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

[flapgreen]

Special on the 85 Bears on NFL Network right now.

Watched it too. Incredible, special season. Really amazing. I think that's one of the problems though; Bears fans were spoiled by that season and want that magic again. But I don't think that can ever happen, by any team. The bar in Chicago is set very high.

The Bears could win 5 in a row, and it just wouldn't be the same. The way that it affected a city and the nation was unlike any other ever has. There's not another team in NFL history that's talked about more than the 85 Bears. It's the bar that all other defenses are measured against. Basically, since I'm not from Chicago, that team is what made me become a huge sports fan. Since then, it's been downhill ever since. lol

 

[Limp Ditka]

All Jerry had to do in free agency this week was get a good wide receiver and a couple average to above average linemen, and the dumb #### couldn't even do that. Absolutely loooove his explanation at the press conference. Totally professional and not defensive at all.

"They didn't hire me to be loved. Okay? They hired me to make decisions based on what's in the best interest of the team!"

"Don't tell me about our problems. Give me solutions. I'm in the solution business, not identifying the problems."

"Tell me who you want? Who should we look at? Give me names."

"We brought in an experienced center that's still in the prime of his career. It's the best we could do."

"We need to start developing some young players and how are you going to develop them if you don't play them?"

"These offensive linemen are tough to find. We've got a good nucleus of young guys."

JA may be the biggest ####### in sports. :finger: Is he intentionally trying to sabotage the team and mess up the entire locker room? This moron just doesn't get it. On top of the idiotic way he's handled the team and protected his star QB, how could a GM possibly handle himself any worse in a press conference? I'm blown away. I hope he gets hit by a bus on the way to the field tomorrow. Hell, Jay might as well step in front of a train, because that's what it's going to feel like all season. At least this way, he can get it over all at once, instead of a slow painful death over a few months.

I guess the Bears must not have been the team that was one TD away from the SB last year despite playing with a 3rd string QB for more than half of the NFCC game.

God bless revisionist history.

 

[Rounders]

Here's what I don't understand (perhaps someone can explain it to me like I'm 8).

Minimum salary cap

It's my assumption that the Bears have to spend 89% of the salary cap for this upcoming season, true?

So if the salary cap is 120M, 89% would be about $106M. My math could be off, but the idea is correct, right?

Where do the Bears stand with their cap #'s? Do we know? Listening to the Score (Chicago sports radio), they were throwing around numbers taht the Bears had $20M left to spend. The discussion revolved around who are we going to spend this $$ on? Speculation was internal, meaning Forte's contract, perhaps Knox, perhaps DJ Moore?

If the Bears do indeed have $20M to spend, and are required to do so under the new CBA, what are they waiting for?

 

[twistd]

Here's what I don't understand (perhaps someone can explain it to me like I'm 8).Minimum salary capIt's my assumption that the Bears have to spend 89% of the salary cap for this upcoming season, true?So if the salary cap is 120M, 89% would be about $106M. My math could be off, but the idea is correct, right?Where do the Bears stand with their cap #'s? Do we know? Listening to the Score (Chicago sports radio), they were throwing around numbers taht the Bears had $20M left to spend. The discussion revolved around who are we going to spend this $$ on? Speculation was internal, meaning Forte's contract, perhaps Knox, perhaps DJ Moore?If the Bears do indeed have $20M to spend, and are required to do so under the new CBA, what are they waiting for?

That is an excellent question. I can't quite figure the new CBA salary cap rules out. From what I have read the Bengals are like $40 million under the cap. I know that the salary floor doesn't apply until 2013, but the league as a whole has to spend a certain amount. So teams like the Bengals could stay well below the floor, providing that a lot of other teams spend the maximum amount. That is what I think anyway. But the Bears are certainly not a small market team. They may be leaving space to redo Forte's contract. It is very confusing. But I do know that the salary cap minimum, for each individual team, doesn't kick in until 2013, so teams can avoid spending money if they don't want to.

 

[3nOut]

Here's what I don't understand (perhaps someone can explain it to me like I'm 8).Minimum salary capIt's my assumption that the Bears have to spend 89% of the salary cap for this upcoming season, true?So if the salary cap is 120M, 89% would be about $106M. My math could be off, but the idea is correct, right?Where do the Bears stand with their cap #'s? Do we know? Listening to the Score (Chicago sports radio), they were throwing around numbers taht the Bears had $20M left to spend. The discussion revolved around who are we going to spend this $$ on? Speculation was internal, meaning Forte's contract, perhaps Knox, perhaps DJ Moore?If the Bears do indeed have $20M to spend, and are required to do so under the new CBA, what are they waiting for?

I may be wrong but my understanding is that they need to spend the money by the END of the year, not the beginning. So I think they may be saving some room to sign someone later in the season or give someone a contract extension.

 

[flapgreen]

Eagles signed Ryan Harris, the best OL left. Another one bites the dust, huh Angelo?

 

[Rounders]

Here's what I don't understand (perhaps someone can explain it to me like I'm 8).Minimum salary capIt's my assumption that the Bears have to spend 89% of the salary cap for this upcoming season, true?So if the salary cap is 120M, 89% would be about $106M. My math could be off, but the idea is correct, right?Where do the Bears stand with their cap #'s? Do we know? Listening to the Score (Chicago sports radio), they were throwing around numbers taht the Bears had $20M left to spend. The discussion revolved around who are we going to spend this $$ on? Speculation was internal, meaning Forte's contract, perhaps Knox, perhaps DJ Moore?If the Bears do indeed have $20M to spend, and are required to do so under the new CBA, what are they waiting for?

I may be wrong but my understanding is that they need to spend the money by the END of the year, not the beginning. So I think they may be saving some room to sign someone later in the season or give someone a contract extension.

But who is going to deserve an extension? I can't see anyone young and talented enough that they will want to lock up long term. Only player that comes to mind is Forte and he's not worth THAT much $$.

 

[flapgreen]

24 mil under the cap. Guess JA is saving it up to sign the remaining big name free agents and offensive linemen. Great strategy! Outsmarting everyone!

 

[D.J.]

24 mil under the cap. Guess JA is saving it up to sign the remaining big name free agents and offensive linemen. Great strategy! Outsmarting everyone!

the bears spent a ton of money last year, and signed a lot of "value" free agents this year. By saving some.money this year, they will likely spend more next year, when there is less competition for the talent. No one the Bears would have wanted went cheap most of them were over were overpaid, by a lot.

 

[flapgreen]

24 mil under the cap. Guess JA is saving it up to sign the remaining big name free agents and offensive linemen. Great strategy! Outsmarting everyone!

the bears spent a ton of money last year, and signed a lot of "value" free agents this year. By saving some.money this year, they will likely spend more next year, when there is less competition for the talent. No one the Bears would have wanted went cheap most of them were over were overpaid, by a lot.

Saving money for next year? Obviously, the Bears wanted people cheap that weren't going to be cheap, too bad that isn't how things work. "Overpaid" is a relative term. Check and see how many teams are that far under the cap. Why didn't they save money for next year? Did they "overpay" for all of their players?

 

[flapgreen]

Go Bears!

 

[Sweetcan]

jay cutler is so good that this wont matter at all he has an arm that is a lot like a cannon from a battleship about to launch 11 tomahawk cruse missiles at iraq so the odds are that jay will make the nfc his own personal iraq imperial guard and destroy it and make it hide in a spider hole

 

[D.J.]

24 mil under the cap. Guess JA is saving it up to sign the remaining big name free agents and offensive linemen. Great strategy! Outsmarting everyone!

the bears spent a ton of money last year, and signed a lot of "value" free agents this year. By saving some.money this year, they will likely spend more next year, when there is less competition for the talent. No one the Bears would have wanted went cheap most of them were over were overpaid, by a lot.

Saving money for next year? Obviously, the Bears wanted people cheap that weren't going to be cheap, too bad that isn't how things work. "Overpaid" is a relative term. Check and see how many teams are that far under the cap. Why didn't they save money for next year? Did they "overpay" for all of their players?

I think that, in general, free agents were either overpaid this year (santonio homles) or waited too long, the.market fell apart abd they got a 1 year deal (braylon edwards). So, the bears had some.choices. Overpay for someone with warts (they likely wouldnt be a free agent without warts), they wait for the market to fall apart and grab scraps, or they target the guys people are low on, sign them.cheap and haveoney to spend next year. The seahawks and panthers spent a lot of money this year, and next and the year after that...they didnt just pay people a lot, they gave them long term deals. So, next year they wont have.as much money to spend on free agents, most teams wont. This will.make the market less aggressive and lower the overall prices of free agents (in theory). Also, it seems like the bears are going to use.most of their cap space this year once they extend forte.

 

[D.J.]

24 mil under the cap. Guess JA is saving it up to sign the remaining big name free agents and offensive linemen. Great strategy! Outsmarting everyone!

the bears spent a ton of money last year, and signed a lot of "value" free agents y year. By saving some.money this year, they will likely spend more next year, when there is less competition for the talent. No one the Bears would have wanted went cheap most of them were over were overpaid, by a lot.

Saving money for next year? Obviously, the Bears wanted people cheap that weren't going to be cheap, too bad that isn't how things work. "Overpaid" is a relative term. Check and see how many teams are that far under the cap. Why didn't they save money for next year? Did they "overpay" for all of their players?

Who did they want cheap that wasnt cheap?And isnt that what every consumer wants? To pay less for a better product?The bears werent being.overly frugal this year. They went out and got who they wanted. The one.guy they targeted that they didnt get, they supposedly were the high bidders for, he just decided to.go elsewhere.

 

[Statcruncher]

Rumor has it Malcolm Floyd would bring about 3 - 4 million per year. IMO that's a decent price and a group of Floyd, Williams, Knox, with Bennett/Hester as the 4th should give Jay plenty of targets. I still think the O-line needs more help but I'm not really excited about who's left. I thought Gaither should be targeted but it appears even the Raiders don't think he's healthy yet. If Al Davis won't take a flier on a guy that's pretty telling.

 

[twistd]

24 mil under the cap. Guess JA is saving it up to sign the remaining big name free agents and offensive linemen. Great strategy! Outsmarting everyone!

the bears spent a ton of money last year, and signed a lot of "value" free agents this year. By saving some.money this year, they will likely spend more next year, when there is less competition for the talent. No one the Bears would have wanted went cheap most of them were over were overpaid, by a lot.

Saving money for next year? Obviously, the Bears wanted people cheap that weren't going to be cheap, too bad that isn't how things work. "Overpaid" is a relative term. Check and see how many teams are that far under the cap. Why didn't they save money for next year? Did they "overpay" for all of their players?

I think that, in general, free agents were either overpaid this year (santonio homles) or waited too long, the.market fell apart abd they got a 1 year deal (braylon edwards). So, the bears had some.choices. Overpay for someone with warts (they likely wouldnt be a free agent without warts), they wait for the market to fall apart and grab scraps, or they target the guys people are low on, sign them.cheap and haveoney to spend next year. The seahawks and panthers spent a lot of money this year, and next and the year after that...they didnt just pay people a lot, they gave them long term deals. So, next year they wont have.as much money to spend on free agents, most teams wont. This will.make the market less aggressive and lower the overall prices of free agents (in theory). Also, it seems like the bears are going to use.most of their cap space this year once they extend forte.

There is no way the Bears are going to use up $24 million in cap space signing Forte to an extension. The Bears are being cheap. There were definitely some crazy money signings, like the D Williams signing for $43 million with $21 million guaranteed. And the Kolb signing of $63 million with $21 million guaranteed. But there were a lot of one year contracts that the Bears could of gotten guys very reasonably. Ricky Williams or Ronnie Brown would have been much better than Marion Barber, and both probably would have signed a one year deal. Ronnie Brown did with the Eagles. Mike Sims-Walker got $3.9 million on a one year deal. Edwards signed a one year deal. Ryan Harris signed a one year deal. There were a lot of guys that they might have gotten to improve this team that were willing to sign one year deals. The two most important spots to improve were the O line and the WRs. Roy Williams may or may not be an improvement. But adding more WR talent would have been welcome as far as I'm concerned. You can't tell me that Edwards or Sims-Walker aren't more talented than some of the guys they have. The O line was the biggest problem they had last year. They have done very little to address that. Carimi is a great addition, but they were close to the bottom of the league last year. They did get better as the year progressed, but they were still bad. They should at least be trying to improve that talent pool. Instead they are sitting on their hands saying they are happy with the guys they have. Garza, Williams, and Webb were all a part of the disaster that was their offensive line last year. I think the Bears are acting like the Bengals. All the money they save under the cap goes in to the owners pockets. They are more concerned with making money than they are with improving the team.

 

[D.J.]

24 mil under the cap. Guess JA is saving it up to sign the remaining big name free agents and offensive linemen. Great strategy! Outsmarting everyone!

the bears spent a ton of money last year, and signed a lot of "value" free agents this year. By saving some.money this year, they will likely spend more next year, when there is less competition for the talent. No one the Bears would have wanted went cheap most of them were over were overpaid, by a lot.

Saving money for next year? Obviously, the Bears wanted people cheap that weren't going to be cheap, too bad that isn't how things work. "Overpaid" is a relative term. Check and see how many teams are that far under the cap. Why didn't they save money for next year? Did they "overpay" for all of their players?

I think that, in general, free agents were either overpaid this year (santonio homles) or waited too long, the.market fell apart abd they got a 1 year deal (braylon edwards). So, the bears had some.choices. Overpay for someone with warts (they likely wouldnt be a free agent without warts), they wait for the market to fall apart and grab scraps, or they target the guys people are low on, sign them.cheap and haveoney to spend next year. The seahawks and panthers spent a lot of money this year, and next and the year after that...they didnt just pay people a lot, they gave them long term deals. So, next year they wont have.as much money to spend on free agents, most teams wont. This will.make the market less aggressive and lower the overall prices of free agents (in theory). Also, it seems like the bears are going to use.most of their cap space this year once they extend forte.

There is no way the Bears are going to use up $24 million in cap space signing Forte to an extension. The Bears are being cheap. There were definitely some crazy money signings, like the D Williams signing for $43 million with $21 million guaranteed. And the Kolb signing of $63 million with $21 million guaranteed. But there were a lot of one year contracts that the Bears could of gotten guys very reasonably. Ricky Williams or Ronnie Brown would have been much better than Marion Barber, and both probably would have signed a one year deal. Ronnie Brown did with the Eagles. Mike Sims-Walker got $3.9 million on a one year deal. Edwards signed a one year deal. Ryan Harris signed a one year deal. There were a lot of guys that they might have gotten to improve this team that were willing to sign one year deals. The two most important spots to improve were the O line and the WRs. Roy Williams may or may not be an improvement. But adding more WR talent would have been welcome as far as I'm concerned. You can't tell me that Edwards or Sims-Walker aren't more talented than some of the guys they have. The O line was the biggest problem they had last year. They have done very little to address that. Carimi is a great addition, but they were close to the bottom of the league last year. They did get better as the year progressed, but they were still bad. They should at least be trying to improve that talent pool. Instead they are sitting on their hands saying they are happy with the guys they have. Garza, Williams, and Webb were all a part of the disaster that was their offensive line last year. I think the Bears are acting like the Bengals. All the money they save under the cap goes in to the owners pockets. They are more concerned with making money than they are with improving the team.

Who would the bears get rid of at wr had they signed another? Hester? Cant release him, he is too valuable to special teams, same for hurd. Bennett or knox? thats a good idea. Sign a bunch of guys to one year deals and get rid.of the guys you are trying to develop (both are young, most recievers do not make a.major impact until their 3rd year). There was no where.to put another wr on the bears 53 man roster. They cant just add a reciever without subtracting.Also, holmes, floyd, and msw took forever to sign somewhere for a reason (floyd still hasnt!). They either arent very good or their baggage is holding them down. roy williams works for the bears because he already knows the complicated offense in a shortened offseason. And as far as the bears being cheap...how quickly people forget. Last year the bears signed the #1 free agent and 2 other high priced guys...the.first day of free agency. That is not.a cheap move.The.bears have.no obligation to spend the salary cap minimum this year, so why continue to waste monry on over priced guys? they can wait until next year and spend the same money for better talent next year. Everyone seems to be very close minded about the bears offseason moves. As I have said before, I dont love their.moves this year, but they certainly havent gotten worse than last year

 

[twistd]

24 mil under the cap. Guess JA is saving it up to sign the remaining big name free agents and offensive linemen. Great strategy! Outsmarting everyone!

the bears spent a ton of money last year, and signed a lot of "value" free agents this year. By saving some.money this year, they will likely spend more next year, when there is less competition for the talent. No one the Bears would have wanted went cheap most of them were over were overpaid, by a lot.

Saving money for next year? Obviously, the Bears wanted people cheap that weren't going to be cheap, too bad that isn't how things work. "Overpaid" is a relative term. Check and see how many teams are that far under the cap. Why didn't they save money for next year? Did they "overpay" for all of their players?

I think that, in general, free agents were either overpaid this year (santonio homles) or waited too long, the.market fell apart abd they got a 1 year deal (braylon edwards). So, the bears had some.choices. Overpay for someone with warts (they likely wouldnt be a free agent without warts), they wait for the market to fall apart and grab scraps, or they target the guys people are low on, sign them.cheap and haveoney to spend next year. The seahawks and panthers spent a lot of money this year, and next and the year after that...they didnt just pay people a lot, they gave them long term deals. So, next year they wont have.as much money to spend on free agents, most teams wont. This will.make the market less aggressive and lower the overall prices of free agents (in theory). Also, it seems like the bears are going to use.most of their cap space this year once they extend forte.

There is no way the Bears are going to use up $24 million in cap space signing Forte to an extension. The Bears are being cheap. There were definitely some crazy money signings, like the D Williams signing for $43 million with $21 million guaranteed. And the Kolb signing of $63 million with $21 million guaranteed. But there were a lot of one year contracts that the Bears could of gotten guys very reasonably. Ricky Williams or Ronnie Brown would have been much better than Marion Barber, and both probably would have signed a one year deal. Ronnie Brown did with the Eagles. Mike Sims-Walker got $3.9 million on a one year deal. Edwards signed a one year deal. Ryan Harris signed a one year deal. There were a lot of guys that they might have gotten to improve this team that were willing to sign one year deals. The two most important spots to improve were the O line and the WRs. Roy Williams may or may not be an improvement. But adding more WR talent would have been welcome as far as I'm concerned. You can't tell me that Edwards or Sims-Walker aren't more talented than some of the guys they have. The O line was the biggest problem they had last year. They have done very little to address that. Carimi is a great addition, but they were close to the bottom of the league last year. They did get better as the year progressed, but they were still bad. They should at least be trying to improve that talent pool. Instead they are sitting on their hands saying they are happy with the guys they have. Garza, Williams, and Webb were all a part of the disaster that was their offensive line last year. I think the Bears are acting like the Bengals. All the money they save under the cap goes in to the owners pockets. They are more concerned with making money than they are with improving the team.

Who would the bears get rid of at wr had they signed another? Hester? Cant release him, he is too valuable to special teams, same for hurd. Bennett or knox? thats a good idea. Sign a bunch of guys to one year deals and get rid.of the guys you are trying to develop (both are young, most recievers do not make a.major impact until their 3rd year). There was no where.to put another wr on the bears 53 man roster. They cant just add a reciever without subtracting.Also, holmes, floyd, and msw took forever to sign somewhere for a reason (floyd still hasnt!). They either arent very good or their baggage is holding them down. roy williams works for the bears because he already knows the complicated offense in a shortened offseason. And as far as the bears being cheap...how quickly people forget. Last year the bears signed the #1 free agent and 2 other high priced guys...the.first day of free agency. That is not.a cheap move.The.bears have.no obligation to spend the salary cap minimum this year, so why continue to waste monry on over priced guys? they can wait until next year and spend the same money for better talent next year. Everyone seems to be very close minded about the bears offseason moves. As I have said before, I dont love their.moves this year, but they certainly havent gotten worse than last year

You may not of heard of this, but a lot of teams have competition for rosters spots. The Rams already had Avery, Gilyard, Alexander, Amendola, Brandon Gibson, plus two rookies they drafted this year on the roster. They signed MSW anyway. They will keep the best guys and someone will lose their job, or get put on the practice squad. I wasn't expecting the Bears to spend crazy money on WRs. Holmes was too much money, and Floyd is probably going to get a lot of money, but MSW and Edwards are better than the guys we have. They come in, if they produce then you can try to resign them next year, if not you replace them. The Bears did good things last year. I didn't expect them to go after Holmes or Rice this year. I thought they would both command too much money. But the money they save this year doesn't help them next year at all. The only thing that helps them is if they avoid getting saddled with large multi year contracts for player who aren't worth the money. But many of these players were signing one year contracts. So that doesn't apply. The money they save this year just goes in the pocket of the owners.The Bears may have not gotten worse, but they didn't get all that much better either. Their defense could be very good with the personnel they have, if they avoid injuries. The special teams should be solid again. But offensively they didn't do enough to address their two main problems, WR and O line. They have a good QB, and a good RB situation, but all that doesn't work if you can't block anyone. And both the Packers and the Lions have gotten better. The Packers got much better just by getting everyone healthy. The Packers won the Super Bowl despite losing a lot of players to injury. All those players are back. The Lions are going to have a monster pass rush, and they have improved across the board. I don't know how the Bears are going to be able to block the Lions pass rush with the guys they have. The Bears O line was a train wreck last year. Adding Carimi helps, Spencer may be a marginal improvement, but you still have Garza, Williams and Webb there. If Webb makes a huge jump, and Carimi can start and produce right away, then things will be a lot better. But if Webb doesn't improve a great deal, or Carimi struggles, or they have any injuries they are in a world of hurt. The starters aren't all that good, and the back ups can't beat out the bad starters. That is a recipe for disaster to me, and I am very worried that this whole plan could fall apart.

 

[Power Monster]

I agree that the OL will make/break this team. I would still like to see them add Floyd as a contingency in the event that Williams starts to bust. The defense staying healthy is a major MUST HAVE and I would think that Forte and Cutler have got to stay on the field for the entire campaign.

 

[twistd]

I agree that the OL will make/break this team. I would still like to see them add Floyd as a contingency in the event that Williams starts to bust. The defense staying healthy is a major MUST HAVE and I would think that Forte and Cutler have got to stay on the field for the entire campaign.

I think Webb and Carimi make or break this team. The middle of the line isn't going to be very good, but if these two can solidify the tackles then things could be okay. If either fails, or is injured, then all bets are off. There is no depth at all as far as I can see. I think they don't have much depth across the board so they cannot afford injuries at almost any position, but I agree that Cutler and Forte have to stay healthy.

 

[Power Monster]

I agree that the OL will make/break this team. I would still like to see them add Floyd as a contingency in the event that Williams starts to bust. The defense staying healthy is a major MUST HAVE and I would think that Forte and Cutler have got to stay on the field for the entire campaign.

I think Webb and Carimi make or break this team. The middle of the line isn't going to be very good, but if these two can solidify the tackles then things could be okay. If either fails, or is injured, then all bets are off. There is no depth at all as far as I can see. I think they don't have much depth across the board so they cannot afford injuries at almost any position, but I agree that Cutler and Forte have to stay healthy.

Plus that schedule looks to be a tough one as they will see some of the better teams in the NFC and some improved teams in the AFC. If the Lions prove to be a better team based on the talent and hype of their defense the Bears will be in for a real battle all year.

 

[twistd]

Kreutz signed a $2 million dollar contract with the Saints. He was offered more money from two other teams, but my guess is he was offered like $2.5 million from the other teams. Regardless, the Bears offered him $4 million and he turned it down. So, although I wasn't real happy that they replaced him, it was certainly more than market value that the Bears offered. I'm glad he is in a good situation. I hope it works for him.

 

[flapgreen]

Sounds like Lofa can be had for dirt cheap. Wouldn't be a bad pickup for a possible strong side lb or backup at worst. I'm sure there will be an injury sometime this season.

 

[flapgreen]

I agree that the OL will make/break this team. I would still like to see them add Floyd as a contingency in the event that Williams starts to bust. The defense staying healthy is a major MUST HAVE and I would think that Forte and Cutler have got to stay on the field for the entire campaign.

Bye Floyd.

 

[flapgreen]

I agree that the OL will make/break this team. I would still like to see them add Floyd as a contingency in the event that Williams starts to bust. The defense staying healthy is a major MUST HAVE and I would think that Forte and Cutler have got to stay on the field for the entire campaign.

I think Webb and Carimi make or break this team. The middle of the line isn't going to be very good, but if these two can solidify the tackles then things could be okay. If either fails, or is injured, then all bets are off. There is no depth at all as far as I can see. I think they don't have much depth across the board so they cannot afford injuries at almost any position, but I agree that Cutler and Forte have to stay healthy.

A rookie RT with no time to prepare for the season, a 7th round pick at LT who may be average at best but mostly likely below average, a new center to direct the line who has had zero experience in the offense and was likely to be the backup center in Seattle, Chris freaking Williams(that's all that needs to be said), a 32 y/o guard who was average at best when he was at his peak at few years ago. I'm baffled at how some think the line is going to be any better. Being the same is the best case scenario, imo, and we all know how that turned out. Jay might as well make arrangements for his burial in advance. Poor *******. :(eta: Spare me the "they've had a whole year to play together so they will be better" argument. No they won't. They suck. Remember? I'm also not taking into account that there will be any injuries. If Omelet gets into the mix, things could be even worse. Who is left? Lance Louis? On the practice squad most of last year. Edwin Williams? also on the practice squad last year. Where are the rest of the linemen? Are there even any left after that?

 

[Power Monster]

I agree that the OL will make/break this team. I would still like to see them add Floyd as a contingency in the event that Williams starts to bust. The defense staying healthy is a major MUST HAVE and I would think that Forte and Cutler have got to stay on the field for the entire campaign.

I think Webb and Carimi make or break this team. The middle of the line isn't going to be very good, but if these two can solidify the tackles then things could be okay. If either fails, or is injured, then all bets are off. There is no depth at all as far as I can see. I think they don't have much depth across the board so they cannot afford injuries at almost any position, but I agree that Cutler and Forte have to stay healthy.

A rookie RT with no time to prepare for the season, a 7th round pick at LT who may be average at best but mostly likely below average, a new center to direct the line who has had zero experience in the offense and was likely to be the backup center in Seattle, Chris freaking Williams(that's all that needs to be said), a 32 y/o guard who was average at best when he was at his peak at few years ago. I'm baffled at how some think the line is going to be any better. Being the same is the best case scenario, imo, and we all know how that turned out. Jay might as well make arrangements for his burial in advance. Poor *******. :(eta: Spare me the "they've had a whole year to play together so they will be better" argument. No they won't. They suck. Remember? I'm also not taking into account that there will be any injuries. If Omelet gets into the mix, things could be even worse. Who is left? Lance Louis? On the practice squad most of last year. Edwin Williams? also on the practice squad last year. Where are the rest of the linemen? Are there even any left after that?

Add in this tidbit- the Bears offense was the benefactor of great field position compliments of the ST unit. With the new KO rule in place, I just do not see that type of FP advantage coming. I am starting to think that the Bears are going to be lucky to get 5-7 wins this year.

 

[flapgreen]

I agree that the OL will make/break this team. I would still like to see them add Floyd as a contingency in the event that Williams starts to bust. The defense staying healthy is a major MUST HAVE and I would think that Forte and Cutler have got to stay on the field for the entire campaign.

I think Webb and Carimi make or break this team. The middle of the line isn't going to be very good, but if these two can solidify the tackles then things could be okay. If either fails, or is injured, then all bets are off. There is no depth at all as far as I can see. I think they don't have much depth across the board so they cannot afford injuries at almost any position, but I agree that Cutler and Forte have to stay healthy.

A rookie RT with no time to prepare for the season, a 7th round pick at LT who may be average at best but mostly likely below average, a new center to direct the line who has had zero experience in the offense and was likely to be the backup center in Seattle, Chris freaking Williams(that's all that needs to be said), a 32 y/o guard who was average at best when he was at his peak at few years ago. I'm baffled at how some think the line is going to be any better. Being the same is the best case scenario, imo, and we all know how that turned out. Jay might as well make arrangements for his burial in advance. Poor *******. :(eta: Spare me the "they've had a whole year to play together so they will be better" argument. No they won't. They suck. Remember? I'm also not taking into account that there will be any injuries. If Omelet gets into the mix, things could be even worse. Who is left? Lance Louis? On the practice squad most of last year. Edwin Williams? also on the practice squad last year. Where are the rest of the linemen? Are there even any left after that?

Add in this tidbit- the Bears offense was the benefactor of great field position compliments of the ST unit. With the new KO rule in place, I just do not see that type of FP advantage coming. I am starting to think that the Bears are going to be lucky to get 5-7 wins this year.

As bad as I trash JA, I think the caliber of the defense alone can get us 8 to 9 wins. However, the odds of winning the division or winning a game in the playoffs seems unlikely. GB will at the very least be as good as last year. Detroit, although I won't be sold on them until they actually start winning, will probably be better. If Jay or Forte do down because of the putrid OL, we're in a world of ####. And all of the breaks we got last year are not going to happen this years. And I also agree about the field position. The league screwed us and took away one of our most potent weapons in Hester. That could change everything.

 

[D.J.]

I agree that the OL will make/break this team. I would still like to see them add Floyd as a contingency in the event that Williams starts to bust. The defense staying healthy is a major MUST HAVE and I would think that Forte and Cutler have got to stay on the field for the entire campaign.

I think Webb and Carimi make or break this team. The middle of the line isn't going to be very good, but if these two can solidify the tackles then things could be okay. If either fails, or is injured, then all bets are off. There is no depth at all as far as I can see. I think they don't have much depth across the board so they cannot afford injuries at almost any position, but I agree that Cutler and Forte have to stay healthy.

A rookie RT with no time to prepare for the season, a 7th round pick at LT who may be average at best but mostly likely below average, a new center to direct the line who has had zero experience in the offense and was likely to be the backup center in Seattle, Chris freaking Williams(that's all that needs to be said), a 32 y/o guard who was average at best when he was at his peak at few years ago. I'm baffled at how some think the line is going to be any better. Being the same is the best case scenario, imo, and we all know how that turned out. Jay might as well make arrangements for his burial in advance. Poor *******. :(eta: Spare me the "they've had a whole year to play together so they will be better" argument. No they won't. They suck. Remember? I'm also not taking into account that there will be any injuries. If Omelet gets into the mix, things could be even worse. Who is left? Lance Louis? On the practice squad most of last year. Edwin Williams? also on the practice squad last year. Where are the rest of the linemen? Are there even any left after that?

Add in this tidbit- the Bears offense was the benefactor of great field position compliments of the ST unit. With the new KO rule in place, I just do not see that type of FP advantage coming. I am starting to think that the Bears are going to be lucky to get 5-7 wins this year.

As bad as I trash JA, I think the caliber of the defense alone can get us 8 to 9 wins. However, the odds of winning the division or winning a game in the playoffs seems unlikely. GB will at the very least be as good as last year. Detroit, although I won't be sold on them until they actually start winning, will probably be better. If Jay or Forte do down because of the putrid OL, we're in a world of ####. And all of the breaks we got last year are not going to happen this years. And I also agree about the field position. The league screwed us and took away one of our most potent weapons in Hester. That could change everything.

Hester rarely returns kickoffs. The new rule won't effect him very much. However, I agree that it hurts the bears, they turn out great kick returners like shanahan turns out great rb. As soon as one moves on, another is there. Knox gets hurt a lot by the new rule

 

[D.J.]

I agree that the OL will make/break this team. I would still like to see them add Floyd as a contingency in the event that Williams starts to bust. The defense staying healthy is a major MUST HAVE and I would think that Forte and Cutler have got to stay on the field for the entire campaign.

I think Webb and Carimi make or break this team. The middle of the line isn't going to be very good, but if these two can solidify the tackles then things could be okay. If either fails, or is injured, then all bets are off. There is no depth at all as far as I can see. I think they don't have much depth across the board so they cannot afford injuries at almost any position, but I agree that Cutler and Forte have to stay healthy.

A rookie RT with no time to prepare for the season, a 7th round pick at LT who may be average at best but mostly likely below average, a new center to direct the line who has had zero experience in the offense and was likely to be the backup center in Seattle, Chris freaking Williams(that's all that needs to be said), a 32 y/o guard who was average at best when he was at his peak at few years ago. I'm baffled at how some think the line is going to be any better. Being the same is the best case scenario, imo, and we all know how that turned out. Jay might as well make arrangements for his burial in advance. Poor *******. :(eta: Spare me the "they've had a whole year to play together so they will be better" argument. No they won't. They suck. Remember? I'm also not taking into account that there will be any injuries. If Omelet gets into the mix, things could be even worse. Who is left? Lance Louis? On the practice squad most of last year. Edwin Williams? also on the practice squad last year. Where are the rest of the linemen? Are there even any left after that?

So the line gets better throughout the year, but gets worse by adding a young high potential tackle and a younger, bigger version of their center? I don't get it.

 

[flapgreen]

Tweet from Michael Wright sounds really promising.

Bears/NFL reporter for ESPNChicago.com

Hey @mikecwright please tell me the Bears are still looking to upgrade the o-line...

@robkral22 They're dragging their feet, I'm told. Couple of OL would really like 2 join Bears, but feel like team stringing them along.

 

[flapgreen]

I agree that the OL will make/break this team. I would still like to see them add Floyd as a contingency in the event that Williams starts to bust. The defense staying healthy is a major MUST HAVE and I would think that Forte and Cutler have got to stay on the field for the entire campaign.

I think Webb and Carimi make or break this team. The middle of the line isn't going to be very good, but if these two can solidify the tackles then things could be okay. If either fails, or is injured, then all bets are off. There is no depth at all as far as I can see. I think they don't have much depth across the board so they cannot afford injuries at almost any position, but I agree that Cutler and Forte have to stay healthy.

A rookie RT with no time to prepare for the season, a 7th round pick at LT who may be average at best but mostly likely below average, a new center to direct the line who has had zero experience in the offense and was likely to be the backup center in Seattle, Chris freaking Williams(that's all that needs to be said), a 32 y/o guard who was average at best when he was at his peak at few years ago. I'm baffled at how some think the line is going to be any better. Being the same is the best case scenario, imo, and we all know how that turned out. Jay might as well make arrangements for his burial in advance. Poor *******. :(eta: Spare me the "they've had a whole year to play together so they will be better" argument. No they won't. They suck. Remember? I'm also not taking into account that there will be any injuries. If Omelet gets into the mix, things could be even worse. Who is left? Lance Louis? On the practice squad most of last year. Edwin Williams? also on the practice squad last year. Where are the rest of the linemen? Are there even any left after that?

So the line gets better throughout the year, but gets worse by adding a young high potential tackle and a younger, bigger version of their center? I don't get it.

I don't want to keep going in circles on this issue. If the line is any more than slightly improved, I'll come back to this and admit I was wrong. However, I think they are going to be every bit as bad as last year, which could spell doom for our already putrid, embarrassing offense. I really hope I'm wrong. I just can't believe the front office hasn't made any moves to improve the line in FA. Replacing the last guy on the line that needed to be replaced this late in the offseason was a horrible decision, even worse than signing Omlete to big money and drafting and sticking with Chris Williams for all of these years. Awful awful decisions. :X

 

[flapgreen]

It means little at this point in the preseason, but apparently Knox has lost his starting job, our leading receiver last year. If they start the season that way, I will laugh my aaaasssss off. Lovie will see Hester through until the end even if it means his job. Lordy...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0807-brite-bears-chicago--20110807,0,7853744.story

 

[flapgreen]

ESPNChiBears Dickerson and Wright

Mike Tice says unless OL falters in preseason, Bears will open up with LT Webb(7th rounder), LG Williams(washed up bum that was never good) C Garza(not a C and moved from his orignial position), RG Louis(practice squad last year) RT Carimi. JD

ZachZaidman Zach Zaidman

Mike Tice says the first unit OL right now will start regular season as is unless they falter in preseason

ZachZaidman Zach Zaidman

Cutler and Garza have a comfort zone right now RT @jusajus: @ZachZaidman Spencer not starting? I don't get that after Kreutz ultimatum.

The line will be so much better this season.

 

[flapgreen]

via Twitter:

Brad Biggs

Good enough for the people making decisions. RT @kick_save_39 @BradBiggs has CWill looked that good?

Mike Tice on his OL: "I'm pleased. I'm pleased."

Mike Tice: "Unless the five starting linemen falter, there's no changes, OK? There's not a competition so don't write that."

Mike Tice: "I think we're light years ahead of where we were at last year."

"He's a great athlete for a big man," said Mike Tice of Chris Williams. "I'm trying to get him to play with more heels in the ground."

Mike Tice on Lance Louis: "He's such an elite pass protector. He was an elite pass protector last year."

 

[Mister Martie]

Calm down, spaz boy.

 

[flapgreen]

Calm down, spaz boy.

It's how I roll.

 

[yoman]

Calm down, spaz boy.

It's how I roll.

Last year I had the Bears pegged for 6 or 7 wins and look what happened. I think it is too early to panic but unfortunately I only see this as a .500 team because I think their offensive line to be average at best. I hope I am wrong and the Tice is right because if they became good I would have them pegged for 10 wins. BTW - I also am hoping that Martz doesn't get Cutler killed with his play calling.

 

[DoubleG]

Per Rotoworld:

Coach Lovie Smith promises that Devin Hester will "be a huge part of the offense" and has named him the Bears' starting flanker.

Hester's role should have been reduced upon the acquisition of Roy Williams, but Bears coaches claim to have more confidence in Hester than Johnny Knox. "[Hester] really was our best receiver last year, even though the numbers didnt show it," said delusional WRs coach Darryl Drake. Knox, who in reality was the Bears' top wideout a year ago, has been reduced to a backup split end role behind Roy Williams. Williams is the best bet for fantasy value of the trio. Slot receiver Earl Bennett is now the favorite to lead the Bears in catches.

I agree with the use of the word "delusional" - except it should really not be limited to the WR coach. The entire coaching staff should be included. Even when Angelo gets them mediocre/poor pieces, they put them in the wrong places. Jimminy Christmas. If it weren't for an amazing defense and special teams, this team would be 4-12 or worse. Cutler might even be improving - but they refuse to give him an O-line that can protect or receivers (or even play the mediocre ones they've got in the right spots with the right frequency.) They trade a decent TE who was one of Cutler's favorit targets in the red zone, thus making it even easier for defenses to take away the other mediocre talent at WR. Brilliant.When Bennet will likely see the ball in his hands more than Knox, Hester or Roy Williams, that is just bad design. If that does in fact happen, someone if not the entire coaching staff should lose their jobs. "Let's make sure the player least capable of breaking a big play touches the ball the MOST!" Seriously??

:(





Idiots. Someone please make them stop talking. At least if they don't speak, people just assume they're stupid. Then they go and say stuff like that, and remove all doubt. And they get paid for this $*#@!

 

[flapgreen]

"Delusional" is putting it lightly. Not willing to admit their wrong with Chris Williams and Hester will be the downfall of this team. Ego can ruin any franchise, and it's headed in that direction with the Bears. If Cutler gets a bad injury, this team is through for years, and management will only have themselves to blame.

 

[Clifford]

I think the Bears are actually participating in some bizarre experiment that's attempting to prove that talent and coaching/management are totally unnecessary to have a winning record.

Granting Hester a starting WR spot has not worked for how long? Isn't this the fourth year in a row? Or longer?

Then making some completely arbitrary decision that Knox and Roy have to compete for the same position...and just annointing Bennet the slot guy...if anything the rotoworld blurb is too nice and generous.

It's like you could just imagine the worst possible way to manage a team and know exactly what the Bears are going to do.

What's smart: keeping the glue of your troubled offensive line for one more year, or saving $500k off your salary books?

it's painful to follow them. Honestly, I really would like nothing better for them to go 0-16 this year and finally necessitate a total house-cleaning: new GM, new HC, and all new OCs and offensive coaches. Tice and Marinelli along with the players (none from the offensive side of the ball save Cutler and Forte) are the only things I want to remain after this year.

 

[Clifford]

It means little at this point in the preseason, but apparently Knox has lost his starting job, our leading receiver last year. If they start the season that way, I will laugh my aaaasssss off. Lovie will see Hester through until the end even if it means his job. Lordy... http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0807-brite-bears-chicago--20110807,0,7853744.story

"Rex is our starting quarterback""Devin is a great receiver"Even the same number of words.

 

[geoff8695]

While the offensive line is a HUGE concern yet again in 2011, Bennett's the one receiver I trust in this offense, and he has a certain familiarity and trust with Cutler. IMO Bennett out of the slot, will go over the middle, convert 1st downs, and make some of the tough catches, picking up a good bit of Olsen's slack in this offense.

The biggest skill position issue is a lack of a true #1 stud WR with a "my ball" mentality. Roy is a decent #2, but I don't see a true #1 anywhere on this roster. Wish they would have gone hard after Sidney Rice, as that would have been a perfect fit...

 

[3nOut]

I wouldn't consider anyone that uses the word 'delusional' as a credible journalistic source.

 

[Clifford]

I wouldn't consider any journalist covering the bears who didn't have occasion to use the word delusional to be covering the bears.

 

[tenaka]

Gee I guess if someone has a different opinion then the football masters they are a meatball that ties emotion to irrational behavior. Maybe we should all just take a cue from the Sox and be "all in". After all, the great Lovie Smith, the even greater jumpin Jerry Angelo, the suddenly greater than ever Mike Tice and Mike Martz have just sent shock waves around the NFL. Not to worry Bear fans- all is well in the hands of the football masters and they sure have proven to me that they can dominate the NFL.

I dont think anyone is saying that the line is going to be great or that the offense is going to be top 5. But to ignore the improvements the offense made the second half of last year and to ignore that they are in the second year of the system and to assume they will be horrible is pretty pessimistic. Also, I'm not a huge angelo fan, but the bears ate traditionally a pretty good team.

They really aren't in the second year of a system though. The Martz system lasted 4 weeks then Lovie took Martz out behind the woodshed. We were passing around 2/3 of the time early in the season. By the end of the year we were among the teams that ran the most often. We went back to the Turner offensive mold with a hint of Martz (by actually having things like motion).And we also got lucky. A lot. Lions game end, and a lot of games just happened to be against teams that had a star or two out injured while we were really healthy.

 

[flapgreen]

In reference to Kelvin Hayden:

"I know quite a bit about him. He's a good football player," coach Lovie Smith said. "We're kind of in the informal stages, just really kind of finding out what we can about him and seeing where he is."

Informal stages? What does that even mean, Lovie? It's almost the start of preseason.

 

[flapgreen]

For the very few of you who think the offensive line started "jelling" during the 2nd half of last season, that's absolute . The offense allowed 24 sacks during the second half of the season and 32 during the first half, 10 of which came in one game. How is that improved? The 24 sacks allowed was still on pace for the most sacks allowed during the season, and that's with running and passing at a 50/50 ratio. The offensive line didn't improve for ####. The opposing defenses just had fewer chances to sack the qb. The only thing that changed was the play calling, not the protection. I'd love to be at a Bears conference and through that crap at Lovie and Tice when they started that nonsense about the line "jelling" and the pass protection improving as the year went along. Gimme a break guys. You're not fooling anyone with your bs...well maybe a few of them.

 

[Sweetcan]

For the very few of you who think the offensive line started "jelling" during the 2nd half of last season, that's absolute . The offense allowed 24 sacks during the second half of the season and 32 during the first half, 10 of which came in one game. How is that improved? The 24 sacks allowed was still on pace for the most sacks allowed during the season, and that's with running and passing at a 50/50 ratio. The offensive line didn't improve for ####. The opposing defenses just had fewer chances to sack the qb. The only thing that changed was the play calling, not the protection. I'd love to be at a Bears conference and through that crap at Lovie and Tice when they started that nonsense about the line "jelling" and the pass protection improving as the year went along. Gimme a break guys. You're not fooling anyone with your bs...well maybe a few of them.

For the very few of you who think the offensive line started "jelling" during the 2nd half of last season, that's absolute . The offense allowed 24 sacks during the second half of the season and 32 during the first half, 10 of which came in one game. How is that improved?

24 is smaller number than 31........looks like an improvement to me

 

[DoubleG]

For the very few of you who think the offensive line started "jelling" during the 2nd half of last season, that's absolute . The offense allowed 24 sacks during the second half of the season and 32 during the first half, 10 of which came in one game. How is that improved? The 24 sacks allowed was still on pace for the most sacks allowed during the season, and that's with running and passing at a 50/50 ratio. The offensive line didn't improve for ####. The opposing defenses just had fewer chances to sack the qb. The only thing that changed was the play calling, not the protection. I'd love to be at a Bears conference and through that crap at Lovie and Tice when they started that nonsense about the line "jelling" and the pass protection improving as the year went along. Gimme a break guys. You're not fooling anyone with your bs...well maybe a few of them.

For the very few of you who think the offensive line started "jelling" during the 2nd half of last season, that's absolute . The offense allowed 24 sacks during the second half of the season and 32 during the first half, 10 of which came in one game. How is that improved?

24 is smaller number than 31........looks like an improvement to me

True. But the play calling in the sceond half of the season also changed. The runass ratio was much closer after the bye (in which some people rumored that Mike Tice basically "strongly convinced" Martz that he needed to run the ball more). I am too lazy to look at "sacks per dropback" for both parts of the season. While they may show a small improvement, I don't think it's as huge as some people might think. My point is, that the drop in sacks in the second part of the year was not necessarily indicitive of offensive line improvement, merely the team (Martz) learning to play to its strengths and not expose its weaknesses.

I think if the Bears don't make the playoffs this season, the entire coaching staff and especially Angelo need to go (an exception for Tice, whose ability to make chicken salad out of what they gave him last year in the Martz offense - and an exception for Marinelli, whose defense looked every bit as good as expected if not better). Otherwise, fire them all.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

This is easily the most depressing thread on the internet. Yes, the Bears do some dumb things and don't spend money to compete like they should, but do any of you ever really think that whining about it on a message board is going to do any good at all? I've got some of you on ignore, as all you ever do is whine, and as a Bears fan that's just sad. It would really be nice if there was a small corner of the interwebs where Bears fans could talk about the team, without having to sift through 30 straight postings from some 40 year old guy somewhere who thinks he is an expert, and all he can do is whine about what the Bears are doing. Stop professing to be a fan, and go like the Patriots, or something. They're obviously geniuses in everything they do, so you shouldn't have to worry about dumb moves being made.