Divisional Round: Bears vs. Seahawks - Sun Jan 14, 12 pm CST

[Derwood]

BTW, didn't know if this was posted or not, but the 2007 schedule has been partially announced (teams, not dates)

 

Bears will play:

 

NFC North x2

NFC East

AFC West

New Orleans

Seattle

[BigbadB]

BTW, didn't know if this was posted or not, but the 2007 schedule has been partially announced (teams, not dates)

 

Bears will play:

 

NFC North x2

NFC East

AFC West

New Orleans

Seattle

 

Wow, very tough schedule.

[Banedon]

BTW, didn't know if this was posted or not, but the 2007 schedule has been partially announced (teams, not dates)

 

Bears will play:

 

NFC North x2

NFC East

AFC West

New Orleans

Seattle

 

Wow, very tough schedule.

 

Yeah, it's been posted in other Bears threads in a little more detail...which games are home and away...

 

It's certainly tougher than this year without a doubt.

[Derwood]

BTW, didn't know if this was posted or not, but the 2007 schedule has been partially announced (teams, not dates)

 

Bears will play:

 

NFC North x2

NFC East

AFC West

New Orleans

Seattle

 

Wow, very tough schedule.

 

Yeah, it's been posted in other Bears threads in a little more detail...which games are home and away...

 

It's certainly tougher than this year without a doubt.

 

yep. I think NO and SD are on the road...

[BigbadB]

Do you have "the" more detailed schedule? Are the Bears coming to San Diego?

[Soriano12]

With as bad as the defense has looked over the past month, I am completely baffled as to how you see Benson getting most of the carries (which he should) is going to make up for the Bears' very serious defensive problems

 

A dominant run game with Benson will keep the Bears offense on the field, and the opponents offense off the field.

[BigbadB]

With as bad as the defense has looked over the past month, I am completely baffled as to how you see Benson getting most of the carries (which he should) is going to make up for the Bears' very serious defensive problems

 

A dominant run game with Benson will keep the Bears offense on the field, and the opponents offense off the field.

 

Except I don't see Lovie giving Jones the back seat to Benson in the playoffs. Benson might get more carries after a nice game at GB, but I'll bet Jones gets the bulk of the action.

[Derwood]

Do you have "the" more detailed schedule? Are the Bears coming to San Diego?

 

yes, they are going to SD:

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-0612270346dec27,1,644952.story?coll=cs-football-print

 

With the Seahawks clinching the NFC West title Monday, the Bears' 2007 schedule became finalized. They will play three games on the West Coast: at San Diego, Oakland and Seattle. The NFC North will play the AFC West next season. Other away games will be at Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Washington. In addition to home dates against their three NFC North rivals, the Bears will face Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, New Orleans and the New York Giants at home.

Edited January 2, 2007 by Derwood

[USSoccer]

With as bad as the defense has looked over the past month, I am completely baffled as to how you see Benson getting most of the carries (which he should) is going to make up for the Bears' very serious defensive problems

 

A dominant run game with Benson will keep the Bears offense on the field, and the opponents offense off the field.

 

Except I don't see Lovie giving Jones the back seat to Benson in the playoffs. Benson might get more carries after a nice game at GB, but I'll bet Jones gets the bulk of the action.

 

That might depend on the weather, too, and which team they get. If the weather's lousy, they might run the ball more that usual.

[BigbadB]

Well, it's been a long time since I've been able to attend a Bears game (Marcus Robinson was lining up at WR), but I believe I'll have to get tickets for that game.

[Banedon]

With as bad as the defense has looked over the past month, I am completely baffled as to how you see Benson getting most of the carries (which he should) is going to make up for the Bears' very serious defensive problems

 

A dominant run game with Benson will keep the Bears offense on the field, and the opponents offense off the field.

 

Except I don't see Lovie giving Jones the back seat to Benson in the playoffs. Benson might get more carries after a nice game at GB, but I'll bet Jones gets the bulk of the action.

 

That might depend on the weather, too, and which team they get. If the weather's lousy, they might run the ball more that usual.

 

Then I'm hoping for lousy weather.

[USSoccer]

With as bad as the defense has looked over the past month, I am completely baffled as to how you see Benson getting most of the carries (which he should) is going to make up for the Bears' very serious defensive problems

 

A dominant run game with Benson will keep the Bears offense on the field, and the opponents offense off the field.

 

Except I don't see Lovie giving Jones the back seat to Benson in the playoffs. Benson might get more carries after a nice game at GB, but I'll bet Jones gets the bulk of the action.

 

That might depend on the weather, too, and which team they get. If the weather's lousy, they might run the ball more that usual.

 

Then I'm hoping for lousy weather.

 

So am I, unless Turner decides to act like he did during the Minnesota game when the wind was blowing like crazy and he was calling all sorts of passing plays.

[soapy]

One of the things I'm most worried about is the pass rush. They absolutely need to get consistant pressure on the QB. Without that, the defense will be in trouble, IMO.

[Jon]

According to ChicagoBears.com, the Bears have granted permission to the Cardinals and the Falcons to talk to Rivera.

[Soriano12]

According to ChicagoBears.com, the Bears have granted permission to the Cardinals and the Falcons to talk to Rivera.

 

You won't see me crying if he leaves.

 

He is a good DC, but not great IMO.

[DivineBovine]

One of the things I'm most worried about is the pass rush. They absolutely need to get consistant pressure on the QB. Without that, the defense will be in trouble, IMO.

 

 

I agree. What happened to the rush? They don't blitz a lot, and the front four isn't putting much pressure on the QB. Tommie Harris being out hurts, but they are just letting QB's sit in the pocket now and make plays.

 

 

I also still think they should use the shotgun on offense. I just can't understand why they are so hesitant to do so. They used it one game, and didn't give it a chance, IMO. We now know that Griese is not the answer, so we are stuck with Rex.

 

Rex can be good when he's not tripping over himself on the drop back, and when he can actually see over the defense to throw the ball. I was hoping that they would try to use the shotgun during the last few games after they already clinched the home field, and regrettably, I don't see them using it in the playoffs.

[BigbadB]

Pro Bowler Kreutz doesn't like the shotgun.

[DivineBovine]

Pro Bowler Kreutz doesn't like the shotgun.

 

 

When they went to the shotgun, it was actually the offensive line that was pushing for it. They lobbied hard for it. Lovie and the coaches were the ones that didn't like it.

 

Let's face it, Rex is a shotgun QB if I've ever seen one. Short, immobile, no quick release. He's good when he has time, isn't moving, and can look downfield.

 

To me, it's stubborn. It's like Dusty leading off Corey, or playing Neifi. I don't like it. If you're going to try it, then give it a chance. They tried it one game, and quickly ditched it. They had time to try and phase it in, and they didn't.

[David]

No quick release? Can't say I've ever heard anyone describe Grossman that way.

[Outshined_One]

What has two thumbs and a ticket to next weekend's Bears playoff game?

 

*Points to self*

 

THIS GUY!

[David]

What has two thumbs and a ticket to next weekend's Bears playoff game?

 

*Points to self*

 

THIS GUY!

 

Nice!

 

Now to find out who they're playing...

 

Oh, and if they lose, it's your fault. :evil:

[DivineBovine]

No quick release? Can't say I've ever heard anyone describe Grossman that way.

 

 

Okay, so he does release it quick sometimes. But he throws ducks when he does. I've been a Rex supporter, and they have to win with him. But it's hard when to block for a 6 footer who needs to step into his throws and can't really move.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Well, it's been a long time since I've been able to attend a Bears game (Marcus Robinson was lining up at WR), but I believe I'll have to get tickets for that game.

 

See ya at the Q!

[Banedon]

Time for some ESPN hijinks:

 

1. What will be the biggest surprise?

 

Mark Schlereth: New Orleans' defense will rise to the occasion and help lead the Saints to the Super Bowl. The Saints' D has given up big plays, but it's underrated. New Orleans executes well and will elevate its game. They will come together, especially with a week off to rest and get ready.

 

Eric Allen: The Saints' going into Chicago and handily beating the Bears will be the surprise of the playoffs. The Saints will control the game from beginning to end. Saints coach Sean Payton does a great job getting his guys ready to win, and they do a great job executing his game plan.

 

You'd think the Saints hadn't lost this season, much less lost 6 times.

 

2. What will be the biggest disappointment?

 

Mark Schlereth: The Chicago Bears. It's ridiculous that a team that finished three games ahead of the No. 2 seed in the conference won't represent that conference, but the Bears have too many flaws to make the Super Bowl.

 

Eric Allen: The Cowboys. This is a team that might be as bad as it has played despite the enormous amount of talent on the field. They are still very capable, but the expectations are way too high. They aren't jelling well, and everything in the locker room is spewing out into the open. Winning playoff teams have a cohesiveness. This team doesn't have that, and it's going to cost them.

 

Oh yeah Mark, and none of those other NFC teams have flaws.

 

And the best part:

 

4. What will people say about Rex Grossman after the playoffs?

 

Mark Schlereth: That he's wildly inconsistent and until he learns to manage a game, he's going to cost them football games. The Bears are 13-3 and the No. 1 seed in the NFC despite Grossman and because of the defense and special teams. He needs to continue to mature as a player.

 

Eric Allen: They'll say he's still a work in progress. He's a strong-armed kid who needs to do a better job taking what the defense gives him. He also needs a better running game if the Bears are going to go farther.

 

The running game is the only thing consistent on this offense! Hilarious.

[USSoccer]

It's pretty tough to say that the Bears are 13-3 despite Grossman. That's an incredibly unfair statement to make; that Rex had nothing to do with any of their wins.

 

I hate ESPN.