Week 17: Bears at Houston, noon on Fox

[UMFan83]

When you look at how flawed this team is in nearly every phase of the game it's a wonder they won nine games.

 

Besides our special teams and linebacking corps, is there a unit on the team that's even in the top half of the league? I guess the tight ends are good.

 

The running backs aren't bad. The defensive line is probably straddling the line between the top half and the bottom half.

 

A good defensive draft and this team wins 11+ games next year.

 

Forte is very good. Peterson isn't what I really have in mind as his primary backup. The Bears should do better there.

 

The defensive line cannot generate a pass rush to save its life. It showed it can defend the run well but was inconsistent at that as well.

 

I think we should go pass rusher or wide receiver in the first round of the draft.

 

They need a change of pace back to backup Forte. Peterson is like an 80% version of Forte. But that's fine, this year was about finding a RB. Now we have one, go out and get a physical back that can pickup those tough yards

[Hairyducked Idiot]

When you look at how flawed this team is in nearly every phase of the game it's a wonder they won nine games.

 

Besides our special teams and linebacking corps, is there a unit on the team that's even in the top half of the league? I guess the tight ends are good.

 

The running backs aren't bad. The defensive line is probably straddling the line between the top half and the bottom half.

 

A good defensive draft and this team wins 11+ games next year.

 

Forte is very good. Peterson isn't what I really have in mind as his primary backup. The Bears should do better there.

 

The defensive line cannot generate a pass rush to save its life. It showed it can defend the run well but was inconsistent at that as well.

 

I think we should go pass rusher or wide receiver in the first round of the draft.

 

No WR, please. This team needs to be good at what it can be good at: Defense and special teams. And in order to have a good defense, you must draft it every single year. A good WR doesn't change this into a good offense, but one good Dlineman might make it a good defense.

[manbearcub]

When you look at how flawed this team is in nearly every phase of the game it's a wonder they won nine games.

 

Besides our special teams and linebacking corps, is there a unit on the team that's even in the top half of the league? I guess the tight ends are good.

 

The running backs aren't bad. The defensive line is probably straddling the line between the top half and the bottom half.

 

A good defensive draft and this team wins 11+ games next year.

 

Forte is very good. Peterson isn't what I really have in mind as his primary backup. The Bears should do better there.

 

The defensive line cannot generate a pass rush to save its life. It showed it can defend the run well but was inconsistent at that as well.

 

I think we should go pass rusher or wide receiver in the first round of the draft.

 

No WR, please. This team needs to be good at what it can be good at: Defense and special teams. And in order to have a good defense, you must draft it every single year. A good WR doesn't change this into a good offense, but one good Dlineman might make it a good defense.

Agree. The WR's we have are tolerable with the Tight ends and Forte catching the ball. Not to mention any reciever that will try to strech the field will be rendered useless by Orton's inability to complete a pass over 10 yards.

[SpongeWorthy]

When you look at how flawed this team is in nearly every phase of the game it's a wonder they won nine games.

 

Besides our special teams and linebacking corps, is there a unit on the team that's even in the top half of the league? I guess the tight ends are good.

 

The running backs aren't bad. The defensive line is probably straddling the line between the top half and the bottom half.

 

A good defensive draft and this team wins 11+ games next year.

 

Forte is very good. Peterson isn't what I really have in mind as his primary backup. The Bears should do better there.

 

The defensive line cannot generate a pass rush to save its life. It showed it can defend the run well but was inconsistent at that as well.

 

I think we should go pass rusher or wide receiver in the first round of the draft.

 

No WR, please. This team needs to be good at what it can be good at: Defense and special teams. And in order to have a good defense, you must draft it every single year. A good WR doesn't change this into a good offense, but one good Dlineman might make it a good defense.

 

There's no inherent reason the Bears can't have a good offensive team. I mean, I have my doubts they ever WILL become one with the brain trust that is currently in place but they should still try to build a good all around club. Hester made some nice strides this year but the receiving corps as a whole is still unbelievably bad.

 

I'm not going to be too picky because the Bears have enough holes where any good player will do. But I think the receiver problem is glaring even on a team that has lots of flaws.

[DivineBovine]

When you look at how flawed this team is in nearly every phase of the game it's a wonder they won nine games.

 

Besides our special teams and linebacking corps, is there a unit on the team that's even in the top half of the league? I guess the tight ends are good.

 

The running backs aren't bad. The defensive line is probably straddling the line between the top half and the bottom half.

 

A good defensive draft and this team wins 11+ games next year.

 

Forte is very good. Peterson isn't what I really have in mind as his primary backup. The Bears should do better there.

 

The defensive line cannot generate a pass rush to save its life. It showed it can defend the run well but was inconsistent at that as well.

 

I think we should go pass rusher or wide receiver in the first round of the draft.

 

No WR, please. This team needs to be good at what it can be good at: Defense and special teams. And in order to have a good defense, you must draft it every single year. A good WR doesn't change this into a good offense, but one good Dlineman might make it a good defense.

 

There's no inherent reason the Bears can't have a good offensive team. I mean, I have my doubts they ever WILL become one with the brain trust that is currently in place but they should still try to build a good all around club. Hester made some nice strides this year but the receiving corps as a whole is still unbelievably bad.

 

I'm not going to be too picky because the Bears have enough holes where any good player will do. But I think the receiver problem is glaring even on a team that has lots of flaws.

 

 

The receivers are definitely a weakness. The number of drops this year is crazy. When Orton somehow manages to hit you, you have to catch it.

 

But no need to pinpoint one weakness. They have too many.

[Outshined_One]

Agree. The WR's we have are tolerable with the Tight ends and Forte catching the ball. Not to mention any reciever that will try to strech the field will be rendered useless by Orton's inability to complete a pass over 10 yards.

 

To me, the Bears could use a WR pretty badly. Part of the problem with Forte and the TEs being the primary receiving targets is that teams can easily stack the short and middle fields without having to worry about the WRs. Hester is eh. Lloyd is inconsistent. Davis is below average. Booker is trash. Bennett is an unknown. This WR corps has to be one of the five worst in the NFL. The offense wasn't all that good this year.

 

I'm particularly worried about the offense regressing next season, to be frank. Forte shouldered an enormous load and could use some help next season. Orton needs a reliable WR who can run routes and not drop everything thrown his way. Keeping this offense as is will only result in this team getting worse next season.

[EricG]

what does it take to get McNabb? Go Cowboys (to make the loss less painful).

[manbearcub]

Does anyone understand the NFL salary cap and the Bears position? We are looking at the 18th pick or so, that shouldn't hurt too much. Any room for FAs?

[WrigleyField 22]

Wide Receiver and DB should be the main targets through draft and free agency.

[Derwood]

Wide Receiver and DB should be the main targets through draft and free agency.

 

O-Line please

[cbbryan]

How much is T.J. Houshmandzadeh going to cost? He's a FA.

[cbbryan]

Julious Peppers is also a FA.

[jersey cubs fan]

Hey Lovie, why don't you punt again, you coward.

 

He might get these guys to try, but this is the most poorly coached team in the NFL from an execution standpoint. Just a bunch of idiots.

[NOLA]

what does it take to get McNabb? Go Cowboys (to make the loss less painful).

 

Whatever it takes is what I would say. As a Saints fan, I remember this time in 2005 wondering if we would draft Vince Young. We signed Drew Brees out of the blue, which freed us up to address other holes. The Bears could sign McNabb, then draft Knowshon Moreno from UGA, or trade up for Crabtree form TTech. That fixes alot of problems.

Now, I will resume sulking about my Saints. PLEASE let us draft Rey Maualuga from USC or Laurenitis from OSU!

[Hairyducked Idiot]

There's no inherent reason the Bears can't have a good offensive team. I mean, I have my doubts they ever WILL become one with the brain trust that is currently in place but they should still try to build a good all around club. Hester made some nice strides this year but the receiving corps as a whole is still unbelievably bad.

 

I'm not going to be too picky because the Bears have enough holes where any good player will do. But I think the receiver problem is glaring even on a team that has lots of flaws.

 

Yeah, I'm sure someday we'll see a Bears team that's good offensively.

 

But in order to fix the offense, we'd need a lineman or two, a quarterback, at least one WR, a new coach. And we'd probably need a new front office to get all these guys.

 

We can have an elite defense again with just one or two new players, and we already have an elite special teams.

[jersey cubs fan]

We can have an elite defense again with just one or two new players, .

 

Nope, that ship has sailed. They are several players away from an elite defense. Back to back seasons of mediocrity (or worse) isn't a fluke.

[Outshined_One]

We're looking at 20 in the draft. If any of the following teams win, the Bears should move down:

 

Arizona

Philadelphia

Washington

NY Jets

Denver

[Wilson A2000]

Hey Lovie, why don't you punt again, you coward.

 

He might get these guys to try, but this is the most poorly coached team in the NFL from an execution standpoint. Just a bunch of idiots.

 

Especially when the Bears hadn't really stopped Houston since the first quarter.

[Wilson A2000]

Wide Receiver and DB should be the main targets through draft and free agency.

 

O-Line please

 

Please. Chris Williams is moving in next year. St. Clair to left guard. The offensive line was not the problem this year. The Bears need receivers and one Pro-Bowl lineman. I thought that man was Tommie Harris. When he commands double-teams, this is a different defense. Brown and Adewale don't make plays when they get double teams. Urlacher is also freed up. The corners aren't hung out to dry.

 

Where was Urlacher all season after crying for an extension? Jerry shouldn't have budged.

[jersey cubs fan]

Wide Receiver and DB should be the main targets through draft and free agency.

 

O-Line please

 

Please. Chris Williams is moving in next year. St. Clair to left guard. The offensive line was not the problem this year. The Bears need receivers and one Pro-Bowl lineman. I thought that man was Tommie Harris. When he commands double-teams, this is a different defense. Brown and Adewale don't make plays when they get double teams. Urlacher is also freed up. The corners aren't hung out to dry.

 

Where was Urlacher all season after crying for an extension? Jerry shouldn't have budged.

 

Chris williams is no sure thing and JSC to left guard isn't exactly a good thing. The offensive line was definitely part of the problem this year. No sustained drives and Orton had 3 or less seconds to throw every pass.

[SpongeWorthy]

I thought the O line played at around a C/C- level all year. Coming into the year I expected them to be the weakest part of the team by far but I think that distinction belongs to the receiving corps.

[hawkeyecub]

what does it take to get McNabb? Go Cowboys (to make the loss less painful).

 

Whatever it takes is what I would say. As a Saints fan, I remember this time in 2005 wondering if we would draft Vince Young. We signed Drew Brees out of the blue, which freed us up to address other holes. The Bears could sign McNabb, then draft Knowshon Moreno from UGA, or trade up for Crabtree form TTech. That fixes alot of problems.

Now, I will resume sulking about my Saints. PLEASE let us draft Rey Maualuga from USC or Laurenitis from OSU!

 

Why in the world would they draft Moreno? Crabtree is probably going top 5-7 where it would cost an awful lot to get into.

[NOLA]

what does it take to get McNabb? Go Cowboys (to make the loss less painful).

 

Whatever it takes is what I would say. As a Saints fan, I remember this time in 2005 wondering if we would draft Vince Young. We signed Drew Brees out of the blue, which freed us up to address other holes. The Bears could sign McNabb, then draft Knowshon Moreno from UGA, or trade up for Crabtree form TTech. That fixes alot of problems.

Now, I will resume sulking about my Saints. PLEASE let us draft Rey Maualuga from USC or Laurenitis from OSU!

 

Why in the world would they draft Moreno? Crabtree is probably going top 5-7 where it would cost an awful lot to get into.

 

Moreno is the prototype of that change of pace back that ppl have mentioned in this thread. He's a great receiver out of the backfield and a homerun threat. That seems to be something the Bears seriously lack outside of special teams...a threat to stretch a defense. Match that with McNabb, with Moreno being his new Bryant Westbrook, in addition to Forte...that' a nice offense!

Edited December 28, 2008 by NOLA

[Wilson A2000]

Only five teams in the NFC gave up fewer sacks than the Bears. Forte's running, in part to a decent line, was the bright spot on offense. If you told me that a Bears line with St. Clair and Beekman were going to do this at the beginning of the season, I would have been happy. The defensive line and the receivers need the upgrades.

[hawkeyecub]

what does it take to get McNabb? Go Cowboys (to make the loss less painful).

 

Whatever it takes is what I would say. As a Saints fan, I remember this time in 2005 wondering if we would draft Vince Young. We signed Drew Brees out of the blue, which freed us up to address other holes. The Bears could sign McNabb, then draft Knowshon Moreno from UGA, or trade up for Crabtree form TTech. That fixes alot of problems.

Now, I will resume sulking about my Saints. PLEASE let us draft Rey Maualuga from USC or Laurenitis from OSU!

 

Why in the world would they draft Moreno? Crabtree is probably going top 5-7 where it would cost an awful lot to get into.

 

Moreno is the prototype of that change of pace back that ppl have mentioned in this thread. He's a great receiver out of the backfield and a homerun threat. That seems to be something the Bears seriously lack outside of special teams...a threat to stretch a defense. Match that with McNabb, with Moreno being his new Bryant Westbrook, in addition to Forte...that' a nice offense!

 

It would just be an awful use of resources. When your best player on offense is a RB and you have many holes to fill, it's not a sound decision to use your first round pick on a RB.