AZ54

Maybe not, in watching highlights of some of those big plays we gave up against Detroit Harris is woefully out of position. Take away the long pass to Johnson it's the run support that was the most concerning, at least to me.

Is that all you got? I'm having a good laugh remembering the days of Ditka and Harbaugh.

Cut in mid-season is not a good sign at all. Can't see how that indicates he'd help us.

Perhaps one day I will no longer be the sole member of the Lance Louis fan club. Once again, this kid steps in at RT and plays a solid game in both pass protection and run blocking. Same with Williams. Webb is the weak link in pass protection.

After what we saw Monday night this is fine by me. I don't expect any improvement in performance but at least the message is the right one.

I find it hard to believe there isn't someone else on the planet not already signed to play in the NFL who could escort someone to Jay Cutler as effectively as Omiyale does for a lot less money. Omiyale was never good but he's only gotten worse this year, and right now he's worthless. No run blocking and he's only capable of pass protecting on 1-step drops.

I fail to see how signing a practice squad player or fringe 53 roster player impacts Forte's contract negotiations.

Not crazy at all, we're built to run the ball. Add in Carimi who is an excellent run blocker, and Louis apparently already has more pancakes than any other Oline on the roster. On top of that we have two solid run blocking TEs in Spaeth and Davis.

Usually a coach works to eliminate mistakes. With OmidoIhavetoblockhim we have to eliminate consecutive mistakes so we have a shot at a first down each series of downs. Big game for Lance Louis. I've quietly grown into fan of his as he has worked his way up the roster in a blue-collar fashion. I see him getting better each week. Now I want to see him mano-a-mano against Suh.

He's quietly becoming the type of hard-nosed player Bears fans love. We just haven't given him any respect so far.

I don't believe the hype on Detroit at all, but I don't know which Bears offense or defense is going to show up either.

Wright is not a FS, takes bad angles. Steltz proved he's a safety of last resort. Conte is still learning the game but actually looks like our future backup FS. I think if anything the injuries have proven the need for Chris Harris to stick around a few more years.

First and foremost I'm giving props to the Oline. Especially to the constantly berated Chris Williams and Lance Louis. Toss in Webb too. Forte is running great and breaking tackles but he had some huge holes to run through today. Carolina is not that good in run defense but regardless we did what you should do against a weakness, we exploited and kept on exploiting it even when they knew it was coming at them. I'll go out and say that the improvement in running game is in part due to Louis returning. We all know it wasn't Omiyale. Louis stepped outside and played RT too after Omiyale got burned routinely. If Forte can get outside before Suh can get upfield we'll run well against Detroit too. Cutler...I was impressed with him the first game or two but after all the hits he's got happy feet and he's rushing his release. It will take some time to get his confidence back and I think that will happen when Earl Bennett returns. Knox and Hester are ok WRs but they are just complimentary types who cannot go up and get the ball when they are covered. Who else is he throwing to? RoyW, UDFA Sanzenbacher, Hurd? We need that player...Cutler needs that player. I'd say something about our defense but I didn't see any.

I didn't see Bell either. After how he blocked nothing but air in New Orleans and given how the rest of the pass protection has been that was probably a good decision. Amobi Okoye on run defense was constantly getting washed out of his lane, and taking LBs out of the play too. Almost every run, and certainly the big gains up the middle, was right through his gap. There was a huge difference when Big Toe was in the game. Paea has a slot in the rotation waiting for him when he gets healthy. No run blocking. Am I really ready to say I'd like to see Lance Louis back? Or were we missing Carimi? Definitely a dropoff from Carimi's run blocking to OmiwasIsupposedtoblockhim. How are our guys missing assignments on our home field? Can't blame a hostile crowd for that, although I did hear some boos out there. Jay Cutler hit his hot reads, and started doing it early...kudos. Now if he can get back to being comfortable in the pocket so his passes are more accurate I'll be even happier. Kellen Davis...in one play I can say I never saw Greg Olsen run like that in the open field. We need to start using him more (and he needs to start catching the ball). Craig Steltz...Chris Harris will be thanking you when he signs his contract extension. Brandon Meriweather might have had the first pass defensed by a Bears FS in years. More please. Officiating...pass interference is a penalty.

I don't think our Oline is as bad as some make it out to be. They aren't great but they can pass protect decently this year. When Kellen Davis completely misses his block it's not an Oline issue. When Bell completely misses his block it's not an Oline issue. When the D blitzes more than we have blockers for and Cutler completely ignores his hot read it's not an Oline issue. That last line right there is why the Saints were so comfortable bringing 6 guys in the 4th quarter. Jay seemed to go back into his.."l'll get it all back right here on this play" and just kept looking for the deeper routes to open up. This is the NFL and you have to take what the defense gives you. Getting sacked while Matt Forte stares at you all alone from the same spot that blizting LB occupied means you don't read what's happening. Ignoring a wide open Kellen Davis as he turns immediately toward Cutler on a hot route while watching the blitzing safety go after Cutler means he's not reading things. I'm not saying our Oline is great but there are more pieces to this puzzle than just better pass protection. Martz calling more run plays is part of it. Cutler hitting his hot reads is part of it too. Last year in game 3 Cutler made this adjustment and it led to a victory against Dallas. Will the same thing happen in game 3 this year?

Great leadership on the part of Peppers. These guys will be playing as a unified team when they return. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...ers-mother.html Source: Majority of Bears defense to attend funeral for Brian Urlacher’s mother NEIL HAYES September 17, 2011 11:52AM Reprints 9 Updated: September 17, 2011 11:56AM Virtually every member of the Bears defense will travel to Lovington, N.M., today to attend funeral services for Brian Urlacher’s mother, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The Bears linebacker missed several days of practice this week after his mother, Lavoyda Lenard, died unexpectedly on Monday. Team chairman George McCaskey, president Ted Phillips, general manager Jerry Angelo, coach Lovie Smith and linebackers’ coach Bob Babich are among the contingent planning to attend the funeral services. But the Sun-Times has learned that many other defensive players also plan to attend. According to the source, defensive end Julius Peppers has rented a private plane to take him and many of his teammates to the services before returning to New Orleans, where the Saints host the Bears on Sunday.

Brees can make you pay for taking risks but only if he has the time to make it happen. If we're getting to Brees early and often then he won't have much time for misdirection plays.

Tailgating at the stadium?

It is not Kreutz's calls I'm worried about, it's Brees' calls.

Sure he knows everything he needs to know about the new and improved Henry Melton. The newest addition Amobi Okoye. Once again, what the Bears do is pretty basic. We are not the Jets. We line up, straight up, and do what we do, and Drew Brees knows that too. It's all on film, except the Saints only have one game of Amobi and Melton.

End around with one of the slowest skills position players on the team? Martz called a good game overall but sometimes he drives me nuts. Don't need Bennett out there playing QB in the wildcat either. We traded the farm for a Pro Bowl QB, keep him on the field.

I thought Colon was being courted to be switched to OG here.

Seems Jay is making a point to management: http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=8138 "His ability in this offense is endless," Cutler said of Forte. "He's such a smart player and he's so versatile. This offense really can't run without him back there. The way he's able to take screens and get into the passing game and still run between the tackles, he's a threat all over the field and there's not many running backs who can do what he does."

It was awesome! I love how the entire stadium was feeling the energy.

I rate the Oline better....B-. They were far from perfect but they did enough to make the offense effective. Not only that, they were opening holes on running plays in the second half when we had the lead. I give them credit too because they played with composure despite all the pressure that was on them. I grade the DBs lower too because they gave up too many big plays late in the game when all they should be giving up is underneath stuff. Meriweather was pretty much just reacting after the throw but I'm glad the coaches got him in there to get some reps. With his ability to break on the ball, once he gets comfortable with the reads, assignments, and with that pass rush in front of him I expect a few big plays from him this season.