nfoligno

What makes me sick is I read today Minny could have interst. That would be a double whammy. I do not think it happens either, but I would also say, it should. There should be no question as to what sort of upgrade his addition would offer. Further, Angelo and Lovie know this is a make of break year, thus if it is possible, they should be all over this. But if we were forced to cut Brown to save money, I just do not see ownership giving up the money necessary for such a move.

I would be freaking estatic if we added Atogwe, but I don't see it. I don't think we should ignore such a solid FS due to a 3rd round pick, but the combination of adding a FS with out top pick with the financial factor makes such a move unlikely, despite who much it may help. Man, the idea of Atogwe and Harris as our starters sounds just awesome, but I just do not see it happening.

I don't know how long we have been using that technique. If I had to guess when we started it, I would say with Jauron, around 1999. Wanny tried to use a more power OL with Weigman at center, Big Cat, etc. Jauron came in and they began to shift to an athletic OL. That was the year we sign Blake Brockemeyer who was considered mobile and athletic, but lacking in power. We drafted Kreutz the previous year, but we started him over Weigman in 1999 as we were moving to the finese style. I realize it may be hard to think of Kreutz as finese today, but that is what he was utilizing leverage and angles. By the time of Angelo and Lovie, the transition was complete as saw the loss of more power OL like Big Cat and Villarial adding players like Tait, Tucker, Gandy and others who were considered more athletic. What I am curious to see is, how our current personnel works in a more power, blast off the ball system. Make no mistake, I am thrilled with the system change, but I am also interested to see just how some of our players play in such a system. Williams was considered a finese LT lacking power. Kreutz is under-sized to begin with, and you have to wonder if he can get it done in such a scheme, especially as he has spent his entire career using a very different blocking technique. Garza doesn't seem to be overly powerful. This technique could also work against Beekman, which could be a big reason why Tice is talking about some of the younger OL like Louis and that other guy, who I think have more power. This technique could really help Omiyale, who was considered a powerful guy when we added him. Anyway, I LOVE that we are moving to a different blocking system, and love that we have a legit OL coach for a change, but at the same time, I also wonder if we have the personnel in place to fit such a system. Also, OL is a unit that often takes time to develop chemistry, and we were going to have our hands full in that area simply with all the new faces at new places, and now we are adding a drastically different system. I just wonder how soon, if at all, we will see the results we hope to see.

Did he say they are pushing for playing time? I saw where he said they are doing well in development, and could be ready to play at this level sooner than expected, but I am not sure that means they are in the mix for a starting job this year. Its always good to read positive things about youth, but I just wonder how far along they are.

So often we read about how its all about the players, but IMHO, it is times like this that really point out the coaching. Tice talks about how you have to keep your hand up, or you drop your shoulder, and when they happens, you get beat. What is shocking is not him talking about this, but talking about it like it was a problem. It seems like a very basic blocking principle, but one that wasn't dealt with previously. I have wanted to deal with the OL for a while now, both in terms of personnel and coaching. While we didn't get the infusion of personnel changes I would have liked to see this past offseason, we did get the coaching change, and that could be as big of an upgrade.

Last few seasons? I think we have been doing that sort of blocking technique for a long time.

Agreed. It would help if I trusted the defensive staff. Seemingly every time we move a guy it's the wrong choice. Preaching to the choir! Nickel's the one spot DM has been successful. Our nickel spot is weak. Agree that we should just make Harris the SS. Declare Steltz as the the starting FS (he's neither good nor bad) and hope Wright can beat him out for the spot. While I am not sure how good Steltz is, I agree we should just put him out there and let him compete with Wright. Frankly, unless Wright looks flat out bad, I would likely play him. He may be green, but if he is our top legit FS prospect, may as well let him start developing. Dan Pompei pointed out today how that Jennings is 5'7" and he'd have to play against huge CB's. I think he could play nickel I think he can play nickel too, but I would have him compete with DM. This is why I have been screaming out about our CB position. IMO, he's only part of the plans because we had to save salary on Brown and couldn't invest more in the position. I think if the kid from Northwestern can do anything, he'll be given the nod over Idonije. Might be expecting a tad much if we hope the rookie can show much. Agreed he is a major part of the plans due to our having to let Brown go, but at the end of the day, I just dislike how we have to rely on a guy who is a solid depth chart guy, but should not be counted on for much more. Gilbert played DT in college and I'm pretty sure Gilbert played mostly DT in TC last year. We seemed to realize he wasn't any damn good at DT. Hub Arkush mentioned that Gilbert's been so bad he might not even make the team this year. Gilbert is simply a typical Angelo pick. Big time raw talent but low in terms of developed football skills. I still don't get Melton. He's listed at 260 and seems ideal as a speed guy coming off the edge. How can we play him at DT??? No argument. I never liked the Melton pick. Another player who was high in raw talent, but VERY raw in terms of football skills. This is a kid who started his college career as a RB. Never understood the idea of him playing DT. To me he looked slower but stronger last year. He seemed able to stuff the run but couldn't get to the QB. While I've never read it, I wonder if we asked him to gain weight in order to become an every down end. While he's far from great, I didn't notice a big difference between him, Wale, and Brown. IMO the worst DE on the roster died. Adams just flailed around and couldn't get past anyone. Either way, Peppers & Anderson is an upgrade over Brown & Wale. Honestly, I don't recall Anderson doing much run stuffing. I thought he played mostly on passing downs. One thing I go back to w/ Anderson is coaching. As a rookie, he was under Don Johnson and Rivera, and looked awesome. Then those two are gone and so is Anderson's production. He played better last year, but as you said, didn't appear to have the explosion he once did. Just wonder how much is coaching and how much is just him.

Yeah, there's no doubt we agree on this issue of OL. I think where JA's philosophy differs from ours is that he places a premium on DL. As we've heard many times, they are the key to the defense. The fact that JA has failed so miserably at having a stud DL, QB and S has dramatically shifted his ability to aquire OL via the draft. Leaving him to take late flyers, hoping to get lucky or supplementing with servicable FA veterens. Agreed. I'll go a step further (or two). I recall a couple years ago Angelo actually coming out and saying he doesn't like drafting OL. He said OL took longer to develop, and that is why he got them in FA. But, IMHO, Angelo got hosed by the times. It wasn't that long ago OL was pretty affordable in FA. LTs were making big bucks, but the others really weren't. RT and OG could be had for a song, but times changed and even OGs started making huge bucks in FA. Now Angelo was stuck. He didn't like to draft OL, but didn't want to spend the premier dollars in FA. Thus, all that was left to do was go after bargains in FA which came w/ red flags. IMO - if they would have focused a higher level of attention on OL and coaching them up, everything else would have fallen into place on the offense. It would have made everyone else better, including the QB's. Been saying that for years. If you have an exceptional OL, average positions players suddenly look pretty dang good. Here's the funny thing; DL in the cover two is supposed to be one of the easiest positions to find, yet JA has had success with only one out of 13 draft choices?? That tells me our coaching sucks. How many times have you heard that JA had solid drafts from people in the know, only to have them NOT pan out. Coaching... I do agree about the coaching. IMHO, Don Johnson was a good DL coach, but then we let him go and replaced him w/ garbage. However, I would not so easily let Angelo off the hook. While he has taken a lot of DL, how many of those DL came w/ red flags. Angelo was taking gambles with many of the DL he took hoping for that high ceiling, but too often, we saw those red flags come to the front. Tommie Harris - He was a rotation player at Oklahoma, and there we questions about his ability to be a full time player, as well as his drive. Both turned out true. Tank - Character red flags which proved true. Dusty - Character red flag, though it was injury that undid him. Harrison - Red flag on drive as I recall, and showing up over-weight proved that flag true. Gilbert/Melton - Both were considered talented but very raw, and each proved incapable of quick starts. Point is, while he has drafted a lot of DL, he has gone after the high ceiling guys with red flags and too often those flags blew up in his face. I have preached for years to have the OL fixed or to have one side of the ball be dominant. Neither has happened, but not for a lack of trying to draft D. Coach is a defensive guru and they still can't get it right? I'm blaming Lovie. Understand, I agree coaching has been a huge issue, but would simply not be so quick to let Angelo off the hook. DL he drafted were loaded with red flags, while the safeties he drafts were, well, bad. IMO - where JA screwed the pooch was during our Superbowl window. Remember the draft after the Superbowl? GM's from other teams thought we bulletproof and the only team that could win it all despite not having a good QB. He took flyers at many positions to gamble on explosiveness. That draft with not adding OL high and letting TJ go put a world of hurt on our future. It was a squandered opportunity by drafting a bunch of men for their measurables. IE: men in shorts. No argument on his blowing that draft, but I am not sure that draft was alone.

Sorry, but I saw it here in dallas first hand, and it is something that was often talked about. When the team lost, TO would say it was because they didn't throw him the ball more. When the team won, w/o throwing a ton to TO, he would sulk and not talk to reporters. When you say, "when things were going well" do you mean for the team, or for TO? I agree that when things were going well for TO, you didn't hear anything from him. But I disagree on the team angle. Maybe it didn't get National as much. I don't know. But did you not hear about the rift when TO started complaining that Romo was throwing to Witten, not because he would be open or the best option, but because they were friends? And it wasn't just a one time thing. As in Phily, TO seemed to be starting to create a division in the locker room. TO was getting players on his side, and what was seen in Phily was starting to happen here in Dallas. So Dallas jumps TO, and did so when at the time they had little else on the roster, but regardless, felt they were better w/o him.

I never understood why Graham went from starter to forgotten. I mean, I get that he didn't play well enough to lock down the starting job the following year, but to not even be part of the competition and to be moved to another postion? Then I read Hoke (DB coach) was hired and during his player reviews, didn't believe Graham had the speed to play CB. Thus, Graham was moved.

The only thing I would question is to what extent we have even attempted to address OL. Look how long Angelo has been here, and simply how little he has drafted along the OL. Worse, how few 1st day (rounds 1-3) picks he has invested along the OL. Then look at the FAs. The majority of OL FAs he has brought in were lower cost players. We might sign a guy over 30 who we hope to squeeze a year or two out of. Or we sign a guy w/ injury history who we hope can stay healthy. Or we sign a guy who hasn't proven much, but we hope can develop. Whatever, the point is, we invested little by way of draft picks or money along the OL. Too often, we would sign an older OL, which is fine, but we didn't follow that up by drafting an OL to develop and be ready to take over. And drafting OL in the 6th and 7th rounds just doesn't really count. In Angelo's 1st draft, he took OL in the 1st and 3rd rounds. Great. But it would be another 5 drafts before he drafted another OL (not counting 6th/7th picks). That was Beekman in the 4th. In 9 drafts, Angelo has spent only 4 picks on OL in the top 5 rounds. Only in 2 of those 9 drafts did Angelo go OL on day 1. He was adding FAs (some) but again, when you sign players like Brown, Miller or Pace, you just can't expect much more than a year or two. Those picks would be fine if you were also drafting OL to develop, but we added aging veterans while not adding youth. I agree we tried and failed at WR. We spent day one picks on WRs, as well as added FAs. They just didn't workout. Along the OL though, I think it was far more about our not even making a legit effort to add to the position. Angelo has drafted 13 DL in the top 5 rounds of those same 9 drafts, again, compared to the 4 OL. Might out OL have looked better of the years if that was just a bit more rounded out?

I am not saying Graham played great when he did get a chance to start at CB, but he play as well or better than anyone else on our team. Where I disagree is when you say Bowman beat Graham in a competition. Sorry, but that competition simply never took place. Graham was never even looked at at CB that following season. I talked about it often. Following the season he started, he was immediately moved to FS in workouts, and then worked at both FS and nickel during camp and into the season. I recall so very well how, even as our secondary was killed by injuries in camp, we worked McBride and other players who didn't make the team over Graham. Hoke came in and Graham was taken out of the CB picture. There was no competition.

One. Urlacher. I am not sure about the locker room split you are talking about. I don't think I have ever heard about Urlacher being the cause of a locker room split. Was Urlacher part of the Benson drama? Yes. But so were Briggs, Mike Brown and Alex Brown, among others. Frankly, that wasn't even a locker room split, as it was pretty much the entire locker room against Benson. Other than this, I am not sure when you are talking about. Urlacher can be an idiot and should avoid reporters as he puts his foot in his mouth too often, but I have never heard of Urlacher being a cause for locker room chemistry issues. Quite the contrary, he is always considered a leader and captain among his players. Two. I disagree TO cares about winning nearly so much as he cares about "getting his". I saw it first hand here in Dallas. There were times when Dallas would win big, but did so w/o TO having a big role. Was TO happy the team won? If he was, you wouldn't know it as he would sulk, and only talk about his lack of production in the game, rather than talk about the win or how great the other players performed. Three. Phily and Dallas were both winning teams, and yet had huge locker room issues that TO was considered a direct cause of. Both teams got rid of TO after a playoff season due to the chemistry issues he created. I don't know where the belief came from that TO only goes mental when the team does not win. He was caused problems in both Phily and Dallas when the teams were playing well and winning. To TO, it wasn't so much about the team winning, but about his stats.

The key word in your statement is "solid." I agree; often you can get solid players. But rarely do you get superstars who don't have a little bit of "me first" in them, maybe more. 1. I am not sure that is as true today as it used to be. It seems like not that long ago, when you looked at the elite WRs in the league, they are all prima dona's (at the very least) and often worse. Is that really still true though? Look at the top 10 WRs from last year, A.Johnson, Welker, M.Austin, S.Rice, R.Moss, Wayne, Holmes, S.Smith(NYG), Hines Ward and V.Jackson. From that list, Moss and Holmes are the only two I know of who would be considered character red flags. If we look at recent years, I think we see the same. While you still have a couple up there, I think there has been a shift away from the Owens and similar character receivers. 2. You mention "a little me first", or even say "maybe more" but that is a far cry from Terrell Owens. It is one thing when you mention a WR who has a bit of prima dona, or whatever mentality, but another all together when talking about Owens. Honestly, this is one part of your argument that always drove me nuts. Just because many did not want TO, you would say we only want choir boys, not realizing there is a huge gap between choir boy and TO, who is considered by most the worst locker room cancer among WRs. Randy Moss sure seems to be doing fine in New England. Moss has done well in NE, but look what it took for that to be true. Moss is the sort that need incredible leadership around him. I would argue that if he came to the bears, it would be far more like his time in Oakland, where there was a lack of leadership. You really think Lovie could control him like Billicheck? You really think Rex or Orton could have kept him in like the way Brady does? Terrell Owens sure seems to do well when his teams are winning. Disagree. Phily was still a strong and winning football team when TO blew up and divided the locker room. Ditto in Dallas, where they made the playoffs twice. Sure, he was "getting his" and putting up some stats, but at the same time, he was destroying the locker room and throwing his QBs under the bus. He totally called out McNabb, and then in Dallas, called out Romo and Witten and cried that Romo preferred to throw to his buddy rather than to him. Both have no issues getting along with teammates while ON the field. That's what I care about. I'm not saying they'll be perfect, but neither has punched a teammate in the face like another person on our team. None has helped split the team against another teammate. Wow do I disagree with this. He called his QB in SF gay. That isn't what I call getting along. In Phily, he really split that locker room. Maybe he didn't punch a player in the face, but I also recall another Phily teamate punching a another player, and per the reports, the locker room split TO caused was the cause of the fight, as the two players were taking sides, one for TO and the other for McNabb. Everything I read said TO split that locker room such that half the team was against McNabb. That is pretty damning. Then in Dallas, he called out Romo and said he only threw to Witten, his friend. Every time Romo would not throw to TO, TO would throw up his hands and run over to Romo and give him crap. It got to the point camera's really started to focus on this and showed his antics after each play. TO would be draped with coverage, yet still get upset Romo would not throw him the ball. And it didn't even matter that Romo would throw a completion, or pickup a 1st down. TO was still upset. That is not getting along with player, on or off the field. Agreed. That's why I said it was too late in my original reply to this thread. The problem is, just about this entire board has said no to TO for multiple years, even back to the old board, despite the fact that we had bums like Dez White and others at WR. Even when TO was more in his prime, I was against the move. Sorry, but if the QB/coach combination in Phily was not enough to control him, how the heck do you think Lovie and Rex or Orton could have? Did we need help at WR. W/O question. But there were other options who could have helped, and IMHO, done far more for us. The point is, EACH year those two stars were available, the Bears needed WR help in a VERY bad way. Each year they were ignored...much like the team seems to ignore the OL. No argument, but the point is, TO was not the only option available.

But Jason, how many times have you pointed out that it has been as much, and more, due to the play of the QB and OL than the WRs. You so often make the boy scout comments, but there is a great deal of space between boy scout and locker room cancer. It isn't that most feel we have to hire choir boys, but at the same time, you can hire solid talent while avoiding the worst of the worst in terms of character. Also, there is a difference between TO of a some years ago, and the TO of recent. I saw it here in Dallas. Dallas didn't have a plethora of WR talent, but felt they simply were better off getting rid of TO rather than keeping him. TO yells at the QB anytime he doesn't see the ball come his way, even though he no longer gets open as he used to. If TO has 3 DB blanket covering him, he still demands the ball. Further, as those here in Dallas often point out, if TO were here, Miles Austin would have never developed as he did. I like the young talent we have at WR, and feel a player like TO would do far more harm than good.

But explain this. Harris didn't get it done as a FS in Chicago, prompting us to trade him. Carolina moves him to SS where he does very well, prompting us to trade for him. Then, rather than play him at the position where he did well, we move him back to the position where he played poorly, prompting us to get rid of him. I had no issue to bringing Harris back, but do have an issue with playing Harris as a FS rather than SS.

1. Peanut is our best CB & he plays on the most important side . . . but now we're switching him in favor of Graham? As said, we are switching for Bowman. I understand the thinking, as Tillman is on the downside and Bowman appears to be a solid potential player, but personally, I think this move is a year too soon. Bowman played decent, not great. If he proves himself for a 2nd year, then we can move him. Not sure I love the prospect of Bowman covering opponents #1 WRs. 2. Chris Harris is a SS and DM in theory is a natural FS . . . so we've switched them. DM has looked bad all over the secondary. Agreed 100% on Harris. It was his play at FS which prompted us to trade him. He went to Carolina where he played SS very well, prompting us to bring him back, but then we move him back to FS. Harris is a SS that lacks the downfield coverage skills, so I can not understand why we are looking at him there. Further, I would far more like to get all the reps possible to the rookie who we drafted to play FS. How we have handled our S position has been a joke, and yet, DM is part of that too. For DM, I think the idea of him being a S in general should be abandoned, and just use him where he has proven a solid player, nickel/return. 3. We trade Chris Harris to make room for Payne. Two years later we trade back for Harris and trade Payne to make room for Harris. The more shocking part of this is pointed out above. He failed at FS so we move him. He looks solid in Carolina as a SS, and we bring him back, only to again play him where he struggled rather than where he excelled? 4. Tim Shaw is a natural nickel. So now he's a back-up corner and we're playing Corey Graham at nickel As pointed out already, I think you mean Jennings. While he is likely a nickel, we lack depth at CB and are essentially forced to give most any potential CB reps there, regardless if that is where they end up. 5. Corey Graham looked good at cb 2 years ago. We moved him to safety, then to cb, then to the bench, now to nickel He was moved to nickel last year, but otherwise, I agree. From what I have read, our new DB coach came in last year, felt Graham lacked the speed to play CB, and decided he couldn't handle the position. I disagree, and agree with you. He played decent enough at CB that it doesn't make sense how we are developing him. Seems Graham is the current version of DM who will be moved around and never allowed to develop at any one position. 6. Idonije beefed up and moved to tackle . . . only to be told to slim down and move back to end. Yea, it has been a bit of a joke. Credit Idonije for the versatility, but how can we expect much from a player who is moved around each year, and asked to add/lose a significant amount of weight to do so every time. Even more shocking is how much he is part of the plans this year when he has never been (based on our coaches shifting him around) considered good enough to simply be considered a starting DE. 7. We drafted Gilbert to play DT & moved him to DE. Melton was a DE and we moved him to DT. I have no clue what the hell either one currently is. I am not sure Gilbert was actually drafted to be a DT. I think he was drafted due to his athleticism, but w/o a real plan/position in mind. I think we looked at him as a replacement for Wale, but then we traded for Adams and moved Gilbert to DT. Adams passed way, and we talked about Gilbert again at DE, only to sign Peppers and move him back inside. This is what happens when you do not have a plan in place for a player to start with. 8. Mark Anderson is promoted to start over Brown. Anderson sucks and Brown starts. Brown is cut so now Anderson is the starter . . . Agreed, and I will go one further. While Anderson showed some flashes last year at DE, I would argue he showed less last year than he did his rookie year, and thus I do not understand why we believe he will do different this time as a starter than last. 9. Lovie fires Chico and replaces him with Bob Babbich, his hand-picked replacement. Babbich sucks, so he's demoted and Lovie is promoted . . . Lovie sucks, and is replaced by a new hand-picked replacement in Marinelli. And best still, Marinelli has never run a defense. Nice.

1. No, switched for Bowman. Who was the best CB last season IMO. While I agree he was the best CB last season, Tillman was also playing through injury. I am not sure Bowman is our best CB in general. While I do not have a big issue with the move, I also wonder if it isn't a tad premature. Bowman played decent for one season. Maybe we could have allowed him one more solid year before moving him into the #1 CB role. 5. He can't beat out Bowman at CB, so why shouldn't he be tried at other positions? One, how can you say he can't beat out Bowman if he isn't given an opportunity. Two, how can he develop at CB (a position we lack depth) when he isn't getting many reps there. Three, Tillman is on the downside, and both Tillman and Bowman have extensive injury histories. Maybe we should be thinking about the future a tad. While I do not have an issue with allowing players an opportunity to broaden their horizon, this feels more like how we have moved DM all over the place w/o ever given him much time to develop at one. I mean, Graham plays decent one year, and the following offseason he is moved to nickel/FS, where he really isn't allowed to even develop at either. 8. Anderson, Brown and Izzy had very similar stats last year with a slight edge for Brown. But Brown would cost over $10 millions over the next 2 seasons. So what is your point? How did they have similar stats? Brown had 48 tackles, 6 sacks and 6 TFL. Anderson about half of each. Idonije, who was mostly playing inside, 18 tackles, 2.5 sacks an 1 TFL. While I assume you will say Anderson had fewer snaps, at the same time, I would also point out the last time we 'assumed' more snaps would equal increased production for Anderson, it didn't turn out that way.

I read a Q&A the other day with one of the Bears "insiders" and the question ask why DM, who is such a talented player with all the attributes you look for in a FS, never developed at FS. Key point made was that he simply lacks instincts, which is what I have seen all along as well. There are players who lack the physical attributes, but who have the smarts and instincts. Brown was the example of one who excelled. Hunter I think would be an example of such a player who can at least become an average player. On the other hand, I honestly don't know too many who had the physical tools, but lacked the instincts, particularly when talking about a position (DB) that relies so heavily on instincts. As a nickel, the read/react element is lessened. You play less zone and more man, and even when you play zone, it is smaller. Playing nickel limits the holes in Mannings game, while still taking advantage of his ability.

Can you honestly say, when you're talking football with a buddy who happens not to be a Bears fan, that you say that Smith is the best coach since Lombardi? It's one thing to be funny and pull the Bill Swerski card or if around no one you know or respect per se...but it's another when you are talking to epople who know the game. Best coach ever? Um, no. But do I trash Lovie in public the way I do here, among bear fans. no. Cowboy fans asks me about Lovie, and I simply say that at least we don't have an owner's puppet running the team (wade phillips). Honestly, I try to avoid talking bears w/ non-bear fans though. This may come off as egotistical, but I feel like non-bear fans are just too ignorant to have a meaningful discussion with me about my team.

I am not saying that Lovie has to be fired, even if we have a good season. All I am saying is I hope we do not jump to reup him if he has one good season. Let him play it out. If the team does well for a 2nd season, then they can look at re-signing him, but not simply after one year.

For me, with DM, it is more on the coaches then the player. DM has proven to be a great kick returner, and a solid nickel. It is not his fault the staff continually try to play him at positions where he simply does not perform well. IMHO, if the staff would simply accept that he is a nickel/returner, bears fans would come to like him so much more. Unfortunately, the staff continually picks him in a position to fail, and fail he does, drawing the hatred of bear fans.

Again, I just ask how some of these players would have responded if, when they were playing (and losing) if former bear players ripped them in the press. Considering the character of some of these players, I have a feeling we may have heard even more from them. Hampton may have challenged the former player to a wrestling match. Ditka would have told that former player where he was going to shove a lit cigar the next time he saw him. Butkis would have just ripped his head off. Sayer? Lets not pretend he was the most friendly sort to start with, nor the best PR guy, though he likely would have just blown off the reporters who asked him for a response. I would say Urlacher screwed the pooch w/ his comments, but you know the saying about glass houses. I doubt those bear greats would have reacted so differently.

I think you can still be loyal and still criticize. Pretty much, the vast majority here on this board do just that. We criticize because we want what we love to be better. So when you are in a bar, surrounding by non-bear fans, you talk about how much you hate Lovie and Angie? How bad you think this bear player or that bear player is. You say you think the team will be competing for a high draft pick rather than a playoff spot. It is one thing to bash the team among other bear fans, but outside this forum, I defend any and all affiliated with the bears. I think that is why Urlacher was ticked. He saw it as a bit of a betrayal. Not saying it was, but I am sure that is how it felt.

I think we can all agree we hope the team does well this year. If they do well however, I hope they do not quickly re-sign Lovie. After several years of awful play, I hope it takes more than one season for him to prove himself worthy of another new deal.