse for it. Just sad...

Flap, I agree with you most of the time. I think you are over the top here and there, but most of the time you are spot on. I am sick and tired of this crap. The meatheads are going to yell and scream at us, but fire Angelo on down. This sucks. Wasting Uralcher, briggs, peppers, Cutler etc...At least fire Angelo and Martz.

 

[flapgreen]

5 loses in a row. Numerous people should be fired following this season, but they won't be. The team will continue its tradition of mediocrity with a good year tossed into the mix every few years. This Bears have every reason to be as successful as the Packers but aren't and probably never will be. Lost last 4 versus the Pack now. No excuse for it. Just sad...

Flap, I agree with you most of the time. I think you are over the top here and there, but most of the time you are spot on. I am sick and tired of this crap. The meatheads are going to yell and scream at us, but fire Angelo on down. This sucks. Wasting Uralcher, briggs, peppers, Cutler etc...At least fire Angelo and Martz.

I'm usually way over the top. Getting rid of Angelo and Martz seems like a no brainer to me, but I seriously doubt it will happen. As far as firing Lovie, it's hard to say. I have no idea how much say so Lovie has in drafting or picking up free agents. Overall, I think he's an above average NFL coach and his players love him. He's loyal if nothing else. Lovie would be further down the list in people I would fire. Martz and Angelo wouldn't have a job anywhere else at this point, at least not as a GM or offensive coordinator. For the record, I like Lovie and think he could succeed consistently with the right personnel.

 

[RBM]

5 loses in a row. Numerous people should be fired following this season, but they won't be. The team will continue its tradition of mediocrity with a good year tossed into the mix every few years. This Bears have every reason to be as successful as the Packers but aren't and probably never will be. Lost last 4 versus the Pack now. No excuse for it. Just sad...

Flap, I agree with you most of the time. I think you are over the top here and there, but most of the time you are spot on. I am sick and tired of this crap. The meatheads are going to yell and scream at us, but fire Angelo on down. This sucks. Wasting Uralcher, briggs, peppers, Cutler etc...At least fire Angelo and Martz.

I'm usually way over the top. Getting rid of Angelo and Martz seems like a no brainer to me, but I seriously doubt it will happen. As far as firing Lovie, it's hard to say. I have no idea how much say so Lovie has in drafting or picking up free agents. Overall, I think he's an above average NFL coach and his players love him. He's loyal if nothing else. Lovie would be further down the list in people I would fire. Martz and Angelo wouldn't have a job anywhere else at this point, at least not as a GM or offensive coordinator. For the record, I like Lovie and think he could succeed consistently with the right personnel.

So spot on. Angelo has to be first

 

[RBM]

No word if Matt Suhey is involved.

Hideki?

 

[D.J.]

5 loses in a row. Numerous people should be fired following this season, but they won't be. The team will continue its tradition of mediocrity with a good year tossed into the mix every few years. This Bears have every reason to be as successful as the Packers but aren't and probably never will be. Lost last 4 versus the Pack now. No excuse for it. Just sad...

Flap, I agree with you most of the time. I think you are over the top here and there, but most of the time you are spot on. I am sick and tired of this crap. The meatheads are going to yell and scream at us, but fire Angelo on down. This sucks. Wasting Uralcher, briggs, peppers, Cutler etc...At least fire Angelo and Martz.

The meatheads are the ones that overreact to everything. Disagreeing with someone doesnt make you a meathead. I dont think anyone in this thread has been overly "homerish" or even that overly optemistic. Its really easy to call for the firing of someone after the collapse of the team, but we went into the green bay game with our #3 qb and #3 rb.starting. Both of whom played ok (bell was above average). The team needs change for sure, no one has argued against that. I wonder what you all (except flapgreen l, who has at.least been consistent) would be.saying if cutler hadnt gotten hurt and the bears had won 4 of their last 5 games, which would have been likely if they continued to play well. Should angelo go? Yeah, I think so. He just doesnt evaluate talent very well except for late round guys.Martz hasnt proven anything to me as an offensive coordinator, it seems that they play well inspite of him rather than because of him.I've never been.a big lovie fan, but I think he manages his coaches.very well, and his coaches are.getting more out of.their players than just about any staff in the league (especially tice)I read somewhere that tice may take over at oc if martz gets canned. The theory would be that he could keep martz's offense in place as far as terminology, but change the playcalling. I think this is an interesting.option.

 

[flapgreen]

I agree with most of that.

Moving Tice to offensive coordinator might be interesting, but I still think they need to bring someone new. It would probably be difficult for Tice to continue with a system or philosophy that he didn't install himself. Also, I'm not as in love with Tice as many seem to be.

 

[flapgreen]

It may be time for Lovie to go. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Most coaches don't coach the same team for more than a few years for a reason.

 

[yoman]

My problem with Tice is that he seems to be ultraconservative in a more wide open era of football. All the rules in recent years make it easier for QBs which is why Brees broke Marino's record tonight, Brady probably will next week and a host of others including Rodgers and Eli Manning are really close. I think the Bears do need more balance than what Martz tried to do before they reigned him in but they do need to continue throwing the ball a lot. Martz's 10 step drops don't work with their personnel and they were only successful passing when they gave Cutler more protection and didn't send as many receivers out running routes. As I have stated before I agree that Angelo/Martz should go and hopefully the new GM will fix the offensive line and bring in a top tiered WR. Assuming Martz is gone the Bears are going to need a pass catching TE too. They also need to start drafting linebackers because Urlacher and Briggs need quality backups in case father time catches up with them. I don't know what it is with the Bears and safeties under Lovie Smith but hopefully Wright and Conte will be healthy next season and will start playing more consistent.

 

[DoubleG]

McCown was clearly better than Hannie had been (which is similar to being the Bears best WR) - especially in the second half, we he seemed to "get up to game speed" more. This situation was eerily similar to last season with Todd Collins. Also, it seems that Bell>Barber. Both are major indictements of somebody on the Bears coaching staff's ability to evaluate talent. I presume most of this falls on Martz - but much on Angelo too (after all, he's the one bringing in and signing some of these shlubs.)

Martz should have been fired weeks ago. He should be gone the day after the season ends. Angelo should be launched as well. Lovie is tolerable (but I wouldn't be too upset if they sent him packing - after all, Martz was his idea.)

ST coach (Taube?) - he's keepable. The Bears keep trading away the ST guys (or they get busted for being drug dealers) - and the ST keep somehow doing well. I would be sad to see him or Tice go.

Defense? I don't know. I'm kinda on the fence here with their coaches. You've got J. Peppers, Melton is playing well, Idonijey is decent - their LBs are outstanding...I'm not sure if the issue here is talent or coaching. I do think they lack decent safeties (and their CBs not named Tillman are mediocre at best) - but for all the ability of their front 7, that defense looks very mediocre at times. It's hard to tell though - after Cutler went down, the defense didn't seem as good, but a lot had to do with the myriad of turnovers by Hanie and co. The loss of Conte seemed to hurt a lot more than it should have.

There do need to be wholesale changes on this coaching staff though. Angelo and Martz should be a given (if either of those two is back next year...well, let's just say I'm glad I play FF). After that, a few more should probably get it too - along with some players (Hanie, Major Wright*, etc.)

* I forgot to mention this joker. Seriously - I haven't seen one thing the guy does WELL. Let's see:

Coverage? Nope - slow and out of position...constantly.

Tackle? Ummmm...no. Did anyone see that "tackle" in the Packer game. Where he turned his shoulder into the RB, bounced off, rolled to the ground and the RB just kept going.

I realize the Bears safeties are not good (and injured) but Major Wright is just a bad football player. Who is responsible for that slop on the field??

 

[SWC]

It may be time for Lovie to go. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Most coaches don't coach the same team for more than a few years for a reason.

and i think that the team quit against the packers they played tough for the first half but did not look like the same team in the second half and then it was all over but the shouting by the guys on the score 670 after the game and they were really mad so that was probably not good on Christmas take it to the bank

 

[yoman]

Lovie is tolerable (but I wouldn't be too upset if they sent him packing - after all, Martz was his idea.)

If I remember correctly Lovie liked Martz and Angelo didn't. At the time the Bears coaching staff seemed like lame ducks because Smith only had 1 year remaining on his contract so nobody wanted the job so they settled for Martz. As much as I dislike Angelo I think he was right on this one.

I realize the Bears safeties are not good (and injured) but Major Wright is just a bad football player. Who is responsible for that slop on the field??

I have seen Wright play well at times and didn't know if his recent struggles on the field had to do with playing while injured. I didn't see that play you were referring to by Wright against the Packers. I only watched about 1/3 of that game.

 

[Statcruncher]

I'll be honest with you the only person I'd like to see gone is Angelo. Too many years of glossing over personnel deficiencies and not filling roster needs. I'll be glad when he's gone and don't have to listen to his smug "we're comfortable with who we have" BS. I know Lovie and Martz aren't popular right now, but I don't feel the need to can them. I'm probably delusional, but IMO the Bears still have a window of opportunity to do some post season damage and changing schemes won't help that.

I'm not thrilled with Lovie but he's at worst an average head coach. If they would bring in a Gruden or Cowher I'd personally throw Lovie out, but I honestly don't believe Chicago would get an upgrade if they canned Lovie. Chicago can win with (in spite of) Lovie, I don't know if that would apply to whoever they hired to replace him.

As for Martz I believe his system works. Cutler has now been in Martz's offensive scheme for two years in a row and while I think he made tremendous strides, IMO he still has the ability to get even better. Martz absolutely needs to continue to conform the scheme to fit the team's current strengths and weaknesses, but the system works. Fewer seven step drops, more shotgun on obvious passing downs, and more planned rollouts would be easy to implement. IMO the offense turned the corner before Culter got hurt. Look at the last 5 games Cutler started, the Bears averaged:

348 net yards per game (season rank would be 15th)

32 points per game (season rank would be 3rd)

17 points per game allowed (season rank would be 4th)

Yeah, it could have been just a hot streak against some weak teams (Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Detroit, San Diego) but it appeared to me the offense was starting to roll. I'm not suggesting they could post those numbers for a season, but a team with an above average offense and above average defense is not something that needs blown up. Shore up the o-line and get a real #1 WR (Dwayne Bowe would look good in blue/orange) and the offense could be lethal.

The defense while declining, is still solid enough. With a potent offense the Chicago D no longer has to keep opponents under 14 points to get a win. Sure, I'd love to watch a current version of the '85 defense but with so many needs it's going to be a long and slow rebuilding process defensively.

It sucks that the season is over and It's frustrating to watch the implosion, but honestly didn't we all see it coming once Cutler went out? At least we know that Caleb Hanie is not the answer.

 

[Gopher State]

Green Bay police report season-high 20 arrests at Bears-Packers game

Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Police Department reports officers made 20 arrests during Sunday night's Packers-Bears game, a season high.

WBAY-TV reports there were also 49 ejections. That's more than double the 15 to 20 ejections during a typical game.

Officials chalk up the huge increases to several reasons. It was a night game, so fans had all day to drink before coming to the stadium. When they got there, they saw the long-time rivals play.

Finally, they say, it appears many season-ticket holders had Christmas plans away from the stadium so they sold their tickets to people who had never been to a Packers game before.

Green Bay police say they're not sure what to expect for the New Year's game against the Detroit Lions.

Thanks to all the bear fans who showed up

 

[geoff8695]

Coaching staff isn't the problem. Look at what they managed through the first 11 weeks utilizing the talent on hand...

Focus on improving both lines (and add a legit NFL WR please!) and everything else falls into place IMO.

 

[geoff8695]

I'll be honest with you the only person I'd like to see gone is Angelo. Too many years of glossing over personnel deficiencies and not filling roster needs. I'll be glad when he's gone and don't have to listen to his smug "we're comfortable with who we have" BS. I know Lovie and Martz aren't popular right now, but I don't feel the need to can them. I'm probably delusional, but IMO the Bears still have a window of opportunity to do some post season damage and changing schemes won't help that. I'm not thrilled with Lovie but he's at worst an average head coach. If they would bring in a Gruden or Cowher I'd personally throw Lovie out, but I honestly don't believe Chicago would get an upgrade if they canned Lovie. Chicago can win with (in spite of) Lovie, I don't know if that would apply to whoever they hired to replace him.As for Martz I believe his system works. Cutler has now been in Martz's offensive scheme for two years in a row and while I think he made tremendous strides, IMO he still has the ability to get even better. Martz absolutely needs to continue to conform the scheme to fit the team's current strengths and weaknesses, but the system works. Fewer seven step drops, more shotgun on obvious passing downs, and more planned rollouts would be easy to implement. IMO the offense turned the corner before Culter got hurt. Look at the last 5 games Cutler started, the Bears averaged:348 net yards per game (season rank would be 15th)32 points per game (season rank would be 3rd)17 points per game allowed (season rank would be 4th)Yeah, it could have been just a hot streak against some weak teams (Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Detroit, San Diego) but it appeared to me the offense was starting to roll. I'm not suggesting they could post those numbers for a season, but a team with an above average offense and above average defense is not something that needs blown up. Shore up the o-line and get a real #1 WR (Dwayne Bowe would look good in blue/orange) and the offense could be lethal. The defense while declining, is still solid enough. With a potent offense the Chicago D no longer has to keep opponents under 14 points to get a win. Sure, I'd love to watch a current version of the '85 defense but with so many needs it's going to be a long and slow rebuilding process defensively.It sucks that the season is over and It's frustrating to watch the implosion, but honestly didn't we all see it coming once Cutler went out? At least we know that Caleb Hanie is not the answer.

Good posting!Angelo needs to be replaced or else needs some serious help in talent evaluation.The offense on the whole doesn't need to be blown up, and as piss poor as the talent surrounding Cutler/Forte is, they still managed to increase their scoring and proficiency under Martz/Tice. And Lovie's teams ALWAYS show up to play and rally behind him. Coaching staff isn't the problem here my fellow Bear fans...Certainly an improvement at WR would be nice. It's laughable that our leading receiver (knox) has ONLY 37 receptions!!!However the coaches aren't the reason why our defensive tackles, offensive linemen, and receivers are average or below average in terms of talent. Fix those problems and the Bears immediately become a contender IMO.

 

[DoubleG]

Green Bay police report season-high 20 arrests at Bears-Packers game

Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Police Department reports officers made 20 arrests during Sunday night's Packers-Bears game, a season high.

WBAY-TV reports there were also 49 ejections. That's more than double the 15 to 20 ejections during a typical game.

Officials chalk up the huge increases to several reasons. It was a night game, so fans had all day to drink before coming to the stadium. When they got there, they saw the long-time rivals play.

Finally, they say, it appears many season-ticket holders had Christmas plans away from the stadium so they sold their tickets to people who had never been to a Packers game before.

Green Bay police say they're not sure what to expect for the New Year's game against the Detroit Lions.

Thanks to all the bear fans who showed up

Please notice - the two bolded statements are contradictory. Apparently reading isn't taught up in Wisconsin. Nice try though.

 

[flapgreen]

Finally over, but not without a potential severe injury. The win was meaningless but the Urlacher injury may not be. Hope he's alright. :(