AZ54

I see the D in great shape moving forward except for two positions, DE needs a pass rusher and safety. I know we also need to replace Urlacher but we have a couple drafts to accomplish that. If Orton is for real then we need to focus on Oline and add one WR, a bigger possesion type to compliment our smaller quicker guys.

It's getting to the point I won't be surprised if our 1st Rd pick next year is a DE.

Stressed nerve means it's time to get some acupuncture.

Urlacher waving his arms at the crowd might have been his best move all day (and I don't count being unblocked as he rushed up the middle as a good play by him). Every time someone gets their hands on him they drive him right out of the play.

Offense scored 13 pts with Orton in the first half and 14 with Rex in the second. Jabber all you want about Orton vs Rex but he did enough to get the win for us and it's nice to have a QB come off the bench and do that. Now about these recent fumbles by Hester...

I agree with that on Lovie being slow to replace poorly performing vet players the last couple years. However, this year seems to be different, much more like he was in his first year as the Bears coach. Before he got hurt Vasher was already giving up snaps to Graham. Before Roach got hurt he was taking snaps from Hillenmeyer. Metcalf went out with an injury in camp but never recovered his starting job from Beekman.

Until a pass rush shows up this D isn't going to slow anyone down. It's about more than just 3 plays it's all the other defensive plays that led up to us being in that position.

This entire rumor mill is likely based off the article a couple weeks ago where Turner stated the Bears already had a Wildcat play for Hester in the playbook but that they hadn't called it. Turner said that now with so many others doing it that the surprise element is gone. Aside from that I agree, the offense ain't broke so let's not try to fix it with some trick plays.

I realize Orton will have a bad game somewhere down the line. However, if he wants to be thought of as a big time QB (and paid like one as many have suggested) in this league he needs to play like one in the big games. I'll wait to see how we fair against the Titans and it's a home game so that should make things better for our Oline.

That was Cowboy he stomped on. I believe it was their center Gurode (sp?).

If he seems like more of a 3rd down liability it's because he's being used on 3rd downs this year due to injuries. In the past unless it was 3rd and short he came out of the game when we put the nickel package in (w/ RMJ). I suppose you can blame Hunter because he isn't that great in pass coverage but he's usually pretty astute with his assignments. If there is no pass rush and he has to cover a guy for more than 3 seconds then yes, we have a problem. Is it his fault the team is forced to use him in situations he's not suited for? Is it his fault there's no pass rush? Not IMO. Our run defense has been solid this year and he's a part of that. I don't think he's a great LB and it does appear he's not making some of the big plays he used to make in the past. I can say that about all 3 of our LBs so perhaps he's not as good because other players aren't drawing the same amount of attention they used to get.

We will find out what we have when we play the Titans.

Orton - like what I've seen lately but I have to agree with Kyle's words; he needs to do it for a complete season before we discuss a new contract. Mike Brown - No reason to sign him to an extension right now. His play certainly doesn't warrant it. St Clair - I'd love to see this because I like his versatility. I agree he doesn't deserve true starter money but does deserve to be paid right behind those guys. Keeping him around makes it easier to fix our Oline woes over the next year or two. Why would we cut Clark because of Kellen Davis? The same Davis who missed a block on a key 3rd or 4th down play that ended up costing us a game? I assume he'll get better with more experience but I haven't seen it yet.

I watched Norv Turner at the press conference. His darting eyes make it very clear this is a scapegoat decision he's doing solely to buy time for himself to right the ship. Ted Cotrell will land on his feet shortly. Rivera will get swept out with the rest of Turner's staff either this year or next and he too will land on his feet.

That would be a great move for the Lions because he likes to throw INTs!

We've already been hit hard by injuries like many teams: 3/5 of the starting secondary: Vasher, Tillman, McGowan IR, plus Manning and Bowman Starting WR: Hester, Lloyd, Dline: Harris because I don't think he's been 100% yet this year.

Perhaps they are. It's not the first time an article has shown up in the media after the topic was first discussed here.

I think we need to do something to get our running game going. Pass protection has been good largely due to Orton's pocket presence. If Williams truly is ready to play I'd put him at LT and move St Clair back inside. However, considering how well St Clair has played there's no reason to risk further injury to Wiliams so if he's not 100% ready leave him on the bench. St Clair would likely replace Beekman at LG where he'd be working next to and helping Williams. IMO Beekman has been better than Garza but I like the idea of keeping St Clair's experience next to Williams. I'm not opposed to letting Buenning take a shot at replacing Garza but we really have no idea how he's playing right now.

Nate might have the better skills for playing in the slot as he seems to be able to cut quicker than Graham. The biggest problem Nate would have is that you can't play back 10 yards off a guy in the slot.

Nfol, I'm going to have to agree with you on this because I wrote pretty much the same thoughts on the other thread after your 3 TE post there. The versatility of Olsen and Forte make this a great package for us. You could even split out both Olsen and Forte and go empty backfield which means a defense might have a heavy package on the field and be forced to cover routes like a nickel D. I think that gives us a big advantage.

I totally agree with the 3 TE set except it isn't Davis replacing McKie. We use Dez and Davis at the traditional TE spots on the line next to the OTs and keep Olsen working the H-back role he already knows. I put Hester out wide to keep the safeties guessing what's going on. Or go really heavy on one side with Dez/Davis next to each other. I'd much rather see this than the Wildcat formation, especially given the quality of run blocking from our Oline.

I personally wouldn't mind having Rex as our #2 QB but the way he was treated during the preseason means Rex must move on from this organization. He'll never ever get fair treatment from the Bears fans again even if he plays respectably. Plus he'll want a shot at becoming a starter somewhere down the line. The previous San Fran QB Alex Smith will be available too so add him to the list. I think a teams will look at him as a guy with the tools but not the head for the job, same as Rex except Rex can't run. Unless he falls apart in the next few weeks Warner is not leaving AZ. Whisenhunt won't mess with success and he'll keep Warner as the starter next year. That means Lienart can party all summer long which makes him a good fit as the #2 QB in AZ unless someone comes calling with a high draft pick (say a late 2nd Rd pick). In that case I'd could see Rex fitting in here as the Cards backup and chance to compete for future starting job (after Warner leaves) throwing the ball to Fitzgerald and Boldin. I prefer to have a vet like Garcia as our #2 and let Hanie get another year to develop as the #3. Patrick Ramsey looked horrible on Monday night so I have no interest in him and would rather develop a rookie or Hanie as our #2.

I watched the NFL replay of the Vikings game and I somewhat agree with you on the angle but once he arrived at Peterson, Brown simply moved to the side of him instead of staying directly in front. He gave what I'd call less than full effort at holding him up and simply let Peterson out muscle him and Graham was wrapped around Peterson's legs. I did see him deliver some big hits in that game but in pass coverage he still arrives late. In years past his timing on arriving at the same time as the ball was very good and he broke up more passes. In watching plays in traffic it seems at times Brown is being more tentative than he used to be. I won't speculate on this being because he is slow diagnosing plays, or if he's just hesitant to get in the mix, or if Babich is telling him to hang back. Whatever the reason, I liked the old way he played where you could always count on him getting in the picture no matter where the ball went.

No worries; Chris Johnson is a little guy and sooner or later someone is going to snap him in half.

If that's what it takes to get him off his ass and start making plays then so be it. I'd be happy if his stats would simply match the no-name 2nd year player starting beside him who has only played safety in 7 games in the NFL. That shouldn't be asking too much.