jason

This option happens regardless of McCown. If the Bears dump Cutler, they are using a high pick on QB regardless of whether McCown is back. You've basically said it yourself. So it doesn't matter if McCown stays. Cutler gone = Highly drafted QB I assume this is a scenario where Cutler and McCown are gone. If so, then McCown being gone doesn't matter, because the Bears are still forced to use a high draft pick on a QB. Journeyman or not. To summarize: Cutler + McCown = No high draft pick necessary Cutler - McCown = No high draft pick necessary -Cutler + McCown = High draft pick necessary -Cutler - McCown = High draft pick necessary

This changes nothing. If Cutler does well, he's the franchise guy and McCown is the backup. If Cutler bombs and the organization loses faith, the Bears will be drafting a franchise QB regardless of whether McCown is around.

You've given scenarios where the Bears play SF, NO, SEA, ARZ. Ignoring the latter-most scenario because of it's unlikelihood, the team I least want to face is Seattle. Their running game would pulverize the Bears, and they have a great set of DBs which would minimize the Bears offense somewhat. Between SF and NO, I'd actually rather see SF. Their offense has been bad this year, which could even the game out some. NO, on the other hand, would absolutely pass all over the Bears, regardless of most recent history.

Key word in the preface...unless they take a minimal/lessened contract. I'm not opposed to several staying, but they need to be giving a home town discount for the privilege to remain a pro. Others can be had for similar money and potentially better production.

I know nothing of salary cap implications, but the names in red should be let go unless they take a minimal/lessened contract relative to their production (i.e. backup) or previous contract (i.e. fading vet).

Bingo. SMC still, STILL!, dives inside like his life depends on it, completely ignoring the containment aspect of things. It's almost comical at this point. When I see a run bounce outside, I immediately look for SMC's number. Bostic and Greene continue to overpursue. This ain't college, fellas. Their speed and athleticism makes them think they know better, and it gets them in trouble. Conte...sigh...still doesn't take angles to maximize his position. All that is coaching. Either that, or poor personnel decisions, because mistake-prone players should be benched for those who follow direction. This Defense had a ton of injuries, but it missed Urlacher something serious this year.

I'll reiterate. DAMN GOOD post. Why was he hired in the first place? Where is his resume of success? He has done nothing but fail since he has been in the NFL. Why perpetuate it? If Rob Ryan is even remotely interested, you dump Tucker in a heartbeat.

DAMN GOOD post.

Mel Tucker:Defense::Offense:John Shoop Thoughts?

Seriously, just buy out Conte's contract and give his cross-eyed ass a bus ticket home. I've never seen a safety with worse instincts...and we got to see Daniel Manning for a few years.

Gotta be. This is clearly "get the game over" play calling.

Has the OL done well? No. Has Forte picked up blitzes? No. Nonetheless, this is one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, and the "McCown played against bad defenses while Jay played worse defenses"-excuses is out of the window. Jay absolutely has to put up better numbers against a defense virtually everyone killed this year.

Look, we all probably like Cutler and want him to succeed. To break records. To dominate. But the simple fact is, regardless of what stats are pulled out of various orifices, the offense looked a lot different when McCown was in there. They looked faster, better, more in sync, and more dangerous. With Jay they look less certain, out of sync, less dangerous. And that's all there is to it.

No, they were forced to abandon the run because ST play AND the fact that they couldn't run. Speaking of ST play, man do I miss Toub.

How is the salary cap affected if Conte is cut before this game is over? Whatever it is, I think it's worth just cutting the loss. He's horrible and should be selling insurance in a strip mall.

That sack sucked. On the replay, everybody was covered. Not much Jay could do there.

Why is the edge ALWAYS open with this D?!

LOL. Funny post.

It looks good now, but it wasn't promising at first. Maybe that last long drive where he spread it around will loosen up Philly's D.

In years past, I'd consider this game over. This year? I still have hope. This offense has crazy potential. It's just up to the OL to keep Jay clean, and for him to make the smart reads.

Agreed. At least then the Bears might be able to capitalize on the athleticism of two rookie LBs, smallish DTs (because of injuries), and give McClellin a chance to prove he doesn't suck.

Seriously. Fire Tucker. Being injured is bad, but that's a lot of missed assignments, bad tackling, and poor gap discipline.

That looked like Slausson misread his assignment and Forte sucked. Bad combination.

This is looking MUCH better this drive.

Ermahgerd, don't throw into double or tight coverage. Hit the open guy. Like that out to Alshon.