1/15 Round 2: Bears vs. Panthers

[da bears]

My thoughts on the game:

 

-I dont dislike anyone on the Panthers except for Jake Delhomme. When I saw him cussing at our fans when they won the game, it made my happy that Tommy Harris jumped over the pile and drilled him on the kneel down. He is now up there at the top of my list of quarterbacks I want to just get drilled. Otherwise, I hope the Panthers win the Superbowl.

 

-Steve Smith single handedly won this game for the Panthers. If I had been told that the Bears would score 21 points, give up only one sack and one turnover, I would have predicted win.

 

-I dont understand how the Bears would not cover Smith with Vasher plus safety help over the top. Even if the Bears were in a zone, their primary target should have been Smith. And I cannot give Delhomme too much credit for throwing for 100 of his yards to wide open receiver in Smith. I give Smith all the credit in the world though.

 

-This team will be a force to be reckoned with next season. With a healthy Grossman, Berrian, and the entire D returning, I look for this team to be a contender next season.

 

Good game to the Panthers and good luck to everyone but Jake Delhomme. I hope he gets knocked out and the backup QB leads the Panthers to the Superbowl win.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'd second those comments about Delhomme. The whole game he didn't act with much class, then he sprinted to the locker room after the game without taking part in any of the post game handshakes and such. IMO he didn't carry himself very well at all.

[cubweiser03]

Were these guys watching the game I was

 

Morrisey:

 

Grossman played like Kyle Orton but with a better arm.

 

But at least Morrisey put the blame on the defense where it belonged, Downey inexplicably blames it on Rex!

 

But in the Bears' case, a great season is over because they still do not have the big-play performance at quarterback they so desperately need.

 

Come on! The Bears season is over because Steve Smith ripped up our D.

 

wtf, did he stop watching after the 1st quarter?

 

So how bad was Peyton Manning today then, Jonathon Quinn bad? Funny, Grossman's offense scored more points than Mannings today against just as good defense if not better.

[UK1679666180]

So, you're saying Turner is a better OC than Martz was with the Rams?

I'm saying that I would much rather have an OC that is willing to run the ball alot than one that is not. I don't think that Martz is that good of a game caller.

 

I think Rex would be perfect for an offense geared around deep slants and Jones would be better in a Marshall Faulk type role rather than a power runner.

 

This is offense is a WR and TE away from being geared for an aggressive style offense rather than a power running team. If they can get more points and yards passing than running, I'm all for it.

[rawaction]

So, you're saying Turner is a better OC than Martz was with the Rams?

I'm saying that I would much rather have an OC that is willing to run the ball alot than one that is not. I don't think that Martz is that good of a game caller.

 

I think Rex would be perfect for an offense geared around deep slants and Jones would be better in a Marshall Faulk type role rather than a power runner.

 

This is offense is a WR and TE away from being geared for an aggressive style offense rather than a power running team. If they can get more points and yards passing than running, I'm all for it.

 

What's wrong with the WRs? I think the group of Muhammad, Berrian, and Bradley is very solid. The latter two showed the potential of being very productive options. Muhammad has proven to be a #1 in the past.

 

I agree about Rex. He played in a wide open offense in HS and at UF. He can toss the ball around all day.

[UK1679666180]

I think Berrian is a solid #3 WR on a team with good WRs, he still has to prove he can be a #2 WR despite the good game yesterday. With Bradley, he's coming a devastating knee injury, his game was speed and he has prove he has the same speed coming off that injury. Edited January 16, 2006 by UK

[Mark Priors Calves]

Were these guys watching the game I was

 

Morrisey:

 

Grossman played like Kyle Orton but with a better arm.

 

But at least Morrisey put the blame on the defense where it belonged, Downey inexplicably blames it on Rex!

 

But in the Bears' case, a great season is over because they still do not have the big-play performance at quarterback they so desperately need.

 

Come on! The Bears season is over because Steve Smith ripped up our D.

 

Downey is the same hack who was supporting Kyle Orton 100% when all the Grossman/Orton talking was heating up. He wrote numerous columns about how important it was to keep a winning QB in the lineup, etc. As soon as Grossman came in the Atlanta, he wrote an article doing a complete 180. Its nice to see he's changed his mind again. Anyone who thinks Kyle Orton would have done a better job last night, has no clue how to evaluate QB talent, especially Mike Downey.

[gflore34]

I'm upset the Bears lost but, I look upon this loss as a learning experience and ultimately more good will come from it than bad. This is a very young team (3rd or 4th youngest in the NFL) with a very good defense in a division in which every other team just fired their head coach. This team will improve by leaps and bounds next season, a full season of Grossman and the offense will be become a legitimate threat. I'd like to see the Bears draft a shut down corner (to replace and reduce Tillman' role to nickel situations) or playmaking WR or TE this year.

 

Carolina deserves all the credit they were the better team and have an excellent chance at beating Seattle. However, if I had to bet on which team will reach the Super Bowl (after this season) in near future, it’s the Bears hands down.

[Magnetic Curses]

okay, i take a few positives away from this game.

 

it's a game like this that is the reason rex was starting at the end of the year. he can lead a team to victory, even if the defense is faltering, which it did. we'll start next year geared up for dominance and if rex can stay healthy, he'll have the big game experience that we need.

 

as for the negatives, terrible coaching job by lovie and rivera. they made no adjustments at all, they simply let carolina do whatever that they wanted. it appeared like the bears were giving the panthers roughly 1-2 looks all game. you cannot win without strategy, even the best defensive players will fail when the coaching is lacking.

 

granted, the field was terrible, and i'll remind goony that i stated that the bears would be in trouble if the field was bad.

[Magnetic Curses]

by the way, john fox needs to stop it with the dramatics on the sidleine, it was getting on my nerves. act like a head coach, not a freaking drunken fan.

[gflore34]

By the way does anyone think Seattle will jump that WR screen to Smith and return it for a TD? Seemed like they ran that play exclusively on 2nd down.

[UK1679666180]

By the way does anyone think Seattle will jump that WR screen to Smith and return it for a TD? Seemed like they ran that play exclusively on 2nd down.

 

They might not get a TD off an INT, but they'll double him, unlike the Bears.

[rawaction]

I think Berrian is a solid #3 WR on a team with good WRs, he still has to prove he can be a #2 WR despite the good game yesterday. With Bradley, he's coming a devastating knee injury, his game was speed and he has prove he has the same speed coming off that injury.

 

Agreed. But I think there's a better than average chance that Berrian and or Bradley prove that. I certainly don't want to spend the money to move the 2 young guys back on the depth chart. I'm not too worried about Bradley's knee. There have been plenty of players to come back from more devastating injuries. Joey Galloway comes to mind. McGahee, etc.

[UK1679666180]

I wouldn't spend much in FA, but I would draft a WR probably in the 3rd rd. Probably more of a change of pace type WR, they seem to have all long/lean WR with speed based on longer strides rather than quickness. A WR with the skill set more in the mold of Santana Moss rather than Randy Moss, might be a nice compliment to Moose.

[rawaction]

I wouldn't spend much in FA, but I would draft a WR probably in the 3rd rd. Probably more of a change of pace type WR, they seem to have all long/lean WR with speed based on longer strides rather than quickness. A WR with the skill set more in the mold of Santana Moss rather than Randy Moss, might be a nice compliment to Moose.

 

I don't agree with that. You are basically saying the Bears need a short, quick WR. I personally like the big bodies. Wish they used their size better. But there aren't a lot of Steve Smith, Santana Moss type WRs.

[Chocolate Milk]

:cry:

 

The Bears never move around their CB's. They always stay on their sides. That's how you get Thompson on Smith and you get Tillman (who doesn't play Smith type receivers very well) on Smith. Smith was generally contained vs. Vasher.

 

Geeze, when evaluating the game you never think stuff like, "What if Tillman falls down on the second offensive play vs. Smith." Boy was that a huge gut punch.

 

Rivera's game plan was uninspired and Alex Brown pulled another one of his classic disappearing acts. Hey Alex, it's alright to have more than 3 good games per year.

 

You can't blame Mike Brown. We didn't know the severity of his injury but considering they initially thought it was going to knock him out for the season, it sounded like a pretty high grade pull. Replace him? Are you serious? Why would we waste resources to do that when they would be better used in so many other places?

 

Rex played well if you forget the first quarter. Thomas Jones wasn't involved enough. Rex should be the QB next year, no question about it. If you had told me that we would score 21 points on offense, I'd had say we'd likely have won big.

 

As usual, all of the teams I root for lose in disappointing fashion. However, I don't think this is the same situation as 2001. This team is more talented and younger in key positions. Hopefully, next year we will be markedly improved.

 

Needs for next year:

TE

CB

KR/PR

OL

[gflore34]

:cry:

 

As usual, all of the teams I root for lose in disappointing fashion. However, I don't think this is the same situation as 2001. This team is more talented and younger in key positions. Hopefully, next year we will be markedly improved.

 

Needs for next year:

TE

CB

KR/PR

OL

 

In some ways this is similar to the 1984 Post Season, the young Bears were embarrassed in the NFC Championship by the 49'ers. They learned from that and we all know what happened the next season. I'm not saying the 2006 Bears will be as good as the 1985 Bears but, I believe they'll be superior to the 2005 Bears.

[Magnetic Curses]

:cry:

 

As usual, all of the teams I root for lose in disappointing fashion. However, I don't think this is the same situation as 2001. This team is more talented and younger in key positions. Hopefully, next year we will be markedly improved.

 

Needs for next year:

TE

CB

KR/PR

OL

 

In some ways this is similar to the 1984 Post Season, the young Bears were embarssed in the NFC Championship by the 49'ers. They learned from that and we all know what happened the next season. I'm not saying the 2006 Bears will be as good as the 1985 Bears but, I believe they'll be superior to the 2005 Bears.

 

i'm unconvinced that the bears aren't cursed at this point. doesn't seem that they can win a playoff game. i'll believe it when i see it, although i feel that bears can be supremely talented.

 

in the late 80's, the bears were more than a defensive match for any other team around, yet only won a handful of playoff games. call it a playoff curse.

[UK1679666180]

I wouldn't spend much in FA, but I would draft a WR probably in the 3rd rd. Probably more of a change of pace type WR, they seem to have all long/lean WR with speed based on longer strides rather than quickness. A WR with the skill set more in the mold of Santana Moss rather than Randy Moss, might be a nice compliment to Moose.

 

I don't agree with that. You are basically saying the Bears need a short, quick WR. I personally like the big bodies. Wish they used their size better. But there aren't a lot of Steve Smith, Santana Moss type WRs.

 

I think it is a different style of WR, they're out there. I like Santana's younger brother as far as being a potential smaller quick type WR. Bigger bodies like Gage are great, if you know how to use them. Moose knows how to use his body and great route running, players like Berrian and Bradley have great speed, but lack quickness. I want a WR with quickness.

[adamb0719]

I haven't read this whole thread, and am just now to the point where I want to talk about the game.

 

My only problem is what seemed to be an overconfidence in Grossman. He had, I think, 41 pass attempts, and Jones only had 20 rushes? Had they stuck with the running game, controlled the clock, and kept Smith off the field, this game could have turned out differently. Also why in the world was Thompson on Smith, with no help from a safety?

I saw a stat that said the Bears average 3rd down attempt was 7+ yards. That is just ridiculous. Jones averaged 4 yards a rush, and they only average 3 yards on their first two downs. That doesn't make sense.

[rawaction]

I wouldn't spend much in FA, but I would draft a WR probably in the 3rd rd. Probably more of a change of pace type WR, they seem to have all long/lean WR with speed based on longer strides rather than quickness. A WR with the skill set more in the mold of Santana Moss rather than Randy Moss, might be a nice compliment to Moose.

 

I don't agree with that. You are basically saying the Bears need a short, quick WR. I personally like the big bodies. Wish they used their size better. But there aren't a lot of Steve Smith, Santana Moss type WRs.

 

I think it is a different style of WR, they're out there. I like Santana's younger brother as far as being a potential smaller quick type WR. Bigger bodies like Gage are great, if you know how to use them. Moose knows how to use his body and great route running, players like Berrian and Bradley have great speed, but lack quickness. I want a WR with quickness.

 

Ok, I see what you are saying. If Bobby Wade could catch, or run routes, he would have been a good guy in the WR corps. I wanted Bradley's OU teammate in the draft (can't remember his name now). He fit the description you are speaking of.

[Magnetic Curses]

I wouldn't spend much in FA, but I would draft a WR probably in the 3rd rd. Probably more of a change of pace type WR, they seem to have all long/lean WR with speed based on longer strides rather than quickness. A WR with the skill set more in the mold of Santana Moss rather than Randy Moss, might be a nice compliment to Moose.

 

I don't agree with that. You are basically saying the Bears need a short, quick WR. I personally like the big bodies. Wish they used their size better. But there aren't a lot of Steve Smith, Santana Moss type WRs.

 

I think it is a different style of WR, they're out there. I like Santana's younger brother as far as being a potential smaller quick type WR. Bigger bodies like Gage are great, if you know how to use them. Moose knows how to use his body and great route running, players like Berrian and Bradley have great speed, but lack quickness. I want a WR with quickness.

 

Ok, I see what you are saying. If Bobby Wade could catch, or run routes, he would have been a good guy in the WR corps. I wanted Bradley's OU teammate in the draft (can't remember his name now). He fit the description you are speaking of.

 

mark clayton.

[YearofDaCubs]

Our special teams were terrible, our coaching staff did not adjust to the Panthers. I also noticed it took us a while to get going and I believe it is because of the long layoff. After watching Indyand ourselves I hope we do not see that many teams miss so much time because of risking their starters. I think Grossman did pretty good considering the lack of playing time he had. If he stays healthy he will be our QB of the future. For those that think Orton would have been better they are mistaken. Our defense never adjusted and we were embarrassed to say the least.

[Andy]

Am I the only one who thinks that if Fox, Delhomme, etc. weren't fired up and excited about beating a team who had thoroughly crushed them two months ago - and doing it in the playoffs, no less - that there's simply something wrong with them?

[UK1679666180]

Also, I'd like to see them use a late round/FA pick on WR Adam Jennings of Fresno St. He's one of the best returners in the country and will be around late or not get drafted and is great on all aspects of special teams.