The Bears Offseason Thread

[Soriano12]

Does anybody else have a problem with the commish basically retroactively punishing guys under new guidelines?

 

I like the crackdown, but if this is the new policy, I'm not sure it can be justified to punish actions that took place last year. I also don't think these suspensions will hold up under appeal. The union would have a great case to cut these down significantly.

 

Even if it doesn't hold up under appeal, it sends a big message that the commish isn't going to tolerate this stuff.

 

I'm fine with the message, I just don't really like how he's going about enforcing it. This sort of ex post facto enforcement is just a bit troublesome to me. I'm fine with year long suspensions for certain actions, I just think the lack of precedent will cause problems, and could ultimately undermine the whole movement towards stricter enforcement. You are basically forcing the union to fight you on this, as opposed to coming to a mutual agreement.

 

I was thinking about this same issue this morning. Are they going to retroactively punish a guy like Leonard Little? I think the NFL is setting themselves up for a needless battle here.

 

Good point. Leonard Little is a freakin murderer.

[RynoRules]

Does anybody else have a problem with the commish basically retroactively punishing guys under new guidelines?

 

I like the crackdown, but if this is the new policy, I'm not sure it can be justified to punish actions that took place last year. I also don't think these suspensions will hold up under appeal. The union would have a great case to cut these down significantly.

 

Depends on several factors and info we don't have access to, including teh language of the collective bargaining agreement between the union and league, precedent-setting arbitrations, etc.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm not sure it will force the union to fight. Goodell and Upshaw worked closely on these cases before the decision, and the 6 man player council that was just created met to discuss these cases. So the commissioner already had significant input from the players and the player's association before coming to this decision-if they had all told him that these sorts of punishments for these two were unacceptable, you'd wonder if the commissioner would have proceeded anyway or not.

 

My guess is that the player's council advised Goodell to suspend them for this long, and Upshaw probably isn't as happy about this-but the player's association has a very tight tightrope to walk now because the fans and probably many of the players support this.

 

The report I saw said the union has said they will support Jones if he decides to fight the suspension.

[Banedon]

I'm not sure it will force the union to fight. Goodell and Upshaw worked closely on these cases before the decision, and the 6 man player council that was just created met to discuss these cases. So the commissioner already had significant input from the players and the player's association before coming to this decision-if they had all told him that these sorts of punishments for these two were unacceptable, you'd wonder if the commissioner would have proceeded anyway or not.

 

My guess is that the player's council advised Goodell to suspend them for this long, and Upshaw probably isn't as happy about this-but the player's association has a very tight tightrope to walk now because the fans and probably many of the players support this.

 

The report I saw said the union has said they will support Jones if he decides to fight the suspension.

 

They will because they pretty much have to, but that doesn't mean they completely disagree with the league on this. My guess is the union is quietly encouraging Jones to just take his medicine quietly.

[CubColtPacer]

BTW, one of the biggest impacts on how a team does in the year happens today-in case anybody missed it, the schedule comes out at 1:00. With the way variables change in the NFL from week to week, when and what order you play teams can have a definite impact on a team's record.

[Derwood]

BTW, one of the biggest impacts on how a team does in the year happens today-in case anybody missed it, the schedule comes out at 1:00. With the way variables change in the NFL from week to week, when and what order you play teams can have a definite impact on a team's record.

 

i thought we knew the schedule months ago?

[jersey cubs fan]

BTW, one of the biggest impacts on how a team does in the year happens today-in case anybody missed it, the schedule comes out at 1:00. With the way variables change in the NFL from week to week, when and what order you play teams can have a definite impact on a team's record.

 

i thought we knew the schedule months ago?

 

opponents, not schedule. All we know is they open in San Diego.

[CubColtPacer]

December 17th, Bears at Vikings-Monday night game

[CubColtPacer]

Here is a link to the entire schedule of the Bears:

 

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=3278

[jersey cubs fan]

5 prime time games, 4 on the road. Major screw job.

 

9/9 @ CHARGERS, 3:15 PM

9/16 VS. CHIEFS, 3:15 PM

9/23 VS. COWBOYS, 7:15 PM

9/30 @ LIONS, Noon

10/7 @ PACKERS, 7:15 PM

10/14 VS. VIKINGS, Noon

10/21 @ EAGLES, 3:15 PM

10/28 VS. LIONS, Noon

11/11 @ RAIDERS, 3:15 PM

11/18 @ SEAHAWKS, 7:15 PM

11/25 VS. BRONCOS, Noon

12/2 VS. GIANTS, 3:15 PM

12/6 @ REDSKINS, 7:15 PM

12/17 @ VIKINGS, 7:30 PM

12/23 VS. PACKERS, Noon

12/30 VS. SAINTS, Noon

[CubColtPacer]

5 prime time games, 4 on the road. Major screw job.

 

9/9 @ CHARGERS, 3:15 PM

9/16 VS. CHIEFS, 3:15 PM

9/23 VS. COWBOYS, 7:15 PM

9/30 @ LIONS, Noon

10/7 @ PACKERS, 7:15 PM

10/14 VS. VIKINGS, Noon

10/21 @ EAGLES, 3:15 PM

10/28 VS. LIONS, Noon

11/11 @ RAIDERS, 3:15 PM

11/18 @ SEAHAWKS, 7:15 PM

11/25 VS. BRONCOS, Noon

12/2 VS. GIANTS, 3:15 PM

12/6 @ REDSKINS, 7:15 PM

12/17 @ VIKINGS, 7:30 PM

12/23 VS. PACKERS, Noon

12/30 VS. SAINTS, Noon

 

They have 3 home games though that have a pretty decent chance of being flexed to a night game (broncos, giants, saints).

 

Also, that's the same the Colts got. After the opening game they get on primetime at home, their last 4 primetime games are all on the road.

[jersey cubs fan]

5 prime time games, 4 on the road. Major screw job.

 

9/9 @ CHARGERS, 3:15 PM

9/16 VS. CHIEFS, 3:15 PM

9/23 VS. COWBOYS, 7:15 PM

9/30 @ LIONS, Noon

10/7 @ PACKERS, 7:15 PM

10/14 VS. VIKINGS, Noon

10/21 @ EAGLES, 3:15 PM

10/28 VS. LIONS, Noon

11/11 @ RAIDERS, 3:15 PM

11/18 @ SEAHAWKS, 7:15 PM

11/25 VS. BRONCOS, Noon

12/2 VS. GIANTS, 3:15 PM

12/6 @ REDSKINS, 7:15 PM

12/17 @ VIKINGS, 7:30 PM

12/23 VS. PACKERS, Noon

12/30 VS. SAINTS, Noon

 

They have 3 home games though that have a pretty decent chance of being flexed to a night game (broncos, giants, saints).

 

What's the limit for primetime games? It's not much more than 5 is it?

 

There's actually a good shot at starting 5-1. I'm chalking up the Chargers game as a loss, the Eagles game will be really tough.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Damn, I was hoping we'd play the Chiefs in KC so I could go to it.

[CubColtPacer]

5 prime time games, 4 on the road. Major screw job.

 

9/9 @ CHARGERS, 3:15 PM

9/16 VS. CHIEFS, 3:15 PM

9/23 VS. COWBOYS, 7:15 PM

9/30 @ LIONS, Noon

10/7 @ PACKERS, 7:15 PM

10/14 VS. VIKINGS, Noon

10/21 @ EAGLES, 3:15 PM

10/28 VS. LIONS, Noon

11/11 @ RAIDERS, 3:15 PM

11/18 @ SEAHAWKS, 7:15 PM

11/25 VS. BRONCOS, Noon

12/2 VS. GIANTS, 3:15 PM

12/6 @ REDSKINS, 7:15 PM

12/17 @ VIKINGS, 7:30 PM

12/23 VS. PACKERS, Noon

12/30 VS. SAINTS, Noon

 

They have 3 home games though that have a pretty decent chance of being flexed to a night game (broncos, giants, saints).

 

What's the limit for primetime games? It's not much more than 5 is it?

 

There's actually a good shot at starting 5-1. I'm chalking up the Chargers game as a loss, the Eagles game will be really tough.

 

Well, I doubt you get more than 1 flexed (I think you'd hit the limit then) but the likelihood is that at least 1 of those 3 games will become a night game.

 

I think you got a break by having SD first. That's the game that would be the game you'd almost have to chalk up as a loss, but the first week tends to equalize things out. So you can maybe steal a win there. I could see you starting 4-2 or 5-1, but there could easily be 4 competitive or better games in there (chargers, chiefs, cowboys, packers).

[Wilson A2000]

What's the limit for primetime games? It's not much more than 5 is it?

 

There's actually a good shot at starting 5-1. I'm chalking up the Chargers game as a loss, the Eagles game will be really tough.

 

I am almost positive that the limit is 5

[Banedon]

Disappointing that the Saints game is the final game. There's a good chance of seeing them in the playoffs again, and assuming both teams already have their spot locked up, that could be a terribly meaningless game. I'd much rather have seen that one and the Raiders game switched.

 

EDIT: Actually, there's a pretty tough stretch starting after the Raiders game....maybe that wouldn't be the right place for the Saints...

[jersey cubs fan]

Disappointing that the Saints game is the final game. There's a good chance of seeing them in the playoffs again, and assuming both teams already have their spot locked up, that could be a terribly meaningless game. I'd much rather have seen that one and the Raiders game switched.

 

EDIT: Actually, there's a pretty tough stretch starting after the Raiders game....maybe that wouldn't be the right place for the Saints...

 

I'll take a meaningless game at home against the Saints over a very important one in the middle of a tough stretch any time.

[Wilson A2000]

At least the bye is in the middle of the season

[Wilson A2000]

9/9 @ CHARGERS, 3:15 PM Loss

9/16 VS. CHIEFS, 3:15 PM Win

9/23 VS. COWBOYS, 7:15 PM Loss

9/30 @ LIONS, Noon Win

10/7 @ PACKERS, 7:15 PM Win

10/14 VS. VIKINGS, Noon Win

10/21 @ EAGLES, 3:15 PM Loss

10/28 VS. LIONS, Noon Win

11/11 @ RAIDERS, 3:15 PM Win

11/18 @ SEAHAWKS, 7:15 PM Win

11/25 VS. BRONCOS, Noon Loss

12/2 VS. GIANTS, 3:15 PM Win

12/6 @ REDSKINS, 7:15 PM Win

12/17 @ VIKINGS, 7:30 PM Win

12/23 VS. PACKERS, Noon Win

12/30 VS. SAINTS, Noon Loss

 

11-5 is my prediction. The Bears win the division, but have to play in the opening playoff series. They win their first two playoff games and lose the NFC Championship to the Cowboys. Benson gets hurt 5 games in, but comes back late in the year. Briggs plays the whole season and plays well. Grossman improves slightly, but still throws far too many interceptions. The defensive line is strengthened by, shoot the guy from OK who got hurt early on last year. Good season, but not good enough.

Edited April 11, 2007 by Wilson A2000

[jersey cubs fan]

At least the bye is in the middle of the season

 

Why can't it be before the Thursday game? I don't understand why the NFL insists on sending teams out there on 3 days rest late in the season. Use the byes for teams playing on Thanksgiving and every Thursday game.

[Wilson A2000]

At least the bye is in the middle of the season

 

Why can't it be before the Thursday game? I don't understand why the NFL insists on sending teams out there on 3 days rest late in the season. Use the byes for teams playing on Thanksgiving and every Thursday game.

 

Darn I didn't realize that. Yeah they should have scheduled it before the Thursday game.

[RynoRules]

At least the bye is in the middle of the season

 

Why can't it be before the Thursday game? I don't understand why the NFL insists on sending teams out there on 3 days rest late in the season. Use the byes for teams playing on Thanksgiving and every Thursday game.

 

I'dd rather have it where it is - just before they have to swing out to the coast twice in two weeks.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Man... I want to smash the Cowboys that third game.

[Jon]

Not a bad schedule. It's kind of odd that they only have one MNF football appearance, but I hate MNF, so I'll take it.

[jersey cubs fan]

Not a bad schedule. It's kind of odd that they only have one MNF football appearance, but I hate MNF, so I'll take it.

 

I hate all the primetime games. I like watching football during the day on Sundays.