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

[flapgreen]

ChrisHarrisNFL via twitter

I must say we had a 2x pro bowler and all pro safety running scout team defense today. Offense got a helluva look today #BelieveDat

MikecWright via twitter

What's funny 2 me is they're benching Meriweather, a guy they're paying MORE than they even OFFERED Danieal Manning. Go figure.

According 2 source, Bears sat down Chris Harris and B Meriweather on Thursday morning 2 inform them they're going diff direction at S.

This team is lost at sea and the entire thing should be blown up. Between the handling of the defense and offense this year, the entire thing should be blown up.

 

[flapgreen]

To quote Jerkin Jerry from the beginning of the season, "I'm in the solutions business!!!!!" What problems are you trying the solve, JA? Because it's not the ones involving the Chicago Bears. It's falling apart like most everyone knew it would. Everyone saw it coming. And it's finally arrived. Good luck!

 

[sho nuff]

Ugh...thanks Lovie.

-signed, Bears D owner.

 

[DoubleG]

Just one question: Given their horrid WRs, why in the holy heck haven't the Bears been at the front of the Brandon Lloyd conversation???!?!?!?!

Wait, lemme guess...."Devin is our WR"

IDOITS!

 

[flapgreen]

Aromashodu starting to contribute in Minny. Lloyd blowing up last year in Denver. Olsen quickly becoming one of the top tight ends in the league. The Bears ditching Olsen while all of the top teams are now using big pass catching tight ends. Sounds about right.

 

[Power Monster]

A win here is just another fool's gold type game as I see Mcnabb continue to struggle but the Vikings defense is going to get at Cutler again and I just do not know how much more punishment this guy can take. This game will fall on the defense and their ability to try to stop Peterson. Everyone knows that he will be churning out the carries. All signs point to a defensive unit that is looking old and tired. The secondary is small and the linebackers are trying to hold it together but with Peppers out I think that you will see them wear ing down and Peterson should eventually exhert his skills and then the bottom will compltely fall out.

A loss at home to the Vikings is the last thing this team needs but it will prove that Jumpin Jerry just destroyed this team by destroying draft after draft. I always make mention that the Bears are the Chicago Cubs of the NFL and I maintain that point- the fans will come and spend and spend but they will get a lame effort from the brain trust and this year it is clearly showing. A bad scenario here would be the Bears losing and TB winning at home (a tall order) to set up the London trip. They need to beat the Vikings and TB to get to the bye week.

 

[Power Monster]

A nice win by the team and a very good team win. All in all, they made it to the bye week by taking care of teams that they should beat. Forte continues to play solid football and the defense has really stepped it up.

 

[flapgreen]

Chris Harris just released. #### you, JA. #### YOU!

 

[flapgreen]

A nice win by the team and a very good team win. All in all, they made it to the bye week by taking care of teams that they should beat. Forte continues to play solid football and the defense has really stepped it up.

Definitely.

 

[D.J.]

Chris Harris just released. #### you, JA. #### YOU!

What has chris harris done this year, besides get burned? Maybe angelo isnt a stupid as you think...the bears are 4-3 having lost to the packers, saints, and the lions. packers are almost universally recognized as the best team in the league, saints are top 5, lions are pretty damn good. They beat 2 teams with winning records and 2 teams that are underperforming (they are actually playing better than their records indicate). I scratch my.head at his decisions and I know universally everyone thinks angelo hasnt made a good decision in years but hell, they have looked pretty good the last couple of weeks. The oline is playing pretty decent, the defense looks good until they let up, the passing game has shown some life. I have said all along that the bears are a good team, not great, and that most of the people in this thread have been overreacting to how bad they are. but I'm surprised that it is still so prevelant. The team is looking like they could contend for a playoff spot.

 

[yoman]

Maybe angelo isnt a stupid as you think...

This is one of the funniest thing I have ever read in a long time Actually I think maybe the coaches are a little better than most people think. Imagine what they could do if they actually had a GM who could bring talented players into the organization and an offensive coordinator who wasn't living in the past? I think Lovie is a below average game day coach (bad on challenges and doesn't call out the assistants) but the players love to play for him and there is a lot to be said for that in the current NFL climate. Angelo's mistakes have been discuss in this thread ad nauseam so I don't need to rehash everything but to me Angelo is the biggest problem for the Bears right now. I am not too worried about releasing Harris but I question his other decision.

 

[D.J.]

Maybe angelo isnt a stupid as you think...

This is one of the funniest thing I have ever read in a long time Actually I think maybe the coaches are a little better than most people think. Imagine what they could do if they actually had a GM who could bring talented players into the organization and an offensive coordinator who wasn't living in the past? I think Lovie is a below average game day coach (bad on challenges and doesn't call out the assistants) but the players love to play for him and there is a lot to be said for that in the current NFL climate. Angelo's mistakes have been discuss in this thread ad nauseam so I don't need to rehash everything but to me Angelo is the biggest problem for the Bears right now. I am not too worried about releasing Harris but I question his other decision.

Maybe I'm off base, but when you task someone to create a successful team and they deliver a super bowl appearance and an nfc champipnship appearance with several winning seasons (above .500) in the last 7 or 8 years when many of the people with.the.same.job havent even.made the playoffs in that timeframe, I think its worth considering that, while I may not agree with everything you do, you may not be completely inept. You basically said that angelo sucks, martz sucks, and lovie is only good monday through saturday when sunday is the time that he is scheduled to earn his paycheck. Something is working, right? They have done pretty well since the lovie/angelo era began. I definately scratch my head regularly at angelo's moves, but damn, the point is to win football games...

 

[flapgreen]

I stand corrected on the release of Harris. We filled a huge need by picking up the Rams 7th round lb off of waivers, more than adequate trade off for an All-Pro safety. Finally, the Bears make a good decision.

 

[yoman]

Maybe angelo isnt a stupid as you think...

This is one of the funniest thing I have ever read in a long time Actually I think maybe the coaches are a little better than most people think. Imagine what they could do if they actually had a GM who could bring talented players into the organization and an offensive coordinator who wasn't living in the past? I think Lovie is a below average game day coach (bad on challenges and doesn't call out the assistants) but the players love to play for him and there is a lot to be said for that in the current NFL climate. Angelo's mistakes have been discuss in this thread ad nauseam so I don't need to rehash everything but to me Angelo is the biggest problem for the Bears right now. I am not too worried about releasing Harris but I question his other decision.

Maybe I'm off base, but when you task someone to create a successful team and they deliver a super bowl appearance and an nfc champipnship appearance with several winning seasons (above .500) in the last 7 or 8 years when many of the people with.the.same.job havent even.made the playoffs in that timeframe, I think its worth considering that, while I may not agree with everything you do, you may not be completely inept. You basically said that angelo sucks, martz sucks, and lovie is only good monday through saturday when sunday is the time that he is scheduled to earn his paycheck. Something is working, right? They have done pretty well since the lovie/angelo era began. I definately scratch my head regularly at angelo's moves, but damn, the point is to win football games...

I guess I have higher expectations than you because I don't consider last season a huge success. I think they were a good team that had a lot of good breaks go there way but I never really considered them a serious super bowl contender and was on record as saying the Packers would beat them in the NFC Championship game. The lack of injuries last year kept Angelo from being exposed for his lack of building any depth on that team. Great teams have depth and most of their players are built via the draft. As for Lovie, being good Monday through Saturday can be as important as being a good coach on game days. I was actually giving credit to Lovie even though as I mentioned he is horrible at challenges and he was too loyal to some pathetic offensive coordinators that formerly worked under him. I think the players love to play for him which makes up for a ton of Angelo's sins as well as his game day sins. Besides Angelo's immediate family and possibly a couple of McCaskey's I think you might be his only fan. Most of Angelo's Super Bowl team players were drafted before he arrived. He actually did a nice job of filling in some holes with free agents at that time. I think Forte, Tillman, and Briggs have been his best draft choices but look at how many misses he has. Until this year Angelo has ignored the offensive line and he hasn't yet found a #1 wr. I will wait to grade him on the last 2 drafts because as a rule of thumb you should give three years before deciding the success or failure of a draft but I will speak about his past failures. I think there are only about 15 players from 2010 and earlier that are on the roster because most of his drafts choices were terrible. I will give Angelo credit for making the Cutler deal happen but I want him gone. Here is a list of the players that are still on the team that he drafted and you be the judge. The main thing you have to remember is that very few are still with the team. 2010: Wright, Wootton, Webb2009: Melton, Moore, Louis2008: Williams, Forte, Bennett, Bowman, Davis (I wish they kept Olsen instead who I thought was better good pick)2007: Graham (Olsen)2006: Hester (Manning)2005: Nobody is on the team (Benson, Orton, Chris Harris)2004: Nobody is on the team but this draft was decent (Tommie Harris, Tank Johnson, Berrian, Vasher)2003: Tillman, Briggs (Grossman, Haynes)As for Martz - do you really want to debate whether he is a good offensive coordinator right now? I think he is a good offensive mind but he needs to be reeled in by Lovie and Tice because he is a quarterback killer. He was too stubborn last year to change his ways until Lovie spoke to him and I think the same thing had to happen again this year. I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree but that's my $.02. I am actually excited about the Bears this year and hope they can come back and make the playoffs. Even if they do it is not going to change my opinion on Angelo because I think we can do much better.

 

[D.J.]

Maybe angelo isnt a stupid as you think...

This is one of the funniest thing I have ever read in a long time Actually I think maybe the coaches are a little better than most people think. Imagine what they could do if they actually had a GM who could bring talented players into the organization and an offensive coordinator who wasn't living in the past? I think Lovie is a below average game day coach (bad on challenges and doesn't call out the assistants) but the players love to play for him and there is a lot to be said for that in the current NFL climate. Angelo's mistakes have been discuss in this thread ad nauseam so I don't need to rehash everything but to me Angelo is the biggest problem for the Bears right now. I am not too worried about releasing Harris but I question his other decision.

Maybe I'm off base, but when you task someone to create a successful team and they deliver a super bowl appearance and an nfc champipnship appearance with several winning seasons (above .500) in the last 7 or 8 years when many of the people with.the.same.job havent even.made the playoffs in that timeframe, I think its worth considering that, while I may not agree with everything you do, you may not be completely inept. You basically said that angelo sucks, martz sucks, and lovie is only good monday through saturday when sunday is the time that he is scheduled to earn his paycheck. Something is working, right? They have done pretty well since the lovie/angelo era began. I definately scratch my head regularly at angelo's moves, but damn, the point is to win football games...

I guess I have higher expectations than you because I don't consider last season a huge success. I think they were a good team that had a lot of good breaks go there way but I never really considered them a serious super bowl contender and was on record as saying the Packers would beat them in the NFC Championship game. The lack of injuries last year kept Angelo from being exposed for his lack of building any depth on that team. Great teams have depth and most of their players are built via the draft. As for Lovie, being good Monday through Saturday can be as important as being a good coach on game days. I was actually giving credit to Lovie even though as I mentioned he is horrible at challenges and he was too loyal to some pathetic offensive coordinators that formerly worked under him. I think the players love to play for him which makes up for a ton of Angelo's sins as well as his game day sins. Besides Angelo's immediate family and possibly a couple of McCaskey's I think you might be his only fan. Most of Angelo's Super Bowl team players were drafted before he arrived. He actually did a nice job of filling in some holes with free agents at that time. I think Forte, Tillman, and Briggs have been his best draft choices but look at how many misses he has. Until this year Angelo has ignored the offensive line and he hasn't yet found a #1 wr. I will wait to grade him on the last 2 drafts because as a rule of thumb you should give three years before deciding the success or failure of a draft but I will speak about his past failures. I think there are only about 15 players from 2010 and earlier that are on the roster because most of his drafts choices were terrible. I will give Angelo credit for making the Cutler deal happen but I want him gone. Here is a list of the players that are still on the team that he drafted and you be the judge. The main thing you have to remember is that very few are still with the team. 2010: Wright, Wootton, Webb2009: Melton, Moore, Louis2008: Williams, Forte, Bennett, Bowman, Davis (I wish they kept Olsen instead who I thought was better good pick)2007: Graham (Olsen)2006: Hester (Manning)2005: Nobody is on the team (Benson, Orton, Chris Harris)2004: Nobody is on the team but this draft was decent (Tommie Harris, Tank Johnson, Berrian, Vasher)2003: Tillman, Briggs (Grossman, Haynes)As for Martz - do you really want to debate whether he is a good offensive coordinator right now? I think he is a good offensive mind but he needs to be reeled in by Lovie and Tice because he is a quarterback killer. He was too stubborn last year to change his ways until Lovie spoke to him and I think the same thing had to happen again this year. I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree but that's my $.02. I am actually excited about the Bears this year and hope they can come back and make the playoffs. Even if they do it is not going to change my opinion on Angelo because I think we can do much better.

dont get me wrong, I'm not a big angelo fan. My point is that I think he gets ripped for beong horrible, but the team is consistently competiitve. in a league like the nfl, making the playoffs is generally considered a succesful season. saying that you habe higher standards is fine, and I would much rather see the bears win a super bowl than lose in the confernece championship game. And I'm not saying that they shouldnt be dissapointed in not getting the super bowl , I'm just saying that maybe they arent as bad as everyone says thet are. I try not to get too high or low about the front office because I realize how much goes on that we dont see. For example, we dont really know how hard they tried to sign more quality linemen this offseason. As far as wr goes, there wasnt much out there this year. Sidney rice was probably the best, but he had injury questions and hasnt exactly proved to be able to be a true #1. This thread was full of people screaming for the bears to sign SOMEONE at wr. Mike Sims-Walker was one that came up a lot. Now, it looks like.not signing him was a good idea. As far as drafting a wr, I certainly dont understand why we arent adding.more in the draft, but really, who was out there? Green and julio were gone long before the bears picked. They took carimi in the 1st, I think a.bigger need than wr. Who was available in the late 2nd that is really better than knox/hester/bennett/roy? They arent grest, but there were maybe only 3 guys in the draft that would have been better. Its easy to rip angelo for not making the team better, but its more difficult to find a solution.As far as injuries go, this year seems to be handing out a lot of injuries for the bears and they appear to be responding well. Luck plays a role in every good team in this league.So, again, not an.angelo lover. I think he has.made a lot of.dumb moves. But, I also think you have to look at the results and think "well, maybe he isnt as bad as it appears?" Or maybe the bears have just gotten lucky a lot in the past 8 years. I just dont see lightning striking that much for.one team.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

I stand corrected on the release of Harris. We filled a huge need by picking up the Rams 7th round lb off of waivers, more than adequate trade off for an All-Pro safety. Finally, the Bears make a good decision.

This highlights just how clueless you are. He has been burned at least 3 times this year on national television. Are you blind? Add in approaching locker room cancer status, and you have a player that definitely needed to be cut. It's addition by subtraction. Meriwether sucks as well, and I wouldn't cry if he hit waivers, as well.

 

[D.J.]

I stand corrected on the release of Harris. We filled a huge need by picking up the Rams 7th round lb off of waivers, more than adequate trade off for an All-Pro safety. Finally, the Bears make a good decision.

This highlights just how clueless you are. He has been burned at least 3 times this year on national television. Are you blind? Add in approaching locker room cancer status, and you have a player that definitely needed to be cut. It's addition by subtraction. Meriwether sucks as well, and I wouldn't cry if he hit waivers, as well.

Yeah, by flapgreen's logic, we should still have orlando pace playing. He used to be an all-pro, so we should keep him. What he did last year doesnt matter that much if he cant perform this year. I'm sure that lovie's distaste for players that spend a lot of time in the spotlight (twitter) had a lot to do with this. he just wasnt playing well enough to convince lovie to deal with his social tendencies, right or wrong.

 

[yoman]

I stand corrected on the release of Harris. We filled a huge need by picking up the Rams 7th round lb off of waivers, more than adequate trade off for an All-Pro safety. Finally, the Bears make a good decision.

This highlights just how clueless you are. He has been burned at least 3 times this year on national television. Are you blind? Add in approaching locker room cancer status, and you have a player that definitely needed to be cut. It's addition by subtraction. Meriwether sucks as well, and I wouldn't cry if he hit waivers, as well.

Yeah, by flapgreen's logic, we should still have orlando pace playing. He used to be an all-pro, so we should keep him. What he did last year doesnt matter that much if he cant perform this year. I'm sure that lovie's distaste for players that spend a lot of time in the spotlight (twitter) had a lot to do with this. he just wasnt playing well enough to convince lovie to deal with his social tendencies, right or wrong.

I agree and was fine with them letting Harris go. All-Pro safety . If the top 30 starting safeties in the NFC got injured he might be considered an all-pro player.

 

[yoman]

dont get me wrong, I'm not a big angelo fan. My point is that I think he gets ripped for beong horrible, but the team is consistently competiitve. in a league like the nfl, making the playoffs is generally considered a succesful season. saying that you habe higher standards is fine, and I would much rather see the bears win a super bowl than lose in the confernece championship game. And I'm not saying that they shouldnt be dissapointed in not getting the super bowl , I'm just saying that maybe they arent as bad as everyone says thet are. I try not to get too high or low about the front office because I realize how much goes on that we dont see. For example, we dont really know how hard they tried to sign more quality linemen this offseason. As far as wr goes, there wasnt much out there this year. Sidney rice was probably the best, but he had injury questions and hasnt exactly proved to be able to be a true #1. This thread was full of people screaming for the bears to sign SOMEONE at wr. Mike Sims-Walker was one that came up a lot. Now, it looks like.not signing him was a good idea. As far as drafting a wr, I certainly dont understand why we arent adding.more in the draft, but really, who was out there? Green and julio were gone long before the bears picked. They took carimi in the 1st, I think a.bigger need than wr. Who was available in the late 2nd that is really better than knox/hester/bennett/roy? They arent grest, but there were maybe only 3 guys in the draft that would have been better. Its easy to rip angelo for not making the team better, but its more difficult to find a solution.As far as injuries go, this year seems to be handing out a lot of injuries for the bears and they appear to be responding well. Luck plays a role in every good team in this league.So, again, not an.angelo lover. I think he has.made a lot of.dumb moves. But, I also think you have to look at the results and think "well, maybe he isnt as bad as it appears?" Or maybe the bears have just gotten lucky a lot in the past 8 years. I just dont see lightning striking that much for.one team.

I agree that the Bears are not as bad as some people make them out to be. There are a lot of posters on this site who freak out over every single move they make. If you say Angelo has been mediocre is it good enough? I guess you can take some solace that he has done a better job than some of the league doormats. I personally think the Bears should aspire to be more like the Patriots, Steelers and Packers. I know that is elite company but that is what every team should strive to be. I think teams like the Giants, Saints, Chargers, Jets, Ravens and Eagles (struggling this year but historically good) are closer to being those type of organizations than the Bears. Even if you think Angelo ranks in the 10-15 range for GMs it is not good enough IMHO. I was hoping Angelo would try to feel out the Chargers about what it would take to get Vincent Jackson. I was not enamored with this year's crop of free agent WRs and didn't have a problem with them not breaking the bank on Rice because of his injury history. If we could have slightly overpaid for him I would be okay with him. I liked Holmes but the Jets seemed to hold all the cards and he has been an underachiever this year. There was an article in the Tribune that Steve Smith might be available in a trade which I thought would have been ideal but I don't know if Angelo pursued this. I feel we actually got lucky with Kruetz turning them down because he has been mediocre at best 2 of the last 3 years and it was time to move on. I think Mike Tice is working miracles with their offensive line. As for Angelo's results. Angelo did do a nice job in drafting many of the defensive starters on the superbowl team. He overcame his offensive player drafting deficiencies by signing a bunch of free agents. I don't think he has ever drafted an all-pro on the offensive side of the ball. Last year's team was lacking on the offensive side of the ball. Chester Taylor and that TE from the Chargers (Drawing a blank on his name) were 2 of his worst free agent acquisitions. He neglected the line and the offensive coordinator called plays the first half of the season as if he had Orlando Pace in his prime and Cutler had Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt to throw to. He made up for his defensive deficiencies by paying Julius Peppers more money than any other team in the NFL. The Bears had not depth and could not have withstood injuries like the top teams Green Bay and the Steelers could. Is Angelo the worst GM? Probably not but I think we can do much better. Obviously we could also do worse but I think we should try to raid one of the top organizations for their top football minds. I don't know if it is possible to do what the Cubs are attempting to do in baseball but I would love to see the Bears go after the top minds in the NFL.

 

[flapgreen]

I stand corrected on the release of Harris. We filled a huge need by picking up the Rams 7th round lb off of waivers, more than adequate trade off for an All-Pro safety. Finally, the Bears make a good decision.

This highlights just how clueless you are. He has been burned at least 3 times this year on national television. Are you blind? Add in approaching locker room cancer status, and you have a player that definitely needed to be cut. It's addition by subtraction. Meriwether sucks as well, and I wouldn't cry if he hit waivers, as well.

Lockerroom cancer? Chris Harris?

 

[flapgreen]

I stand corrected on the release of Harris. We filled a huge need by picking up the Rams 7th round lb off of waivers, more than adequate trade off for an All-Pro safety. Finally, the Bears make a good decision.

This highlights just how clueless you are. He has been burned at least 3 times this year on national television. Are you blind? Add in approaching locker room cancer status, and you have a player that definitely needed to be cut. It's addition by subtraction. Meriwether sucks as well, and I wouldn't cry if he hit waivers, as well.

Yeah, by flapgreen's logic, we should still have orlando pace playing. He used to be an all-pro, so we should keep him. What he did last year doesnt matter that much if he cant perform this year. I'm sure that lovie's distaste for players that spend a lot of time in the spotlight (twitter) had a lot to do with this. he just wasnt playing well enough to convince lovie to deal with his social tendencies, right or wrong.

That's a perfect comparison. I'm clueless!!11!!1

 

[flapgreen]

I stand corrected on the release of Harris. We filled a huge need by picking up the Rams 7th round lb off of waivers, more than adequate trade off for an All-Pro safety. Finally, the Bears make a good decision.

This highlights just how clueless you are. He has been burned at least 3 times this year on national television. Are you blind? Add in approaching locker room cancer status, and you have a player that definitely needed to be cut. It's addition by subtraction. Meriwether sucks as well, and I wouldn't cry if he hit waivers, as well.

Yeah, by flapgreen's logic, we should still have orlando pace playing. He used to be an all-pro, so we should keep him. What he did last year doesnt matter that much if he cant perform this year. I'm sure that lovie's distaste for players that spend a lot of time in the spotlight (twitter) had a lot to do with this. he just wasnt playing well enough to convince lovie to deal with his social tendencies, right or wrong.

I agree and was fine with them letting Harris go. All-Pro safety . If the top 30 starting safeties in the NFC got injured he might be considered an all-pro player.

I guess you were on vacation last year when he was 2nd team All-Pro. They allow 30 safeties om the 1st team now? This is borderline ridiculous now. Enjoy yo selves.

 

[D.J.]

I appreciate your views, yoman, and agree completely. Angelo is no more than ok and I agree that the bears could do much better. I guess my point through all of this was to point out that the bears, and angelo specifically, arent bad like, say, matt millen was bad. I think most people look at the bears and say "they dont have a wr1 and their oline stinks, they need to get a stud wr and completely revamp the line." And think that it is that easy. When in reality, there cant replace an entire oline at once and there just havent been many quality recievers available which really drove up the prices of the pretty good recievers.

So, I'm not "satisfied" with a super bowl and conference championship game appearance in 8 years, but I'm also not ashamed of the team. There is a middle ground where.you can say "the team isnt great, but they win some games and keep things.competitive. I'd like to see several things.improve, but I'm not completely disappointed in watching them."

The bears are consistenly in the top half of the league, which is a tough task in the current nfl. I would love to see them enter that next level where the steelers are, but keep in mind that most of the teams you mentioned have had some pretty low lows in the past 20 years. Before brady came along, the patriots were hardly considered a dynasty, the early 90s were not great for the packers. My point there is really just that all teams have ebs and flows in the nfl. As you pointed out though, those franchises are run very well and the ebs are much shorter than those of poorly run teams. I think it would be great for a strong football mind to take over the bears so that they would put together a more solid front office

 

[yoman]

I appreciate your views, yoman, and agree completely. Angelo is no more than ok and I agree that the bears could do much better. I guess my point through all of this was to point out that the bears, and angelo specifically, arent bad like, say, matt millen was bad. I think most people look at the bears and say "they dont have a wr1 and their oline stinks, they need to get a stud wr and completely revamp the line." And think that it is that easy. When in reality, there cant replace an entire oline at once and there just havent been many quality recievers available which really drove up the prices of the pretty good recievers. So, I'm not "satisfied" with a super bowl and conference championship game appearance in 8 years, but I'm also not ashamed of the team. There is a middle ground where.you can say "the team isnt great, but they win some games and keep things.competitive. I'd like to see several things.improve, but I'm not completely disappointed in watching them."The bears are consistenly in the top half of the league, which is a tough task in the current nfl. I would love to see them enter that next level where the steelers are, but keep in mind that most of the teams you mentioned have had some pretty low lows in the past 20 years. Before brady came along, the patriots were hardly considered a dynasty, the early 90s were not great for the packers. My point there is really just that all teams have ebs and flows in the nfl. As you pointed out though, those franchises are run very well and the ebs are much shorter than those of poorly run teams. I think it would be great for a strong football mind to take over the bears so that they would put together a more solid front office

It sounds like we mostly agree on everything. Obviously I don't think Angelo is Matt Millen bad but I think we can do better and I am a little envious of how some other franchises are run from the bottom to the top. I do agree that you can't fix everything at once but I do feel that Angelo has neglected certain areas for years - specifically the offensive line. I was happy with the Carimi pick this year and hope they pick another offensive lineman in one of the first 3 rounds next year to try to build some strength as well as some depth.

 

[flapgreen]

Signed by the Lions. Apparently, they don't think he sucks. Good luck, Hitman. You're a true Chicago Bear. I hate that it had to end this way.

 

[3nOut]

Signed by the Lions. Apparently, they don't think he sucks. Good luck, Hitman. You're a true Chicago Bear. I hate that it had to end this way.

The Saints didn't think Kreutz sucked either.

 

[yoman]

Signed by the Lions. Apparently, they don't think he sucks. Good luck, Hitman. You're a true Chicago Bear. I hate that it had to end this way.

The Saints didn't think Kreutz sucked either.

I see a Superbowl for the Lions now I too like Harris but he was awful this season and he was obviously not happy which could have affected his play. It's time to see what the kids can do because Harris wasn't the answer this year.

 

[D.J.]

Signed by the Lions. Apparently, they don't think he sucks. Good luck, Hitman. You're a true Chicago Bear. I hate that it had to end this way.

The Saints didn't think Kreutz sucked either.

I see a Superbowl for the Lions now I too like Harris but he was awful this season and he was obviously not happy which could have affected his play. It's time to see what the kids can do because Harris wasn't the answer this year.

Yeah, they signed him to backup speivey, didnt they? It sounds like they mostly picked him up to get inside the bears defensive mind. Which seems to be a trend when a.big divisional games is.coming up. Like it or not, the next time the bears/lions play in 2 weeks could be a huge game in determining the nfc wildcard.

 

[CutlerToCutler]

The Forte situation is turning into a mess like most expected it would. Good plan, Angelo. Alienate the best and most classy player on your team. Now, bring on the usual suspects to defend Bears management.

 

[yoman]

The Forte situation is turning into a mess like most expected it would. Good plan, Angelo. Alienate the best and most classy player on your team. Now, bring on the usual suspects to defend Bears management.

I am not going to defend Bears management but how much money would you guarantee for Forte? After watching CJ and Deangelo Williams they might be a bit hesitant to pay him ungodly amounts of money. Is 17 Mil guaranteed enough or is that an insult? If he rejects that much money is it still Angelos fault? I want to see him signed but it is sometimes hard to skew the lines between a players worth and greed. Supposedly they offered him something like 12 Mil guaranteed and he wants somewhere around 22 Mil which is why I purposely chose the $17 mil figure. I don't like Angelo and think he could help diffuse the situation a little if he had someone helping him with PR. I really hope Angelo is gone at the end of the year! If the Bears franchise Forte I think he will make $8 mil per year for those 2 years. If Angelo offered him 17 Mil guaranteed I would start shifting some of the onus to the player. That's my $.02.

 

[SWC]

matt forte is a beast and anyone in the nfl would sign him if they could but the bears will probably franchise tag him and then he will just be mad so he should probably pull a peyton my purse arm hurts hillis and fake it out until angelo shows him the quan but hes better then that so he will play hard and tough and keep running past defenders on his way to takeing it to the bank baby

 

[D.J.]

The Forte situation is turning into a mess like most expected it would. Good plan, Angelo. Alienate the best and most classy player on your team. Now, bring on the usual suspects to defend Bears management.

Your thinking like a fan. If angelo signs forte for 5 years $20 mil and forte stats playing like chris johnson, you will crucify aneglo for a stupid signing. The fact is, we dont know either sides' position. How can you blame either side when you dont know who is demanding what? At what point should the bears not pay forte? Maybe forte's demands are over that number? I dont know who's wrong, I hope they figure it out because forte is a great player. But not at all costs, especially since they can franchise him twice. Making a statement about angelo defenders seems pretty petty since I'm perhaps the only one who has defended him and I have said repeatedly that I dont really like him, I just think hes not as bad as most here make him out to be.

 

[Limp Ditka]

So don't get this team. I know they've handled Vick well in the past, but I was really surprised at how the O line held its own in pass protection tonight. 0 sacks allowed against a Philly front 4 that spent the evening in the backfield against Dallas last week.

They're also tunring into a grinder of a run blocking unit.

Right now they're 6th seed in the NFC and a win vs Detroit next week would be huge for their playoff hopes.

 

[boubucarow]

So don't get this team. I know they've handled Vick well in the past, but I was really surprised at how the O line held its own in pass protection tonight. 0 sacks allowed against a Philly front 4 that spent the evening in the backfield against Dallas last week. They're also tunring into a grinder of a run blocking unit. Right now they're 6th seed in the NFC and a win vs Detroit next week would be huge for their playoff hopes.

Yeah, it is almost stupifying.

 

[Mustang Man]

THANKS BEARS!

 

[D.J.]

I was glad to see bennett come back with a strong game as well. Overall, a pretty good showing by the bears

 

[Power Monster]

Solid win and a win by the OL, Cutler and the defense. Urlacher, Briggs and Tillman (amongst many) were very good for the defense last night but my hat goes off to an OL that has taken many rotten tomatoes to the face for the way they have played in the past and this includes myself. If they can just keep this type of play going they are in position to obtain a wild card. I would think that this Detroit game is a "must" win for the team to better position themselves in the WC hunt. With an absolute erratic AFC West coming up on the schedule- the Bears need to hammer out NFC wins. A split with the Lions and GB would be fantastic. I think they are a better team than Detroit but the Lions have Calvin Johnson and he is the show stopper that they MUST stop or slow down.

 

[Statcruncher]

I like Chicago's chance on any given sunday against the Lions, but it's a tall order to come off a Monday Night game and play a team like Detroit coming fresh off a bye. In my league's pool picks I'm 8-0 predicting Chicago's wins/losses this year, and I have them losing this game. I hope I'm wrong. A loss to Detroit would drastically reduce their playoff/wildcard chances. Hard to believe that if the playoffs started today the Packers, Lions, and Bears would all be in.

 

[geoff8695]

I like Chicago's chance on any given sunday against the Lions, but it's a tall order to come off a Monday Night game and play a team like Detroit coming fresh off a bye. In my league's pool picks I'm 8-0 predicting Chicago's wins/losses this year, and I have them losing this game. I hope I'm wrong. A loss to Detroit would drastically reduce their playoff/wildcard chances. Hard to believe that if the playoffs started today the Packers, Lions, and Bears would all be in.

Lions will likely be without Jahvid Best, and the Bears offense/O-line won't be committing 9 false starts this time around. Also, Bennett returning to full health and giving Cutler a security blanket/trusty target changes things quite a bit for the rematch against Detroit.However, I agree with you that a winning road team from Monday night, returning on short rest to face a playoff contender coming out of their bye week is NOT typically a recipe for success. I'ld pick against the team with the short week in most circumstances, just as you are.Hopefully, the Bears familiarity with their division opponent, and having home-field advantage will make up for these disadvantages. I wouldn't put more than a few confidence points on them, but I think there are some good reasons to think that the Bears can overcome the Lions this week at home. It's going to be a difficult game though.

 

[yoman]

I like Chicago's chance on any given sunday against the Lions, but it's a tall order to come off a Monday Night game and play a team like Detroit coming fresh off a bye. In my league's pool picks I'm 8-0 predicting Chicago's wins/losses this year, and I have them losing this game. I hope I'm wrong. A loss to Detroit would drastically reduce their playoff/wildcard chances. Hard to believe that if the playoffs started today the Packers, Lions, and Bears would all be in.

Lions will likely be without Jahvid Best, and the Bears offense/O-line won't be committing 9 false starts this time around. Also, Bennett returning to full health and giving Cutler a security blanket/trusty target changes things quite a bit for the rematch against Detroit.However, I agree with you that a winning road team from Monday night, returning on short rest to face a playoff contender coming out of their bye week is NOT typically a recipe for success. I'ld pick against the team with the short week in most circumstances, just as you are.Hopefully, the Bears familiarity with their division opponent, and having home-field advantage will make up for these disadvantages. I wouldn't put more than a few confidence points on them, but I think there are some good reasons to think that the Bears can overcome the Lions this week at home. It's going to be a difficult game though.

I hope statcruncher is 8-1 after this week! I don't think there is going to be any letdown because the Bears players want revenge after last month's massacre. It should be a good game.

 

[Sweetness_34]

[This team is lost at sea and the entire thing should be blown up. Between the handling of the defense and offense this year, the entire thing should be blown up.

As always, we find someone is clueless. At least you are consistent in your ignorance.

 

[Sweetness_34]

I like Chicago's chance on any given sunday against the Lions, but it's a tall order to come off a Monday Night game and play a team like Detroit coming fresh off a bye. In my league's pool picks I'm 8-0 predicting Chicago's wins/losses this year, and I have them losing this game. I hope I'm wrong. A loss to Detroit would drastically reduce their playoff/wildcard chances. Hard to believe that if the playoffs started today the Packers, Lions, and Bears would all be in.

Lions will likely be without Jahvid Best, and the Bears offense/O-line won't be committing 9 false starts this time around. Also, Bennett returning to full health and giving Cutler a security blanket/trusty target changes things quite a bit for the rematch against Detroit.However, I agree with you that a winning road team from Monday night, returning on short rest to face a playoff contender coming out of their bye week is NOT typically a recipe for success. I'ld pick against the team with the short week in most circumstances, just as you are.Hopefully, the Bears familiarity with their division opponent, and having home-field advantage will make up for these disadvantages. I wouldn't put more than a few confidence points on them, but I think there are some good reasons to think that the Bears can overcome the Lions this week at home. It's going to be a difficult game though.

I hope statcruncher is 8-1 after this week! I don't think there is going to be any letdown because the Bears players want revenge after last month's massacre. It should be a good game.

Since when is losing a game by 11 pts on MNF on the road considered a massacre? The hyperbole in this thread continues to amuse me. What a bunch of chicken littles and nancy nellies in this thread. Flapgreen is the biggest crybaby of course.

 

[Sweetness_34]

The Forte situation is turning into a mess like most expected it would. Good plan, Angelo. Alienate the best and most classy player on your team. Now, bring on the usual suspects to defend Bears management.

Yeah because giving a RB the world is a recipe for success in today's NFL. Chris Johnson and DeAngelo Williams say hi. I have no doubt Jerry will franchise Forte and that is a great move if they cannot extend him. Use him 2 more years at franchise value unless he signs a reasonable extension. If he still does not, let him go 2 more years later. He will be close to 30 anyways and no way would I touch any RB in today's pass happy NFL beyond 30. The odds are not in your favor by a mile...the drop off is amazingly quick. Portis; Shaun Alexander; Larry Johnson; Ladanian Tomlinson etc all point to that. Not to mention it is easy to find a starting RB in the draft or FA.

 

[Sweetness_34]

LM: Speaking of extensions, there seems to be a perception that the Bears don’t want to pay Matt Forte or retain his services. Can you clarify that situation?

JA: “As I said on our radio pre-game show Monday night, Matt was the only player we targeted and we made him what I feel is a very lucrative offer on a contract extension [after the lockout ended]. The deal did not get done, but we definitely want Matt to play many more years with the Bears. Any suggestion otherwise simply is not true. We buy into Matt as both a player and a person.”

 

[yoman]

I like Chicago's chance on any given sunday against the Lions, but it's a tall order to come off a Monday Night game and play a team like Detroit coming fresh off a bye. In my league's pool picks I'm 8-0 predicting Chicago's wins/losses this year, and I have them losing this game. I hope I'm wrong. A loss to Detroit would drastically reduce their playoff/wildcard chances. Hard to believe that if the playoffs started today the Packers, Lions, and Bears would all be in.

Lions will likely be without Jahvid Best, and the Bears offense/O-line won't be committing 9 false starts this time around. Also, Bennett returning to full health and giving Cutler a security blanket/trusty target changes things quite a bit for the rematch against Detroit.However, I agree with you that a winning road team from Monday night, returning on short rest to face a playoff contender coming out of their bye week is NOT typically a recipe for success. I'ld pick against the team with the short week in most circumstances, just as you are.Hopefully, the Bears familiarity with their division opponent, and having home-field advantage will make up for these disadvantages. I wouldn't put more than a few confidence points on them, but I think there are some good reasons to think that the Bears can overcome the Lions this week at home. It's going to be a difficult game though.

I hope statcruncher is 8-1 after this week! I don't think there is going to be any letdown because the Bears players want revenge after last month's massacre. It should be a good game.

Since when is losing a game by 11 pts on MNF on the road considered a massacre? The hyperbole in this thread continues to amuse me. What a bunch of chicken littles and nancy nellies in this thread. Flapgreen is the biggest crybaby of course.

Excuse me but I am sorry that you are an #### and are looking to start a fight. Why don't you read my posts in this thread and see how much hyperbole I use. The game felt like a massacre - especially for Jay Cutler and the offensive line. IMHO the second half was a massacre. Maybe I could have said something like sound beating but to me it is all the same. I agree that there is a lot of whining going on in this thread but you whining about the whining is whining in itself too

 

[yoman]

I like Chicago's chance on any given sunday against the Lions, but it's a tall order to come off a Monday Night game and play a team like Detroit coming fresh off a bye. In my league's pool picks I'm 8-0 predicting Chicago's wins/losses this year, and I have them losing this game. I hope I'm wrong. A loss to Detroit would drastically reduce their playoff/wildcard chances. Hard to believe that if the playoffs started today the Packers, Lions, and Bears would all be in.

Lions will likely be without Jahvid Best, and the Bears offense/O-line won't be committing 9 false starts this time around. Also, Bennett returning to full health and giving Cutler a security blanket/trusty target changes things quite a bit for the rematch against Detroit.However, I agree with you that a winning road team from Monday night, returning on short rest to face a playoff contender coming out of their bye week is NOT typically a recipe for success. I'ld pick against the team with the short week in most circumstances, just as you are.Hopefully, the Bears familiarity with their division opponent, and having home-field advantage will make up for these disadvantages. I wouldn't put more than a few confidence points on them, but I think there are some good reasons to think that the Bears can overcome the Lions this week at home. It's going to be a difficult game though.

I hope statcruncher is 8-1 after this week! I don't think there is going to be any letdown because the Bears players want revenge after last month's massacre. It should be a good game.

Since when is losing a game by 11 pts on MNF on the road considered a massacre? The hyperbole in this thread continues to amuse me. What a bunch of chicken littles and nancy nellies in this thread. Flapgreen is the biggest crybaby of course.

I had to write quickly earlier because I was on my way out but I read an article by Mike Mulligan while I was at lunch which basically said how I felt that the Lions not only beat the Bears but they taunted and teased them on the national stage. If you read it he basically sums up how I remember the game because it felt like a train wreck. If you have a problem with the tone of this thread than stop reading it and stop being a ####!

 

[Sweetness_34]

I like Chicago's chance on any given sunday against the Lions, but it's a tall order to come off a Monday Night game and play a team like Detroit coming fresh off a bye. In my league's pool picks I'm 8-0 predicting Chicago's wins/losses this year, and I have them losing this game. I hope I'm wrong. A loss to Detroit would drastically reduce their playoff/wildcard chances. Hard to believe that if the playoffs started today the Packers, Lions, and Bears would all be in.

Lions will likely be without Jahvid Best, and the Bears offense/O-line won't be committing 9 false starts this time around. Also, Bennett returning to full health and giving Cutler a security blanket/trusty target changes things quite a bit for the rematch against Detroit.However, I agree with you that a winning road team from Monday night, returning on short rest to face a playoff contender coming out of their bye week is NOT typically a recipe for success. I'ld pick against the team with the short week in most circumstances, just as you are.Hopefully, the Bears familiarity with their division opponent, and having home-field advantage will make up for these disadvantages. I wouldn't put more than a few confidence points on them, but I think there are some good reasons to think that the Bears can overcome the Lions this week at home. It's going to be a difficult game though.

I hope statcruncher is 8-1 after this week! I don't think there is going to be any letdown because the Bears players want revenge after last month's massacre. It should be a good game.

Since when is losing a game by 11 pts on MNF on the road considered a massacre? The hyperbole in this thread continues to amuse me. What a bunch of chicken littles and nancy nellies in this thread. Flapgreen is the biggest crybaby of course.

I had to write quickly earlier because I was on my way out but I read an article by Mike Mulligan in the Sun Times while I was at lunch which basically said how I felt that the Lions not only beat the Bears but they taunted and teased them on the national stage. If you read it he basically sums up how I remember the game because it felt like a train wreck. If you have a problem with the tone of this thread than stop reading it and stop being a ####!

No need to get your panties in a bunch because I stated the obvious that a 11 pt loss on the road on MNF to an opponent playing it's 1st MNF game in a decade is not a massacre, unless you iindulge in hyperbole.....which clearly you did. Stop blaming others for pointing out your obvious knee jerk reactions, instead of telling others what to read and what not to. Once you post your ignorance, expect to be called out. If you cannot handle it, think before posting. Just because the lions were taunting does not again mean it was a massacre either. It just means the lions act like they have never won....which should be expected from a team that was 0-16 just a few years back and set all kinds of records of futility with their road wins; lack of any success drafting high; always losing on the road; multiple thanksgiving blowouts at home etc. Some teams act like they have been there, some do not. Just like some fans can be objective while some resort to delusional rants or hyperbole every time their team loses a game.

 

[Sweetness_34]

Forte leads the league yards from the line of scrimmage. Sign him JA, you stupid #######. Everyone is screaming for it. It's now a distraction because Jumpin Jerry made it one. The other players are calling for it. Just more incompetency from the front office. I'd consider all of my options after the season if I was Forte. JA promising him to get it done before the season began and then lowballing him is a damn embarrassment. It has to be crossing Forte's mind to say forget it and test the free agent market. He will be in huge demand. Can't count out this scenario with the front office. Who knows.

forte can't just "test the waters." if forte walks away from.the table, the bears will just franchise him. Then if they still cant get a deal done, they will franchise him.again. By then, its likey a time will come when.forte has a bad end to a season or an injury that.lowers his value and he will be forced to take less money. The players know this.game, so they dont walk away, and they negotiate. Forte has proven to.be a top.back in the league, but is he really chris johnson.good, or does he out up big numbers because he is all the bears have? If its the latter, no team is going to pay him what he wants. I havent heard for.sure what the two sides positions are (i dont think anyone has) so how can anyone place blame on one side of the other for not having a deal done? I keep hearing 15-16m guarenteed is the "fair price" but I havent heard where either side is.

If that's the case, I stand corrected on what his approach should be. At this point, I think he is "Chris Johnson" good and he is one of the most important players in the league to his team. I don't see how him putting up huge numbers is a result of him being all the Bears have. I would think that increases his value even more. He's proven he's a top five back at this point, imo. Putting up huge numbers behind the worst OL in the league shows that.

This is not the worst OL in the league when it comes to run blocking....Williams; Garza; Louis; Spencer have all shown they can block and knock people off. Not to mention they let Olsen go so that they could run block better with Spaeth and Davis

 

[yoman]

I like Chicago's chance on any given sunday against the Lions, but it's a tall order to come off a Monday Night game and play a team like Detroit coming fresh off a bye. In my league's pool picks I'm 8-0 predicting Chicago's wins/losses this year, and I have them losing this game. I hope I'm wrong. A loss to Detroit would drastically reduce their playoff/wildcard chances. Hard to believe that if the playoffs started today the Packers, Lions, and Bears would all be in.

Lions will likely be without Jahvid Best, and the Bears offense/O-line won't be committing 9 false starts this time around. Also, Bennett returning to full health and giving Cutler a security blanket/trusty target changes things quite a bit for the rematch against Detroit.However, I agree with you that a winning road team from Monday night, returning on short rest to face a playoff contender coming out of their bye week is NOT typically a recipe for success. I'ld pick against the team with the short week in most circumstances, just as you are.Hopefully, the Bears familiarity with their division opponent, and having home-field advantage will make up for these disadvantages. I wouldn't put more than a few confidence points on them, but I think there are some good reasons to think that the Bears can overcome the Lions this week at home. It's going to be a difficult game though.

I hope statcruncher is 8-1 after this week! I don't think there is going to be any letdown because the Bears players want revenge after last month's massacre. It should be a good game.

Since when is losing a game by 11 pts on MNF on the road considered a massacre? The hyperbole in this thread continues to amuse me. What a bunch of chicken littles and nancy nellies in this thread. Flapgreen is the biggest crybaby of course.

I had to write quickly earlier because I was on my way out but I read an article by Mike Mulligan in the Sun Times while I was at lunch which basically said how I felt that the Lions not only beat the Bears but they taunted and teased them on the national stage. If you read it he basically sums up how I remember the game because it felt like a train wreck. If you have a problem with the tone of this thread than stop reading it and stop being a ####!

No need to get your panties in a bunch because I stated the obvious that a 11 pt loss on the road on MNF to an opponent playing it's 1st MNF game in a decade is not a massacre, unless you iindulge in hyperbole.....which clearly you did. Stop blaming others for pointing out your obvious knee jerk reactions, instead of telling others what to read and what not to. Once you post your ignorance, expect to be called out. If you cannot handle it, think before posting. Just because the lions were taunting does not again mean it was a massacre either. It just means the lions act like they have never won....which should be expected from a team that was 0-16 just a few years back and set all kinds of records of futility with their road wins; lack of any success drafting high; always losing on the road; multiple thanksgiving blowouts at home etc. Some teams act like they have been there, some do not. Just like some fans can be objective while some resort to delusional rants or hyperbole every time their team loses a game.

No you were a jerk about it and then compared me to others on this site. Would it be hyperbole to say that the Lions bet the heck out of the Bears and took their lunch money? Did you watch the game? The Bears never had a prayer in the 2nd half and it felt like a massacre. I am sorry if you don't like that term but you don't have to be such a ####! I know you are a football genuis so I am awaiting your response so I know what I should think.

 

[duaneok66]

an 11 point game is not a massacre under any circumstances.