NFC Championship: Bears vs. Saints - Sun Jan 21, 2 pm CST

[CP_414]

I know he probably should, but Bush doesn't really scare me at all beacuse of our fast LB's. I'm worried about Brees, Duece, Colston, and the Saints defensive front 4, but not Mr. U$C.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I'm probably most worried about the speed receivers from New Orleans. We all saw what Steve Smith could do to our secondary last year. I still get worried about the deep ball. And Brees has shown he can throw that when needed.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I don't get where all the Saints fear has been coming from. Yes, they have weapons on offense. Scary ones. That aside, their defense is weak

 

Saints defense is weak? They are 11th in the NFL, and over the last 5 regular season games, not including the throwaway Carolina game where our starters only played one series, the Saints have only given up an average of 12.6 points per game.

 

Over that same 5 game stretch, not including the throwaway game against the Packers, the Bears defense gave up 21.8 points per game. Less than a month ago, the Bears defense gave up 31 points to the 29th ranked offense in the NFL.

 

they barely eeked out a win against the Eagles at home last week.

 

Kinda like the Bears barely eeked out a win against the Seahawks? The Eagles had the 2nd highest ranked offense in the NFL; Seattle the 19th ranked offense.

 

How are some people suddenly thinking they're going to come into Soldier Field and mow the Bears down (I'm not referring to anyone on here in particular, but I'm sensing that this is a common perception among NFL fans)?

 

That's why.

 

Pretty interesting about the Saints Defense.

http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/footballoutsiders/2007/01/15/Why_history_points_to_a_BearsPatriots_Super_Bowl

[Z38Cubs]

I'd just like to say that Fred Thomas is the worst CB I've seen play this year, and the Bears definitely need to pick on him all game. Also, the Saints' LB's, while good at stopping the run, lack coverage skills and this would be the perfect time to incorporate Des Clark and our RB's in the passing game.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I'd just like to say that Fred Thomas is the worst CB I've seen play this year, and the Bears definitely need to pick on him all game. Also, the Saints' LB's, while good at stopping the run, lack coverage skills and this would be the perfect time to incorporate Des Clark and our RB's in the passing game.

If Grossman were smart, he'd be hitting Des Clark as often as possible. A tight end is a quarterback's best friend. Especially when that QB is struggling.

[soccer10k]

I know he probably should, but Bush doesn't really scare me at all beacuse of our fast LB's. I'm worried about Brees, Duece, Colston, and the Saints defensive front 4, but not Mr. U$C.

 

I would be scared of Bush receiving but not Bush rushing.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I know he probably should, but Bush doesn't really scare me at all beacuse of our fast LB's. I'm worried about Brees, Duece, Colston, and the Saints defensive front 4, but not Mr. U$C.

 

I would be scared of Bush receiving but not Bush rushing.

 

It almost seems that the team that effectively stops the run will win.

I know that is a given for the Bears offense, but even with Brees(my pick for MVP) playing like he has, their success is tied to clock managing run game. McAllister is the key.

[YearofDaCubs]

I'd just like to say that Fred Thomas is the worst CB I've seen play this year, and the Bears definitely need to pick on him all game. Also, the Saints' LB's, while good at stopping the run, lack coverage skills and this would be the perfect time to incorporate Des Clark and our RB's in the passing game.

If Grossman were smart, he'd be hitting Des Clark as often as possible. A tight end is a quarterback's best friend. Especially when that QB is struggling.

I noticed Grossman was at his best when he used Clark and his FB.

[CP_414]

I know he probably should, but Bush doesn't really scare me at all beacuse of our fast LB's. I'm worried about Brees, Duece, Colston, and the Saints defensive front 4, but not Mr. U$C.

 

I would be scared of Bush receiving but not Bush rushing.

 

Does he do kickoffs? Our kickoff coverage was awul last week, so I would be scared of him there. I have no idea where we rank stastically, but I think our punt coverage is pretty solid. Practicing against Hester all week should have them ready for Bush on punt returns.

 

Also, I have a question for the Saints fans. Are you sick of hearing about the team being a symbol for the city and all the pity fans you are getting because of Katrina? That would annoy the hell out of me if it was the Bears. It almost takes away from the talent level of the team like they are some novelty team, overachieving for their fans who are going through such a tough time. While I rant, let me also say I'm sick of people talking about Drew Brees like he went to the Saints to be a savior to the region. He is only there because Miami wouldn't give him a 6th year.

[BigSlick]

I'm not saying this to attack anyone or slight anyone but I am absolutely baffled by people who have favorite teams in different sports all over the country. It's not like I'm saying it's not possible...I've just never had anything besides that hometown mentality. Even with me moving away from Chicago very young, I could never see myself rooting for teams anywhere else, especially in multiple cities, and I've lived somewhere different pretty much every 3rd year of my life until now (I'm 27). I understand the varied regions of college fandom despite my college sports inertest being next to nil...I don't know, something about being a fan of the Cubs and then, say, the Spurs and then the Chargers and then the whatever just seems so weird.

 

It probably has a lot to do with me being a "3rd culture kid" and growing up pretty much anywhere (often overseas) except where I was born. Most of my American friends up until high school grew up the same way. Most of us latched onto a single city or state were born in or lived in early as "our place" and then glommed onto the teams from that area.

 

This.

 

I don't want to say it, but I sorta feel like people that are fans of teams from all over the place aren't really... as good fans as those that are from the hometown team. I get into this hometown thing really strongly.

 

Conciously thinking about it, I know that people are big fans even when they aren't from a certain place, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I don't want to disrespect anyone, but thats how I feel.

 

EDIT: I don't want people coming in here to defend their fandom, because I know you guys are true fans. But it still don't feel right.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm not saying this to attack anyone or slight anyone but I am absolutely baffled by people who have favorite teams in different sports all over the country. It's not like I'm saying it's not possible...I've just never had anything besides that hometown mentality. Even with me moving away from Chicago very young, I could never see myself rooting for teams anywhere else, especially in multiple cities, and I've lived somewhere different pretty much every 3rd year of my life until now (I'm 27). I understand the varied regions of college fandom despite my college sports inertest being next to nil...I don't know, something about being a fan of the Cubs and then, say, the Spurs and then the Chargers and then the whatever just seems so weird.

 

It probably has a lot to do with me being a "3rd culture kid" and growing up pretty much anywhere (often overseas) except where I was born. Most of my American friends up until high school grew up the same way. Most of us latched onto a single city or state were born in or lived in early as "our place" and then glommed onto the teams from that area.

 

This.

 

I don't want to say it, but I sorta feel like people that are fans of teams from all over the place aren't really... as good fans as those that are from the hometown team. I get into this hometown thing really strongly.

 

Conciously thinking about it, I know that people are big fans even when they aren't from a certain place, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I don't want to disrespect anyone, but thats how I feel.

 

Nothing confused me more than the friend I met in college who was a fan of teams from 4 different cities in the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA. To top it off, sort of became a Yankees fan in the late 90's, then claimed he always kind of liked them.

 

Officially he's a Celtics, Flyers, Giants, Pirates fan.

[ctcf]

I'm not saying this to attack anyone or slight anyone but I am absolutely baffled by people who have favorite teams in different sports all over the country. It's not like I'm saying it's not possible...I've just never had anything besides that hometown mentality. Even with me moving away from Chicago very young, I could never see myself rooting for teams anywhere else, especially in multiple cities, and I've lived somewhere different pretty much every 3rd year of my life until now (I'm 27). I understand the varied regions of college fandom despite my college sports inertest being next to nil...I don't know, something about being a fan of the Cubs and then, say, the Spurs and then the Chargers and then the whatever just seems so weird.

 

It probably has a lot to do with me being a "3rd culture kid" and growing up pretty much anywhere (often overseas) except where I was born. Most of my American friends up until high school grew up the same way. Most of us latched onto a single city or state were born in or lived in early as "our place" and then glommed onto the teams from that area.

 

This.

 

I don't want to say it, but I sorta feel like people that are fans of teams from all over the place aren't really... as good fans as those that are from the hometown team. I get into this hometown thing really strongly.

 

Conciously thinking about it, I know that people are big fans even when they aren't from a certain place, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I don't want to disrespect anyone, but thats how I feel.

 

EDIT: I don't want people coming in here to defend their fandom, because I know you guys are true fans. But it still don't feel right.

It doesn't feel right to me either. I've been a fan of Cubs, Bears, Bulls (I made an exception for the Flyers because I've never really cared that much about hockey and I figured if I'm going to spend a significant amount of my time in Philly, might as well have one team). Not to say he's less of a Cubs fan (cause hes not) but I've always wondered why someone like Truffle likes the Eagles, 76ers (and I'm supposing Flyers) but then is a huge Cubs fan. Why not the Phillies (I'm really curious).

[BigSlick]

I sorta wish we got to play the Eagles in the NFC Championship.

 

They are so much easier to hate. :twisted: Plus their fans are a bunch of morans and would start trolling here non-stop, and once we beat them down we could lay the smack on them.

[Banedon]

Officially he's a Celtics, Flyers, Giants, Pirates fan.

 

Well hey, there's 2 Pittsburgh teams there...and they're all northeast teams at least.

[ctcf]

Officially he's a Celtics, Flyers, Giants, Pirates fan.

 

Well hey, there's 2 Pittsburgh teams there...and they're all northeast teams at least.

 

PHILADELPHIA Flyers :evil:

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm not saying this to attack anyone or slight anyone but I am absolutely baffled by people who have favorite teams in different sports all over the country. It's not like I'm saying it's not possible...I've just never had anything besides that hometown mentality. Even with me moving away from Chicago very young, I could never see myself rooting for teams anywhere else, especially in multiple cities, and I've lived somewhere different pretty much every 3rd year of my life until now (I'm 27). I understand the varied regions of college fandom despite my college sports inertest being next to nil...I don't know, something about being a fan of the Cubs and then, say, the Spurs and then the Chargers and then the whatever just seems so weird.

 

It probably has a lot to do with me being a "3rd culture kid" and growing up pretty much anywhere (often overseas) except where I was born. Most of my American friends up until high school grew up the same way. Most of us latched onto a single city or state were born in or lived in early as "our place" and then glommed onto the teams from that area.

 

This.

 

I don't want to say it, but I sorta feel like people that are fans of teams from all over the place aren't really... as good fans as those that are from the hometown team. I get into this hometown thing really strongly.

 

Conciously thinking about it, I know that people are big fans even when they aren't from a certain place, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I don't want to disrespect anyone, but thats how I feel.

 

EDIT: I don't want people coming in here to defend their fandom, because I know you guys are true fans. But it still don't feel right.

 

Yeah, same here. I'm really not saying people like that can't be fans...just from my perspective, if I'm not from there, I really don't see the point.

 

I was born outside of Chicago, but I've only lived there about 2 years of my life. I've spent more time living in places like Panama or Thailand than back in Illinois, yet I can't imagine seeing anything besides the Chicago area as home and rooting for teams anywhere else outside of the state. A big part of that I'm sure is having parents who were both Chicago fans all the way, especially my dad.

 

I've lived around the DC area for a total of a about a decade over various points in my life, yet it never even occured to me, not even when I was little kid, to root for the Redskins or the Bullets (who I always assumed, when I was wee, were just ripping of the Bulls with their name). Sure, I've lived here a lot, but I'm not FROM here. I don't see myself as having a personal stake somewhere just because I've there compared to somewhere that I'm actually from...if that makes any sense.

Edited January 16, 2007 by Sammy Sofa

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm not saying this to attack anyone or slight anyone but I am absolutely baffled by people who have favorite teams in different sports all over the country. It's not like I'm saying it's not possible...I've just never had anything besides that hometown mentality. Even with me moving away from Chicago very young, I could never see myself rooting for teams anywhere else, especially in multiple cities, and I've lived somewhere different pretty much every 3rd year of my life until now (I'm 27). I understand the varied regions of college fandom despite my college sports inertest being next to nil...I don't know, something about being a fan of the Cubs and then, say, the Spurs and then the Chargers and then the whatever just seems so weird.

 

It probably has a lot to do with me being a "3rd culture kid" and growing up pretty much anywhere (often overseas) except where I was born. Most of my American friends up until high school grew up the same way. Most of us latched onto a single city or state were born in or lived in early as "our place" and then glommed onto the teams from that area.

 

This.

 

I don't want to say it, but I sorta feel like people that are fans of teams from all over the place aren't really... as good fans as those that are from the hometown team. I get into this hometown thing really strongly.

 

Conciously thinking about it, I know that people are big fans even when they aren't from a certain place, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I don't want to disrespect anyone, but thats how I feel.

 

Nothing confused me more than the friend I met in college who was a fan of teams from 4 different cities in the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA. To top it off, sort of became a Yankees fan in the late 90's, then claimed he always kind of liked them.

 

Officially he's a Celtics, Flyers, Giants, Pirates fan.

 

I'm a Red Wing, was a Viking and Bullet/Wizard fan big time when I was a kid. I just don't really care for the NFL other than the Syracuse kids and dispise the NBA thus the lack of interest in those sports.

[Banedon]

Officially he's a Celtics, Flyers, Giants, Pirates fan.

 

Well hey, there's 2 Pittsburgh teams there...and they're all northeast teams at least.

 

PHILADELPHIA Flyers :evil:

 

Bah...I meant Pennsylvania, not Pittsburgh. Brain fart.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm not saying this to attack anyone or slight anyone but I am absolutely baffled by people who have favorite teams in different sports all over the country. It's not like I'm saying it's not possible...I've just never had anything besides that hometown mentality. Even with me moving away from Chicago very young, I could never see myself rooting for teams anywhere else, especially in multiple cities, and I've lived somewhere different pretty much every 3rd year of my life until now (I'm 27). I understand the varied regions of college fandom despite my college sports inertest being next to nil...I don't know, something about being a fan of the Cubs and then, say, the Spurs and then the Chargers and then the whatever just seems so weird.

 

It probably has a lot to do with me being a "3rd culture kid" and growing up pretty much anywhere (often overseas) except where I was born. Most of my American friends up until high school grew up the same way. Most of us latched onto a single city or state were born in or lived in early as "our place" and then glommed onto the teams from that area.

 

This.

 

I don't want to say it, but I sorta feel like people that are fans of teams from all over the place aren't really... as good fans as those that are from the hometown team. I get into this hometown thing really strongly.

 

Conciously thinking about it, I know that people are big fans even when they aren't from a certain place, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I don't want to disrespect anyone, but thats how I feel.

 

EDIT: I don't want people coming in here to defend their fandom, because I know you guys are true fans. But it still don't feel right.

 

Not everyone lives in the same area their whole life, and not everyone has the same amount of interest/passion for different sports.

[Soul]

I'd just like to say that Fred Thomas is the worst CB I've seen play this year, and the Bears definitely need to pick on him all game. Also, the Saints' LB's, while good at stopping the run, lack coverage skills and this would be the perfect time to incorporate Des Clark and our RB's in the passing game.

If Grossman were smart, he'd be hitting Des Clark as often as possible. A tight end is a quarterback's best friend. Especially when that QB is struggling.

I noticed Grossman was at his best when he used Clark and his FB.

 

I'd also like to see more of this. Clark's been very good this year when called on.

 

Grossman only found him a couple times last week. I think McKie got hurt, which explains why there weren't many throws to the FB in the flat. Reid was filling in.

[goonys evil twin]

I'd just like to say that Fred Thomas is the worst CB I've seen play this year, and the Bears definitely need to pick on him all game. Also, the Saints' LB's, while good at stopping the run, lack coverage skills and this would be the perfect time to incorporate Des Clark and our RB's in the passing game.

If Grossman were smart, he'd be hitting Des Clark as often as possible. A tight end is a quarterback's best friend. Especially when that QB is struggling.

I noticed Grossman was at his best when he used Clark and his FB.

 

I'd also like to see more of this. Clark's been very good this year when called on.

 

Grossman only found him a couple times last week. I think McKie got hurt, which explains why there weren't many throws to the FB in the flat. Reid was filling in.

 

Grossman utilitizes the TE position about as much as he can, and about as much as he should. Rex got in trouble against GB when he was just dumping to the underneat guys. You can't just focus on one. You have to try and go deep but be willing to settle for the short stuff. Don't take the snap anticipating the dump off.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm not saying this to attack anyone or slight anyone but I am absolutely baffled by people who have favorite teams in different sports all over the country. It's not like I'm saying it's not possible...I've just never had anything besides that hometown mentality. Even with me moving away from Chicago very young, I could never see myself rooting for teams anywhere else, especially in multiple cities, and I've lived somewhere different pretty much every 3rd year of my life until now (I'm 27). I understand the varied regions of college fandom despite my college sports inertest being next to nil...I don't know, something about being a fan of the Cubs and then, say, the Spurs and then the Chargers and then the whatever just seems so weird.

 

It probably has a lot to do with me being a "3rd culture kid" and growing up pretty much anywhere (often overseas) except where I was born. Most of my American friends up until high school grew up the same way. Most of us latched onto a single city or state were born in or lived in early as "our place" and then glommed onto the teams from that area.

 

This.

 

I don't want to say it, but I sorta feel like people that are fans of teams from all over the place aren't really... as good fans as those that are from the hometown team. I get into this hometown thing really strongly.

 

Conciously thinking about it, I know that people are big fans even when they aren't from a certain place, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I don't want to disrespect anyone, but thats how I feel.

 

EDIT: I don't want people coming in here to defend their fandom, because I know you guys are true fans. But it still don't feel right.

 

Not everyone lives in the same area their whole life, and not everyone has the same amount of interest/passion for different sports.

 

That's kind of the point of my posts...I've moved every 2-3 years of my life, yet the idea of not rooting for my hometown team seems bizarre. If anything, living elsewhere so much and moving so often has solidified my love and loyalty to the teams that play where I'm from.

[CP_414]

I'm not saying this to attack anyone or slight anyone but I am absolutely baffled by people who have favorite teams in different sports all over the country. It's not like I'm saying it's not possible...I've just never had anything besides that hometown mentality. Even with me moving away from Chicago very young, I could never see myself rooting for teams anywhere else, especially in multiple cities, and I've lived somewhere different pretty much every 3rd year of my life until now (I'm 27). I understand the varied regions of college fandom despite my college sports inertest being next to nil...I don't know, something about being a fan of the Cubs and then, say, the Spurs and then the Chargers and then the whatever just seems so weird.

 

It probably has a lot to do with me being a "3rd culture kid" and growing up pretty much anywhere (often overseas) except where I was born. Most of my American friends up until high school grew up the same way. Most of us latched onto a single city or state were born in or lived in early as "our place" and then glommed onto the teams from that area.

 

This.

 

I don't want to say it, but I sorta feel like people that are fans of teams from all over the place aren't really... as good fans as those that are from the hometown team. I get into this hometown thing really strongly.

 

Conciously thinking about it, I know that people are big fans even when they aren't from a certain place, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I don't want to disrespect anyone, but thats how I feel.

 

EDIT: I don't want people coming in here to defend their fandom, because I know you guys are true fans. But it still don't feel right.

 

Not everyone lives in the same area their whole life, and not everyone has the same amount of interest/passion for different sports.

 

That's kind of the point of my posts...I've moved every 2-3 years of my life, yet the idea of not rooting for my hometown team seems bizarre. If anything, living elsewhere so much and moving so often has solidified my love and loyalty to the teams that play where I'm from.

 

Agreed. I grew up in Chicago, then went to college in Indiana, moved to Orlando, now Milwaukee, and I'm moving back to Chicago in a month or so. All the moving has made me an even bigger fan of my Chicago teams and strengthed by Packers hatred. It also gave me a new team to hate: the Florida Gators, I cannot stand their fans or football coach.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I'm not saying this to attack anyone or slight anyone but I am absolutely baffled by people who have favorite teams in different sports all over the country. It's not like I'm saying it's not possible...I've just never had anything besides that hometown mentality. Even with me moving away from Chicago very young, I could never see myself rooting for teams anywhere else, especially in multiple cities, and I've lived somewhere different pretty much every 3rd year of my life until now (I'm 27). I understand the varied regions of college fandom despite my college sports inertest being next to nil...I don't know, something about being a fan of the Cubs and then, say, the Spurs and then the Chargers and then the whatever just seems so weird.

 

It probably has a lot to do with me being a "3rd culture kid" and growing up pretty much anywhere (often overseas) except where I was born. Most of my American friends up until high school grew up the same way. Most of us latched onto a single city or state were born in or lived in early as "our place" and then glommed onto the teams from that area.

 

This.

 

I don't want to say it, but I sorta feel like people that are fans of teams from all over the place aren't really... as good fans as those that are from the hometown team. I get into this hometown thing really strongly.

 

Conciously thinking about it, I know that people are big fans even when they aren't from a certain place, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I don't want to disrespect anyone, but thats how I feel.

 

EDIT: I don't want people coming in here to defend their fandom, because I know you guys are true fans. But it still don't feel right.

 

Not everyone lives in the same area their whole life, and not everyone has the same amount of interest/passion for different sports.

 

That's kind of the point of my posts...I've moved every 2-3 years of my life, yet the idea of not rooting for my hometown team seems bizarre. If anything, living elsewhere so much and moving so often has solidified my love and loyalty to the teams that play where I'm from.

 

Who your parents root for is important too for a significant amount of people.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

It also gave me a new team to hate: the Florida Gators, I cannot stand their fans or football coach.

 

You're a good man (I'd recommend hating their basketball team too).