Excited for next year already (1 Viewer)

[SpaceCowboy]

Looks like hopefully our long quarterback drought may have finally ended. I think this team was outmatched today, but some bright spots that I take with it1. Playoff experience for all the players. And good playoff experience. Berrian, Grossman, Peterson, T. Jones, etc, etc. all did great and the offense should be better out of the gates next year.2. This team will be back next year. I like their chances, and I think this was just a step in the right direction. Like the Bengals, they are not building an overnight champion.3. The weaknesses of the defense were revealed. Depth. We have plenty of draft picks this year, and hopefully free agents will want to come to Chicago knowing that there's a good chance of going to the playoffs.4. We don't have to spend the yearly 2nd-3rd round pick on a qb/rb. I think Orton and Grossman are fine and obviously the trio at rb is solid.OFFSEASON GOALS FOR DA BEARS1. Get Cedric Benson and Mark Bradley healthy and acclimated to the offense.2. Build better depth and improve on the 2nd and 3rd stringers that they have now3. Hope Matt Millen stays in DetroitAnything else, fellow Bears fans? Instead of the cautiously optimistic attitude towards next year, I am overflowing with optimism. How about you guys?

 

[msommer]

Find cornerbacks?Learn to tackle Steve Smith?

 

[mozzy84]

smells like 2001 all over again to me.

 

[Jason Wood]

Considering five of six NFC playoff teams weren't in the 'offs the year before, I wouldn't get TOO excited if I were the Bears.

 

[bullitt]

That game left me with some serious doubts about our coaching staff. What a terrible game plan on offense to try to throw the ball, like they did. The Bears have been succesfull running the ball all year, and they come out throwing, with a QB that has little experience and almost no playing time this year?????What was Rivera thinking ??? That defensive scheme was horrible and no adjustments made to help out.Lovie smith resting the players sure seemed to backfire too.After the first QTR, Grossman looked ok and I think there may be some hope that he will develop into a decent QB.As a homer, of course I am looking forward to next year, but this team still needs to make a few upgrades to be a real contender.

 

[FUBAR]

A supposedly elite defense giving up over 200 yards to a WR.A team without a good QB.Yeah, I'd be thrilled.

 

[Balco]

That defense will be fine, it is one of the best, if not the best, front sevens in the NFL.It's the offense that needs a little tinkering. Thomas Jones is fine as the # 1, he can catch and run very well. Benson will be a nice change of pace every so often, as he will batter defenses with his north/south running (definitely didn't deserve to be drafted so early, but he can become very useful - think TJ Ducket). They need to find a solid target to find the soft spots in coverage. Obviously, they really need a tight end. There are several blue chippers coming out, and they might just be able to land a Mercedes Lewis/Leonard Pope, who offer great targets in the middle of the field.Muhammed is a #1 receiver, he just needed a competent qb to get him the ball. Opposite him, there are question marks and durability issues. Berian would seem the perfect fit as the #2, a big play guy, but he is always banged up and I think he enters some sort of FA this season. Bradley was very impressive before his injury.

 

[Riffraff]

Good news is that all 3 teams in the Bear's division will have new head coaches, new off/def systems, personnel, etc.

 

[BoulderBob]

The Bears should own the NFC North for the rest of the decade. The team has plenty of cap room, and is one of the youngest teams in the NFL. I like their future as well, and I think Rex looked pretty good yesterday, much better than Eli v.s the Panthers at least.

 

[cstu]

Considering five of six NFC playoff teams weren't in the 'offs the year before, I wouldn't get TOO excited if I were the Bears.

Is the new cool word? Regardless of who was/wasn't in the playoffs this year, the Bears biggest battle for the division will be with the Vikings next year and they should still be able to roll over the Packers and Lions. They likely won't have a collapse at RB like they did in 2002 with A-Train and should be fine.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

Looks like hopefully our long quarterback drought may have finally ended. I think this team was outmatched today, but some bright spots that I take with it

1. Playoff experience for all the players. And good playoff experience. Berrian, Grossman, Peterson, T. Jones, etc, etc. all did great and the offense should be better out of the gates next year.

2. This team will be back next year. I like their chances, and I think this was just a step in the right direction. Like the Bengals, they are not building an overnight champion.

3. The weaknesses of the defense were revealed. Depth. We have plenty of draft picks this year, and hopefully free agents will want to come to Chicago knowing that there's a good chance of going to the playoffs.

4. We don't have to spend the yearly 2nd-3rd round pick on a qb/rb. I think Orton and Grossman are fine and obviously the trio at rb is solid.

OFFSEASON GOALS FOR DA BEARS

1. Get Cedric Benson and Mark Bradley healthy and acclimated to the offense.

2. Build better depth and improve on the 2nd and 3rd stringers that they have now

3. Hope Matt Millen stays in Detroit

Anything else, fellow Bears fans? Instead of the cautiously optimistic attitude towards next year, I am overflowing with optimism. How about you guys?

Hey I'm with you Spacecowboy. Only I'm excitied for the Skins.I'm hoping we can land Moulds, or Wayne.

We need a pass rushing end.

And a Cb.

Here's to be excited durning the offseason for once!!!!!

 

[The Kerminator]

What's the status of Thomas Jones?What does there first-place schedule look like? Oviousl you've got the other three struggling teams in the NFC North, but who else?What will happen with DC Rivera? He was the hottest head-coach candidate before yesterday but now what?

 

[drdgreenlove]

The bears wont make the playoffs next year... save the ink this message is written on...congratulations you found an average QB who gets hurt every other day

 

[cstu]

What's the status of Thomas Jones?

What does there first-place schedule look like? Oviousl you've got the other three struggling teams in the NFC North, but who else?

What will happen with DC Rivera? He was the hottest head-coach candidate before yesterday but now what?

They play the Bucs in Chicago and at the Giants.I think the Vikings with the 2nd place schedule might have it tougher with the Panthers in Minny and at the Redskins.

 

[Hamstring]

Bears should tkae the North for a while. Especially next year with all the returning starters. With how poorly they played I can't belive they had a chance to tie with 2 drives at the end of the game. With the way they draft in the late rounds we'll have some new secondary help.Future looks good even with a tougher schedule. Minn/GB and Detroit are bad, We have 22 returning starters.

 

[Rounders]

I really like the Bears chances in 2006 BUT they still need to improve. They need upgrades at: WR (Muhammed is a #2WR)TE (you serious Clark, draft Pope)CB (Tillman proved he's not a #1 CB and Azumah is a FA I beleive)S (I'm not sold on Harris and Brown seems to be hurt alot). They need to get some depth at OL. The defensive front 7 should be solid, although they will have to find an OLB (Hillenmeyer).I think that the Bears can win their division next year, mainly because of the weak division opponents, but if they don't make improvements and ride into 2006 with the same team (much like they did in 2002), they are in for a rude awakening...

 

[Lord Lucan]

They need upgrades at:

WR (Muhammed is a #2WR)

Yes, it was only because opposing defenses triple-teamed Keary Colbert that he led the league in receiving last year Muhammed is fine, the trouble is that Gage and Des Clark didn't scare anyone. There is promise if Berrian and Bradley stay healthy and continue to develop, but they do need to upgrade at TE.

 

[Rounders]

They need upgrades at:

WR (Muhammed is a #2WR)

Yes, it was only because opposing defenses triple-teamed Keary Colbert that he led the league in receiving last year Muhammed is fine, the trouble is that Gage and Des Clark didn't scare anyone. There is promise if Berrian and Bradley stay healthy and continue to develop, but they do need to upgrade at TE.

Maybe Muhammed's success in Carolina had something to do with coaching and the QB, but he was clearly not a #1WR this year. He had countless drops and failed to make plays in the passing game all year. Sure he was the bears best WR, but that is not saying much.Plus it's not out of the realm to say that an aging WR can actually get worse, is it? Just because he had a great year, doesn't mean he's a #1 WR every year, do you get what I mean?

 

[Gopher State]

The Bears look like a team on decline. The Cats showed how to beat them.Da Bears are stuck with a below average QB, corners who can't cover one guy?The way Minnesota played the second half, and with Pepper back, and if the Vikes add a Big RB (White) in the draft the Bears with be a wild card at best

 

[SSOG]

Studies have shown that defense is more inconsistant from year-to-year than offense. Therefore, a team with a DOMINANT defense and a horrible offense is more likely to finish the next season with an average defense and a horrible offense than it is to finish with a dominant defense and an average offense.Don't believe me? Want to know who the Bears most resemble to me? The 2004 Buffalo Bills. Best defense in the league, mediocre offense, just missed the playoffs... and then this season simply fell apart.

 

[Spiderman]

Studies have shown that defense is more inconsistant from year-to-year than offense. Therefore, a team with a DOMINANT defense and a horrible offense is more likely to finish the next season with an average defense and a horrible offense than it is to finish with a dominant defense and an average offense.

Don't believe me? Want to know who the Bears most resemble to me? The 2004 Buffalo Bills. Best defense in the league, mediocre offense, just missed the playoffs... and then this season simply fell apart.

Studies show that if you lose key players to injury, it's not going to matter what side of the ball it is, your team is most likely going to struggle.IF the Bears remain healthy, they will have a very good defense.

 

[Spiderman]

The Bears look like a team on decline. The Cats showed how to beat them.

Da Bears are stuck with a below average QB, corners who can't cover one guy?

The way Minnesota played the second half, and with Pepper back, and if the Vikes add a Big RB (White) in the draft the Bears with be a wild card at best

A team on the decline ? They're one of the younger teams in the league, and have every starter but Hillenmeyer locked up (and he's restricted).The Carolina game showed they weren't as good as advertised against the pass so that needs to be addressed.

Rex Grossman is still growing into the position, but I think he offers a lot of upside. We'll see on him, the jury is still out.

 

[Spiderman]

They need upgrades at:

WR (Muhammed is a #2WR)

Yes, it was only because opposing defenses triple-teamed Keary Colbert that he led the league in receiving last year Muhammed is fine, the trouble is that Gage and Des Clark didn't scare anyone. There is promise if Berrian and Bradley stay healthy and continue to develop, but they do need to upgrade at TE.

Maybe Muhammed's success in Carolina had something to do with coaching and the QB, but he was clearly not a #1WR this year. He had countless drops and failed to make plays in the passing game all year. Sure he was the bears best WR, but that is not saying much.Plus it's not out of the realm to say that an aging WR can actually get worse, is it? Just because he had a great year, doesn't mean he's a #1 WR every year, do you get what I mean?

Moose clearly had a down season, partly because of the QB play, but also because he caught a case of the drops.Next season, we'll see if he can bounce back with a more effective thrower in Grossman, but the age issue is going to be there.

 

[Spiderman]

I really like the Bears chances in 2006 BUT they still need to improve.

They need upgrades at:

WR (Muhammed is a #2WR)

TE (you serious Clark, draft Pope)

CB (Tillman proved he's not a #1 CB and Azumah is a FA I beleive)

S (I'm not sold on Harris and Brown seems to be hurt alot).

They need to get some depth at OL. The defensive front 7 should be solid, although they will have to find an OLB (Hillenmeyer).

I think that the Bears can win their division next year, mainly because of the weak division opponents, but if they don't make improvements and ride into 2006 with the same team (much like they did in 2002), they are in for a rude awakening...

WR - agree that I would like to sign a veteran #2 WR, but also have a lot of faith in Mark Bradley (coming back from knee surgery) and Bernard Berrian. I don't think they will sign a high impact player....TE - this could be the first pick (or CB)

CB - this also needs to be addressed. Tillman did guard #1's all season, and had some problems but before that Carolina game was not horrible though Vasher was better. Azumah is an UFA, but has a hip injury, and there is at least some speculation that he could resign for 1 more season. That's in the air though. If healthy enough, he's probably gone.

S - Chris Harris is fine, very nice rookie season. Mike Brown has had some injuries, but he's another very good player, a Pro Bowler. It's kind of like replacing a 1300 yard back with a 1600 yard back, hard to do.

 

[Spiderman]

smells like 2001 all over again to me.

That team was isn't the top 1/2 of the league in offense or defense, I don't believe, and had journeymen QB's.This team is a lot younger with everyone signed for next season.

Different situations.

 

[cstu]

Studies have shown that defense is more inconsistant from year-to-year than offense. Therefore, a team with a DOMINANT defense and a horrible offense is more likely to finish the next season with an average defense and a horrible offense than it is to finish with a dominant defense and an average offense.

Don't believe me? Want to know who the Bears most resemble to me? The 2004 Buffalo Bills. Best defense in the league, mediocre offense, just missed the playoffs... and then this season simply fell apart.

Studies show that if you lose key players to injury, it's not going to matter what side of the ball it is, your team is most likely going to struggle.IF the Bears remain healthy, they will have a very good defense.

The Bills lost the soul of their defense in Takeo Spikes week 3 and also DT Ron Edwards. If Urlacher gets hurt the same thing will happen to them.

 

[Spiderman]

Studies have shown that defense is more inconsistant from year-to-year than offense. Therefore, a team with a DOMINANT defense and a horrible offense is more likely to finish the next season with an average defense and a horrible offense than it is to finish with a dominant defense and an average offense.

Don't believe me? Want to know who the Bears most resemble to me? The 2004 Buffalo Bills. Best defense in the league, mediocre offense, just missed the playoffs... and then this season simply fell apart.

Studies show that if you lose key players to injury, it's not going to matter what side of the ball it is, your team is most likely going to struggle.IF the Bears remain healthy, they will have a very good defense.

The Bills lost the soul of their defense in Takeo Spikes week 3 and also DT Ron Edwards. If Urlacher gets hurt the same thing will happen to them.

Exactly - injuries are going to dictate the success (or lack of) on a team. If the Bears lose a lot of players to injury, they will struggle. So will just about any other team.

 

[SSOG]

Studies have shown that defense is more inconsistant from year-to-year than offense. Therefore, a team with a DOMINANT defense and a horrible offense is more likely to finish the next season with an average defense and a horrible offense than it is to finish with a dominant defense and an average offense.

Don't believe me? Want to know who the Bears most resemble to me? The 2004 Buffalo Bills. Best defense in the league, mediocre offense, just missed the playoffs... and then this season simply fell apart.

Studies show that if you lose key players to injury, it's not going to matter what side of the ball it is, your team is most likely going to struggle.IF the Bears remain healthy, they will have a very good defense.

The Bills lost the soul of their defense in Takeo Spikes week 3 and also DT Ron Edwards. If Urlacher gets hurt the same thing will happen to them.

Exactly - injuries are going to dictate the success (or lack of) on a team. If the Bears lose a lot of players to injury, they will struggle. So will just about any other team.

Yes, losing a player to injury causes a decline on the team (most of the time- see Bledsoe, Drew Re: Brady, Tom). That's just as true for offense as for defense, but that doesn't stop defense from showing greater year-to-year inconsistancy.Again, dominant defenses are historically LESS LIKELY to remain a dominant defense in year N+1 than dominant offenses are. Likewise, cruddy defenses are MORE LIKELY to improve than cruddy offenses, historically speaking. Defense is just more inconsistant from season to season. History isn't a perfect predictor, so it's possible that the Bears could have a dominant defense again next season, but I would bet money that San Diego is a top-5 offense again next year and Chicago is NOT a top-5 defense.

Remember, Buffalo's defense was playing pretty horribly long before Spikes ever went out.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Clearly they are a team headed in the right direction. That said I believe the rest of the division massively uderperformed this year due to poor coaching and some devastating injuries to key personnel. I don't think they will find the division quite as accomodating next year. It will be intersting to see how they do as front runners.

 

[Mike Herman]

[Lovie] Smith was also impressed with the performance of Robbie Gould. After being signed Oct. 8 to replace veteran Doug Brien, the undrafted rookie free agent made 15 of his final 17 field-goal attempts to finish the season 21 of 27. Gould's 77.8 percent success rate is the best in Bears history among kickers who've tried at least 25 field goals. Jeff Jaeger (75.9) is second, followed by Paul Edinger (75.3).

"I really like what he was able to do," Smith said. "Going into the offseason and going into training camp we didn't know who he was. I thought he came in and gave us a big lift. He's our kicker. An offseason will be good for him also, getting more strength and just being around the guys. But I like what Robbie Gould did for us and we'll build on that."

link

 

[Born to Run]

The only thing wrong with the Bear O is the absence of a true star. They have blue chip type players at every position and even for backups. That offense needs a big time performer to fall back on. Benson was suppose to fill that void and it is still possible that he will turn into the second coming of Walter Payton (slim chance.....)OK, there is no chance of that happening, but they need the equivalent of Smith in Carolina, Brady in NE or SA in Seattle.

 

[SpaceCowboy]

I agree that they need a playmaker. Hopefully with this year's success they can build on that and maybe be an attractive situation for a good free agent on offense. (see: Reggie Wayne)

 

[reg]

smells like 2001 all over again to me.

That team was isn't the top 1/2 of the league in offense or defense, I don't believe, and had journeymen QB's.This team is a lot younger with everyone signed for next season.

Different situations.

Ranked #1 in points allowed and 13th in yards allowed.#11 in points scored and #27 in yards gained.

 

[RBM]

smells like 2001 all over again to me.

That team was isn't the top 1/2 of the league in offense or defense, I don't believe, and had journeymen QB's.This team is a lot younger with everyone signed for next season.

Different situations.

Ranked #1 in points allowed and 13th in yards allowed.#11 in points scored and #27 in yards gained.

2 of the main guys on that D were big Ted and Traylor, both aging and hired guns. Plus absolutely no pass rush outside of Rosey Colvin. The ends were Phillip Daniels and Bryan Robinson for gods sake. Thats like playing with 4 tackles. McQuarters was the top corner, need I say more. The safeties were good with a healthy Brown and the beastly Tony Parrish, but besides that, this D is much better, younger and in a better system. On offense, Jim Miller was by no means a qb to look forward to if you will, and Atrain was shell of his rookie self the next year. Ill take Grossman, TJ and Benson anyday.