Alaskan Grizzly

That's not necessarily a slam dunk in Bennett's defense but ok. Heck if we were to consider 200 yds as a benchmark then the team should have kept Davis, he did it twice in consecutive years (2011 and 2012). And we all know how good a player he was. Something else to consider is there is a better player looming large in Bennett's way, that being BM. Where Witten was the target emeritus in Dallas so too is Marshall in Chicago. And, I might add, Cutler is no Eli Manning. I dare say (as much as it pains me) nor is he Romoesque. But enough of the blasphemy from me, I'm looking forward to what awaits us in this year. I'm guarded in my excitement and reserving judgement for later in the season. I hope Im wrong and Bennett does excel then we'll all be happy and you'll be right. I look forward to tomorrow nights game to see some pieces fall into place. Maybe that'll take the edge off my pessism...just a little.

Devil's advocate: He hasn't done anything yet to prove that he will be "a part of every game plan", not with Chicago. I could make the same arguement for Leonard Pope. BUT, you are more than likely right that he (Bennett) will end up being an integral part of the team. I'm always suspect during pre-season games with teams doing their vanilla plays that they aren't going to show their hand at least until week 1 of the regular season. My hope is that is why we haven't seen much from him yet.

I'm not 'sold' on Bennet just yet BUT (and directing to your comment in bold) we all saw how Brandon Marshall has evolved. Before he came to Chicago (especially in Denver) he had a pretty ill reputation, but since being in Chicago nothing but positive has come from the guy. I strongly suspect that BM's influence will have something to do with Bennet's being a part (or not) of the offense.

The problem is technology. The 'tradition' of football is slowly being degraded because of miniscule observations by the 'armchair QB's'. As Chitown pointed out there is some blame to the older players too, but not as much IMHO. Ever since the evolution of Instant Replay a play can be determined by a blade of grass being white or green (when determining someone out of bounds or not). And in this case we can sit and look at a play frame by frame and in an instant determine the legitamacy of a hit where the player has less than a heartbeat to make that same choice. Not only do we over evaluate things like this, we find ourselves adding more time (for the game to be played) and more layers of rules into the game. I'm all for safety but like Chitown also added, they know what they are getting into when they join. They are paid handsomely for it...let them play. Its times like this I miss Art Donovan.

Briggs would make for a decent defense attorney. Comparing Bostic's hit to how Keller was injured was a good illustration of how the guys are having to think about their tackles more. To avoid the 'fine induced' upper body hits, instead they target for the legs/feet. Thus risking injuries similar to what Keller suffered. Bostic's hit was about as legal as they come. Way to stick up for him Lance.

I'm not a fan of either proposed dates as they are in the middle of the week and your 'early evening' is probably my afternoon. But if I'm in the minority then I'll do auto draft. My keeper will be Trent Richardson.

Wow...very eerily looks like a few shots from the '80s. I'd have to say it would be cool seeing "Da Coach" roaming the sidelines again. Maybe an 'inpsirational leader' of sorts? Probably motivated the players that have only read about him in history books. That helps in my support of Trestman.

So how do you explain pick #14 overall in 2008 (Chris Williams) and #29 in 2011 (Carimi)? These two were not touted soley by Angelo alone. Most of the "talking heads" had both rated high during their respective draft classes. Is it simply a case of being snake bit twice? I agree that Lovie could (and maybe should) have said more, but again Offense was not his forte. Trying to help his buds (Martz, Tice and Babich as examples) and taking their word was his downfall. As far as "busts" go, the jury is still out on Long. Two preseason games does not a career make. Ironically enough though for all the hype that Williams and Carimi garnered during their draft years, Long did not. In fact those "talking heads" were first to question the pick. So maybe, just maybe you have to go against conventional wisdom in order to succeed. Again, time will tell.

Just because... bolded could be wrong. History shows it can happen: (From Wikipedia) •Roger Staubach backed up Craig Morton for the first few games of the 1971 season and the Cowboys won Super Bowl VI with Staubach. •Terry Bradshaw was in and out of the starting role his first few years. He lost the job to Joe Gilliam in the 1974 preseason but after re-taking it led the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl IX. •Jim Plunkett started out 1980 backing up Dan Pastorini and went on to win Super Bowl XV with the Raiders. •Doug Williams only started two games in 1987 and lost them both. Joe Gibbs made him the starter for the playoffs over Jay Schroeder anyway and he won Super Bowl XXII. •Jeff Hostetler took over for Phil Simms on the 1990 Giants after an injury and started each playoff game and Super Bowl XXV. •Trent Dilfer backed up Tony Banks to start off 2000, but took over halfway through the season and rode Ray Lewis to victory in Super Bowl XXXV. •Tom Brady was the second-stringer for Drew Bledsoe in early 2001 but after Mo Lewis knocked Bledsoe out for the season Brady came back to win Super Bowl XXXVI I know the law of averages is against it, but 'never say never'. Heck, Hanie came close to doing it in 2010. If the team/management have as much faith in Trestman's ability, AND Cutler doesn't work out then maybe...just maybe...all is not lost if "Cutler is not the answer."

Fair enough. I'll agree that "things will be bumpy". Four games into the regular season will probably be a good trial run to see where the team is headed. The intersting thing I noted in a story about the pick up of Edwards. The question raised: "The addition of Edwards and Palmer is not seen as a sign the Bears are unhappy with backup quarterback Josh McCown. The club - from management to the coaches - has strongly backed McCown as a player and lauded the intangibles he brings to the quarterback room. The issue having a healthy option behind McCown, if the need arises." So reading into it, whats NOT being said? What if "they" don't think Culter can hack it? His skills aren't what they were hoping for? From what I've seen, McCown has appeared better in the first two games. More comfortable. But like you said, none of these guys 'are going to take the team to the promised land' . That just might include Cutler. I'm just sayin....

Although I think the question should be asked what IF Cutler doesn't produce? So far I'm not seeing a whole lot of positive with this new transition. IMHO, McCown probably could do a pretty good job stepping in if Cutler were either hurt or continues to look like mediocre garbage. From the two first pre-season games, he's showing a better read on his progressions and checkoffs. And distributing better. Blanchard, I'm not so sure. But between Palmer and Edwards, the latter intrigues me. This is the same cast off from Buffalo? He showed a lot of promise there but wasn't he starting to run into his own concussion issues? Of the two newest signees, he might be the better. And thank you for your service.

This x2 Optimism is good but this is just fancy practices/scrimmages. And for what it's worth regardless of how great Long and Mills look now it doesn't mean a whole lot if the QB keeps turning it over. Maybe we'll see a better lithmus test of what's to come after game 3. Although I'm still not sure Oakland will be a true test either.

In regards to "having cajones", sure perhaps. But we should probably temper it a bit with a few more games and consider that the Chargers aren't considered a "top flight" defense (word used in Chicago Tribune article I just read). I will agree that a few of the last two years' draft picks look pretty good; namely Hardin (on ST), McClellin and Bostic. Still waiting to see Cutler actually make progress. Instead I'm seeing stagnation or even regression. That concerns me.

First and foremost, NO INJURIES of any significance. Hence why I'm all for less participation by the starters. I think this will be 'lower tier' players making their case for staying around through the next round of cuts. Webb might be one of them. It won't be until game 3 (IMHO) before we get a better idea of how well our starters and overall team outlook will be for the season. And really know who will be cut before the 53 man roster.

And more than likely a few current "special teams" players will probably be gone anyhow. Either Hester or Weems (they aren't keeping both) and Costanzo. They don't need him.

Oddly enough another former first round pick Chris Williams is apparently fighting for the starting LG position in St Louis, not Tackle as he was drafted for. www.turfshowtimes.com/2013/8/13/4619606/st-louis-rams-position-battles-2013-offensive-line-depth-chart

Hmm... Just wondering aloud here. Any way you'd be able to see what was said back in 2000 when a former Safety turned LB (drafted by the Bears) was making his first plays in the preseason? With his experience at safety one would think he too would be good "at reading the eyes" with a tendancy to "over pursue" due to his speed. Urlacher who?

I don't think you'll find people argue that Webb lacks the TALENT to be a good offensive lineman. It's the maturity and desire (as you pointed out before). And I think AA has some insight since he practiced and played against Webb in the past. Seeing this reminds me about previous discussions and observations about Alshon Jeffery. I recall talking about him after his drafting and realizing he was the same player I saw the year prior play in the Bowl game against Nebraska. In that game he ended up getting ejected for all the fighting he and Alonzo Dennard were doing througout. Despite that he, Jeffery, still won the MVP award due to his productivity. I saw that translate over to his rookie year with the Bears. How many times was he caught "pushing off" and other extraneous crap throughout the year? A lot of that, IMHO, had to do with him (a Rookie) going up against many veterans. Anyhow, I agree that if Webb were to display half of the tenacity that Jeffery did we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Since SCS seems to be getting singled out, I feel compelled to help him out. This post is indicitave of his 'broader viewpoint' on the subject. He is in agreement to the fact that Webb may not be the best solution at LT, RT or even as a back up. He wants what we all want (and Cutler) which is for the best five to get the job. Just because he notes that Webb may have done well in 8 of 9 games does not necessarily make him a homer for Webb, its just an observation. It would be similar to say that some of us think Cutler is an elite QB. When if you look at the "body of work" and are honest with yourself, he's not. All that being said, I have noticed several times in the last year or so that Webb is out of his league. Not being able to get his shoe on and looking like a child when Cutler berated him on TV as examples of his immaturity. I even considered that with natural maturation and gaining a year of experience, he might have made that transition. But with the recent posting of his twitter feeds and the fact that he JUST NOW seems to realize that he needs to focus, I feel the team has wasted enough time on him. And as SCS points out, so has Kromer.

Martz was an 'Air Coryell' guy. A lot of 'slight of hand' underneath for the big play. Which as many pointed out played away from the protection because there was none. And the underneath and outlet routes were diminished due to needing blocking TEs and Forte to help with max protect. WCO (of which Zone blocking is a staple) is more max receiver quick pass based. One mantra of WCO is to draw in deep coverage with multiple short dink and dunks then the occasional bomb after the coverage starts playing tight. Part of why I think Trestman is keeping up tempo for practice. Does two things, wears down the D and gives Cutler time to audible if he sees a bad mismatch. The thing that might derail this is Cutlers difficulty in the quick decision making involved in WCO. ....And I think Onubun's days are limited in Chicago. He's pretty bad.

Nice photos, thanks for sharing. Was it me or did Shea McClellin look bigger last night? I saw some replays on ESPN and saw 99 flashing in on a few plays. Mistook him for a shorter Peppers. Has he beefed up this offseason? If so that should be a good thing. And haven't read the wire yet and one of your shots reminded me that Melton was injured last night. Any word?

But, again the point why those guys may have done well is because Brees is quick release, Cutler not so. The way I see this playing out good for Jay is either he learns to quick throw or the blocking will allow him to throw on the run or out of pocket (ala Denver) or similar to how Steve Young played. I sense option two as we hear how that is one of his major strengths.

It means nothing if it continues through preseason and stops in the regular season. Until then and as Mongo said; "more to come". As far as Cutlers experience with the WCO. True, he does have experience with an "eerily similar" passing scheme but since then he has developed a nasty habit of holding the ball. Similar to a Roethlisberger. The WCO demands short and decisive passes moreso than the long bombs ala "Air Coryell". Is Cutler capable of doing that still? Others here, as do I question that. And with the WCO of his Denver days, Cutler received protection from the zone blocking scheme set up by smaller and more agile linemen. Is that what Chicago has? Outside of Long, probably not. Maybe Bushrod too as he seems to have done better with a quick release QB (Brees). Which brings us back to question #1.

Two thoughts on this. First, this will be the first test in the 'QB whisperers' ability to coach. Cutler has always had a propensity to the turnover, most times because he rushes things when he does throw the INT. So by the very nature of the WCO, he may find the adjustment difficult. Secondly, a player like Steve Young (who himself was not known for the quick release) swears by Trestmans ability. So the rescipe is there. Question is, will it be gourmet or disastrous? As I've said before, and I will repeat, I hope that the TEAM does well. I have my doubts in what Trestman can do. And so far I have been slowly losing faith in Cutlers ability. But like I have for the last 40+ years, I'll watch each Sunday and hope (like I always do) for the wins.

Josina Anderson @JosinaAnderson Breaking: Source: Vince Young will sign a 1-year deal with #Packers.