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

[CP_414]

I think PR is even. Both Hester and Bush have the explosiveness to take one back anytime.

 

Thats crazy. Thats like saying quarterback is even because Brees and Grossman are both capable of making big plays. There is a huge difference in the numbers between the two guys.

[Banedon]

SI cover curse anyone?

 

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/photos/article/SICover_012207_Saints%20copy.gif

[OleMissCub]

SI cover curse anyone?

 

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/photos/article/SICover_012207_Saints%20copy.gif

 

Well, I just checked and last year the Steelers had two SI covers in Jan '06. Patriots had two pre-superbowl SI covers in Jan & Feb '05.

 

So I guess it's not that big of a jinx.

[Butterscup1679666578]

98.5 hours.

[OleMissCub]

I think PR is even. Both Hester and Bush have the explosiveness to take one back anytime.

 

Thats crazy. Thats like saying quarterback is even because Brees and Grossman are both capable of making big plays. There is a huge difference in the numbers between the two guys.

 

I wouldn't go so far as to call it crazy. One thing to consider is that Devin has had twice as many punt returns this season as Bush, and that Bush is getting better with every game that goes by with all aspects of his game, receiving, rushing, and returning.

[soapy]

This will be one of the first times Rex Grossman has faced a team that plays a lot of man coverage, which forces a quarterback to make plays. I'm not sure Grossman can be as sharp as he was against a depleted Seattle secondary. That said, there will be big play opportunities for the Bears and Grossman has make the most of them. The Saints' cornerback Fred Thomas was susceptible to double moves and the Bears should take full advantage of this fact.

 

On the other side of the ball the Bears won't be able to play nearly as much downhill as they'd like because of the Saints' ability to attack in a variety of ways. This Saints offense can be physical or finesse, play outside or inside and executes well on every level of the field. The Bears have to find a way to control them with their defensive line to stop this game from getting out of hand.

 

The Saints marching into the Super Bowl in what could be the most improbable story in the NFL's history will be the biggest headline next Monday. It's amazing that the Saints will be in the Super Bowl just one season after Katrina displaced them for an entire season and they finished 3-13. They aren't playing perfect defense, but they won't need to against the Bears' offense. On the other side, the Saints' offense will be able to attack the middle of the Bears' defense.

 

There really aren't too many people high on the Bear right now. Jeez.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I think PR is even. Both Hester and Bush have the explosiveness to take one back anytime.

 

Thats crazy. Thats like saying quarterback is even because Brees and Grossman are both capable of making big plays. There is a huge difference in the numbers between the two guys.

 

I wouldn't go so far as to call it crazy. One thing to consider is that Devin has had twice as many punt returns this season as Bush, and that Bush is getting better with every game that goes by with all aspects of his game, receiving, rushing, and returning.

 

Not trying to be a homer or anything, but I think Bush will have a less than stellar game. This will be the fastest defense and ST he's faced I'm sure.

[Omar]

98.5 hours.

 

Less than 100 hours!

[BigSlick]

SI cover curse anyone?

 

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/photos/article/SICover_012207_Saints%20copy.gif

 

Well, I just checked and last year the Steelers had two SI covers in Jan '06. Patriots had two pre-superbowl SI covers in Jan & Feb '05.

 

So I guess it's not that big of a jinx.

 

That and...weren't the Bears on it earlier in the season?

 

I can't find the cover right now, but I definitely saw one, way back in week 4 or so.

[Chocolate Milk]

I think PR is even. Both Hester and Bush have the explosiveness to take one back anytime.

 

Thats crazy. Thats like saying quarterback is even because Brees and Grossman are both capable of making big plays. There is a huge difference in the numbers between the two guys.

 

I wouldn't go so far as to call it crazy.

 

I would. The Bears have the best special teams in the NFL. They also have a returner who broke the NFL record for KR/PR TD's in a season. To try to claim that the teams are equal here, is basically ignoring the facts.

 

Hey, Bush might return one Sunday and Hester might not, but going into the game the Bears have a pretty wide advantage in this area of the game.

[Soul]

SI cover curse anyone?

 

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/photos/article/SICover_012207_Saints%20copy.gif

 

Well, I just checked and last year the Steelers had two SI covers in Jan '06. Patriots had two pre-superbowl SI covers in Jan & Feb '05.

 

So I guess it's not that big of a jinx.

 

 

Ahhhh, but you checked. Because it made you nervous.

 

*shines bright light in OleMiss's eyes*

 

ADMIT IT!! 8-)

[OleMissCub]

 

That and...weren't the Bears on it earlier in the season?

 

I can't find the cover right now, but I definitely saw one, way back in week 4 or so.

 

Nope, I just checked. Bears haven't been on it yet this season.

 

Last time anything having to do with the Bears got on the cover was back in July 2000.

 

http://i.timeinc.net/subs2/images/si/sistore/products/2000/000731_mid.jpg

[Banedon]

SI cover curse anyone?

 

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/photos/article/SICover_012207_Saints%20copy.gif

 

Well, I just checked and last year the Steelers had two SI covers in Jan '06. Patriots had two pre-superbowl SI covers in Jan & Feb '05.

 

So I guess it's not that big of a jinx.

 

That and...weren't the Bears on it earlier in the season?

 

I can't find the cover right now, but I definitely saw one, way back in week 4 or so.

 

No Bears covers this year....

 

But last week's coverwas the Eagles.

[OleMissCub]

 

 

Ahhhh, but you checked. Because it made you nervous.

 

*shines bright light in OleMiss's eyes*

 

ADMIT IT!! 8-)

 

Hell ya it scared me! That's why I checked. I totally believe in jinx's.

[OleMissCub]

I think PR is even. Both Hester and Bush have the explosiveness to take one back anytime.

 

Thats crazy. Thats like saying quarterback is even because Brees and Grossman are both capable of making big plays. There is a huge difference in the numbers between the two guys.

 

I wouldn't go so far as to call it crazy.

 

I would. The Bears have the best special teams in the NFL. They also have a returner who broke the NFL record for KR/PR TD's in a season. To try to claim that the teams are equal here, is basically ignoring the facts.

 

Hey, Bush might return one Sunday and Hester might not, but going into the game the Bears have a pretty wide advantage in this area of the game.

 

I'm not suggesting they are equal, they aren't. The Bears special teams is DEFINITELY better than the Saints. What I was taking issue with was that it's "crazy" to compare Hester and Bush as playmakers. It's not crazy. They are both highly capable of the big play, much more than the average return man.

[da bears]

I was just informed by ESPN that the Saints do in fact have an opponent this week. It's the Bears!

 

Its pretty ridiculous that everyone is acting like the Saints are the best team in the NFL right now. Could they be? Of course, but there's a reason the Saints are playing in Chicago for the NFC crown. Pretty crazy that everyone is saying the Saints are gonna come in and roll over the Bears this week. I dont see that happening.

[Chocolate Milk]

I think PR is even. Both Hester and Bush have the explosiveness to take one back anytime.

 

Thats crazy. Thats like saying quarterback is even because Brees and Grossman are both capable of making big plays. There is a huge difference in the numbers between the two guys.

 

I wouldn't go so far as to call it crazy.

 

I would. The Bears have the best special teams in the NFL. They also have a returner who broke the NFL record for KR/PR TD's in a season. To try to claim that the teams are equal here, is basically ignoring the facts.

 

Hey, Bush might return one Sunday and Hester might not, but going into the game the Bears have a pretty wide advantage in this area of the game.

 

I'm not suggesting they are equal, they aren't. The Bears special teams is DEFINITELY better than the Saints. What I was taking issue with was that it's "crazy" to compare Hester and Bush as playmakers. It's not crazy. They are both highly capable of the big play, much more than the average return man.

 

Fair enough.

[OleMissCub]

HAH! Found Ole Miss' last SI cover, from the last time we won the National Championship:

 

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/6228/62olemisscrsk5.jpg

[CubColtPacer]

I just wanted to let you know, we learned from the Colts board who the referees are going to be for each of the 2 championship games. The Bears/Saints game has drawn Terry McAulay. If you want to check his stats, look at the link I will provide. It definitely is true that different crews look at the rules a little differently, so this might give you some early insight on to how the game is going to be called on Sunday.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/sortableStatsOfficials?statTable=breakdownOne&stat=games

[jaydee]

I think PR is even. Both Hester and Bush have the explosiveness to take one back anytime.

 

Thats crazy. Thats like saying quarterback is even because Brees and Grossman are both capable of making big plays. There is a huge difference in the numbers between the two guys.

 

I wouldn't go so far as to call it crazy.

 

I would. The Bears have the best special teams in the NFL. They also have a returner who broke the NFL record for KR/PR TD's in a season. To try to claim that the teams are equal here, is basically ignoring the facts.

 

Hey, Bush might return one Sunday and Hester might not, but going into the game the Bears have a pretty wide advantage in this area of the game.

 

I'm not suggesting they are equal, they aren't. The Bears special teams is DEFINITELY better than the Saints. What I was taking issue with was that it's "crazy" to compare Hester and Bush as playmakers. It's not crazy. They are both highly capable of the big play, much more than the average return man.

 

Hester is much better though

[Omar]

T-minus 97.5 hours.

[Sammy Sofa]

Bears are on the cover of the latest SI for Kids...what the hell does THAT mean?!?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Bears are on the cover of the latest SI for Kids...what the hell does THAT mean?!?

 

If they were playing kids, they'd be jinxed.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEi_bN49bKo :)

[CP_414]

I think PR is even. Both Hester and Bush have the explosiveness to take one back anytime.

 

Thats crazy. Thats like saying quarterback is even because Brees and Grossman are both capable of making big plays. There is a huge difference in the numbers between the two guys.

 

I wouldn't go so far as to call it crazy.

 

I would. The Bears have the best special teams in the NFL. They also have a returner who broke the NFL record for KR/PR TD's in a season. To try to claim that the teams are equal here, is basically ignoring the facts.

 

Hey, Bush might return one Sunday and Hester might not, but going into the game the Bears have a pretty wide advantage in this area of the game.

 

I'm not suggesting they are equal, they aren't. The Bears special teams is DEFINITELY better than the Saints. What I was taking issue with was that it's "crazy" to compare Hester and Bush as playmakers. It's not crazy. They are both highly capable of the big play, much more than the average return man.

 

It is crazy to compare them as punt returners. Look at the numbers:

Bush: 28 returns, 2 FC, 7.7 ypr, 1 TD, 3 of 20+ yards

Hester: 47 returns, 12 FC, 12.8 ypr, 3 TD's, 11 of 20+ yards

 

In 19 more returns Hester has 8 more of 20+ yards and 2 more TD's, not to mention an overall average of 5 yards more than Reggie. It's not even close. I'm not saying Bush isn't special, he is, but there is no way it is equal like the Packer fan said, or even close to being debatable. Comparing those two on punt returns is just as crazy as comparing Rex and Brees in passing. Both are capable of being excellent, but one has done it far more often than the other.