AZ54

Some of this criticism is a bit unwarranted IMO. It's common to hear players and coaches across the league state that intensity picks up when the real games start. The only way that can happen is if intensity is lower during the preseason. Even guys like Urlacher have said as much in years past. Intensity also picks up again in the playoffs and the only way that can happen is? I would say that years ago it used to be common that teams didn't blitz much during preseason, and in general the hard licks on QBs, WRs, RBs were avoided as a matter of professional courtesy, and it went both ways. In fact you wanted your starters out when the backups were on the field because you never knew what some overzealous guy might do to impress someone (i.e. headhunter) thinking it will help him make the team. Over the last decade that has changed dramatically. Buffalo had no problem blitzing us from the first snap of the game and coming after our QB. Perhaps it's a factor of all the free agency changes in personnel and the need to get so many new players understanding all aspects of their new offense or defense, guys fighting over starting roles moreso than before FA, etc. My concern isn't so much that guys like Urlacher aren't playing all out, we know what he can do. It's a young player like Webb who should be going all out to hold down what could be a very highly paying job at LT. He had a great opportunity to demonstrate what he could do against Shawn Merriman, what a great opportunity. This week he gets another shot to show he belongs against the Giants defense that made our entire Oline look horrible.

Agreed, I'd make the deal in a week or two if Unga and Bell still look good. I want to know we have a decent 4th option in case someone gets hurt. Yet why would the Texans make this deal? At best we'd get a conditional pick.

Hanie hasn't exactly lit up the scene. I don't hear anyone worried that he threw 5 INTs in one practice. Perhaps that's proof of what we saw in the first game, he's holding the ball too long. He's been given first crack at the #2 spot and given his experience he should easily win it over a rookie but again, I have no problem with him having to earn it.

I don't zero in on oline and I'm no expert on blocking techniques but J'Marcus Webb was supposed to have a very good initial punch. Just once I'd like to see him use it.

Looks like I'm the only one who wasn't impressed with Hanie's performance against Buffalo. I expect much more from him, not the static, "oh my god where do I go with the football" look he had on every pass play. I am not saying Enderle out played him but when I consider that Hanie has had the bulk of the practice reps then yes, Enderle didn't look a whole lot worse. Which opens up the question of what can Enderle do if given more practice reps? Either way, I have no problem with the accountability. There will be accountability on the Oline if players perform the same as they did against Buffalo but it would be ingorant of the staff not to acknowledge the timing and coordination issues needed across the 5 Oline players takes some time. They must show progress or other options will be considered. As far as Tice calling Louis elite...don't mistake "elite athleticism" for "elite RG". There are a lot of elite athletes in the NFL who aren't elite players...Vernon Gholston, Lance Louis, Danieal Manning, etc.

We can't have early pressure up the middle. I see Webb's weakness on the edge, even Carimi, getting pushed back but both these guys are big enough to force their guys wide past the QB but the QB has to be able to step up. If Lance Louis plays like this again he's done.

When did we get a 1st string Oline?

Not gonna do it. First, I disagree with your premise that Taylor might do a role reversal. I think he is what he is, a shifty back who has lost his shiftiness. Bell ran with passion, Barber too, and we need that. Second, did you see our pass protection? Did you see our run blocking? At times the run blocking wasn't great but it did show up in significant ways on many plays. Even on screens. Point is, we must be able to run effectively this year and I think having 3 RBs who can do that is a necessity, Taylor isn't one of them. The running game is the only thing that will give this Oline some breathing room on pass protection. We have TEs who can run block too! I say we go large and run the ball.

Finally saw the game on NFL Network. I was not impressed at all with Hanie, too many double clutches before he was throwing. That's a huge tip off the defenders, and of course he had a tendency to throw late. He didn't get much in the way of practice reps last year and with the lockout he's only had 10 practices in this offense so I'm still on his side. Enderle is lost but I loved some of his throws. He has the ability to drop the ball in over the top of good coverage. Seems like a decent pickup for a 5th rd pick.

He's a head hunter, was that way in college and he hasn't changed. A couple decades ago he'd have fit right in but not in today's game.

Grew up in the west suburbs, Westmont and Naperville. Now living in Mesa, AZ.

When you make $10,000,000/yr you never have to hit on women. They come to you.

But but but they got Anquan Boldin and his 64 rec and 837 yds was all they needed?

Who?

To me he looks like he's finally in shape.

I have no issues with the tough love from the coaches and have asked for this in the past. Man up. If Knox wants to request a trade I can't see how that is Angelo's fault. Nor does Angelo have to give in unless it's in the Bears best interest. If Knox is such a great 1000 yd receiver and we can get a 1st Rd pick for him make the deal.

Wow, we are a lot bigger on the Oline this year. I didn't realize how much Williams and Louis had gained in strength. .

I think the Oline will be better this year simply from the standpoint it's the second year in the offense, and we shouldn't be shuffling the deck a whole lot. I still wish we had picked up a FA OG. Regardless, it's possible we can achieve "average" this year and that would be a huge step up. I'm not confident on the left side but if Lance Louis can figure out how to run block, and there are some signs that is happening, then we will be able to run right all year long. Last year we didn't have one thing we could do dependably.

Perhaps there is some truth to the rumor that Josh Moore is looking like he can contribute.

I believe Tommie still has the same bad knees. If Hayden has recovered from his injury then he's likely one of our top two CBs. Indy doesn't spend much on their defense other than targetting a few key players so for Hayden to have gotten that contract from them means something. Of course they can say the same about Tommie except he wasn't cut for cap reasons.

I think D.J. Moore has a lock on the nickel role. He was pretty solid there last year and hopefully another year in the system translates into improved play. I suspect the new and improved Josh Moore gets the "upside" benefit. Therefore the bubble spot goes to Jennings, Bowman, and Graham. Graham might be Toub's special teams pick. Or will Sanzenbacher force the teams hand in keeping 6 WRs with Hurd being the special teams pick? I searched and found nothing a potential signing but if he ends up in our training camp it will have ramifications for many players.

I think it's ok to have Knox as primary and keep Hester in reserve for kickoffs. Hester is still a significant part of our offense and he needs to have something left in the tank. Plus the new rules mean kickoffs will basically be a formality. If it's late in the game and we need a huge return throw him out there. It's a totally different look for the coverage team and that just adds to his potential for a big return IMO.

http://thexlog.com/201108012214/xtra-point...ng-camp-report/ Interesting comments on Carimi and his run blocking. Conte seems to be playing FS well. Hester is looking good as WR.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/cate...1-training-camp Joshua Moore in mix to start at corner August, 7, 2011 AUG 7 5:14 PM CT EmailPrintComments 5 By Jeff Dickerson BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Don't rule Joshua Moore out as candidate for the Chicago Bears starting cornerback job opposite Charles Tillman. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is pretty surprising, it's the first I've heard that he's even playing well. To be fair they don't even state that he's playing well, only that he's bigger, stronger, quicker, and faster. Definitely one to watch in the preseason games.

I am very surprised for him to announce this so early in camp. Spencer has only been able to practice since Thursday. Likewise, Garza has only been at C for a week. More surprising for me is that he's showing that much confidence in Williams and Louis and so early. So perhaps there isn't that much competition but even so, why tell that to your players now?