RBM
Footballguy
Same here
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Chicago Bears 2012 Offseason Thread (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter benson_will_lead_the_way
- Start date
flapgreen
Footballguy
He could be a JPP like guy. Shea is a situational pass rusher type, but he's starting well nonetheless. Who knows...
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Statcruncher
Footballguy
Imagine what they could do if the offense could actually start scoring in the first quarter and let the D play downhill for 3+ quarters.
Limp Ditka
Footballguy
RBM
Footballguy
Couldn't believe that when I caught that
Statcruncher
Footballguy
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Statcruncher
Footballguy
Chicago releases Chris Williams. That leave Carimi as the only first rounder drafted by Angelo that is still on the roster.
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DoubleG
Footballguy
Ouch. Say what you want about the guy...but a first round LT released outright - when the only other true LT is J. Webb. That's failure with a capital "F".
RBM
Footballguy
A bunch of tackles taken after him in the first round that year. Brandon Albert, Gosder Cherilus and Duane Brown all starters. Jeff Otah couldn't stay healthy and Sam Baker just sucked.
Statcruncher
Footballguy
Bears' OL "strategy" with Williams release becoming apparent
This is the kind of stuff that gets me stoked. Emery's constantly grinding to try and upgrade roster talent. Chicago has 3 new potential OL and they've spent peanuts on them. They may all turn out to be duds, but that's so much better than getting 1st or 2nd round duds. Trying to build a roster with high draft picks and top dollar free agents is expensive and cripples your roster/cap. A team that can find/develop talent that gives them a couple of years of quality production at dirt cheap prices is a team that will have great depth and salary cap flexibility.
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Power Monster
The Midnight Stalker
Wondering if an early bye week will help the team? Can we expect to see the #1 pick start making an impact?
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flapgreen
Footballguy
Surprisingly, he's playing worse than anyone on the entire line so far. It's the Angelo curse.
I too am shocked that Carimi is struggling because I thought (and still think) that he would be a solid starter.I wanted Angelo to go as much as anyone but the Bears still have significant contributors from the Angelo Era. Forte, Tilman, Briggs, Wright, etc. to name a few. At least he had some hits in the later rounds and the cupboard wasn't completely empty. I give him credit for brokering the Cutler trade as well. I give him some credit luring Peppers here but we basically paid the more than any other team was willing to and he was under pressure to produce or else get fired. BTW - I purposely left Hester off this list because he has basically been a non factor the entire year.
Enjoy the game tomorrow and bring the Bears some good luck!
Statcruncher
Footballguy
Deranged Hermit
Not cool & Pissed
Wow, I was just looking at the second half of the schedule again. Even the 'soft' games (well, the ones we thought was soft when the schedule released) are tough.
vs HOU
at SF
vs MIN
vs SEA
at MIN
vs GB
at ARI
at DET
Should be a fun second half.
vs HOU
at SF
vs MIN
vs SEA
at MIN
vs GB
at ARI
at DET
Should be a fun second half.
Statcruncher
Footballguy
These 3 games should answer all the questions. Are they who we thought they were, or do we crown them?
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Deranged Hermit
Not cool & Pissed
I shouldn't feel this way, but I really think they handle the Texans this week. For some reason I see them bottling Foster up (they did well against CJ until the meaningless 80 yd TD) and the D making Schaub's life miserable.
I hope you are right! It looked like there were a bunch of backups in when CJ had his big run. My biggest concern is the Texans D getting pressure on Cutler. Cutler needs to stop taking unnecessary hits and throw the ball away more.
KCitons
Footballguy
I'm less optimistic, but hopeful. Foster is miles ahead of CJ in the run game. So, it won't be an easy day stopping the run.
I also believe the key to this game is going to be pounding the rock with Forte/Bush/Allen. Our run to pass ratio should be 3 to 2, in order to win. Let the line minimize potential pass blocking errors and just fire out of their stances. Texans week spot right now is their LB's. Let Forte hit the second level and watch him do his thing. Then hit em with a few play action passes.
I also believe the key to this game is going to be pounding the rock with Forte/Bush/Allen. Our run to pass ratio should be 3 to 2, in order to win. Let the line minimize potential pass blocking errors and just fire out of their stances. Texans week spot right now is their LB's. Let Forte hit the second level and watch him do his thing. Then hit em with a few play action passes.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
Why is your defense so much more dominant than the past few years. A cliffs answer will be fine.
sho nuff
Footballguy
Figured there would be...when I put my tickets up for sale...I got more interest in this game and, as expected, the Steelers tickets.
sho nuff
Footballguy
-staying relatively healthy-creating turnovers-Jennings and Tilman playing at pro-bowl/all-pro levels-not playing a who's who of potent offenses helps too
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Statcruncher
Footballguy
Appears to be a combination of things.
Having to practice against Brandon Marshall has probably forced the entire defense to perform better.
The defensive line is healthy and deep, meaning fresh bodies are almost always getting enough pressure to shorten the QB's decision making process.
Tim Jennings worked with the Juggs machine in the offseason focusing on catching interceptions.
Tillman has always gone for strips/punchouts but he's going through a career streak of success.
The defense as a whole seems completely committed to causing turnovers, swarming to the ball unitl the whistle, going for the strip/expecting the ball to come out every play.
The offense has underachieved in my opinion, but has still been effective enough to pile points up allowing the D to play downhill.
The schedule has been very favorable so far.
They have been very fortunate with the bounces.
That being said I don't expect them to continue their torrid pace, it's ridiculous what they've done so far. On the flip-side Hester hasn't rung one up either, and I think he's due.
Having to practice against Brandon Marshall has probably forced the entire defense to perform better.
The defensive line is healthy and deep, meaning fresh bodies are almost always getting enough pressure to shorten the QB's decision making process.
Tim Jennings worked with the Juggs machine in the offseason focusing on catching interceptions.
Tillman has always gone for strips/punchouts but he's going through a career streak of success.
The defense as a whole seems completely committed to causing turnovers, swarming to the ball unitl the whistle, going for the strip/expecting the ball to come out every play.
The offense has underachieved in my opinion, but has still been effective enough to pile points up allowing the D to play downhill.
The schedule has been very favorable so far.
They have been very fortunate with the bounces.
That being said I don't expect them to continue their torrid pace, it's ridiculous what they've done so far. On the flip-side Hester hasn't rung one up either, and I think he's due.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
The heat you put on QBs combined with great CB play makes me confident that you can beat the Falcons in the playoffs with relative ease. Getting HFA would be nice though.
DoubleG
Footballguy
Crazy depth at D-line also. They have guys not dressing now that would start on other teams. With starters of Izzy, Peppers, Melton and Paea, they rotate in McLellan, Wooten, Okoye, Collins, and Toeina (if I'm not mistaken, Okoye didn't even dress yesterday). One of their sacks, peppers wasn't even in the game. When you can get consistant pressure out of your front 4 - and get fresh guys in and still maintain that pressure - everything else gets much easier.That, and they have basically been able to stop the run with their front 7. Not needing to commit an 8th guy to the box, makes playing that 2-deep shell much more effective in terms of not getting beat deep. Between Jennings and Tillman playing great corner, Wright and Conte are able to roam and help secure tackles and help deep when needed.
sho nuff
Footballguy
Agreed on that depth...definitely a big plus.
Wrigley
Footballguy
Have only played 2 teams with an overall winning record: GB/INDCombined record of Bears opponents this year: 27-39
Rest of the way: 42-27
We'll see just how good they are the next couple weeks
flapgreen
Footballguy
I think it all starts with the dl. Being completely and rotating that many dominant guys in is almost unstoppable. Everyone else beneifts. I haven't seen many dl like it in my lifetime.
BearDown54
Footballguy
that is definitely number 1 reason. think Giants the last few super bowls, how do you stop tom brady and that great offense? by having a continuous rotation of front four pressure that is relentless so that you can play 7 on the backside.
also the safety play has been surprisingly much better than i could possibly expect, probably the best since the mike brown days. i think conte has met expectations but really impressed with major wright, guess i can eat crow for thinking he was going to be a total bust.
2nd half schedule definitely gets rougher but with the D we have we wont be out of any games by any stretch.
twistd
Footballguy
i was very critical of the Bears for not trying to improve the offensive line more in the offseason. I questioned them taking Jeffrey, instead of an offensive lineman. Last night showed why they did that. The line has definitely struggled. But last night they played adequately, in a tough game. But besides Marshall, their receivers failed miserably. And when I refer to their receivers I am including their putrid tight ends. I believe the Besrs may have the worst group of tight ends in the league. We were told that Davis was developing, and he could replace Olsen. Davis is not an NFL player. He can't block and he can't catch. Other than that he is great. Rodriguez may help, but he has done nothing so far. Marshall is a tremendous upgrade at receiver. He is the best receiver the Bears have had in my lifetime. But everyone else at receiver is below average at best. Bennett occasionally flashes some ability, but last night he was no where to be found. Hester is now just a good returner, but he is completely useless as a receiver. They need at least two more decent receivers to be able to compete. And they need at least one player, even of the Dustin Keller, or Mercedes Lewis caliber of tight end. It would be wonderful to have a weapon like Gronk or Graham, but they at least need someone who can be some threat at TE. What teams are going to realize is that besides Marshall, there is no one in the passing game that can hurt them. They should be double and triple teaming Marshall, like they do with Megatron. When that happens the Bears are done.
Limp Ditka
Footballguy
Observations from last night.
1 - Kellen Davis should never play an important down again for the Chicago Bears. He's a terrible football player. The Evan Rodriguez era better be starting now.
2 - Lovie's challenge on the Cutler concussion play. Brilliant or more Lovie challenge idiocy? Everyone in the stadium knew he was over the line, but with the trainers coming out, the challenge creates a stoppage of play. Pretty sure that allows Cutler to get himself together and not miss a play. Lovie's track record has me leaning towards the former, but the possibility of the latter is certainly there.
3 - Run right, rinse, repeat. Team has no confidence in the left side of the line when it comes to run blocking.
4 - If Bush doesn't fumble on that 4th and 1 carry, I think we see a lot more of him last night. Houston's 3-4 did a great job of closing up any and all cutback lanes for Forte. You needed a masher, straight ahead runner last night. Instead, we don't see Bush get a carry again until the 4th. That fumble, :gamechanger:
5 - You're down 7 with < 5:00 to go. Between here and the end of the game, the Bears had 8 offensive snaps. Offensive has double meaning here when you have only one pass that goes beyond the 1st down marker. 6 check downs / short passes and 1 penalty (which was also a short pass). Inexcusable.
1 - Kellen Davis should never play an important down again for the Chicago Bears. He's a terrible football player. The Evan Rodriguez era better be starting now.
2 - Lovie's challenge on the Cutler concussion play. Brilliant or more Lovie challenge idiocy? Everyone in the stadium knew he was over the line, but with the trainers coming out, the challenge creates a stoppage of play. Pretty sure that allows Cutler to get himself together and not miss a play. Lovie's track record has me leaning towards the former, but the possibility of the latter is certainly there.
3 - Run right, rinse, repeat. Team has no confidence in the left side of the line when it comes to run blocking.
4 - If Bush doesn't fumble on that 4th and 1 carry, I think we see a lot more of him last night. Houston's 3-4 did a great job of closing up any and all cutback lanes for Forte. You needed a masher, straight ahead runner last night. Instead, we don't see Bush get a carry again until the 4th. That fumble, :gamechanger:
5 - You're down 7 with < 5:00 to go. Between here and the end of the game, the Bears had 8 offensive snaps. Offensive has double meaning here when you have only one pass that goes beyond the 1st down marker. 6 check downs / short passes and 1 penalty (which was also a short pass). Inexcusable.
Statcruncher
Footballguy
I don't which thead(s) it was but in the offseason I'd mentioned that Kellen Davis was an adequate TE. I was wrong. This year reminds me of 2006. Lights out defense with an offense that puts any game in jeopardy.
Limp Ditka
Footballguy
It's quite possible that I was in the same boat. I pretty sure that I was at least was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt based on Martz being the OC last year. Hard for a TE to prove anything, outside of how he looks in a uniform, in that system.
Statcruncher
Footballguy
Let me add one more final point, what's up with the grass at Soldier Field. I know it's been an issue for years and kind of understood it when Chicago was more of a grinding team, but is that really the best they can do? They might as well play on the ice at the United Center. Ridiculous.
Limp Ditka
Footballguy
I'm not saying the field is good, but it certainly held up better than any other bad weather game that I can remember. And I've been to most, if not all of them.
sho nuff
Footballguy
Yeah, I thought at the start it looked better than it had in previous years by this point in the season...especially with that weather and rain that long without having it covered.
whitem0nkey
Footballguy
I was also wrong, Lovie said he can do all the thing elite TE can, but he never does it during the games. also in the offseason the patriots and the steelers wanted him, and they do seem to know good TEs, so I thought we may have something.'Statcruncher said:
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
If you would have told me the Texans would have garnered 0 sacks against the Bears, I would have thought you were on crack or that the Bears won. I still find that surprising. The protection schemes seemed to work pretty well, except that it looked as if Forte was kept in to help out a lot last night, which meant the Bears' second best receiving threat was rendered useless much of the time. Hopefully Jeffrey can come back next week so the Bears can have someone else that can threaten defenses.
And with hands like that, Kellen Davis should be playing defense. It would be nice to have Olsen right now.
And with hands like that, Kellen Davis should be playing defense. It would be nice to have Olsen right now.
twistd
Footballguy
I did not know that the Patriots and the Steelers showed an interest in Davis. Curious that the Patriots would be interested in Davis when they have Hernandez and Gronk. But I completely agree with you that if those teams show an interest it does make you think you might have something. The Patriots may have seen talent, but they were going to see if they could develop the kid. They wouldn't have counted on him to be a starter. I'd guess that as poorly as Davis has played this year, chances are good the Patriots would have already cut him. They don't play games with guys who aren't producing. The Bears, on the other hand, just keep pretending that these guys can play. They keep throwing Hester out there as a receiver. They keep convincing themselves that Davis can play.
