Week 9: Lions at Bears, noon on Fox

[Balsa]

I think Chris Williams should be seeing snaps by week 11-12.

 

Any sooner than that would be shocking, but it will be great to hear that he's practicing again. I would have to got with the fact that having a rookie in the OL is dangerous for the QB and the team, and that the Bears don't want to mess too much with a good thing right now.

 

It would be exciting to see him on the field though...

[RedFlash]

Don't know if they is a known fact, BUT.....sometime later this yr the Bears will become the first NFL team to record 700 wins in NFL history. (Regular and postseason wins combine. The Bears currently have 697 wins in franchise history).

[UMFan83]

Don't know if they is a known fact, BUT.....sometime later this yr the Bears will become the first NFL team to record 700 wins in NFL history. (Regular and postseason wins combine. The Bears currently have 697 wins in franchise history).

 

At least we hope.

[rawaction]

According to Lovie, it's "looking good" for all the injured players. Tillman, Vasher, Lloyd, Hester, Graham, Manning and Roach are all expected to be ready to practice on Monday and all on track to play Nov. 2.

 

Lovie did imply that he wasn't sure who would start opposite Tillman at CB. I re-watched the game on NFL Network from last week. Man, was Corey Graham good. He was great on Berrian. The 4th and 1 where Urlacher gets props for smothering Peterson out of the backfield, Graham stayed w/ Berrian all over the field and broke up the pass. The INT was blanket coverage. The throw was horrible, but even if he throws it to the outside, there was 0 chance for a completion.

[Soul]

Well, hopefully we come out the other side of the break a stronger team than we went in. I don't want to see any more of those 41 point defensive efforts. I don't really have all that much hair left to pull out.

[ELCABALLO45]

I read somewhere that the Bears might use the Wildcat formation with Hester, any truth to this?

[jersey cubs fan]

I read somewhere that the Bears might use the Wildcat formation with Hester, any truth to this?

 

I read a columnist type suggest it, I haven't read anybody saying it will happen. I don't think it'll work. It's fine for Miami when they are using one of their 2 RBs, but Hester is a little receiver, he's not going to be able to do the same things.

[Banedon]

I read somewhere that the Bears might use the Wildcat formation with Hester, any truth to this?

 

I read a columnist type suggest it, I haven't read anybody saying it will happen. I don't think it'll work. It's fine for Miami when they are using one of their 2 RBs, but Hester is a little receiver, he's not going to be able to do the same things.

 

And not to be a pessimist about it or anything, but has Hester made anyone miss a tackle all season? Frankly, Hester just doesn't seem all that dangerous so far this year.

[tfarks]

I think Chris Williams should be seeing snaps by week 11-12.

 

Any sooner than that would be shocking, but it will be great to hear that he's practicing again. I would have to got with the fact that having a rookie in the OL is dangerous for the QB and the team, and that the Bears don't want to mess too much with a good thing right now.

 

It would be exciting to see him on the field though...

 

When I read about Williams coming back it caught me a little off guard cause I just put him out of my head after his injury in preseason. It is optimistic for him to see the field against the Lions...however it appears he will have 2 weeks of practice in him...which seems if hes ready to go then thats a good enough amount of time to at least see a couple snaps. Hopefully the bears can blow the lions out again and let him see a drive or two. He knows all his blocking assignments, its just a matter of him getting playing time. Hes not gonna help the Bears on the bench, if they think the upgrade from St. Clair to him is worth the risk they need to put him in there. Even if its an incredibly slow process. Let him get in there and make some mistakes, to see Garza pushed out of the starting lineup is an upgrade worth gunning for. Forte running 30 times a game for 3 yards a carry is tough on him, it would be nice to see more holes opened up.

 

As for Hester, he does seem to be making less people miss. But its just not easy for a returner to do what he does every year. has there ever been 2 consecutive seasons put up that compared to Hester's? I doubt it, its hard for someone to keep that up. The more important thing is that he hasn't lost a step, and his role as a receiver is growing. The way he intimidates the opposing team kicking to him and the possibility of him breaking one is still worth his regression as a returner. I still see him returning 2-3 for TD's this season, hard to complain.

[RedFlash]

Don't know if they is a known fact, BUT.....sometime later this yr the Bears will become the first NFL team to record 700 wins in NFL history. (Regular and postseason wins combine. The Bears currently have 697 wins in franchise history).

 

At least we hope.

 

I would love to get #700 against the Packers.

[Balsa]

I think Chris Williams should be seeing snaps by week 11-12.

 

Any sooner than that would be shocking, but it will be great to hear that he's practicing again. I would have to got with the fact that having a rookie in the OL is dangerous for the QB and the team, and that the Bears don't want to mess too much with a good thing right now.

 

It would be exciting to see him on the field though...

 

When I read about Williams coming back it caught me a little off guard cause I just put him out of my head after his injury in preseason.

I would have thought so too, but then why not put him on the IR? They must think he can come back and make an impression and get some snaps.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I read somewhere that the Bears might use the Wildcat formation with Hester, any truth to this?

 

I read a columnist type suggest it, I haven't read anybody saying it will happen. I don't think it'll work. It's fine for Miami when they are using one of their 2 RBs, but Hester is a little receiver, he's not going to be able to do the same things.

 

And not to be a pessimist about it or anything, but has Hester made anyone miss a tackle all season? Frankly, Hester just doesn't seem all that dangerous so far this year.

 

I mentioned it a few weeks ago. He seems as if he's lost a step or two. He seems to always get a big burst of speed up the middle when he breaks a big one, but this year he's constantly going to the sideline and running/being pushed out. He's definitely not the same. I wonder if any/how much of that is because Ayanbadejo is gone.

[tfarks]

I read somewhere that the Bears might use the Wildcat formation with Hester, any truth to this?

 

I read a columnist type suggest it, I haven't read anybody saying it will happen. I don't think it'll work. It's fine for Miami when they are using one of their 2 RBs, but Hester is a little receiver, he's not going to be able to do the same things.

 

And not to be a pessimist about it or anything, but has Hester made anyone miss a tackle all season? Frankly, Hester just doesn't seem all that dangerous so far this year.

 

I mentioned it a few weeks ago. He seems as if he's lost a step or two. He seems to always get a big burst of speed up the middle when he breaks a big one, but this year he's constantly going to the sideline and running/being pushed out. He's definitely not the same. I wonder if any/how much of that is because Ayanbadejo is gone.

 

I disagree, I really don't think hes lost a step. I think it basically boils down to less holes being opened up where he can use his burst. Hes pushing everything outside cause theres nothing open in the middle, and good coverage pushes him out to the sidelines, which is what we've seen. The blocking just isn't as good as it has been, which definitely can be attributed to losing someone like Ayanbadejo.

[UMFan83]

I read somewhere that the Bears might use the Wildcat formation with Hester, any truth to this?

 

I read a columnist type suggest it, I haven't read anybody saying it will happen. I don't think it'll work. It's fine for Miami when they are using one of their 2 RBs, but Hester is a little receiver, he's not going to be able to do the same things.

 

And not to be a pessimist about it or anything, but has Hester made anyone miss a tackle all season? Frankly, Hester just doesn't seem all that dangerous so far this year.

 

I mentioned it a few weeks ago. He seems as if he's lost a step or two. He seems to always get a big burst of speed up the middle when he breaks a big one, but this year he's constantly going to the sideline and running/being pushed out. He's definitely not the same. I wonder if any/how much of that is because Ayanbadejo is gone.

 

Even on offense. He's had a couple of plays where he's had some room to gather some speed and make jukes but hasnt. I wonder if any of it has to do with his hip injury that he suffered that made him lose his elusiveness.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Bears are listed as 12.5 point favorites. Detroit was a 7.5 point dog and lost by 8 at home yesterday.

[UMFan83]

I have a feeling that this week's game will be closer than expected, but the Bears still emerge victorious.

 

It's game week finally!

[Soul]

12.5 is a big gap regardless of the matchup.

[UMFan83]

12.5 is a big gap regardless of the matchup.

 

Before the season, I could barely imagine the Bears averaging 12.5 points per game, let alone be favored by 12.5.

[rocket]

Just got this in email this morning. Some funny ones....

Q. What do you call 47 millionaires around a TV watching the Super Bowl?

A. The Detroit Lions.

 

Q. What do the Detroit Lions and Billy Graham have in common?

A. They both can make 70,000 people stand up and yell 'Jesus Christ'.

 

Q. How do you keep the Detroit Lions out of your yard?

A. Put up a goal post.

 

Q. Where do you go in Detroit in case of a tornado?

A. To Ford Field - they never have a touchdown there!

 

Q. What's the difference between the Detroit Lions and a dollar bill?

A. You can still get four quarters out of a dollar bill.

 

Q. How many Detroit Lions does it take to win a Super Bowl?

A. Nobody knows and we may never find out.

 

Q. What do the Detroit Lions and a possums have in common?

A. Both play dead at home and get killed on the road.

 

i've heard 3 of those jokes before, but replace detroit lions with cincinnati bengals.

[rawaction]

Nice read on the Bears website on the 2007 draft. The maligned draft (with Bazuin and Okwo cut) is looking pretty decent so far this year. Olsen is the team's leading receiver (in terms of yards) and tied for most catches by a non-RB. Kevin Payne is the starting SS and may have been the best defensive player on the team thru 7 games. Beekman has taken control of a starting spot at LG. Graham is likely to take over the starting CB spot (or if not, be a top backup CB in the league). McBride has been decent when called upon. Even Garrett Wolfe, who has been a disappointment on offense, has had a pretty good special teams year.

[Wilson A2000]

Beekman has taken control of a starting spot at LG.

 

Taken control of a spot that no one else can play well though. I haven't been watching, but is he any good?

 

I still wish Lovie had played Beekman las year when Brown went out. There was absolutely no reason for Beekman not to be starting them so we could figure out if he was any good.

 

On another note, does Lovie bring anything to the table as a head coach except the Cover-Two which I don't even like. I just can't name anything that Lovie does particularly well.

[rawaction]

Beekman has taken control of a starting spot at LG.

 

Taken control of a spot that no one else can play well though. I haven't been watching, but is he any good?

 

I still wish Lovie had played Beekman las year when Brown went out. There was absolutely no reason for Beekman not to be starting them so we could figure out if he was any good.

 

On another note, does Lovie bring anything to the table as a head coach except the Cover-Two which I don't even like. I just can't name anything that Lovie does particularly well.

 

Beekman has been pretty decent. Nothing spectacular, but he doesn't commit many penalties and doesn't get beat physically. The left side of the line has been much better than the right. Beekman's already a better OG than Garza. Beekman got his spot because of injury, but has not played his way out. Terrance Metcalf was the projected starter and Josh has kept him and Buenning (picked up early in the season, and is a pretty good lineman) on the bench.

[bukie]

So, which is more likely now, that the Bears give the Lions their first win, or the Bears give the Titans their first loss? :)

[Handlebar McSkullet]

So, which is more likely now, that the Bears give the Lions their first win, or the Bears give the Titans their first loss? :)

 

It seems like the Bears matchup so well against the Titans, if that is possible. They are very strong against the run vs. a strong running-very weak passing team. Then again, this Lions game has letdown, stupid playoff killing loss written all over it

[rawaction]

So, which is more likely now, that the Bears give the Lions their first win, or the Bears give the Titans their first loss? :)

 

It seems like the Bears matchup so well against the Titans, if that is possible. They are very strong against the run vs. a strong running-very weak passing team. Then again, this Lions game has letdown, stupid playoff killing loss written all over it

 

As much as I want to be fearful of Detroit, because no team will go 0-16, I just can't be. I think it's more likely the Bears beat the Titans than lose to the Lions.

 

Bears/Titans will be an interesting matchup. Titans are 4th in rushing yards per game. Bears are 6th best in rush yards allowed per game. Bears are 11th in passing YPG. Titans are 4th best in pass yards allowed per game. Titans have one of the bottom 5 passing offenses. Bears are bottom 5 in pass defense.