[Jon]

AP[/url]"]A dislocated right shoulder will keep Bears defensive end Alex Brown out of Thursday's pre-season finale in Cleveland, team officials said Sunday. But it is not yet known if the injury will keep him from playing in the regular-season opener Sept. 10 against Green Bay.

............

Notes: Wide receiver Bernard Berrian (knee), running back Adrian Peterson (hip-pointer), defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek (foot), defensive tackle Antonio Garay (illness), linebacker and Dwayne Slay (quad strain) were held out of Sunday's practice due to injuries. . . . wide receivers Reggie Harrell and Bryan McClendon, guard Tyler McMeans and defensive tackle Mike Mendenhall were cut. The Bears still need to trim two more players from their roster by 3 p.m. Tuesday to reach the 75-player maximum.

[Banedon]

AP[/url]"]A dislocated right shoulder will keep Bears defensive end Alex Brown out of Thursday's pre-season finale in Cleveland, team officials said Sunday. But it is not yet known if the injury will keep him from playing in the regular-season opener Sept. 10 against Green Bay.

............

Notes: Wide receiver Bernard Berrian (knee), running back Adrian Peterson (hip-pointer), defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek (foot), defensive tackle Antonio Garay (illness), linebacker and Dwayne Slay (quad strain) were held out of Sunday's practice due to injuries. . . . wide receivers Reggie Harrell and Bryan McClendon, guard Tyler McMeans and defensive tackle Mike Mendenhall were cut. The Bears still need to trim two more players from their roster by 3 p.m. Tuesday to reach the 75-player maximum.

 

Alex says he'll play in Green Bay, and wasn't wearing a sling yesterday.

[Wilson A2000]

Why can't Mohammad be good? Most people think he is a good number two receiver or average number one, but in 2004 he arguably the best receiver in the league. Now he is just a number two? Does the Bears offense not give him opportunities? Is the QB the problem? Has his talent gone downhill?

[Banedon]

Why can't Mohammad be good? Most people think he is a good number two receiver or average number one, but in 2004 he arguably the best receiver in the league. Now he is just a number two? Does the Bears offense not give him opportunities? Is the QB the problem? Has his talent gone downhill?

 

I didn't see him a lot in '04, but I can tell you he drops balls too often. He has a tendency to make the really difficult plays, and muff the easy ones....imo.

[goonys evil twin]

Why can't Mohammad be good? Most people think he is a good number two receiver or average number one, but in 2004 he arguably the best receiver in the league. Now he is just a number two? Does the Bears offense not give him opportunities? Is the QB the problem? Has his talent gone downhill?

 

I didn't see him a lot in '04, but I can tell you he drops balls too often. He has a tendency to make the really difficult plays, and muff the easy ones....imo.

 

And he's old. 2004 was his peak year, and could arguably be described as a fluke year, given he was nowhere near that level of production before or since. The fact of the matter is he was never a legit 1. He's been a nice complimentary receiver his whole career and cashed in on a well timed highly productive season. The Bears would be lucky to get an "average" year out of MM, which is just about 75 catches, 1000 yards and 5/6 touchdowns.

 

Older receivers who don't have a track record of consistent greatness can't really be expected to be the star receiver on their team.

[da bears]

The offense better get itself going or the Bears could be in for a long year. I think all us Bears fans need a good year from the Bears. With the way the Cubs played this year, I really hope that the Bears can make me happy about sports again. And I really don't feel like waiting for the Bulls to start.

[Banedon]

From Foxsports.com:

 

A scout who watched the Bears-Cardinals game on Friday night left with these two impressions: Arizona rookie quarterback Matt Leinart looked very comfortable and poised in the pocket and the Bears did a dumb thing by allowing backup Brian Griese to throw a pass on second-and-goal from the 2-yard line.

 

“A play like that is always going to work in a preseason game,” the scout said. “All that does is fuel the fire for the quarterback controversy. Rex Grossman looked OK. He threw a couple really good balls and even his interception wasn’t a bad throw. Antrel Rolle simply made a fine play.”

 

After three preseason games, Griese has 148 quarterback rating to Grossman’s measly 48. Griese has led the Bears to scores on five of his seven possessions. Meanwhile, Grossman has been a 50 percent passer with two interceptions and zero touchdowns. The fans who cheered his return during a win over Atlanta late last season are now booing Grossman.

[soapy]

From Foxsports.com:

 

A scout who watched the Bears-Cardinals game on Friday night left with these two impressions: Arizona rookie quarterback Matt Leinart looked very comfortable and poised in the pocket and the Bears did a dumb thing by allowing backup Brian Griese to throw a pass on second-and-goal from the 2-yard line.

 

“A play like that is always going to work in a preseason game,” the scout said. “All that does is fuel the fire for the quarterback controversy. Rex Grossman looked OK. He threw a couple really good balls and even his interception wasn’t a bad throw. Antrel Rolle simply made a fine play.”

 

After three preseason games, Griese has 148 quarterback rating to Grossman’s measly 48. Griese has led the Bears to scores on five of his seven possessions. Meanwhile, Grossman has been a 50 percent passer with two interceptions and zero touchdowns. The fans who cheered his return during a win over Atlanta late last season are now booing Grossman.

It should also be mentioned that Griese is playing against 2nd team defenses in most cases. I think he's looked fine, but you have to put things in perspective. Bottom line, even if Griese does end up being the guy, the Bears lose nothing by giving Grossman a shot right now, IMO. They need to find out what he is capable of.

[NCCubFan]

And he's old. 2004 was his peak year, and could arguably be described as a fluke year, given he was nowhere near that level of production before or since.

I think that was a bit of a fluke year. Steve Smith was injured that year, so Moose was Carolina's number 1 receiver by default. With all the injuries they had at running back (at one time they were down to something like their 5th string RB because the others were injured) they really had no choice but to make him their go-to guy.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Bryan Johnson and Dusty Dvoracek were placed on IR.

 

In my opinion, the Johnson injury is one that won't get a lot of coverage like the Benson, Jones, Browns (M and A) injuries but this is a big part of the offense. I don't think too many of us are expecting anything spectacular from the passing game, so its run, run, run. With the #1 fullback out for the season, the running game will be hurting. Hopefully McKie can step up, like he's done in the past, and do an adequate job.

[rawaction]

Bryan Johnson and Dusty Dvoracek were placed on IR.

 

In my opinion, the Johnson injury is one that won't get a lot of coverage like the Benson, Jones, Browns (M and A) injuries but this is a big part of the offense. I don't think too many of us are expecting anything spectacular from the passing game, so its run, run, run. With the #1 fullback out for the season, the running game will be hurting. Hopefully McKie can step up, like he's done in the past, and do an adequate job.

 

That does suck. I like both of those guys. Both aren't especially deep positions. Johnson is a key to the offense, like you said.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

From Foxsports.com:

 

A scout who watched the Bears-Cardinals game on Friday night left with these two impressions: Arizona rookie quarterback Matt Leinart looked very comfortable and poised in the pocket and the Bears did a dumb thing by allowing backup Brian Griese to throw a pass on second-and-goal from the 2-yard line.

 

“A play like that is always going to work in a preseason game,” the scout said. “All that does is fuel the fire for the quarterback controversy. Rex Grossman looked OK. He threw a couple really good balls and even his interception wasn’t a bad throw. Antrel Rolle simply made a fine play.”

 

After three preseason games, Griese has 148 quarterback rating to Grossman’s measly 48. Griese has led the Bears to scores on five of his seven possessions. Meanwhile, Grossman has been a 50 percent passer with two interceptions and zero touchdowns. The fans who cheered his return during a win over Atlanta late last season are now booing Grossman.

It should also be mentioned that Griese is playing against 2nd team defenses in most cases. I think he's looked fine, but you have to put things in perspective. Bottom line, even if Griese does end up being the guy, the Bears lose nothing by giving Grossman a shot right now, IMO. They need to find out what he is capable of.

 

Plus, Griese actually gets to work with a semblance of a running game. Preach it.

[da bears]

Let's just hope the Bears have a strong showing in their preseason finale and then put a pounding on the Packers like the Bengals did tonight.

[imb]

what happened to Dusty?

[Soul]

what happened to Dusty?

 

I think he re-aggravated that foot injury.

 

 

Injuries starting to pile up now. Losing Johnson is bigger than people think. We now have no proven blocking FB. McKie just stinks at blocking, and Runnels? Unproven.

 

Alex Brown: he says the right things, but 2 weeks for a dislocated shoulder? I'd be suprised if he makes the GB game.

 

Who knows about Mike Brown....

 

TJ/CB: what will they be come opening day? 80%? 90%? I doubt they'll be 100%.

 

Berrian: had his knee scoped a couple days ago I think.

 

Bradley: won't be 100% back for awhile.

 

 

This is starting to become worrisome. Much more worrisome than the so-called QB controversy everyone seems obsessed with.

[Banedon]

Berrian: had his knee scoped a couple days ago I think.

 

Bradley: won't be 100% back for awhile.

 

The paper this morning said the Berrian thing was minor, and although he'll sit out the preseason game, that mainly because the last preseason game means less than nothing, so why not let him rest it.

 

Bradley will be playing a good chunk of this game, and with his performance, the paper speculates that he could be pushing Berrian for a starting job soon.

 

All that said, I get your point, and I would really like to see us play a game without someone going down.

[rawaction]

what happened to Dusty?

 

I think he re-aggravated that foot injury.

 

 

Injuries starting to pile up now. Losing Johnson is bigger than people think. We now have no proven blocking FB. McKie just stinks at blocking, and Runnels? Unproven.

 

Alex Brown: he says the right things, but 2 weeks for a dislocated shoulder? I'd be suprised if he makes the GB game.

 

Who knows about Mike Brown....

 

TJ/CB: what will they be come opening day? 80%? 90%? I doubt they'll be 100%.

 

Berrian: had his knee scoped a couple days ago I think.

 

Bradley: won't be 100% back for awhile.

 

 

This is starting to become worrisome. Much more worrisome than the so-called QB controversy everyone seems obsessed with.

 

Assuming no re-aggrevations, all those players will be completely healthy by week 3-4. The Bears have a decent schedule against lesser teams, who happen to have gone thru a bunch of changes (coaching or personnel depending on the team) and probably won't be as capable as they will be toward the end of the season.

[fiver]

All,

 

I've never really been a Bears follower, but I do need to know what you think about their defense. They are obviously hyped as being the dominant defense in the NFL. Are they going to live up to this? (yes, i have them on my fantasy team)

[MustangMike]

Bryan Johnson and Dusty Dvoracek were placed on IR.

 

In my opinion, the Johnson injury is one that won't get a lot of coverage like the Benson, Jones, Browns (M and A) injuries but this is a big part of the offense. I don't think too many of us are expecting anything spectacular from the passing game, so its run, run, run. With the #1 fullback out for the season, the running game will be hurting. Hopefully McKie can step up, like he's done in the past, and do an adequate job.

 

Johnson never plays, I'm used to it. We did alright last year without him.

[goonys evil twin]

Bryan Johnson and Dusty Dvoracek were placed on IR.

 

In my opinion, the Johnson injury is one that won't get a lot of coverage like the Benson, Jones, Browns (M and A) injuries but this is a big part of the offense. I don't think too many of us are expecting anything spectacular from the passing game, so its run, run, run. With the #1 fullback out for the season, the running game will be hurting. Hopefully McKie can step up, like he's done in the past, and do an adequate job.

 

Johnson never plays, I'm used to it. We did alright last year without him.

 

That's how I feel. It's hard to call the guy a big part of the offense when he's a FB who only played in a handful of games the past 2 years. He's been a PUP for most of his time here. DD is a much bigger issue, since he was to play a role in the already banged up d tackle rotation.

[goonys evil twin]

All,

 

I've never really been a Bears follower, but I do need to know what you think about their defense. They are obviously hyped as being the dominant defense in the NFL. Are they going to live up to this? (yes, i have them on my fantasy team)

 

I think they should/could be as good as last year's defense. The LB corps is the strength and could very well be better than last year. The Alex Brown injury might hamper them on the sack side of things, but that was never a big part of their game to begin with. The secondary should be significantly better than last year, with upgrades and depth. Health, as always, is the question mark. They were relatively healthy last year, but did suffer some key losses. With the division foes bringing in new coaches, and a lack of big play threats going against them, the defense should be with the elite.

[Banedon]

The secondary should be significantly better than last year, with upgrades and depth. Health, as always, is the question mark. They were relatively healthy last year, but did suffer some key losses. With the division foes bringing in new coaches, and a lack of big play threats going against them, the defense should be with the elite.

 

The secondary hasn't really impressed me all that much in preseason, but then they've had Brown and Vasher both out...

[Soul]

Bryan Johnson and Dusty Dvoracek were placed on IR.

 

In my opinion, the Johnson injury is one that won't get a lot of coverage like the Benson, Jones, Browns (M and A) injuries but this is a big part of the offense. I don't think too many of us are expecting anything spectacular from the passing game, so its run, run, run. With the #1 fullback out for the season, the running game will be hurting. Hopefully McKie can step up, like he's done in the past, and do an adequate job.

 

Johnson never plays, I'm used to it. We did alright last year without him.

 

That's how I feel. It's hard to call the guy a big part of the offense when he's a FB who only played in a handful of games the past 2 years. He's been a PUP for most of his time here. DD is a much bigger issue, since he was to play a role in the already banged up d tackle rotation.

 

Understood. However, last year we had Marc Edwards who was a very good blocker as well, and a decent pass catcher.

 

Jason McKie was on the team last year, and Marc Edwards was brought in off the scrap heap. McKie was never able to seriously challenge Edwards for the starting gig. That tells you all you need to know about McKie.

 

Runnels will need to step up or the Bears will be seriously deficient @ FB. I hope he can do it.

[Banedon]

Bryan Johnson and Dusty Dvoracek were placed on IR.

 

In my opinion, the Johnson injury is one that won't get a lot of coverage like the Benson, Jones, Browns (M and A) injuries but this is a big part of the offense. I don't think too many of us are expecting anything spectacular from the passing game, so its run, run, run. With the #1 fullback out for the season, the running game will be hurting. Hopefully McKie can step up, like he's done in the past, and do an adequate job.

 

Johnson never plays, I'm used to it. We did alright last year without him.

 

That's how I feel. It's hard to call the guy a big part of the offense when he's a FB who only played in a handful of games the past 2 years. He's been a PUP for most of his time here. DD is a much bigger issue, since he was to play a role in the already banged up d tackle rotation.

 

Understood. However, last year we had Marc Edwards who was a very good blocker as well, and a decent pass catcher.

 

Jason McKie was on the team last year, and Marc Edwards was brought in off the scrap heap. McKie was never able to seriously challenge Edwards for the starting gig. That tells you all you need to know about McKie.

 

Runnels will need to step up or the Bears will be seriously deficient @ FB. I hope he can do it.

 

What happened to Edwards?

[Chocolate Milk]

Chicago has interest in Patriots WR Deion Branch but isn't willing to part with a high draft pick. Branch, a refined route runner with a flair for the dramatic, was given permission to seek a trade as negotiations remained stalled on a long term extension. Bears observers believe Branch, if acquired, would quickly become the #1 receiver and a reliable target for Grossman.

 

Word is the Bears might be interested in Patriots holdout Deion Branch but are unwilling to surrender the high draft pick or pay the big-money contract to get that done. But if Cowboys coach Bill Parcells tires of Terrell Owens' act, he might be the answer for the Bears.