The Bears Offseason Thread

[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.

 

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

I can't argue with that. I love noon kickoffs. But considering we knew they'd have their share of national TV games this season, I'm glad I don't have to wait until Monday more than once.

[Banedon]

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.

I can't argue with that. I love noon kickoffs. But considering we knew they'd have their share of national TV games this season, I'm glad I don't have to wait until Monday more than once.

 

Yeah, and NBC's coverage is actually really good IMO.

[cubbyvirus00]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

[Chocolate Milk]

• It pays to be in the NFC North: One year after having the NFL's easiest schedule, the Bears check in with the second-easiest schedule (.465) this season. Chicago's three divisional foes were a combined 17-31 (.354) in 2006.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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 think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

You guys forget I'll be at the Chargers game.

 

Bears win, no doubt. 8-)

[Butterscup1679666578]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

I find it impossible to make any predictions before training camp, let alone before the draft.

[Soul]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

Oh ye of little faith.

[BigSlick]

On paper (and almost certainly, in reality, as last years schedule was very easy), the schedule seems very tough, despite the "ITS THE SECOND EASIEST SCHEDULE IN TEH LEAGUE, OH WAIT THEY ARE IN THE NFC NORTH AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFICULT" response.

 

We're gonna need to be better this year, no doubt.

[WolverineX40]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

No they are not. It will be a tough test. The Bears D will be fully healthy with Harris and Brown. So while I do think the Chargers will beat the Bears, but I doubt the Chargers "are going to crush the Bears" as you think. I'm thinking a 7 point differential.

[Wilson A2000]

• It pays to be in the NFC North: One year after having the NFL's easiest schedule, the Bears check in with the second-easiest schedule (.465) this season. Chicago's three divisional foes were a combined 17-31 (.354) in 2006.

 

That's assuming that teams like the Raiders, Eagles, Chiefs, Seahawks won't improve. I think this is a fairly tough schedule for 2007.

[Wilson A2000]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

No they are not. It will be a tough test. The Bears D will be fully healthy with Harris and Brown. So while I do think the Chargers will beat the Bears, but I doubt the Chargers "are going to crush the Bears" as you think. I'm thinking a 7 point differential.

 

Isn't Brown's contract up? I wonder if he will be resigned?

[jersey cubs fan]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

No they are not. It will be a tough test. The Bears D will be fully healthy with Harris and Brown. So while I do think the Chargers will beat the Bears, but I doubt the Chargers "are going to crush the Bears" as you think. I'm thinking a 7 point differential.

 

Isn't Brown's contract up? I wonder if he will be resigned?

 

All Browns are signed and accounted for.

 

assuming that teams like the Raiders, Eagles, Chiefs, Seahawks won't improve. I think this is a fairly tough schedule for 2007.

 

Even if the Raiders improve, they are still pathetic. The Eagles were already a 10-6 playoff team, they're good, but I don't see them being much, if any, better. They are probably toward the tail end of their run right now. The Chiefs? They may have already gotten best they will get out of Larry Johnson, whose production already slipped with a huge workload. If they seriously count on Huard to lead them, I'm not sure they will be much of a threat. They were the epitome of average last year, and I don't see that team being a whole lot more. The Seahawks are an interesting case. They are probably on the backend of their window, which started when Hasselback and Alexander took over and produced a lot of above average and some really good seasons. Unless the long lost Barber brother regains his pre-injury greatness, I'm not sure Seattle will be any better than they were last year. But I do see them as a likely favorite at home against the Bears.

[rawaction]

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.

 

 

So, the Bears who lost 3 home games the last 2 years combined (one of which was the meaningless season ender vs. GB), are gonna lost 3 this year?

 

Unless something disasterous happens, the Bears should win: Oakland, 2 vs. Det, and at least 1 vs. Minnesota and GB. That's 5.

 

The Chargers, Saints, and Eagles games are all gonna be tough, but I think the games to watch out for are the game at Green Bay, at Washington on a Thursday after Sunday, and home vs. the Broncos, who I see as a tough matchup for the Bears, as they have 2 great CBs, solid vs. the run and offensively they run the ball well and Javon Walker will give the Bears trouble.

[WolverineX40]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

No they are not. It will be a tough test. The Bears D will be fully healthy with Harris and Brown. So while I do think the Chargers will beat the Bears, but I doubt the Chargers "are going to crush the Bears" as you think. I'm thinking a 7 point differential.

 

Isn't Brown's contract up? I wonder if he will be resigned?

 

Even if it was....both Lovie and Angelos knows how important of a leader Mike Brown is to the team. So Mike would be back regardless.

[Wilson A2000]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

No they are not. It will be a tough test. The Bears D will be fully healthy with Harris and Brown. So while I do think the Chargers will beat the Bears, but I doubt the Chargers "are going to crush the Bears" as you think. I'm thinking a 7 point differential.

 

Isn't Brown's contract up? I wonder if he will be resigned?

 

Even if it was....both Lovie and Angelos knows how important of a leader Mike Brown is to the team. So Mike would be back regardless.

 

I heard he is a great leader sitting on the bench injured! I would give him another year just with the hope that he comes back and can play a whole year.

[Wilson A2000]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

No they are not. It will be a tough test. The Bears D will be fully healthy with Harris and Brown. So while I do think the Chargers will beat the Bears, but I doubt the Chargers "are going to crush the Bears" as you think. I'm thinking a 7 point differential.

 

Isn't Brown's contract up? I wonder if he will be resigned?

 

All Browns are signed and accounted for.

 

assuming that teams like the Raiders, Eagles, Chiefs, Seahawks won't improve. I think this is a fairly tough schedule for 2007.

 

Even if the Raiders improve, they are still pathetic. The Eagles were already a 10-6 playoff team, they're good, but I don't see them being much, if any, better. They are probably toward the tail end of their run right now. The Chiefs? They may have already gotten best they will get out of Larry Johnson, whose production already slipped with a huge workload. If they seriously count on Huard to lead them, I'm not sure they will be much of a threat. They were the epitome of average last year, and I don't see that team being a whole lot more. The Seahawks are an interesting case. They are probably on the backend of their window, which started when Hasselback and Alexander took over and produced a lot of above average and some really good seasons. Unless the long lost Barber brother regains his pre-injury greatness, I'm not sure Seattle will be any better than they were last year. But I do see them as a likely favorite at home against the Bears.

 

I am not saying the Bears won't defeat these teams. I am saying that they will be improved so that the Bears really won't have the second easiest schedule in the league. The Seahawks will have Alexander healthy. The Eagles will have McNabb.

[Brian]

About Mike Browns contract status, from chicagobears.com

 

CAREER TRANSACTIONS: Entered NFL as a second-round selection (39th overall) by Chicago in the 2000 NFL Draft... Signed new contract (7/17/03). SIGNED through 2008

 

The worry about his future with the Bears is them cutting him due to the money he makes and the ever shrinking chance he can contribute for a full season.

 

But from all I've read from the Bears this offseason is Mike is part of their plans for next year.

[Wilson A2000]

The Bears also got Archuleta, Daniel Manning, and Chris Harris. Brown is the best of the group, but they might try to save money by cutting him. I hope he stays, but they seem to be overloaded at safety. A Brown/Archuleta tandom is what I'd like to see vs the Chargers.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

No they are not. It will be a tough test. The Bears D will be fully healthy with Harris and Brown. So while I do think the Chargers will beat the Bears, but I doubt the Chargers "are going to crush the Bears" as you think. I'm thinking a 7 point differential.

 

Isn't Brown's contract up? I wonder if he will be resigned?

 

Even if it was....both Lovie and Angelos knows how important of a leader Mike Brown is to the team. So Mike would be back regardless.

 

I heard he is a great leader sitting on the bench injured! I would give him another year just with the hope that he comes back and can play a whole year.

 

Yeah lets cut him!!!

[Outshined_One]

The Bears also got Archuleta, Daniel Manning, and Chris Harris. Brown is the best of the group, but they might try to save money by cutting him. I hope he stays, but they seem to be overloaded at safety. A Brown/Archuleta tandom is what I'd like to see vs the Chargers.

 

They could always take another safety in the draft. Most people seem to like the idea of Eric Weddle in the 2nd or 3rd.

[Soul]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

No they are not. It will be a tough test. The Bears D will be fully healthy with Harris and Brown. So while I do think the Chargers will beat the Bears, but I doubt the Chargers "are going to crush the Bears" as you think. I'm thinking a 7 point differential.

 

Bears will win that game. Chargers are good, but the Bears will beat them physically. Bears by 3

[jersey cubs fan]

I am not saying the Bears won't defeat these teams. I am saying that they will be improved so that the Bears really won't have the second easiest schedule in the league. The Seahawks will have Alexander healthy. The Eagles will have McNabb.

 

And I am saying they really aren't that improved. The Eagles have had McNabb for the entire decade. He was a physical force that brought them to greatness for 5 years. They are now in year 8 of what is usually a 4-5 year window, and I really don't see that team playing any better in 2007 than they did in 2006. The defense is no longer elite, and while Westbrook is a true star, I don't see that offense carrying them to anything better than last year's 10-6 record. Likewise, the third Barber brother may be more healthy than he was last year, but unless he has a Tiki like resurgence, I don't see him returning to elite status. Alexander already has 4 300+ carry seasons, and he turns 30 this year. That doesn't bode well for RB's. He's already racked up the touches that wear down most franchise backs, and is banged up. Seattle finished 9-7 last year with a below average defense and a mediocre offense. I really don't see them being any better, but I guess they could pull off a 10-6 season.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Bears also got Archuleta, Daniel Manning, and Chris Harris. Brown is the best of the group, but they might try to save money by cutting him. I hope he stays, but they seem to be overloaded at safety. A Brown/Archuleta tandom is what I'd like to see vs the Chargers.

 

I don't see any benefit to cutting Brown. They aren't in danger of going over the cap, and he only makes about $2m, less than 2% of the cap. Manning and Harris are backup caliber safeties, and Archuleta is hardly a lock solid starter. With those 4 guys, they would not be overloaded, just well stocked with solid depth.

[Magnetic Curses]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

No they are not. It will be a tough test. The Bears D will be fully healthy with Harris and Brown. So while I do think the Chargers will beat the Bears, but I doubt the Chargers "are going to crush the Bears" as you think. I'm thinking a 7 point differential.

 

Bears will win that game. Chargers are good, but the Bears will beat them physically. Bears by 3

 

i gotta say, i doubt it. grossman will be seeing merriman in his sleep if he doesn't develop some kind of pocket awareness in the meantime.

[Soul]

I think the Chargers are going to crush the Bears, sadly.

 

No they are not. It will be a tough test. The Bears D will be fully healthy with Harris and Brown. So while I do think the Chargers will beat the Bears, but I doubt the Chargers "are going to crush the Bears" as you think. I'm thinking a 7 point differential.

 

Bears will win that game. Chargers are good, but the Bears will beat them physically. Bears by 3

 

i gotta say, i doubt it. grossman will be seeing merriman in his sleep if he doesn't develop some kind of pocket awareness in the meantime.

 

I don't think he's going to get the chance to pound Grossman. I see Turner coming out with a huge, heavy dose of Benson in this game to prove a point starting the '07 season. And I see Turner instituting more shotgun, too. He's said he will look into that. I think he's going to do it.