Week 14: Bears vs. St. Louis - Monday Dec 11, 7:30 pm CST

[Jon]

"The story of the game is Devin Hester," Smith said. "It's time we start looking at him as an offensive player.

 

Hrm....

 

I was thinking the same thing after the first kick return. His lateral speed is insane - he looks like Reggie Bush. Line the guy up in the slot or put him in motion. No safety or backer could possibly stay with him.

Even just as a decoy. He'll get plenty of attention just being on the field.

[goonys evil twin]

Has anyone figured out why Hester was on Tory Holt in the red zone in his first start at CB yet?

 

I could not understand that matchup.

[goonys evil twin]

"The story of the game is Devin Hester," Smith said. "It's time we start looking at him as an offensive player.

 

Hrm....

 

I was thinking the same thing after the first kick return. His lateral speed is insane - he looks like Reggie Bush. Line the guy up in the slot or put him in motion. No safety or backer could possibly stay with him.

Even just as a decoy. He'll get plenty of attention just being on the field.

 

In his first play on the field, I'd either run/throw to the opposite side of the field from where he's at, or run a fake reverse. Teams are going to be so keyed on Hester when he finally does get on the field for the play, that a decoy play would be your best option.

[gflore34]

Last but not least, Devin Hester.

 

Thanks for the highlights, as I told my wife last night, if Devin Hester breaks containment or makes it past the first wave of tacklers its 6. Is there anyone in NFL who can catch him? Reggie Bush, maybe?

[Jon]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2006-12/26844803.jpg

[Chocolate Milk]

"The story of the game is Devin Hester," Smith said. "It's time we start looking at him as an offensive player.

 

Hrm....

 

Does he view him as a player who can play with the offense, or just as a scoring threat on special teams, therefore, like an offensive player. I'd think that would be a nice wrinkle to throw at the opposition with the playoffs coming.

 

In a more sober frame of mind, I think this is what he meant. Could be wrong though.

[goonys evil twin]

Has the Bradley miscommunication been discussed at all? I believe that was a pretty clear misread on Bradley's part, he had a 10 yard cushion, and Rex threw right to the spot where he could have had an easy first down. A completion there would have likely led to another score, and an even better looking day for Grossman. Obviously it's a what if scenario and you can't just add that to Rex's totals, but I think that was a clear case of a receiver letting him down.

[Chocolate Milk]

Has the Bradley miscommunication been discussed at all? I believe that was a pretty clear misread on Bradley's part, he had a 10 yard cushion, and Rex threw right to the spot where he could have had an easy first down. A completion there would have likely led to another score, and an even better looking day for Grossman. Obviously it's a what if scenario and you can't just add that to Rex's totals, but I think that was a clear case of a receiver letting him down.

 

Bradley wasn't in the game much after that, if I recall.

[Chocolate Milk]

I think Grossman's run was one of my favorite plays of the game. I didn't even know Grossman could run.

[Jon]

Has the Bradley miscommunication been discussed at all? I believe that was a pretty clear misread on Bradley's part, he had a 10 yard cushion, and Rex threw right to the spot where he could have had an easy first down. A completion there would have likely led to another score, and an even better looking day for Grossman. Obviously it's a what if scenario and you can't just add that to Rex's totals, but I think that was a clear case of a receiver letting him down.

Quite possibly 6.

 

The receivers coach ripped into him pretty good on the sidelines after that play, according to WBBM.

[hardcorecubfan]

Did anybody else get tired of hearing about New Orleans Saints win and how hot they are. What a stupid PC discussion. Let's make them feel good because of Katrina.

[Soul]

Did anybody else get tired of hearing about New Orleans Saints win and how hot they are. What a stupid PC discussion. Let's make them feel good because of Katrina.

 

No, actually I'm not nauseated by it. I would be if I didn't think they're legit. But I do.

 

That was a huge road win Sunday. NO is definitely a legitimate contender.

[UMFan83]

Has the Bradley miscommunication been discussed at all? I believe that was a pretty clear misread on Bradley's part, he had a 10 yard cushion, and Rex threw right to the spot where he could have had an easy first down. A completion there would have likely led to another score, and an even better looking day for Grossman. Obviously it's a what if scenario and you can't just add that to Rex's totals, but I think that was a clear case of a receiver letting him down.

Quite possibly 6.

 

The receivers coach ripped into him pretty good on the sidelines after that play, according to WBBM.

 

Yup, just shows you that Bradley still has some learning to do. He's gonna be a solid player in some time, but Berrian has been good all year so he deserves a majority of the reps.

 

Where has Rashied Davis been the last few games (besides fumbling kickoffs)? I know the Bears haven't used the slot a lot with the offense being dumbed down but its weird not hearing his name.

[Brendan]

Rex Grossman didn't do anything special to save his job Monday night. He didn't need to. Not with Devin Hester returning two kickoffs for TDs, as the Bears rolled through St. Louis 42-27.

 

ESPN is so [expletive]. Lets say Hester doesn't return those 2 TD's. Who's to say Grossman doesn't lead scoring drives both times?

Exactly. Three of the four offensive scoring drives were for more than 75 yards, and the fourth was still 56. It's not like he put up those numbers playing a short field like he was able to do so much at the beginning of the season.

 

i heard cowherd this morning rambling on and on about how grossman wasn't really that good (just better than the 1+ rating from last week) and that bulger really had the stellar day because, among other things, he had more TIME OF POSSESSION than rex. are you kidding me? T.O.P.?!?! of course, he failed to mention that maybe -- just maybe -- the 14 pts in 20 seconds from hester not only took away time on the field for the offense but forced the D to play back-to-back too .. or that much of the rams' offense came in garbage time against our D which is missing our best pass rusher and 3 DBs. i was getting a bit worked up by his inane drivel until i heard him claim that he liked joe buck. then i didn't care any more.

 

was rex stellar? not at all .. but i liked his game. he checked down when he had to. he didn't throw off his back foot into triple coverage. his timing was good -- that TD to moose would have been incomplete last week b/c he would have taken too long to throw it. of course, having a competent run game had to help.

[goonys evil twin]

Did anybody else get tired of hearing about New Orleans Saints win

 

No, not really. I like the Saints story, and I'm glad for the city that they are playing well. I also think they are clearly the 2nd best team in the NFC, and the Bears stiffest competition for the trip to Miami. I never bought into the Dallas hype, especially the Tony Romo love.

 

What I was sick of was their Rex talk, which was similar to what Buck and company were doing to Boston a few years ago. All they do is harp on the one story over and over, waiting for a guy to make a mistake.

[goonys evil twin]

the 14 pts in 20 seconds from hester not only took away time on the field for the offense but forced the D to play back-to-back too ...

 

That is a point that doesn't come up enough. The D was winded last night. And each Hester return came after a long STL drive of their own. It's great to get those returns, but it wears on the defense.

[RynoRules]

Has the Bradley miscommunication been discussed at all? I believe that was a pretty clear misread on Bradley's part, he had a 10 yard cushion, and Rex threw right to the spot where he could have had an easy first down. A completion there would have likely led to another score, and an even better looking day for Grossman. Obviously it's a what if scenario and you can't just add that to Rex's totals, but I think that was a clear case of a receiver letting him down.

 

Bradley wasn't in the game much after that, if I recall.

 

Bingo - I turned to my wife and said that was totally Bradley's fault. Rex threw to the perfect spot and Mark just kept running. I think Lovie sent Bradley a message.

[RynoRules]

Has anyone figured out why Hester was on Tory Holt in the red zone in his first start at CB yet?

 

I could not understand that matchup.

 

Me either. I wondered aloud when they lined up what Hester was doing locked up wih Holt one-on-one with no help. They could have at least moved Harris over there to help him.

[Soriano12]

Rex Grossman didn't do anything special to save his job Monday night. He didn't need to. Not with Devin Hester returning two kickoffs for TDs, as the Bears rolled through St. Louis 42-27.

 

ESPN is so [expletive]. Lets say Hester doesn't return those 2 TD's. Who's to say Grossman doesn't lead scoring drives both times?

Exactly. Three of the four offensive scoring drives were for more than 75 yards, and the fourth was still 56. It's not like he put up those numbers playing a short field like he was able to do so much at the beginning of the season.

 

i heard cowherd this morning rambling on and on about how grossman wasn't really that good (just better than the 1+ rating from last week) and that bulger really had the stellar day because, among other things, he had more TIME OF POSSESSION than rex. are you kidding me? T.O.P.?!?! of course, he failed to mention that maybe -- just maybe -- the 14 pts in 20 seconds from hester not only took away time on the field for the offense but forced the D to play back-to-back too .. or that much of the rams' offense came in garbage time against our D which is missing our best pass rusher and 3 DBs. i was getting a bit worked up by his inane drivel until i heard him claim that he liked joe buck. then i didn't care any more.

 

was rex stellar? not at all .. but i liked his game. he checked down when he had to. he didn't throw off his back foot into triple coverage. his timing was good -- that TD to moose would have been incomplete last week b/c he would have taken too long to throw it. of course, having a competent run game had to help.

 

Cowerd is a waste of human life.

[goonys evil twin]

Has the Bradley miscommunication been discussed at all? I believe that was a pretty clear misread on Bradley's part, he had a 10 yard cushion, and Rex threw right to the spot where he could have had an easy first down. A completion there would have likely led to another score, and an even better looking day for Grossman. Obviously it's a what if scenario and you can't just add that to Rex's totals, but I think that was a clear case of a receiver letting him down.

 

Bradley wasn't in the game much after that, if I recall.

 

Bingo - I turned to my wife and said that was totally Bradley's fault. Rex threw to the perfect spot and Mark just kept running. I think Lovie sent Bradley a message.

 

I hope it doesn't involve a doghouse with no exit. I was liking Bradley's emergence, and really think that he, along with Muhsin and Berrian provided Rex with 3 legit receiver threats.

[RynoRules]

Has the Bradley miscommunication been discussed at all? I believe that was a pretty clear misread on Bradley's part, he had a 10 yard cushion, and Rex threw right to the spot where he could have had an easy first down. A completion there would have likely led to another score, and an even better looking day for Grossman. Obviously it's a what if scenario and you can't just add that to Rex's totals, but I think that was a clear case of a receiver letting him down.

 

Bradley wasn't in the game much after that, if I recall.

 

Bingo - I turned to my wife and said that was totally Bradley's fault. Rex threw to the perfect spot and Mark just kept running. I think Lovie sent Bradley a message.

 

I hope it doesn't involve a doghouse with no exit. I was liking Bradley's emergence, and really think that he, along with Muhsin and Berrian provided Rex with 3 legit receiver threats.

 

I agree. Continuing to punish him would be short-sighted, that is unless he continues to do bone-headed things. We need him on the field, especially on 3rd down.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I think that play showed Bradley just hasn't had much time playing on the field the past few years. That's not a mistake he'd make with a tad more experience.

[rawaction]

BTW, I'm praying that at least 1 person who votes for league MVP gives Hester a vote. I would take a lot of pride in him being mentioned by just 1 person. He has been an amazing difference this year. Not just the TDs, but I thought he was solid in coverage last night, and he has been a huge key to the field position with his returns, and simply by the fear of his returns.

[goonys evil twin]

For Rex, the Hex is over. For one night at least, Grossman ended his seven-week slump.

 

 

 

Why?

 

WHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHY

WHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHY

WHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHY

WHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHY

WHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHY

WHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHY

WHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHY

WHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHY

 

 

Why do people keep lumping in the 2 NY games and the San Francisco game into the discussion about Rex's bad games? Why? Why are they so utterly incompetent to make this mistake over and over again? Why can't they see that Rex's game log looks like this:

 

Good

Great

Okay

Very Good

Very Good

Terrible

Great

Terrible

Very Good

Good

Terrible

Terrible

Good

 

How hard is it to see this? He has not had a 7-game slump. He went into the Meadowlands where he outplayed both Eli Manning and Chad Pennington, both more respected QBs than himself, not to mention, he had better games than Tony Romo, the annointed one.

 

This is getting regoddamndiculous.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I really don't care at this point, Rex saved his job and he's showing he can play under tough circumstances.