Week 5: Buffalo @ Bears - Sunday, Oct. 8th, 12 pm CST

[Balsa]

ESPN poll on the NFL's first quarter:

 

Obviously that Seattle game had a huge effect. I wonder how those polls would look before the game?

[Banedon]

This came from Foxsports.com, and is very mysterious to me:

 

“What we weren’t expecting is how good Grossman played and that No. 80 (receiver Bernard Berrian),” said a Seahawks coach.

 

After watching the first 3 games, even if you're skeptical a bit, don't you have to plan for both Grossman and Berrian?

[Milli1306]

While Rex has played fantastic football, I would have to say Donovan McNabb is the MVP after the way he played against Green Bay...he won that game on his own, and while I realize that Brian Westbrook, Dante Stallworth, and the Eagles D are all good, they would be absolutely lost without Donovan...

[CP_414]

While Rex has played fantastic football, I would have to say Donovan McNabb is the MVP after the way he played against Green Bay...he won that game on his own, and while I realize that Brian Westbrook, Dante Stallworth, and the Eagles D are all good, they would be absolutely lost without Donovan...

 

I think Brett Favre, Ahmad Carroll, and Vernand Morency decided that game as much as McNabb. Especially Carroll, who was so bad the Packers cut the former 1st round pick the next day.

[UMFan83]

While Rex has played fantastic football, I would have to say Donovan McNabb is the MVP after the way he played against Green Bay...he won that game on his own, and while I realize that Brian Westbrook, Dante Stallworth, and the Eagles D are all good, they would be absolutely lost without Donovan...

 

I agree actually. McNabb has played unbelievable this season. The Eagles are a scary team and I would be worried if the Bears had to face them in the playoffs.

[Soriano12]

I agree actually. McNabb has played unbelievable this season. The Eagles are a scary team and I would be worried if the Bears had to face them in the playoffs.

 

Well I'm sure they could fare better than the 01' squad.

 

I hate to use the term "fluke", but alot of things bounced their way in 01.

Alot of things.

[Banedon]

While Rex has played fantastic football, I would have to say Donovan McNabb is the MVP after the way he played against Green Bay...he won that game on his own, and while I realize that Brian Westbrook, Dante Stallworth, and the Eagles D are all good, they would be absolutely lost without Donovan...

 

I agree actually. McNabb has played unbelievable this season. The Eagles are a scary team and I would be worried if the Bears had to face them in the playoffs.

 

Did you guys see that first half against Green Bay though? If they played like that against the Bears, they'd be playing catch up, which would tough. They also couldn't finish against the Giants a few weeks back. We'll see...maybe I'm underestimating them. They're one of the better NFC teams for sure, but that's not saying a whole lot. The AFC is much scarier than the NFC. I have a hard time being scared of just about any NFC team right now, but I'm still on a Bears high.

[NCCubFan]

I agree actually. McNabb has played unbelievable this season. The Eagles are a scary team and I would be worried if the Bears had to face them in the playoffs.

 

Well I'm sure they could fare better than the 01' squad.

 

I hate to use the term "fluke", but alot of things bounced their way in 01.

Alot of things.

2001 WAS a fluke. Three consecutive losing seasons after that says it all. This team is the real thing.

[Jon]

It looks like temps at kickoff will be in the mid to upper 60s with it getting to 70 near the end of the game. It will be sunny, but hopefully they won't be tempted to wear white at home. That would look bad with Buffalo in navy.

 

With the warmer weather, though, that should hopefully mean more navy in the stands.

[UMFan83]

I agree actually. McNabb has played unbelievable this season. The Eagles are a scary team and I would be worried if the Bears had to face them in the playoffs.

 

Well I'm sure they could fare better than the 01' squad.

 

I hate to use the term "fluke", but alot of things bounced their way in 01.

Alot of things.

2001 WAS a fluke. Three consecutive losing seasons after that says it all. This team is the real thing.

 

Seems like the 2001 team came together with a couple of FA veteran signings that luckily panned out. Ted Washington, Keith Traylor, etc. The rest was Rosie Colvin, Brian Urlacher, Mike Brown and an opportunistic secondary. As for the offense...well I have no idea how the offense put up as many points as they did. It was more of an above average defense and then a snowball effect of winning that got them success in 2001.

 

In 2002, they had a shot to go back to the playoffs, but injuries absolutely killed them, as did having to play 8 games at UIUC. They started off 2-0, and then the wheels fell off completely.

[UMFan83]

It looks like temps at kickoff will be in the mid to upper 60s with it getting to 70 near the end of the game. It will be sunny, but hopefully they won't be tempted to wear white at home. That would look bad with Buffalo in navy.

 

With the warmer weather, though, that should hopefully mean more navy in the stands.

 

I read somewhere that they have to choose their uniforms before the season. They usually choose white for the first home game of the season for weather reasons. But there is no reason to believe that they would expect early-to-mid october to be around 70

[jjgman21]

I agree actually. McNabb has played unbelievable this season. The Eagles are a scary team and I would be worried if the Bears had to face them in the playoffs.

 

Well I'm sure they could fare better than the 01' squad.

 

I hate to use the term "fluke", but alot of things bounced their way in 01.

Alot of things.

2001 WAS a fluke. Three consecutive losing seasons after that says it all. This team is the real thing.

 

Seems like the 2001 team came together with a couple of FA veteran signings that luckily panned out. Ted Washington, Keith Traylor, etc. The rest was Rosie Colvin, Brian Urlacher, Mike Brown and an opportunistic secondary. As for the offense...well I have no idea how the offense put up as many points as they did. It was more of an above average defense and then a snowball effect of winning that got them success in 2001.

 

In 2002, they had a shot to go back to the playoffs, but injuries absolutely killed them, as did having to play 8 games at UIUC. They started off 2-0, and then the wheels fell off completely.

 

to answer the bolded part above, they had a veteran offensive line that worked great together. in 2002, I believe the left tackle left for Denver, Villareal or the other guard missed some time, I think Olin battled injury all year, and Big Cat was one year older.

[Jon]

ChicagoSports.com[/url]"]Tight end Desmond Clark and defensive end Adewale Ogunleye practiced Friday and are expected to start Sunday. Wide receiver Mark Bradley (ankle), linebacker Leon Joe (hamstring) and punter Brad Maynard (ill) did not practice. Maynard is expected to be available Sunday, but kicker Robbie Gould would punt if Maynard can't.

[Omar]

Last night I had a dream/nightmare that the Bears lost this game.

 

<_< Hopefully I'm absolutely wrong.

[Banedon]

Last night I had a dream/nightmare that the Bears lost this game.

 

<_< Hopefully I'm absolutely wrong.

 

I had a dream that they lost, followed by a dream that they won. Strange but true.

[UMFan83]

Last night I had a dream/nightmare that the Bears lost this game.

 

<_< Hopefully I'm absolutely wrong.

 

I had a dream that they lost, followed by a dream that they won. Strange but true.

 

2 night ago I had a dream that we lost too. Bad sign :(

[Banedon]

Last night I had a dream/nightmare that the Bears lost this game.

 

<_< Hopefully I'm absolutely wrong.

 

I had a dream that they lost, followed by a dream that they won. Strange but true.

 

2 night ago I had a dream that we lost too. Bad sign :(

 

Rarely has a dream that I've had come true. Trust me on this. Otherwise I would be living a goooood life.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Last night I had a dream/nightmare that the Bears lost this game.

 

<_< Hopefully I'm absolutely wrong.

 

I had a dream that they lost, followed by a dream that they won. Strange but true.

 

2 night ago I had a dream that we lost too. Bad sign :(

 

Rarely has a dream that I've had come true. Trust me on this. Otherwise I would be living a goooood life.

 

So the Bears are going to tie?

[UMFan83]

Last night I had a dream/nightmare that the Bears lost this game.

 

<_< Hopefully I'm absolutely wrong.

 

I had a dream that they lost, followed by a dream that they won. Strange but true.

 

2 night ago I had a dream that we lost too. Bad sign :(

 

Rarely has a dream that I've had come true. Trust me on this. Otherwise I would be living a goooood life.

 

Actually me too. I dreamed that the Bears beat Carolina in the playoffs last year. Oops

[David]

You guys can't be serious. I totally had a dream about this game last night too. WTH is wrong with us?

 

They won.. Rex threw for two TDs and an INT. And, for whatever reason, they wore the white jerseys and the white pants (Jauron-era style).

[sweetpeteman]

You guys can't be serious. I totally had a dream about this game last night too. WTH is wrong with us?

 

They won.. Rex threw for two TDs and an INT. And, for whatever reason, they wore the white jerseys and the white pants (Jauron-era style).

 

to make fun of Jauron?

 

This is wierd...last night I dreamt about something completely different from the rest of you... wait... thats normal, right?

[Omar]

This is very awkward. The Bears werent even on my mind... They dont have to be... But still. We all had similer dreams... Let's see what really happens and then we'll start predicting the future for money.

[Soriano12]

What is everyone's thoughts on re-signing Briggs?

 

 

He already turned down a 5+ million dollar contract, if he wants more forget about it. Right now the catalyst of the defense is the DLine, and Tommie Harris will be needed an extension in a few years.

 

You have to think about Grossman as well in terms of an extension.

 

If they don't re-sign Briggs I would like to see the Bears go after Rufus Alexander in the draft.

[Wilson A2000]

Briggs had just as many tackles as Urlacher last year. Don't undervalue him.

 

Is Adewale's availability still up in the air? Would Anderson start? If he does I would run right at him.

[rawaction]

Briggs had just as many tackles as Urlacher last year. Don't undervalue him.

 

Is Adewale's availability still up in the air? Would Anderson start? If he does I would run right at him.

 

He wants Urlacher money. He's not worth Urlacher money. Briggs is a very, very good linebacker. But Briggs as at best the 3rd most important defensive player. You can't pay your 3rd best player like he's the best. And one could argue that Tillman and Vasher are more important. OLB is probably the easiest position to fill in all of football. I think you let Joe and Williams play and draft another young LB who can run, and the Bears will be alright defensively. With the offense developing, the Bears can still win plenty of games without a completely lights out defense. The downgrade would be minimal overall and save a ton of money.

 

 

BTW, 22 years ago today, Walter Payton became the NFLs All-Time leading rusher!