Alaskan Grizzly

I think what's being overlooked here is that Anderson wasn't producing and, as the article pointed out, he did lose out to Idonije. Who hasn't been playing all that bad. So I say why not try out a proven commodity in someone like Grant? He did have 5 1/2 sacks last year and had a "strong camp" in Miami. I agree that they do need to look at the Oline but I think options are slim in the FA world. Nevertheless I have a feeling someone will be added soon.

You are absolutely right. They didn't adjust like in Dallas but Cutler, early on, didn't have much chance. The five and seven dropback won't work after 2-3 sacks. I think Jay could have stepped into the pocket a little more. By the time the half came around it was obvious that Cutler needed to get out. And there is no way shape or form that I would call him a "pussy". He's taken some pretty good licks since coming to Chicago either in scoring a TD or running for first down and he keeps coming back. Tonite it was a combo of psychological and 8-9 sacks taking their toll. I'm still a believer. This is a good slap back into reality. On to Carolina!!!

As far as Lovie goes, I agree with most everything you have noted Mad Lith. I feel the Bears have been "lucky" in two of three games (GB and Det). I don't think I need to say why. However, due to the fact that the Bears are 3-0 and and can afford to lose one or two more in the next couple weeks (if at all) I am pretty content. I think Lovie is able to recognize a good thing when he sees it. Martz is good at what he does and Marinelli, maybe not the best D coordinator, is able to get folks motived and play tough. Not sure what the deal is with Collins. I realize he is not the long term answer and fear what may happen if Cutler gets hurt ( ). The part that makes me cringe is when Cutler gets hit in the backfield. He has taken some pretty vicious licks the last two weeks and managed to still continue despite it. Somethiing to be said about his toughness. A true Chicago QB for sure. Stay strong Jay!!! Alaska is amazingly remote and vast. You guys mentioned seeing the Southeast. It is funny because not only is it cut off from everything but it is in its own when it comes to weather and terrain. Most of that area is very similar to what you see in the Seattle area. Lots of rain forest and pretty climate weather. Up in the area I live near Anchorage it is still pretty mild in temp. (70-75 summer / -20 in the winter). But it is not as closed off from everything although we only have two highways (one going North the other South) and that accounts for about half of all the highways up here. If you go more North, near Fairbanks you find a little more difference in people and weather. Their weather, because they are in the interior and away from the ocean, is pretty dramatic. Summers can be humid (like the Midwes) and near 90 and in the winter -40 or worse. The amazing thing about Alaska is when you get in an airplane and leave Anchorage (pop about 400,000) and within about 5 mins into the flight all you see is mountains and wilderness for as far as the eye can see. It is unbelievable. Anyhow, I ramble. Here's to another win on Sunday night. DA BEARZ!!!!!

I admit since I have Sunday Ticket, I overuse my DVR and have recorded not only all the games but this last week's NFL Networks episode of the Green Bay game. All told I've probably watched each game a minimum of three times. Anyhow my point in question format is, what is the deal with Todd Collins? Looking at the Chicago Bears website he is listed as the #2 behind Cutler. Yet what bothers me is that each time you see Cutler on the sidelines in between Offense possession he is sitting with Hanie going over stills and talking strategy. In almost everyone of those shots I never see Collins nearby. In fact I have seen him in a few shots hanging out by himself. What gives? I mean he is the #2 and does have SOME experience so wouldn't you think he would be working with Cutler on things he sees that might work and the like? Maybe I am missing something. But if this is the only thing I really have to complain about, things must be going pretty good which brings me to this weeks update on my recovery.. Madlith: Week three and things are looking good. Go LOVIE!!!

It seems totally weird hearing Burmeister say "anyone who appreciates a lot of QB play with passing game" especially where the Bears are concerned. This "Air Coryell" Offense mindset is taking some getting used to. I worry about how it will interpret to the winter months. Most of Martz' past experience with his type of offense (St. Louis, Detroit and San Fran) was within a domed facility or in agreeable weather. I think what helps is the Bears have one hell of a QB in Cutler. Which brings me to the other concern. My fingers are tired of being crossed whenever he gets hit by a 300-400 lb DLman. In the meantime I will enjoy the show. Looking forward to Peppers and Rodgers getting to know each other meeting frequently in the backfield and GB going back to Lambeau with their tail between their legs.

Hey Madlith, regarding that 16 step recovery process. 2 down, 14 to go. Things looked good on most counts. Dallas is a team experiencing very similar faults; shaky OL, questionable or unsettled secondary and inexperienced WR's. The defining difference for sure is Jay Cutler vs Romo. No comparison. Romo is hype, Cutler is the real deal. As far as playing GB. The game will hinge most definitely on GBs passing game and Matthews attempting to raise his sack #s. Rodgers has a propensity to hold the ball too long which will result in sacks and turnovers. And Cutler is mobile enough that he should be able move and adapt to the rush of GB. With he and Martz adjusting to the game tempo, as they did in Dallas, I like you have reserved confidence but feel a win is in the making. Heck it's at Soldier Field, it has to be.

Well since "they" actually play the game where "we" just watch, think their endorsement is pretty legit. I too will be interested to see how things end up if, nee when, the Bears win this weekend.

In my morning perusal, read on another board about the prospect of the Bears entertaining the idea or signing Adalius Thomas in light of the recent loss of Hillenmeyer. Why not? Don't think it really will happen, as the Jets and Dolphins are much more interested, but intriguing nonetheless. Also from the Chicagobears.com website: Read that Forte won the "NFC player of the week" - http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=7076 And this from Larry Mayer's blog - Do the Bears lead the NFL in any statistical categories after their Week 1 win over the Lions? David H. San Antonio, Texas As a team, the Bears are tied with the Colts for No. 1 in the NFL in total yards (463) and also top the league in rushing defense after allowing only 20 yards on the ground in last Sunday’s win over the Lions. The Bears rank second in the NFL in both overall defense (148 yards) and passing offense (362 yards). Individually, Jay Cutler ranks first in yards per attempt (10.63) and sixth in passer rating (108.3). Matt Forte is second in yards from scrimmage (201) and third in receiving yards (151). Brad Maynard is No. 1 in the NFL in punts inside-the-20 (4). - http://www.chicagobears.com/news/ChalkTalk...p?story_id=7077 I know many of you will say "well it's against the Lions" but nevertheless, still impressive. Despite the opponent. We'll see if it holds through the Dallas and Green Bay games.

Sorry, double post.

Alaskia, One. Going for it on 4th down. Middle of the 4th quarter, we are down by 2. 4th and goal at the 1. We were not able to move the ball an inch on 3 downs. Rather than hit the FG and take the lead, we go for it again on 4th down with the same results. No gain. If our D was playing poorly, I could understand this better. With a poor D, FG isn't going to win it. But out D was playing outstanding in the 2nd half. Taking the lead with the way our D was playing was smart. Going for it on 4th down after your OL failed to show any push what so ever was not. As others have pointed out, if it had worked (which it really should have) then this discussion is totally moot. The crowd seemed pretty enthusiastic to have the team try. Billick, in his commentary, said he would have done the FG but understood the bravado. Some of you say Lovie lacks this. So, in this he was attempting to make a statement. Something tells me that had Lovie decided to do just the FG many would have questioned why he didn't go for the score. The only question I have is why they didn't try Chester Taylor on that run. Two. Defense on final drive. Okay, our D flat shut Detroit down and was playing inspired. Then our staff cut the ballz off our men, and call for a prevent defense. Keep everything in front. Don't get burned for an 80 yard play. First play, 24 yards, followed by 8, 10 and 16. Suddenly, after starting on their own 17, they are on our 25 and in striking distance. Why? Because we abandoned everything that had worked up to that point, and played a prevent defense than only prevents wins. I don't have a counter for that other than thinking they were doing what you suggested, which is stopping the dink and dunk. The Bears knew that the Lions hadn't gone for the big play...yet...and knew it was coming. Had they done the opposite, the big play would have burned them. In fact I read recently that Johnson wasn't used "by design" for early on. Not really sure why you would do that but either way. Three. Det does have improved talent, and an improved team, but on offense, there is only one player you need to take out of the equation and that is Calvin Williams. You make someone else on the team beat you. You do not play freaking Bowman one on one against Calvin Johnson. Is is exactly a player like this that caused me to say BS when I hear it is up to the player to play. Its up to the coaches to put those players in good situations, and our staff screwed Bowman over, and nearly our team. This is as stupid as last year, when playing Minny in the first game, we never gave Pace help on the left. We expected him to matchup with Allen by himself. Yea, he has to play the game, but our staff need to put player in better situations. I assume you meant Calvin Johnson in the first sentence. I agree that Bowman should have had help. What about the "Safety"? Was he out of position? Many what ifs....which I understand you're not a fan of. In all reality, my feeling is Darelle Revis would have a hard time one on one with Megatron. Calvin Johnson is not the only factor they have on offense. Jahvid Best was the only player that scored for Detroit in the game and he's a rookie. Brandon Pettigrew gained much adulation last year as a rookie before his season ending knee injury. Heck the guy ran a 4.83 40 in the combine, not too shabby for a TE. Despite what many think, Shaun Hill is not a slouch. In fact he is a pretty decent #2. Obviously he can throw a pretty long and accurate ball. I believe the comment was made during the game that his record as a starter, mostly in SF, is 10-6 and he has a 23 TD 11 INT ratio which again isn't all that bad. And a few others to note; Tony Scheffler, Nate Burleson, Bryant Johnson and Kevin Smith all add up to an improved Offense. These examples may not seem like much, as all take place at the end of the game, but sorry, it is here and situations like this which seperates good from bad coaches. Lovie is a bad coach. In your (and a few others) eyes.

Most of the complaints about how the team "performed" seems to be related to discipline. First off, I don't see it. Seemed, as many have said, that the Defense played pretty well. Not just well, damn good. The offense played pretty good too. The only player that stuck out to me that didn't seem to be "disciplined" was Johnny Knox. He seemed to have an excuse for each time he was out of position, which was in the majority. Did anyone think for a moment that Detroit may have actually improved? Look at all the players they have on their team of note: Vandenbosh, Suh, Best, Pettigrew, Avril, Corey Williams, Peterson and Houston. Most of these players have been pretty successful elsewhere and others are pretty good on their own right. What happens if the Bears end up winning a lot more? Will then the hate talk disperse? My guess is no but hey, at least the Bears will be winning.

It could be a "coaching problem" but goes to the heart of basic fundamentals that I see discussed elsewhere, which in my mind would suggest a long running issue that hasn't been fixed since these guys were playing pee wee football. Don't think that the case. Besides, Chester Taylor didn't seem to have any problems holding onto the ball.

I'll go with the 16 step program. 1 down, 15 to go. Before its over I feel it is you that will be joining me.

2. Urlacher is in rare form. Looked like 06. - Not just Urlacher but the majority of the Defense. The secondary is still the weak link but should improve. 3. I know he gets alot of love but Zach Bowman sucks. - He doesn't "suck", he was asked to cover Megatron, until late in the game...was not a factor. 6. WR let me down a bit. DA especially.... Make the catch budd.. - In defense of DA, did you not see the 3 or 4 times when he was blasted on his catch attempts? I believe at least once, when getting clobbered, he still caught the pass. For him to not look at the defenders knowing he was going to take a vicious hit and still do it, is something to consider. By the way, what happened to Bennett? Some other observations made is that Chester Taylor and Forte is a dangerous combination. Taylor ran for hard yardage while FOrte did well catching out of the backfield. Seemed to be a role reversal, but whatever. And in case you missed it, Brian Billck observed that Martz / Tice are still working on blocking schemes best adapted for the O-line. They know that Cutler is a very able scrambler and historically done better as an out-of-the pocket passer hence that adaptation. Billick noticed that the Martz is still working on letting the line solidify and I for one think it will.

I believe in Lovie and will continue to support him. If players like Urlacher, Briggs (who are on the roster opposed to me) and others say they will play for him at all cost then I go with their judgement. The Defense looked inspired and the Offense looked "improved". Despite the turnovers, which is an individual problem not a coaching problem, I think the team will continue to get better.

I'd have to agree that the oline wasn't horrific. In fact Martz tailored his offense to Cutler's style of play and thusly did the "zone scheme" blocking which allowed Cutler to roll out and scramble if need be. Looked as though a few players need to keep working on plays and being where they should be (Knox) and figure out what the deal is with fumbling all of a sudden. From what I saw I am encouraged but not quite sold yet. The Defense played stellar. I think Marinelli may know what he's doing after all. The next couple of weeks will be telling for sure.

Sorry I love the Bears and hope all the best for Lovie but Megatron was definitely robbed. No ifs, ands or buts about it. I miss the day of the old leather helmets. Sorry Detroit, you deserved the win. Chicago had better get there heads out of their collective other ends next week.

All will be fine. The game is at home and this will be a good baramoter of things to come. I think a lot of the anticipation is due to the untraditional mixing of Bears football (dominant running) with a Martz offensive scheme (Air Coryell). The two make for strange bedfellows. But it is bound to happen if Cutler is going to be used effectively. I predict a monster year for Taylor. Marshall Faulkish. I'm ready for some football!!!

Both of theses guys leaving is a bad deal for the Bears. Shaw going is very similar to when Ayanbadejo left. I remember watching how much more effective Hester was when Ayanbadejo was around and after he left for Baltimore, things for Hester dropped...at least on the ST side of things. Ayanbadejo was one of those "ST aces" you always hear about and I think Shaw is one of those, who can also benefit the Defense as a backup. But I guess now somebody else will be able to use his services. I would be willing to bet the Bears were hoping that he would be around still to put on the practice roster. With LeFeavour I saw someone that could develop well. I am sitting here now watching the replay against the Browns and he again continued to improve, just like in Arizona. He is a stout "stand in the pocket" QB, something I am a big fan of. And his judgments are pretty sound for a rookie. I guess most of his leaving had to do with the Bears adding Collins and having Hanie still on the rolls. And because Hanie is injured they couldn't release him(??) Good luck to both Shaw and LeFeavour.

I have to agree in large part to what you wrote. The one exception being: "Jerry Angelo's tendency to relegate picking lineman very late in the draft is disheartening". My discourse is summed up in one name: Chris Williams. Round 1 #14 overall in the 2008 draft. That is the true definition of disheartening. Someone you pick that early and that much money and for what? I totally agree with your wanting for a player to play with a controlled "reckless abandon". And from what I've seen around the league you can find that player just about at any level of the draft. Kreutz was drafted in the third round back in 1998. He is unquestionably a leader on the team and, not so much anymore, but used to effectively play with that controlled "reckless abandon" you spoke of. I wish the Bears had a plethora of Kreutz' of varying heights and weights to put on the line..just younger.

Although it hasn't been disproven that the Bears do have issues with evaluating decent WR's: see Berrian, Gage, Wade and Bradley of recent memory who have had decent careers since leaving and others like Muhammad and Berlin that arrived later in their careers. But with Iglesias I see shades of Airese Currie. In fact I swore it was Currie trying out again with a different name on his back. Maybe he will do better with a different scheme, maybe not. My instinct says no. But in reality, how long has it been that the Bears have had a QB that can adequately and "traditionally" use a true WR? Since McMahaon there has been something like 20-30 starting QB's and only a few that have proven decent? Again and as I have mentioned before the Bears have always been more the ground and pound type of offense. I disagree that Davis is not a valuable player. Not only is he a veteran now but as someone else mentioned he has intangible value as a Special Teamer. He also has shown courage with over the middle receptions and being able to make more catches than misses. He may not be much of a YAC receiver but he, like Bennett, is a good "clutch" receiver. Like was mentioned in another reply I too don't see what all the greatness was about Gilbert. He has had a few years to contribute, more so this year with Alex Brown and Ogunleye gone but was unable to produce. So there isn't much you can do or say that would convince me that he is any better than who they decided to stay with, whether it be along the line or somewhere else in the defense.

I too have much faith in Martz and his way of coaching. I think there is something to be said about a guy who has been to the Super Bowl twice and this resume: Martz is best known as the offensive coordinator behind the St. Louis Rams high-powered 1999 team that won the Super Bowl. As a head coach in the NFL Martz was 56-36 in 5⅓ seasons as the St. Louis Rams head coach. He won two division titles, had four playoff berths including a NFC championship and a trip to Super Bowl XXXVI. - courtesy Wikipedia. Martz has been coaching long enough to know that he doesn't need to display all of what is in store. I feel too that he has worked with Cutler to tailor his talents into his (Martz') scheme. And despite what others have said, Cutler is not that much a dullard that he can't figure it out. I reviewed some of the last game in particular and watched what many have said over the years about Cutler's favor to roll out on the pass. In fact I almost was sure that the way the offense was working that Martz was previewing for a future showcase of roll out passing and the "zone-blocking" that Shanahan favored when in Denver. Evidenced by the fair number of screen plays that were put in. When Eric Kramer, and he did this a few times, commented on the screen plays, he noted that it took an athletic type of lineman in order to pull that off. Lineman that are better at pursuit blocking or scheme blocking are not necessarily going to be all that good at straight up maintain the pocket blocking. I don't care what history has said about Martz' offense schemes where the 7-10 step drop back passing is the norm, I don't see that here. Again, I am willing to bet that Martz has a lot in store and will be working to more of Cutler's strengths. Another interesting point to notice was LeFeavour's (sp?) improved play. Where Cutler prefers the roll out of the pocket passing, LeFeavour stood stoic in the pocket to make most of his passes. In that time he was pretty successful, especially against Arizona. Now I know it contradicts everything I just said about Cutler but at the point of the game when LeFeavour was playing not only was the offense much more "vanillaized" but the o-line was the 2nd and 3rd stringers. The big monsters (both the LT and LG stand at 6'8") who are probably not going to be as well adapted to the roll out blocking.

This lack of support and hope that all goes bad is really really disappointing. You can't weigh a whole lot on preseason results. What last year was it the Lions were undefeated in the preseason but got nowhere close to the Super Bowl. I for one am hoping the season goes a lot better than most of you are hoping and Lovie is behind the wheel. Give up this sniveling abot how much you want Cowher. He ain't coming. GO BEARS!!!!

My question would be why don't the Bears prep both Kreutz and Mannelly for each others' jobs? In the event something like what has happened with Mannelly occurs? Additionally, why wouldn't they (Bears) then train one of the "backup" Centers ie: Beekman, to be ready to do either job in a pinch? I mean really....D. Clark? What is the thought process in that? I don't get it.

I know it's a little late but whatever you BBQ make sure you use "Sweet Baby Ray's". It is out of Chicago for one thing and the other is that is simply awesome. I am not much the chef when it comes to "recipes" but do know that the aforementioned sauce is da' "boss"!