Controlled Chaos

I believe I made a post here...and it got deleted. What the hell is goin on here?? Are we that touchy that I can't make a sarcastic post here?

The guy that can go across the middle and catch everything thrown his way is Hass. Hopefully they give the kid a shot. Little-known wide receiver opening plenty of eyes in Bears camp By Bob LeGere rlegere@dailyherald.com Posted Saturday, August 04, 2007 While newly converted wide receiver Devin Hester and rookie Greg Olsen have been the offensive stars of training camp so far, they haven’t caught the ball any better or more consistently than Mike Hass. Mike Who? Mike Hass. No. 83. He spent last season on the practice squad when the Bears snapped him up after the Saints waived him, hoping to sneak him back onto their practice squad. After eight days of practices, no one can recall Hass dropping a pass. Not in 11-on-11 team segments, seven-on-seven work or individual receiving drills. Still, with starters Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian ahead of him, plus Mark Bradley, Hester and Rashied Davis, Hass is competing with Drisan James, David Ball, Brandon Rideau and Timon Marshall for, at the most, one spot. He’s the early leader based on his flawless hands and good size (6-feet-1, 206 pounds). “I’m pleased, but I still have a ways to go learning some hot (reads) and protections and those types of thing,” said Hass, whom the Saints took in the fifth round last year. “I just have to keep making plays. If I make enough plays, I’ll open enough eyes, and good things will happen for me.” Hass was in a similar situation when he enrolled at Oregon State as a walk-on. The Portland, Ore., native won the 2005 Fred Biletnikoff Award as the top receiver in the nation after catching 90 passes for 1,532 yards. He set school career records with 220 catches and 3,924 yards and became one of just 10 players in NCAA history with more than 1,000 receiving yards in three separate seasons. But Hass doesn’t have the flat-out speed of a Berrian or the freaky change-of-direction skills of a Hester. He does, however, have a knack for never letting the ball hit the ground when it’s thrown in his vicinity. Friday morning he made the latest of his growing number of eye-opening grabs, leaping to snag a bullet in heavy coverage from quarterback Kyle Orton. “You’ve got to have guys ready, and right now I feel real comfortable with Mike going in there and doing what we need to get done,” Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake said. “He’s auditioning for a job each and every day, not only here, but if something were to happen, somewhere else. That’s the thing that you have to realize … that I think he realizes.” Hass knows the numbers are stacked against him. The Bears kept just five wideouts on the 53-man roster last season, and the fifth, Justin Gage, caught just 4 passes. But with Hester on the offensive side of the ball this year and a mainstay on special teams, the Bears might be able to afford an extra receiver. However it shakes out, Hass has to convince coaches they can’t give him the ax. “There are a lot of established guys here who have game experience and have made plays, so it’s tough,” Hass said. “Hopefully, I can do well enough where they don’t want to cut me because they see what type of player I am. “That’s all I can do. I just go out here and do what I can every day and hopefully, when the cuts come around they’re like, ‘We can’t cut this guy; we like him too much.’æ” Hass has a size advantage on most of the wideout wannabes competing for a roster spot, and on a Bears receiving corps that includes three players under 190 pounds (Hester, Davis and Berrian), he’d add some bulk. “There’s no question he’s a good football player,” offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. “We’d love to have him, and hopefully it’s going to work out that way. He’s having a good camp.” Ultimately, it could come down to Hass’ ability to contribute on special teams, always an advantage for non-starters. “I try to do whatever I can there,” he said. “I know that’s important for a guy who wants to be a fifth or sixth receiver. You have to be able to contribute in that area.”

Weird...so we got something for him after all. I would think teams would just wait around for the bears to let him go since they pretty much announced they would do so. Unless...announcing he wasn't part of their plans made teams that were interested submit offers, so they don't have to fight it out when he became a FA. Hmmmm, maybe this Angelo guy does know what he is doing.

A much better take on Rex running....Hell I could have wrote this article Clever concept: Rex on the run Both Bears and Grossman will reap rewards from QB's plan to be more mobile in '07 David Haugh On the Bears August 7, 2007 BOURBONNAIS Tuesday's 2-minute drill ... See Rex run. Hear the crowd roar. Watch the chains move. It's elementary. Rex Grossman's stated plan to tuck the ball and run more often this season if his receivers are covered comes down to simple common sense. A more mobile Grossman makes a more dangerous Bears offense even better, period. A quarterback able to move, even a little, reduces a defense's ability to collapse the pocket and force errant throws. Grossman needs to follow his instincts and then follow his blockers. Increased risk of injury? A stationary quarterback reluctant to use his feet stands as much of a chance, if not more, of getting pummeled than one who scrambles for the occasional 3- to 5-yard gains and learns to slide. Grossman isn't planning to run the option but only slip into vacated spots in rushing lanes when it feels right. Instead of the Bears converting 36.8 percent of their third downs as they did in 2006, maybe they convert more than 40 percent with Grossman picking up hidden yardage that puts the offense in better down-and-distance situations. Instead of Grossman completing 54.6 percent of his passes and throwing 20 interceptions, as he did last year, maybe he meets his goal of a 60 percent completion rate and cuts his interceptions to 15. Grossman's intention to run on occasion instead of throwing the ball away also has less to do with his contract than with his commitment. He returned for his second season as a starter demanding improvement from himself and the offense. Last season his main goal involved staying healthy after basically three NFL seasons of rehab. Tucking the ball and running was the farthest thing from Grossman's mind in '06, and the fear of getting hurt again made him more prone to unload the ball if his receivers were covered. Not until his job was on the line on Dec. 11 at St. Louis did Grossman, perhaps out of desperation, remember how effective running could be for a struggling quarterback. His 22-yard run changed the tone of the game and took a half-step out of the Rams' pass rush. To suggest Grossman should play it safe and avoid potential collisions because he is in a contract year overlooks the fact he will make his money if the Bears win. And the best way for the Bears to win again is to have a more versatile quarterback who can create his own throwing lanes and keep the chains moving. The NFL rewards those who make plays, not plans for the future. Grossman is 17-6 as a starter and has Super Bowl experience and could have more than 30 victories on his NFL résumé by the time he signs his next contract. That's the definition of a winner. Even if his numbers improve only slightly this season, Grossman would be a hot commodity. That much Grossman understands. Win and his contract issues disappear. And running the ball occasionally gives the Bears a better chance to win. Over the summer general manager Jerry Angelo asked Grossman's agent, Eugene Parker,about the Bears getting a hometown discount if they re-signed Grossman early. But neither side had any reason to strike a deal. The Bears need to see if Grossman can stay healthy and take the next step he looks poised to take. Grossman, clearly driven, figures his price only will go up if he has the season he expects. The biggest risk for either side might be with the Bears if Grossman puts together a Pro Bowl-type season and decides to test the market. Now wouldn't that be something? But there is no unnecessary risk in a developing quarterback adding the element of running to a game that requires tweaking. That's just football. Run, Rex, run … When the Bears informed Dante Wesley he was no longer in their plans, Wesley became the 12th player on the 53-man roster for Super Bowl XLI to part ways with the Bears. The list includes four starters—Tank Johnson, Ian Scott, Chris Harris and Thomas Jones—and eight reserves. The Bears reported to camp worried about staying hungry, but such significant turnover at the bottom of the roster ensures having players around who are eager to prove themselves, which can be infectious and an antidote to complacency. That's smart. Having so much stability at so many key areas also gives the Bears the luxury of having so many moving parts among more interchangeable players. … Devin Hester's recent tender hamstring and a couple of dropped passes — he is human, people — served as a good reminder to keep expectations real for the Bears' most exciting player. Remember, Hester didn't return kickoffs full-time last year until the 12th game of the season against Minnesota so he could focus solely on punt returns. Now he has three jobs. He might do them all exceptionally well. But if the added responsibilities and attention start to affect Hester physically or mentally, the Bears eventually could decide it makes sense for him to give one up. That's not part of the discussion yet but good to remember as the hype around Hester continues to snowball. … Even after seven seasons in Chicago, linebacker Brian Urlacher only reveals his personality in snippets. Another one came Monday night in an interview with Zach Zaidman on WSCR-AM's "Bears All Access," when Urlacher addressed the realities of his fame. "I'll never be able to be the way I want to be or who I was," Urlacher said. "That's just the price you pay for the job I have." Of the Bears' signature Cover-2 defense, Urlacher summed it up well. "I don't like it," he said. "But it works." … Thurman Thomas' induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame should help the open doors in Canton, Ohio, for Bears guard Ruben Brown. Brown blocked for Thomas on the Bills his first five seasons in the NFL and has made the Pro Bowl nine times in 12 seasons. A 10th selection after this season could make Brown a lock. The other future Hall of Famers on the Bears? Besides Urlacher, who would help his cause with a return trip to the Super Bowl, center Olin Kreutz has a shot if he extends his career as long as some who have played his position. That's likely because Kreutz is so good at finding ways to keep an edge that he probably views any talk of his Hall of Fame chances as a knock that he's getting old. dhaugh@tribune.com Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

I hate when reporters write like this. Rex isn't gonna be thinking of his contract when he is sitting in the pocket with lineman all around trying to nail him. He's not worried about his completion percentage, he's worried about helping the team. Look, I like that Rex has a pass first attitude. He stands pretty tall and confident in the pocket. I also noticed last year his reluctancy to scramble for a few yards. Rex is an NFL athlete. I don't want him running around like Bobby Douglas, but I do want him to get 3-5 yards when it's there. There were so many times last year he just threw it away with nobody in front of him. He's not looking to scramble for tons of yards, but if nobody is open and the D is giving you 3-5 you take it and slide. This is a game of inches....how many 3rd down tries come up 1-2 yards short. If he can get 3 yards on a dead play I say go for it. I certainly don't think he'll be worrying about comp% when scrambling and with all the new weapons, he probably won't even have to do it much. I'm just saying, I think I know exactly the situations he is talking about, because I brought them up last year multiple times. He's not talking about turning into a run first QB or anything. Go Rex!!!

Well I don't get why we showed our hand here. I mean if the plan was to out right release the guy then why didn't we just do it. If the plan is to try and get a late round pick for him, then why announce anything?

I think we cheer him. He did what he had to do. It's not his fault the business is what it is. Players try and hold out, maybe if owners held strong and never gave in, players would know it's a lost cause, but as long as some owners give in, players will try. Briggs talked the talk, but didn't walk the walk, that's all that matters. He tried to force the Bears hand...it didn't work and now he is here.

haha...and to me it seems just about right. Clark set career numbers last year and even thouhgh Olsen is a rook, he still has WR skills and can stretch the middle of the field. I think 8th is exaclty where I would put them.

Where's McGowan? Bears have been pretty high on him. He's even taken some snaps with the ones in Archuletta's spot. I think it'll be SS: Arch Back-ups: McGowan, Payne FS: Brown Back-up Manning I'm sure they'll keep another on the roster for special teams and I hope it's Andrew Shanle

They will definitely work on getting a second threat back there, to prevent them from kicking away from Hester.

Well we pretty much have the best #2 in the league. I'd like to keep it like that unless someone is desperate and offers us a 2nd or 3rd. I think most offers would prolly be in the 5th range and for that I would say pfft!! Leak would be our #3 if Griese was moved. Too bad we didn't hold on to JT.

I could imagine a trade with Griese

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2953545 Walker's agent, Albert Irby, said his client was eager to join the Bears and planned to negotiate a new contract with Chicago. "Darwin's old deal is gone. The new deal will be talked about tomorrow," Irby said. "We'll take a one-year deal. We'll do whatever it takes. We're not going to hold out." This was a great move by Angelo. Buffalo gave up Spikes and Holcomb for Walker and the Bears got him for a 5th?(Levy added the draft pick the Bills receive will depend on Walker's playing time in Chicago this season.) I'm not sure what the pick could change to, but it can't be more than a 4th) This D can be scary.

Offensive D, Bearly Sane

If you still had the threads from last year...most of us thought that. Briggs was bluffing and now he blinked. Simply as that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIbAsSQ8UP8 How do you embed a youtube vid now?

It's just how things work. He wanted his big payday. I don't like how Briggs handled this whole thing at all either, but I wouldn't have had a problem if the Bears worked out a long term deal last week before the deadline passed. Things he said and did would have all been forgotton. It's all part of the process. I am glad Angelo stuck to his guns on this though and didn't give in.

If he sits out all year...he will not get the contract he is looking for. It's as simple as that. If the Bears were to trade him to another team, he would still only be playing for the tag money corrrect? That team couldn't work out an extension with him could they?

So basically the Bears got a 3rd, 5th and a 3rd in 2008 for Thomas Jones correct?

I don't see it as a new threat. I don't think anyone involved thought he would sit out the entire season. If he did that it wouldn't count as a season of service. Which means he would be in the exact same boat as he was this year. There are no loopholes really. The Bears don't have to play him those 6 games, but they do have to let him use the facilities and stuff and he would be responsible for all the fines incurred.

Been pretty good so far. We need a bigger fan base. Spread the word!!! We have like 300 members and 10 posters

Once he gets out of Urlachers shadow, he most likely becomes an average LB. So hopefully he gets that nice guranteed signing bonus he wants. The only problem is, I don't see a team guranteeing 20 million to someone that sat out a whole year.

and some major issues in Washington with them benching him and making him out to be the scape goat. Something should come of him soon...cause it looks like some money is tied to this month. The Redskins gave Archuleta a $5 million signing bonus, and have a $5 million option bonus on his contract due in March, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. However, should the team not exercise that option in March, Archuleta's base salaries over the next three seasons would escalate and become guaranteed, with that total equaling $5 million as well. If they cut him after the season, besides owing the guaranteed money, the Redskins would take a $9 million salary cap hit in total, a sum that could be spread over two seasons -- with about $7 million due in 2008 -- depending on the timing of his release.

Adam Archuleta where are you??

I've said this in other posts and I'll say it again....Briggs is no Urlacher. I like Briggs and I'd like him here, but he is asking for Urlacher money, in fact, more than Urlacher money, so...arrivederci!!!! Do you ever wonder why whoever lines up next to Uralcher becomes a star.(see Holdman, Colvin) Brian draws all the double teams. Brian is the guy teams game plan for. There has been countless times last season Brian has been double teamed while Briggs runs free to make the tackle. Can you believe teams do that?? Assign 2 guys to block Urlacher leaving Briggs completley unblocked?? That's what he brings to the table. He's the QB of the defense out there and he leads the team in tackles in a system that isn't geared for him to do so. In this scheme the weak side linebacker is set up to make plays a la Derrick Brooks. Briggs' success is as much of the Bears making as it is his own. Anyone know who the MIKE was on Tampa?? End. Point.