Alaskan Grizzly

I don't care how you dice it. You NEVER EVER throw games to get better draft picks. That's absolutely ridiculous.

My two cents. I think a lot of it is based on last year in a lot of ways. Most realized the abysmal condition our team was in and since Fox has come in and despite being 2-5, the team is a more "respectable" 2-5 (if you can say that) than their record indicates. Most of the losses have been minimal not blowouts. Throw in that the defense, although completely re-engineered from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and has a ton of youth has a lot of weight . And they are still holoding their own. I think and continuing to use last year as a gauge names like Pace and Fangio, who were both front runners, haven't really hurt their stock. (Some may consider Gase a wunderkid or miracle worker for the reasons you list). Especially if they manage the team to .500 (or better) record. Then all bets are off. So yes we can probably expect our team will get a lot of scrutiny for the remainder of the year. One quick last thought. I'm of the opinion that there may be an agreement of some sort between Fox and Gase and Bears management that allows Gase to become HC when Fox retires. Not sure exactly when that will be whether it's this year or next. But something I've considered since they interviewed Gase last year for the HC job and despite not getting it still came over as OC.

Update: trade deadline came and went...in a fizzle. (Unless you consider Vernon Davis going to Denver a big deal - my family does as many of them are in the Denver area). FWIW I'm glad neither AJ nor especially Forte were traded as speculated. Moving on...

....and today they release their former #1 back Randle as one report puts it; "too much baggage". Instead they're putting faith in oft-injured Darren McFadden to carry the load at RB. Weird. What a "show" indeed.

Props to Jay. Good to have AJ back.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS KYLE FULLER KID?!?!

Krikey!!!! Sign im up mate!!!

Nah I'll pass. It was more in jest anyhow. I'm of the opinion he's here to stay *sigh*. Love him or leave him... I have to learn to accept it... And drink more. Fortunately I have lots of faith in Fox's ability as a coach. He's like the Tums to Cutlers ulcer. ? But i do like Ashkums proposal for Forte. Makes sense to me. Was watching highlights of Hester today and thinking as one dimiensional as he was, he was a huge piece to our offense 'back in the day'. Now someone who actually is more than one dimensional (Forte) is someone they would consider losing. He has too many attributes to simply let go...IMHO.

You're off by one position when you say this.... Who also happens to be in the backfield. Happy Halloween! ?

I was going to say, wasn't he leading the league in rushing at some point just before the bye? Another reason I hate the thought of him leaving. I was comparing him to Payton the other day where like Walter, Matt carries the offense for most of his years then just before his leaving the league the team makes it to the Super Bowl and wins. Except in this version Matt would score at least once in the big game.

What if Indy would do a deal where we get Luck and they get Cutler and our 2nd for next year? ?

Coming soon. Of the current Bears there are three names that I see pop up here and there. Forte, Jeffery and Cutler. Obviously Forte is the most logical (although I personally would hate it) as there are several teams in need of star RB. The article below makes it sound viable especially when you consider Denver and "our" apparent new familiarity of one another. And the way it appears Langford is gaining trust with the staff it makes Matt even more expendable. Haven't heard much about Jeffery as of late but admittedly could see him being dangled, especially if the team loses this weekend. And yes I did see some mention of Cutler as a possibility for trade to a team like Houston.... who is in definite need of something viable. I fear Matt could be gone next week but here's to hoping not. http://www.sportsworldreport.com/articles/...t-rb-future.htm

Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it was synthetic in nature. IE: Meth, Spice of Bath Salts. Seems common behavior foe at least some of them.

When I first heard this story break I instantly recalled the Belcher / Chiefs incident from a few years ago. Sad indeed. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8697360/...cide-police-say

That explains why during a presser earlier today Cutler said he'd have "Slaus" back at center this week. I was wondering about that. And for the record I like this Slauson dude. Good 'high character' guy and he's from Nebraska. Go Huskers.

Was reading a presser today that upon Ratliff's release from Chicago, that precipitated the team to call Dallas on a precautionary nature. Given the volatility of the release, Ratliff's history with Dallas and apparently still maintaining a residence near Dallas' training facility... made sense. Have to hand it to Pace, Fox and some degree McCaskey with their dealing with not only Ratliff but with McDonald earlier this season. Although some would argue that the McDonald situation was nearly self-inflicted, they still addressed it rather than let it malinger. And with Ratliff they addressed it rapidly rather than let it make a mess of a very 'young' and relatively inexperienced locker room. Unlike in Dallas where not only are they allowing a proven ass like Hardy act the way he is, they are nearly congratulating him by talking an extension. How completely ludicrous!!! I think given the current state of the NFL and how sensitive 'off the field issues' has become, this is a well defined moment (to the positive) for our team and what they're trying to do.

Interesting character this Ratliff guy. On the one hand a multiple pro-bowl player with boat loads of experience. But underneath it all there was something that just seemed 'off'. I recall when he first left the Cowboys and officially changed his name from Jay to Jeremiah. There was an locker room interview, I believe, where someone referred to him as Jay and he sorta went off about how he no longer was Jay and should be called Jeremiah. That could be just a glimmer of what percolated. And for him to come in after being suspended for the first four games and being on thin ice already pull this? That is if there truly was a 'verbal altercation'. Going with the youth movement and that they are being successful, so far, with it. This makes more sense on the surface.

Yep. There is hardly a player on any team that can match up one on one with Megatron, let alone cover him. My wife and I commented during the game that about the only one we saw constantly stand a chance was Peanut.

Maybe I should've titled the string "Ryan Pace - I'm a big fan" Keep it coming Ryan...nice work so far.

Looks like we migh have ourselves a gem in the making. He doesn't wilt in run defense which is a huge attribute. Check out Thayer's analysis of he and fellow rookie Langford's impressive play. Thayers playbook And I just read that Detroit's RB Zach Zenner was lost to IR after breaking four ribs and a collapsed lung. Because of a collision with Amos. http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/..._partially.html

Mostly 'also rans' QBs it looks. What is the basis for these stats? Beginning of this year? Which Manning is that? Where are Rodgers, Brady, the other Manning, Ryan - presumably in the top 18? Of these guys what's the TD:INT ratio?

Whether this was when it happened or later in the game it appears Fox is taking the blame. http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/10...arter-runs-call Saw that he was sorta second guessing his own clock management as well. And from what I read this isn't new for him. Allegedly he did this last year with the Broncos when they were playing the Rams. They ended up losing and Peyton was said to be pretty pissed about it.

On the other hand...

What were you hoping for me to say? And yeah, the "play calling" in the red zone is the problem. Right....

I see why Detroit is 0-5. Man talk about offering up every opportunity in the world.