Alaskan Grizzly

On the one hand I'm not too keen on another "hot head" to the mix (ergo Bennett and Marshall) and especially with this current team make-up. On the other if he's similar to Kreutz in that his 'a-hole-ishness' translates to good play then yeah, I'm down. However if you recall Kreutz not only was aggressive on game day but with his own teammates on their off days. Wasn't it he who broke Fred(?) Miller's jaw while hanging out at the range and after getting into a fight? How would Fox put up with guys like that nowadays?

IN other news; Cromartie is said to be in Indy where a "desperate Colts team" is looking for some DB help. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000068...desperate-colts Guessing the Bears are done with him.

Stinger; as usual you jump to the wrong conclusion. This has nothing to do with 'holding onto the past' but rather if we're doing a youth movement, we need to stick to that . Not bring in old players with nagging injuries. That being said, perhaps Cromartir could play some safety to prolong his career(?) I'm fairly certain Peanut could have had he decided to make the move. That was just something he wasn't interested in. Something tells me Forte has a few more productive years in him. But we'll see.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/...-playing-again/

Let me first say I really like the guy. Great player and strong veteran presence but I'm not sure I like the motivation. A couple issues. 1) I thought we were in a 'youth movement'? Didn't we lose Slausen, Peanut and Forte due to them being older and less reliable? We can see how losing one or two solid pieces (even if older) the line has had a hard time rebounding from. And in the def backfield; we have a lot of uncertainty opposite Porter (another oldie but goodie - more on him in a second). 2) this to me smells of a little desperation. I didn't realize our CB corps was so injured. 2-3 potential starters are laid up for various reasons yet now we may consider a 10 year vet (who himself has an injury history) as a replacement. On paper this seems counter intuitive. Now the good side. Porter, for as old as he is, has really done well and played beyond his years, last year and this year so far. Cromartie, I feel, could be just as good if not better. I like the thought of him being able to stick. But then again I would have liked keeping Forte, Slausen and Peanut too.

Marinelli might be a little old to play Slot Receiver at 70(?). Besides isn't he the Dallas D-Coord right now? ( I kid, I kid). With Royal injured - again - I'm not sure how much longer he'll last. I know he's got a rather fancy contract but what difference does that make if he's chronically injured? I'm thinking Thompson has a strong case as the KR AND a lower round WR (5th or 6th backup). Kid's got speed and runs good routes. And yeah I'm really happy to see Jones doing well. He seemed to have way too much potential to be lost.

Thanks Adam. So was Jones playing out of the OLB spot? I assume so. I saw the stat line and Shaws performance did look pretty favorable. Maybe they should try him in the #2 next week? Ever since Bravemans come to us all they could say was what a workout fiend he is; not much has been said how well he's performed. It's not looking favorable. Maybe they'll be a place for him on the PS.

Thanks for this. I noticed it wasn't being aired live in my neck of the woods so the first I'll be able to put eyes on this will be Saturday. Anyone going to be doing a game thread tonight?

Good to see Bellamy and Mariani are also cast in a positive light. I'm personally a fan of both (although I wish Bellamy would give White #11). Sadly it looks as though Royal may soon be on his way out.

Ok first thing; I'll use a 'Trumpism' and say I was being "sarcastic" about our starting QB ever getting us to the playoffs. My recollection was clouded by his sitting out the Championship game. So in the regards of them (Cutler and Hoyer) going to the playoffs and stinking it up....it's a wash. Anyhow you ask me if I would critique Cutler if he threw those errant throws? It's like you don't know me AZ. Of course I would. And for good reason. The guy is making how much to be our FRANCHISE QB and still plays at the journey man level. The point is that so far he's done no better than any of our backups (for the most part) over the years and I'll say again; at best he's devolved (or evolved) into a solid game manager. With the current status of the Oline I'm not expecting a lot of improvement from Jay or many other QBs on the roster at this point. Thankfully if Loggains is running a similar scheme to how Pace did it we'll be seeing a lot of quick passes with lots of running by committee. And man do I hope our D comes through!!! And lastly, I find it interesting you missed the big PA play that Hoyer completed up the left sideline to Thompson about midway through the 2nd.

Yeah whatever! ? Ha! Seriously though, drive safe.

Keeping in mind I've only watched about half the game I have a few points I'd like to ask about: What? Had it not been for the one INT (not sure how that occurred since I haven't seen that part) Hoyer was outperforming the other QB's statistically. For you to say he doesn't belong on the field when he's fresh from taking his last team to the playoffs (and our current starter never has...) baffles me. I am curious for your rationale. My guess is they're looking for either a starter (least likely) or what they have in a backup to an aging, but still effective player, in Porter (most likely) or wanting to gauge how he might do as an eventual NB (also highly likely). He closed out the year doing pretty well when he did play so it makes sense that he would be improving on that performance. In previous posts this was discussed. Although I hadn't seen him play this position last night he has a history as an OLB and I personally think he would be a great fit there...if they have the room to keep him. As much as I'd hate to lose Acho, if you had to choose you'd need to go with Jones. Especially if he shows as much promise it sounds. From the little I did see; Mariani continued to play well in the slot (?) role. Especially considering Royal's being out, I don't see Royal holding the spot. I also saw Braverman's potential but measured to Mariani's level of play and experience in this offense he, right now, has the upper hand. Devonte Thompson may very well have a future. If not just as a return man but as a legitimate #4 receiver. The kid is fast, runs clean routes and has some decent hands. I'd personally like to see Bellamy stay on the team but right now Thompson offers more with his KR skills.

I haven't seen the game yet but I still think it's wayyyyyy to early to write them off just yet. Fox has been known to bring teams back in quick fashion and I'd bet he'll hold true to form.

How about who runs the offense better between Cutler, Hoyer and Shaw? That could be intriguing.

Sanchez. And seeing him wilt under pressure from said "revamped defense".

Tell that to Grasu. Poor kid. He's been struggling but still maintaining the starter role and now this. Like Mad said, this could be it for him. I wish him the best in his recovery and for what comes afterwards.

*Disclaimer* in no way do I support Martellus in his lunacy buuuuuuttttt... First; he didn't say that he thought Jay was the "worst" QB, his brother did. Secondly; to be fair you have to look at the stats and situation(s) for which he played. Played behind perennial pro bowler Jason Witten (who he's gone on record as saying he hates by the way) in Dallas. Then, as he starts to show promise he had the opportunity to start for NY and took it. After the one year deal there ended he found his way to Chicago. Many of you here said he was an up and comer and that Chicago was wise to get him. At any rate; am I glad he's gone? Yes. Is he wrong about Cutler throwing into double coverage when he might be open? No. I will give this to Jay though, he does know when and how to take the high road. This quote on Twitter when asked about Martellus' comments: “Hopefully, Tom, I guess, can do a better job of finding him than I did.” Bravo Jay, bravo.

This to me speaks more of Whites character. Which from what I hear he's a high character guy. The more I see and hear of him he reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald. I just hope he can perform to that level.

Interesting backstory on him. He was an UDFA out of college as an LB but was converted, without his knowledge, to FB the second year with Washington. Coach Shanahan apparently liked how he hit and he had good hands so there.... Anyhow, in the long run sounds like another camp body.

Michael is flat wrong but Jay is not the 'worst' QB. He's not the best by any stretch but not as bad as MB alludes to. Martellus isn't wrong in that yes he'd be open and yes Jay would throw into double coverage. He's done it with numerous receivers. But Martellus never really said much else that seemed damning... Unless you count the stuff he said last year. BM may be right. Sure if the stars, planets, and AJs health all align there is a slight possibility that Jay could be an MVP. Agree that he does possess the potential. Will he? Doubtful.

We could indeed. If only.... One player that has me intrigued is the UFA guy Kiernan Duncan out of Colorado State - Pueblo. He put up some 40 times in the 4.2 - 4.3 range. Not a big guy but something I read recently said the trend for slot receivers is smaller and faster. Comparisons being made to Tyler Lockett for Seattle or John Brown for AZ. Although I'm still liking Braverman or Mariani for that role this guy could be interesting see develop. Could be the next great KR guy? Kiernan Duncan

I'm ecstatic about them keeping Sweet Willie. He's been a solid player since coming over from Detroit. I thought the same thing others did and that he wouldn't last due to the position change. In fact wasn't he even talking that he wanted traded once? No matter. He's with us for awhile longer now. I would have figured he would be the odd man out but with this signing, and there is an odd man to be, my prediction is McPhee. I don't have faith he can maintain his early season performance from last year. Lest we forget that he's also currently on the PUP list.

I'd personally be fine with Hester giving it a go again for the Bears. Why not 'kick the tires' to see if he could do some more awesome returns for our team? No harm no foul. But I figure with his being older and Dave Toub no longer being with the team it wouldn't work out for him. (To me, Rodgers seems to be a bit blase in his schemes). It seems like a whole generation ago since he was here making a place for himself in the HOF. Agree wholeheartedly that if he wants to come back and retire as a Bear, that would be a perfect close to his historic career.

We have a fine back up QB already in Cutler. We need to find an actual starter. Lololololo...? But in all seriousness I agree with your last statement in that I think we'll be contending for a playoff spot. And I feel White will do pretty good, thus making our WR situation not as dire.