Super Bowl XLI: Bears vs. Colts, Sun 2/4, 5:30 pm CT

[goonys evil twin]

It is when you see who he was ahead of on that list. I believe Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, etc. were all behind him. I could be wrong, but I remember him being in some very exclusive company.

 

The names on the list don't make it a great record. Besides, he had 2 games this season with longs under 10, 3 if you count the first playoff game.

 

 

By my count he had 27. And I just read a story that Shaun Alexander eclipsed Barry Sanders at 60.

[CP_414]

That o-line better step it up next year for that to happen. :)

I like Benson and think he could be a very good running back. Were it me in charge of the Bears, I'd let Jones go if he's not willing to take a backup role next year. It's time for Benson to take the feature back role.

 

It's certainly possible that he could be very good, but you're going to have to accept that he won't break many long runs, and he'll have his limitations. I saw Jones make at least three runs where there's just no way Benson could've broken them like Jones did. He'll have more positive yardage plays, but not as many where he bounces outside or uses a burst to bust a big run.

 

Jones doesn't break long runs.

 

He's far more agile than Benson. I'm thinking of one run that he made in the last game, where he was about to be bottled up and then cut and broke it outside for about an 8 yard gain (think he got down to around the 2). Watching that play, I thought that there's just no way Benson could have made that run. He'd have plowed into the pile and picked up 2 or 3.

 

Thats true, but there are at least 5 times in every game that Benson makes a run that Jones just can't do. They are very different players. Here is the question for the Bears to answer...

 

Would you rather have 70% Jones carries, 30% Benson or 70% Benson, 30% A-Pete? I don't see them keeping Jones, and making him a back-up, so I don't think 70 % Benson, 30% Jones is a real option.

[goonys evil twin]

That o-line better step it up next year for that to happen. :)

I like Benson and think he could be a very good running back. Were it me in charge of the Bears, I'd let Jones go if he's not willing to take a backup role next year. It's time for Benson to take the feature back role.

 

It's certainly possible that he could be very good, but you're going to have to accept that he won't break many long runs, and he'll have his limitations. I saw Jones make at least three runs where there's just no way Benson could've broken them like Jones did. He'll have more positive yardage plays, but not as many where he bounces outside or uses a burst to bust a big run.

 

Jones doesn't break long runs.

 

He's far more agile than Benson. I'm thinking of one run that he made in the last game, where he was about to be bottled up and then cut and broke it outside for about an 8 yard gain (think he got down to around the 2). Watching that play, I thought that there's just no way Benson could have made that run. He'd have plowed into the pile and picked up 2 or 3.

 

That specific play you are right. But those have been few and far between for TJ. For all his advantages in agility, he hasn't broke anymore long runs. He's a steady decent RB. Ideally he'd be the change of pace guy to Benson, but he's better than just a change of pace guy. And as a free agent after next year, I see him looking for much greener pastures one way or the other.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

It is when you see who he was ahead of on that list. I believe Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, etc. were all behind him. I could be wrong, but I remember him being in some very exclusive company.

 

The names on the list don't make it a great record. Besides, he had 2 games this season with longs under 10, 3 if you count the first playoff game.

 

 

By my count he had 27. And I just read a story that Shaun Alexander eclipsed Barry Sanders at 60.

No, the names on the list don't make it a great record, it just shows that he did something that they could not do. But obviously Barry Sanders wasn't one of the guys he was ahead of.

[cubweiser03]

Ive been a staunch Benson backer all season. After Jones' last 2 games i would rather he not go for a draft pick. I think no higher than a 3rd rounder. If the Bears were not very good, id be more inclined to trade him. They are going to be leading contenders in the NFC next year.

 

Jones doesnt not have breakaway speed, i know Benson doesnt have a huge run yet but he has more breakaway speed than Jones. I still can not believe Jones had that cut back run for a touchdown. I dont think ive ever see him try that this year. Normally he just smashes up against his blockers back and falls down in a huge rugby style pile up. Jones had his game of his life last game, he was Awesome.

[David]

Ive been a staunch Benson backer all season. After Jones' last 2 games i would rather he not go for a draft pick. I think no higher than a 3rd rounder. If the Bears were not very good, id be more inclined to trade him. They are going to be leading contenders in the NFC next year.

 

Jones doesnt not have breakaway speed, i know Benson doesnt have a huge run yet but he has more breakaway speed than Jones. I still can not believe Jones had that cut back run for a touchdown. I dont think ive ever see him try that this year. Normally he just smashes up against his blockers back and falls down in a huge rugby style pile up. Jones had his game of his life last game, he was Awesome.

 

I think he did something similar in the 49ers game this year. Could be wrong, though.

[YearofDaCubs]

Ive been a staunch Benson backer all season. After Jones' last 2 games i would rather he not go for a draft pick. I think no higher than a 3rd rounder. If the Bears were not very good, id be more inclined to trade him. They are going to be leading contenders in the NFC next year.

 

Jones doesnt not have breakaway speed, i know Benson doesnt have a huge run yet but he has more breakaway speed than Jones. I still can not believe Jones had that cut back run for a touchdown. I dont think ive ever see him try that this year. Normally he just smashes up against his blockers back and falls down in a huge rugby style pile up. Jones had his game of his life last game, he was Awesome.

 

I think he did something similar in the 49ers game this year. Could be wrong, though.

I remember that. I don't remember if it was against the 49ers this year or last but I do remember doing that.

[YearofDaCubs]

A little off-topic. Why is Salisbury on the Chicago air waves? This guy is a pompous ass. The past two days he's been complaining how people are ribbing him about choosing the Saints over the Bears and then he states how he watches more games than they do and so forth. I don't like the guy's attitude and it's a shame there is nothing to hear in the mornings anymore. I don't like North and I don't like Salisbury. I enjoyed hearing Carmen and Silvy in the mornings but this know it all fool comes here and ruins my mornings.

[CuseCubFan69]

A little off-topic. Why is Salisbury on the Chicago air waves? This guy is a pompous ass. The past two days he's been complaining how people are ribbing him about choosing the Saints over the Bears and then he states how he watches more games than they do and so forth. I don't like the guy's attitude and it's a shame there is nothing to hear in the mornings anymore. I don't like North and I don't like Salisbury. I enjoyed hearing Carmen and Silvy in the mornings but this know it all fool comes here and ruins my mornings.

 

He's doing some cell phone promotion thing.

[cubs121]

A little off-topic. Why is Salisbury on the Chicago air waves? This guy is a pompous ass. The past two days he's been complaining how people are ribbing him about choosing the Saints over the Bears and then he states how he watches more games than they do and so forth. I don't like the guy's attitude and it's a shame there is nothing to hear in the mornings anymore. I don't like North and I don't like Salisbury. I enjoyed hearing Carmen and Silvy in the mornings but this know it all fool comes here and ruins my mornings.

I agree, i'd rather listen to someone else in the mornings...

[CP_414]

A little off-topic. Why is Salisbury on the Chicago air waves? This guy is a pompous ass. The past two days he's been complaining how people are ribbing him about choosing the Saints over the Bears and then he states how he watches more games than they do and so forth. I don't like the guy's attitude and it's a shame there is nothing to hear in the mornings anymore. I don't like North and I don't like Salisbury. I enjoyed hearing Carmen and Silvy in the mornings but this know it all fool comes here and ruins my mornings.

 

Agreed. He's an ass, and most of his callers know more about Chicago sports than he does. He's so arrogant about having "played in the NFL." He was a clipboard holder, a glorified PT Willis.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Idonije will just go over to DE and remember, Scott is a FA (or is he a RFA?).

 

Crap, don't know why i had Izzy listed as a DT in that scenario. He'd be back at the ends with Tommie and Dusty back.

 

I'm not sure what Scott's free agent status is (RFA or UFA), but I'd like them to keep him if it's not too costly.

 

Without a doubt, I want Ian back. He gives them a different look at DT than guys like Tommie and Tank.

[YearofDaCubs]

Idonije will just go over to DE and remember, Scott is a FA (or is he a RFA?).

 

Crap, don't know why i had Izzy listed as a DT in that scenario. He'd be back at the ends with Tommie and Dusty back.

 

I'm not sure what Scott's free agent status is (RFA or UFA), but I'd like them to keep him if it's not too costly.

 

Without a doubt, I want Ian back. He gives them a different look at DT than guys like Tommie and Tank.

Ian was very solid last year when he was starting over Tank. He's a keeper IMO. We can live without Boone.

[Balsa]

SU

 

PER

 

BOWL

 

SU

 

PER

 

BOWL

[Banedon]

That o-line better step it up next year for that to happen. :)

I like Benson and think he could be a very good running back. Were it me in charge of the Bears, I'd let Jones go if he's not willing to take a backup role next year. It's time for Benson to take the feature back role.

 

It's certainly possible that he could be very good, but you're going to have to accept that he won't break many long runs, and he'll have his limitations. I saw Jones make at least three runs where there's just no way Benson could've broken them like Jones did. He'll have more positive yardage plays, but not as many where he bounces outside or uses a burst to bust a big run.

 

Jones doesn't break long runs.

 

He's far more agile than Benson. I'm thinking of one run that he made in the last game, where he was about to be bottled up and then cut and broke it outside for about an 8 yard gain (think he got down to around the 2). Watching that play, I thought that there's just no way Benson could have made that run. He'd have plowed into the pile and picked up 2 or 3.

 

That specific play you are right. But those have been few and far between for TJ. For all his advantages in agility, he hasn't broke anymore long runs. He's a steady decent RB. Ideally he'd be the change of pace guy to Benson, but he's better than just a change of pace guy. And as a free agent after next year, I see him looking for much greener pastures one way or the other.

 

Benson has had runs where he's bounced out...I can't go locate video of it while I'm here at work, but I'll try to do that later. Both guys had their longest runs this season of 30 yards, so it's not like TJ is more likely to bust out a big run than Ced.

[Banedon]

A little off-topic. Why is Salisbury on the Chicago air waves? This guy is a pompous ass. The past two days he's been complaining how people are ribbing him about choosing the Saints over the Bears and then he states how he watches more games than they do and so forth. I don't like the guy's attitude and it's a shame there is nothing to hear in the mornings anymore. I don't like North and I don't like Salisbury. I enjoyed hearing Carmen and Silvy in the mornings but this know it all fool comes here and ruins my mornings.

 

Once Mike and Mike is over, flip over to the Score for Mulligan and Hanley. They're tolerable.

[BigSlick]

CBS Sportline's 2 best forecasters -- Prisco and Davis -- both have Indy. But---Prisco picked the Saints last week and Seattle the week before, so he's an obvious Bear-hater and it's bringing down his record. Davis' picks look fairly solid, but he also had Seattle beating the Bears. He came back and picked us last week though.

 

Harmon's been OK, but he missed on the Pats/Indy pick last week and also missed on the Indy/Bal pick and had Philly over NO. Not all that great.

 

Accuscore also missed the Pats/Indy pick last week, as well as the Ravens/Colts and Chargers/Pats games from the week before. I think it's pretty safe to say Accuscore is 50/50 at best, which means it's useless.

 

A large part of that is simply the variability of pro football. Look at the Bears/Seahawks games and Colts/Patriots games for example. Did the Bears and the Colts really prove they were the better team? They deserve to go and possibly be called champions, definitely. At the same time, both of those games were so close that 1 play changed the outcome of the game entirely-when that's the case with teams, it's hard to say that somebody was really off by picking the other side. Isn't it amazing to think that if just 1 or 2 very small things go differently, this could be say a Chargers-Saints SB? I can tell you one thing, I'm glad that for this year, those things did not go differently :D.

 

Saints Bears was close?

[Banedon]

CBS Sportline's 2 best forecasters -- Prisco and Davis -- both have Indy. But---Prisco picked the Saints last week and Seattle the week before, so he's an obvious Bear-hater and it's bringing down his record. Davis' picks look fairly solid, but he also had Seattle beating the Bears. He came back and picked us last week though.

 

Harmon's been OK, but he missed on the Pats/Indy pick last week and also missed on the Indy/Bal pick and had Philly over NO. Not all that great.

 

Accuscore also missed the Pats/Indy pick last week, as well as the Ravens/Colts and Chargers/Pats games from the week before. I think it's pretty safe to say Accuscore is 50/50 at best, which means it's useless.

 

A large part of that is simply the variability of pro football. Look at the Bears/Seahawks games and Colts/Patriots games for example. Did the Bears and the Colts really prove they were the better team? They deserve to go and possibly be called champions, definitely. At the same time, both of those games were so close that 1 play changed the outcome of the game entirely-when that's the case with teams, it's hard to say that somebody was really off by picking the other side. Isn't it amazing to think that if just 1 or 2 very small things go differently, this could be say a Chargers-Saints SB? I can tell you one thing, I'm glad that for this year, those things did not go differently :D.

 

Saints Bears was close?

 

He actually clarified this a page or so later in response to my post.

[goonys evil twin]

SU

 

PER

 

BOWL

 

SU

 

PER

 

BOWL

 

The novelty has worn off for me.

[Soul]

SU

 

PER

 

BOWL

 

SU

 

PER

 

BOWL

 

The novelty has worn off for me.

 

Oh come on quit being a downer.

 

ssssssuuuuuuuu-per BOWL!

 

suuuuuuuuuuuu-per BOWL!

 

8-)

[CubColtPacer]

Nick Harper is going to be held out of practice this week and then re-evaluated. If he can't go, he'll be replaced in the lineup by Marlin Jackson, which will make Kelvin Hayden (the corner Brady sort of picked on) coming into the game as the nickel corner.

[Chris]

Gotta make sure I get my "Go Colts!" in for the day.

[BigSlick]

Nick Harper is going to be held out of practice this week and then re-evaluated. If he can't go, he'll be replaced in the lineup by Marlin Jackson, which will make Kelvin Hayden (the corner Brady sort of picked on) coming into the game as the nickel corner.

 

How is Bob Sanders?

 

Can we kill him somehow?

[Omar]

T-minus 261 hours!

 

LETS GO BEARS!

[Omar]

On on NFL.com poll, the question asks "Which of these offensive players could end up playing an important role in Super Bowl XLI?"

33% Cedric Benson

26% Dominic Rhodes

21% Desmond Clark

10% Ben Utecht

6% Rashied Davis

4% Aaron Moorehead

 

13783 votes.

 

ESPN Poll: Which running back will have the best performance in Super-bowl XLI?

 

Thomas Jones leads 43%

Addai second 39%

Benson third 13%

Rhodes last with 6%

 

Wow. We weren't getting any love last week.