DABEARSDABOMB

This is a major loss. Hopefully he doesn't have a tear of his hamstring and he'll be able to make it back in time for the playoffs. If not I think we'll see a lot of Ian Scott (who is our 2nd best rush stuff defensive tackle). I know one thing, our safeties are going to have to help out against the run a lot more. Hopefully we can overcome this injury cause we do have a lot of depth on our dline.

On the bright side I'm pretty sure our defense is all but used to this. And because of that they all witnessed what Rex could do early in the season so I think there past (of having to deal with horrid Qb's/offenses) experiences would make them less apt to really get too mad at Rex considering he's the only guy we've had that could actually lead the team on drives and put up points in a number of years (although Griese has proven he can do that, but he too is prone to interceptions).

Ditka was pretty dead on, talked about poor coaching as well as what has led to Grossman's struggles. Overall I think this was pretty accurate, especially when talking about the poor coaching (more specifically, Turner's play calling) but I think if Turner tightens things up and calls plays early and often that will be of benefit to Rex (a very steady does of running plays and far more quick plays and crossing patterns and plays designed for Clark) we will see the tides turn and Rex have a good game and begin to continue his development into being one of the better QB's in this league.

Here is a quick summary from what Boomer Eisason said on Mike and Mike this morning about the Grossman situation: I thought this was very interesting. I don't think the situation has gotten quite as bad as Boomer indicates because I think the entire team has a great deal of respect for Rex (who says all the right things) and Lovie (who is just a high character/class individual). However, I'm starting to think maybe I am wrong and that Lovie may need to let Griese do a thing or to just to show that if you don't play well we will make a change. You always want the best guy out on the field and Lovie has consistently preached that. I happen to believe Rex is that best guy (now and in the future) so I like playing him and I figure with the division locked up we can afford to let Rex through his issues because he's the guy capable of winning the super bowl. That said, maybe we really do have to at least see what Brian can do. I'm not saying that means Rex is done, but if Rex struggles give Brian a chance. Not only does it give Griese reps and show us what he is capalbe of, but it will also help Rex sit down and let his mind clear out because right now I have to think his cockiness is at an all time low. All that aside, you heard it here first, Rex plays well and Turner makes the appropriate adjustments finally.

I thought this was a very good article. I've long said Rex is our best guy (talent wise) for the position and we are now 10-2 and can afford to lose a game or two while he struggles through a bit of a learning curve. I will admit though, the most frustrating thing to watch is him make the same mistakes over and over but I really do believe a lot of that falls on a lack of confidence that he's been hit with lately and I think we'll see that corrected as he spoke out about it and mentioned how he's going to go back to believing what he sees (which is good cause he had been doubting his reads the past couple weeks). However, If Rex struggles in the first half I think it will be time to make a change to Griese for the 2nd half. I'd do that just so Rex can refresh himself and just get out of things for half a game (it wouldn't necessarily be to bench him).

It stinks they are both hurt but I'm glad to know neither are serious. Hopefully Harris can get healthy and will be able to be 100% so he can get a few snaps in during the regular season. But lets go out there and get a couple more wins to earn him that bye week that will get him additional rest.

I'd be a huge fan of this move, but Lovie obviously doesn't have any history with Parrish so the only way I see this happening is if JA really was a fan of Parrish or if Mike Brown and some of his former teammates lobby a bit for this move (or just suggest it to Lovie who would than go to JA). It makes a lot of sense though, but I dont' know how Parrish would be in the cover 2. Regardless he's a leader and a guy that I'd like to have on the team.

Cool stuff.

I'm not doubting that, I'm just saying how much better it is to be worried about something like this as opposed to just trying to find a way to win a few games during the course of a season. Now we have a couple minor concerns and if this team can address them or improve upon things (and as far as i'm concerned, we have the personell to do it) we will have ever chance to be Super Bowl champs.

Can you imagine that we have clinched the division and there are still Bears fans frustrated or upset. Our franchise has really came a long way under Lovie and Angelo to the point that we are nitpicking over perfection as opposed to just hoping to win a game. Its really great and I'm glad we are back to back NFC North champs. Next up lets clinch homefield throughout and start off by winning a playoff game (and hopefully another and another).

I still want Rex starting, but I think more specifically Rex is only good when he has confidence and that tends to hold true regardless of who the QB is. Right now Rex is hurting on confidence (he's still cocky) but his lack of confidence makes him overthink plays and in turn means he takes too long to get rid of the ball (which has long been one of his strengths). Basically everything is just working against him and it doesn't help that our offensive coordinator has done absolutely nothing to adjust the play book (especially early in the games) to help get him in a rhythm and give him some confidence.

That would be really cool. Too bad I'm all the way out here on the left coast, but I've gotten the lucky opportunity to go to one regular season Bears game in Chicago and despite freezing my butt off it was a lot of fun. If you all set something up (even if its a bar gathering) just let us know and we'll gladly pin the post.

Couldn't disagree more. I refuse to give up a guy like Benson. I don't think he is near the problem the media makes him out to be and I think he is far far too good of a prospect to give up. This guy has the ability to be one of the best backs in this league and he's shown it the past couple weeks. He dominated in limited carries against the best run defense this league has seen in a number of years (The Vikings) and did so while Jones was stinking it up. I'd really like to see what this guy would do if we started consistently giving him 20-30 carries. I think we are talking about a guy with as good of tools (if not better) than Larry Johnson and both guys fit the mold of being workhorse backs (Benson proved that over and over again in college and has shown that he can carry guys in the NFL as well). I want less Rex and at least 15 carries a game from Ced (Jones can still get 15-20 as well). In fact in a perfect world I'd like to see us run the ball at least 40 times a game.

Welcome...great to have you here

Ya they are a royal pain in the butt. Luckily we got a lot of great members and mods and combined we are able to get rid of any that gets through to make sure that we provide as good of a forum as possible for discussing Bears football.

Man thats a fantastic read. Makes me want to go out and buy an Urlacher jersey. That said I think the next jersey I buy (last one was a McClown one) will be a Rexamus jersey.

I completely disagree on this because I actually think Bears fans under-rate Briggs. This guy is insanely athletic and is one of the premiere OLB's in the league. I think losing him will be a very very serious loss and it will make Hilly a lot worse. That said sometimes its the nature of the beast and if we lose him I'm confident JA will be able to draft a replacement (if that guy isn't already on the roster). I just know I don't want Hill as our #2 LB, he's a great 3rd LBer but if he is our 2nd best one we may have some issues.

Nice move. 5 years is longer than I'd expect but this is the NFL (non-guaranteed contracts) and McKie has been a very strong performer as a FB. He's done a nice job blocking and he's also been a very nice receiver out of the backfield. Between him and Runnels we seem set back there for a while.

Kreutz will be a lifetime Bear kind of like James "Big Cat" Williams.

No worries, having Kreutz for another couple years deserves 2 threads

There is no doubt in my mind that Benson should be the guy that gets the ball in all short yardage situations.

Bradley is apparently healthy but I just don't think he's found his way out onto the field because our other WR's have been doing the job (that and I think we've been extra careful). I'm hoping we'll see both him and Harris play a bit. Also, apparently Justin Gage is going to be getting more minutes. Last week they would line him up in Desmond Clarks spot in the slot (sometimes Clark lines up wide).

I know the deadline to get guys signed to extensions (while using part of this years cap) is about to arrive so I wonder if JA will get anyone else signed. Usually Jerry is very shrewd as using this rule to his benefit and I think we still have a bit more cap room left. I'm thinking we may make one more effort at Briggs (damn it I can hope can't I)? Great to have Kreutz back though and I think the Trib should have a full story up on the signing relatively soon.

Dallas/New England was the only game I watched since I was playing golf on my bye week

I cringe at the idea of losing Briggs. He's such an amazing athlete and I want him and Urlacher to be teamed up for there entire careers. They are both special linebackers.