I believe the Bears can turn it around (1 Viewer)

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

I believe in Lovie Smith and his initial three goals when he came to Chicago- 1) Beat GB 2) Win the Division 3) Win the Super Bowl. He accomplished the first two within the first two years of being the bears HC. Then got to the Super Bowl in his third year.

This season hasn't gone as planned and their have been numerous injuries. However, I believe that the Bears can turn it around.

I'm going out on a limb but I have never been one to hide my opinions.

I know everyone will jump on this thread and make sarcastic comments, but do they ever but themselves out on a limb? No, because they aren't the leaders, they just follow.

I believe in Jerry Angelo and his ability to bring in talent.

I am not looking for excuses, just discussing the season.

What has gone wrong for the Bears this season?

1) Injuries. 2nd round pick DE Dan Buzin started the season on the IR and 1st round pick Greg Olsen missed about a month, Mike Brown and Dusty Dvorchek were lost for the season during the week one battle with SD. Nathan Vasher (groin out a month) , Charles Tillman (ankle out a couple weeks) , Lance Briggs (groin out for remander of game and vs Lions), Tommie Harris (knee played next week), Adam Archuleta (broken hand but continued to play), Adewyale Ogunleye, and Ruben Brown(shoulder) were all injured during the Dallas game. Kevin Payne was lost for the season (broken arm) against the Lions. Both starting OT's are battling lower leg injuries as well. Yes, the defense is very injured right now.

2) Turnovers. The bears have committed at least 15 turnovers in four games. That is horrible.

3) QB play. I will stand by my stance that the reason Rex Grossman has played the way that he has the last half of 2006 and this year is b/c of the media and fans. When has a QB ever shined with so much critisizm? Then the Bears pass 52 times in Griese's first game? Grossman used to be a gamer and would do anything to win. He tore his ACL diving for a TD @ Minnesota in his second season to get the Bears close at the end of the game. But now he got so mechanical and worried about messing up(people that have been in this situation with sports know what I'm talking about).

4) The Defense isn't playing up to its potential and neither is the offense. The Offensive line has been a disappointment in not opening up running lanes and protecting the QB. The Defense isn't creating turnovers and shuting down offenses consistantly. Was I the only one to see the Cowboys pass between the hashes all game long. What about deep down the sidelines? It didn't happen, they should have funneled receivers to the outside more and into the cover 2.

Reasons for optimism

1) The offensive line is a veteren group and will bring it together. They will make or break the Bears season. They can create rushing lanes and then opening up the passing game.

2) Gamebreakers on offense. The Bears have a ton of talent on the offensive skill positions. I won't even start with Benson, b/c you all know my man-love for the guy. But Berrian is one of the best deep threats in the NFL last year, Mark Bradley is the best pure WR on the team, Hester...well you all know his ability and that is just the WR's. Greg Olsen can redefine the TE position in Chicago, Garrett Wolfe is a speedy, shifty back that is very needed. All of those guys are in their fourth year in the league or less. Which means they are still developing. Combine that with the offensive line and things could get rolling offensively.

3) Injuries will heal. Mike Brown, Dvorchek are the only starters lost for the season. Within a month most defensive starters will be back and hopefully will right the ship.

4) The weather. The NFL is a passing league for the first half of the season. Then when defenses catch up and things get cold, the running game comes through. That is when Bears football is at its finest. They can grind out wins at the end of the season due to the running game and defense.

5) Some kind of consistancy on offense from the QB position, all Bears QB's have won at least 8 games in the NFL. That hopefully will dictate less turnovers for the rest of the season.

Again, I believe the ship can right itself and the Bears will again be on top of the NFC North and the NFC.

Who's coming with me?

 

[Bankerguy]

Pass.

Next year they need a FA QB.

Your QB's in no particular order are Larry, Curly and Moe.

I mean...Griese, Grossmana and Orton.

 

[Blue-Kun]

I will stand by my stance that the reason Rex Grossman has played the way that he has the last half of 2006 and this year is b/c of the media and fans

Are you kidding? Poor decisions are because of the media making fun of him? The fans caused him to become a turnover machine? This is ridiculous 'logic' at best. Plus he's had the unwaivering support of Lovie, so apparently somebody believed this entire time and it didn't help.Hell, Elway apparently should've never won the Super Bowl after he got ravaged in the media from his first set of failiures.

2) Gamebreakers on offense. The Bears have a ton of talent on the offensive skill positions. I won't even start with Benson, b/c you all know my man-love for the guy. But Berrian is one of the best deep threats in the NFL last year, Mark Bradley is the best pure WR on the team, Hester...well you all know his ability and that is just the WR's. Greg Olsen can redefine the TE position in Chicago, Garrett Wolfe is a speedy, shifty back that is very needed. All of those guys are in their fourth year in the league or less. Which means they are still developing. Combine that with the offensive line and things could get rolling offensively.

Benson has been awful in his first 4 games as a starter. Bradley has yet to show anything "game breaking". Hester certainly has ability at kick and punt returning, but has yet to show anything as an offensive player. You have a few legitmate points, but they are swallowed up by the blind optimisim for the QB's and offense to magically right itself.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

I will stand by my stance that the reason Rex Grossman has played the way that he has the last half of 2006 and this year is b/c of the media and fans

Are you kidding? Poor decisions are because of the media making fun of him? The fans caused him to become a turnover machine? This is ridiculous 'logic' at best. Plus he's had the unwaivering support of Lovie, so apparently somebody believed this entire time and it didn't help.The first half of last season is all the proof that I need that Rex can get it done.

Hell, Elway apparently should've never won the Super Bowl after he got ravaged in the media from his first set of failiures.

2) Gamebreakers on offense. The Bears have a ton of talent on the offensive skill positions. I won't even start with Benson, b/c you all know my man-love for the guy. But Berrian is one of the best deep threats in the NFL last year, Mark Bradley is the best pure WR on the team, Hester...well you all know his ability and that is just the WR's. Greg Olsen can redefine the TE position in Chicago, Garrett Wolfe is a speedy, shifty back that is very needed. All of those guys are in their fourth year in the league or less. Which means they are still developing. Combine that with the offensive line and things could get rolling offensively.

Benson has been awful in his first 4 games as a starter. Bradley has yet to show anything "game breaking". Hester certainly has ability at kick and punt returning, but has yet to show anything as an offensive player. You have a few legitmate points, but they are swallowed up by the blind optimisim for the QB's and offense to magically right itself.

Benson is averaging close to the same amount of yards that Jones was at this point last season. Bradley showed his ability his rookie season, catching a curl and running past the entire jets team for a 60-70 yard td last year. Hester obviously has the ability its just a matter of getting it into his hands.

 

[houston]

Tough to believe, but it's only week 5 and the Bears are already facing a must win game. Lose Sunday night and they'll be 4 games back only 5 games into the season. Sure they could recover to 8-8, 9-7 and contend for the wild card but it would be very difficult.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

sure you do, your a bears homer.

I think the chargers can turn it around too, but they wont

QB's and coaching, two things you need to win in this league. Both the chargers and bears have glaring holes at one of those spots.

 

[mcjc4]

Are they going to host the NFC championship or play at New Orleans?

 

[Gopher State]

Long season ahead for the Bears, No QB, really miss Thomas Jones, better then the Vikings in the Central, but not by much.

 

[Sopranos]

"THE BEARS STILL SUCK,THE BEARS STILL SUCK"

They are done. The defense couldnt carry them forever..

 

[Capella]

lucky to win 7 games. you should hope your team sucks enough that it is in position to draft a high-end QB this year.

all that homer babble is fine, but nobody is concerning themselves with the game-breaking threats that are cedric benson and mark bradley.

 

[thayman]

They will be a contender next year. Not this one. The defense is too banged up to carry the offense anymore.

Don't take offense, but Benson just looks miserable, the running game can't take any pressure off of the horrid QBs that are there.

With a good QB FA signing, and upgrade the RB position they can be scary again next year.

 

[twistd]

I believe in Lovie Smith and his initial three goals when he came to Chicago- 1) Beat GB 2) Win the Division 3) Win the Super Bowl. He accomplished the first two within the first two years of being the bears HC. Then got to the Super Bowl in his third year.This season hasn't gone as planned and their have been numerous injuries. However, I believe that the Bears can turn it around.I'm going out on a limb but I have never been one to hide my opinions.I know everyone will jump on this thread and make sarcastic comments, but do they ever but themselves out on a limb? No, because they aren't the leaders, they just follow.I believe in Jerry Angelo and his ability to bring in talent.I am not looking for excuses, just discussing the season.What has gone wrong for the Bears this season?1) Injuries. 2nd round pick DE Dan Buzin started the season on the IR and 1st round pick Greg Olsen missed about a month, Mike Brown and Dusty Dvorchek were lost for the season during the week one battle with SD. Nathan Vasher (groin out a month) , Charles Tillman (ankle out a couple weeks) , Lance Briggs (groin out for remander of game and vs Lions), Tommie Harris (knee played next week), Adam Archuleta (broken hand but continued to play), Adewyale Ogunleye, and Ruben Brown(shoulder) were all injured during the Dallas game. Kevin Payne was lost for the season (broken arm) against the Lions. Both starting OT's are battling lower leg injuries as well. Yes, the defense is very injured right now.2) Turnovers. The bears have committed at least 15 turnovers in four games. That is horrible.3) QB play. I will stand by my stance that the reason Rex Grossman has played the way that he has the last half of 2006 and this year is b/c of the media and fans. When has a QB ever shined with so much critisizm? Then the Bears pass 52 times in Griese's first game? Grossman used to be a gamer and would do anything to win. He tore his ACL diving for a TD @ Minnesota in his second season to get the Bears close at the end of the game. But now he got so mechanical and worried about messing up(people that have been in this situation with sports know what I'm talking about).4) The Defense isn't playing up to its potential and neither is the offense. The Offensive line has been a disappointment in not opening up running lanes and protecting the QB. The Defense isn't creating turnovers and shuting down offenses consistantly. Was I the only one to see the Cowboys pass between the hashes all game long. What about deep down the sidelines? It didn't happen, they should have funneled receivers to the outside more and into the cover 2.Reasons for optimism1) The offensive line is a veteren group and will bring it together. They will make or break the Bears season. They can create rushing lanes and then opening up the passing game.2) Gamebreakers on offense. The Bears have a ton of talent on the offensive skill positions. I won't even start with Benson, b/c you all know my man-love for the guy. But Berrian is one of the best deep threats in the NFL last year, Mark Bradley is the best pure WR on the team, Hester...well you all know his ability and that is just the WR's. Greg Olsen can redefine the TE position in Chicago, Garrett Wolfe is a speedy, shifty back that is very needed. All of those guys are in their fourth year in the league or less. Which means they are still developing. Combine that with the offensive line and things could get rolling offensively.3) Injuries will heal. Mike Brown, Dvorchek are the only starters lost for the season. Within a month most defensive starters will be back and hopefully will right the ship.4) The weather. The NFL is a passing league for the first half of the season. Then when defenses catch up and things get cold, the running game comes through. That is when Bears football is at its finest. They can grind out wins at the end of the season due to the running game and defense.5) Some kind of consistancy on offense from the QB position, all Bears QB's have won at least 8 games in the NFL. That hopefully will dictate less turnovers for the rest of the season.Again, I believe the ship can right itself and the Bears will again be on top of the NFC North and the NFC.Who's coming with me?

I admire your optimism. I too am a Bear fan. I am not nearly so optimistic. There are a lot of holes in your arguments. I agree that Lovie seems to be a very good coach. And Angelo has done a very good job drafting defensive talent. He isn't quite so good evaluating offensive talent, particularly at the QB position. He wasn't very good at picking QBs in Tampa. So I don't trust his abilities in that respect. To blame Grossman's poor play on the media is just silly. QBs always take heat when they play bad. Farve took a lot of heat early in his career. Brees was brutalized in San Diego. That is why they drafted Rivers. Criticism is part of the job. The problem with Grossman is that he has regressed. He was very good the beginning of last year. But once defensive coordinators get film on a QB they learn to defense him. Leinart, Cutler, and Rivers all looked very good last year. Now the defenses have caught up with them and they don't look so good. Grossman has a strong arm. But he can't read defenses. He isn't mobile. He doesn't sense the rush. He greatly exceeded expectations last year, and badly has fallen short of them this year. He makes the same mistakes over and over again. I'm not optimistic about him.The offensive line certainly is not playing to expectations. But I don't share your optimism here either. This is a veteran group. They aren't trying to work in a rookie, or a free agent acquistion. I think that Tait was hurt in the last game. But prior to that the entire group was in tact. This unit has been together for a long time. I think they may have started to get old. Outside of Kreutz there isn't another Pro Bowler on the line. They have been solid, and played well as a unit, but they are not an overpowering group. I've seen running backs who just suddenly get old in one year to the next. That may be what we are seeing here on the line. I can't see any other explanation. If that is in fact the problem then it won't be solved this year. It will require rebuilding.I think you are way off with your assessment that the Bears have a ton of talent at the skill positions. Benson isn't special. He needs really good line play to have a chance to be successful. So far he hasn't gotten it. And he just can't get anything done on his own. I felt good about what I saw from him in the second half of last year. But I have seen none of that this year. Bradley might have talent, but none of it has shown on the field. Berrian has talent, but he also has lapses of concentration causing him to drop balls. Olsen has potential, but there are lots of guys that come in to the league with great skills that are never successful. The Bears have had lot's of potential at the offensive skill positions, but very little production. I think that most of the injuries on defense will heal. But the hole may already be too deep for the Bears to dig out of. The Bears need their defense back, but they need a lot more from the offense. I'm not very optimitic they will get it.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Just wanted to bump this after the win last night.

 

[Southside Stosh]

I believe in Lovie Smith and his initial three goals when he came to Chicago- 1) Beat GB 2) Win the Division 3) Win the Super Bowl. He accomplished the first two within the first two years of being the bears HC. Then got to the Super Bowl in his third year.This season hasn't gone as planned and their have been numerous injuries. However, I believe that the Bears can turn it around.I'm going out on a limb but I have never been one to hide my opinions.I know everyone will jump on this thread and make sarcastic comments, but do they ever but themselves out on a limb? No, because they aren't the leaders, they just follow.I believe in Jerry Angelo and his ability to bring in talent.I am not looking for excuses, just discussing the season.What has gone wrong for the Bears this season?1) Injuries. 2nd round pick DE Dan Buzin started the season on the IR and 1st round pick Greg Olsen missed about a month, Mike Brown and Dusty Dvorchek were lost for the season during the week one battle with SD. Nathan Vasher (groin out a month) , Charles Tillman (ankle out a couple weeks) , Lance Briggs (groin out for remander of game and vs Lions), Tommie Harris (knee played next week), Adam Archuleta (broken hand but continued to play), Adewyale Ogunleye, and Ruben Brown(shoulder) were all injured during the Dallas game. Kevin Payne was lost for the season (broken arm) against the Lions. Both starting OT's are battling lower leg injuries as well. Yes, the defense is very injured right now.2) Turnovers. The bears have committed at least 15 turnovers in four games. That is horrible.3) QB play. I will stand by my stance that the reason Rex Grossman has played the way that he has the last half of 2006 and this year is b/c of the media and fans. When has a QB ever shined with so much critisizm? Then the Bears pass 52 times in Griese's first game? Grossman used to be a gamer and would do anything to win. He tore his ACL diving for a TD @ Minnesota in his second season to get the Bears close at the end of the game. But now he got so mechanical and worried about messing up(people that have been in this situation with sports know what I'm talking about).4) The Defense isn't playing up to its potential and neither is the offense. The Offensive line has been a disappointment in not opening up running lanes and protecting the QB. The Defense isn't creating turnovers and shuting down offenses consistantly. Was I the only one to see the Cowboys pass between the hashes all game long. What about deep down the sidelines? It didn't happen, they should have funneled receivers to the outside more and into the cover 2.Reasons for optimism1) The offensive line is a veteren group and will bring it together. They will make or break the Bears season. They can create rushing lanes and then opening up the passing game.2) Gamebreakers on offense. The Bears have a ton of talent on the offensive skill positions. I won't even start with Benson, b/c you all know my man-love for the guy. But Berrian is one of the best deep threats in the NFL last year, Mark Bradley is the best pure WR on the team, Hester...well you all know his ability and that is just the WR's. Greg Olsen can redefine the TE position in Chicago, Garrett Wolfe is a speedy, shifty back that is very needed. All of those guys are in their fourth year in the league or less. Which means they are still developing. Combine that with the offensive line and things could get rolling offensively.3) Injuries will heal. Mike Brown, Dvorchek are the only starters lost for the season. Within a month most defensive starters will be back and hopefully will right the ship.4) The weather. The NFL is a passing league for the first half of the season. Then when defenses catch up and things get cold, the running game comes through. That is when Bears football is at its finest. They can grind out wins at the end of the season due to the running game and defense.5) Some kind of consistancy on offense from the QB position, all Bears QB's have won at least 8 games in the NFL. That hopefully will dictate less turnovers for the rest of the season.Again, I believe the ship can right itself and the Bears will again be on top of the NFC North and the NFC.Who's coming with me?

I admire your optimism. I too am a Bear fan. I am not nearly so optimistic. There are a lot of holes in your arguments. I agree that Lovie seems to be a very good coach. And Angelo has done a very good job drafting defensive talent. He isn't quite so good evaluating offensive talent, particularly at the QB position. He wasn't very good at picking QBs in Tampa. So I don't trust his abilities in that respect. To blame Grossman's poor play on the media is just silly. QBs always take heat when they play bad. Farve took a lot of heat early in his career. Brees was brutalized in San Diego. That is why they drafted Rivers. Criticism is part of the job. The problem with Grossman is that he has regressed. He was very good the beginning of last year. But once defensive coordinators get film on a QB they learn to defense him. Leinart, Cutler, and Rivers all looked very good last year. Now the defenses have caught up with them and they don't look so good. Grossman has a strong arm. But he can't read defenses. He isn't mobile. He doesn't sense the rush. He greatly exceeded expectations last year, and badly has fallen short of them this year. He makes the same mistakes over and over again. I'm not optimistic about him.The offensive line certainly is not playing to expectations. But I don't share your optimism here either. This is a veteran group. They aren't trying to work in a rookie, or a free agent acquistion. I think that Tait was hurt in the last game. But prior to that the entire group was in tact. This unit has been together for a long time. I think they may have started to get old. Outside of Kreutz there isn't another Pro Bowler on the line. They have been solid, and played well as a unit, but they are not an overpowering group. I've seen running backs who just suddenly get old in one year to the next. That may be what we are seeing here on the line. I can't see any other explanation. If that is in fact the problem then it won't be solved this year. It will require rebuilding.I think you are way off with your assessment that the Bears have a ton of talent at the skill positions. Benson isn't special. He needs really good line play to have a chance to be successful. So far he hasn't gotten it. And he just can't get anything done on his own. I felt good about what I saw from him in the second half of last year. But I have seen none of that this year. Bradley might have talent, but none of it has shown on the field. Berrian has talent, but he also has lapses of concentration causing him to drop balls. Olsen has potential, but there are lots of guys that come in to the league with great skills that are never successful. The Bears have had lot's of potential at the offensive skill positions, but very little production. I think that most of the injuries on defense will heal. But the hole may already be too deep for the Bears to dig out of. The Bears need their defense back, but they need a lot more from the offense. I'm not very optimitic they will get it.

You're assement of Da Bears is spot on. I think they will go 9-7, maybe 10-6. I'm afraid the injuries on D will kill them this year. There is an outside chance of them winning the division, but most likely we will settle for a wild card berth.

 

[Tenacious D]

One game /= turning it around.

The problems still run deep on this team. Unless Benson goes to see the Wizard for a heart and courage, and brings Norv Turner with him for a brain, and the defense defies odds to stay completely healthy the rest of the way, and Brian Griese can do more than (barely) manage a game, they are still on a road to mediocrity.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Just wanted to bump this after the win last night.

What is the Bears record now? What is the Packers record now? The Bears are still a mess and the Packers are still the team to beat in that division.

 

[PsychoMan]

Just wanted to bump this after the win last night.

What is the Bears record now? What is the Packers record now? The Bears are still a mess and the Packers are still the team to beat in that division.

And the Bears did beat them. I think things will even out and it'll be a close race. No way I see the Pack running away with this division.

 

[djcolts]

Benson's 1st and 10 run for 6 yards late in the game last night was exactly what his critics have been talking about. Late in a tie game with the season on the line (and I don't think that is much of a hyperbole), instead of plowing ahead for 2 or 3 more yards, he runs out of bounds. Just, mind-boggling to me. The Bears were fortunate that they won the game in spite of him.

 

[sholditch]

It was great to see that real rivalries still exist in the NFL. They looked like they hated each other out there and once again, it comes down to the ball in Favre's hand, down by 7, with two minutes to go. And as it has been lately, ends with a Favre interception. Classic game. I still think the Bears will likely miss the playoffs, and at the Benson needs to see the wizard comment. I couldn't agree more. I saw maybe 5 runs in that game where it looked like he really wanted to get the yards.

 

[simmonjm]

Just wanted to bump this after the win last night.

LOL did you even watch the game? The packers were clearly the better team. I give the Bears defense credit for causing turnovers and fault the Packers playcalling in the second half. The slants and crosses were working so well and then they abandoned those routes in the second half just mind boggling.

 

[sho nuff]

It was great to see that real rivalries still exist in the NFL. They looked like they hated each other out there and once again, it comes down to the ball in Favre's hand, down by 7, with two minutes to go. And as it has been lately, ends with a Favre interception. Classic game. I still think the Bears will likely miss the playoffs, and at the Benson needs to see the wizard comment. I couldn't agree more. I saw maybe 5 runs in that game where it looked like he really wanted to get the yards.

Well...lets not pile on that INT by Favre to end it...there were 8 seconds left and he threw it up for grabs in the endzone (as any QB would). And Driver about came down with it.

 

[NatronIsMean]

As a Bears fan, there's a lot to fix.

For this year, we simply gotta get healthy. We have MIN, @PHI, and DET (2 at home), and HAVE to go 2-1. Then heal on the BYE week. We can make the playoffs, but doing so really relies on MUCH improved oline play, luck with injuries, and Griese improving and being real consistent.

For the future, we simply HAVE to get a free agent QB in my opinion. Our ownership is REALLY good at evaluating defensive talent, and equally BAD at evaluating offensive skill players. We need to NOT draft offensive skill players, but rather get them through free agency. The oline is a priority of course, and salary cap concerns and defensive age will increase in importance. We have a window, and I think shoring up the oline and getting a QB could make us a solid contender next year.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Just wanted to bump this after the win last night.

LOL did you even watch the game? The packers were clearly the better team. I give the Bears defense credit for causing turnovers and fault the Packers playcalling in the second half. The slants and crosses were working so well and then they abandoned those routes in the second half just mind boggling.

No I didn't

 

[dornado]

Just wanted to bump this after the win last night.

LOL did you even watch the game? The packers were clearly the better team. I give the Bears defense credit for causing turnovers and fault the Packers playcalling in the second half. The slants and crosses were working so well and then they abandoned those routes in the second half just mind boggling.

Wait a second... playcalling and forcing turnovers aren't a part of football or what? The Packers are clearly better how? The Bears spotted the Packers a lead in their own house and they couldn't hold it.... But hey, in for a penny, in for a pound... without all of those pesky turnovers and bad play calls the Bears would be 5-0 right?

 

[Avery]

Benson's 1st and 10 run for 6 yards late in the game last night was exactly what his critics have been talking about. Late in a tie game with the season on the line (and I don't think that is much of a hyperbole), instead of plowing ahead for 2 or 3 more yards, he runs out of bounds. Just, mind-boggling to me. The Bears were fortunate that they won the game in spite of him.

Madden and Al criticized him mercilessly for this, and rightfully so.When your one appreciable skill as a RB is (theoretically) being strong enough to plow forward for a few yards, you should probably do that.

 

[jonred]

Long season ahead for the Bears, No QB, really miss Thomas Jones, better then the Vikings in the Central, but not by much.

What exactly do the Bears miss about Thomas Jones? His 3 YPC? Or the fact he hasn't scored a TD yet?

 

[sholditch]

Truth is there are only a handful of RBs in the NFL that are running well. Benson is sucking but Jones isn't doing any better in NY, and I doubt he would be doing much better if he were still in Chicago. I'd say the only RBs that really look good right now are: MB3, Ronnie Brown, McGahee, and Parker. Addai if he can get back on the field. Almost everyone is playing below expectations...well, except for Sammy Morris.

 

[nflguru]

As much as I like seeing the bears win that game last night I'd have to say that they will be lucky to win 6 games total this year..

The bears played one of the worst halves of football that I've ever watched.. The only reason they won that game was the continued turnovers and I wouldn't bank on that happening every week. James Jones is the main reason the packers lost that football (that and the stupid penalties through out)

Benson looks like he has a load of crap in his pants.. the guy should be running people over, instead he slows down and then falls down on his own..

Bright spots

1. Griese looks better than Grossman. I didn't believe he would play better than him, but he has proven me wrong. The TD pass on 3rd and 2 late in the game was a great read. If Grossman is in there, he fumbles the snap on 3rd and 2 - then looks at the media after the game saying "I have to play better"..

2. TE play is very encouraging. I like the rookie, and how they are getting them involved. If you remember last year, the bears were rolling when grossman utilized clark. They need to continue to do this.

Keys to the team's success going forward

1. They need consistency out of the QB position with very minimal turnovers. I think Griese will only get better as he has more playing time, but you saw in his first game (and through the year) how the qb position shot ourselves in the foot.

2. TE play as mentioned above - need to keep them involved

3. Peterson. I think he is a better option for us and I'd like to see him get more snaps through the game in a RBBC with Benson

 

[Avery]

Long season ahead for the Bears, No QB, really miss Thomas Jones, better then the Vikings in the Central, but not by much.

What exactly do the Bears miss about Thomas Jones? His 3 YPC? Or the fact he hasn't scored a TD yet?

I'd say the players miss Thomas Jones because, if he was still in Chicago, it would signal that the organization rewards players that perform and help lead them to success rather than under-performing high draft picks who behave as though the job is owed to them.I think they miss having a RB who seems to want to run and want to win.Oh, and I think they miss a RB who looks where he's going when he runs.

 

[ericttspikes]

Long season ahead for the Bears, No QB, really miss Thomas Jones, better then the Vikings in the Central, but not by much.

What exactly do the Bears miss about Thomas Jones? His 3 YPC? Or the fact he hasn't scored a TD yet?

Spot on. I cringe eveytime I hear how the Bears let the great Thomas Jones get away. Give me a break. Facing Miami 2x is the only thing that will keep that bum from averaging a sub 3 ypc.