CrackerDog

I don't think there's any question we're softer than previous generations in many ways. My grandfather got a fishing lure's treble hook set buried in his hands and just ripped it out. No blood! Big chunks of callouses from years of working on the railroad but no blood. Crazy. Old guys from then were rock hard even in their beer bellies! And I won't even go into their mental toughness... With that said, I don't think that would change the instances of head injuries. In fact, because we're better nutritionally (as to speed for our athletes) and bigger those are the traits that I think lead to more injuries of this nature. Bigger bodies, moving faster and colliding. Not a good combo. That's why this is such a huge problem. The players aren't going to get any slower or smaller so....

I think the NFL has all the info they need on the topic. I actually expected better helmet technology to solve the problem but thus far it hasn't. As to concussions, I had a terrible one in 1979 playing 16 inch softball! I was playing first base and stretched for an errant throw down the line and the runner's knee nailed me in the head as I was going down to get the ball. At 50 I still feel occasional pain or numbness in that spot. Don't know if there'll be further affects as I age. I never had a head injury playing football either.

I don't like Cutler the person but think there's more to Cutler the football player than he gets credit for. Only time will tell what his legacy is. I hope for the best for him and the Bears.

My son played 6th, 7th and 8th grade football. When he got to HS I told him it was his choice as to whether he went out for freshman football and told him he'd already earned all of those "dad memories" for me and that it didn't matter. I'm actually glad he chose not to go ahead with football as he'd already experienced a concussion even at those early levels. I'm a huge fan of the game, the old school game. The Doug Plank game. But I totally understand why the changes have been necessary. I don't like the sport as much anymore and do fear it can't survive in it's current form. And it'll only get softer as time goes on. But without a feeder program of young players the professional game is sure to suffer.

I'm just glad one of you "punk kids" does twitter for the group so I don't have to. LOL! Thanks for the update.

Since I had no idea what to expect I'm not surprised by the pace that's been set. I think they've found some helpful FA's thus far and it follows from what we were told early on, you draft the BPA and you make that possible through free agency. The decision to retain Cutler given that their hands were really tied and other options, either through the draft or free agency weren't very good. It wouldn't surprise me if we picked a QB in the 3rd round or later, however. What we don't know, though, is how many of our current players are actually capable of playing in the NFL if they're given solid coaching. I think many last year had high expectations going into the season given what had transpired the year before and how we seemed to shore up the D. Is it possible some of those players can actually do the job for us so we aren't in a mad scramble for serviceable players? If so, we're closer to turning this around than anyone here would've believed after that terrible season last year. Again, our schedule this season is brutal so expecting playoffs in the first season under the new staff is probably a bit much to ask. But I'm cautiously optimistic that this season isn't going to be horrible.

That's pretty damn mature for an internet post. I agree. We all need to move on from our favorite pet bitch and just see what the next generation of Bears leadership brings. This whole clean break thing can apply to many aspects of life!

Based on the way you two reacted I thought there'd be something significant here. This is almost a nothing comment. Now, I'm SURE we'll hear Brandon go off in the future but this just didn't get me nearly as pissed as I thought it would. Just wait.

It had Cutler's head on it. I found it disturbing but definitely NOT sexist.

For this reason I like the signing. Oh, and Conte being back with Lovie is just a cherry on top of the sundae.

Honestly don't know what BB would do but I think, after all the FA's picks are in, we'll either target a DT or speed WR. Not sure if that means we trade back or not but those are two spots we can still help ourselves. If we don't yet get Pork Chop Pot Roast we'll probably go DT. If we do and we think we've got something on the roster for speed WR, then I could see us just going BPA.

If you put enough B+ players on the field at the same time, you'll get an A+ defense with some Pro-Bowlers on it. Particularly if they're well coached.

IMO this is about nothing more than sending a clear signal, rallying the troops, etc. It had to be said even if it was obvious that they didn't have much in the way of options. Since rumors were out there they took a leadership position on it and killed the rumors. It isn't unlike Lovie's "Rex is our Quarterback" statement but somehow it seems different. At the end of the day, the contract, the holes elsewhere and the lack of other viable options in the draft/FA make this a no brainer. And Jay's prior experience with Gase should pay dividends. All I know is Jay has ZERO left in terms of excuses. I was his biggest backer for a while and it's clear to me that he's let everyone down and played a role in getting two head coaches fired. This coaching regime will be standing after jay Cutler is an afterthought on this team so he either gets his shit together ASAP or we'll be moving on without him.

We'll have to seen if that holds true but it could be. I'm not sold on Rolle anyway but as a spot-gap, maybe it's a good signing. We'll see about that too! Lot's of what-ifs playing out right now...

Best accidentally humorous post in a LONG time.

I was thinking the same thing. But he didn't do the deals, just brought in some of the talent.

All true. Let's face it, no QB is going to overcome the blowouts that ended our season last year. Week in and week out giving up 40 to 50 points. There were games earlier in the year where better coaching decisions, better scheme and yes, better QB play could've gotten us wins but there were games we won where worst QB play could've lost those. On top of that, everyone (including me) bitches about Jay being paid top money but not putting up numbers to deserve it. And those gripes are legit. But ASIDE FROM INTERCEPTIONS Cutler put up numbers that would've put him in the top 10 at QB last season. Yes, last season! The worse in recent memory for Bears fans and if Jay would've played in the one game they sat him, he would've been borderline top ten in passing yards. Obviously the picks, the idiotic decisions, etc need to be minimized and perhaps good coaching, more balance, better line play will help with that. If it weren't for the unbelievably tough schedule next year I'd say with a revamped D we could see a quick turnaround. It's far too early to predict anything about 2015 but we might be pleasantly surprised that we don't completely suck shit.

The exact same thing you and I (and Jason and a few others) have been saying all along. There isn't a better answer available and you probably shouldn't "sell low" given that he's worked with Gase before.

My biggest qualm with Jay, and others have also said it... He doesn't seem to have much leadership ability. And that's critical at QB. From the jerky look on his face to the way he handles the press, addresses his guys on the sidelines, etc. I'm not sold that he has "IT" and when crunch time comes and he's the difference between winning and losing, he'll fold. Other less talents have had much higher leadership abilities. Jim McMahon who was a skilled QB probably didn't have all the tools Jay does but I'd take him in a heartbeat over Jay. So, we agree, you can win with Jay at QB but the concerns about him being the face of the franchise, being a leader of men, being the guy who can win the big one... Those are all real. If we had better options for 2015, I'd explore them. I'm just not convinced there's a better answer available to the team right now.

Not entirely what I said but let's just go with this. What will happen if we have a game manager? Certain element of the board will start claiming the offense is too predictable. It's boring. Why can't our GM find talented WR's? Certain folks will grow more envious of teams with great QB's. Why are the Bears always stuck in the past? Look at what Team X is doing! Our GM sucks! Look, I honestly don't see what all the drama is about? We're all on the same page that Cutler is overpaid given his production. The boys who gave him that deal are gone. New management, who looks like they've got their shit together, has assembled what looks like one of the best coaching staffs in the entire NFL and THEY are working to put the best product on the field they can. If THEY decide that for now, giving Jay another shot is the right thing to do, so be it. I realize everyone here is a football genius and could've guided the Bears to multiple Super Bowls in the last 20 years if only given the chance... But seeing as you aren't in charge, maybe we should see what the new staff can do before we condemn them.

Interesting you cut off the rest of my post where I kept an open mind. Yes, I'm convinced that given what we know about QB's available right now and those in the draft, we're going to take a big step backwards in 2015 at QB. That doesn't mean trading Jay isn't the right thing to do, regardless, for the long haul. Bring in a kid to throw to the wolves? Not better than Jay. One of these stiffs available in FA? Not better than Jay. We could just turn into the 1977 Bears and run the ball all three downs with Bob Avellini throwing it 5 - 10 times a game. Hell if I know. But that wouldn't be better than Jay at QB. And it would be boring as shit. But if they unload him, as I said, nobody is going to cry over Jay. And the negative nancies here will just hate on the next guy and the guy after that. Assuming we don't draft the next John Elway, which would then shut them up. But gentleman, buckle up. If you think we're going to see an offense anywhere near as productive as what Trestman's was in his first year, without Jay, you're in for a huge disappointment. This is going to be a lot of work and will require patience. More than most of us here have.

Ha. And then all the Jay haters here will have someone new to hate... who will VERY likely suck harder than Jay ever did. But if they move him, they move him. Jay hasn't made any believers here in Chicago with his schtick. What an amazing year it's been for football in Chicago and the season is still almost 1/2 year away...

If Kaep was still on his rookie contract I might think about this. But given we'd be trading problem contracts, no thanks. Hell, I think Jay is the more talented of the two with both appearing to be head cases of equal idiocy. Kaep is younger so there's a bit more hope for him, I suppose. If Jay survives the week as a Bear, this season is his last to prove he's capable of producing the numbers his contract demands. Then, if he has a great year, our issue will be that Gase will likely be hired away as a HC because he's the guy who finally got Jay to get his head out of his ass. And then we'll be starting over with Jay's 19th offense or some shit.

That's what I thought.

Don't you only get comp pick for losing a player in free agency? I'm probably wrong but let me know. Can you trade players for value and still get comp picks?