CrackerDog

I wouldn't even call it a fade so much as the team is known to be flawed and they've shown those flaws in losing 4 games a team further along would've won. Further, as our resident GM, Jason, says, it's all part of the bigger plan and losing is really winning... At least as far as this season is concerned. And as of the last ten days or so, I agree with him. The season was made by beating the Packers on Brett Favre day. Along with a few other highlights. I'm very optimistic given the cap space we have, our #1 draft pick last year giving us, effectively, two #1 picks hitting the roster for the first time next year. That along with the coaching staff that turned this pile of dog shit into a team that was most often in the games despite the lack of talent fills me with hope for the future. Imagine this lot with a dozen new play makers next season. It's possible. I'm definitely not worried about the guys on one year deals. Those that performed and are young enough will get new deals of various lengths. Those that didn't are gone. Some vets will be shown the door and Robby G will be leading the conga line out of town. I think Shea and unfortunately Forte will be heading out too. We'll have to see what's available at QB in the first round next season. Could be Jay's last year next season.

We just need guys who can fricken TACKLE. Don't know how many times we needed the second or third guy in to actually bring a runner down this season!

Not bad. Not perfect but yes, above average for sure. I'd take that for our current roster any day!

1980 something. Although Wanny had some decent lines, IIRC.

Not sure he's even above average there. I think it wasn't an experiment so much as a need that Kyle was willing to fill. Yes, move him back and draft or buy a RT. No question. I had reservations with the whole thing in the first place. Still think he's one helluva football player. PS. It didn't help that the coaching staff never committed to this configuration during preseason and moved him without much real experience in the spot.

Dude, really? Ha. I hate this guy and loved Gault. I think what you're telling me is Mariani would need two more KO returns (which he isn't likely to get now) and if he averaged more than 2 yards he'd surpass Gault's average return for his career? That's nuts. I guess Willie stands out in my mind for other things.

The more I watch Forte late this season the more I think the Bears need to try to keep him. But I'm still not committing to huge dollars or more than a few seasons. So it'll be up to Matt as to where he thinks his market value is. I'd let Bennett go at this point so I guess I'm one of the few that generally agrees with you on this thread.

Anybody still feel like defending a $4 million dollar kicker who lost two games in a row for us? Pathetic.

Well, regardless of our disagreement on the W/L issue, I'll grant you this. The Bears appear to be doing things the "right way". You can see the results the Cubs and Blackhawks have achieved by building from the ground up. And yes, while the Cubs were doing that they experienced some ugly years. The Blackhawks moved to the front of the class much more quickly. Football is different and I still believe you can continue to rebuild, retrench and remodel the team while continuing to win and put a team on the field the fans can be proud of. Frankly, despite the record, the Bears have done that this year. And on that point I'm with you.

Damn it dude. You said the above so I just had to Google it. OH MY GOD. You're so right. She's a mess!

Thanks. Looks like this puts him third on the kicker scale. http://overthecap.com/position/kicker Too much money for a guy who misses clutch kicks on my birthday and can't get the ball into the end zone from the damn 35 yard line.

Ha. Good point. Reverse Jordan Rules.

And if that was his point I'd agree on a purely numbers level. But he was saying this stuff several weeks ago. It was more a slam on Lovie, I suspect, and as such I should just let it go, but what the heck, he keeps posting to this thread every time the Bears lose so I'm going to respond with a little vinegar.

I agree. I think if they're expecting to keep Cutler next year, and I assume given his performance this year and his money situation for next year, they will, then I'd LOVE to see White get some PT with Cutler. Game speed, etc are very different than practice time. I'd be careful about playing him in bad weather, however. No reason to lose him for another year. So, play him if he's healthy when you're indoors or if the weather isn't shitting on the team outdoors.

Exactly. My reservations about Gould are his $$$ and his kick offs. If he addresses those issues, I'm fine with keeping him around. I personally don't think any kicker is worth $4 million and I doubt the Bears brass intend to pay him that. Not sure how much of that is real money vs. cap hit so that might change my opinion. And then I'd hate Emery even more if he left us with dead money on a damn kicker. Regardless, he makes game winning kicks for the money he's costing or he's not worth it. He let us down this weekend big time and it was my damn birthday! Ha!

This thread goes back 4 games and references even earlier in the season. There is no such thing as a meaningless win that early, period. We were in the playoff hunt until this last game which we should've won along with two or three others. Yes, better talent would've certainly helped this team win those games with all the heart and coaching. But you don't write off any games as early as you were talking about being happy they didn't win meaningless games. That's Dan Bernstein talk and he's friggen jackass ego-maniac moron. This team, flawed as it is, should still be in the hunt and I'd be a lot happier, as would they, if they were. You're happy to play for next year. So be it.

I think we can all agree if the same exact thing happened to Rodgers, Manning or Brady there'd have been a penalty, fine and likely lynching.

I'd be careful comparing Wanny to Pace/Fox.

In 1985. And when you compare it to Rodger's helmet getting "tapped" it's amazing the inconsistency in the league.

And what are you supposed to do, ask your guys to give less than 100% because you want to lose and draft better players than them? Ridiculous. You play every damn game to win, make the playoffs if you can and then let the chips fall where they may. That 2006 team surprised all the way to the Superbowl and probably would've won it with a touch more luck. Talk about a team with flaws, it had several. I see Jason's point if you're in the last few weeks of a down season, you play younger guys, etc to get them some experience and forget about winning or losing. That's fine and different than going into early season games and coming out happy we lost. That's contrary to everything I know about competition and building a winning attitude.

I agree with you. Lot's of cheaper answers than Gould for that level of production. And deeper kickoffs. No, it's pretty clear his career with the Bears is done unless he's willing to give back some of that money and shows some improvement. At current rates and production level he's a huge disappointment.

I agree. He's got to be on the chopping block this year with that salary.

I have no idea what was up with Jay yesterday but maybe this had something to do with it. Odd that this isn't bigger news. If it was Brady's dog that was missing it would be on the cover of every newspaper.

It's incredible. The god damned NFL is turning into the NBA. If that was Rodgers or Pretty Boy Tommy they suspend the guy! I'm really sick of the direction the NFL is heading.

It's kind of a$$hole-ish that you bring this thread back every time they lose a game they should've won. Frankly it doesn't support your point either so it's also sorta dumb. If they'd won all of the games you're using to make your point they'd be in first place in their division. We all realize the Bears are a flawed team but there are only a few teams out there that are "flawless" in any given year. The Packers and Vikings are both flawed. Further, to say teams are better off sucking to improve their draft position has never proven out. New England is drafting at the back of the line 99% of the years and look at them. The Lions draft at the top every year and look at them. It's how you use your picks and coach your players up wherever they're acquired. The loss yesterday was a W that Robby pissed away, end of discussion. We make that kick we aren't talking about all of the other obvious issues with this team because THEY OVERCAME them. Which absolutely should've happened yesterday. Teams learn what they're made of in those moments. The lessons the Bears are learning from losing games like this are detrimental to their future.