BearFan PHX

I agree, I like the defensive roster much better this year than last year. My only point is that it takes a while to learn the one gap system, and until it's firmly in place, we will see a bunch of 8 yard runs. That's OK - it's worth it. It's just what's going to happen, and something to watch for.

Even the new veterans didn't play one gap fronts before. I am optimistic about the defense over time, but in the beginning, gap responsibility will probably not be as good as it will once they get going. This is the downside of a one gap front, and it's fine. I LIKE the one gap front, but yes, there will be growing pains. Something to watch in preseason, and the first half of the regular season. Please don't misunderstand me, I'm ALL for the new changes. I'm just saying, based on history, this is what's going to happen.

Dude. You have 4 new LBs and a DT learning it for the first time. Urlacher, Mike Brown etc struggled the first year because unlike 2 gap systems, there is no room for mental errors. In a 2 gap system, athleticism can make up for a missed first step, or a misread hole. In this scheme, when everyone's doing it right, it can be incredibly effective, but if even 1 of the front 8 get in the wrong hole, youve got an 8 yard run. So given that we saw a lot of those in Lovie's first year, it is a legitimate concern.

Yes, overall the new talent will be a good thing, but it will take a while to instill gap discipline.

Hey Guys, I'm very optimistic about our new staff and roster. I've been hoping for something like this, and it seems to me that they are doing all the right things. That said, I do expect the defense to take a step backward this year. Our "Cover 2" defense should probably be called a "One Gap" defense, since it's more about the front than the coverage behind it. Our aggressive scheme asks defensive linemen to get into their gaps and get upfield. This leaves 4 other gaps for LBs and a Safety to be responsible for. Unlike a 2 gap front, where players hold position, and linebackers roam behind like little safeties, our system thrives on upfield pressure, but gap responsibility it KEY. When even one man in out of position, a runner can rip through to the secondary easily. You will recall Lovie's first year where opposing running back routinely ripped off 5 to 8 yard runs against us. I expect we will see some of that as the front learns their assignments. I do like the one gap scheme. It just requires discipline and experience to run it right. It may take a moment to get it together, but all in all I do prefer it, and hope to see them settle into familiar patterns of success after a while. How long that will be remains to be seen. Also, Love preached turnovers. In training camp incomplete passes were live balls. I hope that continues. Don't get me wrong I was thrilled to see Lovie go. Still I know there will be things we lose with him, and gap responsibility will be one of the big ones to watch. Even if it isn't so good at first, over time it can get better, just as it did under Lovie. Anyway, that's something to watch with our new LBs. GO Bears!

Love it. It's time that we instilled a culture of excellence. I am so happy Emery is free early in the Trestman era to make mistakes and try things. I'm so glad to see that they aren't afraid to demand accountability. They aren't operating conservatively from fear, they are operating aggressively with an eye on winning. I'm liking what I see.

LOL seriously? I read some pretty dumb stuff on this board, but wow. Just Bushrod, Slauson and Bennett alone make this season a success in terms of Free Agents.

I sure as hell hope we're not drafting Te'o

He seemed massively insecure. There is a huge wall up with this guy, and I don't like it. I don't think he's going to make it in the NFL.

Speaking of Playmakers, Manti Te'o was on NFL Network Playmakers and I want him less than ever. Please no.

OR if Trestman really is a QB genius, maybe he brings in a player and molds him into something even better.

I think the good GMs try to take the best player available rather than using the draft to fill holes. It's not as if there is equal talent available at all positions, so if you use position to make your selection, odds are you didn't take the most talent you could have. Emery has put us into a position where we can take literally ANY position. GREAT. The discussion here about what position to fill sounds like Angelo think.

No'o

From what I see in the draft, I dont want or expect a QB either. What I'm saying is that I'm not Marc Trestman. If I'm the GM and Trestman tells me theres a QB that has what he needs to be the next legendary QB, then I think we're in a position where we COULD take him. To my eyes, I like Cutler, but I see he has some flaws and if even Trestman can't get him to cut it out, being that this is the last year of his deal, and we didn't extend it, I'm saying, maybe they have something in mind. I think at this point they've earned the benefit of the doubt, so whatever they do, even if it's a surprise to us, I'll be optimistic.

Jay Cutler has a lot of talent, but I'm not sure he will ever reach his potential. Also, this is the last year on his contract. Now, don't get me wrong, Im all in on Cutler, and would LOVE to see him dominate and bring a super bowl victory to Chicago. But Trestman knows QBs, and if he sees someone in this draft that he thinks is the man, I would not mind seeing him take that QB in the 1st round, to play behind Cutler for a year. Since we've plugged most of our needs via short term free agency, and are free to take any player on the board, IF Trestman thinks his guy is there, I wouldn't be bothered a BIT to see him take that player with the 20th pick. We could literally take ANY position with our first pick. Nice.

I think he's FINE. If reports are to be believed, he was intoxicated, and in the passenger seat of a car that was involved in an accident. Apparently, the officer asked for his ID. He got nervous, becasue he wasnt to NOT get in trouble, as an NFL player and have all this stuff happen to him for somehting that has nothing to do with him. Apparently he said "What for? Im an NFL player I dont need any press troubles" Now thats fair isnt it? Arent you allowed to ask the officer if its necessary? I dont see him pulling rank as an NFL player, I see him begging not to be drawn into anything because of the extra circumstances. Apparently, he also walked around when the officer told him to be still. He wasn't under arrest at that point, nor did he try to flee, he just paced around cuz he was DRUNK and NERVOUS. No one is charging him with any violence act or anything like that. I though this was America. I am more and more disgusted by the police state it is becoming. He did NOTHING wrong.

It's all good scs I just think that Bushrod will be a tremendous upgrade from Webb. I'm very optimistic about this season.

You're not understanding. I'm talking about attitude. The idea that he just got all this money, but isnt complacent, and knows he needs to keep working and growing as a player sounds like a good solid humble guy. This reminds me of when you had it in your head that we should run a 3-4. Luckily, your pessimism won't matter

re: Bushrod's comments - What I heard was a guy that knows he needs to keep working and adapt. I like that attitude. When you heard Bennett say something similar about run blocking, you didn't say anything. Maybe that's cuz it didn't help your point you've been harping on.

I think (some of) you guys misunderstand him. He's not immature. He's an artist. He works hard to keep a state of glee. He won't settle for average. Think of it as being competitive about happiness. I understand that you guys see "abnormal" but there's more than one kind. In this case, it's more like eccentric. He's a good guy. Says his idea of a good time is a nice dinner and some art galleries. I have to agree. I think his positive energy is going to be a great thing. McMahon, for example, was also quirky and so was Ditka. Their energy helped the team. And Bennett's energy is a LOT more positive. I don't see him (or B Marshall) as being negative at all. I think we will grow to love this guy. I'm impressed.

It makes all kinds of sense, all the intangibles; he knows the system, and can help teach it to Williams. He's the defensive QB etc etc It seems "right" But the main point can't be overcome, he simply can't run anymore. We are better with someone else in there at MLB.

I dont see anyone else offering Urlacher anything, so I dont see us offering him anything until after the draft either. IF we draft Ogletree, its possible we offer Urlacher a coaching position I think. I know people will say that Ogletree could start on the strong side, and then move over next year, but i just dont think URL has the legs to do it anymore.

Pro: Con: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdyyWQmFyoA The Truth: http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/1...rtellus-bennett

No'o