12/25 - Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

[Magnetic Curses]

i don't think there's any reason to believe that peterson isn't a quality #2 back. what more does he have to do?

 

I think he would be an average #2 at best. He's had success here and there, mainly between week 9 and week 12. He's had just 68 attempts this year. I don't see him as a starter, and I'd rather have my backup RB be capable of taking over when the starter needs to be replaced.

 

What he said.

 

he's successful whenever he gets the carries.

 

again, there's no reason to believe he wouldn't be quality.

[rawaction]

I agree that TE should be what the Bears are looking for in the 1st round. But what I love about the Bears draft is the quality that they seem to be able to find in the later parts of the draft. Are there any names out there anyone can think of for the later parts of the draft. Also, is there any free agent TE's available?

 

Jerame Tuman- PIT (would love him)

Chad Lewis-PHI

Christian Fauria- NE

Teyo Johnson- ARZ (restricted)

Matt Schoebel- CIN

Cam Cleeland- STL

[YearofDaCubs]

AP makes a good #2. He has done a very good job and is a pretyt good change of pace back for TJ. I don't think he can be a top RB in this league but AP so far has done an excellent job as our #2 RB.

[rawaction]

i don't think there's any reason to believe that peterson isn't a quality #2 back. what more does he have to do?

 

I think he would be an average #2 at best. He's had success here and there, mainly between week 9 and week 12. He's had just 68 attempts this year. I don't see him as a starter, and I'd rather have my backup RB be capable of taking over when the starter needs to be replaced.

 

What he said.

 

he's successful whenever he gets the carries.

 

again, there's no reason to believe he wouldn't be quality.

 

I'd like to see him maintain that average over a 20 carry game. I know Benson hasn't had that many carries, but at least he has the pedigree to back him up. With this last game being pretty meaningless, I'd love to see AP get about 15-20 carries, with Jones getting about 5-7, and Benson getting a few to get back in action.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I agree that TE should be what the Bears are looking for in the 1st round. But what I love about the Bears draft is the quality that they seem to be able to find in the later parts of the draft. Are there any names out there anyone can think of for the later parts of the draft. Also, is there any free agent TE's available?

 

I agree. I thought last year that they should've traded down and taken Heath Miller. As for the next season free agent TEs, there isn't much worth mentioning.

 

Cam Cleeland

Aaron Shea

Christian Fauria

 

Here is the complete list:

http://www.theredzone.org/2006/freeagents/showposition.asp?Position=TE

 

NFLdraftcountdown.com has the Bears taking TE Marcedes Lewis.

"Lewis is a great athlete who is like a wide receiver in a tight ends body with the size and speed to stretch the field and open things up for others. There is an outside chance they could bring in some youth along the offensive line as well but at the end of the day this team needs guys who can help move the chains and put points on the board so Lewis would be a great addition for them this late in round one."

 

I'd love to trade up and get Vernon, but that doesn't really seem probable at this point.

[Magnetic Curses]

i don't think there's any reason to believe that peterson isn't a quality #2 back. what more does he have to do?

 

I think he would be an average #2 at best. He's had success here and there, mainly between week 9 and week 12. He's had just 68 attempts this year. I don't see him as a starter, and I'd rather have my backup RB be capable of taking over when the starter needs to be replaced.

 

What he said.

 

he's successful whenever he gets the carries.

 

again, there's no reason to believe he wouldn't be quality.

 

I'd like to see him maintain that average over a 20 carry game. I know Benson hasn't had that many carries, but at least he has the pedigree to back him up. With this last game being pretty meaningless, I'd love to see AP get about 15-20 carries, with Jones getting about 5-7, and Benson getting a few to get back in action.

 

in his lone 20 carry game this season, he averaged 5 yards per and got 120 yards against the niners, who are middle of the pack against the run. plus, it was on a day when a 10 man front wouldn't have been crazy.

 

granted

[goonys evil twin]

i don't think there's any reason to believe that peterson isn't a quality #2 back. what more does he have to do?

 

I think he would be an average #2 at best. He's had success here and there, mainly between week 9 and week 12. He's had just 68 attempts this year. I don't see him as a starter, and I'd rather have my backup RB be capable of taking over when the starter needs to be replaced.

 

"average at best" is a bold statement concerning a guy who has 356 yards on those 68 carries, good for a 5.2 average.

 

i wish all our rb's were that average.

 

I don't think there's anything bold about it. He's an ideal #3, playing solid special teams and providing the occasional burst in short durations. But he doesn't always put up the numbers, as he didn't do much before this year and hasn't done much since that mid season string of solid games. He's small but quick, a better Dennnis Gentry.

[Magnetic Curses]

i don't think there's any reason to believe that peterson isn't a quality #2 back. what more does he have to do?

 

I think he would be an average #2 at best. He's had success here and there, mainly between week 9 and week 12. He's had just 68 attempts this year. I don't see him as a starter, and I'd rather have my backup RB be capable of taking over when the starter needs to be replaced.

 

"average at best" is a bold statement concerning a guy who has 356 yards on those 68 carries, good for a 5.2 average.

 

i wish all our rb's were that average.

 

I don't think there's anything bold about it. He's an ideal #3, playing solid special teams and providing the occasional burst in short durations. But he doesn't always put up the numbers, as he didn't do much before this year and hasn't done much since that mid season string of solid games. He's small but quick, a better Dennnis Gentry.

 

judging by what? the career 47 carries he'd tallied before this season?

 

nope. this season he's shown that he can carry a lot, a little, or in-between and still be effective.

 

it's never a bad thing to have too many RB's, but to say that he'd be an average at best #2 is pure pessimistic speculation.

 

i predict that he'll get 25 carries against minnesota and break 100.

[Banedon]

i predict that he'll get 25 carries against minnesota and break 100.

 

Apparently Turner said that Benson will get some carries....how much is a big question, but that could eat into the number of carries AP gets.

[Magnetic Curses]

i predict that he'll get 25 carries against minnesota and break 100.

 

Apparently Turner said that Benson will get some carries....how much is a big question, but that could eat into the number of carries AP gets.

 

well, if he gets the carries, he'll most likely be effective.

[Magnetic Curses]

btw- i hope that we're sure that benson can go. i keep picturing boobie miles (or the guy who played him in FNL), another odessa/midland legend, trying to play with a torn acl.

[Butterscup1679666578]

BTW, for those looking for a TE, here's a scouting report on Marcedes Lewis

 

Height: 6-6

Weight: 256

4.75 40-time

 

Strengths:

Has excellent size with long arms and the frame to easily add more weight...A superb athlete with good quickness and leaping ability...Has outstanding hands and can adjust to the poorly thrown ball...Gives great effort as a blocker and does a better job there than he is given credit for...Has solid speed and can get down the middle and stretch the seam...Very productive and was the top pass catching threat on his team...Still developing and has a lot of upside.

 

Weaknesses:

May not have elite timed speed...Could stand to add some weight and looks frail on the field due to his lanky build...Lacks explosiveness and may have trouble separating at the next level...Needs to hit the weights and get stronger...Still relatively raw as he devoted a lot of attention to basketball in high school...Needs to refine his technique and master the nuances of the position.

 

Notes:

Was a part of the famed 2002 Long Beach Poly high school class that also included Winston Justice (USC), Darnell Bing (USC), Hershel Dennis (USC), and Manuel Wright (Miami Dolphins)...Is like a wide receiver trapped in a tight ends body...Not yet a finished product but could be the type of weapon in the passing game that pro teams are falling all over themselves to add these days.

 

 

If we can get him and get him to put on 10+ pounds, he could be huge at the TE position. I like to read that he is a very good blocker too. I've quickly fallen in love with this guy.

[goonys evil twin]

i predict that he'll get 25 carries against minnesota and break 100.

 

Apparently Turner said that Benson will get some carries....how much is a big question, but that could eat into the number of carries AP gets.

 

well, if he gets the carries, he'll most likely be effective.

 

I'd love to see him go 25/100 this game, and contribute a bit in the playoffs. Maybe somebody will offer up a substantial draft pick for him.

[Magnetic Curses]

BTW, for those looking for a TE, here's a scouting report on Marcedes Lewis

 

Height: 6-6

Weight: 256

4.75 40-time

 

Strengths:

Has excellent size with long arms and the frame to easily add more weight...A superb athlete with good quickness and leaping ability...Has outstanding hands and can adjust to the poorly thrown ball...Gives great effort as a blocker and does a better job there than he is given credit for...Has solid speed and can get down the middle and stretch the seam...Very productive and was the top pass catching threat on his team...Still developing and has a lot of upside.

 

Weaknesses:

May not have elite timed speed...Could stand to add some weight and looks frail on the field due to his lanky build...Lacks explosiveness and may have trouble separating at the next level...Needs to hit the weights and get stronger...Still relatively raw as he devoted a lot of attention to basketball in high school...Needs to refine his technique and master the nuances of the position.

 

Notes:

Was a part of the famed 2002 Long Beach Poly high school class that also included Winston Justice (USC), Darnell Bing (USC), Hershel Dennis (USC), and Manuel Wright (Miami Dolphins)...Is like a wide receiver trapped in a tight ends body...Not yet a finished product but could be the type of weapon in the passing game that pro teams are falling all over themselves to add these days.

 

 

If we can get him and get him to put on 10+ pounds, he could be huge at the TE position. I like to read that he is a very good blocker too. I've quickly fallen in love with this guy.

 

i don't like the idea of drafting a TE who needs to add so much, or is as raw as this guy sounds.

 

i still wake up in the middle of the night after a flashback nightmare of the john allred draft.

[goonys evil twin]

btw- i hope that we're sure that benson can go. i keep picturing boobie miles (or the guy who played him in FNL), another odessa/midland legend, trying to play with a torn acl.

 

Benson doesn't sound like somebody who thinks he can go, according to the quotes I read this morning. I'd rather give him the 2 weeks off, same with Kreutz, Brown, Azumah and a few others. Give Ayanbendejo, Leon Joe and Cain plenty of time at LB. Let Haynes have a chance to show something at D end. Give Orton and Blake some time at QB. This team can make some noice in the playoffs if the defense is 100%, but there are too many banged up guys right now to get all excited about the team points record.

[Magnetic Curses]

btw- i hope that we're sure that benson can go. i keep picturing boobie miles (or the guy who played him in FNL), another odessa/midland legend, trying to play with a torn acl.

 

Benson doesn't sound like somebody who thinks he can go, according to the quotes I read this morning. I'd rather give him the 2 weeks off, same with Kreutz, Brown, Azumah and a few others. Give Ayanbendejo, Leon Joe and Cain plenty of time at LB. Let Haynes have a chance to show something at D end. Give Orton and Blake some time at QB. This team can make some noice in the playoffs if the defense is 100%, but there are too many banged up guys right now to get all excited about the team points record.

 

i'd be hesitant to start grossman with kreutz being out, but kreutz definitely needs to be held out, no question.

 

grossman needs more real-time reps, but the vikings don't seem like a team that would be averse to taking a cheap shot at the back of rex's knees.

[goonys evil twin]

i still wake up in the middle of the night after a flashback nightmare of the john allred draft.

 

What a blast from the ugly past. Wasn't he a Wanny/Spielman era pick? I trust Angelo and this group a lot more than that regime.

[goonys evil twin]

i'd be hesitant to start grossman with kreutz being out, but kreutz definitely needs to be held out, no question.

 

grossman needs more real-time reps, but the vikings don't seem like a team that would be averse to taking a cheap shot at the back of rex's knees.

 

That's my feeling. Maybe you do some max protect with Grossman early in the game, but pull him by the 2nd quarter. I don't think he looked rusty against ATL or GB. I think 2 weeks of healthy practice would be enough to have him ready for the first playoff game. Ideally you could get another full healthy game out of him before then, but all things considered, rest might not be bad. If he was anything short of 100% on the ankle before, even 95%, the time could help. And with Orton's confidence shot, it might help to let him go back and air it out for blips and giggles. Put in 2 WR 2 TE sets, and have him throw 10 passes to the TE and 15 to the WR. Put in the shutgun here and there. Have him loose and ready in case Grossman does go down in 2 weeks. And if Orton is crap, go to Blake.

[Butterscup1679666578]

i'd be hesitant to start grossman with kreutz being out, but kreutz definitely needs to be held out, no question.

 

grossman needs more real-time reps, but the vikings don't seem like a team that would be averse to taking a cheap shot at the back of rex's knees.

 

That's my feeling. Maybe you do some max protect with Grossman early in the game, but pull him by the 2nd quarter. I don't think he looked rusty against ATL or GB. I think 2 weeks of healthy practice would be enough to have him ready for the first playoff game. Ideally you could get another full healthy game out of him before then, but all things considered, rest might not be bad. If he was anything short of 100% on the ankle before, even 95%, the time could help. And with Orton's confidence shot, it might help to let him go back and air it out for blips and giggles. Put in 2 WR 2 TE sets, and have him throw 10 passes to the TE and 15 to the WR. Put in the shutgun here and there. Have him loose and ready in case Grossman does go down in 2 weeks. And if Orton is crap, go to Blake.

 

See when you put it like that I semi-agree, but I don't know how I feel about playing Orton at all. If Orton goes down this week, and if Rex gets hurt in the playoffs, we're stuck with Jeff Blake. I say give Grossman a quarter of PT, then go with Blake the rest of the game, but that's just me.

[rawaction]

i'd be hesitant to start grossman with kreutz being out, but kreutz definitely needs to be held out, no question.

 

grossman needs more real-time reps, but the vikings don't seem like a team that would be averse to taking a cheap shot at the back of rex's knees.

 

That's my feeling. Maybe you do some max protect with Grossman early in the game, but pull him by the 2nd quarter. I don't think he looked rusty against ATL or GB. I think 2 weeks of healthy practice would be enough to have him ready for the first playoff game. Ideally you could get another full healthy game out of him before then, but all things considered, rest might not be bad. If he was anything short of 100% on the ankle before, even 95%, the time could help. And with Orton's confidence shot, it might help to let him go back and air it out for blips and giggles. Put in 2 WR 2 TE sets, and have him throw 10 passes to the TE and 15 to the WR. Put in the shutgun here and there. Have him loose and ready in case Grossman does go down in 2 weeks. And if Orton is crap, go to Blake.

 

I don't think Turner even has the shotgun in his offense.

[goonys evil twin]

See when you put it like that I semi-agree, but I don't know how I feel about playing Orton at all. If Orton goes down this week, and if Rex gets hurt in the playoffs, we're stuck with Jeff Blake. I say give Grossman a quarter of PT, then go with Blake the rest of the game, but that's just me.

 

If Grossman goes down at all, you're probably not winning in the playoffs, so it doesn't matter. I'm not worried about backups getting hurt. It would be a shame, but not nearly as harmful as the starter going down.

[goonys evil twin]

 

I don't think Turner even has the shotgun in his offense.

 

I'd just install it for fun this week, partially to loosen up Orton, partially to give opposing DCs something extra to think about, and partially to screw with the Vikings.

[rawaction]

 

I don't think Turner even has the shotgun in his offense.

 

I'd just install it for fun this week, partially to loosen up Orton, partially to give opposing DCs something extra to think about, and partially to screw with the Vikings.

 

I'd like the shotgun, simply because it's a good idea. I think it would help Orton, because he would be away from the pressure from the snap, and wouldn't have to worry about his drop much. It would help Grossman, because he doesn't have great size to see over the line.

[brinoch]

 

I don't think Turner even has the shotgun in his offense.

 

I'd just install it for fun this week, partially to loosen up Orton, partially to give opposing DCs something extra to think about, and partially to screw with the Vikings.

 

I'd like the shotgun, simply because it's a good idea. I think it would help Orton, because he would be away from the pressure from the snap, and wouldn't have to worry about his drop much. It would help Grossman, because he doesn't have great size to see over the line.

 

I'm a big fan of the shotgun, myself. I think it would very much help the Bears. Turner likes play-action, of course, and it's typically not as good under a shotgun. I think the new look would give defenses a tough time, and would augment the effectiveness of play-action. Personally, I also think Grossman runs the play-action pretty well. But under Orton, it was pretty much a joke, but it's been better the last game and a half.

[goonys evil twin]

 

I don't think Turner even has the shotgun in his offense.

 

I'd just install it for fun this week, partially to loosen up Orton, partially to give opposing DCs something extra to think about, and partially to screw with the Vikings.

 

I'd like the shotgun, simply because it's a good idea. I think it would help Orton, because he would be away from the pressure from the snap, and wouldn't have to worry about his drop much. It would help Grossman, because he doesn't have great size to see over the line.

 

I'm a big fan of the shotgun, myself. I think it would very much help the Bears. Turner likes play-action, of course, and it's typically not as good under a shotgun. I think the new look would give defenses a tough time, and would augment the effectiveness of play-action. Personally, I also think Grossman runs the play-action pretty well. But under Orton, it was pretty much a joke, but it's been better the last game and a half.

 

I could go either way with shotgun. I think it's good for a few plays a game. I'd have it as an option, and use it quite a bit in a game like this, but don't think it's necessary for success. The quintessential Chicago Bears shotgun play is a handoff up the middle anyway.